Game On! Blackburn v Newcastle

toonsy

Game On at Ewood Park
Welcome one and all to our famous ‘Game On’ article which will take us through every twist and turn of the trip to Ewood Park this evening.

Newcastle have been disappointing in the last couple of games, or in the last game and a half I should say perhaps. They were excellent in the first half at Fulham but ever since that they’ve kind of fallen asleep.

If they can’t motivate themselves after a humiliating FA Cup exit to Brighton at the weekend then I don’t know what else would do it. I expect to see nothing less than a committed and passionate performance from the players to go some way towards making up for that dismal loss, and the dismal second half against Fulham. They owe it to us and they owe it to themselves.

Anyway, motivational speak over we move onto a bit of team news. The full teamsheet is below and will be updated as and when it becomes available, but one name we won’t see is Yohan Cabaye who sits out after being banned for three games earlier on today. For more injury news and team news you can always peruse Shamrock’s fantastic match preview by clicking here.

It’s looking hopeful for a TV stream also. Several overseas channels are broadcasting the match so the likelihood of a stream is pretty good. As ever, if you stumble across a good one please feel free to leave a link to it in the comments section below.

That just about wraps it up. Here’s hoping for three points tonight, or at the least a greatly improved performance the boys paid handsomely to represent Newcastle United.

Howay the lads!

Blackburn: Paul Robinson, Jason Lowe, Gael Givet, Scott Dann, Martin Olsson, Junior Hoilett, Radosav Petrovic, Steven N’Zonzi, David Dunn, Morten Gamst-Pedersen, Anthony Modeste

Subs: Mark Bunn, Mauro Formica, Ruben Rochina, Grant Hanley, Adam Henley, Jordan Slew, Simon Vuckevic

Newcastle: Tim Krul, Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Hatem Ben Arfa, Ryan Taylor, Danny Guthrie, Jonas Gutierrez; Leon Best, Shola Ameobi

Subs: Rob Elliot, James Perch, Shane Ferguson, Dan Gosling, Mehdi Abeid, Gabriel Obertan, Peter Lovenkrands

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.

View all posts by toonsy →

You may like these posts

578 thoughts on “Game On! Blackburn v Newcastle”

  1. pipes agree.we are missing our spine but still seem to get the job done.
    mind you it took a txt from me to get pards sorted at half time like.

      (Quote)

  2. If you thought you were gonna watch that every week there is nae way you be signing up for a season ticket of £570.

      (Quote)

  3. 5th place…so lovely to see. Caught the last 10 minutes of the game…

    Nice one from Obertan, so glad to see him score.

      (Quote)

  4. So relieved – and just a bit surprised. Just think what we can do with Saylor, Cabaye, Tiote, Ba and Cisse back in… 😯

    I do think that despite some gutsy stuff at the back, that scoreline is a bit unfair on Blackburn, though. We had so many close calls. Thank **** their cow’s ill and their banjo’s gone missing. 😆

      (Quote)

  5. Steverd

    The two players that make our midfielder gel are Tiote and Obertan. Their movement and positioning is terrific…

    So happy Obertan shoved one up the boo boys arses!

      (Quote)

  6. Good tactical change from Pardew at half-time. Had to take Hatem off to nullify blackburn’s threat from set play. Playing a 4-4-2 wasn’t pretty but it still got us the result. Really pleased for Obertan, who showed good composure to take his goal. Always believed that he needed time to show his true worth.

      (Quote)

  7. Since I am just on now, how bad was Ben Arfa…to get subbed at the half? Or was there another reason?

      (Quote)

  8. Yup Collo easily man of match, perch had a decent game as well, krul did well on pen but his kicking sucks
    Santon was quite poor, but best was worst of all in my opinion

      (Quote)

  9. We played a lot better at Brighton and Fulham (1st half anyway 😉 ) and lost. Football’s a funny old game. 😛

      (Quote)

  11. great win for us that, gotta say i was nervous every time blackburn had the ball. finally we can say bye to shola sorry like but he’s awful. made up for obertan as we’ll like. 😆 Bring on the villa.

      (Quote)

  14. For me their was 2 man of the match . Pardew for switching his tactics for the second half and Best , the lad was yet again playing out of position and ran the whole time he was on . A very under rated player .

