It’s Newcastle first home game of the season tomorrow afternoon against a decent West Ham side, and we have to hope we do a lot better than we did last Monday night in our first game of the season, when we were taken apart by Manchester City 4-0, and the score-line could have been a lot worse but for some good goalkeeping from Tim Krul.
At the end of last season, after we just survived relegation, finishing 5th bottom, but still above Sunderland, it was obvious that Newcastle had to get off to a good start this term, so we could put last season down to too many injuries, and those 14 European games that did little else but to tire our players before 14 Premier league games.
Anyway those were some of the reasons (excuses) as to why we had done so poorly in the league after finishing in 5th place the season before.
But if that’s going to be proved true we should do a lot better this season, but it was a terrible start to the season at the Etihad.
One thing that was worrying was our defense again looked all at seas, and Mathieu Debuchy had a very poor game and couldn’t seem to handle the pace and skill of Manchester’s wide men.
But it was only one game and Mathieu is a much better player than he showed in Manchester and we are hoping top see the Frenchman put in a solid performance tomorrow afternoon.
And Steven Taylor is of course suspended for the next three games after receiving a straight red card on Monday night, for a stupid foul he committed out of sheer frustration, and Loic Remy, Jonas Gutierrez and Davide Santon are all unfit.
Cheick Tiote is a doubt with a slight groin strain, but we’ll assume he fit to play tomorrow.
So this is what we think the side will be tomorrow:
Krul
Debuchy Coloccini (c) Yanga-Mbiwa Dummett
Ban Arfa Tiote Cabaye Sissoko Gouffran
Cisse
Subs: Elliot Williamson Anita Marveaux Gosling Ameobi (s) Ameobi (Sh)
There is a chance that Mike Williamson could be drafted in alongside Colo, and Yanga-Mbiwa stays at left back, and when Mike came in over the seocnd half of last season, the 6’4″ defender did put in some solid performances for the side.
And it seems that Andy Carroll has only a slight chance to make the West Ham squad for tomorrow’s game, and will have a late fitness test on the foot injury he picked up in the last game of last season.
In his press conference for this game Alan Pardew asked the Newcastle fans to support the team big time tomorrow, and the lads needed the support and Newcastle need the win.
The Newcastle manager also said that he expected a lot of transfer business to be done in the coming week, and he hoped Newcastle were part of that and and bring in some players.
Let us know how you think the game will go tomorrow.
We need the win tomorrow – no doubt about that, otherwise there will be even more gloom and doom on Tyneside.
Comments welcome.
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167 comments so far
Indian Magpie
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:29 PM
Comment #41bvb vs bremen
now on
theartfuldodger
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:29 PM
Comment #42This is what defensive,scared for his job Pardew will put out tomorrow.
Krul,Debuchy,Collo,MYM,Dumett,Sissoko,Sammy,Gouffran,HBA,Cisse,Shola
Pardew’s instruction to the players – “Guys do not lose this one”
On a positive note – How great would it be to get a 4-0 victory trow.
Big Pappa Cissé
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Comment #43Gosling over a Dutch international and product of the Ajax academy ? . Sounds about right 🙂 .
Marveaux needs to start IMO , especially with Cabaye AWOL . Watch this video and tell me if Gutierrez or Gosling have ever looked as lively in a match :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH4RFVfdEEU
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Comment #44Kevin Volland anyone?
piegut74
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Comment #45————————–Krul————————–
Santon—–Collo—————MYM—–Dummet
————————-Tiote—————————-
——–Anita———Sissoko————-Marv
———————HBA————————–
——————————–Cisse—————
Will only work if we play a higher line and we dont go thumping balls for cisse to win in the air, we have to play it thru the midfield 5.
theartfuldodger
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:31 PM
Comment #46Assuming tiote injured. Else Shola out , tiote in
Krul To Be Kind
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:31 PM
Comment #47I might well be ridiculed for saying this but I would like to see us play 442 going back to basics with pardews tried and tested. My ideal formation though is a narrow 4312 (but unfortunately I don’t think our leader is capable of implementing something so different) with no wingers because you cant make a silk purse out of a sows ear so to speak with our lack of quality on the wings with the current squad. We need to play with 2 up top with a higher chance of retaining the ball in the final 3rd of the pitch, we lose it too easily with 1 up top.
my preferred line up with whats available
Krul
Debuchy MYM Colo Dummet
Sissoko Tiote Anita
HBA
Cisse Gouffran
ps. I’d let that little troublemaking scrot cabaye go for 15m +, he is a decent player but we need to go back to the attitude of no one is bigger than OUR club!
