After all the news yesterday about Yohan Cabaye on his way to PSG if he passes his medical today, and Luuk de Jong on his way to Newcastle for a medical, we do actually have a game to play at Norwich City tonight – but in the grand scheme of things this game unfortunately has taken second place to the transfer business going on at the moment.
Yohan Cabaye will not play tonight, and it says something about Mike Ashley’s ambitions for Newcastle United, that he is willing to sell probably our best player – half way through the season.
If only Mike would think about getting a good team together rather than being obsessed with the finance side of the club – we’d do a lot better.
This will be an important game for Newcastle, because a win will lift Newcastle fans’ spirits after Cabaye’s departure, but on the other hand a defeat at Norwich would do the exact opposite.
Mathieu Debuchy is back after serving a three match ban, and we have to hope that he’s not too affected by his best friend Yohan Cabaye leaving the club.
He certainly was affected last August in that first game at Manchester City, after his friend had gone on strike to try to force a move to Arsenal.
We lost 4-2 at Norwich two seasons ago, but that was when we didn’t have any center-backs fit, and last season we drew 0-0 in a lack-luster game on January 12th last year.
Colo is still out injured but everybody else in the squad is available and
This could be the side that manager Alan Pardew starts tonight, with potentially Hatem Ben Arfa playing in Yohan Cabaye’s former position of withdrawn striker, behind Loic Remy in a 4-1-1 formation
Krul
Debuchy Williamson Taylor (S) Santon
Sissoko Tiote (c) Anita Gouffran
Ben Arfa
Remy
Subs: Elliot Yanga-Mbiwa Haidara Gosling Marveaux Obertan Ameobi (Sh)
Before we agreed a deal to sell Yohan Cabaye to PSG, 72% of fans thought we would beat Norwich tonight, and only 14% thought we’d lose – but those figures have now dipped to 46% thinking we’ll win and 36% thinking we’ll lose the game.
That’s because Yohan will not be playing tonight – and in fact will never play for Newcastle again. 🙁
As far as the tactics of the game are concerned, we think Pardew will try to flood the midfield in Cabaye’s absence, and we’ll have to hope that Loic Remy can hist some goals, and that Ben Arfa can too.
Sissoko and Gouffran on the wings will track back, so we make it hard for Norwich, and hopefully we will be able to defend well tonight.
And Hatem certainly has the skills to put the ball into the back of the net if given a chance in that withdrawn striker role, and it could be a new opportunity for the mercurial Frenchman, with Cabaye having now departed for Champions League play with PSG.
We need to see a professional display from the lads tonight, and they cannot be affected by Cabaye’s departure – and we need to come away with a win at Carrow Road – that’s basically the bottom line.
Howay The Lads!!
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155 comments so far
Big Pappa Cissé
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:10 PM
Comment #1Am I the only one that doesn’t rate De Jong ? .
Scored for fun in the Dutch league and then couldn’t cut the mustard in a strong division . Just look at Altidore for the Mackems and how that turned out . We should have gone for Mitroglu.
Selling our best player and bringing in a striker that technically doesn’t belong to us is just a big middle finger from the fat puppet master.
I will make a wager that after De Jong on loan we sign no one else, any takers . I just hope I am proved wrong, I really do .
Spreadthetoon
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:11 PM
Comment #2re-post
Sage
Agreed. I do not buy that Cabaye went on strike. Shame he’s gone and I think his best years are yet to come. I.e. the next two. I wish him well as he did well by us and clearly the vision that the board has is not quick enough in its time frame to retain Yohan. Really hope we fill the gap and quickly with quality and not quantity.
It will be interesting to see how we perform tonight and furthermore if any form of replacement is brought in this window. We still have the upcoming summer with a potential Striker crisis. Never a dull moment eh?!
Spoof
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:13 PM
Comment #3TS
wouldn’t it be a real lift if young Adam did get a chance which he took with both hands and he became Cabaye’s replacement, putting Ashley and ambition (or lack of ) to one side, wouldn’t it be fantastic for one of our own to take the league by storm, stranger things have happened !
Ian Toon
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:14 PM
Comment #4Transfer- This week on playing and transfer front could well decide our season.
Transfer Sage
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:15 PM
Comment #5spread
replied on last thread.
On tonight’s game attitude is key. Should win with or without cabaye, it just depends on the mood of the players and how much the sale has either deflated them or galvanised them in an ‘us against the world’ sort of view.
It’s difficult to call.
belgrade fan
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:17 PM
Comment #6BPS
You r not the only one, whole Europe share your opinion. I thought we were waiting MGladbach to sign a replacement:) few hours after Cabs departure he is here, Like regime in some comunistic country is NUFC
toonarmydownsouth
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:17 PM
Comment #7Grenier’s club have said he can go, it’s only taken 28 days to tie up this loan deal for De Jong so hopefully if we put a bid in now Grenier can be here by Jan 2015
Transfer Sage
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:17 PM
Comment #8sspoof
I’d love to see nothing more than kids coming through and doing us proud. It’s what every fan wants, some local talent to play for the club with passion and skill.
