Fabricio Coloccini was a doubt after the fantastic 2-1 win at home to Chelsea last Saturday, but only because Alan Pardew in his post match interview said he had picked up another injury – apparently a sore calf.
Fabricio Coloccini in action last Saturday
But nothing has been said about Colo being unavailable for the game today at the Emirates, so we expect him to lead Newcastle out in the late kick off game this afternoon.
And it’s anybody’s guess as to what the result could be this afternoon – and another Newcastle win would qualify as two unbelievable results in succession for the Magpies.
We’d just have to start talking about the Champions League if we do win today. 😀
The good news for Newcastle is that Arsenal have their own injury worries, although not as bad as Newcastle’s.
Per Mertesacker is the only available center-back, and we could see former Newcastle right full-back start the game there this afternoon.
Jack Wilshire, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Laurent Koscielny, Mikel Arteta, Theo Walcott and Nacho Monreal are all out of this game.
This is what captain Fab Coloccini has said about the Newcastle team:
“We can go there in good spirits.¨ “It’s always a tough game at Arsenal.¨ “We have to enjoy beating Chelsea.¨ “We’ve had some time off and now look to Arsenal.”
For Newcastle we have Rob Elliot, Tim Krul, Ryan Taylor, Rolando Aarons, Gabriel Obertan, Siem De Jong, Mehdi Abeid, Davide Santon, Jonas Gutierrez and Curtis Good all out injured and we will start Jak Alnwick in goal.
Steven Taylor and Moussa Sissoko are also suspended for this one game, and we expect big Mike Williamson to come in and partner Colo in central defense.
We would expect Mike to have a solid game, after his poor first half display at Burnley.
And it’s very good to hear the news that Jonas Gutierrez is back training at Newcastle again – really good news.
Comments welcome.
Note: Two of our readers – Robert Cropper and Joseph English – are Newcastle University students and for their third year dissertation they have chosen to focus on the question “Has There Been a Decline in Atmosphere at British Stadiums?” with a specific focus on Newcastle United.
They need as many questionnaires filled out as possible – please see if you can help them here.
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46 comments so far
runheed
Dec 13, 2014 at 10:11 AM
Comment #1Robert Cropper and Joseph English ..“Has There Been a Decline in Atmosphere at British Stadiums?”
Of course there has.. It’s a middle class sport these days.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Dec 13, 2014 at 10:17 AM
Comment #2Even with a depleted Arsenal Team with Injuries !
We will still need to be on top of our game to get all three points this evening !
HWTL !
bladeuser
Dec 13, 2014 at 10:24 AM
Comment #3The atmosphere at nufc is painful as it has been at other stadiums for ages now it is a corperate thing coupled with all seaters on the other hand if you watch european football a couple of thousand would drown out 50 thousand at st james so the other argument is we just dont cut it anymore that maybe down the the crap which is served up most weeks even when we win the football is boring the fans have become boring thats why at away games there has always been a hardcore of a few thousand who always go and make nufc one if not the best fans for creating an atmosphere at opposing grounds
rasul
Dec 13, 2014 at 10:30 AM
Comment #4Team for Arsenal and Spurs should be like this! 4-4-2 vs Arsenal Cisse Perez, sammy colback tiote cabella. Daryl colo dummet haidara, no room for iron mike against pacyy Arsenal ! Vs spurs need to freshen it, Riviere, Aarons abeid sissoko tiote sammy. Haidara saylor mike daryl.
Reyantoon
Dec 13, 2014 at 10:49 AM
Comment #5No doubt we will miss Sissoko’s pace,power and work-rate today.The game would have been his.He ‘d have unsettle their midfield and defense.Both teams will miss their respective key players,but we should take advantage to atleast snatch something in the absence of thier mentioned first team players Colback should play in the attacking role,just like he did in the Chelsea game.I have doubts in our GK front but good to have coloccini fit.
I expect colback to shine as always, the signing of the summer..
my team:
Alnwick
Janmaat-william-coloccini-dummett
tiote-colback
goufran-cabella-Sammy
Perez
JP...from The Rock
Dec 13, 2014 at 10:52 AM
Comment #6Lads I am going over to Newcastle to see the derby next week any good places worth seeing that i shouldnt miss on my trip??
mag92
Dec 13, 2014 at 10:58 AM
Comment #7Charlie Nicholas, has took 4-2, Arsenal, but really it’s going to be 2-1, Newcastle.
optimistic prime
Dec 13, 2014 at 10:59 AM
Comment #8Last night I posted about my dissapointment at Pardew for comments on Cabella and Alnwick.
