Still, I guess it’s part and parcel of the fixture calendar so we must put up with it, even though I have little interest in the England national team at the moment. It seems as though I’m not the only one with that view judging by Jobey07’s article the other day.
Anyway, thankfully it’s all nearly over and we can get back to what makes us all tick on a daily basis. That being Newcastle United of course. Let’s face it, they are the reason why we are on this site, right?
The Sky pantomime will rock into Newcastle over the weekend and the attention will be on St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon when Tottenham Hotspur roll into town, with both sides looking to continue a fine run of form.
Some fans have dubbed this our ‘first real test’ which I disagree with as I believe that every game is a test. I kind of get what they are saying though although perhaps they way they say it needs adjusting. Still, it’s a game against a top team who are in form which will gauge just where we are as a team in comparison to those who should be operating near the top of the table come May.
One of the big questions for me is the team selection though. Do we stick with the team that has done do well over the last few games? Or do we recognise a need to shake things up a bit on the grounds that each team we come up against requires a slightly different approach?
Either way Alan Pardew is potentially damned. Stick with the same team and lose and he’ll come under criticism for not changing things. Likewise if a switch is made and we lose the game the criticism will be for changing the team. Hopefully it won’t come to that, but who’d be a football manager eh?
Of course some changes could be forced upon us depending on injury. At the moment fingers and toes are crossed regarding Yohan Cabaye and all eyes will be on him tomorrow evening to see whether or not he plays for France, but we have other players who are away on international duty who I’m sure we all want to see return unscathed. There are rumours of a knee injury for Demba Ba but at the moment everything looks fine although obviously things can change.
Providing they don’t change, and providing everyone is fit to face Spurs, what team would you go with? The same team? Or would you be tempted to freshen things up a bit? Of course it will be Hatem Ben Arfa who will likely be the subject of much tactical tinkering, but we also have Davide Santon looking like he is ready for a debut and Sylvain Marveaux who continues to impress.
Personally I’d be tempted to keep things as they are for the start of the match and name the same side that won at Wolves nine days ago. That way changes could be made as we go.
What team would you go with though?
P.S – Tenuous link alert. The chances are that before the Tottenham game we’ll have hit the 1,000,000 visitors since we switched from .info to the now familiar name of nufcblog.co.uk back at the start of March. In just over six months, and for a site which is still new, that is fantastic going.
Personally speaking I would like to see HBA given a start in a 4-5-1 formation. This would be helped I suppose if Ba is carrying an injury, although I do hope he is fit. Other than that I agree tokeep same players and bring in Santon and Marveaux as required.
Also congrats on the visits!
Shanghaitoon(Quote)
I am very worried about this match . I can see us getting an absolute hiding!!!
lee(Quote)
I know. Was shocked when I seen we are nudging a million. Not bad at all.
On Ben Arfa, will he be fit enough? He’s been away, again, and presumably hasn’t trained… Will he be fit enough to start?
toonsy(Quote)
Congrats on the site, toonsy!
I think Pardew has enough of an excuse to change the team a little, after the wolves game. I do hope he changes it. Big game, Ben Arfa and Santon should both be up for it in front of what’s probably going to be a full house at St. James’.
hydeous(Quote)
Eurgh, Tottenham is one of those games that you really can’t call. Numerous times I’ve changed opinion on whether we will win, lose or draw. We could deal one of those exhilarating wins we’ve had against Spurs before (Martins screamer anyone?) but then we could limply fall to a 1-0 loss….
I really don’t want to call it and I’d hate to be in Pardew’s position too. Would I drop Raylor for Santon? I’d be very tempted but could I actually do it when the defense has been so solid recently? Should Ben Arfa start? I’d love him too but in place of who? Should Marveaux start? Again, I’d love him too but in front of who? Gutierrez and Obertan have done enough to warrant their place in my opinion so why should they be dropped?
An actual headache! It will be really interesting how the team and the result pans out
MentalToonHamster(Quote)
Its our midfield that will cause you the most trouble, Bale-Modders-Parker-VDV with the options of Kranjar, Sandro and Lennon. The goons nearly stifled it with a 5 man midfield but the problem with that is that if we score then the one man up front has a lot of work to do. As a Spurs fan I’d like to see you match up in 4-4-2 as this will give a good open game for 2 attacking teams in good form to put on a show. I’d say we have the better players but you have the home advantage, should be a cracker!
