That is of course the problem with the Europa League, but it’s a problem that will have to be managed if we are try and replicate what we achieved last season.
I’m not talking in terms of the result at Stamford Bridge, although another 2-0 win would be very welcome indeed, but I mean generally. The Europa League can take it’s toll on a squad over the course of a season, but with nine changes made for the match and a whole host of key players left out of the squad altogether I’m hopeful that, at least for now anyway, the impact of trip will be minimal on our squad.
I guess we haven’t got long to find out just how fatigued our squad is but at this early juncture of the season I wouldn’t be overly pleased to hear it as an excuse for an awful performance should one transpire at Stamford Bridge this afternoon. Hopefully that won’t be the case anyway…
Enough waffle. Team news, as ever will be published below as and when it becomes available, and if you happen to stumble upon any streams of the match then please feel free to accidentally post a link to it in the comments section below.
Let’s do this.
Howay the lads!
Chelsea: Petr Cech; Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Ashley Cole; John Obi Mikel, Raul Meireles; Juan Mata, Eden Hazard, Ryan Bertrand; Fernando Torres
Subs: Ross Turnbull, Michael Essien, Oriol Romeu, Frank Lampard, Ramires, Oscar, Daniel Sturridge
Newcastle: Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Davide Santon; Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, Vurnon Anita, Jonas Gutierrez; Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse
Subs: Steve Harper, Mike Williamson, James Perch, Sylvain Marveaux, Romain Amalfitano, Gabriel Obertan, Ryan Taylor.
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Wow! Anyone who doubts Cazza’s ability to hold the ball up ( step forward Stardust) has no idea about football. 🙄
Ba & Cisse could not trap a bag of cement today! 😯
I hope those rumours about Cazza are right and Liverpool accept £14m.
We had no ability to change the game against an organised Chelsea side.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Missed shola today. Need a gam changer on the bench
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
My point being, don’t believe what you read on twitter.
(Thought it was fairly obvious)
DJG(Quote)
Even Shola would have offered more than these two today. Not bashing them but we need alternatives for those games they are struggling.
lacedaemonian(Quote)
What i just dont understand with Pardew, last year he puts Benny on the bench telling is out of form he cannot play. And now Cisse is completely out of form he starts two games in a row.
Why not putting Marv in the left and Ba alone as a striker and Benny in the right.
Marv was one of the best in preseason.
HBA39(Quote)
Dave my point was the opposite. We did Ok against them. They showed enough to show they are a much better outfit than last year. They may not have enough to change the Manchester clubs, but they are class. They have spent well. They should finish third no probs. No disgrace being beaten. We can still do better.
Premandup(Quote)
DJG@302 i never said i believed it i said the lad posted a comment about it if you want to post smart-**** comments on it feel free,but CC has a right to post it and doesnt need your brain to work out few people do believe twatter 👿
icedog(Quote)
Game changer my ****, we were well beat today by a Chelski side not even at 80%. They could have stepped it up another gear but didn’t have to in the second half. Unfortunately for us, Di Matteo, no Drogba, the alignment of ***** with the sun; for whatever reason Torres is playing again and he destroyed us in the first half. Anita is still green behind the ears in this league.
DJG(Quote)
HBA the difference with Cisse is that we don’t have another striker to take his place 😉 to play in Pards preferred away line up of 4-4-2.
Ice I think because you posted the twitter story about Carroll DJG presumes you believe it 😆 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Haha Big Dace. 😆 😆 🙄
DJG(Quote)
Prem but what i’m saying is that it’s no disgrace being beat by a top side on far superior form but today imo Chelski were far from it.
I don’t feel that bad because I didn’t expect to win but I do think that if we had off upped our game we could have got something out of the game, and I do think a goal would have gave us that lift and spark we needed 😉 and yeah they have spent well Hazard looks like a star.
Ice as for DJG he is just a bit of a smart *** that likes to think he’s clever not a bit of wonder he gets slapped around in bars 😀 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
DJG
August 25, 2012 at 20:31 (Edit)
Haha Big Dace.
is there a point to that post ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
Wow Big Dace, you remembered something that happen 2 years ago. Didn’t think your goldfish IQ could stretch that far, but since we’re into the personal insults…. goodnight everybody. 😉
DJG(Quote)
HBA39-Sorry, how the hell can you tell Cisse is off form after 2 matches? Actually with your theory, after one match. You expect him to be benched after the Spurs match? Bearing in mind it was Ramadan? 😕
Newkie(Quote)
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@BD
I know we will get the **** taken for agreeing with each other but we have to speak the truth how we see things!
