Newcastle have only two experienced goalkeepers in their squad this season, and ever since Tim Krul was injured a couple of weeks ago we wondered what would happen if Rob Elliot got injured.
Jak Alnwick – beaten to the cross by Drogba for Chelsea’s goal
According to Alan Pardew this afternoon, Rob has been carrying an injury for the last three games – but the manager still played him.
And would you believe it – in stoppage time just before half time Rob took a goal kick, and injured his left leg, and he had to be replaced by Jak Alnwick at the half, with Jak making his first team competitive debut for the club.
Rob is not available for the Arsenal game next Saturday and in his nufcTV interview after the game Pardew said both goalkeepers are out through January.
Murphy’s Law says if something can happen it will and at the worst possible time.
So now we have an inexperienced goalkeeper available at a time when more games are played in December than in any other month, and we still have five league games and one Capital One Cup game to play through January 1st.
And we have trips to Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United and a home game against Sunderland – so those are not easy games.
The good news is that Jak had a good game in the second half, and he made some good saves and dealt competently with crosses apart from the one when he was caught in no man’s land – and Drogba headed the ball home after 83 minutes.
And that was the free kick that had been awarded after Steven Taylor had been sent off with this second yellow card of the game – so Steven will also be missing next week at Arsenal.
So after going down to 10 men the next play saw Chelsea make it 2-1. 🙁
Moussa Sissoko was sent off last week at West Ham after 75 minutes, and missed the mid-week game at Burnley – and he’s followed that up today with his 5th yellow card of the season – so he will also be missing the Arsenal game.
And we’re not sure of the fitness of Fab Coloccini – who had a great game today.
Alan Pardew said after the game that Fab has picked an injury, and on the nufcTV interview the manager said they were worried about the captain.
We may hear more about that tomorrow.
So from the starting eleven today we will be missing Elliot, Steven Taylor and Moussa Sissoko for sure at the Emirates – and maybe Coloccini.
Rolando Aarons may be fit to come back into the squad for that game – so there’s some good news to finish on.
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17 comments so far
toonbrother
Dec 6, 2014 at 8:38 PM
Comment #1Ask any of those rating Colo’s performance highly what exactly he did today to warrant such praise
They will tell you he “kept Costa quiet” (or something vague like he “controls the defence”)
No one can point to the headers he won, or interceptions he made..Saylor on the other hand made at least 3 crucial interceptions and last ditch tackles i can remember off the top of my head
As for Costa what i saw today was an off-colour player starved of decent service from the Chelsea midfield
If anyone deserves any credit for keeping Costa quiet it was Tiote and Colback for suffocating the Chelsea midfield; Sammy Ameobi for effectively playing as a wingback (thereby allowing Dummet to play as a third Central Defender); and Oscar for being completely devoid of creative vision or ideas
Colocinni just did ok. 5/10
WWSBRD
Dec 6, 2014 at 8:44 PM
Comment #2Solid game today. Thought there were some pretty stand out performances mainly from Colback who played the best of his NUFC career to date imo
JM blaming the ball boys is pretty funny though, he is the king of deflecting blame from his players and he couldnt blame our lads today so who can you blame…the darn ball boys! Swines
Shadow_Shearer
Dec 6, 2014 at 8:46 PM
Comment #3Should be all good. Jak played well 2day for an unexperienced keeper who is lacking match practice, against da strongest team in da league.
He will get better with games
martoon
Dec 6, 2014 at 8:47 PM
Comment #4Toonbrother were you watching the same match? Colo was brilliant while Tiote and Sammy were probably our 2 poorest players although credit to Sammy for the assist.
toonbrother
Dec 6, 2014 at 8:48 PM
Comment #5We’ll be okay v Arsenal if Pardew plays this line up
Janmaat….Willo….Dummett…Haidara
……………..Tiote…….Jacky Boy
……………………..Cabella
Gouffy…………..Ayoze……………Sammy
Jail for Ashley
Dec 6, 2014 at 8:48 PM
Comment #6Well the whole point in young Jak being here is for this opportunity, there’s no point in him being here otherwise, hopefully he’ll relish it, Stevie Harper would have been a good third choice otherwise.
WWSBRD
Dec 6, 2014 at 8:48 PM
Comment #7toonbrother
I would say Colo actually stood up and was counted today, something which has been missed from his game for some time
murvar
Dec 6, 2014 at 8:48 PM
Comment #8I’m assuming you are having a laugh, Toonbrother. He marshals the defence, leads the team and like all the best defenders, he stops things before they start by marking people out of the game thus making them unavailable for the pass. It’s not all about blocks and tackles.Colo was immense.
toonbrother
Dec 6, 2014 at 8:49 PM
Comment #9@WWSBRD I acknowledged he wasn’t his usual poor self today. I said he did ok. That’s high praise coming from me
RAM
Dec 6, 2014 at 8:50 PM
Comment #10I agree with toonbrother. Colo is a kinda okay CB these days, and many a times a weak link in the defence. Colback, Tiote, Sissoko, Ameobie and later on Ayoze played exceptionally well to release the pressure off the defence.
And, it’s true that the midfield made the win possible by cutting balls very early.
jayphoto
Dec 6, 2014 at 8:50 PM
Comment #11@ourtoon – disagree, henry prior to arsenal had done ok in france but no better than cabella And stunk up serie A!
Bale had only played well in lower leagues though fair enough hazard did well in France!
Cabella is a french international and was one of ligue1 top players last year! Far too soon to write him off! Not to mention hes a number 10 that so far hasnt been played centrally. Think he’ll be an assett when he adapts!
toonbrother
Dec 6, 2014 at 8:52 PM
Comment #12@martoon your post is hilarious.
Belfast
Dec 6, 2014 at 8:54 PM
Comment #13Our number one and two aren’t that great to be honest.
Don’t think it’s a disaster put it that way.
And it’s better Sissoko and Taylor are suspended for the Arsenal game rather than the Sunderland game.
Cheer up Ed.
Belfast
Dec 6, 2014 at 8:55 PM
Comment #14That was a very positive post
jayphoto
Dec 6, 2014 at 8:56 PM
Comment #15Whats with all the Colo craic?? Played well today! Actually hes played well every game since Stoke away (9-10 games)
He always looks weaker alongside Willo tho. Much prefer him with a quicker partner!
Don’t think he was motm today but a solid 8! Colback was the standout 9/10 today with ayoze, colo, sissoko just behind at 8 with janmaat, Dummett, Cisse and Taylor (till sending off) 7/10.
Would give cabella and tiote a 6 and Alnwick a 5 ( bad decision to half come out for their goal and twice put colo and taylor under pressure by not being alert and coming off his line)
Jay K
Dec 6, 2014 at 9:03 PM
Comment #16Jay photo get a grip Alnwick a 5 it was the lads first ever competitive game a bet he was a bag ov nerves an 2 be fair he made two canny saves and 2 solid punches 2 fair which u hardly ever see off the other 2 which takes the pressure away
rab
Dec 6, 2014 at 9:50 PM
Comment #17Jaks Dad Bob is a 7th Dan world champion kickboxer I am sure he has developed Jaks ability to control his nerves. No wonder the lad can punch.