SpursFanInPeace(Quote)
HBA surely must play 70mins at Forrest, 20 against blackburn, that’s normally enough game time b4 a start, he will give us something different to what best or ba do, which is wot we might need to get a result against spurs
Matty(Quote)
Could definitely do with a win… I’ve got twenty quid on it with our Spurs-supporting head chef at work!
DevonMag(Quote)
Spurs fan your midfield is certainly tasty. Like for like I actually think ours is pretty similar (clearly the lesser of the two though)
Bale-Modric-Parker-VDV
Marveux-Cabaye-Tiote-Ben Arfa
With VDV/Ben Arfa cutting in and getting behind the strikers.
DevonMag(Quote)
IF Benny is fit enough, I think it’s time to change things. While I agree that every game is a test, this is the first one (now we know Arsenal are just not a big threat this term) that tests how we play against “the new elite”. It’ll be a lot tougher, but I disagree with Lee’s prediction of a tonking!
———————— Krul (although I’d be happy to see Harps in for this one)
Simpson – Colo – Saylor – Santon
Obertan – Tiote – Cabaye – Jonas
—————-Benny
——————-Best
Whumpie(Quote)
Congrats on nearly hitting 1,000,000 visitors, keep up the great work.
I think we will have enough to see out Spurs if I am honest. It is a tough call putting Santon in imo, first premier league game and he will be put in at the deep end. Just hope he can handle it if we start him.
Heard Ba has a niggle from Wolves, and has not featured for Senegal just yet, hope he will be fine when he returns, we will need his physicality against their tank-like defenders.
I am going for a nice, well earned 2-1 win for the toon.
hope I have not given us the kiss of death for that..
Ameobi No.9(Quote)
Would like santon to get a chance and Ben Arfa.
Whoever we use at full back will have a very tough game with Bale who is the best winger in the world imo. If we keep Bale quiet then we will do very well. Going to be another tough match, can see us sneaking a 2-1 win though 😀
My line up would be
Krul
Simpson Saylor Colo Raylor
Cabaye Tiote
Obertan HBA Jonas
Ba/Best
N.Irish Toon(Quote)
Spurs fan here – too tight to call at St James. You have had a fantastic start to the season, though we have had the odd 1-0 win over the years. 4pm Sunday, live on TV, floodlights on and 55000. Will be a great game whatever happens. If you do lose, at least you will be knee deep in gorgeous clunge by 10pm.. #lovegeordiechicks
Dan(Quote)
Surprised nobodys mentioned Kyle walker, he’s a real pacey attacking threat, strong aswell.
Matty(Quote)
Agree with that – this is two of the best midfields in the division; both capable of brilliant ‘carpet football’ as SBR called it. Should be frenetic stuff.
Whumpie(Quote)
Really worried about this game. We usually do ok against spurs, but if Bale is on form he can destroy anyone. He is the one Spurs player I would love to see at NUFC. Shame he plays for Wales. Just like Giggs, he’s not going to get the international recognition he deserves.
Micky Toon(Quote)
dont agree you dont change a winning side the top teams do it all the time,tactics horses for coarses and all that,said before try telling fergie you dont change a winning side,and they dont do to badly like 😉
icedog(Quote)
Glad you guys have Ben Arfa back again. That injury must’ve been gutting for you – not so glad he could feature against my team though. He looks a right handful.
Oh, also good luck with the million hits, and all the best for the season. Make sure you do the decent thing and finish above the Arsenal. 😉
KayBee @ WFRF?(Quote)
Im not being negative just realistic. This is our hardest game so far and from what ive seen of Spurs they are a fantastic team. Sure we will give it a right go but i cant see past a 1-3 scoreline.
lee(Quote)
Agree that keeping Bale quiet is the key. I reckon spiderman can do the job.
