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?
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76 comments so far
Transfer Sage
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:33 PM
Comment #41ciaran
Yeh we will all support the lads but as you say it will show pardew up. If he starts jonas/tiote/saylor today and we don’t win (even if we do) a lot will jump on him and really go for the man.
He needs to show some loyalty to the players who have played the last 2 games picking up 4 points.
Transfer Sage
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:36 PM
Comment #42hatem786
good article…shows the owner for what he is…a total conman who is only interested in himself…not us fans, not his staff (at nufc or sports direct, 90% on zero hour contracts) or tardition of brands (nufc and all the ones he buys and makes cheap, quality and price, flogging stuff because of the name only)
Although there have been owners who have gambled with our future or gone through prudent times also there have been none of look to destroy the soul of the club with his lies and mistreatment of everyone like Ashley.
check the toastie
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:39 PM
Comment #43Ruddy, we all know it is only a matter of time before Jonas and Tiote get back in the team, part of me says it would be better to get them in the team today as i think its unlikely we will get a result.
If we do get beat today, sure as shit Jonas and Tiote will be back in for Hull at home next week, a game when we should be all out offensive, can just see Pardews quotes after todays defeat ‘ we needed a little bit more experience on the pitch’ pathetic loser……
Ciaran
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:40 PM
Comment #44Sage
It will turn the speculation about whether Pardew has favourites or not into an iron clad fact if any of these three players start to day. I’ve no problem sticking Tiote or Jonas on to close out a game and be defensive, if anything, they would both be excellent defensive subs to make late in a game. But to come out from the start and play with those two gives off the impression that we’re not going to give it a go from the start.
The likes of Remy, Gouffran and Anita must be tearing their hair out wondering how they are on the bench when the likes of Cheick and Jonas are playing. Not only does it infuriate the fans, but surely that must cause doubts among the players about the manager’s ability.
Spotlight Kid
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:45 PM
Comment #45Hatem, the best bit is surely…
‘The last set of financial figures revealed Ashley took £11m out of the business last year and while the club’s media department have denied he has taken any money since, the fact the increased television and sponsorship revenue is not being used to buy new players implies it has gone to Ashley instead.’
Ouch!
Ciaran
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:45 PM
Comment #46Check
I can see your logic, but we as the fans know that not only should we be giving it a go away to Villa, but we should be giving it a go in every single home game, even against the top 6.
You know the team that should playing, I know the team that should be playing, even the players know the team that should be playing. Another thing we’re all pretty certain about is that the team that will line out today will probably not be the team that should be playing.
msk21dec
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:47 PM
Comment #47The team Pards selects today will say a lot today. If tiote and/or saylor start then 100% defo Pards needs to go although ive wanted him gone for a long time now. who wants to play for a manager who always selects his favourite players regardless of form or performance.. so we shall see come 2.30pm.
msk21dec
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:49 PM
Comment #48Not sure if anyone noticed but santon had a bad game against fulham.. he gave the ball away a lot.
I think dummet deserves a few games run with santon on bench just to keep santon on his toes throughout season.
Transfer Sage
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:51 PM
Comment #49ciaran
the only ‘favourite’ i think is ok to play today is Shola. He may not be the best we have but the guy started the last game which we won and is in form for nigeria.
He might not be our best option but he is doing ok and part of a winning team so understandable.
tiote and jonas would be ok to play for me if they were in form, they haven’t been in form for a while and they missed the last game we won, so starting them would be utterly pointless today….and as you say show pardew does have favourites.
msk21dec
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:51 PM
Comment #50Today i think maybe pards should pick same team as fulham to keep it tight but 2nd half he needs to go for this to kill off villa
krul
debs,mym,colo,santon or dummet
cabaye, anita, sissoko
benarfa, remy,gouffran
Ciaran
Sep 14, 2013 at 12:56 PM
Comment #51Sage
If Shola starts today, I will most definitely not remain calm. He started the last game which we won (and only started playing good football when he left the field) and yes he scored against Nigeria….against Burkina Faso. I think I’d be fit to score against Burkina Faso, and I’m a goalkeeper!
We’ve got to be tougher on Pardew, not justifying these ridiculous decisions any more and demand more from him.
joeinthecheapseats
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:06 PM
Comment #52Why not go with the team that ended against Fulham
Looked better balanced and more likely to score
toonarmydownsouth
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:10 PM
Comment #53Really hoping the team that starts is the same team that finished against Fulham
martoon
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:18 PM
Comment #54Good news guys Jonas has tweeted “Looking forward to watch the game” which seems to suggest he is not playing presumably not fit yet.
