A bit of surprise in the Newcastle side today to face Chelsea, as Peter Lovenkrands has been drafted in to replace the suspended Jonas Gutierrez, and Sammy Ameobi is on the bench.
And that’s the only enforced change from the team that started against Manchester United last Saturday, and miraculously came away with a well earned point.
It had been expected that young Sammy Ameobi would be a straight replacement for Jonas, but Peter must have been impressive in training this week, and the experienced Danish International striker gets the nod.
Danny Guthrie will again deputize for the still injured Cheick Tiote, and Danny will need to be at his best to try to win over the midfield for Newcastle against a top Chelsea side.
Leon Best is fit again and takes his place on the bench, and he’s likely to see some action in the second half today in front of a capacity crowd. Steve Harper is back on the bench for Newcastle after completing his one month loan spell at Brighton.
For Chelsea Daniel Sturridge and Dider Drogba start up front for the Pensioners, and captain John Terry and Frank Lampard also start.
The London side will be going all out for the win today, after losing three of their last five league games, and a win will put them back into 4th position in the table and above Newcastle.
Howay The Lads!!
Teams:
Newcastle United (4-4-1-1): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Ryan Taylor; Gabriel Obertan, Yohan Cabaye, Danny Guthrie, Peter Lovenkrands; Hatem Ben Arfa; Demba Ba
Substitutes: Steve Harper, Davide Santon, James Perch, Dan Gosling, Sammy Ameobi, Leon Best, Shola Ameobi
Chelsea: (4-3-3): Petr Cech; Branislav Ivanovic, David Luiz, John Terry (c), Ashley Cole; Ramires, Oriol Romeu, Frank Lampard; Daniel Sturridge, Didier Drogba, Juan Mata
Substitutes: Ross Turnbull, Jose Bosingwa, Ryan Bertrand, Raul Meireles, Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou, Fernando Torres
516 comments so far
ilovetoon8788
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:44 PM
Comment #201we have to accept we are not in the league of chelsea. we have guts and grit but you still need individual quality to make a differece. right now we only have a team with plenty of grit but totally lacking quality individuals.
BiffBaffBoff
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:44 PM
Comment #202Last week we benefited from a wrong decision, this week it seems that has come back to haunt us, awful decision not to send off sideshow bob…
niafron
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:44 PM
Comment #203For HBA, it seem Villas Boas told his men to stay close from him.
He always got one or two players against him. He need to adapt to that.
geoff777
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:45 PM
Comment #204Lovenkrands is playing well.
gorgonzola
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:45 PM
Comment #205loven has been good…so…what winger are going to get coem jan anybody…. Obertan to me looks an awfully undecided fellow
JackButler
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:45 PM
Comment #206Perch was no where near Drogba for the goal.
The Luiz decision affected us more than Chelsea I think, well that and the 10 other dodgy decisions the ref has given Chelsea’s way
lucasnufc
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:45 PM
Comment #207lovenkrands has done well. he’s won’t do as much defensively as guti but, he’s a striker by his nature. going forward looking good- set up the luiz “red” card, and crossed for ba’s flick and did a decent run. been impressed
Incentino
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:46 PM
Comment #208Thump: Agreed. Better than Obertan IMO.
gorgonzola
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:46 PM
Comment #209look at the highlights…..ALLL on the Right side ….man o man Raylor is being owned 🙁
ilovetoon8788
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:46 PM
Comment #210id take routledge over obertan anyday.
BiffBaffBoff
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:46 PM
Comment #211Sunderland confirm the appointment of Martin O’Neill as manager on a three-year contract
Thump
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:47 PM
Comment #212@JackButler: What? Perch was standing right next to him, he just didn’t try to challenge it.
Marty-Toon
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:47 PM
Comment #213Won`t be able to buy Sturridge on this performance.
His value has gone way up this season.
We need at least 1 CB in january,no point buying on the cheap unless they see quality or a buy out clause
toonbrother
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:47 PM
Comment #214With Perch in defence we are bound to concede at least another goal in the 2nd half. Best supports the defence as well as the attack. If he is fit enough to be on the bench then why not start him?
niafron
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:47 PM
Comment #215Well, we can come back in this game, but we must have a better ball protection. And sure lads, must come closer from each others.
