Newcastle played their second eleven last night, and now we are out of the Carling Cup, there will always be those who will second guess Chris’ team selection.
Walcott and Bendtner celebrate second goal – it was offside!
But we think he did exactly the right thing last night, in sticking with the fringe players and the youngsters, as he also has a job to keep those players getting some games at Newcastle. And part of our youth policy is to ensure our youngsters get their chances at the right time.
Far better start the side last night, even though we did lose the game, then playing the same side week in and week out like Martin O’Neill used to do at Aston Villa and have some players – like Habib Beye as just one example – never get a game. We are now hearing just how many players didn’t like Martin’s style at Villa.
And the other reason Chris was right to field a second eleven, is that the Premier League must be our top priority, and now we have no new injuries to our top players before the Tyne Wear Derby on Sunday.
When told that some supporters wanted a stronger team fielded last night, this is what Hughton told the Evening Chronicle:
“Any supporters that will say that, I understand.” “They support this club, and they want to see this club winning every game.” “I respect their thoughts, but I have to do the best job I can for this club, and I have to make very tough decisions.”
But the first teamers have been given a rest last night, and will be that much fresher for the vital league game on Sunday.
Chris continued:
“That’s the plus – I don’t think we’ve picked up any injuries – but, at the moment, we’re very disappointed, because I didn’t think the scoreline was a reflection of the game.” “But, against their quality, it’s very difficult.”
It was never a 4-0 game and after Newcastle were 2-0 down to two rather strange goals, they were attacking Arsenal to try to get back into the game, and were twice caught short at the back in the final 10 minutes.
But hey, Arsenal are a top side, and we were beaten in the end, and we’ll only be unhappy if that happens on Sunday afternoon – in a game we must win.
Newcastle players must go all out on Sunday, and play this game as though their lives depended on winning it.
That should do the trick.
40 comments so far
Young_Mag
Oct 28, 2010 at 2:20 PM
Comment #1Its in the past now time 2 look forward
… Sick of the speculation surrounding CH future … Pure bulls**t
Anyway any thoughts on the team 2 play against the mackems?
Jose_Horny_Enrique
Oct 28, 2010 at 2:52 PM
Comment #2just seen another replay of the second arsenal goal, both walcott and Bendtner were clearly offside! it’s unnaceptable the amount of wrong decisions which go against us!:/
on another note i’m thinking routledge will play along side nolan, guthrie and jonas. Big fella’s shola and andy carrol upfront not sure bout the defence tho 😛
rwpoynter
Oct 28, 2010 at 2:54 PM
Comment #3Watched the game on Sky last night and the score does not reflect the balance of play, but we should learn from Arsenal, an extremely good side. Hopeful high balls up the middle won’t get us anywhere against a side like them, it just gives them possession and you know what happens when they get that.. they keep it.The first goal was unlucky and at the worst possible time, but I can’t blame Krul. The second goal was just a joke so 2-0 would have been more realistic. We did fight and with a bit of luck could have scored. Good opportunities for the young lads and Perch played well so a lot of positives to be taken from this game. As for all this crap from the Daily Mail about Hughton’s job, I really don’t think Mike Ashley is going to fall for that one. In the past Shepherd fired the boss on an all too regular basis the minute the natives on the terraces got restless, but the fans are behind CH. Mike has a difficult balancing act to do and seems to be doing OK in my book. The most stupid thing would be to change the manager. Arsenal and Man Utd are continuously top four sides. Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson have been around for years. I think that says something
Sav
Oct 28, 2010 at 3:09 PM
Comment #4What to do with Kadar, Ranger, Vukic and Co. now though?
Loan ’em out to the Championship for regular football? I think it makes sense.
carollno9
Oct 28, 2010 at 3:20 PM
Comment #5team until S taylor and campbell come in for Simpson and Williamson:
Krul
Simpson Colocinii Williamson Enrique
Barton Tiote Nolan
Ranger Guteriez
Caroll
carollno9
Oct 28, 2010 at 3:21 PM
Comment #6Ranger and Guteriez Should of been either side of Caroll!!
xfer
Oct 28, 2010 at 3:35 PM
Comment #7100% with CH over the selection. We needed to give our fringe players a game. Our priority remains staying in the EPL and beating Sunderland tops that list alongside!
