Steven Taylor has a good chance of keeping his place tomorrow when we entertain Arsenal, and we will try to beat the Gunners for the first time in five years.
That last time we did that was in early November of 2010, when an Andy Carroll headed goal did it for us, and Chris Hughton was still the manager.
Steven Taylor in action last Saturday at Old Trafford
Steven Taylor has finally recovered from his Achilles injury that kept him out last season from January 1st, and as usual he is upbeat, as he spoke to the Shields Gazette today:
“It is a new era for us – mind, we have had a few of them!” “The new signings have been like a breath of fresh air.”
“It is exciting times and Newcastle fans will have gone back home very happy last weekend.” “We are only three league games in but I think you can see the improvement in the side.”
“You compare it to last year, then 100% and we are getting more confident game by game.”
“There is a new training regime and the lads will take the confidence from the Manchester performance into the next game against Arsenal.”
“We all know in the Premier League there isn’t one easy game.” “But for us, we just have to keep doing what we did at Old Trafford and believe we can win it.”
“It was a whole new game plan, going to Man United and taking the game to them,” “If you go there and sit back, then you get battered.”
“Players will hurt you but our boys stuck to the game plan and looked very good defensively” “Tim Krul, when he was called upon, made the saves we needed him too.”
“We defended from the front and that is a massive help.” “The gaffer will pick the side but you don’t know until the last minute.”
“The main thing is to train well and hope you get the nod.” “You love to test yourself and you want to be on that stage, there is nothing better than that.”
It feels like the start of a new era at the club with the impressive Steve McClaren and the new coaching staff coming in, and Mike Ashley spending big money for a change, in what seems one of our best transfer windows ever.
Steven could still find himself on the bench tomorrow if Daryl Janmaat is brought back in at right-back, and Chancel Mbemba moves back to partner Colo in central defense.
It will be interesting to see what back four Steve McClaren will put out tomorrow.
This is the side we think Steve will start tomorrow – with Thauvin and Sissoko starting.
Krul
Mbemba Taylor Coloccini (c) Haidara
Anita Colback
Sissoko Wijnaldum Thauvin
Mitrovic
Subs: Darlow Janmaat Tiote Aarons de Jong Perez Cisse
What would your team be?
Comments welcome.
73 comments so far
Ibizatoon
Aug 28, 2015 at 1:39 PM
Comment #41Mag…I get what you’re saying in that Anita doesn’t appear to be tearing up any trees, but to group him with those 3 just doesn’t sit right with me.
Our Toon
Aug 28, 2015 at 1:40 PM
Comment #42Krul
Didn’t Colback pick up 13 or more bookings last season in the league alone?
The lad is very limited and the biggest weakness is him and Anita. I’ll get slated for this but Anita is pants, alot seem impressed because he drops to deep to pick up a pass from the defence or the keeper, fans are in owe of the way we play on the deck. Anita doesn’t offer protection to the back 4, doesn’t bring any combative skills, can’t win aerial duals…..but hey he can pick up a 2 yard pass and make a 2 yard pass so that’s all we need it seems.
Every game I’ve seen this season we’ve been dominated in central midfield, Arsenal will flood that area, let’s see if Anita and Colback track runners like they tracked Ayew so well 2 weeks ago
Ibizatoon
Aug 28, 2015 at 1:42 PM
Comment #43OurToon…Consider yourself slated 🙂
Even if that’s all he did (take 2 yard passes from defense and then making a 2 yard pass to the attack) then it’s an improvement on hoofing it from the back.
Can we get better, all round midfielders than Anita? For sure. Do we have them in our squad at present though?
JP...from The Rock
Aug 28, 2015 at 1:48 PM
Comment #44I’d only fit Thauvin in for Obertan and Sissoko for Colback as those two were awful against Man U. It’s great to see we have strength in quality on the bench at last.
I would like us to get a better LB than Haidara for the first team like that young Portugese bloke and then we will be really strong.
Then in January we could address the RB cover with Sam Byram.
Moonraker15
Aug 28, 2015 at 2:00 PM
Comment #45Ourtoon
I agree Anita and Colback, although good players are not dominant enough in dm. I thought Tiote was the answer but I think we’ve seen the best of him now.
If we had a top top dm it would solve a lot of our back 4 problems I think. Maybe the answer is Colo in that role ??
Ibizatoon
Aug 28, 2015 at 2:02 PM
Comment #46Moonraker…I think ToonBrother was on making a similar claim about Colo being the answer.
Might be recalling incorrectly though….
SUTTY1978
Aug 28, 2015 at 2:10 PM
Comment #47Our Toon, agree with your statements on Colback & Anita, i posted a couple of days ago that both should be moved out of the team and that Sissoko & Wijnaldum should be in those positions. We always ceed possession in midfield because Anita & Colback are poor at defending and offer nothing going forward. The opposition know that if they close the space they will get the ball back because neither player can pass more than 5 yards and neither player can take on the opposition with the ball at his feet.
Neither actually make tackles either. I would hazard a guess that both foul more each game than make successful tackles. They are limited players that put a glass ceiling on how well we will ever be able to play.
