Newcastle will complete their third successive game against a top five side on Saturday, when they entertain Chelsea at St. James’ Park.
Yohan Cabaye – we will not fear Chelsea
Newcastle lost at Manchester City 3-1 ten days ago, and then took a valuable point from Old Trafford last Saturday afternoon, in what was a magnificent rearguard action from the Newcastle side.
And a win on Saturday would seem to round things off nicely and allow Newcastle to take a good 4 points out of those three very tough games in a row.
As we reported earlier today, Chelsea lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the Carling Cup quarter finals last night at home, and they have lost three of their last four PL League games at Stamford Bridge, and one of their last two away games in the league.
So it could be a good time to play Chelsea, but it will be a tough game and one in which the lads will need to be at or near their best to get the win, and the game will be in front of what promises to be a sold-out St. James’ Park on Saturday .
Yohan Cabaye has been without his central midfield partner Cheick Tiote over the last five games, but Danny Guthrie has done the job for Newcastle in that time, but it could be that Cheick is fit to return on Saturday.
The French International talked about the upcoming tough game:
“We learned from the City game,” “We learned not to give Manchester United too much respect.”
“It was important to play higher up the pitch and I think we did well. Against Chelsea, we have to play like we did at Old Trafford.”
“We have to believe in ourselves,” “It’s important to win the game. We’ve got to play like the winning team. We will be at home so we have to play like a top-of-the-league team to win this match.”
“I think the two Manchester clubs will be the top two for the rest of the season,” “I think they will be the teams fighting for the league.”
“Are City better? I don’t know. It’s hard to compare the two.” ” Man United have some very good players, so it is difficult to simply say that Man City are better than Man United.”
Newcastle do tend to play high up the pitch, but that also leaves them open to somebody beating the offside trap with their speed, like Hernandez tried to do a few times last Saturday.
In the 21 games Chelsea have played this season in all competitions, under new manager Andre Villas-Boas, they have lost six games, and Newcastle have played 13 games in total and lost only two.
And under Jose Mourinho, in his first season at Chelsea seven years ago (2004-2005), he lost only one of his first 21 games in all competitions, and that’s a measure of how poorly Chelsea have started this season.
The goals conceded tell the story about Chelsea, and they have conceded 23 goals in all competitions, whereas the Jose Mourinho side of seven years ago conceded only six in the same number of games.
And by the difference in the number of games played by the two sides, it shows the extra games of a team playing in Europe, and if Newcastle can qualify say for the Europa Cup next season, they will need a much bigger squad.
Chelsea are not strong in defense, which is one reason we should see Newcastle attacking the Pensioners from the very first whistle on Saturday.
And Newcastle need to at least draw to keep above Chelsea in the league table, but a win at home in front of a full house would be fantastic.
And that’s what Alan Pardew and Yohan Cabaye will no doubt be going for on Saturday afternoon, in the early kick-off game, which starts at 12:45 pm.
Comments welcome.
36 comments so far
Indian Magpie
Nov 30, 2011 at 9:37 AM
Comment #1Question?
is no one else afraid that we are continously being linked with scott brown
Eastander
Nov 30, 2011 at 9:38 AM
Comment #2Target David Luiz and it should be a rewarding afternoon!
Rotonda heights
Nov 30, 2011 at 9:42 AM
Comment #3Indian,
yes very worried, coud be Mr T is gone and being replaced by an extremely average player in brown.
seantoon
Nov 30, 2011 at 9:50 AM
Comment #4Scott brown is a championship player he’s way too slow for the premiership
spitfire_
Nov 30, 2011 at 9:54 AM
Comment #5On question for Forster couple of months back, Pardew didn’t say anything good about SPL… so relax about Scott Brown.
geoff777
Nov 30, 2011 at 9:58 AM
Comment #6Brown has an ankle injury. He’s had three minor ops on it in the last year or two.
He’s back training.
He’s said he wants to stay at Celtic.
If our scouts and Pardew think he’ll fit in then who are we to disagree. He can play RM.
Perhaps he’s a replacement for Smith rather than Tiote?
More likely it’s press bollox.
Marty-Toon
Nov 30, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Comment #7Chelsea are good on the break but we should be able to beat their defence and midfield.
Mikel ain’t that good,Lamps and Ramires are quality but not playing as a unit.