Lynxie
Oct 28, 2010 at 3:37 PM
Comment #8Team to batter the Unwashed Yokels from Albania on Wear:
Krul
Simpson Williamson Collocini Enrique
Tiote Barton Nolan Guttierez
Shola
Big Andy
Subs:
Routledge
Lovenkrands
Smith
S.Taylor
Soderberg
Guthrie or Ranger
Perch
BeeGuy
Oct 28, 2010 at 4:07 PM
Comment #9Here is what I see coming at NUFC Sunday. The Black Cats are a “one trick pony” with Darren Bent staring. But there is a solid foundation to the club and they do not leak goals.
I believe Bent does his best work down Enrique’s side. That is a plus for NUFC since Colo is over there to help out as well. Tracking for the two defenders is Jonas, another + for NUFC.
So, I’m not looking at a goal explosion for SAFC, and I feel confident that NUFC can maintain possession and control the game on the ground. If that is the case, some NUFC balls will find the back of the Mackems net.
BarcelonaMag
Oct 28, 2010 at 4:24 PM
Comment #10Personally, I don’t agree with CH’s team selection for last night. I think we would probably have beaten Arsenal if we’d fielded a stronger team and, for me, being in the last 8 of the Carling Cup might have made for a more exciting season. There aren’t many big teams left in it and -who knows?- we might have gone on to win it. We’ll avoid relegation quite comfortably and can afford to play the odd extra match with our first teamers. As it is, all we have to look forward to now is finishing 16th.
Alchemist
Oct 28, 2010 at 4:49 PM
Comment #11Anyone listening to Talksport? What a joke!
sweendog
Oct 28, 2010 at 5:33 PM
Comment #12team selection .. hmm don’t have anything positive .. if he was gonna play guti, barton, carroll then play them from the start, where was the bull and tiote .. think he messed up last night .. 4-0 at home not a good score line …
maybe he’ll play the right team on sunday .. but it is a home game and hughton has only got that right once this season …
hope I’m proved wrong but he needs to play
Krul
Simpson Collo Willo Bull
Barton Tiote Guthrie Guti
Nolan Carroll
davis_toons
Oct 28, 2010 at 5:59 PM
Comment #13Arsenal’s second string are brought up to pass the ball and move in to space, while ours always seem stretched and under pressure and resort to long balls.
– Rotonda heights // Oct 28, 2010 at 9:44 AM
Yes, why? We have got diffenent style of playing method?
dave 1961
Oct 28, 2010 at 6:07 PM
Comment #14not the right one at all last day of my holiday ruined thanks to clueless Hughton, & I was in a bar full off cockneys too, I was in such a mood there could have been a blood bath, luckily they realised the odds were not good as there was one of me & only about 20 of them, luckily they were like mice. sort of took me back 20 years.
GeordieToon89
Oct 28, 2010 at 6:28 PM
Comment #15why are people moaning about team selection no one was moaning when we beat chelsea at stamford bridge with basically the same team? who cares tht we got knocked out the league is more important and if by jan when we hopefully no wher we stand we can play out strongest team in the FA cup when we start tht campaign aswel, we needed our strongest first teamers rested last night for the mackem game as them lot doon the road will be fresh with being knocked out, people would be complaining if we played our strongest 11 nd couple of them got injured and unable to play yas would all be calling him stupid for playing them so just think about the reality and get it in your heads tht we need to prioritise the league rather than the cup this season
GeordieGerman
Oct 28, 2010 at 6:32 PM
Comment #16dave 1961, A couple of years, a couple of years. Then we’ll be up for anything mate and debt free.
sweendog
Oct 28, 2010 at 6:35 PM
Comment #17GeordieToon89 .. one word .. Tiote … not the same team .. still I need to get over it ..need 2 wins in our next 3 and I’ll be happy ..
sweendog
Oct 28, 2010 at 6:57 PM
Comment #18also not convinced about hughton being backed .. the club statement said they’ll renegotiate at the end of the year .. could be construed as december .. maybe if we’re on 20 points + by christmas otherwise they’ve somebody lined up .. strange how we’ve no assistant yet ..