For those in disagreement, think back to the beginning of last season. Nobody wanted Anita in the team, Colback had just been signed and everyone hoped it was only as a squad player.
Ibizatoon
Aug 28, 2015 at 2:14 PM
Comment #48Sutty…I wanted Anita in the team, btw. I also seem to remember that he even went on to win a few motm awards when he did get a run in the team.
Also, I have to question you wanting Sissoko in his place and to use tackling as the reason?!? Sissoko? Tackling? Really?
hibbit
Aug 28, 2015 at 2:20 PM
Comment #49sutty if its about tackling how come you talk about sissoko can’t tackle wont tackle looks the part but just a big softie in the tackle goes missing far to often really got not bottle
Our Toon
Aug 28, 2015 at 2:21 PM
Comment #50Ibiza & moonraker
I agree it’s better than the hoofball but Anita is currently doing what my mum could do….doesn’t make him a good player. The new philosophy is good but if you offer nothing defensively or attacking wise then what is it you do in the team?
Anita cost 7m or 8m, it’s important to recycle possession but you also need to offer something else as well, Anita against West Ham was immense, he contributed all over the pitch but at the minute he does nothing other than pass it 2 yards. Not good especially considering we had 30% possession last week.
Would Anita get into any other team in the prem? I don’t think he would. He’s being raved about because he’s capable of doing the very thing my 5 year old nephew is taught at football. I don’t like Colback but he’s better and offers more in that role.
To play that role you eother need to dictate play ie pirlo esc and being a deep lying playmaker spraying passes all over or you need to be a destroyer like Wanayama. Swansea play Ki when he’s fit in that role it seems as if we have the Dutch Leon Brittan of Swansea!!
cyprus
Aug 28, 2015 at 2:26 PM
Comment #51Jan looks the part, but in truth, many goals have been conceded over there. I know some people, in trying to put use of a good player, have pushed him to RW. Perhaps, his best place is at CB, with Colo. RB Mbemba.
I hate to pick on players, but to get a result: It’s important that Obertan isn’t played. Ignore that he can’t dribble and that he immediately passes back to the passer, if you will. He seems lazy in the back as well.
Our Toon
Aug 28, 2015 at 2:27 PM
Comment #52When Sissoko joined NUFC he had an immediate impact, when he joined up with the national team they all took temhe mickey out of him because he’d never played in a no10 role as he did here. Sissoko was more of a ball winning midfielder in France, much like Yaya Toure who was a ball winning midfielder throughout his career and at Barca. Now Yaya refuses to do that aspect of the game and it seems like sissoko has the same attitude.
Sissoko can tackle he either chooses not to play like he did in France or the managers he’s had have told him changed his mindset and prefer him as an attacking outlet
Ibizatoon
Aug 28, 2015 at 2:39 PM
Comment #53OurToon…I think the only thing left to work out is how long it’ll take your Mum or 5 year old nephew to get to SJP?
I don’t agree with you on Anita, but if I did, who would you be starting out of what we have in the squad over him? As I said before, can we get better, but do we currently have better?
Ibizatoon
Aug 28, 2015 at 2:40 PM
Comment #54OurToon…Interesting point on Sissoko. All I can say from watching him at Newcastle, is that he doesn’t appear to do the tackling thing, so can’t understand calls for him to be our combative centre midfielder.
cyprus
Aug 28, 2015 at 2:49 PM
Comment #55Ed,
on what you have there: I’d probably bench Taylor for Jan, though in fairness Taylor had a good game.
Would also put Perez in, no matter who came off, he’s that good. Probably Anita, though whenever he’s off we kinda collapse, probably because he’s always available and puts in a tackle.
So, then, Perez on for whomever is pants in the first half and most responsible for the embarrassing possession stat of 90-10.
SUTTY1978
Aug 28, 2015 at 2:51 PM
Comment #56Ibiza, my point was that the players we currently have there don’t tackle either, they really offer nothing other than “chasing & harrying” which rarely leads to a turnover of possession in our favour. Is it not better to at least have players there who have more string to their bow, that can offer something going forward, that can put the opposition on the back foot and make them worry about us.
If you saw colback and anita on another teams teamsheet against us would you be worried?
Our Toon
Aug 28, 2015 at 3:00 PM
Comment #57Ibiza
If sissoko can’t or isn’t willing to play the DM role like he did in France then I’d shift Wijinaldum back into the box to box / deep lying playmaker role and he’d play alongside Anita or Colback. Have Perez and SDJ battle it out for the no 10 role. Funny thing is if sissoko had stuck to the DM role he’d have got his dream move to a CL team like Arsenal.
I’ve been saying for sometime now we don’t have a combative midfielder and that’s what I’d target before the window shuts. As the squad stands either Sissoko goes back to what he’s best at DM role or Wijnaldum drops in to be the deep playmaker with Anita or colback
Our Toon
Aug 28, 2015 at 3:06 PM
Comment #58Krul
Jan, Mbemba, Colo, Haidara/Dum
Sissoko, Wij
Thauvin, Perez/SDJ, Aarons
Mitrovic
Only if and that’s a big if….Sissoko returns back to what we signed from France and that’s a combative midfielder. He has a horrible touch because he’s naturally a ball winner who’s transformed since coming to the prem. Unfortunately Tiote looks miles off the pace, that lad needs games either u21 or behind closed doors.
