Two of Newcastle’s best two players this season – Moussa Sissoko and Jack Colback – were suspended for the game at Burnley on Tuesday night, and after a poor first half Newcastle came storming back to get a decent 1-1 draw, after losing our first game in eight on Saturday at West Ham.
Loic Remy just before scoring – after out muscling Jan Vertonghen
It was important not to lose because once we get two defeats on the trot, expect the Sack Pardew crowd, who have been very quiet recently – to reappear.
Loic Remy came on in the second half last night and looked really sharp, and the former Newcastle loanee scored a good opportunist goal after he had been on the field a matter of minutes.
Alan Pardew has talked about having Moussa and Jack back, and he’s also said he wouldn’t be too surprised if Diego Costa – who was suspended for last night’s game because of picking up five yellow cards – didn’t start at Newcastle:
“It’s great to have them back, particularly Moussa. Hopefully, he’s learned his lesson from West Ham. He has been outstanding and our best player and actually has been very effective against Chelsea in the past.¨
¨I know Jose Mourinho will have one eye on him to make sure he doesn’t impact on the game. He’s a big player for us. Jack has been just as important in a quieter way. He’s not noticed by everybody, but certainly our coaching staff know he has done a brilliant job.¨
“Mentally, I think we’re in a strong position and our confidence is high after one defeat in nine games. We have a good spirit and a confidence that we’re learning lessons along the way.¨
¨This is a new team. We learned a lesson at Burnley, that even against not the top opposition, you still have to put your chances away. If you’re not going to take risks and make forward runs and threaten the opposition, you will get beat.¨
¨We need to threaten Chelsea and it’s going to be a cracking game because they’re a top team. They were terrific against Tottenham in midweek.¨ ¨I was pleased to see Loic score because I think he’s stepped up to that level and shown what a great player he is. He’ll push Costa all the way.¨
¨They’re very strong and very organised, as you would expect and very difficult to break down, particularly when they take the lead. They controlled the game against Spurs and are sending out the right sort of messages at the moment.¨
¨They’re unbeaten, but somewhere along the line, they’ll slip up, Hopefully, on Saturday, we can exploit any weakness that they have.¨ “Jose was moaning about his strikers, but he can’t this year. He has three terrific strikers where any one of them could play.¨
¨Knowing Jose, he could well start with Loic or Drogba – I wouldn’t necessarily guarantee that Diego Costa will return.¨ ¨He’s loyal to his players in terms of performance. I was pleased to see Loic score because I think he’s stepped up to that level and shown what a great player he is. He’ll push Costa all the way.”
Whoever starts up front for Chelsea – be it Costa, Remy or Drogba – the last two both looked very good last night – and it will be a tough task for our defense on Saturday to contain a very impressive Chelsea side.
One player who will not play on Saturday is Serbian International central midfield player Matic – who picked up his 5th yellow card last night and is suspended for the game.
England center-back Tim Cahill was replaced at half time after seeming to suffer a concussion during a first half collision with Vertonghen, and we thought there was a chance he could miss the game – but no such luck. :D.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said he didn’t suffer a concussion:
“He’s okay, he has no concussion and isn’t in need of special care. He was just a little bit afraid of heading the ball.”
Kurt Zuma came in and the 20 year-old Frenchman did well in the second half, but it looks like Gary will be back in the starting line-up against Newcastle.
Well at least they are missing Matic, who has been one of their best players this season, and he will likely be replaced by John Obi Mikel.
Alan Pardew was at the match last night at Stamford Bridge – to run the rule over Chelsea.
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114 comments so far
mag92
Dec 4, 2014 at 7:13 PM
Comment #1Remy, will probably get the nod against Newcastle, on Saturday!
welshgeordie9
Dec 4, 2014 at 7:15 PM
Comment #2Well that’s very good news 5-0 to the the toon, 3 from Perez, 1st goal of the season for Cabella, and a cracking goal from sissoko from 25 yards.
Come on pardew, we all love you, right guys.
Guys, where have they all gone.
mag92
Dec 4, 2014 at 7:17 PM
Comment #3Good evening Welshgeordie, are you looking forward to the match?
Jeff from Benwell
Dec 4, 2014 at 7:18 PM
Comment #4Jose Mourinho has decided we fear Loic Remy more. He’s prolly right.
welshgeordie9
Dec 4, 2014 at 7:21 PM
Comment #5mag92
You back mate.
welshgeordie9
Dec 4, 2014 at 7:26 PM
Comment #6I’ve got a bad feeling remy is going to score on Saturday, I’m sure he scored against us when he played for qpr or have I got that wrong.