I have been jumped on for criticising Cabaye since he arrived. At this point, for anyone who doesn’t know my views on him, I want to clarify he’s a neat tidy player and has the ability to pick out a scintillating pass or two. However, my point has always been that so do most midfielders in the top teams in the premier. But he doesn’t do it often enough and he sits to deep when we already have a cracking defensive midfielder in Tiote.
Now Anita steps in and is clearly a defensive midfielder.
Nothing changed today for Cabaye. He sat deep and did nowt.
Before I get jumped on I want to emphasise I like him but don’t get carried away with the hype that some on here give him.
As I’ve pointed out on many occasions he looks far better when he gets forward. Far more dangerous and capable of scoring.
As for Anita, well he looked out of his depth but as always I will judge him in time. Not now.
As for Chelsea. I wasn’t impressed . They never looked that impressive to me. I’m talking in terms of winning the premier league here.
Finally, @DJG I used to go out with a Kimberly Clark!
It didnt work out and I flushed her down the toilet! 😯
Kimberley if you are out there, are you now living at Prudhoe like the lads are saying?
Like to feel you against my skin again. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
DJG thats it lad try to be a smart *** then run away crying see ya make sure you close the door on the way out, and be careful out there there’s lots of bad men about 😀 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Big Dave. Totally agree, expressing it differently.
Premandup(Quote)
🙄 Thats it Big Dave have your parting shot when you think I’ve gone. 😆
DJG(Quote)
Prem 😉 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Who are these bad men Big Dave?? I would come to you for a tattoo but heard you cannot spell.
DJG(Quote)
DJG you have to be over 18 to get tattooed 😉 but you just keep giving it the big boy **** 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
I’m back ,Sorry Toonsy and Newkie ,not ignoring you was seeing to the lad.
Toonsy@251 ,I agree it was defo an off day for lots of them , not panicking just yet but want to see vast improvment against Villa . Still think Chelsea much improved with Hazard and now Torres finding form again,there won’t be many teams come away from the Bridge with owt imo.
Newkie@252 , spot on that 442 ain’t working ,for what ever reason ,last week we were far better once we changed ,but Pards obviously had a reason for not switching and I still trust in him. 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Is that the best you can do? I’ll give you half an hour to think of something better. 😉
DJG(Quote)
Anyway have we signed anyone yet 😕
kimtoon(Quote)
Our initial bid for Carroll was to take him on loan for the season and to pay half his wages with no option to buy.
Liverpool board were not at all happy with this offer.
Last week we upped our bid to a season long loan paying half his wages AND an option to buy for £12m at the end of the season.
Apparently, the Liverpool board are still not happy. 😀
I wonder how Ashley will further taunt them this week 😀
sidekick(Quote)
Kim-He must have a reason, I just hope that reason isn’t that he told Ba he’d be playing 4-4-2 and now has to stick to his side of the bargain. Players shouldn’t be dictating our tactics… 😕
Newkie(Quote)
Doubt it Newbie. More likely 4-4-2 gives 2 banks of 4 when defending and 2 strikers up front. Great if we are Ok in the midfield. When out numbered we need Ba and Jonas to drop back to make 4-2-3-1. ATM We seem to be waiting till half time for AP to autherise the change. We need to be more flexible.
Premandup(Quote)
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Wow! I see no one is referring to Cazza as Judas now. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Sorry Newkie. Predictive text.
