Steve McClaren has named his team for the crucial game against West Brom today – which literally is a must-win game for Newcastle and for Steve McClaren too.
Aarons comes in at left back and Cheick Tiote replaces Henri Saivet who is dropped – and that’s a surprise after his decent performance at Goodison Park.
Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Rob Elliot; Daryl Janmaat, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Rolando Aarons; Cheick Tiote, Jonjo Shelvey; Moussa Sissoko, Georginio Wijnaldum, Andros Townsend; Aleksandar Mitrovic
Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Liam Gibson, Callum Williams, Dan Barlaser, Henri Saivet, Ayoze Perez, Seydou Doumbia
Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)
So that’s four changes from the team that was so poor in mid-week and lost 3-0 at Everton and there are three U21 players on the bench – Liam Gibson, Callum Williams and Dan Barlaser
The fact we have so many senior players missing is simply a disgrace for a club the stature of Newcastle United.
It looks like we are playing in a 4-2-3-1 formation and the big challenge today is to see if we can score a goal.
This is what Newcastle manager Steve McClaren said yesterday about the game today:
“The players know the urgency of the situation.” “Tomorrow is a huge game for us and we need to perform like we did against Manchester United and West Ham if we want to come away with three points.”
“With 14 games to go we have to be consistent in our performances. Tomorrow is a tough game, a big game and 50,000 Geordies will demand a performance of attitude, character and football.”
“Everybody can see that the talent is there in the squad but talent isn’t everything, you need something else. We also need attitude, character and to hold our nerve but make sure we perform in every game.”
“The key thing is that we have to pass and keep hold of the ball better, we can’t give it away. If you give it away against this West Brom team, they can be dangerous on the counter attack.”
“They’ve got a lot of good players Darren Fletcher has been a really good signing, Salomon Rondon has come back to form and Stephane Sessegnon is dangerous, so they’re a very good team who work together and they’ve got a certain style which works.”
“It’s not an easy game for us so we need to be right, we need to be patient and get the win. We want to win badly and generally the team who wants to win the most will win.”
Not many people would agree with Steve that West Brom are a very good team.
And normally you would expect more fans to think we can beat West Brom at home – but maybe it’s the “Everton” effect.
If we play like we did at Goodison Park we will lose this game.
We need a win today – a draw is simply not good enough.
Comments welcome.
427 comments so far
nightfa11
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:42 PM
Comment #81mclaren will always pick his favorites..no matter how they play..especially shelvey and townsend – cos they were his signings..
geordiestuckinleeds
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:43 PM
Comment #82as im assuming some people will want to know who the rabbit in the headlights under 21s on the bench are:
Gibson (18) – Left back just returning from an injury that kept him out all of last season
Barlaser (19) – centre mid or winger
Williams (19) – Centre back, played 2 years of reserves
team is probably nearly as good as it can be, although id put townsend at FB just because he is more experienced than Aarrons, and it wouldn’t take anything away from the treat. Odds on a west brom back post headed winner?
TudorCrisps
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:43 PM
Comment #83Any u lads got any decent links for today?
Rotonda heights
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:44 PM
Comment #84will die
those players were doing it for pearson as well so yes ranieri is a good manager but they are good players
toonking
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:44 PM
Comment #85antientc
we certainly wouldn’t give scums free points.
2_goal_tino
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:44 PM
Comment #86Who exactly does everyone expect to play at LB? It is not like Aarons has been chosen over a full-back or even another defender. Every defender we have is injured or supended!!
As for Saivet being dropped… he may have worked hard against Everton but the partnership between him and Shelvey was non-existent and they were absolutely dominated in midfield! Remember Saivet was a striker thee years ago, converted to a winger two years ago and this year converted into a central midfielder. Now we are trying to make him a defensive midfielder.
nightfa11
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:45 PM
Comment #872_goal_tino
townsend..cos hes shit going forward, but is fast and works hard..
JP...from The Rock
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:46 PM
Comment #88Any links for this nail biting match that will surely make me lose more hair today??
firebug666
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:47 PM
Comment #89http://www.usagoals.me/football/1439661/9/newcastle-united-vs-west-bromwich-albion-live-stream-online.html
scubydu
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:48 PM
Comment #902 goal tiny, we have a teenage left back on the bench, aprons is a teenage winger ,!!!horses for courses
JP...from The Rock
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:49 PM
Comment #91Thank u mate
toonking
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:49 PM
Comment #92tino
arrons is young and not yet a consistant starter in his true position the last thing he wants is to be playing a totally different position.
he’s an attacking player not a defensive one.
kimbo
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:51 PM
Comment #93Anchebi will score today so we need to score 2 which will not happen.Wally will be sacked on Monday.