Big Pappa Cissé
Dec 4, 2014 at 7:30 PM
Comment #7@ Welsh
He scored a penalty against us for them after we were meant to buy him .
toon kk
Dec 4, 2014 at 7:58 PM
Comment #8Saturday will be the perfect opportunity for Chelsea to rest all their key players and still pick up three points.
Our Toon
Dec 4, 2014 at 8:09 PM
Comment #9Why would he rest anyone? He has CL game midweek and they’ve already qualified for that….This is pardew trying to be clever and 2nd guessing. Chelsea will line up with strongest possible 11 because citeh are 6 pts behind them.
Welsh
You might be able to forgive mate but pards record throughout his dire management career is clear for all exceptional 1st seasons followed by disaster….he’s broken more unwanted records in his time as manager.
spaghetti bandit
Dec 4, 2014 at 8:12 PM
Comment #10He definitely will..
scout
Dec 4, 2014 at 8:50 PM
Comment #11Post 6
YA GOT NO FANS
Magpie Myles
Dec 4, 2014 at 8:59 PM
Comment #12Ya got no gwound
Jail for Ashley
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:03 PM
Comment #13Cool might give Remy a right good kick in the head like he did with Ba when he returned with Chelsea.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:03 PM
Comment #14Colo !!!
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:04 PM
Comment #15Morning all from a very cool Melbourne
Whats the goss?
beermonkey
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:06 PM
Comment #16expat
not a lot
Jail for Ashley
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:08 PM
Comment #17expat,
Ashley’s a despicable human being. Apparently !
optimistic prime
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:09 PM
Comment #18Who’s in/out sat?
Aaron’s Ameobi ?
JFA
Surely not
optimistic prime
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:10 PM
Comment #19Expat
Morning, it’s pretty cool here too
Jail for Ashley
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:13 PM
Comment #20It’s boiling where I am.
optimistic prime
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:16 PM
Comment #21What would people think if the likes of Vukic Armstrong etc went on loan to Rangers.
Just read a article about it, don’t think the level would be that great but I do think we need to get our kids first team football earlier elsewhere more often.
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:17 PM
Comment #22JFA
Where are you at the moment?
I see public enemy no.1 is back…..Welshies best mate….lol
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:18 PM
Comment #23Guys……had a wet dream last night.
Fell asleep in the bath…..lol
We beat the pensioners 3-0
beermonkey
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:19 PM
Comment #24expat
if we ignore him he might do away
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:20 PM
Comment #25OP
I would be happy for them to go to Rangers as long as recall clauses where inserted. The same for Satko and Streete.
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:21 PM
Comment #26Beer
Absolutely mate. We need to tell Welshie too.
How are you today mate. Pretty cold over there now?
beermonkey
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:24 PM
Comment #27expat
its getting cold I had to dig out my gloves today cant work out whether it is that cold or am I old
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:26 PM
Comment #28On a serious note, we could spring a surprise on saturday.
I really would like to see someone give that smug barsteward Hazard a good kicking……..legally of course……step forward Daryl
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:27 PM
Comment #29Beer
Probably a bit of both mate.
Lets be old farts together……along with JFA of course…..lol
Jail for Ashley
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:27 PM
Comment #30expat,
In my living room with the heating on full blast 🙂
Jail for Ashley
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:29 PM
Comment #31Tbh,
I can’t see any harm in lending young players to Rangers, better than going to Gateshead, just.
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:31 PM
Comment #32JFA
Go and find your gloves mate. Do this and you will be eligible to join the Old Farts club.
Beermonkey is president.
beermonkey
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:31 PM
Comment #33jail
u have the heating on it only December
I tell the misses I pay for clothes you don’t ware I don’t see why I should pay for heating as well
Canny in Canberra
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:31 PM
Comment #34The votes above tell a story. Not much confidence going in to this one.
West Ham votes were a bit more optimistic. No surprise though.
Canny in Canberra
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:32 PM
Comment #35Nive and Sunny in the capital this morning. 17 degrees at 8-30am
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:33 PM
Comment #36Is wondering if life member and originator of the Old Farts club, Mr TUFF is hiding tonight
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:34 PM
Comment #37And the OLD FARTESS arrives just in time
Morning Hinny
Canny in Canberra
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:35 PM
Comment #38So how old ya have to be for this club then Pat?
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:36 PM
Comment #39Beer
Get rid of her mate and replace with a Border Collie. At least they will do what you tell them…..lol
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 9:37 PM
Comment #40Hinny
In your case, you just need to have big