    AND WE ARE 5TH

      (Quote)

  15. well I begrudgingly give credit to Pardew for changing things at the HT and for his well timed sub of Raylor for Obi.
    The man is obviously a tactical genious.
    😳
    Roll on sunday.
    I’m drained emotionally atm

      (Quote)

  17. Another great shift put in from Mr Perch there, really pleased for the lad, great job at CD on Saturday now great job at CDM tonight. Obertoon looked sharp when he came on like and to be honest he didn’t look like someone who suffers a lack of confidence with the way he took his goal.

      (Quote)

  18. We were so lucky. I only managed to see the last 20mins. My boss was there, must have enjoyed it but nervy.

      (Quote)

  20. Thank God that Krul was on form tonight, but great to be 5th above Liverpool and Arsenal. 😎 😎 😎 😎 😎 😎 😎 😎 😎

      (Quote)

  21. Good win, had to go in hard for it, was waiting for Blackburn to get one back all the way through. Thought Pards got it right with Perch for HBA, just wasnt working, but with the new front line, might be better for him, people on the same level. But Perch did good, held it just right in the centre. So pleased for Oba, give him the confidence he needs. Next few games as ‘super sub’ and then see how that goes for him

      (Quote)

  22. @288 – Eh? Did Benny not start this game alongside 2 forwards? Something I said would happen occasionally? Did I not say he will get enough football despite having 2 forwards up front – and in any case the 2 forwards mentioned were Ba & Cisse? I dont get your dig here. He started the game?! What’s to get sick of? Your point was he would be overlooked when we play 2 forwards up front, so WFT are you on about?

    BTW – No CB signed, has Llambias been taken to the Yorkshire Dales yet? Good ugly win tonight, well done lads and well done in particular to Gabby Obertan – hopefully this will be the shot in the arm he needs to get his NUFC career going and get a bit of consistency.

    I’m taking a break from this blog for a while. See you all in a week or two.

      (Quote)

  23. Well I’m back from changing me undies, phew that was one hell of a dig in performance.
    These are the types of games that sort the men from the boys.
    Blackburn were so well up for it , it was untrue but we somehow dug in.

    Pardew pulled off some clever tactical changes I have to admit and James Perch was outstanding since he came on.
    Ben Arfa , unfortunately was nullified and rendered useless for 95% of the time he was on.
    The Obertan sub was a classic because Blackburn had spent all their energies in attacking the life out of us and must have thought, ‘oh not not the speed machine’ hahaha

    A hard fought workmanlike performance that wasn’t pretty from a Toon fans perspective but a joy from a Blackburn fans in terms of attacking.

    These are the games where you find out if your team has any backbone, even when you are without the craft of the team.

    Pretty football looks good on the eye but it doesn’t always get you the spoils and sometimes you have to do it the ugly way with lady luck as your guide and we did that tonight , so well done lads. 😀

      (Quote)

  26. Got to hand it to Pards. His Plan As sometimes leave a lot to be desired but he’s never afraid to move on to Plan B

      (Quote)

  27. I have to say that I am loving Perch in the CDM role. He seems to do well there. I don’t ever want to see him play CD again, but bring him on for Tiote or Cabaye and I think it’s great.

    Wish I got to see the whole game, but last 10 minutes or so were exciting.

    And man, Obertan is some kind of magician isn’t he? He put one ball in the opposition’s net and made 20,000 people disappear instantly.

      (Quote)

  29. Gotta be happy with that with the players we had on the field.

    Shola did more in defence than attack!

    Coloccini is the best player in the Premier League defensively at the moment. Probably by a mile.

    Once again, Perch doesn’t put a foot wrong, excellent performance from someone who isn’t good enough. Totally toothless in attack but we deserved a break as they have been so few and far between this season

      (Quote)

  31. feel bait sorry for ben arfa he’s missing something his first touch is bobbins at the moment and he doesn’t seem to have that pace. hope he gets it back soon because he can be a great player.

      (Quote)

  34. For me Benny was really **** in the first half but not more shitty than Shola or Best even Guthrire was a ghost. Even if Obertan scored a goal i would not start him next game. And i agree with you gary watson I would start perch with Guthrie, but when Cabaye is back i will start Perch with Cabaye and when Tiote is back I will start Cabaye and Tiote. I think we need a crazy one who tackles and like duels in the centre of the game.

