There are doubts on several players for the important game against WBA tomorrow night at St. James’ Park.
Haris Vuckic – could start tomorrow night
Yohan Cabaye picked up his fifth yellow card of the season on Saturday and will miss his first league game of the season, and we expect one of the two 19 year-old youngsters – Haris Vuckic or Mehdi Abeid – to come in .
Both players are outstanding talents, and it’s good that one of them will get a chance, and they may both feature in the game tomorrow night at St. James’ Park.
Former Everton midfielder Dan Gosling is also out tomorrow night, and he will serve the second game of his three match suspension, after being sent off at Norwich for a rather stupid two footed tackle, after 65 minutes of that game.
And full-back Ryan Taylor still has an ankle injury, which is what kept him out of the squad for Saturday’s home game against Swansea.
But Davide Santon had a very good game against the newly promoted Welsh side, and will continue at left-back tomorrow night, and if Ryan is fit he’ll probably be on the bench, and of course he can play in many different positions.
Danny Guthrie is out with a groin strain, and not due back for at least a couple of weeks, and news that striker Peter Lovenkrands could be out for up to three weeks with a calf injury.
Peter picked that up in training, and also long term injury casualty, Steven Taylor, is not available while he recovers from an operation on his Achilles.
We think Ben Arfa could be brought in as a second striker, so this is the team that could be starting tomorrow night in a 4-4-1-1 formation:
Krul
Simpson Coloccini (c) Perch Santon
Obertan Tiote Vuckic Gutierrez
Ben Arfa
Demba Ba
There’s a possibility that Sammy Ameobi could start on the right wing in place of Gabriel Obertan, and of course Abeid could be preferred to Vuckic in central midfield.
Shola Ameobi could also get the start with Demba Ba up front in a 4-4-2 formation and Mike Williamson could be brought in for James Perch, but we think it’s too early for that.
What’s your team for tomorrow night?
Comments welcome.
88 comments so far
Lew Davies
Dec 20, 2011 at 10:06 AM
Comment #1Nah I would say you have it spot on there.
Sammy isn’t good enough yet but will probs be on the bench with his big bro.
This is Vukic’s big oportunity. I’ll bet he takes it too.
Howay the Lads
Lew Davies
Dec 20, 2011 at 10:08 AM
Comment #2Also the same applies to HBA.
I’m sure he will start and hope to play the full 90 mins.
He needs as much match time as possible from now on as we will need him to be in top form while Ba is away.
Score prediction 1-1
roshan MAGPIE
Dec 20, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Comment #3my team will be with a 4 1 2 1 2 formation
KRUL
SIMPSON
PERCH
COLO
SANTON
TIOTE
OBERTAN
GUTI
BEN ARFA
BEST
BA
gorgonzola
Dec 20, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Comment #4Possible no striker in Jan ?…. well since half the team is injured no real news in all honesty kind of expected but none the less it would be rather a traitorous move for Ash not to cash out a bit more for a striker, but such is life…
I just wonder who will pull the goals in when BA is gone? Strolla? (rofl) Smith? Best possibly dont know if he is good enough alone…will be a problem….all this….
gorgonzola
Dec 20, 2011 at 10:16 AM
Comment #5I ALMOST would be fine with no striker in JAN, although I think most fans would burn Ashley’s house ( I dont blame them) if we would indulge ourselves with a real quality centre back, a killer right winger and a left back I would be pretty happy, But history knows how to repeats itself especially with our little club and we will get budget all of the above…..
pardew no 1
Dec 20, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Comment #6will go for a home win i think we would s tart ben arfa and play him when ba is at the acon
Klatoon
Dec 20, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Comment #7AP’s got to find a system that accomodates HBA,two strikers and two centre mids. This would normally mean playing him as a winger but we could just give him a “david silva” role and allow him to roam.
Smithy
Dec 20, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Comment #8Sorry guys but really want perch to get a serious injury, or die. My heart stops everytime the ball comes into our box. Sunday league player and thats being generous.
gorgonzola
Dec 20, 2011 at 10:38 AM
Comment #9SMithy 😀
phillyg
Dec 20, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Comment #10krul
simpsom-colo-perch-santon
tiote
obertan-guiti
benarfa
ba-best
subs-
harper,raylor,willimaon,abeid,sameobi,shola, vukic
Got to play obertan and guitierez to stretch the defenses legs on the wings to give room for benarfa in the middle. With Tiote playing Benarfa can be given the “free role” to float around the opponents half finding space for the perfect pass or bullet of a shot. Santon allows guiti to get up the pitch more regularly and santon is more inclined to get up and join attacks and feel he could be deadly in the final 3rd. Best has to be ba’s partner as they seem to make a deadly partnership and a real handful. If guiti, ober and benarfa can supply them we could have a commanding win. Vuckic and abeid could be on standby for both benarfa and tiote and shola for either stricker. Sammi can always come on to be lethal against tired defenders with 20 mins to go. 3-0 to the toon…. howay the lads!
