There’s no doubt it will be a tough game tonight at Anfield, but with just a little bit of luck Newcastle can take something out of this game.
The news is that Newcastle have not won at Anfield since way back 1994, so it’s time for a win, but a draw would also be good result for Newcastle tonight.
The good news is that Liverpool have hardly been great at home this season, and in their 9 home games in the league they have won three and drawn the rest, and have scored only 11 goals while conceding seven.
Indeed, Liverpool have picked up more points in their nine games on the road this season, winning five and drawing one, for a total of 16 points compared to 15 points at home.
Newcastle have won four and drawn three of their 9 road games so far this season.
If the Newcastle defense is as solid as it looked at Bolton on Monday afternoon, there has to be a decent chance that Newcastle can keep a clean sheet, and if we can do that, there’s every chance Newcastle can take the win with the form our striker Demba Ba is in at the moment.
And it’s almost certain that two players who were at Newcastle last year at this time – Andy Carroll and Jose Enrique – will both start the game and Craig Bellamy, another former Newcastle player, could also start the game tonight.
It was great to get Mike Williamson back on Monday afternoon, and his performance in his first game back for four months, was very good indeed, and he probably didn’t receive the plaudits he deserved after the game.
That could have been because Ben Arfa got most of the headlines for a great first goal, and by turning the game around in favor of Newcastle, when he came on after 61 minutes.
But if we can get another solid performance from Mike and another excellent display from captain Fab Coloccini in central defense, we should do well.
Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote, back again in the center of midfield for the Magpies, looked good on Monday.
And if they can control midfield, who knows, we could even get a win tonight, which will take us above Liverpool and into 6th place in the Premier League, and make Enrique and Carroll wish they were still on Tyneside. 😀
Danny Guthrie is still out injured with his hamstring but Dan Gosling is available again after serving his three match ban for being sent off at Norwich City.
While Alan Pardew could easily start Ben Arfa and the fit again Davide Santon, we have a sneaking suspicion that he will keep the same team, so here is the line-up we expect him to put out tonight.
Krul
Simpson Coloccini (c) Williamson Taylor (R)
Obertan Cabaye Tiote Enrique
Best Ba
Subs: Harper Santon Perch Gosling Ameobi (Sa) Ameobi (Sh) Ben Arfa
The keys to this game are that Newcastle are very solid in defense, and that they can take their chances up front, when they come up.
Newcastle are getting back to the form they showed in the first eleven games of the season, after being decimated by having their three top center-backs out in the one game at Norwich City.
That’s why it is so important to bring in another good center-back next month, in case Colo or Williamson get injured.
Newcastle gave us a good belated Christmas present last Monday at Bolton, and they could send us into the new year on a high, if they can get something out of this game.
It is the only Premier League game being played tonight, and it is being televised live around the world.
A very good time for the lads to put in a tip-top performance for the many fans around the world – and we are hoping they can do exactly that!.
Howay The Lads!!
136 comments so far
Dannyo
Dec 30, 2011 at 6:53 PM
Comment #121Deffo a game we’re looking to win with Vuckic starting. He’s got the pass on him and he’s got the finish.
Very excited.
mikenotiades
Dec 30, 2011 at 6:54 PM
Comment #122I thought if Tiote or Collocini were booked they would be fine because cards were wiped after the new year, but apparently the ban will stand:
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/sport-columnists/black-white/tiote_s_yellow_peril_1_4103788
Thump
Dec 30, 2011 at 6:54 PM
Comment #123Does anybody remember me mentioning my dream the other night about Obertan scoring two stunning goals? I think my brain got confused with Vuckic ;D
hdavid23
Dec 30, 2011 at 6:54 PM
Comment #124i dont think were upset, well, at least not me, im just worried that theres something wrong with him, like another setback in his recovery or something
bills-son
Dec 30, 2011 at 6:54 PM
Comment #125Really looking forward to see how Vuckic plays.
Brave move by Pardew.
JackButler
Dec 30, 2011 at 6:55 PM
Comment #126@Thump – Vukic was unlucky not to score against West Brom, he could well get a goal tonight as he’s got one hell of a shot on him
TOONARMY4LIFE
Dec 30, 2011 at 6:55 PM
Comment #127Vuckic ayy interesting 🙂 looked decent against west brom ! Good choice pards if hba ain’t 100% up too pace
kilcline
Dec 30, 2011 at 6:55 PM
Comment #128Lads im so nervous, can someone hold me whilst the game is on?!
Hope Vuckic comes of age and steals the headlines!
jimmyxavi
Dec 30, 2011 at 6:56 PM
Comment #129@121
I heard a lot of people saying this but they forgot that the ban would have already been in place by new year. Hopefully Colo and Tiote don’t do anything stupid!
Thump
Dec 30, 2011 at 6:56 PM
Comment #130Just seen this on Facebook:
Liverpool home stats so far this season…
P 9 W 3 D 6 L 0 G+11 G-7 Points 15
Newcastle away stats so far this season…
P 9 W 4 D 3 L 2 G+13 G-11 Points 15
mad4toon
Dec 30, 2011 at 6:57 PM
Comment #131I seriously doubt vuckic will get the time and space against the bindippers that he got against WBA. Id say best would be most affective rough them up a bit, wish saylor was playing to rip a new a**hole into carrol.
angelswithdirtyfaces
Dec 30, 2011 at 7:02 PM
Comment #132I think we underestimate APs agonising over starting lineups – it’s not indecisiveness her tends to keep things constant.
Want to see HBA and Santon on too at some stage esp if Raylor getting the runaround.
warwick
Dec 30, 2011 at 7:09 PM
Comment #133HBA himself said after last game he was not yet 100%, the player HIMSELF.
But don’t let the truth get in the way of good winge pre match lads!
Willo
Dec 30, 2011 at 7:14 PM
Comment #134Vuckic, I like it. Truly a bold move from Pardew but I love it. He’s got a shot on him and passes very well. Also, he can drop into centre midfield to break up LFC. 4-4-1-1 morphs into 4-5-1. Flexible and powerful I like it, i like it alot.
laurentrobert32
Dec 30, 2011 at 7:29 PM
Comment #135mikenotiades:
the half way point is after 2nights game so they will still be banned if booked 2night. however if they survive 2night without getting booked they would be wiped so if they got booked the next game theyd be back to 1 yellow.
macn0ble (Finland)
Dec 30, 2011 at 8:50 PM
Comment #136Liverpool has dominated the midfield so far and much of their attacks have come from the right flank. The live picture showed Santon gettin the nod from Pardew in the late stages of the first half, hopefully he can make the difference.