      (Quote)

  35. Credit to Pardew – got the subs spot on – have always been impressed that he isn’t afraid to change it early. Take a bow Perch and Obertan – they’ve taken a lot of stick but showed their value to the squad tonight.

      (Quote)

  36. @gary , Always positive about the team doing well 😀
    Perch did ok and i agree in defensive midfield he did ok , just not at cb 😉
    Boring to say this but Colo motm for me again today .

      (Quote)

  37. Gary
    Guthrie and A N Other isn’t a good enough combination for the higher echelons of the premier league that is why Pardew pulls Jonas and Raylor in. So it isn’t as simple as your question suggests.

      (Quote)

  38. Filthy makem scum. 8th in league, yet can still only manage 34,000 at home.
    Bunch of SMB w@nkers.

      (Quote)

  39. TOONARMYELITE, aye I know what you mean and I can see what your saying because that would make him 35 but his experience is worth that and he can be a great mentor for the future centre halves to learn from.

      (Quote)

  40. BEARDSLEYS BOOTS
    they could not even get a full house for a derby fa cup match loads of empty seats from what i saw on tv lmao 😆

      (Quote)

  41. Massive win to keep us in there with the big 6.

    Agree Perch was terrific, but is anyone else really disappointed with HBA? He was talked up as this great talent, but he just looks completely average to me. I know he got that cracker in the cup, but in most games his dribbling and passing are nothing special at all.

    Really looking forward to seeing Ba and Cisse on sunday, but i’ve got a feeling he’ll start with Ba and Best.

      (Quote)

  43. toonarmyelite@480 , Colocini is one of the best players to pull on the black and white shirt he deserves a 5 and a half year contract and whatever it takes to keep him here if he does stay i will be very impressed with the board even though they stated they wont sign players approching there 30s and refuse Nolan a contract and give shola a contract !!!
    LOVE COLO 🙂

      (Quote)

  44. HBA39 @484 – Definitely, you always need someone who’s not afraid to get stuck in.

    SHAMROCK @472 – I never once mentioned your name mate, chill out.

    TOONARMYELITE @480 – Aye mate, I think it’s too long. I don’t question whether he deserves a long term deal, I just wonder whether we will be saying the same thing three or four years down the line. It also depends largely on what sort of wage we are talking about.

      (Quote)

  45. Ben Arfa tries to do too much on his own and it usually ends in tears.
    He has the ability to play as part of the team but he has to learn when it’s best to use his skill in taking players on and playing a pass or a clever through ball which he is well capable of doing.
    Against a full on battling Blackburn side, with us being shy of some quality players, his game was basically nullified and there wasn’t really any option but to take him off.

      (Quote)

  46. I am no geek but the praise and crticism of HBA is excessive both ways. Has he played 12 games for us yet? In some eyes he is messiah and others a waste of space. Just give the lad time before we judge

      (Quote)

  49. MORENO @479 – Definitely agree with you that Colo is currently the best defensive player in England. He’s on another level to the next best in my opinion.

      (Quote)

  53. TLR @496. HBA is getting game time which is more than can be said of Harris Vuckic.
    I feel sorry for HV as I think he has more potential than he is being given credit for. He should have been sent out on loan for half a season.

      (Quote)

  54. Well we are starting to move to the buisness end of the season , we get our three african lads back in , and we are 5th in the table . What does everyone on here think , will it happen a top 6 spot and a european ticket ? i really think it will happen .

      (Quote)

  55. yeah, lots of credit to Pards for his changes and really, really pleased for Obertan. Superb pass from Loverman, by the way.

    Was Best injured? Seemed so.

    Back to almost full strength for the weekend now.

      (Quote)

  56. I’m a bit concerned that Colo had quite a lot to do considering he’s just returned from injury. A game in a few days time might be too much for him. Hopefully not, though.