———————— Krul —————————————————————-Jonas – Colo – Saylor – Santon
Obertan – Tiote – Cabaye – Marveaux
—————-Benny
——————-Best
nobby(Quote)
Clunge. 😮
Whumpie(Quote)
We quite often pull one out the bag against Spurs! We only just missed out on the home win last season and I think if we hold it together we can edge this… 😎 😎 😛
Shanghaitoon(Quote)
Lee – I don’t think you’re being negative; it’s just an opinion; a prediction. I just hope you’re wrong! 😆
Is it just me or are the Spurs supporters on here just wayyy more balanced and reasonable than other teams’ fans?
Whumpie(Quote)
Hahaha a nice comment whumpie but I guess its easier to take a balanced view of your team when they are playing well 😉
SpursFanInPeace(Quote)
Dan, someone’s been watching to much inbetweeners.
3-2 win for the toon with ben arfa luckily putting it into the net as well as best and collo. Adebeyor and lennon (if playing) for spurs.
scotttoon(Quote)
May have to shoot a tranq at Bale (and he’d still be good half-conscious!) but VDV just needs someone to put him in a bad mood and he’s out of the game.
Difficult one to predict, and I’d certainly be happy with a point. I’ll go for 2-2.
Whumpie(Quote)
SpursFanInPeace
Very true. lol. was just thinking the same thing about spurs. 😀
scotttoon(Quote)
@ Lee
You are being totally negative mate. We have the best defence in the league atm (4 goals conceded) . Spurs have conceded 10 and have played 1 less game than us, only 5 other teams have conceded more. Plus we are at home and in great form.
N.Irish Toon(Quote)
Krul
Simmo- tayls- Colo- raylor
Githrie- Tiote- cabaye
Obertoon- best- Jonas
Try to dominate possession first half then switch to 4-4-2 in 2nd and run them into the ground.
If cabaye can’t go then 4-4-2 from start with Guthrie in his place.
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
JerseyGeordie
You can’t play 433 against spurs its too risky, with bale and lennon, our full-backs will need to be supported by people like jonas
scotttoon(Quote)
I like Newcastle,great team.That will be a hard test for spurs.
vedospur(Quote)
Agree with the team at 10. They might slaughter us if we go 4-4-2. The possible Ba injury may make it an easier decision for Pards.
MDS(Quote)
Newcastle are rubbish, what a poor excuse of a football team, go back to the Championship where you belong……that more like it Whumpie?
On a serious note and as a massive Spurs fan i’d say it’s going to be very close, both sides are in great form going into this and I don’t see either losing, final score 1-1. We (Spurs) will go ahead in the first half only to be pegged back with a goal from Best.
On a side note i’d like to say i’ve been impressed with Newcastle this year, may sound harsh but after this summer I had you down as one of the few fighting relegation (my friend who is a Toon supporter even agreed with me). Very impressed with Best as well, watched him a few times last year (I remember his hatrick he scored) and I see potential.
Skinero(Quote)
get santon on to deal with bale, he marked ronaldo off the park so i can,t see why he could,nt handle bale, lets face it our defense is no where near as good as it looks on stats, the amount of chances wolves and qpr squandered was unreal and big teams won,t let you off so lightly, good job krul has been world class, or we could of lost quite easily in most our matches, i agree with playing hba behind a lone striker and just in front of cabaye to give the midfield a bit more support against modric and parker and bale
stephen1971(Quote)
Bale has had a slow start to the season by his standards.
Scored a goal for Wales the other day so will be confident.
Reckon 1-3 Spurs unfortunately… 😥
Moreno(Quote)
Scotttoon- aye, I meant that lineup with Jonas and obertoon tracking back. Not a true 4-3-3 with 3 attackers.
I think moving Jonas to the right to help mark bale would be a good idea as well but don’t feel the team deserves to be changed too much.
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
I dont think you can worry about Bale, no individual can stop him.
I remember Osman and Neville doubling up on him which worked well on the small Goodison pitch but SJP is a massive pitch and you cant contain him, previously teams would allow him to get to the byline and whip a ball in, at that time we had nobody as a real aerial threat (Crouch).
With Adebayor we are a different animal and even me as a pessimistic spurs fan has to admit we look amazing and since he has been in the team its been 4 from 4 and we could have scored bucket loads each game.