Premandup(Quote)
I didn’t think we were that bad, thought we were unlucky not score but was thoroughly outclassed by what could be title contenders this season. Cissé has had such a slow start in actually contemplating replacing him with Michu in my FF team 😕 .
andymag(Quote)
Right, just listened to Pards post match interview and when asked if Carroll was coming back he said ” no I don’t think so ,we are looking at maybe a younger player to come in ” he wouldn’t be drawn on what position it might be and not even sure if anyone would be in for defo. 🙄 The link is up on newsnow if you want to hear it lads. It’s the TALKSPORT interview tonight.
kimtoon(Quote)
I don’t know how Pards can mention thursday taking it out of the players as most of them wern’t playing ❓ As for Torres yeah he went down easy but Anita did foul him 😕
Big Dave(Quote)
Newkie @325 ,yeah I keep thinking back to that quote of Pards where he said Ba will be up front 90% of the time. actually at the moment he looks more sharp than Papiss does.Didn’t Ba get a slow start then start flying last year ,maybe that’s gonna happen with Cisse. 😕
kimtoon(Quote)
Premandup-But for me, 4-3-3 (or 4-5-1 as it could be interpreted) is precisely that-more flexible. Just seems to suit the attributes of most of our players better. That being said, perhaps Pards didn’t want to leave Anita alongside Jonas in their usual defensive roles and wanted him alongside Cabaye, a bit more conventional? Just seems that Jonas is a much better defender and could especially track the runs of Mata/Hazard whilst Cabaye could actually supply our forwards, instead of both of them failing to do the opposite.
Newkie(Quote)
I have always noticed when asked its always if the price is right is the 1st thing thats mentioned 😕
Big Dave(Quote)
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@Kimtoon
I would love to see Cazza back at the Toon for the right price but if they have another lined up then so be it.
If we don’t get Cazza I’m sure he will then be referred to as Judas by many again. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Kim-Aye he does look sharper. Thing is, Cisse doesn’t really ever look a *sharp player* he’s never looked as comfortable on the ball as Ba has (when they were both on their best forms) he just either takes his chances or he doesn’t.
Hopefully its the same for both though…
Newkie(Quote)
Not disagreeing Newbie. For me it’s tactics not promises. Agree two defensive midfield with Cabaye in front is where we play our best.
Premandup(Quote)
Well if that performance does not kick Ashley into action and get him too sign at least 1 quick strong CB then we are fooked . Colo for the first game since we came back up struggled and our defence was never in control , have too say they were not helped by either the midfield in front of them or a **** poor ref . Still it was chelsea on their home patch ,you know the team that conquered Europe last season beating the might of Barca on the way to the final . Upwards and onwards ,hope we give the greeks a right good hammering mid week to get the confidence back in the team .
Axel(Quote)
Prem Newbie ?? are you trying to make a point 😆 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Phil Dowd is a homer. This is the ref that oversaw our 4-4 comeback against Arsenal with 2 penalties along the way remember. 😉
DJG(Quote)
Kim @ 330;
Just listened to the Pardew interview.
My take on it is that when Pards refers to bringing in a younger player than Carroll , he is referring to a striker . However, that player would appear to be Adam Campbell , being brought into the first team squad.
sidekick(Quote)
Troy@335 ,Yeah it ain’t looking like he’s coming back now ,shame I would of liked him back, though I know a lot don’t relish the idea. The younger player is gonna be another one for the future I guess then ,what ever position it’s for. We really need an experienced CB and Fb not a young wet behind the ears lad. 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
Sidekick @341,God knows mate ,last night we had Douglas tweeting it was gonna be a busy week for the Toon and some guy tweeting we had bid £13m for Carroll earlier. Now Pards saying that ,so who knows .
Just been on a liverpool forum and they are convinced we are back in talks with them for AC. Another poster says there is an announcement due on Pools website later on. So much bullshit until the window shuts there really is.
kimtoon(Quote)
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@Kimtoon
Is that not the Toon playing mind games with L’pool ?
It’s the most obvious trick to pull when you are after a player and your first bid is turned down.
Get your manager to go on tv and say the deal Is likely over.
I hope L’pool owners aren’t reading this as I have let them in on the secret.
I don’t want Cazza to come on MOTD and blame Troy for the collapse of the deal!! 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Andy Carroll is still pretty young himself like… 😛
Newkie(Quote)
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@Kimtoon
Im sure you aren’t that naive to think Pards wasn’t playing the game? 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy ,he sounded pretty sure to me like. 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Troy ,I think we are into wishfull thinking mode now with the gameplay scenario . 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
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The fact has said what he has convinces me even more we will up our bid for Cazza.