Jib
Aug 28, 2015 at 3:07 PM
Comment #59Sutty
Pretty naff point really
Coquellin and Arteta don’t exactly have me trembling in me boots
Tinman
Aug 28, 2015 at 3:10 PM
Comment #60I would go with;
Krul
Jan-Mbem-Col-Hai
Ani-Siso
Per-Wij-Tha
Mit
Tinman
Aug 28, 2015 at 3:12 PM
Comment #61I would always prefer Thauvin on the left, Mitro needs crosses, he can get them in far quicker if he is on the left.
Unless we want to play Thauvi and Perez on opposite sides so that they can cut in and shoot and rely almost solely on wingbacks to put the ball in.
Not a bad shout either.
SUTTY1978
Aug 28, 2015 at 3:21 PM
Comment #62JIB, maybe not but they’re about 3 or 4 steps above Colback and Anita, which is why they will completely dominate us.
Jib
Aug 28, 2015 at 3:23 PM
Comment #63Tinman
You never know for sure because one is always trying to expand on snippets picked up from McClaren when he’s interviewed.
But I think he is starting to trust Perez and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play in the hole behind the mighty Mitro
Our Toon
Aug 28, 2015 at 3:27 PM
Comment #64Jib
The role of a DM midfielder isn’t to put put fear in you but it’s to put out fires. Watch Coquelin tomorrow, he’ll be making challanges all over the pitch protecting his back 4. Coquelin makes last ditch tackles for Arsenal and it’s no surprise they’ve changed for the better with him in there
Blaydon-Toon
Aug 28, 2015 at 3:27 PM
Comment #65Never do a team but against Arsenal
Krul
Jan Mbemba Collo Taylor Colback
Anita Sissoko/wini
Perez. Mitro Aaron’s / florian
Our Toon
Aug 28, 2015 at 3:28 PM
Comment #66And Arteta doesn’t start, come back to 2015!!
Jib
Aug 28, 2015 at 3:30 PM
Comment #67Sutty
It’s all opinion but neither Coquelin nor Arteta have been selected for their respective national senior squads Anita and Colback have
Jib
Aug 28, 2015 at 3:36 PM
Comment #68Our Toon @ 64
You have just pretty much described Anita at Old Trafford last Saturday.
Why is it so hard for plastic fans like you and Sutty to support and get behind your own teams players ?
Our Toon
Aug 28, 2015 at 3:43 PM
Comment #69Jib
Ahaha plastic fans eh oh dear there’s the real Jeff. Something I’d never call another fan of any club because I have no idea what type of fan they are or how much they support the team they love. I would hazard a guess though that no one on this blog is a plastic fan, if they were why would they invest so much time in posting comments? Says more about you as a person though buddy!!
Look at the quality in the dutch midfield and then the quality in the other 2 countries you’ve failed to mention. Coquelin was playing in league 1 bit has cemented his place in the arsenal team as a tough tackler. Matudi does that role nationally amongst others so doubt he’d ever get into that national team. Arteta will never make it into arguably the best midfield in national football.
Carzola though who plays with Coquelin and not Arteta who hasn’t started a game in almost 12 months has played for his national team. Did you ever find that club team named Brazil?
estechco
Aug 28, 2015 at 4:06 PM
Comment #70Controversial new suggested team…
Krul
Jan, Taylor, Mbemba, Colo, Haidara
Colback,
Thauvin, Wij, Perez
Mitrovic
The idea being to give Mbemba scope to push up and support Colback in DM or drop back whilst our fullbacks bomb on?
I know SM wouldn’t entertain it, but, discuss…
OneAlanShearer
Aug 28, 2015 at 4:12 PM
Comment #71Corky yep I an hoping schteve can get tiote back to his best. I am happy with colback I just think he needs a better player alongside him. Anita has improved as others have mentioned I am just not sure it’s enough. Oh well looks like we are going with what we have so I hope schteve gets them all upping their games.
SUTTY1978
Aug 28, 2015 at 4:15 PM
Comment #72JIB, you really do have a strange perspective. How the hell am i plastic because i have an opinion on who should or should not play in midfield?
With regard to getting behind your players, i’m a big fan of Haidara where loads of others slate him, i certainly don’t call those that slate him plastic!
Similarly i have said that willo and Mbemba would be our best CB pairing, again getting behind a player that others slate. Again i don’t have a go at those that do, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Feel free to go and dig back through my posts to have a look, i know you like to do that.
sfbay_toon
Aug 28, 2015 at 5:04 PM
Comment #73Vs. Arsenal:
============== Krul =============
== Mbemba = Taylor = Colo = Haidara ==
======= Colback === Anita ==========
=== Sissoko* == Gini====Thauvin =====
============ Mitrovic =============
* depends on fitness – Perez a great alternative
My right winger will play forward and shade the middle on occasion – Sissoko/Perez, Gini, and Mitrovic should all pressure the AFC CBs.
Should be a good one.