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
Jail for Ashley
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:22 PM
Comment #81You still have a teacher Welsh, why does that not surprise me
welshgeordie9
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:23 PM
Comment #82Mister Tuff
Which one am i.
welshgeordie9
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:24 PM
Comment #83My fishing rod has caught something i think it’s jail, it must be jail because something is biting.
Ha ha ha
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:24 PM
Comment #84Ed
Mr TUFF needs to be banned for this filthy cartoon and libelous post.
Mum was out at the time…..lol
dexter53
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:25 PM
Comment #85Expatmag
SHIT. I dont believe youve just said that.Played in the same team as Jonny and Rocky and Colin. Shared a house in Park Orchards with Colin and worked with him.Wow.
welshgeordie9
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:26 PM
Comment #86Brutooon
How the hell is Williamson a league 2 defender.
Canny in Canberra
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:27 PM
Comment #87OP
Nah, there’s now t worse than playing great and still losing. With the right style of play we can turn em over.
Sitting back will be the death of us. Hopefully Jose will be cocky and only field a sub strength team.
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:29 PM
Comment #88Dexter
One of the lads in the team at the time was Bob Mitchell and he was one of the victims of the Hoddle Street murderer, Julian Knight.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:29 PM
Comment #89Do I really need to be getting into a spat with a juvenile moron.
Canny in Canberra
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:31 PM
Comment #90Jail,
No pet you don’t. Make like AP’s sheet in the Football Tactics Exam and “Blank” 🙂
Our Toon
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:32 PM
Comment #91Jose doesn’t need to rest players, he has midweek to do that, already through in CL and more importantly he wants to win the league, citeh are only 6 pts behind them.
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:33 PM
Comment #92Dexter
Boyley wasnt too happy with me when I left. I took half the Mitcham team with me to Ferntree Gully.
I see you also played for Nunawading City. Did you know a goalkeeper called Gary Thacker.
Did you also know a fellow geordie who played around that time called Chris Middlemass?
scout
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:33 PM
Comment #93Post 12
Class mate
dexter53
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:34 PM
Comment #94Didnt know him. I played from 1978 to 1985.
Many a night spent in the Mitcham Hotel with the Brit community. Is Colin still alive?
Dexter53@hotmail.co.uk if you fancy a private chat.
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:34 PM
Comment #95Our Toon
Jose has already said in his press conference that he will be playing his strongest side available.
Canny in Canberra
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:35 PM
Comment #96Our Toon,
And Pooof! There goes my glimmer of hope. Ture what you’re saying. Clutching at straws a bit with that one wasn’t I?
Still think we’ll do it. Might be scrappy as all hell and not the lovely football that OP is hanging for but I reckon we’ll scrape it in. Just gotta get at them.
dexter53
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:36 PM
Comment #97Expatmag.
No dont remember them either. There was a mackem lad called Brian Dobbin
scout
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:36 PM
Comment #98No chance Jose fields an under strength side, this will be one of there hardest games of the season.
Shame we didnt have de jong in the bloke could make a ball talk
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:38 PM
Comment #99Dexter
I will drop you an email later mate. I have to go out soon. I havent heard from anyone at Mitcham for decades but I wouldnt expect Colin to still be alive. He was a big lad and a heavy drinker.
optimistic prime
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:39 PM
Comment #100Our toon/canny
I’m not looking for pretty football 4 or 5 passes without losing it would be a decent start 😉
Mister Tuff
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:39 PM
Comment #101dexter53 @97 – that was probably expat using one of his aliases.
scout
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:39 PM
Comment #102Mister tuff
The knocking on the door and walking in was performed on a regular basis in the likely lads. I didnt realise it actually happened. Brilliant
Canny in Canberra
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:40 PM
Comment #103Scout,
Make a ball talk eh?
Talking balls, he should be on here.
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:41 PM
Comment #104We always went back to the Mitcham hotel after away games and a few of the other local clubs would congregate there. A lot of beers drunk and a few fights too….lol
welshgeordie9
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:41 PM
Comment #105oh no I don’t like this
Alan Pardew fears Moussa Sissoko will be next Newcastle star sold with Arsenal and Chelsea keeping tabs on midfielder
According to daily mail.
scout
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:42 PM
Comment #106Just something my old grandad used to say, that and he put his pit boots on when he kicked that after shearer wedged one in lol
great days
dexter53
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:42 PM
Comment #107Expatmag
Ok mate. Great to speak to you.
welshgeordie9
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:43 PM
Comment #108i wonder if pardew knows something that we don’t.
expatmag
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:45 PM
Comment #109Scout
It didnt happen. As soon as we saw his lot rock up outside the house, we made a mad rush to lock all the doors and close the windows.
I still havent forgiven TUFFs dad ringing our house one night and speaking to my Dad pretending to be the father of a girl I got pregnant. He had him going for ages.
Canny in Canberra
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:45 PM
Comment #110Welsh,
I would think AP knows a hell of a lot we don’t. Not exactly the most transparent of regimes is it?
You’re right though bit of a worry, but typical for this lot!!
scout
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:46 PM
Comment #111Brilliant craic haha
scout
Dec 4, 2014 at 10:47 PM
Comment #112Canny
You seem to be clued up on football, fair play
Canny in Canberra
Dec 4, 2014 at 11:12 PM
Comment #113Scout,
Probably not as much as many on here. I just know what I like and say what I think. Big fan of logic which is in short supply at NUFC these days
scout
Dec 5, 2014 at 5:46 AM
Comment #114Very level headed, I like your posts