What I will say is in Coloccini, Tiote, Cabaye, Jonas, Ben Arfa, Marveaux and Ba you seem to have some great players and all those idiots complaining about losing Barton, Nolan and Carroll but take a serious look at themselves as you have real footballers now.
Saying that none of them would get in our first 11 therefore I can only see a 3-1 away win for Spurs
Jay(Quote)
SKINERO,
You see potential in Best? Fair play mate, you must know your footy. A lot on here have watched every minute of NUFC footy this season and still can’t give him any credit….
Moreno(Quote)
Sorry to rain on N.Irish Toon’s parade but it seems very naive and not thought out. Of the ten goals conceded EIGHT were in the fiorst two games,after a belated start to the season, against Manchester United and Manchestere City, Since the they have conceded two goals in the four games that King has played. I think that’s more of a perspective than just looking at numbers.
roy(Quote)
@ nirish toon, i think its unfair to compare goals conceded as we played the first two games against united and city, and no ledley king. With Ledley we are a whole different team.
Anyway as a spurs fan, i think we may just edge it, but would be putting any of my hard earned pounds on that prediction.
Bale will be key for us, once he gets flying the confidence goes through the team.
Eitherway, sod England, lets get back to the exciting stuff!!!
Sam(Quote)
@ Jay
i would start all our defenders and krul. Your defence is rubbish apart from King who is way to injury prone your keepers are decent but Krul is just better
Apart from the agree with most of the stuff you said 😀
N.Irish Toon(Quote)
While I don’t want to take anything away from our remarkable defence, we have definitely had more than our fair share of squandered chances by opposition so far this season.
Still – the more you practice, the luckier you get, as Lee Travino once said (I think)
Whumpie(Quote)
@sam, i think mordric is more of a key player for you,s than bale but don,t under estimate our midfielders, if cabaye can control the midfield then i think we,ve got a great chance
stephen1971(Quote)
@ Sam
Fair enough and agree with Ledley King being your best defender but i was just making a point that he was being negative 😀
Im hoping for a 7 goal thriller 😀
N.Irish Toon(Quote)
@stephen1971 yeah Modric is more integral to the team without a doubt, but there is something special when Bales opens up and blasts past a couple of players that i think lifts our team and really worries the oppostion.
I really rate tiote, and the midfield battle will be fascinating.
would be nice if VDV is up for it and not moaning about which position he is playing!
Sam(Quote)
Bad news that Ba may be injured but even worse news that Shola is available.
Can guarantee that Pardew will give Shola game time on Sunday.
sidekick(Quote)
What is going on with VDV he seem very unhappy this year all he has done is moan about one thing or the other since harry didnt put him in the squad for europe for very logical reasons.
N.Irish Toon(Quote)
@sam
i agree about bale , can,t take it away from the lad , he is world class, best lb in prem when he,s on his game in my opinion, can,t wait to see this midfield battle parker and modric v tiote and cabaye, still can,t believe we got both of them players for about 10 mill
stephen1971(Quote)
The problem with VDV is that we have to play 4411 to accomodate him, which isnt always the best formation for us, as we have been playing well with a 442. He clearly isnt the sort of player who is willing to do whatever for the team. He has actually come out and said i dont like playing right wing as im not the sort of player who will chase a player back. Im sorry but you get paid 60k+ to PLAY FOOTBALL, just get on with it.
Dont get me wrong he scores us goals, but sometimes i feel him playing can restrict our flow as a team.
Sam(Quote)
Moreno.
Yep definitely see potential although he has a lot still to work on. Have listened to a few pundits on the radio slate him a little bit as well but they seem to forget the guys still young. From my point of view the guy is a natural finisher, if I was a Toon fan I would be praying that he starts instead of the returning Ameobi.
On a side note i’ll be watching this with my friend who is a Newcastle fan, I hope we’re still friends come the end of the 90 minutes.
Skinero(Quote)
@41. Agreed, their defense is weak. That’s why it’s best to attack them…
MDS(Quote)
About £8m Stephen 😀 even better
Congrats toonsy on the hits, you deserve it for the work you put in. Hope you’re picking up a little extra now with the ads and it isn’t all gone towards the new server/host.
