Demba Ba returns to the starting line-up this afternoon for Newcastle United against Aston Villa at St. James’ Park.
As expected Shola Ameobi makes way for the Senegal striker, and his team-mate Papiss Cisse is on the bench.
And James Perch comes in for Ryan Taylor in central midfield, again an expected change, after James’ great showing in the second half on Wednesday night at Blackburn.
And Ryan Taylor is preferred to Ben Arfa on the right wing, after the Frenchman’s mediocre performance in the first half at Blackburn.
Ba will partner Leon Best up front, and this looks like a decent team for Newcastle today.
The bench is strong – Rob Elliot, Shane Ferguson, Dan Gosling, Gabriel Obertan, Hatem Ben Arfa, Shola Ameobi and Papiss Cisse.
And in fact this is the side we had expected Alan Pardew to field today – you win some you lose some – let’s hope the lads can get all 3 points today.
For Villa, former Newcastle players Shay Given and Charles N’Zogbia both start, as does Stephen Ireland, who had a loan spell at Newcastle last year, and former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane is also in the starting eleven.
And we expect Papiss Cisse to make his debut some time in the second half this afternoon in that iconic number 9 shirt, in front of a hopefully full house at St. James’ Park, where a win will see Newcastle stay 5th in the Premier League, and continue their 100% record at home this year.
Howay The Lads!!
Teams:
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Ryan Taylor, James Perch, Danny Guthrie, Jonas Gutierrez; Leon Best, Demba Ba
Subs: Rob Elliot, Shane Ferguson, Dan Gosling, Gabriel Obertan, Hatem Ben Arfa, Shola Ameobi, Papiss Cisse
Aston Villa – (4-4-2) Shay Given; Richard Dunne, Carlos Cuellar, Stephen Warnock, Alan Hutton; Stiliyan Petrov, Ciaran Clark, Charles N’Zogbia, Stephen Ireland; Robbie Keane, Darren Bent,
Subs: Brad Guzan, Emile Heskey, Eric Lichaj, Nathan Baker, Barry Bannan, Andreas Weimann, Gary Gardner
619 comments so far
Indian Magpie
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:39 PM
Comment #1HOW defensive
Indian Magpie
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:40 PM
Comment #2really disappointing
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:40 PM
Comment #3u forgot to write first u prick!
Benry
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Comment #4YEEEHAAAWWWW NO SHOLA!!! 😀
Toon1978
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Comment #5Our bench is stronger then the starting 11. Come Pardew lad lol.
Indian Magpie
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Comment #6knowing pardew, no changes till the 88th minute
MarkO
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Comment #7Good team by Pardew
tdt
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Comment #8————-Krul————-
Simpson–Williamson–Coloccini–Santon
R.Taylor–Perch–Guthrie–Jonas
———-Best–Ba————
Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Shane Ferguson, Dan Gosling, Gabriel Obertan, Hatem Ben Arfa, Shola Ameobi, Papiss Cisse
Indian Magpie
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Comment #9FIRST, dedicated to BOOM – 2
Benry
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Comment #10Like in the film Return of the King when Aragorn has his coronation by Gandalf.
Now come the days of the Demba, may they be blessed!
cy@ shola!
Toon1978
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Comment #11Guthrie and Perch in Midfield seems a little weak tbh. Hope i am wrong.
Dannyo
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:43 PM
Comment #12@Toon1978
This is the great thing tho, if the starting lads can’t handle it, it’ll be up to the ones coming off the bench.
This is like having two teams, and it gives Pardew a great cluster of options.
I’m liking this, allot.
Spuggy
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Comment #13How is this team defensive?
The only difference Pards could have had is HBA RW or as 2nd striker, he’s proven to be a liability in the last few games and need more time as a sub IMO. Yes he can win you a game but he can also lose you one.
Obertan could be played RW but again Raylor’s right foot and throw ins have proven more lethal than either to date.
Remember no Tiote and Cabaye means we can not be cavalier going forward. I don’t see how Pards had any other option, and if it’s doesn’t work mix it up from the bench. I suspect Cisse will come on in 2nd half along with either Obertan or Arfa.