Ian
It will. Not so much our league place, as we’d need 2/3 good good signings to kick on and push top 4, but more setting us up to look like we will have a go next year and not just hope to plod along another year.
It’s all down to Ashley now.
Mister Tuff
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:18 PM
Comment #9I thought Obertan was injured!
catchy in norway
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:19 PM
Comment #10Big Pappa Cissé
I think he can do a job for us, I don’t think you get caps for your country if you don’t have something to offer,
saying that, you help the guy and create chances,
in our set up he will struggle, unless he is prepared to drop deep and make things happen
he will also have to adopt this shoot on site mentality we have, don’t look up, just shoot, as when you do look up there will be no movment
is Jonas playing, or does he fall under the parent club rule ?
belgrade fan
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:19 PM
Comment #11TDS
Like your sense for humor. But we will need to wait Lyon to sign replacement and Siberian tigers not to be on a list of vanishing animals any more
Mister Tuff
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:20 PM
Comment #12BPC – I’m still hoping for 2 signings.
shearer and the duchess
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:20 PM
Comment #13If the Cabaye deal hadn’t gone through then I would have fancied our chaps to win tonight.
Who knows how the transfer of Mr Cabaye will affect the dressing room.
Personally, I believe it’s a good business deal for our chaps. He has been pretty average for me over the past 3 yrs, although, this season is the first time I’ve seen him show some class.
belgrade fan
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:22 PM
Comment #14TS
It is not what every fan wants, proven players in what every fan wants. Apart from maybe fans from Newcastle. Ask Cities fans would they like more Negredo and Toure or local kids
shearer and the duchess
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:24 PM
Comment #15This is a great opportunity who have been in Mr Cabaye’s shadow to blossom now!
The dressing room will be a far uglier place but moth’s like Obertan may just turn into butterflies now.
There will be space in front of the dressing room mirror now! Make the use of it Obe! Youre a beautiful man!
Transfer Sage
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:25 PM
Comment #16belgrade
you miss the point…..fans teams want to see local lads come through.
Not just play them for the sake of it but for local kids to be top players. I’d rather have a local kid as good as aguero than sign aguero
darrylwe
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:25 PM
Comment #17Gouffranm Cisse & Obertan injured?
Ian Toon
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:26 PM
Comment #18Spoof – he’s been compared to a young Rooney- no pressure then!
Transfer Sage
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:26 PM
Comment #19belgrade
prime example of this and newcastle is shearer….a local lad who people loved at the club because he was good and because he was from the area.
andy carroll was another, when here people loved him more than they loved better players like Ba.
Spoof
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:27 PM
Comment #20BPC
we have to gie de Jong a chance, yes he was awful in the German league after being so good in the Dutch league but so what, Dennis Bergkamp was as poor in the Italian league as de Jong was in the Germany, but look at what he done for Arsenal, being poor in one league doesn’t mean that your a poor player, I think the least we can do is give the lad a chance.
Rainrix
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:27 PM
Comment #21BPC…. Im a little cautious about Luuk de Jong as well. Like you mentioned there’s a lot of examples of strikers with ridiculous strike rates in the dutch league that completely fail to replicate that form in a tougher league. Alfonso alves is the biggest one that springs to mind considering he left Heerenveen with more goals than games played.
Hopefully it was just a bad mixture for him in Germany. I think its best for everyone to reserve judgement until he’s actually played some games
though.
belgrade fan
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:28 PM
Comment #22Ts
Ok, I ll forgive you this time. How is that Cisse, Obertan (dont care about both), and Gouffran injured in 2 days? Again we r doing some bad things in training
theartfuldodger
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:28 PM
Comment #23Heres a reason for letting cabaye go..
Assume we had not let him go. Everyone knew Psg Arsenal and perhaps manu later were after him. We do not sell him and make him play out his entire 5 yr contract. He does so reluctantly.
What message does that send to potential transfer targets ?
They know NUFC arent in there for CL. They know we dont offer exhorbitant wages. If we do not give them a chance to follow their dreams and lock them up for 5 years with no ambition, then why would any1 join us ? Thats Ashleys plans out of the window.
What does he do ? Bargain hard. Keep him one window. Try to get as much as he can without being impossible.
toonarmydownsouth
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:30 PM
Comment #24Ian
Selling Cabaye has decided our season we simply don’t have the calibre of player to take over in midfield and pull the strings, with him we had a genuine chance of pushing for 6/7th place
Can’t see Ashley sanctioning a move to get a player who can do that for us
Mister Tuff
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:30 PM
Comment #25Ian Toon – I think you are correct in that this week is going to be the most important of the season.
will we get all our intended purchases/loanees in.
will they be any good
will there be a direct replacement for Cabs
with Cabs going how will the team react tonight
Poyets’ seems to be sorting out the Mackems -they are playing better -what will happen if we lose.
will the signings be of a quality to maintain a push up the league -to at least go for an EL spot.
one signing will be a failure.
can Anita fill Cabs boots.
