The game tomorrow looks an easy win on paper, but Blackpool could well prove to be a dark horse, and we don’t expect this game to be easy for Newcastle.
We’ve said before that if you look at all the 38 games this season, Blackpool at home is probably the one where the lads would be most expected to get all 3 points.
But football doesn’t always work according to what’s expected, or what those brilliant know-all pundits predict. Remember where they said Newcastle would end up last season – and it wasn’t back in the Premier League.
Blackpool also have as many points from their first 3 games as Newcastle do, and they have a wily manager in Ian Holloway, so they are in good form right now, and from the games we’ve seen them play this season, they can be a hard side to break down.
We really hope the Newcastle players don’t go into this game thinking they are going to get an easy win, but with Chris Hughton in charge we doubt that will happen – ever, because 3 points against Blackpool is as good as 3 points if we managed to beat say Chelsea – it’s still just 3 points.
Chris has 3 new players now ready to play for the Newcastle United club in Campbell, Tiote and Ben Arfa, and we expect at least Campbell and Ben Arfa to be on the bench, although Tiote has only just arrived in Newcastle and it may be too early for him to even be on the bench.
But we think Chris will have him there, if only to get used to things on game day at Newcastle, and of course the Ivory Coast International will give Alan Smith tremendous competition from now on, for that defensive midfield position.
We expect Alan to have a particularly good game tomorrow afternoon, because that’s what competition for places will do.
Chris is unlikely to change the side that did so well at Wolves, and since Chris has almost said that today, this is the side we expect him to field tomorrow, with a very strong substitutes bench.
Harper
Perch Williamson Coloccini Enrique
Routledge Barton Smith Nolan (c) Gutierrez
Carroll
Subs: Krul Taylor (R) Ben Arfa Tiote Campbell Ameobi Lovenkrands
That must be the strongest bench Newcastle have fielded in a long time, with two current internationals on it in Tiote and Ben Arfa. No room even for young Tamas Kadar, with Sol Campbell now available.
We do expect Newcastle to get a fast start to this game, and try to get an early goal, which would certainly help to get Newcastle going and hopefully get the eventual win and the 3 points.
But Newcastle have also learned to be patient if a goal doesn’t come quickly, and we don’t think for one moment they will under-estimate this decent Blackpool side, but the lads certainly have to go all out and give a professional performance tomorrow afternoon.
There’s also the possibility of seeing Ben Arfa and Sol Campbell make their debuts for the club, with Ben Arfa almost certain to feature at some point in the game.
If we can give a professional performance tomorrow, and with a little bit of luck, we can get the win, and the feel-good factor on Tyneside will continue, at least through the next week or so. 😀
Here’s hoping.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments always welcome.
67 comments so far
wilko
Sep 11, 2010 at 7:18 AM
Comment #41Can I say that I know it’s early days but a big success story so far is the massive turnaround of Joey Barton, the lad has taken a long hard look in the mirror and asked himself the questions of how to be a better man, and he’s answered all with style , now it’s showing in his performance and the smile on his face , he’s won alot of people over already , even the ones who would love to see him fail, full credit to you Joey, keep it up we are proud of you
Toonboy_84
Sep 11, 2010 at 7:35 AM
Comment #42Gonna have a little flutter on 3-1. Nolan to score first 🙂
batty
Sep 11, 2010 at 7:50 AM
Comment #43toontoontoon ya right aboot perch the lad hasent done bad seeing he,s only had 3 prem games ,i like it how he gets stuck in.
TOONTOONTOON
Sep 11, 2010 at 7:54 AM
Comment #44not often we agree on something batty haha
TOONTOONTOON
Sep 11, 2010 at 7:56 AM
Comment #45think hes done well for us so far cant knock some1 only 3 games in give the lad a fair crack at the whip.
batty
Sep 11, 2010 at 8:15 AM
Comment #46htoon he could end up being a decent signing ,but i cannit see how any 1 can slag after the 1 st 3 games
batty
Sep 11, 2010 at 8:16 AM
Comment #47toon toon ya still a tw@t because u go on workys blog under a diffrent nick and wont tell me who ya are 🙂
TOONTOONTOON
Sep 11, 2010 at 8:21 AM
Comment #48Chris wanted him in january,then went back in the summer to get him,so the young fella must have something about him he is also very quick.You read that article carrol give to the chronicle yestersay,bit worrying the way he is talking about that left ancle says hes had trouble for 2 seasons with it.
balubas1
Sep 11, 2010 at 8:21 AM
Comment #49Hey Captain Beefheart:
I truly understand your negativity because it hasn’t been alot of ups for us in these last years.
But Ben Arfa and Tiote are not bad signings for us as a newly promoted club with not much spending power.