Lindisfarne
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:52 PM
Comment #94Alot of people said Aarons looked like he was sulking or pissed off at playing LB at Everton, I just thought he was nervous both at being back in the first team and playing an unusual position. I would much prefer Townsend at LB and Aarons playing on the wing.
2_goal_tino
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:53 PM
Comment #95a. So you want to convert a right winger to be a LB in his second ever game for the club and on his home debut? When he inevitably makes a defensive mistake for playing in a position he has never played in are you going to ensure no Newcastle fans jump on his back? Way to give him some confidence!
b. He has played one game for us when the team were woeful … give him a chance to prove himself going forward
c. Your reasoning for Townsend over Aarons is that he is quick and works hard… Aarons is much quicker and works equally hard!
Toon Tang
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:53 PM
Comment #96Are we honestly only playing one striker at home when attack is our only form of defence. Chuffs sakes
Ron Knee
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:53 PM
Comment #97kimbo
No, he won’t.
Belfast
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:54 PM
Comment #98No winbar though the multiples came through lol
nightfa11
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:54 PM
Comment #992_goal_tino
i said that cos townsend was actually pretty good defending against everton..but as soon as he got the ball in the attacking half he lost it in 0,4 seconds..
Slank
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:55 PM
Comment #100Has anyone got a reliable live stream ?
Rhys Boyd
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:56 PM
Comment #101Come on lads get 3 points today
2_goal_tino
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:56 PM
Comment #102@Scubydu, 87 – You mean Gibson? Under normal circumstances he should never even ever get on our bench… as soon as his contract is up he will be out of the door! Aarons and Gibson may both be young but Aarons is infinitely more talented – even if it is out of position!
Belfast
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:56 PM
Comment #103Firebugs stream is working
firebug666
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:56 PM
Comment #104This one works
http://www.usagoals.me/football/1439661/9/newcastle-united-vs-west-bromwich-albion-live-stream-online.html
davetoon
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:58 PM
Comment #105I think Tiote playing is a positive. He has been good this season.
Newcastle for alltid
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:58 PM
Comment #106Play Doumbia ffs.
No need to force goals out of our own players to score, if there`s a loanee with a bigger chance to do it.
Greebol1892
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:59 PM
Comment #107NO NO NO NO! We NEED the win, are playing AT HOME and ONE up front……!!!!!!??????? Mac is just not getting it….. Saivet left out & Aarons LB???? Pathetic. Only hope Tiote’s inclusion gives Shelvey some impetus to go forward & pass forward.
AncientC
Feb 6, 2016 at 2:59 PM
Comment #108McClean on the left flank, sic him Sissoko.
JeanDavidGinola
Feb 6, 2016 at 3:00 PM
Comment #109Goodbye Wally
jasper
Feb 6, 2016 at 3:01 PM
Comment #110Hail,
We all used to frustrated that Simpson didn’t seem to contribute much to the attack. We all yearned for an Ashley Cole in his pomp.
But what was much less appreciated was that very few forwards got past him. He stood off at just the right distance so as to block a cross, stayed on his feet and didn’t dive in.
In contrast Jammatt seems to lose his man much too easily. For instance Ayew was allowed to take down a long cross field ball without any pressure at all, then stepped inside Jammatt far too easily. There have been other similar examples that come to mind.
Simoson’s strategy is something that any half decent player should be able to emulate. But Jammatt doesn’t, shouldn’t the coaches be sorting this with him?
Oh, of course I forgot, we have been told over and over that the Brolly is supposed to be a “great coach”…….
MacToon
Feb 6, 2016 at 3:02 PM
Comment #111Hopefully Tiote will help Shelvey’s game. Here’s hoping!
Mister Tuff
Feb 6, 2016 at 3:04 PM
Comment #112Looks a bit of intent today – get at them!
scubydu
Feb 6, 2016 at 3:04 PM
Comment #113Tino I take your point,I like aprons but not at left back
davetoon
Feb 6, 2016 at 3:05 PM
Comment #114Need to turn this great start into an early lead
Hail Wor Ashley
Feb 6, 2016 at 3:05 PM
Comment #115Unsure Sissoko has a brain.
Good start overall!
Oleg G
Feb 6, 2016 at 3:05 PM
Comment #116Any good Sopcast or Acestream LINKS?
jasper
Feb 6, 2016 at 3:05 PM
Comment #117PS
I think we’ll scrape a win so of course Wally will survive another week, much the pity.
Hail Wor Ashley
Feb 6, 2016 at 3:06 PM
Comment #118Mitro misses another sitter taking his average to 1 from 6 sitters he scores.
Rhys Boyd
Feb 6, 2016 at 3:06 PM
Comment #119what a shot from townsend
davetoon
Feb 6, 2016 at 3:06 PM
Comment #120Cmon Mitro