Preferable choice to happen is we win on sat… get a few wins at home and then hughton stays .. and importantly is backed with key signings .. RB, R wing .. top striker
CT
Oct 28, 2010 at 6:59 PM
Comment #19Leave it`s gone, at least we came out of it injury free. CH will get his new contract too. Moving on, 3pnts agin Macks 2-1, 0 pnts agin Arse, 3pnts agin B`burn(H), 3 pnts agin F`ham(H) n we`ll be luvin it, just luvin it!!! HWTL
jimiley
Oct 28, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Comment #20Why play Carroll and Barton when we are two nil down? Play them from the start or don’t play them at all. It confirms to me the manager’s muddled thinking.
jimiley
Oct 28, 2010 at 7:03 PM
Comment #21The owner has no confidence in the manager. That much is obvious. He gives him a one year contract for a start. He will review the contract at the end of that year. If you really want to keep somebody you do not wait until the contract has expired. And he pays him peanuts. Oh the final kiss of death. The manager has the full support of the owner. If Mike Ashley says so it must be true. Ha ha ha!!!
GeordieGerman
Oct 28, 2010 at 7:04 PM
Comment #22jimiley, and who would you blame if Barton, Carroll or both got injured last night?
dave 1961
Oct 28, 2010 at 7:07 PM
Comment #23yes true but we need to concentrate on the next game to get into the habit of winning, for all those that pay good money to watch rubbish, that’s why we now close large parts of the stadium, because no one wants to pay to watch dross, although it angers me when Hughton “balls” ups his team selection, we still have to leave it to Ashley to decide if or when to terminate him, at the moment I have no confidence in him at all, but on Sunday I will give him my total backing, and have a moan on hear. I have backed the club by the purchase of 2 season tickets, and most likely will next season, I have to have major knee surgery soon, and I will be at the next game after, no matter the pain barrier I have to go thru.
GeordieToon89
Oct 28, 2010 at 7:20 PM
Comment #24me to with the minor knee surgey only i need it on both knees haha and im only 20 lmao.!
anyways a think we played well last night just we wer beaten by a better team and a dodgey decision with an offside and a own goal, although bendtners was a good finish and the other was just sheer theo walcott pace, we could of been 3-0 in first 18mins, Vuckic who was class and showed some immense pace which is didnt think he had, Smith was tremendously unlucky and Ranger should of done better but took a 2nd nd 3rd touch and players got back and blocked, we nearly scored in 2nd half both Taylor aswel one just cleared off line from a corner and the other a good save from his free kick so i was impressed with our performance and yes i am dissapointed we didnt go through obviously but i would much rather rest our main players last night and keep em fresh for sunday as the league and against sland is a must must win .
sweendog
Oct 28, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Comment #25GeordieToon89 .. sunday will be make or break .. a defeat and his position is tenuous .. a win he’ll nearly be confirmed as manager .. a draw and the spec will continue that o’neil or a more experienced manager will come in ..
Toon-Army
Oct 28, 2010 at 7:26 PM
Comment #26just like to add on a brighter note that i called the box office earlier today about something but i asked hoe many seats were left for the mackem game. the answer was 50 seats. looks like it will be a sell out!!! come on the toon!!
sweendog
Oct 28, 2010 at 7:44 PM
Comment #27Toon-Army .. good stuff .. a good amosphere .. a good team selection and sunday will be 2-0 …
Toon-Army
Oct 28, 2010 at 7:55 PM
Comment #28a very good atmosphere! 52,000 a sell out. this is the time when a season ticket comes in handy!
Toon-Army
Oct 28, 2010 at 8:01 PM
Comment #29ill settle for a 1-0 off krul’s left testicle in the 94th min as long as its a win!!
Sav
Oct 28, 2010 at 8:25 PM
Comment #30Sorry but its nonsense to say Houghton will be confirmed if we beat the Mackems. Get over yourself.
Regardless of that one result, he is the man for the job.
