Newcastle have a tough game against West Brom at St. James’ Park on Saturday, and a good crowd is again expected and in each of the last four home league games, St. James’ Park has been less than 100 short of a full house.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa – does he have a role to play on Saturday?
Newcastle have three wins in a row and the only thing that matters now is somehow trying to get a win against a good West Brom side on Saturday, and of course they were the better side in their last away league game at Stamford Bridge, and but for a nonsense penalty decision in added time, would have come away with a 2-1 win – so they are very good on the road.
One question for Newcastle is what the back four will be,m and since Fabricio Coloccini has been exposed by forwards with pace in the past – maybe the more mobile Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa would be a better partner for Williamson at the back – given that Shane Long is in great form?
Let us know how you think the game will go on Saturday.
And let us know what you think the team will be.
Comments welcome.
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174 comments so far
Our Toon
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:10 PM
Comment #41TS
i would rather have a brute upfront, a player in the ilk of Benteke/Lukaku, Long is not that type of player!! Strong presence up top as you have said Long is decent but we need more than decent for next season, Remy wont be here
Ince
Ayew brothers (remy & cabaye replacements)
CB
for this window!!
G
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:16 PM
Comment #42Just to add to my last rant, people are suggesting that signing Long would give us something different from the bench. If you watch Long play, I think we already have it covered in Obertan, on a few occasions he has come from the bench, and harried the defence, made space, and created opportunities in much the same way as SL is capable. Therefore, I don’t think Long would give us any new options from the bench. That’s just my personal opinion though.
Our Toon
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:19 PM
Comment #43G
Completely agree mate, quite disturbing when we as fans looking from the outside rate a lad that his own fans, who see him week in week out don’t even rate
toonbrother
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:22 PM
Comment #44We definitely win if colocinni starts no doubt
Transfer Sage
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:22 PM
Comment #45G
Obertan is a total waste of space on my view, cant pass a simple ball, forgets to run with it, never uses his pace (can count the time he has ran at people on one hand). Just not good enough at all.
I think long does much more than that.
Our toon
I’d like to see long come in during january, be great bench player for us I think.
Then in the summer sign a shola replacement (or January if we can). Then we have the same amount of strikers as we have now (presuming remy and shola dont stay). Then we hope cisse either gets goals, or if he doesn’t can always replace him with another goal scorer.
So would have a brute who scores like benteke (not him, that type), gouff and long, as well as cisse (or his replacement if he doesn’t improve)
Just my thoughts on the whole striking matter….sound better? or still not something you’d like to see?
G
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:25 PM
Comment #46TS, your assessment of Obertan is 100% accurate mate… as a winger. When he comes on these days though AP seems to prefer to play him as a forward, and to be fair to the lad, he hasn’t done bad at all. I don’t see anybody sweating over their place in the forwards department, but a player you can bring on in the 70th minute, with pace like Obertans to support the attack can be difference between a solid win, or a bore draw mate.
Big Pappa Cissé
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:27 PM
Comment #47@ brother
Statistically We win more games and get more clean sheets when Williamson plays .
Just look at the weekend for example . We keep clean sheets against Spurs & Chelsea then Collocini comes back and we concede against West Brom with him being at fault for the goal .
He also could have cost us another goal that match when he lazily sat back and played Redmond on-side who should have scored .
Debuchy straight back in for Collo against West Brom and the same back four please . I don’t want a player ruining our unbeaten run that doesn’t even want to be here .
Transfer Sage
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:29 PM
Comment #48G
I do think he is better as a forward or wide forward to stretch play for last 10/20 mins but still think he is nowhere near good enough and long would do that so much better.
I think obertan just hasn’t got the ability and despite his pace seems reluctant to run unless he is a good 5 yards clear anyway, never knocks it past somebody 30 yards and just tries to outpace them, something bale did very well when he couldn’t use skill to get past.
Not saying Long should be our big target but a decent option, i’d much prefer better players but knowing the way we operate i can’t see it myself.
