Newcastle face a rather tough game at Aston Villa this afternoon, against a side that is much improved from last season, and will be hungry for all three points after losing to Chelsea and Liverpool in their last two league games, after they had a great win at Arsenal (3-1) in the first game of the season.
And today’s game ends a two-week International break, and after all the players on International duty returned on Thursday, Newcastle seem to have a clean bill of health with every one of Newcastle’s first team squad fit.
We wonder how many times that will happen this season?
But it does mean Alan Pardew will have his strongest team and on the field, and with some excellent subs who can change the game in the second half.
Newcastle started the season in disaster mode at Manchester City almost four weeks ago with a 4-0 thrashing for the second successive season at the Emirates, but in the three games since then we have not conceded a goal and have picked up 4 points from our last two home games.
And if Yoan Gouffran had been able to take that huge chance in added time against the Hammers, we could even have had three successive wins, after our 2-0 win at Morecambe in the Capital One Cup.
Three clean sheets is very good and a key to this game will be how our defense plays against a very good Villa attack.
Steven Taylor is now able to play after he has served his three match ban for stupidly fouling Sergio Aguero just before half-time in that first league game, but we think Yanga-Mbiwa will keep his place alongside captain Colo at the back, following some solid displays.
And there is competition for places all over the field for this game, and we don’t think Cheick Tiote will make the team, assuming Pardew ill start with two strikers ip front, Loic Remy and Papiss Cisse.
Pardew may play a 4-5-1 type formation with only on e striker, but we also have to be able to attack the opposition, and a win is what Newcastle will be going for this afternoon.
Here’s what we think the team and subs will be today:
Krul
Debuchy Yanga-Mbiwa Coloccini Santon
Ben Arfa Sissoko Cabaye Gutierrez
Remy Cisse
Subs: Elliot Taylor (S) Anita Tiote Ameobi (Sh) Marveaux Gouffran
That would mean no place even on the bench for players like Sammy Ameobi, Mike Williamson, Dan Gosling, Gabby Obertan, Paul Dummett, Gael Bigirimana and Haris Vuckic, as we had pointed out earlier today.
And over 70% of fans think we can get a decent result at Villa Park today, with our strongest side on display.
We hope our players have been inspired by the events of Wednesday night, and go into this game in a positive frame of mind and wanting to win.
And who knows, with a good performance we should be able to pick up something from the game today.
A win would be great, but we’d also be happy with a point.
What team would you start today?
Comments welcome.
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76 comments so far
cyprus
Sep 14, 2013 at 10:53 AM
Comment #1Sage,
fine, only Cabs doesn’t do surging runs. Not being vindictive here (really – ok, just a little) but for me Gouff and Marv ahead of him. Last 15 minutes he can have, show where his heart is.
Spuggy
Sep 14, 2013 at 10:55 AM
Comment #2Cabaye can play the 10 though arriving late in the box
JAMSHA
Sep 14, 2013 at 10:55 AM
Comment #3my team
———————- Krul————————-
Debuchy———Mibwa–Colo————–Santon
———————-Anita————————
Hba——————Sisoko—————-Marvo
———————-Remy———————–
Black and White with an army lol
Sep 14, 2013 at 10:55 AM
Comment #4Villa will play an attacking 4-2-3-1, so we need to do the same or utilize a 4-3-1-2 to counter every move.
if AP persisted in using a 4-4-2 with strolla upfront fear for the worse,
4-2-3-1
Krull
Debuchy, Colo, MYM, Santon
Cabaye, Anita
HBA, Sissoko, Remy
Cisse
4-3-1-2
Krull
Debuchy, Colo, MYM, Santon
Anita, Cabaye, Sissoko
HBA
Cisse, Remy
these lineups would get us results and goals we’ve been craving for
Spuggy
Sep 14, 2013 at 10:56 AM
Comment #5If we want to be more offensive threat play Cabaye further forward and remy in the front line. It is that simple. We’ve got enough holding CMs.
fergies left foot
Sep 14, 2013 at 10:57 AM
Comment #6praying for
—————-krul—————–
debuchy-M’Biwa-Colo-Santon—
———-Anita-Sissoko————
—————Cabaye————-
Ben Arfa—————Remy—-
—————Cisse—————
probably wont happen though with tiote n
jonas in contention.