Loads of questions -most answered by Saturday afternoon.
The next Mike Williamson
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:31 PM
Comment #26Gouffran and Obertan are injured
Krul
Debuchy Mbiwa Willo Santon
Anita Tiote
Sissoko
Ben Arfa Remy
Shola
That’s what I think he’ll pick. It’s the safest team in Pards eyes.
Krul
Debuchy Mbiwa Willo Haidara
Tiote Anita
Ben Arfa Sissoko Santon
Remy
That’s what I’d play.
Wayayman
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:31 PM
Comment #27It’s like Groundhog day. Sell one of the best players we’ve had in years because he wants to compete at the highest level. Sound familiar?
Just since I’ve been going to the match: Waddle, Beardsley, Gazza, Cole, Ginola, Rambo Reilly, Carroll, Ba, and now Cabaye just off the top of my head.
(ok, Rambo Reilly was just in there to make sure you were paying attention…)
It’s a crying shame with the current squad because we’re only a striker and CB away from being a crackin side. Until this morning, our midfield could rival anyone in the PL but you can never underestimate what an effect losing a player as influential as Cabaye can have.
We’ll see tonight what our boys are made of, they’ll either stand up and show us they are not a one-man team or theyll have the wind taken out of their sails.
Sadly, I think with Gouffran missing too we’ll be exposed down Santon’s side and we’ll get turned over. I hope i’m wrong though.
catchy in norway
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:32 PM
Comment #28does protect ourselves mean play defensive ?
just asking
will miss the first half tonight,, learning Norwegian until 9pm 🙁
Transfer Sage
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:32 PM
Comment #29belgrade
It’s the same as when we had the FA cup game, we suddenly got 3/4 injuries out of the blue and they were all fit again for the next league match (except colo).
belgrade fan
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:32 PM
Comment #30Anita is not Cabaye, he is not even playing same position, he cant score. Marv and HBA yes, Anita not a chance
JDdubai
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:35 PM
Comment #31Cant see pardew not choosing shola over HBA today for the cabaye role, only way HBA will play is if Gouffran is out. Really want to see HBA get 4 or 5 games behind Remy to get his rhythm back, think he needs games to get his touch back.
donegalmag
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:37 PM
Comment #32I think De Yong just needs a chance, gladbach didnt give him any time to settle, simply seen he had a few poor games and dropped him, has only played 85 minutes this season..
Look at Bony at Swansea, looked averaged at the start of the season but now looking better an better every game..
DeYong will also be chomping at the bit to prove a point…
donegalmag
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:38 PM
Comment #33Sorry De Jong
TurkishFan101
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:38 PM
Comment #34cbtoon82
I hope Mbiwa does not get dropped for Saylor. I would be fuming if he does, Mbiwa is a quality player, but has not 100% adapted to the PL. Its crucial he gets playing time as it helps his development. Saylor is a headless chicken, the scruffy goal against Westham was his fault. Mbiwa even kept Andy Carrol quiet when he came on.
Remember few weeks back, Haidara said Mbiwa is a CB and should be playing there not fullback as its not his strength. Pardew is blind if he does not play Mbiwa in his natural position, with Ben Arfa playing a number 10 role or getting Marvo to play a number 10 role while both of them rotate between Left Wing and CAM
cyprus
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:39 PM
Comment #35Big win tonight
Ian Toon
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:39 PM
Comment #36Tads- Cabaye ran the show v WHU so you could well be right but I don’t want to believe it. Anita doesn’t have the Cabaye range of passing and Marveaux still remains largely anonymous for me. I am deluded enough to think we might get another body over the line- as well as de Jong.
TurkishFan101
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:40 PM
Comment #37@belgrade fan
Anita may not have the shooting senses, but his agility, passing and vision is better than Cabaye. He is currently proving this and will be a very good player for us.
Big Pappa Cissé
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:41 PM
Comment #38If Gouff is injured tonight I would play :
———-Tiote——–Anita———-
—Sissoko—–Marv——–HBA—–
—————–Remy—————–
belgrade fan
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:41 PM
Comment #39on De Jong- I would rather buy good winger and push Gouffie up front then taking player who played 10 mins in whole halfseason and come here just to save his career not because he likes us. He showed how much he likes us when choses Gladbach over us
Ted Bundy
Jan 28, 2014 at 2:41 PM
Comment #40http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK85ncjCIJA
A compilation of De Jong goals from his Twente days. Honestly, nobody can predict how he will do. Seems to play as a classic number 9 and his finishing, in this obviously select group of clips, is textbook and also looks physically strong and aerially good at 6ft 2 in. See him as Shola’s replacement: a more mobile, energetic, agile, threatening version and you can’t help but be delighted with the signing.
Think we’re gonna replace Cabaye this window. Pardew is on record as saying as much, and we know how careful he is making such proclamations these days, since the AC episode, so he must be pretty sure, as he knows there’ll be a backlash if he’s seen to be lying to the fans and stringing them along again, via MA operating his strings from above.