HWTL!!
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Comment #14perch will just sit and for a change we can challenge arielly in the ctr of the park my only problem is he will be booked b4 the half hour mark quite possibly b4 the 1/4 hour mark and then we will lose our bite in there!
Spuggy
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Comment #15Oh and best HAS scored recently too!
JackButler
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:45 PM
Comment #16No surprises really, whats good now is that we have HBA and Cisse to come off the bench and change things
Benry
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Comment #17idk why pards doesn’t have Vuckic ahead of Gosling who offers absolutely nothing.
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:47 PM
Comment #18possibly the first time this season we will actually have crosses coming in from the right i know raylor played there already but not when hes had ba to aim at i dont think maybe im wrong!
pbNcl
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:47 PM
Comment #19indian mackem, why bother mate
JackButler
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Comment #20Benry – Gosling is on the bench simply cause he can cover a number of positions if needed, whereas Vukic is very similar to HBA
Spuggy
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Comment #21Gosling has much more PL experience, to be fair he hasn’t really had a good run since his injury. Vucick had a poor game as a 2nd striker, and with guthrie who is more a cultured passer you need some bite.
Dannyo
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Comment #22@Benry
Imo, Gosling is allot paceyer and has sky high work rate. Constantly involved and he’s scored this season too..
hdavid23
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Comment #23a bit off, but do you guys know anything about the Robert Gordon University of Aberdeen?
boater
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Comment #24Rotonda – You are unable to distinguish between opinion and personal agenda. Anyway I’m off to the pub for this one… catch you on the flip side.
niafron
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Comment #25Bonjour messieurs.
How are we doing today?
Spuggy
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Comment #26Hi naifron.
Peachy mate excited to have Ba back and see Cisse at some point.
shearermania
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Comment #27hoof ball it is then…………..
JackButler
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Comment #28Who’s the ref for today lads?
shay Robson
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Comment #29looking forward to seeing r. taylor on the wing, i think he is under rated. Any one else think Guthrie reminds them off Rob Lee or a Lee Clark type player. I dont think he is all that defensive and again under rated. Perch could be replaced at half time in the opposite way to the last game.
Barras
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Comment #30+ Demba Ba starts
+ Shola Ameobi does not start
+ Perchinho starts
– Papiss Cisse is on the bench
– Hatem Ben Arfa does not start
I hope we make three subs around the 65th minute, if there’s been no injuries/red cards for us. And I hope the three subs will be Cisse, Hatem Ben Arfa and Obertan/Ferguson.
toonarmydownsouth
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Comment #31Rotonda ur right benny n cisse could be deadly all will come with time the best thing is you can only see players like that gettin better n better obertan included the future could be very bright for us!
Also raylor is a great choice for RM deadly cross n demba will bury villa n run rings round there cbs
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Comment #32problem with vuckic is he had an excellent game against west brom then pards threw him in at deep end against liverfools and we havent seen the lad since obviously getting the rap for a lack lustre display all round!
Tooooon
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:52 PM
Comment #33Poor team by Pardew.
toonarmydownsouth
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Comment #34Indian magpie your such a negative tool its untrue
corktoon88
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Comment #35Thats a great team to beat Villa todat. COME ON THE TOOOOOOOON!!!
Even better lads have we ever seen a stronger bench over the last few years???
niafron
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Comment #36As it’s said in Poker, Pard play the rule. Perch made a good game? He got a a start.
At least, this management is easy to understand for the players.
shay Robson
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Comment #37HOLY SHIT, I CANT WAIT FOR THIS GAME!!! I AM BUZZING. I LOVE YOU ALL, COME ON THE TOON !!! OH AN PEACE AMONGST FANS!!!!
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Comment #38ben arfa can have a much better chance of being effective once the 2 boys are up front together cos when it goes forward it wont be come straight back.
Indian Magpie
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Comment #39there is a difference between pragmatic and negative, where is creativity?
toonarmydownsouth
Feb 5, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Comment #40Off topic did any1 see chris kamara on score centre yesterday blokes a nutter!