It seems that Gabby Obertan has made a remarkable recovery from his torn thigh muscle he suffered against Liverpool on November 1st, and John Carver at his press conference today has said Gabby will be involved at Hull City on Saturday, and that’s good news.
Gabby Obertan in action earlier in the season
And as we had expected Mehdi Abeid is fit again and Mehdi and Gabby showed that in the behind-closed-doors friendly against Carlisle United on Tuesday afternoon in the 3-1 win.
Siem de Jong is not quite ready for the Hull game, but he should be ready within a week or two.
This is some of what John Carver said today during his press conference:
“Siem is looking even stronger but this game may come too soon. He’s given the group a massive boost because of his presence.” “Gabriel Obertan will be involved this weekend, as will Mehdi Abeid and Davide Santon.”
Managing Director Lee Charnley and the board saw enough on the pitch of how we are trying to play, for them to be encouraged.” “We’ve got 16 games left. Why can’t we go on a run? I’ve seen enough to suggest we can.
“We’ve had a lot more team meetings and video every training session now. I have one or two different ideas, like anyone would.” “Last season at Hull was one of our best performances. A similar performance and result will see a smile back on my face.”
That Hull City game is the one we won 3-1 with two goals from Yohan Cabaye, in what turned out to be his last game for Newcastle and he was subsequently sold to PSG for £20M, and that win put us on 36 points from 22 games.
But we added only 13 points in the remaining 16 league games last season and today we have 27 points from 22 games.
And that’s an odd comment from John about Lee Charnley and the Board being encouraged by what they have seen on the pitch – they may have been encouraged by some of the form, but hey, we’ve lost the last three games.
And as we know football is really all (only) about results – a manager or coach is in the results business, and there’s no getting away from that.
But it will be very good to get Obertan and Mehdi back into the side, since before they were injured both of them were playing very well in the first team and showing some of the best football they have played for Newcastle.
They both joined the club in the summer of 2011 – and we cannot wait to have Siem starting some games for Newcastle.
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110 comments so far
croftus5678
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:20 PM
Comment #41@34 grem
lol sorry grem i read it very precise and different way to show stats !
brings things into a different light ! if only cabella could strike the ball a bit better or had the confidence to it looks like he could be some force.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:20 PM
Comment #42lesh…thanks for straightening that up…It seemed I didn’t get my facts straight!
…just proof-read the source article and it was even mentioned at the top 🙂
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:21 PM
Comment #43Did you read the article?
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-uniteds-new-head-coach-8396755
Thump
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:23 PM
Comment #44To be honest, he hasn’t been playing bad football. The foundations for the style he’d like to play is there (and it certainly seems better suited to the players we have), but we can play the best football we’ve seen at SJP and without goalscoring opportunities, we’re buggered. Toothless in attack and that needs to be fixed.
Our Toon
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:27 PM
Comment #45Ancient
Did you see what happened after that? I didn’t say Colo wasn’t to blame I said they were all to blame and losing the headers didn’t lead to the goals it was Janmaat not tracking the the guy he’s marking that lead to goals and Krul should have save the 1st one
Our Toon
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:29 PM
Comment #46Grem
Aarons created no chances? Are you sure mate, revisit the Palace game and ask Williamson how he scored…I’d take them stats with a pinch of salt if they claim he has zero assists.
Also them stays look at balls through rather than actual chances created from passes
Munster Mag
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:33 PM
Comment #47Jesper, i think that blank page was from Len Shackeltons book ?
hibbit
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:35 PM
Comment #48our toon / ancient every team in the prem know’s what a handful pelle is and how important the 2nd ball is but we didn’t and it cost us
grem1983
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:36 PM
Comment #49As I remember it Aarons didnt assist the goal his shot hit the post and it fell to Williamson, so not a pass hence not an assist
AncientC
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:39 PM
Comment #50Our Toon – Janmaat was goal side of Elia.
“losing the headers didn’t lead to the goals”
So if Colo had won those headers, it still would have led to those 2 goals?
Our Toon
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:41 PM
Comment #51Grem
It was a cross which hit the post
Average_Contents
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:42 PM
Comment #52And so it’s now official isn’t it. He’s whoring out the players just like his old gaffer. Why can’t they just say he’s not for fcuking sale….oh wait he is. He’s not privvy to the comings and goings and has steered clear of it yet says it’d take a,huge offer. Come off it you yes man.
Newcastle manager Jon Carver has been asked whether he thinks the club will be making any moves in the January transfer window.