IMO saying something like, Cabella is struggling with the pace and power in the EPL but is working hard in training etc to overcome this and we should see the best of him soon, saying that is better than saying he can’t handle it!
Pardew also said he didn’t know if Alnwick was good enough, maybe just maybe if the lad had went on loan or had a few cup games we’d know a lot more.
Again say something like, this isn’t perfect for us I’m throwing Jak in the deep end a bit but I have faith he’ll do well.
Something along those lines, a little positivity instead of a negative used to prep his next excuse.
As I said last night poor preparation, people posted saying that we find any excuse to slate Pardew. Ignorant rubbish!
The kids are performing because when they’ve had a chance in the team they’ve been surrounded by seasoned pros, we’ve played 2 or 3 and they’ve fit seem less. Compaired that to the other years when 9 players have been thrown in for a cup game with no expirience, tell me which is more benifical?
Am I the only one who thinks after four years Pardew should know all about his players in squad and youth team. it’s only took him four years to get kids into any sort of balanced team that would help their progress.
So it’s took four years for him to utilise his squad and the recent injuries forced his hand, that’s why players aren’t ready and that’s why he doesn’t know anything about the players abilities. As he wouldnt try them until he had no choice.
Pi55 poor preparation for four years.
Not good enough IMO
Players being pushed into training or games when not ready, poor preparation.
Using players who aren’t fit because you know nothing about the other players in the squad is criminal!
DeJong Cisse Santon and Aaron’s have all suffered injury this season due to Pardew.
Pardew is like the little boy with his fingers blocking the holes in the dam, it looks like it might hold but inevitably the whole thing will come crashing down.
firebug666
Dec 13, 2014 at 11:06 AM
Comment #9optimistic prime @ 8
Excellent posy mate, Well said.
firebug666
Dec 13, 2014 at 11:06 AM
Comment #10post
Sliema
Dec 13, 2014 at 11:11 AM
Comment #11Op @8
Spot on.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Dec 13, 2014 at 11:19 AM
Comment #12@8:
Talk about hitting the Nail on the Head ! I am totally in agreement with you.
If Pardew had given his youth players more chance in ther last four years he might have more idea of just what they can and who the hell they are?
He may of won Manager of the Month but the kids have won it for him in the last few weeks ?
Mister Tuff
Dec 13, 2014 at 11:21 AM
Comment #13If ever there was a time for us to stand a chance against Arsenal it’s now. They’ve played some poor stuff on occasions and their defence is not well marshalled at all.
Unfortunately -something could “click” and they play well.
Not having Sissoko and his powerful runs is a concern.
But I’m going for us to break our bad results there and get a 3 -1 win.
Would be enjoyable not just for the three points but to gloat over the Arsenal loving folk in the southern press and those of a similar ilk at Sky.
mag92
Dec 13, 2014 at 11:25 AM
Comment #14@8, 12, Paragraphs of unmitigated drivel; you assume quite a lot and concoct an equal amount. How do you know that Pardew, doesn’t fully understand his squads strengths and weaknesses? You seem to be an agitator constantly sniping, maybe you should attend an actual game before reaching your withering hypothesis, without any conclusive evidence to back up this hypothetical prattle.
Jeff from Benwell
Dec 13, 2014 at 11:25 AM
Comment #15optimistic prime when it comes to ignorant rubbish .It takes one to know one.Not to long ago you were whining about Pardew not being honest enough ,no pleasing some people.
TEAMvArsenal
Alnwick J
Janmaat D
Coloccini F
Dummett P
Heydara M
Tiote C
Colback J
Abeid M
Ameobi S
Gouffran Y
Perez A
JamesToon
Dec 13, 2014 at 11:31 AM
Comment #16Totally agree optimistic prime @8
Reyantoon
Dec 13, 2014 at 11:33 AM
Comment #17Optimistic… There are a lot of players in the squad.The mgr can’t train,track and know something special about a particular player/s
That is the other coaching staff’s duty to report to the mgr about the ability of a certain player/s and prepare them ready, whether they are going to play or not.Being a premiere mgr is huge task. Esp if u have players with equal talent.the mgr must focus on senior players who are available to play every time,not youngsters usually and fringe players.
