After losing only our second game in the last ten games at home to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, it will be important for Newcastle to get back to our winning ways this afternoon when we are at the Hawthorns against a struggling West Brom side, who are only 2 points above the drop zone, and have not yet replaced sacked manager and former Newcastle coach Steve Clarke.
Newcastle have won two of the three games over the Christmas period, and a win today at the Hawthorns is just what the doctor ordered, and three wins in four would put us right back on track in the league.
And Newcastle have done well the last two times we have visited West Brom, getting a creditable 1-1 draw in the game last season, after we were beaten 3-0 by Sunderland at St. James’ Park in April, and a 3-1 win two years ago when we tore West Brom apart in the first half and were 3-0 up at half time.
Newcastle again have no injuries in the squad apart from the long term knee injury to Ryan Taylor, and the continued fitness of our best players this season has come as a welcome relief from last season, when we were decimated by long term injuries to players like Yohan Cabaye, Fab Coloccini and Tim Krul.
And with this being Newcastle’s 4th game in 11 days and the FA Cup 3rd round tie at home to Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon, Alan Pardew may make a couple of changes to the side that lost against Arsenal.
Maybe both Frenchmen Ben Arfa and 21 year-old Massadio Haidara will get starts for the side today, and the team could be as follows in a 4-3-3 formation:
Krul
Debuchy Coloccini (c) Williamson Haidara
Anita Tiote Cabaye
Sissoko Remy Ben Arfa
Subs: Elliot Santon Yanga-Mbiwa Gouffran Ameobi (Sa) Cisse Ameobi (Sh)
Maybe it’s a bit worrying that a massive two in three fans think we will win this game today, and only one in eight think we’ll lose it.
Loading ...In the past when Newcastle have been hot favorites we tend to lose – like we did famously to Hull City at home in September, but this side is now becoming a lot more professional, and Alan Pardew will have drummed into his players that three points today are very important after the unlucky Arsenal defeat.
A win today would be a great result for us, and we can then look forward to hopefully progressing in the 3rd round of the FA Cup on Saturday against Cardiff City, who have just fired their manager Malky Mackay.
And maybe we can even have a long run in the competition this season, and that would be a nice change from recent seasons, when we have gone out far too early.
But first things first, and we need to get back to our winning ways at West Brom today.
Howay The Lads!!
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5 comments so far
cyprus
Jan 1, 2014 at 10:09 AM
Comment #1Mbiwa must also be upset about losing his position for no reason…
1 x or 2 today. Lawro predicts 2-0 while Match of the Day commentator Steve Wilson, went for 2-2, while Cyprus went for a narrow and slightly fortuitous victory.
asenski
Jan 1, 2014 at 10:12 AM
Comment #2don not think we can win that one
if we concede first cannot imagine to go back especially with pardew’s defensive approach
let see how far we have improved
cyprus
Jan 1, 2014 at 10:13 AM
Comment #3Here is his preview:
“West Brom’s search for a new manager goes on. The Baggies say they are taking their time and making sure they appoint the right man but that always suggests to me that, actually, they are not sure who to get.
In the meantime, caretaker boss Keith Downing stays in charge, after drawing all three of his games so far.
It’s not a shock that Downing has done ok, though, because this is still Steve Clarke’s team and Downing was a part of it when he was Clarke’s assistant.
Newcastle have been in great form and were unlucky not to get anything out of their defeat by Arsenal on Sunday.
The Baggies still have not won since they sacked Clarke on 14 December and that winless run goes back nine league games to the start of November, but I have a feeling their long wait for a victory will finally end here.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-0
Steve’s prediction: An entertaining romp in store at the Hawthorns with the points shared. 2-2”.
cyprus
Jan 1, 2014 at 10:20 AM
Comment #4And, as a gift to the blog, here’s my coupon. A tenner will get you over 550. A hundred 5500 and so on. Easy money.
Fulham FC – West Ham United (3-way – result) Fulham FC ?
Stoke City – Everton (3-way – result) Stoke City ?
Sunderland – Aston Villa (3-way – result) Sunderland ?
West Bromwich – Newcastle United (3-way – result) Newcastle Utd. ?
sweendog
Jan 1, 2014 at 11:48 AM
Comment #5Cyprus .. Stoke and Fulham results would be good for us .. But Fulham were hammered recently and stoke play Everton one of the best teams in the league .. I do picture 2 draws there