Two of Newcastle’s most important players tomorrow afternoon at West Brom have to be Steven Taylor and Sol Campbell.
And if our two central defenders can put in another excellent performance, like they put in against Chelsea last weekend, then Newcastle will have every chance to win this game.
Getting Cheick Tiote back into the side from a one match ban, was a huge positive for Newcastle last weekend, and we are hoping that Joey Barton – on his return from a three match ban – will have the same kind of positive impact tomorrow.
The Newcastle side seems to have missed Joey’s pinpoint centers into the penalty area, for Andy Carroll to get his head to, and indeed quite a few goals have come from a Barton free kick that Andy had expertly headed home, from anywhere inside the opposing half.
We think Chris Hughton will make just one change from the side that did so very well against Chelsea last weekend, after the disaster at Bolton, with Joey coming in as a straight replacement for Danny Guthrie in central midfield:
With captain Kevin Nolan missing the game with an ankle injury, this is the team we think Chris Hughton will start tomorrow afternoon:
Krul
Simpson Taylor (S) Campbell Enrique
Routledge Tiote Barton Gutierrez
Carroll Ameobi
Subs: Soderberg Perch Kadar Guthrie Lovenkrands Ranger Best
In their 7 league games at home, West Brom have won three, drawn two and lost the other two, whereas Newcastle have three wins and a draw in their 7 league games on the road.
Newcastle have more points on the road than at home so far this season, and we have to be going all out for the win tomorrow at The Hawthorns.
One key to this game is again that the Newcastle defense plays a solid and uncompromising game at the back, and don’t give away any soft goals like we did against Blackburn and Bolton – two teams we could have been expected to beat.
We are fairly confident that Sol Campbell, Steven Taylor and our two in-form full-backs Simpson and Enrique, can put in another good shift tomorrow, and if they can do that, we have to think Andy and Shola can then get a goal or two up front.
That’s especially true, with Joey Barton back in the side, and wanting to make up for his three match absence., and putting those great crosses into the West Brom penalty area.
On the West Brom side of things the fine and improving Midlands side have doubts about the fitness of Chris Brunt, Paul Scharner, Peter Odemwingie, James Morrison and Nicky Shorey.
From the Newcastle side of things we have to hope all three will not make the game. 😀
And Youssouf Mulumbu serves the second game of his two-match ban.
A win would be absolutely terrific tomorrow afternoon for Newcastle United fans everywhere.
Howay The Lads!!
17 comments so far
Brutooon
Dec 4, 2010 at 3:23 PM
Comment #1we CAN win this game
Howay Da Lads
Zangwill_Ho
Dec 4, 2010 at 3:56 PM
Comment #2Win win win come on nufc
GeordieToon89
Dec 4, 2010 at 5:06 PM
Comment #3never mind CAN mate this is a game we surely must be winning.! we need and should be able to beat these teams we have some talented players and i would love too see Ranger start tomorrow with Carroll but this wont happen, nothing against ameobi mind a just think Ranger is starting to look really good and deserves a chance and he would really frustrate west broms defence with his power and pace and ability to get onto Carrolls flicks he could have a field day.
West Brom 1-3 NUFC
jesus was a geordie
Dec 4, 2010 at 5:27 PM
Comment #4Agree with that line-up Ed, looks like the strongest midfield we’ve fielded all year in my opinion!
Pace and running ability out wide, bite and passing ability through the centre.
Barton had a tendency to drift into the centre when playing on the wing and that hurt us against Blackburn, though his crosses make him useful out there. I’d like to see him and Routledge overlap, and Barton to push out wide a bit more than a normal CM so we’ve the option of hitting the by-line through Routledge or hitting the early cross through Barton.
We’ve now got 4 players who can create chances and scare defences playing in midfield – I’m excited about tomorrow!
Nolan96
Dec 4, 2010 at 5:37 PM
Comment #5We might be passed the days of old…but i hope he doesn’t play 4-5-1. But i don’t think he will.
tomlkier
Dec 4, 2010 at 6:25 PM
Comment #6I’d be very surprised if he played a 541 after playing 442 against Chelsea, particularly as Nolan is doubtful.
This is one we should be winning, but could well be another upset, If we play like we did against Chelsea/Arsenal we should have no problem though.
Toon XI
Dec 4, 2010 at 6:32 PM
Comment #7We need these points. I hope the lads show up tomorrow and play like they are capable.
Everyone is ripping Ameobi and honestly I am not not a huge fan, but tomorrow’s game is just the game he’ll net a brace. He has played poorly lately and has been slagged on all week, so he is due to make us eat our words.
2-3 with Ameobi brace (assuming he starts).
HWTL!
will die for the toon army
Dec 4, 2010 at 7:36 PM
Comment #8I would go for ranger than shola. shola is too lazy very lazy.
…………………….Krul
Simpson……..S.Taylor…….Campbell……Enrique
Routldge……..Barton……Tiote……………..Jonas
………………….Ranger………..Carroll
Better team with pace
totsy
Dec 4, 2010 at 7:45 PM
Comment #9going for a 2-0 win with unlikely scorers (taylor, routledge) i can imagine carroll being closely marked
Shot Bru
Dec 4, 2010 at 8:05 PM
Comment #10………………………..Krul………………………………….
Simpson……Saylor……Costa del Sol……Enrique
…………………..Guthrie…………..Tiote………………
……………………………..Barton…………………………
…..Routledge…………..Carroll…………Jonas………
baro
Dec 5, 2010 at 1:31 AM
Comment #11……………………………..Krul…………………………..
Simpson….STaylor………….Campbell…..Enrique
…………………Barton……….Tiote……………………
Routledge…………………………………………..Jonas
——————Ranger……Carroll…………………..
baro
Dec 5, 2010 at 1:32 AM
Comment #12NUFC 3-0 WBA
Carroll
Barton
Tiote
Ali G
Dec 5, 2010 at 1:50 AM
Comment #13Seem to remember them taking us to the cleaners last time out, we were lucky to get away with a point. Ok, Carroll progressed since then, and tiote a huge difference, but they’ve come on too. Settle for a point.
Zangwill_Ho
Dec 5, 2010 at 3:37 AM
Comment #147-0 nufc win hope it will come true
toonbrother
Dec 5, 2010 at 8:56 AM
Comment #15i think you’re wrong. Only change I expect Hughton to make is Barton for Routledge. Guthirie give us solidity in CM and Barton has been excellent at Right midfield all season. I feel sorry for Wayne after his efforts last week but he has to be the one to make way
……………………krul……………..
…simpson….sol…taylor….enrique
…barton….guthrie…tiote….gutierez
……………..Ameobi..Carroll
NOVA2967
Dec 5, 2010 at 9:20 AM
Comment #16Toonbrother…
I like the line up and want to see how it works but maybe a safer bet would be giving Routledge another chance with Bartonn in the middle and Guthrie first of the bench if routledge doesnt take his chance.
Lew Davies
Dec 5, 2010 at 9:25 AM
Comment #17Just goes to show how difficult it is for CH.
We all have our own ideas of who should play where. He has all the pressure on him. The Lads need to turn up today (in the freezing cold) and not let him down again as per bolton.
I’d start strolla, but maybe just for half the match. Think Andy C will be double marked, so looking for goals from Joey and routledge. Dont think Guthrie has earned a start after last game he was so poor.
But IMO the most important player today has to be Tiote. Hope he doesn’t pick up an early yellow, as he is so important to protecting the CB’s.
0-2. Toon Toon.
HWTL.
😀