Slightly disagree with you saying he doesn’t know anything about their abilities of his own players.
optimistic prime
Dec 13, 2014 at 11:40 AM
Comment #18Mag92
There’s a old saying
“If you don’t have your own opinion you have nothing to say”
As usual you have nothing to say, yet say it to loud and to often.
mag92
Dec 13, 2014 at 11:41 AM
Comment #19Four years ago most of the youth players were still in school anyway.
mag92
Dec 13, 2014 at 11:43 AM
Comment #20@17, I’ve just posted my opinion!
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Dec 13, 2014 at 11:45 AM
Comment #21@14 :
Optimistic Prime is entitled to his opinions, and while you may think that a lot of what he says is, Ummitigated Drivel “? I think that there is absolutely no need to attack him for his opinions about Pardew,s selections or the squads he has picked over the years. Alot of talented players have fallen by the wayside?
The fact is, is that Pardew has had talented players down the years who he never gave the chance to in the First Team Squad, players who were of the backbone of the youth and reserve teams!
I am not interested in some people on here who find it neccessary to go on the attack if a fellow blogger posts something with which they don,t agree with, and would always speak up if i see something said in response to a post on here, it don,t matter who it is, its not helpful and downright unfriendly !
It may be a good idea for you if you think about what you post on here before you push the submit button!
Just a thought !
mag92
Dec 13, 2014 at 11:46 AM
Comment #22Did someone else play Aarrons, Armstrong, Sammy, Alnwick, Perez, Haidarra, and Abied, or was it Pardew?
mag92
Dec 13, 2014 at 11:51 AM
Comment #23@20 maybe you should read some of his veiled digs, at others postings, before you submit your own narrow minded view, just a thought!
Mister Tuff
Dec 13, 2014 at 11:52 AM
Comment #24Last season in the run in King Percy said he was going to experiment with players -he did no such thing -so he did miss a chance to gauge certain players/youngsters as to whether they were up to playing in the PL.
He clearly cannot know everything about the more junior players and will need update/reccomendations from coaches.
Despite recent comments by some the Academy really has not been managed properly (to fit in to the ultimate Toon model) and some of the players have not been good enough.
As for kids still being at school -what has this got to do with the argument -when you consider most budding players are identified in their pre teen years
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Dec 13, 2014 at 12:02 PM
Comment #25mag92 :
I don,t spend enough time on here to read everyone elses posts !
Maybe my view is narrow minded and i am sure that we would never agree on all our opinions about how the club is run and managed? but i would never have a go at you for anything you wrote on here!
If you have a Beef with Mag92 then its between you two and i don,t want to get involved with that !
Bye, Bye !
Jail for Ashley
Dec 13, 2014 at 12:06 PM
Comment #26JP,
It depends who you’re coming over with, kids etc, not a great deal to see and do in Ncl except football and drinking. York us only an hour away on the train.
LGFUAD21
Dec 13, 2014 at 12:09 PM
Comment #27I find it amusing how many people are agreeing with ops comment given many on here were going on about sammy not being good enough.
I agree that the comments could have been more positive but at the same time he could be trying to take the pressure off young Alnwick. Also his comments did extend beyond just I don’t know if he’s good enough with some encouragement to play for a new contract.
Completely agree that this is a far better way to bed in youngsters. On the flip side though I think many others on here would be screaming bloody murder if the club came out in the summer and said something to the effect of “we’re not going to replace so and so because we are going to promote from within”
The reality is I think it’s very difficult in this league to manage youth players coming through unless you have a set up like Ajax or Barcelona.
While pardews hand has been forced quite a bit with player the youngsters it’s unfair to entirely put it down to that. Youngsters have had a few chances in the past and never performed. This time the ones that have got the chance have performed. Hence why sammy is keeping Gouffran on the bench.
Ferguson got a fair bit of game time and didn’t earn his place. Whereas dummet got a few shouts last season and did.