Cardboy
Dec 20, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Comment #11Looking forward to tomorrows match. Hope Obertan takes opposition on more, he definitely looks like a player lacking believe in himself. Hardly noticed him calling for the ball Saturday and on a number of throw ins had his back to the ball (like.. don’t throw it me). The guys deserves support but on his wages if he won’t take people on and run the line leave him on the bench for a bit. Maybe the weight of expectation of the fans is too much for him. HWTL
Dannyo
Dec 20, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Comment #12@klatoon
Aye, pardew was pretty clear on that i think, that he wants HBA in the roaming role, he said we need to be sound defensivly for us to play him like that. and thats true, look at Man Citys defense.
We’ll see if he plays at WBA, but it looks good for him imo.
alex84
Dec 20, 2011 at 10:54 AM
Comment #13Why not have a 433 with Ba Hba and obertan as your front 3 all interchanging, then having Tiote and abied holding with cabaye just in front. I think that would suit us quite well.
Krul
Simpson Colo Willo Santon
Tiote, Abeid Cabaye
Obertan Ba Hba
Indian Magpie
Dec 20, 2011 at 10:55 AM
Comment #14Can we not play a formation which is besides 442, is it not a bit predictable. i watch UCL matches it is either 433, 343, christmas tree or a diamond, but hardly a rigid 442
Indian Magpie
Dec 20, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Comment #15alex
i assume that is not your personnel for tom as cabaye is suspended
GeordieGerman
Dec 20, 2011 at 10:59 AM
Comment #16alex84, Cabaye has a match ban.
…………………………………Krul
Simpson. Williamson/Perch. Colo. Santon.
………………………………Tiote
……………………………….HBA
Obertan……………………………………….. Jonas
……………….Best……………… Ba.
niffnoff
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Comment #17… Makes me laugh some of you, just because of the Maiga deal you think the end of the world. None of you know if he passed or failed. He’s not exactly amazing to be honest. Plus ACN will delay his debut till Feb latest, ever thought you know. We’d be strikerless anyway? :L We need a defender. You ain’t being lied to by the board. He ain’t nicked your wifes knickers. He’s done nothing. Calm your easily excitable trigger fingers until AFTER January. (in response to the doubters and the previous article) I mean if it wasn’t for him, we probably wouldn’t of gotten Davide Santon in a quick grab. I mean come on he’s a gem signing.
Troleibusiukas_LTU
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Comment #18Klatoon>>> i agree.
Are You thinking of something like that?
———————-Krul—————————
—————–Douglas–Colo——————-
Santon——————————New atack LB
—————-Cabaye—–Tiote—————–
————Ben Arfa————–Jonas———
——————-Demba——Best————-
alex84
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:07 AM
Comment #19sorry that was meant for when everyone is fit.
Troleibusiukas_LTU
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Comment #20P.s>>>> phillyg // Dec 20, 2011 at 10:39 AM
good formation for tomorrow, but we might be outnumbered in the middle.. Any way, for me almost the same formation.
———————–Krul————————-
—————–Perch——Colo——————
Simpson————————————Santon
———————-Tiote—————————
Jonas—————————————Obertan
———————Ben Arfa———————–
—————-Demba——-Best——————-
If that doesn’t work, Vukcic for Best, Sammy and Ahbeid in.
chris_g
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Comment #21“Sorry guys but really want perch to get a serious injury, or die.”
Well, at least you had the decency to apologise for making such a crass statement.
jayphoto
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:17 AM
Comment #22not sure what everyones problem is with Obertan! He’s readily improving game by game! His work rate is great and hes contributed to danny simpson looking a decent right back this year! Jonas has just as bad final ball /end product and yet hes considered 1 of our best players?
jayphoto
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Comment #23I am 100% sure we’ll bring a striker in in January! Might not be the 10m player we want, but I think we’ll definately sign 2-3 players
Neil
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Comment #24Smithy you can’t say that man! I am certainly not his biggest fan (If Perch even has one) but were you at the match against Swansea – He didn’t put a foot wrong and in fairness he done a couple of tackles that even got the crowd going as they were great sliders.