Think they will go with 4-4-2 against us though.
roshan MAGPIE
Nov 30, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Comment #8I dont think we will sign any from scottish premier league cause our scouts are mainly in france and PARDEw think that scottish league has low standards too
wynsleap
Nov 30, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Comment #9“If Newcastle can qualify for the Europa Cup next season they will need a much bigger squad”.
Ssssh Ed – if our Controller hears that he’ll certainly put the block on incoming transfers in January.
He’ll be more than happy to finish around mid table and not have to prise open the zip of his purse.
Dannyo
Nov 30, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Comment #10Oh yes, Hernandez TRIED to beat the offside trap, but go caught many times and also had a goal dissallowed in the final minutes.
SO THERE!
Loving our current football tho, so fluid and great to watch.
jayphoto
Nov 30, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Comment #11Look set to have scored a couple tickets from a client for saturday! win! ….in the chelsea end tho….. can I count on the othet 51,500 of you to chant “just a sh1t collocini, your just a sh1t collocini” everytime Luiz gets the ball!
Marty-Toon
Nov 30, 2011 at 10:29 AM
Comment #12http://www.dailystar.co.uk/posts/view/223045
Great piece by Paul Merson on depression and Gary Speed
Ollieh51
Nov 30, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Comment #13@ jayphoto – That chant’s LEGENDARY!
You’ll hear me screaming that one!
Marty-Toon
Nov 30, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Comment #14@jayphoto nice one,just don’t get caught singin it yourself 🙂
They certainly do look like bros but it’s easy to see they’re not twins in footballing terms.
There’s only one Colo 🙂
What about Puyol?
Is he the older brother?
Great player but absolutely crap hairstyle,the guy should get a new stylist
Ollieh51
Nov 30, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Comment #15@ Marty-Toon – Colo is the Geordie Puyol! Big player, reads the game so well…
Physical test against Chelski this weekeend if Drogba starts and the pace of Sturridge will be interesting.
Want to see how we shape up without Jonas.
jayphoto
Nov 30, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Comment #16Feeling good about the game on sunday! Chelsea are a physical side and we’ve looked good against sides like this! Be a couple of interesting battles that will dominate the match, I think Obertan vs Cole will be a deciding factor! As will Ben Arfa vs Luiz! Shame Jonas is out because theyre defensively weak on their right hand side, hopefully sammy can get some joy! Whoever marks sturridge will be in for a game too, think he;s their most effective striker!
davybtoon
Nov 30, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Comment #17alrite planned tribute for speed confirmed for sat by the club
http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20111130/united-announce-plans-for-speed-tribute_2281670_2532695
hymm bread in heaven to b sang n the east stand will hold up black n white cards with no11 on them then a minutes appaulse
roshan MAGPIE
Nov 30, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Comment #18JAYPHOTO match is on saturday not on sunday
pardew no 1
Nov 30, 2011 at 10:57 AM
Comment #19please watch this and skip until its ben arfas free kick from 45 yards http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJO0Bxeprlo
nimo
Nov 30, 2011 at 11:07 AM
Comment #20hate it when ppl say mikel aint that good hes absolute quality but bcos of the type of player chelsea have made him he just goes unnoticed.. pretty much like lucas at liverpool they do the simple things so well that its not noticed
stuart no9
Nov 30, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Comment #21wynsleap @9 although talking about europe soands very positive and exciting i just have a sneaky feeling our owner has a few grenades to drop our way in terms of who he is going to sell and buy in the jan window. sorry for sounding negative but he never fails to deliver crashing news when all is going well,especially when 20 or 30m notes is mentioned. wait and see.
GeordieToon89
Nov 30, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Comment #22Nimo – Mikel is a very very very good player hardly even does a mistake ano he did one this season which resulted in a goal but if u actually analyse tht error it was more Petr Cechs fault cos he should never had passed to him in tht position, Lucas is also class he wins everything and is also really good with the ball.
Right lads, everyone who goes to the game on saturday needs to bring their toon scarf(www.nufc.com) make this a day to remember and:
BRING BACK THE NOISE!
