In his short 17 months as the Newcastle manager, Graeme Souness said that two defeats in a row and Newcastle United were in a crisis, so according at least to Graham, if Newcastle manage to lose the game tonight in the Capital One Cup against Leeds United, we will be in a crisis.
Newcastle were simply awful after the first 20 minutes of the game last Saturday, and in a game where 85% of our readers thought we would win the game, we managed to lose, and not only that but we gave up three goals at home to the newly promoted side.
Alan Pardew kept saying yesterday at his press conference for the game tonight, that he was still livid about both the performance and the result on Saturday, and he would give a chance tonight to some of the fringe players.
Two local lads who will get a game tonight are Paul Dummett, who was outstanding in pre-season and Sammy Ameobi, who has also been in good form so far this season. Who else Alan will bring in we don’t know, but it could be a good chance to give center-back Mike Williamson a game, and Mike is under-rated at Newcastle, and when required, he can do a good job for Newcastle – maybe he can do that job tonight.
We have an important game next Monday night at Goodison Park, so we think Alan Pardew will give a number of fringe players a game – although not too many. Steven Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez, Yohan Cabaye and Shola Ameobi – who now has the flu – are all unavailable for this game.
Here’s a possible side Alan will start tonight in a 4-3-3 formation:
Elliot
Debuchy Coloccini (c) Williamson Dummett
Anita Tiote Gosling
Ben Arfa Cisse Gouffran
Subs: Krul Santon Yanga-Mbiwa Bigirimana Marveaux Sissoko Remy
What’s your team for tonight?
Newcastle haven’t won anything since 1969, and this competition offers us our best chance to break that terrible streak of non success, even though we found out at the first Fans Focus meeting on Monday night, that the local cups were not a priority for Mike Ashley’s Newcastle.
The Premier League is the only priority – because of the massive amounts of money a Premier League club will make every year.
According to our readers, at the time of writing – only two in three – or 67% – think we will win this game, which must be decided tonight, and it will go to extra time and penalties if required. Here’s you chance top vote if you haven’t already done so.
The keys to the game are that Newcastle players give 100% with enthusiasm and pride in wearing the famous black and white striped shirt, and if Leeds United do manage to score, they cannot lower their standards as they did against Hull City on Saturday.
What they need to do is fight back even more to get ahead, and have Newcastle get through to the last 16 of this competition. Each player who turns out for Newcastle tonight needs to show the passion and commitment to Newcastle United – and big time too.
What do you think?
Comments welcome – but please keep them civil – thanks.
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91 comments so far
Pokat
Sep 25, 2013 at 6:11 PM
Comment #81The truth about any protest is that Mike will glance out the window at all the soggy cloth-capped whippeteers, sneer and then raise his champagne glass to all that notoriety. Toonking is right, theres no such thing as BAD publicity in the tack trade.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 25, 2013 at 6:15 PM
Comment #82Dembademba
Fox hunting is banned the way they used to do it with the hounds tearing the fox apart. These days it’s mostly just for show.
Agree regarding Ashley…
Pokat
Sep 25, 2013 at 6:16 PM
Comment #83offkey – correct if you are talking about apartheid or poll tax but not if you are talking about not liking the style in which someone runs his own business lol.
Pokat
Sep 25, 2013 at 6:18 PM
Comment #84Anyway 2-1 to us in a scary fashion.
toonking
Sep 25, 2013 at 6:28 PM
Comment #85the protest I am talking about in regards to Middlesbrough is where the stadium is getting emptier every year.
Ketsbaia9
Sep 25, 2013 at 6:29 PM
Comment #86That Ross McCormack will score tonight. I’m expecting us to lose 1-3.
Offkey
Sep 25, 2013 at 6:32 PM
Comment #87Pokat – That was a debate I was clearly swerving in that comment.
Himanshu Dhingra
Sep 25, 2013 at 6:42 PM
Comment #88Not predicting the result or score.
But I think pardew will put out a team that will make LUFC look competitive.
toon kk
Sep 25, 2013 at 6:43 PM
Comment #89MA should take notice of the fans and at least meet us half way. The fans are what makes a club. The club wouldn’t exist without fans. Mash knows what the club means to us but he doesn’t care, he knows we’ll always turn up because we want to.
Most owners want what’s best for there club but Mash doesn’t even support Newcastle it’s just a business.
santonthenewmaldini
Sep 25, 2013 at 6:47 PM
Comment #90Tiote is a player if he plays tonight needs to perform and set an example
He needs to dominate their midfield and not be a fanny and get sent off ! its about time he started performing to become “best DMF in the premiership” as so many people on here call him
If Cabaye is not match fit he should not start against Everton because thats going to be a battle
mattnufc
Sep 25, 2013 at 6:47 PM
Comment #91I have watched most of Leeds’ matches this season and they are nothing special. If we play a weakened team, I would expect us to narrowly win. I would say McCormack is their player most likely to score (Revelation!)