Rowan Milsted
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Comment #25I agree with Roshan, I think a 4-1-2-1-2 formation would really suit the players we have available. Tiote CDM, Obertan RM, Jonas LM and Ben Arfa CAM. I think Shola should get a start alongside Ba as he’s looked dangerous on his last two appearances and that would give us a great combination of power up front, plus someone for Ba to play off. Also I’d like to see Williamson come in for Perch but only if he’s fully fit. Hopefully Reaylor will be fit enough for the bench as he could come on and play at either LB, RB, RM or LM if needed. Also Best, Abeid, Sammyobi and Vuckic on the bench and hopefully the youngsters get some action.
I’m really hoping we get the three points tomorrow. Another three at Bolton on boxing day and we’re right back in the ascendancy. West Brom aren’t a bad side, they have a decent midfield and two good strikers in Long and, erm, the other one that is quite hard to spell!(Odemwingie?) but I feel that their front men play as individuals and don’t have much of a relationship. From what I’ve seen of West Brom this season, most of their chances come from individual moments of greatness rather than good chemistry in the final third. If we can mark Long and ‘O’ out the game (easier said than done) we could well keep a clean sheet and with a little more luck than last Saturday we should grab a couple of goals too. I reckon a 2-1 win for the the Toon, or maybe 2-0…
nimo
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Comment #26Jayphoto seen though pards has 1 possibly 2.. im going 1 and it will be a defender.. absolute joke if we dnt bring a striker in weve only ba who can score at tge minute as it is
Smithy
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Comment #27Ty chris g, was abit ott i suppose but wud rather have a half fit williamson than perch, or my nana 😀
Rotonda heights
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Comment #28raylor and gosling being injured is no loss whatsoever ! Much rather have abeid, ben Arfa or Vuksic playing.
Really like the sound of this douglas guy. Hope it happens.
BelfastMagpie87
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Comment #29Roy of the Rovers is available on a free transfer from Melchester Rovers.
I think we should sign him. 🙂
tooninspain
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Comment #30Smithy….you’re either a scumbag, or a hen-brain. get a grip lad.
alex84
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Comment #31i look at Obertan like Lennon used to be for Spurs great attacking threat with lots of pace but no end product…now look at him for me that part of his game has improved, Obertan needs time, a season of playing, not 14 games then dumped to the bench. when he is good he is unreal!!
nimo
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Comment #32Im all for the way ashley is running the club. i.e been financially self sufficient but if we dont get a striker in jan he can take a jump off the tyne bridge far as im concerned.. promised one all summer.. promised obe all yr untill december and suddenly goalposts are moved.. no thanks better get soneone in or my little trust i have left along with my season ticket monies for next year will be gone
Jonny
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Comment #33I think he will play this:
—————————Krul—————————
Simpson——–Perch———–Colocinni——Santon
Obertan———Tiote————Vuckic———-Jonas
——————-Best————-Ba———————-
Really can’t see any other formation than a 4-4-2 at home, when has he ever played otherwise? He may bring Raylor back? Hope not though.
alex84
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Comment #34We need a striker, its so dangerous to rely on one striker (Ba) to score all your goals, Best puts in a shift but he is not on Ba’s level…A striker and Centre half is needed.
jesperfuglsang
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Comment #35If Pardew fields a 4-2-3-1 formation with HBA in a #10 role I predict a 2-0 win on Wednesday, but if he sticks to his beloved 4-4-2 – for what ever reason God only knows – with Strolla or Best partnering Ba, I predict a draw or a 1-2 lose.
And I will pass judgment if he leaves HBA out again and fields a 4-4-2 formation and we lose.
Eyeball81
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Comment #36@smithy
To be fair mate thats a bit harsh!! Perch didnt do to bad on saturday and pulled out 2 cracking tackles…at 67 mins and 92 mins…i remembered them coz I was shocked that he could tackle!!
Stuart
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Comment #37Wow Smithy, you sound like an epic mug mate. Wishing death on one of your own teams players.
Lowest of the low that mate.
JackButler
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Comment #38We need a striker in asap as we relying on Ba, we are gonna loose him for around a month and if he picks up an injury we’re in serious trouble
BelfastMagpie87
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Comment #39Who wished death on who??
BelfastMagpie87
Dec 20, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Comment #40JackButler // Dec 20, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Owl brown nose Butler. 🙂
Was talking to Burnsie last night & asked him If he was gonna still be Itk In the January transfer window.Haha