Vuckic and abeid in the past have been the same that’s the main difference. I wouldn’t simply put it all down to Pards hand being forced. (Abeid is getting games ahead of Anita now, sammy ahead of gouffy and arguably Perez ahead of rivière.
LGFUAD21
Dec 13, 2014 at 12:15 PM
Comment #2816Reyantoon
I think the issue in this league is the money but also the set ups.
Managers are expected to do too much. There’s a brilliant viali book where he goes into the nonsense they teach managers in the uk as part of their coaching badges (like managing finance)
In Italy they have coaches and then managers that come from non football backgrounds and that’s how it should be here.
The other night people were talking about wenger. There are strong rumours that he will move upstairs and run the club and they will recruit a head coach just to manage the team (strong rumours of Paul Clemence who is ancelotti’s no 2.
This makes sense as wenger comes from an academic background (economics degree) which is why he spearheaded the new arsenal with the emirates etc.
It’s a culture thing. What made Barcelona who they are today is that cruyff came in and for the first time took an active role in the youth teams by ensuring they all played the same system as the first team. It meant he could easily promote from within because a reserve team rw knew the system and the team play as much as the first team rw. The only difference is ability.
LGFUAD21
Dec 13, 2014 at 12:16 PM
Comment #2923Mister
Part of me thinks that last seasons second half was clearly a write off so in some ways it would’ve made sense to try bedding some youngsters in given we were only ever going to finish mid table after Cabaye left.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 13, 2014 at 12:24 PM
Comment #30LFGUAD,
I think a lot of people are holding their breath on whether the club will write off the second half of this season now that safety looks pretty much assured.
LGFUAD21
Dec 13, 2014 at 12:29 PM
Comment #31Jfa
We’ll have to wait and see.
WWSBRD
Dec 13, 2014 at 12:48 PM
Comment #32JfA
Are u suggesting our clubs ambition is to merely remain in the league?
My kind sir what evidence do u have to show this…haha yeah we will be selling come January
Tsunki
Dec 13, 2014 at 12:52 PM
Comment #33Based on the time honoured scenario of all good things coming to an inevitable end, I think we might lose this one, even though this is probably the best time to face arsenal.
Pardew’s hand has indeed been forced by injuries and so on into playing sine of the fringe players, and yes they’ve come good, but hand in hand with that he has by necessity adopted an even more defensive and protective approach. Its,all combined to work do far, the football has been pretty nondescript ( actually last week’s was better by some way) but I just know that someone will suss out how to break us down and Pardew cannot adapt in-game.
I hope whoever has to step up for the missing first picks today does just that, and I really hope this is a good day dahn the smoke, but I am braving myself for a disappointing trip today. 3-0 gunners. Please let me be wrong, pards.!
Jail for Ashley
Dec 13, 2014 at 12:55 PM
Comment #34WW…,
Surely our best owner for fifty years wouldn’t just want us treading water…..
WWSBRD
Dec 13, 2014 at 12:57 PM
Comment #35JfA
Oh no he just wants us to be on TV and bringing in those pound signs
But hey De Jong is yet to play so when we sell Sissoko least we have a “like a new signing” replacement
Jail for Ashley
Dec 13, 2014 at 1:15 PM
Comment #36WW…,
After this window it will show what his true intentions are and if he’s got any ambition for success……. yaaaaawnnnn
wolfshead@toon
Dec 13, 2014 at 1:16 PM
Comment #37tsunki
are you catchy in disguise he predicts a loss every week in hope rather than reason
WWSBRD
Dec 13, 2014 at 1:25 PM
Comment #38JfA
It’s not Christmas until someone says that line haha
Jail for Ashley
Dec 13, 2014 at 1:27 PM
Comment #39Wolfs,
I think you’d get very good odds for a Toon win, like Anfield, Highbury and the Emirates have never been happy hunting grounds.
optimistic prime
Dec 13, 2014 at 1:33 PM
Comment #40I’ve said a while I thought we’d have a good December I’ve said 2-1 to us all week.
My heart still says we’ll win, my head says Alnwick in goal gives Pardew the excuse to revert to norm and play far to deep and give Arsenal the initiative.
I hope I’m wrong and Gouffran doesn’t start.
Heart says 2-1 to us head says 0-2, always go with my heart 2-1 all day.