Black and White with an army lol
Sep 14, 2013 at 10:57 AM
Comment #7JAMSHA
did 1 player get left behind lol
Spuggy
Sep 14, 2013 at 10:57 AM
Comment #8Oh and if Cisse still can’t find the net with that behind him or hold the ball up better then drop him and put remy up front with Gouffran Cabaye and HBA behind.
Spuggy
Sep 14, 2013 at 10:58 AM
Comment #9Fergy
Totally agree. Of remy up front and Gouffran left.
geordie157
Sep 14, 2013 at 10:58 AM
Comment #10think i’d go 433
Krul
Debuchy, Mbiwa, Colo, Santon
Cabaye, Sissoko, Anita
Ben Arfa, Cisse, Remy
Big test today for Debuchy, with the pace of Agbonlahor
Transfer Sage
Sep 14, 2013 at 10:59 AM
Comment #11cyprus
I’d have anita and sissoko a little deeper then cabaye further up, just behind the from three. Like he did against stoke 2 seasons ago and got a couple goals and an assist.
Sissoko can bomb on from deep with anita holding and linking the play.
Spuggy
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:00 AM
Comment #12Although I’d like Anita to stay back and hold like carrick with position and passing (although appreciate not same range of passing). With sissoko and Cabaye further forward. We’ve played far too deep of late.
Do we have the balls to play a higher line away.
davetoon
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:01 AM
Comment #13majority of fans think we can win… cant be that depressing out there then
Magickit
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:03 AM
Comment #14My team suggestion for Pardew tonite 5-5-
0Debuchy-Mbiwa-Saylor-Colo-Santon
Sissoko-Anita-Tiote-Cabaye-Jonas
1.Solid mid n def
2. Mbiwa n Colo can cover fullback
3. Sissoko n Jonas can always tracking back.
4. Anita always covered either side of fullback in def counter.
5. Tiote n Cabaye sitting deep
I cant imagine we ll concede a goal with this formation n players.
Worth a try n we may steal a goal from CORNER! Pardew , u hear?? XD
Assam Toon
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:03 AM
Comment #15“…against a side that is much improved from last season”…Dear Ed, please keep this statement in the clipboard. You have to use it 34 more times this season, so why type it each time.
asenski
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:04 AM
Comment #16i think we underestimate villa- they got arsenal, chelsea and liverpool and got 3 points with goal difference 4-4.sorry but can’t see how our team managed by pardew could do that in a row of 3 matches ..
toonarmydownsouth
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:06 AM
Comment #17Ed
If your team starts I’ll cry
ToonArfa
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:09 AM
Comment #18Santon-mbiwa-colo-dummet
———-anita—–sissoko———
Benny——-cabaye——-remy
——————cisse—————-
Subs
Debuchy
Taylor
Tiote
Marvo
Gouff
JAMSHA
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:11 AM
Comment #19Black and White with an army lol
sowi lol no room for cisse remy n gufo upfront
OhSholaAmeobi
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:11 AM
Comment #20Jonas and Obertan are supposed to be back in training but not fit, happy days. I think he’ll go with 4-3-3
askar
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:13 AM
Comment #21Ben Arfa will win again for us this game by scoring or giving assists.
I always said here that our team without Ben Arfa is like Madrid without CR or Barcelona without Messi. if King Arfa is ok NUFC is ok and I am happy then Ruddy Marv will come and tell us “He is not world class blah blah” 😉 @Ruddy I am joking 🙂
Ed thank you for everything on this blog. Long life to you and to your family 🙂
Love NUFC, Love Colo, Love Krull and Love Arfa! Win win win!!!!
Transfer Sage
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:19 AM
Comment #22askar
If ben arfa could just get the final piece of his game together he would be world class i think…just not consistent enough at the moment.
He has strength for a small man like messi does, he glides like zidane and he has a strong shot too. If only everything could click he would be sensational.
roy
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:24 AM
Comment #23If he plays 4-4-2 I can see us getting a win today
North Atlantic Magpie
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:26 AM
Comment #24Jonas is still out injured.
Transfer Sage
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:27 AM
Comment #25who would you have up top roy? cisse and remy?
North Atlantic Magpie
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:30 AM
Comment #26Pardew must stop starting Cisse!!
ThaiMag
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:30 AM
Comment #27My team
———————–Krul
Debuchy–Mbiwa–Coloccini–Santon
———————-Anita
————–Cabaye–Sissoko
Ben arfa—————————-Gouffran
———————-Remy
Bench:
Elliot
Taylor
Dummett
Tiote
Jonas
Marveaux
Cisse
North Atlantic Magpie
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:39 AM
Comment #28Anita, Cabaye and Sissoko in midfield is spot on.
doonundertoon
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:45 AM
Comment #29debuchy – collo – mbiwa – santon
anita/cabaye – sissoko
gouffran – HBA – remy
cisse
but it will never happen lol, im actually expecting a 442 with jonas, tiote and staylor as we are playing away and we are under flak for not fielding english players, and poor anita who has been the stand out player for me this season so far will be benched, aston villa have been in good form so id be more than happy with a draw in this game
jimmy
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:49 AM
Comment #30Does anyone have any links for footy today?
check the toastie
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:50 AM
Comment #31—————————-Krul———————-
Debuchy——-Collo———Yanga——Santon—-
——————-Cabaye——Sissoko—————–
——Anita————Ben10————Goofy———
————————Cisse——————————
Bring Reny and Marv off the bench in the 2nd half and we will win, unlikely Tiote wont play, expect Anita to be completely dropped as Pardew is a pile of shit.
askar
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:53 AM
Comment #32@ Transfert Sage
Right! Arfa has got everything: movement, great finishing, great left foot, power and vision as well. Fantastic player for us.
“not consistent enough”…Not agree with you ==> Injuries 🙁
I know we are lucky to have him, Krull and Colo in our team 🙂
wolfshead@toon
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:56 AM
Comment #33if we play the same villa that took apart arsenal at the emirates a draw would be a good result imo
Transfer Sage
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:05 PM
Comment #34askar
injuries might be the reason…i don’t know why i just don’t think he is consistent as a world class player needs to be to be called world class (even if its the injuries and not his fault).
Good player though and can make something out of nothing at all…not many can.
DENIro
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:05 PM
Comment #35…………………………..KRUL……………………………
Debuchy………YMB…………..Colo…………Santon
………………Anita…………………Sisoko………………
……Ben Arfa……….Gouffran………..Remy………….
…………………………..Cisse……………………………..
HBA Blood Twister
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:10 PM
Comment #36I’d be well happy with a draw. Benteke is going to need some looking after today – hope he’s not in full beast mode.
Ciaran
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:25 PM
Comment #37I’ll bypass the rather rude comments made earlier because it is match-day 🙂 If ever any of you don’t want McDonalds, come and check out my hamburger stall? You can find it just outside the McDonalds toilets 😀
In all seriousness, though. If Gutierrez or Tiote starts, I will remain relatively calm and support the lads for the 90 minutes, but the point to consider is that if either of them play it will be a conclusive fact that Pardew is no longer fit for purpose and should be dismissed.
Laurent Robert 32
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:28 PM
Comment #38Good words from Brendan Rodgers on footballing philosophy and wanting to show that British players can be coached into playing a good style of football, as they have somewhat been discouraged into playing a certain way.
That way, is our clueless manager.
Just on Soccer Saturday now.
hatem786
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:29 PM
Comment #39http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/10309211/We-would-have-had-to-borrow-from-the-bank-to-sign-players-says-Newcastle-United-manager-Alan-Pardew.html
hatem786
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:30 PM
Comment #40W T F…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/10309211/We-would-have-had-to-borrow-from-the-bank-to-sign-players-says-Newcastle-United-manager-Alan-Pardew.html