      (Quote)

  57. Nufc don’t need HBA, he is wasteful and selfish and certainly not a team player.
    Yes he shows flashes of genius, but he has also showed that at his previous club.
    Would seriously not be bothered if he was moved on in the summer.
    Just my humble opinion 😕

      (Quote)

  58. Problem we have with HBA is the reception we gave him, based on nothing really, when he arrived. He wants to try repay us so much he tries too bloody hard. I don’t think badly of the lad for that

      (Quote)

  59. Gary @494- I think most our lads are on modest wages now compared to other clubs. It may be that he will earn a little more being captain but wouldn’t mind betting that a lot of the pay structure is bumped up with bonuses for lge standing and cup runs and what have you. They might even see him in a future coaching role. For me Colo with Taylor is outstanding and play massive part in where we sit right now.The days of Smith style wages are long gone.

      (Quote)

  60. Stream was ****, was Holliet a dive when Raylor pulled him up?

    If so he needs banned. Of course the inconsistent FA wouldn’t do that but hey ho

      (Quote)

  61. BEARDSLEYS BOOTS @503 – Definitely agree with you there mate. The chances he has had haven’t been suited for him to impress. Liverpool saw him playing an out and out CM role whereas he’d much prefer to be getting in and around the strikers where his finishing can be deadly. He should have been loaned out but hopefully he’ll continue to work hard and earn a chance.

      (Quote)

  62. How many oportunities should HBA get ❓
    He has shown enuff to me to say he isn’t a team player.
    When he gets the ball, he wont look up, wont pass. He gets tunnel vision for goal, which could be argued is a good thing, but it generally ends up putting us on the back foot as he loses posession so many times.

      (Quote)

  63. AXEL
    as long as our centre backs are ok i dont see why we cant hope for top 6,think we in with a shout and were in the box seat at the mo 😀

      (Quote)

  64. AXEL, the beauty of it is, anything can happen and with all our players back, I don’t think we have to fear any of the top sides either.
    We could literally go on a nice solid run from now and finish high.
    We can’t discount a 4th spot finish but in saying that we also can’t get complacent.
    All I do is HOPE for the best finish possible and I never expect anything .
    The point is, it’s all down to how we run in with bans and injuries and if we can negotiate that with some ease, I think we are looking fine and dandy, especially if Ba and Cisse hit the ground running together. 😀

      (Quote)

  66. RE: Colo,

    If his wages are more then so they should be. He is our best player, our captain and we would have been beaten 5-1 tonight if it wasn’t for him

      (Quote)

  71. TOBY@496 , agree its unreal give him time !
    As for Collo i just dont get what you are saying its football for gods sake players get old , was Beardley to old for newcastle in his mid 30s or Shearer !
    Do you just want good players to come to Newcastle for nowt when there young spend there early 20s at Newcastle and then sell them with there “sell on value” and the conveyor belt chugs along .
    Thats not football boys and girls wheres the passion and your attatchment to your heroes ! if colo or any qaulity player gives us there best years we should reward them with a contract and believe it or not we might actually keep a player untill he retires and he could have whats called a testimonial !!
    God forbid not selling a player for 5 times what we bought him for in his 20s wouldent want to upset MA and his 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ….year plan 👿

      (Quote)

  72. Wolfie,

    Haven’t seen anything at all in any of the reports I have glanced over, or the highlights on the channel I got the stream on.

    Surely that is blatant cheating,and it should be reviewed and action taken?

      (Quote)

  73. MORENO @508 – That is certainly the problem with HBA in my eyes. He had one stand out game against Everton in which he scored a screamer, from then on in everyone has expected the lad to produce magic consistently. When he got injured it was like his reputation was growing more and more as he was out. He’s almost been brought back into a team after a long lay off with twice the expectation on his shoulders that he had before. It’s crazy really but I reckon if he cuts the greed from his game he could match the expectations. I don’t think the injury is an excuse any longer, it’s now just about getting more game time and match experience under his belt.

      (Quote)

  74. Moreno @ 508.
    I agree HBA is trying TOO hard, which is making him look gash.
    He is desperate to score goals for the fans.
    He just needs to settle himself down, relax and get passing the ball abit more.
    The whole midfield do too.
    Our passing was non existant these last 3 matches.
    That was a big 3 points tonight for the Lads. Hope to see some improvements against the villains on sunday.
    Toon Toon

      (Quote)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *