It’s all or nothing tonight at St. James’ Park, when Newcastle will try to overcome a two goal deficit (1-3) in the second leg of the quarter final against top Portuguese side Benfica.
And since Papiss Cisse scored in Lisbon last Thursday night, the easiest way we can get through this tie is to win the game 2-0, but it will be difficult to contain Benfica tonight, and we’ll have to do it without center-back Steven Taylor, who picked up a knee injury in training yesterday morning, and will miss the game.
But it seems as far as injuries go that Massadio Haidara is available tonight, after recovering from the knee injury he picked up over three weeks ago at Wigan, and we’re sure the 20 year-old will get a great reception from the home fans.
The fans sent the young Frenchman multiple get-well messages of support after he suffered that knee injury, following the gruesome tackle from Callum McManaman.
And it seems James Perch is also available, and James could start at the back in place of Steven Taylor.
In his meeting with the press yesterday, Alan Pardew said that Ben Arfa is also available for this game, and he will probably make a substitute appearance at some stage in tonight’s game, and it will be great to have Ben Arfa back.
With Taylor not being available, it seems that James Perch will partner Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa at the back, and both of them played very well in Moscow against Anzhi, and helped keep a clean sheet on March 7th.
The only thing that worries us a little bit is the lack of height in defense, when we are up against 6’4″ Oscar Cordozo, which is why Alan Pardew could spring a surprise and bring in 6’4″ Mike Williamson to partner Yanga-Mbiwa tonight.
Davide Santon, Mathieu Debuchy and Cheick Tiote are out injured, although the last two will be available for Sunday’s vital derby game against Sunderland. and are likely to start that game
.
This is the probable Newcastle side tonight:
Krul
Simpson Perch Yanga-Mbiwa Haidara
Marveaux Anita Cabaye (c) Gutierrez
Sissoko
Cisse
Subs: Elliot Williamson Bigirimana Gosling Ben Arfa Obertan Ameobi (Sh)
Newcastle’s defense must play well tonight, and hopefully be able to keep a clean sheet against a side who have now won 12 successive games in all competitions, and it helped that we kept a clean sheet against Fulham last time out.
That’s really the key – and it doesn’t matter if we don’t score early – as long as we keep Benifca scoreless we are always in with a chance of getting a couple of late goals, that can see us in the final four of the Europa League.
And 60% of readers think we can do it tonight.
We hope we can get through, in what is our 14th game in Europe this season, but whatever happens tonight – Newcastle have done very well to progress this far.
And whatever happens, the lads will start preparing for the Sunderland game, and a win in that game will see us sitting pretty in the League table, and almost in the top ten.
But first things first – and we can do it tonight.
Comments welcome.
Note: For those attending tonight’s game (and Sunday too) please bring your scarves to the the game, as there is an effort to recreate the atmosphere at Alan Shearer’s testimonial, and hopefully inspire our lads to two famous wins.
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You can also reach Ed at admin@nufcblog.com
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132 comments so far
wreker16
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:28 AM
Comment #41Ever seen a mackem that can spell correctly?
JAMSHA
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:28 AM
Comment #42Playeng Perch As CB is Sucide… Play Willo.
hatem786
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:29 AM
Comment #43i will bet 100 £ on basel and magpies:)
TOON TOON TOON TOON
MACKEM WARRIOR
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:29 AM
Comment #44at least we didn’t got beat by 8 goals this season
hatem786
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:30 AM
Comment #45JAMSHA
and willo is better??I DONT THINK SO
MACKEM WARRIOR
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:30 AM
Comment #46ever seen a geordie talk English properly
wreker16
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:31 AM
Comment #47Mackem warrior
You’ve never seen me talk
I’ve seen you try to spell
BIGUPNUFC
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:31 AM
Comment #48MW go back to your hole, we don’t want you here.
JAMSHA
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:33 AM
Comment #49A little kid gets on a bus and sits right
behind the driver (A Mackem) and
starts yelling, ”If my dad was a bull
and my mom a cow I’d be a little
bull.”
The Mackem starts getting mad at the
noisy kid, who continues with, ”If my
dad was an elephant and my mom a
girl elephant I would be a little
elephant.”
The kid goes on with several animals
until the Mackem gets angry and yells
at the kid,
”What if your dad was gay and your
mom was a prostitute?!”
The kid smiles and says, ”I would be a
Mackem!”
Lilongwe Geordie
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:36 AM
Comment #50errr, when did we Mackem? Or are you just making a statement that because you haven’t this season is a big success for Sunderland?
MACKEM WARRIOR
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:37 AM
Comment #51Why do Geordie Supporters have Moustaches?A: So they can look like their Mothers.
Spoof
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:38 AM
Comment #52Jamsha, thats not very nice, you shouldn’t make fun of the brain dead, it’s not their fault, it’s the way they were born ?
ash
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:39 AM
Comment #53is there anyone you know of who is selling 2 tickets for tonights game? i’m not at work so going to try for a late minute ticket?
cheers
low fell mag
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:40 AM
Comment #54Catchy,just a quick one mate ,i see your from Norway.Next time your in the the North East of England please pop up to the Qe hospital in Gateshead,there is a unit there called The Tramwell .Please pop in as im sure they could help you,on second thoughts maybes not as they will section you..When pdc finishes 5th in the premier league,wins lma of the premiership and guides his team in touching distance of the semi finals of a eouropean cup ,Then i will join you,enough said mate.
JAMSHA
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:42 AM
Comment #55yup spoof 😛
Spoof
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:43 AM
Comment #56Q: how many mackems does it take to change a lightbulb???
A: None, they enjoy living in the shadows.
MACKEM WARRIOR
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:43 AM
Comment #57I am not here to fight I am here to see how you guys will turn on each other during our derby game since you always talk shit about your own manager and players and owner of your club can’t expect you to talk good stuffs about your enemy
JAMSHA
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:44 AM
Comment #58Q: Why do NASA send their astronauts
to train at The Stadium of Shite
A: It’s the only place in the world with
no atmosphere!
JAMSHA
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:45 AM
Comment #59http://www.geordiegabbamafia.org/DaftStuff/Scum/smb3.jpg
wreker16
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:45 AM
Comment #60Mackem warrior
Is the reason you don’t respond to insults durectly because you can’t think of a decent comeback with that insignificant brain of yours that’s passed down through mackems like a hereditary disease?
Or is it because you know I’m right and you’ve been outsmarted?
I’m expecting you to reply with something relevant as opposed to a reused sickipedia joke
Spoof
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:45 AM
Comment #61MW, you hurl a load of abuse and then say you aren’t here to fight, be a good lad and crawl back under your rock, SMB
JAMSHA
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:46 AM
Comment #62http://www.geordiegabbamafia.org/DaftStuff/Scum/relegation.jpg
Rainrix
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:48 AM
Comment #63http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/8630864/Sunderland-boss-Paolo-Di-Canio-reveals-admiration-for-Alan-Pardew-ahead-of-derby
Herp herp.
MACKEM WARRIOR
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:48 AM
Comment #64ha I am just one guy here against the whole bunch of animals can’t expect much of a fight can you
wreker16
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:48 AM
Comment #65Mackem warrior
Are you on a Sunderland blog? If so which one? Assuming they any
wreker16
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:49 AM
Comment #66*assuming they have any
MACKEM WARRIOR
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:49 AM
Comment #67jamsha was that the same card you but written nufc all over it 2 season s back
MACKEM WARRIOR
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:51 AM
Comment #68jamsha was that the same card you used but written nufc all over it 2 season s back
catchy in norway
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:52 AM
Comment #69low fell mag
how about i just meet you in the cannon or beaconsfield,, then you can explain to me and al my mates over there why you think pardew is so good,
on the PDC and how much he spent, hmmmm,, at least he got the best out of the team ,
and you can spout all you want about pardew getting promotion with other clubs, but he never won a league
johnson paint trophy, well we won the inter toto cup, but it means nothing,,
catchy in norway
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:54 AM
Comment #70MACKEM WARRIOR
weeeeees keeeeys are theeeeees
great english 😉
JAMSHA
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:54 AM
Comment #71Nope Macken … its not the same card… are u blind… Its In Red
MACKEM WARRIOR
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:57 AM
Comment #72you edited it didn’t you jamsha
NUFC FOR SALE
Apr 11, 2013 at 11:59 AM
Comment #73Has Mackem Warrior got a stutter or is it just because his hand is shaking in fear for Sunday that he keeps pressing the return key twice?
JAMSHA
Apr 11, 2013 at 12:00 PM
Comment #74ya editd the 75%… should i edit to 100%???
Beattie25
Apr 11, 2013 at 12:01 PM
Comment #75Hi Mackem Warrior
Welcome to nufcblog.com!
Who is your favourite all time player?
Don’t worry about these rude people just relax and soon everyone will give your posts the time and credit they deserve!
It’s weird how we don’t take to newbies on this site. It’s very exclusive with a core group of bullies at the helm stifling good debate and interesting conversation.
Keep going though xxxx
G
Apr 11, 2013 at 12:03 PM
Comment #76I met a sunderland fan recently, he was a polite man who introduced me to his wife and his mother. They were of course one and the same person. That’s what a diet of cheesy chips and sunny delight does for you.
Beattie25
Apr 11, 2013 at 12:03 PM
Comment #77Also guys I love the confidence tonight but having read some opinions on twitter indicating that tonight is a bigger game than Sundays and seeing the result of the above poll I must say you’re all fcuking mad!!!
Love you all though xxx
MACKEM WARRIOR
Apr 11, 2013 at 12:04 PM
Comment #78finally found a human being in this blog from nufc Beattie25
MACKEM WARRIOR
Apr 11, 2013 at 12:06 PM
Comment #79G that sunderland fan was your brother wasn’t he
G
Apr 11, 2013 at 12:07 PM
Comment #80No, his brother was his son. Read it again. Anyway, look at the time, shouldn’t you be at ‘skewel?’