Game on! Newcastle v Fiorentina.

The cathedral on the hill.
Coming home Newcastle!
Well that’s just about it for pre-season as today signals the final friendly match ahead of the big kick-off against Arsenal next week.

Seria A outfit Firoentina are the visitors today as Alan Pardew and Co look to finalise their pre-season preparations against one of the stronger opponents that we’ll have faced over the summer.

Kick-off is at 3pm and those going to the match can expect to see the vast majority of our new arrivals in action for the vast majority of the game according to John Carver. That means that we are likely to see another full game for Yohan Cabaye with, hopefully, appearances from Sylvain Marveaux and Demba Ba for good measure.

Hatem Ben Arfa continues his recovery from an ankle ligament injury along with Shane Ferguson and Danny Guthrie although both are said to be recovering well from their respective injuries. Cheik Tiote is still away in Ghana sorting out “Visa issues” whilst Joey Barton will sit on the naughty step for the match thanks to his Twittering so neither of those be featuring either.

The team is as follows:

Newcastle: Tim Krul, Danny Simpson, Jose Enrique, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Dan Gosling, Yohan Cabaye, Haris Vuckic, Jonas Gutierrez, Peter Lovenkrands, Leon Best.

Subs: Fraser Forster, Ryan Taylor, Mike Williamson, Sylvain Marveaux, Nile Ranger, James Tavernier, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi, Demba Ba.

Fiorentina finished in 9th place in their domestic league last season as they continue to rebuild the club back to the glory days of days gone by. They should, in theory, be a little bit behind us in terms of preparation as the Italian season starts two weeks later than ours which mean that we should be that little bit fitter.

All in all a nice run out, a win, and no injuries would be a great result for the day as Newcastle appear in front of their own fans for the first time since the final day of last season. Hopefully the new lads and some of the young’uns can show the fans what they are about.

If anyone knows of an internet stream where we can catch the match then please feel free to share with your fellow Newcastle fans. Personally I don’t hold out much hope so I’ll settle for anything – even radio.

Howay the lads!

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

161 thoughts on “Game on! Newcastle v Fiorentina.

  1. Bobby – You were not looking so tanned at the Welly last week. Your kid was looking fitter.
    Just got back from SJP while you’ve been sunning yourself. Here’s the craic:
    – Bestie got free in the box and pulled it well wide. A top striker would have buried it. Game over.
    – Krul made four top draw saves. Absolutely brilliant. Best I’ve seen for a long time. Must start against Arsenal.
    – Cabaye – generally quiet. Quite average. Must do better.
    – Marveaux – looked surprisingly little in stature – quite neat – might be okay.
    – Vukic – keen – nothing startling
    – Enrique – top left back
    Will come back with more if I can think of it. Lovely nosh in Wings’ box, son.

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  2. So that’s Obertan confirmed then. Pardew confirms he has done a medical etc.

    Not sure how I feel about this one. I’m happy we have a right midfielder with pace, but I’m not sure he is who I would have gone for.

    We know Barnetta isn’t coming now, which I am slightly disappointed about.

    Still think we will get a striker in and replace Enrique. Don’t see us replacing Barton though.

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  3. In case anybody forgot, Enrique showed today that he is a cross between a rolls-royce and a chieftain tank. Can’t recall seeing a better left back anywhere.

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  4. Was expecting more from Gosling, given recent rave reviews. Looked powder puff and off the pace at times.

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  5. 24 July

    Michael Hillary

    thurs! get this steve i put signs up i have been working at the toons training ground last week! away this week! and workin at st james in 2 weeks i’ve been told to take down the NEWCASTLE UNITED letters down on east stand and put up…… ‘sports direct @ newcastle united’ or ‘sports direct NEWCASTLE UNITED sports direct’ also they want 2 BLACK pumas either side (i will refuse 2 put 2 black cats on the eaststand unless they change colour!)

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  6. I’m only as good as the info i’m given Toonsy. Michael messaged me on facebook with the above message. I announced it via twitter as i thought it was worth mentioning. If they have decided against it due to the info being leaked then all the better. If it goes ahead then don’t say i didn’t tell you it was coming. I never profess to be an expert/know it all but if i’m wrong i’ll hold my hands up. As for the meeting on Monday its not anti-ashley…it’s trying to get fans together to communicate with each other before we attempt to communicate with the club…..somebody has to do something….3 former trust committee members leading the meeting…fancy coming?

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