Indian Magpie
Nov 30, 2011 at 11:32 AM
Comment #23Kean admits Carling Cup ‘forfeit’
Wish he had done that in the previous round
nimo
Nov 30, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Comment #24sow apparently put a come n get me plea to prem teams.. he is the one striker i would love.. sure cabaye would love t link up with him.. still think we will get maiga never seen him but in chatty dad i trust
wynsleap
Nov 30, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Comment #25davybtoon @ 17 – that’s great to hear.
A fitting tribute for a wonderful servant and performer for this club.
Stuart No. 9 – I feel you may be right. I don’t think Ashley likes things running smoothly. I also think that he will not be too happy with the way the media, TV and newspapers, the Council, Olympic Committe etc. are totally ignoring and dismissing his renaming of St. James Park.
He’ll get his own back for sure in some way.
boater
Nov 30, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Comment #26Wish I shared the total confidence going into this game. We are a better drilled unit than them this season, but it’s still Chelsea – Drogba, Malouda, Sturridge, Torres, Mata, Ramires – all capable of matching winning moments even if their team mates are off the pace.
It’s going to be a tough game – can’t believe I keep reading ‘rip em apart’ and ‘easy win’, etc. on here.
Hatem
Nov 30, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Comment #27@Pardew no1, I watched that video the other day, and aye that freekick is one of the best I have seen.
SPIDERTOON
Nov 30, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Comment #28Awryt lads, im travelling down for the Swansea game and was wondering if the John Hall East corner was any good to sit in? there seems to be loads of seats left their so wasnt sure? cheers
ToonDownSouth
Nov 30, 2011 at 11:50 AM
Comment #29boater
Should have seen the guys on here complaining about our performance against Manchester United!
There was me thinking Pardew & the team were trying really hard to lower expectations (;
Stuart
Nov 30, 2011 at 11:51 AM
Comment #30wynsleap – Have you heard yourself mate? Why would MA intentionally sabotage his own multi-million pound business?
Andy
Nov 30, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Comment #31Boater it still could be! Watched them last night and i am praying for Torres to start. He was so so poor. They are ridiculously easy to cut open. Liverpool did it so many times yday with a little ball out to the wings they had the free run of Stamford Bridge.
Still think it’ll be a draw mind haha
ToonDownSouth
Nov 30, 2011 at 12:02 PM
Comment #32Andy
I think boater’s point is that people are talking like a draw would be two points lost rather than one gained. I’d be over the f’ing moon with a point.
We’re meant to be different to the top 6. Meant to have a bit of class and modesty :/
The only think I’m looking at in the PL table is the gap between us & 8th. 7th is my hope for the season
SPIDERTOON
Nov 30, 2011 at 12:04 PM
Comment #33Awryt lads, im travelling down for the Swansea game and was wondering if the John Hall East corner was any good to sit in? there seems to be loads of seats left their so wasnt sure? cheers
Also what about Gallowgate west corner? there is still seats available their. i was in gallowgate east during the ccc season and remember it being quite good.
Andy
Nov 30, 2011 at 12:05 PM
Comment #34TDS Confidence is high atm and I think that is what us fans love having a bit of confidence in our team. I can understand Boaters views but equally see with our recent form why people think we can beat them. Not “easily” mind! Far from it! Especially without Jonas.
Also I’d be pretty happy with 7th but who knows how long we can stick about here for. It’s not luck we’re still here after 13 games. Ok maybe a bit of look but we are a solid team that defend like our lives depend on it. Nice run of games after this one also. I’m enjoying being in dreamland atm!
BartZ
Nov 30, 2011 at 12:45 PM
Comment #35Stuart – couldn’t agree more. None of us have liked what he has done but it’s worked. Some people need to look at the bigger picture rather than thinking we haven’t spent the 35mil on transfer fees, when infact it has contributed to better facilities, transfers and wages. He’s a business man, obviously MA wants it to be a success otherwise he won’t make any money.
On another note I can’t wait for the game on sat, the way Chelsea are playing at the moment I think we should expect a draw but don’t think we should get too carried away. They are still a quality team, just need to be more organised and start to gel. Perhaps take some tips from mr pardew after the game.
Oleg G
Nov 30, 2011 at 1:08 PM
Comment #36Chelsea:
QPR L
Everton W
Arsenal L
Genk D
Blackburn W
Liverpool L
Leverkusen L
Wolves W
Liverpool L
So from their last 9 games:
3 Won
1 Draw
5 Lost !!!