Here’s what he said: “I wouldn’t have thought so, I don’t get involved in it. Not had any conversations about it. I am quite happy to work under these conditions, I’ve done it before in America. Whoever comes in, whoever goes out, I will deal with what is in front of me.”
Carver also reiterated that it would take an ‘exceptional’ offer for the club to sell Moussa Sissoko in this window.
Mister Tuff
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:47 PM
Comment #53I think that the Shola to Palace move confirms the suspicion about King Percy playing favourites – even when they were not playing particularly well.
I would have thought that Shola would never play in a PL team again – so I’m very surprised.
Wonder how many registered first team players had initially to allow for Shola, Sonogo and Mutch to be added to the club. Surely they must have had 25?
cyprus
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:47 PM
Comment #54Does anyone know results’ stats when Oberatn is involved? It always feels that we lose (as it seems like there’re 10 players), so would appreciate solid stats.
Our Toon
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:48 PM
Comment #55Ancient
Janmaat was goal side? He was ball watching for the first one and only reacted after Elia ran past him, and for the 2nd one he was daydreaming again but got unlucky with the deflection. Either you haven’t played the game or you don’t understand that players need to track runs that are made.
martoon
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:51 PM
Comment #56Average_Contents @50 – No he’s not “whoring out the players”. He was asked a direct question about transfers and answered it as honestly as he could. We know the club’s policy that every player has his price so if if had said there will definitely be no players sold that would have been a lie. He was honest when he said “it would take an exceptional offer” – let’s give the guy a chance otherwise we may as well have stuck with Pardew.
grem1983
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:52 PM
Comment #57Obertan games;
Played’ Rating
EPL 17-08-2014 Newcastle United
0 : 2
Manchester City 27′ 6.27
EPL 29-09-2014 Stoke
1 : 0
Newcastle United 22′ 6.7
EPL 04-10-2014 Swansea
2 : 2
Newcastle United
90′ 7.76
EPL 18-10-2014 Newcastle United
1 : 0
Leicester
90′ 8.32
EPL 26-10-2014 Tottenham
1 : 2
Newcastle United 45′ 6.11
ECC 29-10-2014 Manchester City
0 : 2
Newcastle United 90′ N/A
EPL 01-11-2014 Newcastle United
1 : 0
Liverpool 27′ 6.61
grem1983
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:54 PM
Comment #58Well that didnt work
Played 4(2) Won 3 Drew 1 Lost 2
croftus5678
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:54 PM
Comment #59@52 cyprus
won 3 drew 1 lost 2
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/gabriel-obertan/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/43261/saison/2014/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/762
grem1983
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:56 PM
Comment #60We are actually unbeaten this season in games Obertan has started, the 2 defeats Citee and Stoke he came on as sub
Rotonda heights
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:56 PM
Comment #61kk
i think we get it now, you don’t rate the squad, yes we know..
actually i think it’s not a half bad squad at all and i think a competent half decent coach / manager could comfortably get top 8.
Big plusses have been Abeid, Perez and Aarons. Looks like the youngsters are finally starting to come through at long last.Would like to see Good introduced now as well.
Rotonda heights
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:58 PM
Comment #62mister tuff
wonder if shola will refuse to play against us
Average_Contents
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:59 PM
Comment #63It’s not about not giving him a chance is it? Where did I say that?
The yes man is referenced to saying yes their for sale, yes Mr Ashley I’ll field a weakened team in the cup even though I said I’d field a strong one.
Simply could of said “I’d like all the lads to stay who are part of this squad”
We all know that every player has his price but to tow the party line of “massive offer” “astronomical” “very good” just makes him sound like the king. A man of the club? Seems like it.
croftus5678
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:59 PM
Comment #64@52 cyprus
i dont know if this matters but while he was in team we lost against manc and stoke
drew against swansea
and beat leicester / liverpool and spurs
70TWO
Jan 29, 2015 at 3:59 PM
Comment #65Team for Hull:
—————– Riviere
Cabella ———————– Obertan
—————– Sissoko
—–Colback ———— Abeid
Haidara – Santon – Collo – Janmaat
——————- Krul
Give the Canary Kid a break from starting and two flankers that can quickly run on beyond the front man. If all fit the midfield is self explanatory. Santon is a risk in the back line but it would be good for him to concentrate on his defensive positioning and tackling; and not worry about going forward. Plus Collo looks better on the right.
AncientC
Jan 29, 2015 at 4:00 PM
Comment #66Our Toon – A defender being goal side of a striker running at goal means he has been tracking, sorry if you cannot understand that.