Mister Tuff
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:19 PM
Comment #55Wow – the blog is unusually quiet for a match day. Where is everybody.
I suspect a lot have had their resolve and desire sucked out of them by Percy Parsnips latest spoutings.
I think the potential of players being “Pardewed” has now expanded to the fans being “Pardewed”.
Tricky game today -we’ve got one more point than Villa -so might be as good assessment of what level we are at.
If Benteke and Agbonlahor are not controlled we will get shafted. I still have doubts about our central defence. Possible unknown starting for Villa -Libor Kozak -no idea what he’s like -Czech striker.
bills -previous post -thanks for replying.
JAMSHA
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:29 PM
Comment #56YOUNG IS A SCUM ,CHEATER
gorgonzola ( former Pecorino former to gorgonzola)
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:32 PM
Comment #57links and what time is the game?
JAMSHA
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:34 PM
Comment #58in 1 an a half hour
petchey22
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:37 PM
Comment #59If Gutierrez gets played over Marveaux I will go mental!! Pardew please don’t be an idiot Gutierrez is a complete flop, took enough time for you to notice that in Obertan
nufc7lad
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:40 PM
Comment #60The only Villa player that would get into our first X1 would be Benteke. If we had him, hed be our best player but in terms of first 11 we win 10 times out of 11. We should win today, their defense is pretty dreadful. Id say 2-1
joeinthecheapseats
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:43 PM
Comment #61Goofy should be in over Marveaux did more in 20 mins than Marveaux did in two games
asenski
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:44 PM
Comment #62i think villa with a win due to pardews “not to lose game mentality” . let see how strong our back 4 is now , when we will play under pressure
JackButler
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:46 PM
Comment #63tads @53
We are all hoping to see that finishing 11 start today, but Pardew may well have other idea’s
petchey22
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:49 PM
Comment #64Don’t rate gouffran he works hard but he’s a bit clumsy and for a striker his finishing is poor, technically I’d say he just hasn’t got it
Transfer Sage
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:52 PM
Comment #65ciaran
I don’t know, I think shola, although not being key to the win, was involved in the winning side so if he plays at least there is some logic involved (even if there are others who do more).
Tiote, jonas or taylor would be total madness as without them we have performed much better.
I actually think pardew will pick the team most of us want to see.
Jamiemac
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:54 PM
Comment #66jonas injured – stop moaning
Transfer Sage
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:55 PM
Comment #67jamie
who’s moaning about it?
JackButler
Sep 14, 2013 at 1:58 PM
Comment #68Jamie
No one’s moaning just worried 😀
JackButler
Sep 14, 2013 at 2:00 PM
Comment #69Why hasn’t anyone in the premier league taken the chance on Jordan Rhodes???
JackButler
Sep 14, 2013 at 2:00 PM
Comment #70Newcastle United FC ?@NUFCOfficial 31s
#NUFC (4-3-3); Krul; Debuchy, Coloccini (c), Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon; Anita, Sissoko, Cabaye; Remy, Cisse, Ben Arfa.
JackButler
Sep 14, 2013 at 2:01 PM
Comment #71Newcastle United FC ?@NUFCOfficial 40s
#NUFC subs: Elliot, Dummett, S.Taylor, Tiote, Marveaux, Sammy Ameobi, Gouffran.
Jamiemac
Sep 14, 2013 at 2:01 PM
Comment #72YES BOYS
This is the team!!! : 4-3-3
Krul
Debuchy-colo-mbiwa-santon
sissoko-anita-cabs
HBA-Cisse-Remy
Best we could ask for, thanks Pards!
Transfer Sage
Sep 14, 2013 at 2:03 PM
Comment #73because blackburn bought him for 8mil last year and he had a good season…so be around 10/12 now for blackburn to sell.
and very good team
toonbrother
Sep 14, 2013 at 2:04 PM
Comment #74strange line up. Is he playing 4-4-2 or 4-3-3? I like the boldness Hope we get the win
expatmag
Sep 14, 2013 at 2:09 PM
Comment #75G.Day guys
Everyone confident tody
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Sep 14, 2013 at 2:32 PM
Comment #76Are we playing in half an hour? Don’t think I’ll make then 🙁
Ibiza…if you are here keep me posted on gtalk will ya? 😉