Transfer Sage
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:31 PM
Comment #49big pappa
totally agree…think toon brother is being sarcastic knowing his recent posts though
G
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:31 PM
Comment #50I completely get what you are saying TS, but I personally feel that a more Wenger approach to transfers should be taken. Keep the money for when the right players are available, rather than paying out for something which doesn’t ultimately improve the team. Like I say, I don’t think Long is a bad player, I just don’t believe he will improve our squad in any way.
Our Toon
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:33 PM
Comment #51TS
Sounds much better mate, problem is though how much would Long cost? More importantly what’s the most we would pay, I wouldn’t pay more than £2m or £3m. But we defo need a dominant force in holding the ball up as well as in the air, but that person needs to score as well. Will Long want to be a bench warmer? Shane Long reminds me of Kevin Doyle
G
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:46 PM
Comment #52Our Toon, Long reminds you of Doyle… bit harsh mate. ha ha
JackButler
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:47 PM
Comment #53With Debuchy back Colo should drop to the bench for us to revert to what has been our strongest back four for the WBA game. Colo was the weak link against Norwich and needs to make way
Transfer Sage
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:50 PM
Comment #54our toon
no idea, out of contract in the summer so might sell very cheap in jan just to get something back…but i wouldn’t like a large fee on him as it would be better spent on another player.
G
Yeh I like that idea, I just think he brings a different angle to the squad which could be helpful. I doubt we’ll go for him though, so not worth worrying about I guess.
Marseille are meant to be selling off players so maybe valbuena could be a target if cabaye is to leave or even in jan, think he is a top player and plays the game like cazorla does…can beat a man but also knows when to just shift a yard of space to pace instead, decent shot as well. Unlikely target but if we got any marseille player i’d want it to be him.
JackButler
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:54 PM
Comment #55If we can’t sign Remy on a permanent basis then Shane Long would be a good addition to the squad
Transfer Sage
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:54 PM
Comment #56Jack
100% agree with that, nothing against Colo just we seem better with willo and mbiwa at the moment.
G
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:55 PM
Comment #57Marseille are having a sale are they? Some tempting targets in their squad for sure. Not sure who I would bring in at the minute, as the team looks fairly settled with players who not long ago would have been the first players on the team sheet, sitting on the bench these days (HBA for instance), AP seems to have realised that the best players don’t necessarily make the best team, speaking of which JackButler, I agree regards Colo.
Our Toon
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:56 PM
Comment #58Jack
It was only a matter of time that we would concede considering that amount of chances we give away. Clean sheets against Chelsea and Spurs shouldn’t sugar coat the amount of chances we conceded. Luck and really good keeping as well as poor finishing helped us keep clean sheets in them 2 games as well as Norwich. If MYM and Willo were conceding less chances than you can say it’s working well.
Sorry Long fans but I honestly feel he is the equivalent to the once much sort after Kevin Doyle!! They have a similar game and execute it in similar way
Our Toon
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:58 PM
Comment #59I think AP has realised that the best players never seem to fit into his style of play or he can’t find a way for them to play (defensive)
JackButler
Nov 27, 2013 at 12:59 PM
Comment #60Transfer Sage
As good as Colo has been for us in the past I think his head is elsewhere and that he’s counting down the days until he’s able to leave. He was caught out several times against Norwich and still can’t cope with a simple ball over the top.
In fairness to Willo and Mapou they have formed a really strong paring as they’re styles complement each other, with one’s weakness being the others strengths.
No need to fix what isn’t broken
JackButler
Nov 27, 2013 at 1:03 PM
Comment #61Our Toon
Colo doesn’t want to be here so we should be looking beyond him, his head isn’t in the game the way it was 18 months ago and whether it’s down the luck, poor finishing or whatever else the facts are that Willo and Mapou have looked the most solid pairing we have had this season so we should stick with them.
roy
Nov 27, 2013 at 1:12 PM
Comment #62If Pardew, signs a couple of decent players in January Cabaye might not be missing the Champions league for too much longer.