The midfield battle really will be key. Would be happy to see a 451 with barf or marveaux in. Though I would feel bad for whoever is dropped I think it’s te right move in this case. Biggest worry has to be the fullbacks but hopefully Simpson will raise his game and jonas/raylor can protect the other side between them. Hope for a 1-1 but worried they might rack up 3 or four if were a goal down for any more than 15 minutes or so while there’s still time left. Still hope springs eternal and maybe we can sneak a 2-1 🙂
Nice to have some good discussion with rival fans too
Dubtoon(Quote)
i,d play jonas on same side as bale coz he,s by far out best winger at tracking back, and we all know how bale likes to make runs , if he gets caught up field then jonas is well capable of a good quick counter attack, the guy has endless energy
stephen1971(Quote)
aye dubtoon 8 mill lol, a steal
stephen1971(Quote)
Spurs fan here. still a pissed off with the way you board treated Hughton. Are the Toon army happy with the way things worked out with Pardew ?
But you do seem like a genuine bunch of football fans who you can discuss a game with. Very rare in today’s times. I am surprised you guys are 4th but you have not played any of the big 4 yet ( not including us ).
It will also be big test for our away form. Just hope its an entertaining game.
Kash(Quote)
Aren’t Newcastle our bogey team? SAM, it’s usually when VDV is chasing players about that he does a hammy so I agree with him there. Also agree that we do have to accomodate him, however this year it looks like we have a plan b and maybe c, whereas last year we only had plan a, which was ‘kick it to bale’. Tough to pick, Newcastle at home and playing well. Not sure we like the long trips up North, but with Parker and Sandro we have a solid midfield to batten down the hatches away. Going for 2-2, but a spurs win on betfair 😉
pommie(Quote)
I have to admit as a die hard Spurs fan, but Toon sympathiser (my Grandfather was a Geordie) I have always worried about our trips up to your manor, we rarely play well and even more rarely get any sort of result.
That being said this time round sees something of a unique situation for this fixture, I don’t remember a time when the two teams last met on the back of such a rich run of form. This really does have the makings of a cracker.
Whilst I am pleased to see you guys consider us your “first real test”, I myself consider you the biggest test of our season so far. Why? Allow me to explain… If you remove our first two fixtures (Man Utd and Man City) as we were in crisis with both injuries and the Modric Saga and the riots causing the postponement against Everton we were EXPECTED to lose these, and we got what we deserved, 0 points. Since then 4 games, 4 wins, but against teams we are supposed to beat (yes I consider Arsenal one of the beatable teams this season, they really do look that bad).
Now we face a team that is on form, away at a ground where we rarely get a sniff. If there had been no international break and this game was last weekend I would have put my house on us dispatching you comfortably and with ease, with the form of the previous games and almost a full squad available I would have seen little other than a Spurs win. Now, I still have faith and if we play like we can we should win, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you guys walk away with a share or all of the points.
All this being said I think we will win and it will be the catalyst for Spurs season to go well. But I don’t think you will roll over and I think it should make a great game. But the main thing I wish to say is that come the end of the season you WILL be above Arsenal and maybe even Liverpool, and that for me would be the icing on the cake of a good season for Spurs. But if, and lord knows it can when Spurs are concerned, we blow our season and don’t make the top four I can honestly say that if I had to pick someone who would beat us to Champions League place, then I would want it to be Newcastle.
This is the most promising situation I have seen for years for Newcastle, I don’t think you will cause an upset this year, but if you build on this then I think we will see you back and challenging for CL from the following season. Good luck guys.
PS. To the guy that said Spurs fans are level headed, we are. We have spent years underachieving. Despair we can live with, its hope that scares us blind!
Spurs fan @ WHL(Quote)
@Pommie, yeah i see your point, and obviously he is better at creating than defending, but sometimes players have to do things for the good of the team.
At least Plan – lob it up to crouch is a thing of the past!
It should be an exciting game, well fingers crossed anyway.
an edge of the seat, heart attack inducing 2-1 tottenham is my prediction.
Sam(Quote)
Kash
October 10, 2011 at 15:21
“Spurs fan here. still a pissed off with the way you board treated Hughton. Are the Toon army happy with the way things worked out with Pardew”
Pretty much yes.
At the start most of us were as pissed off as anyone, but credit to Pardew he has us playing better and works with what he has got. he speaks more (some say too much!) but overall I’m happy with him.
toonsy(Quote)
@57 😆 that last line sounds like what’s been going on around here with this start to the season, don’t know what to do with it or what to dare hope for. Just enjoying it while it last at the moment.
For me, there’s no better team in the prem to watch than spurs as a neutral.
I’d like to be able to consider that CL place you mention but it’s a long long way away yet. Best of luck for the rest of the season (I may change my mind on that if we’re in the same part of the table as you with 10 games left 😈 )
Dubtoon(Quote)
Bloody hell I go for a walk in the blazing sun and come back and everyones having a love in…….how long will it last? 😀
Huge test but we’ve said that a couple of times this season, a cliche I know but who ever controls the midfield will win this one, hopefully it’s us and despite the quality of Spurs midfield we are capable of doing it.
If both teams play to their full potential then Spurs would win, that rarely happens in football though so I’ll go for us by the odd goal
Congrats on the hits Toonsy, put a photo up of yourself then it’ll be getting hit all the time 😉
richietoon(Quote)
Rich – Especially as I’m a hate figure for some now 😉
I wonder where that B&Wforever ****** is? i wonder what he’ll say ow fans of other clubs have come here? No doubt it will be my fault like 🙄
toonsy(Quote)
Was that the one who said about you going on other boards?…it’s hard to keep track, you’re a hate figure to so many now 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Rich – Yeah that’s the one. The stalker that follows me around on other boards. presumably he is also on said other boards though? 😕
He also missed the death threats from Sunderland, Hypocritical shitstain 😉
toonsy(Quote)
toonsy says:
October 10, 2011 at 15:51
Rich – Especially as I’m a hate figure for some now
I wonder where that B&Wforever ****** is? i wonder what he’ll say ow fans of other clubs have come here? No doubt it will be my fault like
Eevrything is your fauly toonsy 🙂
In regards to the article I would start santon at leftback but keep same team other than that other than injuries. Id introduce Ben arfa at the hour mark and I would start him against Wigan
Johno Toon(Quote)
Everything’s your fault Toonsy!
georgio(Quote)
Aye you’re not to popular with the filthy inbreds at the moment 😆 …Bruce can’t have much longer surely?
richietoon(Quote)
Rich – Hopefully he does 😀
toonsy(Quote)
on sunday we go 4 4 2
krul
simpson s taylor colo santon
tiote cabaye marveux ben arfa
ba best
let the midfield run king ragged and have him out of the game by half time and keep pinging the ball to ba in the box job done
i am going 4 2 spurs to score first ba best ben arfe and cabaye all to score and krul to have a storming game
davey toon(Quote)
Aye, a nice contract extension for him would do me, well done agent Bruce 😈
richietoon(Quote)
I hope Parker gets a decent reception. He may have earned the ‘Balerina’ tag, but he’s a decent, gutsy player. I remember against Arsenal he ended up being knocked unconscious TWICE and losing a tooth before eventually going off. Apparently he woke up in hospital and his first, frantic words were “DID WE WIN??”.
Quality bloke. I just hope he has a ***** game on Sunday!
Whumpie(Quote)
I don’t think Benny could hack a full 90 yet to be honest. I’d put Marveux on for Obertan and see how he does, if he impresses leave him on, if he tires or is average get Obertan on to run at tired legs for the last 20 mins.
Then for Benny..if we’re trailing by the 55 minute mark or so get him on for Jonas or one of our strikers, whoever is proving the least impressive. Save the last sub in case of injury or a last ditch attempt around 85 mins if we need to attack/defend a lead.
Newkie(Quote)
@ Whumpie
Agreed he has been one of there best players so far this season
N.Irish Toon(Quote)
lol, luck will run out sooner or later, u are championship at best, the wheel s will come off this weeekend 4-1 to spurs
rich g(Quote)
It was only a matter of time before 1 idiot posted wasnt it 😀
N.Irish Toon(Quote)