About last night, if the struggling teams are supposed to be too preoccupied with survival to risk injury in this competition, while the top sides are too preoccupied with big money euro matches, just who the hell is supposed to win this darned thing?
stuart no9
Oct 28, 2010 at 8:33 PM
Comment #31forget the game yesterday , its history, what concerns me more and more as the season goes on is the amount of ref decisions going against us,coincidence?you look at the reaction of our players at some of the really bad decisions against us , i would say pretty tame , taking into account the nature of the decision. can you see the likes of man u, chelsea, arsenal, taking it so lightly ? not in a million years, the ref would be surrounded by players on the pitch, then soiling himself , at the sight of , fergie, or wenger standing by the tunnel ready to let blast with the abuse that most refs have had to endure, enter newcastle, nice lot, have a bit of a moan when the decision, goes the other way but soon forgotten , at least theres no headcase waiting at the tunnel verbally crucify the ref. all refs will look for the more “smooth ” ride , why the hell would he want to give a decision, and get slaughtered for it when he can take the easy way out, give it against , put up with a “moan ” then get on with his life in peace, if i was a ref, i know what i would do, we have to get rid of this respect the ref bo….ks, we ve tried that and its not doing us any favours, and take a leaf out of fergies book, its tried and tested and it works
CT
Oct 28, 2010 at 9:01 PM
Comment #32A mate of mine, a fellow toon army supporter got divorced today. The judge asked his wife what was the reason the marriage failed? Your honour she said, it`s because he luvs his precious bloody Newcastle United than he does me, my mate replied I F*K*N love S`land more than you!!!!
Jarra
Oct 28, 2010 at 9:04 PM
Comment #33My observations last night were that this was another home game where we have failed to win, thats one home win this season 3 lost and one drawn.
When in an earlier comment by CH stating we go into every game with the object of winning.
So whats going wrong is it tactics, or lack of capability?
The away form is very positive in three wins a draw and one defeat.
Team spirit looks good so from that I believe the players are behind CH, so the open question is how are the lads going to start winning at home.
What I do also believe is the pressure to win this weekend at home is high, which could help the dark side if we do not score first or take a considerable time to breakthrough as Steve Bruce’s tactics will be to close shop and frustrate the home support.
I only hope we have tactics and the skill to breach those tactics, gain a win and then build on that with further positive results at home.
Your thoughts are appreciated.
Ho Way The Lads
moonraker
Oct 28, 2010 at 10:09 PM
Comment #34re: team selection!!
Sorry Ed but I cant agree with you on this one. It was like lambs to the slaughter and, despite some bad luck with the goals the score did reflect the superiority of Arsenal.
But we could have beaten them as was proved when Jonas, Barton and Carroll came on.
We will never win a trophy as long as we dont even put out a competetive team; we can only win one of the cups and as we’re not even in europe the squad should be able to play 3 games in a week especially at this time of the season!
What was more frustrating was that Hughton must have thought that team he put out could beat Arsenal and he didnt change it till it was too late!
Seems like every time Chris makes good decisions; like against West Ham, he goes and drops a clanger like last night! It was embarrassing to me; he must have been the only person who thought that team could win and that again raises question marks about him in my mind.
I support him 100% for what he did last season but I’m still not sure about him because of that team last night!!
The daft thing is; Bobby Robson used to play a weakened team as well in the Carling cup!
FFS lets try and win something!!!! 🙁
TheToonKing
Oct 28, 2010 at 10:51 PM
Comment #35@moonraker, i’m sorry mate but the weak, non-competitive team beat and equally, or maybe stronger, Chelsea team.
Hoots was spot on with the team selection.
Bao Zheng
Oct 29, 2010 at 8:08 AM
Comment #36Hooton got it right. We need to give the youngsters a chance to get experience, and either push for a first team place or understand what they need to improve. The reserves need match time and also now know why they are not first team regulars.
Brutooon
Oct 29, 2010 at 9:51 AM
Comment #37CH selection are good tbh. Arsenal 2nd team are way better than us (i judge this through the result not the possession)
Vuckic, Kadar, Ranger (He should score) will learn a lot from the youngsters.
sweendog
Oct 29, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Comment #38hate to see his team selection if he gets it wrong ..
Anyway need to move on and beat sunderland .. and hope hughton works on the home form but keeps up the good work on the away results..
Lynxie
Nov 1, 2010 at 9:48 AM
Comment #39Wahey!! Lynxie got the team right (see post 8) and absolutely over the moon. I just knew we had too much for the tramps from down the road.
Newcastle UNITED, will never be defeated.
Well Done CH, you will do for me!!
Lynxie
Nov 1, 2010 at 9:50 AM
Comment #40That should have said post 8……….