If they do not score again, with time, they will remain lower on the pitch.
So we must patient. When we got the ball, we are looking forward too quickly. We need to work more before accelarating the play.
AP's Black & White Army
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:47 PM
Comment #216The ref should be allowed to review his decision at half-time, telling Luiz to not take to the pitch.
Beattie25
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:47 PM
Comment #217Snap back to reality.
Regardless of Guti, Collo, Perch, Red Cards etc… we have just been poor, pure and simple.
JackButler
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:48 PM
Comment #218@Thump thats what I meant, yes he’s next to him but he offered no challenge
jimmymagpie
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:48 PM
Comment #219Totally outplayed – why do we pay Inter over £5m for a full back and keep playing Raylor, Sturridge could have had a hat trick. Cabaye is too bloody slow, but of course you lot will blame only Perch for the goal. Ben Arfa is totally ineffective and lightweight, and don’t get me started on the clueless Obertan. Get used to it, because without Colo, a few more defeats on the horizon with this paper thin squad. Take out Tiotre and Jonas, and we’re overrun.
Thump
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:49 PM
Comment #220@BiffBaffBoff: Aye? I’ve just won a tenner then 😀
AussieToon
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:49 PM
Comment #221This is the end of the Ryan Taylor at left back. Let’s get serious and get David Santon on now.
Ryan Taylor can’t even get his delivery right today which makes him useless.
AP's Black & White Army
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:49 PM
Comment #222I think Shola is coming on.
gorgonzola
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:49 PM
Comment #223we are
Thump
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:50 PM
Comment #224@JB: Ah right my mistake! I thought you meant he was literally nowhere near him haha
toonbrother
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:50 PM
Comment #225If Shola comes on Im tuning off
JackButler
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:50 PM
Comment #226Shola for HBA?
Has Pardew hit his head
Oleg G
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:50 PM
Comment #227I think we talk to much about that red card that Luiz deserved. Lets say it is 11 against 11. We are very poor without Tiote and Jonas. We don’t create chances up front. We are really poor on the defensive side right now, specially on the left.
Pardew should change the tactic.
Crosses only when there are 2-3 men in the box.
Leave players in defense and only push forward as a team, the whole line, don’t leave one area undefended.
Obe should cut to the middle and not try to cross all the time. HBA should pass faster. Loven is playing ok for his level of game, but we need something else. I think that Sammy should come in after 10 mins in the second half.
Cabaye should move forward when the ball goes forward to give an option outside the box for a long shots.
seantoon
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:50 PM
Comment #228Shola on for Ben afra bullshit
gorgonzola
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:50 PM
Comment #229shola for arfa ??!?!?! no man
Thump
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:51 PM
Comment #230HBA is not going to be happy about that like.
Shola always plays against Chelsea, another Spurs moment?
Oleg G
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:51 PM
Comment #231Ok, Shola in, fine, whatever. Why HBA is out? weird.
Marty-Toon
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:51 PM
Comment #232Shola on for Benny boy?????
toonbrother
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:51 PM
Comment #233yup, Pardew is a moron. Confirmed
JackButler
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Comment #234@Thump
No worries mate.
My dad just thing cant get any worse and then Strolla comes on FFS
Thump
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Comment #235And lads: 4-4-1-1 has not worked for us, going back to 4-4-2 might give us a foot in.
Marty-Toon
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Comment #236Why not Benny on the left n Loven LB???
JackButler
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Comment #237*said*
BiffBaffBoff
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Comment #238Wow, some people here still think we have a chance to get Sturridge? 😀 Cute… He’s in Chelsea first team now and staying there lol
geoff777
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Comment #239Sick of the Santon posts week after week.
He’s obviously lacking something.
Confidence, stamina, commitment … ?
AP's Black & White Army
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Comment #240Good change, Terry hasn’t being tested yet, today. Shola will knock him around a bit.
HBA was totally ineffective.