Also a question for you: What is your thoughts on the effect and development of a team both mentally and abilitywise after being a winning team for a whole season?
batty
Sep 11, 2010 at 8:36 AM
Comment #50toontoon aye i read it pretty worrying like seeing the back up we have up front
TOONTOONTOON
Sep 11, 2010 at 8:50 AM
Comment #51Think shola may start today after reading that.
umermaliknz
Sep 11, 2010 at 8:52 AM
Comment #52when ever I come on here there’s always some sort of an argument concerning captain beefheart. Let’s drop it please.
C’MON LADS!! COMEEEEE ONE! 3 POINTS!
THAT BOY CARROL AND BENNY BOY ARFA 😀
Rotonda heights
Sep 11, 2010 at 9:03 AM
Comment #53Ed
You’re right that is a strong bench and doesn’t even include Ranger, Guthrie or Kadar.
Can’t really see who Campbell would replace if Willo and Colo are playing well. I appreciate Sol’s experience at training etc can only be a good thing, but he’s not going to play full back like Kadar could cover, as well as in the middle.
I think when everyone is fit this team could frighten a few
Krul
? Colo Willo Enrique
Tiote Barton
Routledge Ben Arfa Jonas
Carroll
batty
Sep 11, 2010 at 9:04 AM
Comment #54toon toon a think he will start with carrol think ch wants too get as many points on the board as pos incase carrol gets propper crock ,hope he dusent like but its a big ask
Satboyslim
Sep 11, 2010 at 9:06 AM
Comment #55Easy 3 or 4 nil today, Andy’s going to tear their centre backs a new ar*ehole, how Beefheart isn’t optimistic i don’t know, this is the happiest i’ve felt being a toon fan since Bobby!
Lovely fact here; in the last two seasons, Andy Carroll has scored more premiership goals than Michael Owen ha! Waiting for the slimy little tw*t to blame it on ‘lack of service’.
TOONTOONTOON
Sep 11, 2010 at 9:16 AM
Comment #56batty Hope he dos start,but if chris read that he may be temted to rest him up for a while longer.Thought he had just had a knock on it against wolves, never knew he had be carrying it for nearly 2 years.And hes thinking about it or i dont think he would of even mentioned it.
bobby_ollox
Sep 11, 2010 at 9:21 AM
Comment #57Depressing though it is to admit it , Beefy has a point, even if he is a miserable feck. Doesnt make him wrong though.
Stupid pressure and ridiculous over optimism have made this club a laughing stock more than once in the past, and now is the time to keep both feet on the ground.
Toon 8 Pool nil. HWTL
bobby_ollox
Sep 11, 2010 at 9:25 AM
Comment #58Depressing though it is to admit it , Beefy does have a point, even if he is a miserable old dog – it doesnt make him wrong.
The pressure from over expectation, and ridiculous over optimism have made this club a laughing stock more than once, so it is time to keep both feet on the ground for once.
Toon 8 ‘pool nil. HWTL.
batty
Sep 11, 2010 at 9:26 AM
Comment #59toontoon aye but dont ya reckon its just a matter of time brfore hes oot agen if it keeps swelling up like
Turkish Magpie
Sep 11, 2010 at 9:29 AM
Comment #60am i the only 1 that would take 1-0? A win is a win, stop goin on about 4 and 5 nils, yes it would be nice and we know we can do it, but if we keep having really high expectations when we win 1-0 in some games the team will get slated when they should be applauded
stjamespark
Sep 11, 2010 at 9:30 AM
Comment #61Im guessing IF we are comfortable in the second half, arfa, possibly tiote and sol will get 10 or 20 minutes or so. This would leave out lovenkrands who I think deserves a run out. Players who have earnt it like lovenkrands should be given a run out before it starts to effect morale. He has proven his speed this week, all be it in an Audi….
TOONTOONTOON
Sep 11, 2010 at 9:31 AM
Comment #62bobby_ollox wicked sense of humour mate haha
TOONTOONTOON
Sep 11, 2010 at 9:33 AM
Comment #63batty was thinking the same thing myself
deeeeeeano
Sep 11, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Comment #64Glad to see united optimism(with the exception of Beefy), Chrissy boy has not only lifted the spirits of the players but of the fans too, he really has proven alot of people, myself included, wrong and has the toon buzzing again, and i friggin love it. There is nowt better than going to bed excited to see the match the following day.
I agree with most that the team should stay unchanged and stick the new lads on in the second half to finish them off, but, my one feeling is that as this is possibly our easiest game on paper, maybe Big Andy could be rested and a start for Loven, Ranger or dare i say it Shola Amaflipflop. It shouldnt be too much of a gamble as they done the job on them last season.
HAWAY THE LADS 3-1
Birts
Sep 11, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Comment #65Not too fussed about the score as long as its a win and we get to see some entertaining football. Not too much to ask is it.
john_cena163
Sep 11, 2010 at 10:42 AM
Comment #66Harper
Taylo-Willi-Colo-Enrique
Wayne-Joe-Arfa-Jonas
Nolan
Carrol
xfer
Sep 11, 2010 at 11:51 AM
Comment #67Captain Beefheart, get a grip! Not a good window in any standard? Quit thinking we are a Man City.