HWTL
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:32 PM
Comment #48Inman has signed for Crewe
Big Pappa Cissé
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:35 PM
Comment #49@ Krul
I think that could be the problem m8 . Pardew likes to think he is Peop Guardiola and can play all these technical formations, yet he is an old school 4-4-2 defensive manager .
nico
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:35 PM
Comment #50Big Pappa Cissé
I’m sick of people saying how good Anita is because he’s from the Dutch / Ajax Academy. He’s looked average for us, just because of where he’s come from doesn’t mean he’s effective.
I’d still play Anita in a deeper role with Gosling more attacking. I do also like Marvo in that role, but he won’t get into the box as much.
iggystinger
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:36 PM
Comment #51Like the look of that line up Nico but i would swap hba and gosling and put marveaux wide him and gouffran cutting in with cisse as much as possible hba in the free rôle behind.
Yohan Kebab
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:37 PM
Comment #52i think the problem is bigger than players, bigger than team selection, formation, tactics
it is the lack of confidence that courses through the tattered fabric of our supposed team
induced by pardew you may say, being so tactically inept, such a footballing dinosaur, so defensive in his ways that he stifles the creativity of the team, relying on individual brilliance to save us.
we had the fewest chances in the 6yd box of any team last season, and one of the highest longshots:goals ratios.
the fact is there is only one man who can sort out this mess, one man who can take pardew away from the club and that is ashley
the only thing that is up for real debate is whether it is pardew himself who is the cancer that must be removed, or whether he is just a symptom of the wider problem.
is this ashleys vision?
has he employed a puppet, a pr man, willing to take the flak, support the board, yet ultimately return no success
is it ashleys intention to deprive the club of all those with a voice to speak out against him, keegan, hughton, nolan, barton etc , replacing them with a technically skilled but ultimately soft centred core of players, who in turn also leave us with a team with no grit on the pitch
could it be this that further reinforces ashleys ultimate aim of sustainable mediocrity, using our great club as a platform to advertise sports direct, with minimal outlay, sapping tv license money until ultimately he can finally make profit from another buyer?
Ashley is a business man, anyone thinking he will run this club in any other way is misinformed, but that just begs one nagging question to me that makes me question all of which i have said before
surely, surely it is more financial beneficial to be a champions league club, a top team, a true challenger?
unfortunately that is no longer the case and therein lies the problem. huge hundred million pound outlays are no longer guarantees of success, and with a fan base as loyal as us, ashley knows he can run an average team, with minimal outlay, and still receive millions of pounds through license money, gate receipts and shirt sales
he is taking us all for mugs, and the problem is every die hard fan will let him, because they have no intention of ever turning their backs on their beloved club
until a billionaire comes in and pays over the odds to get our club back, or something terrible happens to ashley regarding his health, there is nothing we can do
for even boycotting the club would achieve nothing anymore, such is the revenue from tv licenses these days.
in the hands of the right owner these extra funds are a blessing, but in the hands of our leech they are little more than a reinforcement to our impending and unavoidable demise.
its all rather sad
Howden Mag
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:37 PM
Comment #53I believe we have a lot of quality in the squad. We definitely could do with more quality recruits. This squad is better than started last season and probably the season before. The big difference and missing factor is confidence. The club need a good win, the team need a comfortable win, the fans are desperate for a great win. One win could make a huge difference. Do not underestimate the confidence factor, it makes a player, it makes a player play. I would think that our position is probably 8th, with minimal improvement challenge for 6th. Top 4 or 5 clubs are gradually pulling away from the rest. Here’s hoping for that impressive performance and comfortable win tomorrow. HWTL.
Krul To Be Kind
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:38 PM
Comment #54Nico
He hasn’t had the chance to even look average, a few mins here and there is not enough, he certainly hasn’t let anyone down when he has played, the calmness he displays when in possession is stereotypical of the famed Ajax academy… he needs starts, not 20 mins every so often and shafted out of position when someone else has a brain fart in the full back positions, he cannot show his class from the back!
Rooster
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:40 PM
Comment #55boater, correct, no full back has the right to win every battle against the winger he is put up against, and Downing has 37 England caps to his name, he certainly wont do Dummett for pace that’s for sure, maybe now and again the odd bit of trickery/ fair enough but I feel confident enough to say Sam will take Downing off midway through the second half, there ive tempted a bit of fate!! im good for it. Jarvis on the other side is a lad who has pace and puts a wicked cross in, that is a danger as is Diame in the middle, maybe that is why Pardew will play Tiote, FOR THE CHALLENGE, been pants for quite a while Tiote though and needs shaking up, his position should not be an automatic at all.
Mr Magpie
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:42 PM
Comment #56With the injuries, suspensions, not knowing about cabaye & the fact were at home needing a good performance & a win I’d like to see this team go out & attack!
Krul
Debuchy
Colo
Mbiwa
Dummett
Anita (dm)
Marveux (rw)
Gouffran (lw)
Sissoko (am)
Ben Arfa (am)
Cisse
nufc_eire
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:42 PM
Comment #57DevonToon
6′ would be short for a centre back though. Its very rare to have someone smaller than that. Plus the way Dzeko one pretty much everything in the air on Monday (and they were only floating the ball to him). Its also small when you look at some of the main strikers at most of the Prem clubs are quite tall
Chelsea: Ba 6’2″, Lukaku 6’3″
Manchester City: Dzeko 6’4″
Manchester United: RVP 6’2″
West Ham United : Carroll 6’3″
Aston Villa: Benteke 6’3″
Fulham: Berbatov 6’2.5″
Liverpool: n/a
Southampton: Lambert 6’2″
Tottenham Hotspur: (Adebayor at 6’3″)
Everton: Jelavic 6’2″
Norwich City: RVW 6’1″
Crystal Palace: Chamakh 6’2″
Stoke City: Crouch 6’7″
Sunderland: Altidore/Fletcher 6’1″
West Brom: n/a
Arsenal: Giroud 6’4″
Cardiff City: Cornelius 6’4″
Hull City: n/a
Swansea City: Michu 6’1″
Theres 14 teams with strikers 6’2″ or more. We need a CB who is at least that, esp if we come up against a 6’3/4″ ST who you can just float the ball to. Alderweireld is just shy of 6’2″ so who be ideal
Big Pappa Cissé
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:43 PM
Comment #58@ Nico
He was our best player for a month straight last season when Tiote wasn’t playing yet gets benched when Cheick comes back. How is he meant to get any sort of momentum going from a few sub starts here and there ? .
Same with Marveaux . He got the most assists for us last year (Most from Sub appearances) yet still can’t get in the team . What else can the lad do ? . Gutierrez starts because of his defensive work but that is the last stat I would want from a midfielder that is meant to create and score goals.
Jackel001
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:44 PM
Comment #59@indykaila: #NUFC in talks all day regarding Bafetimbi Gomis. Positive talks. #NUFC
JaxtheMag
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:47 PM
Comment #60ketsbaia there all playing tomorrow, so you will be happy.
Big Pappa Cissé
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:47 PM
Comment #61Let me ask the blog this question:
If Gutierrez & Marveaux played the same amount of minutes last season, who do you think would have the most goals scored & created ? .
I know who I would put my money on .
Yohan Kebab
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:50 PM
Comment #62i would try to give marveaux anita cabaye (if stays) sissoko hba an extended run as a starting midfield, could be lethal
Heslop Toon
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:51 PM
Comment #63@55
Most of the players you have named there will probably not even score 5 goals with their head a season. Just because a player is tall it does not make them a great headerer of the ball or mean that they have someone on the wing who can put in a decent delivery for them to get onto the end of.
Rooster
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:51 PM
Comment #64Big Pappa, Marveaux 5 goals 8 assists. JonaASS one goal one assist.
Ketsbaia9
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:52 PM
Comment #65Even if Cabaye and Marveaux would’ve played the same amount of games last season, Marveaux would’ve created more and scored more.
Mr Magpie
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:53 PM
Comment #66We lack confidence as a squad, confidence comes from winning & playing well. Marveux & Ben Arfa are our most creative players available, hopefully they both play, & we convert the chances created!
Krul To Be Kind
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:54 PM
Comment #67Heslop
They may not core 5 goals each but they take the attention of the late midfield runners because the centre halfs are so pre occupied with nullifying they aerial threat they carry, although I would be very surprised if Carroll only gets 5 this season if fit for example but what the others around chip in with because of the big lad is priceless
Rooster
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:56 PM
Comment #68Marv v Anzi AT HOME WAS THE BEST PLAYER ON THE PARK. 100 PER CENT.
Krul To Be Kind
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:59 PM
Comment #69Rooster
Take a look at the compilation on youtube for marveaux in that game… he was scarily good!
On the other hand though – remember him against everton on the left wing?
Classic example of the sublime and the ridiculous – but again he is another player that needs a run, and he was fit most of the last campaign and still under used
nico
Aug 23, 2013 at 8:00 PM
Comment #70Krul To Be Kind & Big Pappa
Is Anita’s best role a defensive midfielder? or more attacking. I watched 75% of our games last season and saw Anita play on a number of occasions. He didn’t seem comfortable in the centre, kept getting caught in possession as the game was just to fast for him.
He might adapt given time, but I’m not sure.
As for Marvo, I’d play him instead of Guti anytime.
nico
Aug 23, 2013 at 8:01 PM
Comment #71When I say I watched 75% of games, I mean I was there. You can’t always tell how good a player is on TV.
Heslop Toon
Aug 23, 2013 at 8:02 PM
Comment #72Krul To Be Kind
That may be true but any centre back pairing in the premier league will be preoccupied with Andy Carroll not just ours.
Pokat
Aug 23, 2013 at 8:02 PM
Comment #73Some class on here mind, good news Jonas is injured? Why are the likes of you on here again?
Ha ha ha bleddy ha the ‘future’ Marvo the magnificent is a damn imprssive player, what stats! Pity we only have Presetn Marveaux eh?
Pokat
Aug 23, 2013 at 8:05 PM
Comment #74Present as in the one we actually have, not the one in our heads when we drift off.
Rooster
Aug 23, 2013 at 8:06 PM
Comment #75Krul, Marv is defo a kid who needs to feel wanted, play him get him involved at home especially, its criminal the amount of playing time the lad is getting even pre season, Pardew should be serving a year in Durham, he`s maddening.
Dennis Twice
Aug 23, 2013 at 8:06 PM
Comment #76We`re deep in relegation battle…WB, Crystal P, Hull, Stoke, Cardiff and us….3 down…
Pokat
Aug 23, 2013 at 8:07 PM
Comment #77@69 – judging by the appraisals of some of our players most of the bloggers here must be catching them on MoTD highlights.
Blackley and Brownlie
Aug 23, 2013 at 8:10 PM
Comment #78Dummett has played 5 minutes and now he’s a top man. Good luck to the kid, but i havent seen anywhere near enough to justify some of the comments.
Pokat
Aug 23, 2013 at 8:11 PM
Comment #79Actually the real problem is in our players heads, the way things are panning out they know any team in the league can beat us. Thats a pretty sorry state to be in.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Aug 23, 2013 at 8:12 PM
Comment #80You’d wonder if some people understand football or whether they are paid by Ashley and Pardew to troll the blogs and try and convince the rest of us that they are doing a good job.
Otherwise, why would anyone think Jonas is good enough to start and that Anita and Marveaux deserve to be on the bench.