You said Janmaat was not tracking, and yet he was goal side of Elia for the goal. Strange huh?
croftus5678
Jan 29, 2015 at 4:02 PM
Comment #67@59 rotonda
i’m in complete agreement with you there.
and ye good or streete should be getting the odd sub appearances now for experience.
Average_Contents
Jan 29, 2015 at 4:02 PM
Comment #68Plus he says he hasn’t talked about comings or goings multiple times since the king left so why not say “you’d have to talk to the transfer team about that” because surely he doesn’t know! Towing the party line.
hibbit
Jan 29, 2015 at 4:03 PM
Comment #69ourtoon / ancient your both not far off the truth sleeping /ball watching /daydreaming the whole back four do it ….it’s.the only thing they do as a unit…….. one of the problems of a none verbale captain
cyprus
Jan 29, 2015 at 4:03 PM
Comment #70Thanks,
That does give perspective and shows biasness! I honestly dread it when he comes on. Mea culpa.
AncientC
Jan 29, 2015 at 4:07 PM
Comment #71https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdx6JxeBUG8
Look at Janmaat chasing Elia here, he is actually the only player that is doing any tracking… even though Janmaat is a right back, he ends up goal side of Elia on the left side of Krul’s goal.
hibbit
Jan 29, 2015 at 4:11 PM
Comment #7270 two……instead of riviere play goofy at cf let him go through the middle i think he could surprise a lot playing there with his pace
Thump
Jan 29, 2015 at 4:13 PM
Comment #73@AneientC: That goal still bugs me. Both Janmaat and Krul could have done more with what was in front of them. He tracked the run brilliantly, but then didn’t think to put in a challenge (or a strong one, at least), and Alnwick was wearing his Krul mask.
Our Toon
Jan 29, 2015 at 4:14 PM
Comment #74Ancient
You started the convo off by blaming Colo for both goals Southampton scorer and absolved Carver of any blame, you claimed Krul was unlucky for the 1st goal which went through him, you claim Janmaat tracked Elias both times but blame Colo.
I’m said Colo wasn’t the only person you should be scapegoating and Krul should have saved the 1st one…Dummett and Janmaat were both ball watching when the headers were won.
I know you don’t want to take my word for it but my opinion is the same as Jamie Carragher, who has played professionally as a RB and CB….he even said the biggest culprit is Janmaat for ball watching because defenders will lose aerial battles it’s what happens after that’s important!! Sorry mate but you blame 1 person I blamed all 4 including the keeper.
The defence is a unit and still a lot of football to be played after the headers weren’t won, if Janmaat was apparently tracking the runs made then please explain why or how he let Elias get shots away?
IrishGeordie9
Jan 29, 2015 at 4:16 PM
Comment #75I have noticed on previous threads that people are expecting Cisse to be included… Im probably wrong but isnt he suspended for three games? Or have those passed since he has not been here?
70TWO
Jan 29, 2015 at 4:17 PM
Comment #76hibbit – I would have done a while back but I am affraid Gouffran has lost his appeal to me and Riviere needs some game time to get himself established. But not as an out and out front man, although he could do worse than watch what Costa does. Perez, Sammy and Gouffran (in order) are very good subs to have available.
AncientC
Jan 29, 2015 at 4:20 PM
Comment #77Thump, I agree on Janmaat, it seemed like he could have got a challenge just before Elia was shooting.
Our Toon, I hold Collo “partly” responsible for losing to Southampton, but not completely. A stand out offender for me however.
Have to go. Have a good day.
Mister Tuff
Jan 29, 2015 at 4:20 PM
Comment #78rotonda – Shola will be chomping at the bit to play against us -especially if the tales are true that Percy wanted to keep him for another year and the club refused. They will both have points to prove.
Using Shola to batter ol permed hair and the hapless Willo – might be a reasonable tactic -to earn Palace three ultra valuable PL points.
toon kk
Jan 29, 2015 at 4:22 PM
Comment #79RH
its not that I don’t rate our squad, we have some very promising young players, for the future. I just think it has two major flaws including our defence, hence all the sloppy goals we concede and we lack a AC, Ba or Remy type player, hence our lack of goals. If MA put his hand in his pocket we’d be pushing for Europe.
But until he does any manager will have the same problems with our team.
Thump
Jan 29, 2015 at 4:22 PM
Comment #80@Irish: You’re absolutely right, I think he’s back for the City game (or at least the Villa one)
@AncientC: If you watch it, it looks like he didn’t expect Elia to take it first time, which is the weirdest thing as a defender to think. First time or extra touch, get the ball out of the danger area.