Ciaran
Nov 27, 2013 at 1:22 PM
Comment #63People who think Long is as good as Doyle clearly haven’t watched him play. He is out of favour of WBA and has been for a while. For the last 2 seasons he’s been playing 2nd fiddle, even to Odemwingie a couple of seasons ago.
If WBA fans don’t rate him, it’s because they don’t know a good player. ‘Long would be our new Shola’? Ridiculous.
To have a striker who would work his socks off, run the channels and provide a decent goal every now and then I think he would be worth a punt. Do I think he is the answer to our prayers? No. Is he an upgrade on Shola. Considerably.
Lilongwe Geordie
Nov 27, 2013 at 1:32 PM
Comment #64Ciaran,
He would be playing a completely different role to Shola, so in no way is he an upgrade on Shola. That will come in the form of a striker t hold up play. He is more similar to Goofy.
Would he be decent as back up to Remy for the rest of the season, yes. Is he ever going to be a top striker and be the man to replace Remy, no.
Out of favour? Last season he played second fiddle to Lukaku, this season he has been involved in all but 3 games WBA have played in. Out of contract in the summer, but not out of favour.
Ciaran
Nov 27, 2013 at 1:36 PM
Comment #65Lilo
Clarke tried to ship him to Hull in the summer, he clearly doesn’t fancy him but has to use him.
The ‘upgrade on Shola’ comment was directed at the person who said he would be ‘our new Shola’. He is a better striker than Shola, but admittedly they do play different roles. As Gouffran has showed how important it is to have hard workers who provide for the team, I think we could benefit from another in that mould.
We would need another out-and-out goalscorer if we were to sign him though as he doesn’t score enough.
Our Toon
Nov 27, 2013 at 1:42 PM
Comment #66Ciaran
I’m yet to be convinced mate, he’s slightly better than Doyle. I honestly think he’d score as much as Shola in a season. I’m pretty sure that his headed goal against a static Chelsea defence was his first headed goal in PL
Lilongwe Geordie
Nov 27, 2013 at 1:43 PM
Comment #67Ciaran,
He is available because he has refused to sign a new contract. They wanted cash rather than lose him on a free. Much like we sold Enrique. That is hardly out of favour.
We would benefit from having him because imo we have been 1 striker light since Best and Lovenkrands left. He would replace Obertan as an alternative from the bench, and possibly Cisse unless form picks up.
I’d happily take him as he would strengthen our squad and options, but people on here are bigging him up to be a 15-20 goal a season striker. He isn’t. He brings his own merits, I compared him to Bellamy when he was with us. He will chip in with a few goals, work hard, stretch defences and create space for others.
My priority in Jan would be a better hold up play striker to take over from Shola, as it is clear that this is the way that Pardew best knows to set up his team. If we got this and Long, I’d be happy (provided it isn’t Gomis).
G
Nov 27, 2013 at 1:44 PM
Comment #68Ciaran, I was one of many people who described him as a possible ‘new Shola’, but it was directed at the bench warmer position, not his playing style.
Our Toon
Nov 27, 2013 at 1:46 PM
Comment #69I keep hearing he works hard, well so does Gutierrez does that really mean he should be playing? Since when has working hard been a replacement for actual quality. A player who is good at running into blind alleys and doesnt have a great or even decent goalscoring, doesnt have a good record for creating chances either but does run all day long!! Think we have enough of them, time for real quality to be bought in not headless chickens who work hard (Working hard should be a pr-requisite) not a bonus
Munster Mag
Nov 27, 2013 at 1:47 PM
Comment #70I don’t see Long as a Shola replacement either. But we should be looking at guys like him to cover for strikers and wingers as he can do both. I think he would be a good addition, but only at a fair price. I would consider him more like Goofy, or even a Bellamy in some ways, that a “full” centre forward. Is there any chance we can keep Remy – surely the only way to do that is to buy decent players in January, and make sure he is well remunerated. Or does that statement mean that the Ashley Love Association will start berating me now for now for not understanding gearing ratios?
martoon
Nov 27, 2013 at 1:50 PM
Comment #71Long fits the criteria – close to the end of his contract so relatively cheap. If he was £5m in the summer he must be about half that come January.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2514085/West-Bromwich-Albion-striker-Shane-Long-leaving-contract-talks-agent-Baggies-stall-negotiations-form-Irishman.html
Transfer Sage
Nov 27, 2013 at 1:50 PM
Comment #72our toon
he got 11 goals last season, not a terrible effort for somebody playing 2nd fiddle
Transfer Sage
Nov 27, 2013 at 1:53 PM
Comment #73our toon
long is way better than jonas, offers loads more to his team. 11 goals last year and 8 the year before, thats decent enough as a backup striker.
Lilongwe Geordie
Nov 27, 2013 at 1:55 PM
Comment #74Our Toon,
It should be a pre requisite, but as we well know it isn’t. Long improves our squad, what is wrong with wanting that??
I don’t think he is a world beater, but a far better option to come off the bench than Cisse has been, HBA, Guttierrez or Obertan. While not a great goalscorer has more end product then all the players I’ve mentioned, with the exception of Cisse’s goals, which have all but dried up.
Transfer Sage
Nov 27, 2013 at 1:56 PM
Comment #75munster
For all Remy doesn’t look likely you never know. I think he will just see what happens after the world cup and make his move when all options open to him.
We may be the best club that comes in for him, just got to wait and see who else wants him. Very little I think we can do.
Transfer Sage
Nov 27, 2013 at 1:58 PM
Comment #76The only other option to get Remy is a risky one. We could get to Jan and tell him if he doesn’t agree to a permanent move now he will have limited chances the rest of the season, making him miss a world cup spot.
Not ideal to upset him as he might call our bluff or stay and be unhappy, but that’s the only way I can see us signing him in Jan.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Nov 27, 2013 at 2:01 PM
Comment #77No brainer Got to Mbiwa – Colo to slow now – Mbiwa has got the pace to match Long as Long uses his speed to his advantage.
As for the Remy argument – lets wait until his trail is over
Ciaran
Nov 27, 2013 at 2:01 PM
Comment #78Well anyone touting him as a 15-20 goal a season striker would need their eyes tested.
He would get in the team ahead of Cisse on Cisses’ current form because I’d rather have a grafter like Long than a lazy git like Cisse 7 days a week and twice on Sundays.
I was very surprised to hear that WBA were trying to ship him to Hull and we were nowhere near that deal, if the same happens in January and we do not at least try to sign him I’d be very annoyed. While he might not be a world beater, having an option with PL experience is better than what we have at the moment.
Our Toon
Nov 27, 2013 at 2:12 PM
Comment #79Long was rotated a lot with Lukaku but has never been able to hold down a place in starting 11 (did start a lot few games last season though), Lukaku last year, Odemwinge previous years. Odemwinge isn’t really that good, Long is DECENT surely we want to move on from that and actually show ambition? Guiterriez and long play in different positions as does HBA whereas Cisse is a CF so you can compare them. I mentioned Jonas because fans love to slate him (Me Included) because all he does is work hard but yet I find ppl on here praising Long because he works hard, Jonas doesn’t bring anything to the team in an attacking sense, to compare Long and HBA is very laughable though. The question is do we want to move forward or are we happy to stagnate? Shane Long will bring nothing more and nothing less than Leon Best did in his time here, are we happy to go round in circles? Replacing Dross with Dross, or do we want to move forward? I’d rather have young Campbell as an option form the bench for next season.
One St in the Winter window (Big, Stong, Quick athletic lad Benteke/Lukaku ilk) and a wide forward who can play centrally (Remy/Ba style) for the summer, none of these describe Shane Long.
Ian Toon
Nov 27, 2013 at 2:15 PM
Comment #80Long is the complete antithesis of Cisse in that he works both CB’s by his constant movement. He is an intelligent ST in that he not only works the channels but often stands behind the CB’s ( in an offside position) before moving onside at the optimum time. He is I would imagine a constant irritant for both CB’s. He has good technique and although not recognised as being physical is brave and determined. Surprisingly useful in the air- he would work well with Shola rather than in place of him.