Just a further point, for all those who say we are strong enough to get in the top 6 this season then today’s performance must ring alarm bells.
Not that I don’t expect us not to trounce teams with the same starting 11 but to endure the season with the euro games on top then I suggest you may be wrong.
Today was a hard lesson but we must use it to realise that we are one dimensional.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
@Kimtoon
You didn’t expect Pards to be looking shifty did you? 😯
It’s in his interest to look convincing surely? 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy ,we can’t let our desire to see AC back at Toon blind us to the facts ,IN this case the facts are Pards has said not happening. We have to accept it and move on .
kimtoon(Quote)
Out team needs signings otherwise we will drop down the league. Other teams are strengthening and we are doing nothing. This week will show us what our owner’s intentions are.
As for 442 – Utterly ridiculous that we are still playing this dated formation. I could care less what Demba wants, he either buys into what we are trying to do, or he f **ks off. Simple as that really.
The Kid(Quote)
Troy ,Pards always looks shifty to me . 😀
kimtoon(Quote)
Buck Rodgers will be panicking now thinking fuk im going to get no money of the Toon to invest in my own players, because Pards doesn’t want him anymore so maybe we should drop the price to get them interested in him again, reet need to get on to Lambastad and ask him does he want Carroll for £10mil take it or leave it 😆 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Strange how lethargic our lot looked considering only Cisse played on thursday when half or more of the Chelsea team played on wednesday…meh 😕
Newkie(Quote)
The lay striker I want to see here is Andy f**king Carroll. We need to stop going after target men and try to recruit a Pacey striker that runs the channels intelligently. Its what we are lacking. Its easy to defend against the two Demba’s as both play with their back to goal. All the opposition has to do is push the defence up the pitch and pressure us into long balls that are easily mopped up…i.e. What Spurs and Chelsea have done well.
The Kid(Quote)
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@Kimtoon
I’m not saying you are wrong as he could well be telling the truth. My thoughts are though, if you wanted to play the mind games, bearing in mind we have bid £12m already and I’m sure they never went in with their highest offer at the start, we are going to say we have eyes on other players.
There is no doubt that Cazza will be fully aware of the situation as talks go on behind closed doors all the time.
Kim – no one knows really. Not me. Not you. But never rule out that this could all be mind games. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Last* …crappy phone
The Kid(Quote)
Troy ,@357 ,fair do’s .
Big Dave @354 😆 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
The kid-I agree with you, there’s better value for money and it doesn’t suit our system. Or it wouldn’t if we went to some variation of 4-3-3….as we are now if we’re going to be stuck with 4-4-2, i’ll take any striker we can get 😕
Newkie(Quote)
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@The Kid
Fair point. Who do you suggest for &12m-£15m?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
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@the kid
My post didn’t send in full.
It’s a valid point you make but I would like to hear who you would like to sign for the same price.
And be realistic.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
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Off to beed as I’m knackered and I’m oot in jesmond tomoz wi the lads.
Is there anyone oot tomoz between 1pm – 5pm?
Howay!
Toon! Toon!
Troy Stavers(Quote)
For me i would like us too make a bid for Rhodes from Huddersfield 7or 8 m would get him .
Axel(Quote)
Troy
I don’t know, I’m not a scout, but there has to be options out there. The more target men we get, the more likely 442 remains. Pardew needs to address this and fast as we are not progressing with this formation.
Also, can someone remind me what wingers are for? The way people rate Jonas you would think their primary function is to protect the full back. Its lame. We need wingers who cause the opposition problems.
The Kid(Quote)
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It’s this point that I hate with the nighty nite club.
Someone says I’m going to bed and everyone tucks them in and says goodnight. 😳
Just let them go without tucking them in!!!!!!!!
🙄 🙄
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy away to bed will ye
Big Dave(Quote)
nite nite ,Troy 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Shame we didn’t get that Ruiz guy who we supposedly (but definitely didn’t) go in for.
Newkie(Quote)
Troy if you want too go too bed then just **** off up those stairs and tuck yourself in 🙄
Axel(Quote)
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@the Kid
I always dissed people who said cheap players were in Europe who were good enough to grace the top of the premier. However Carr has shown they are there.
But, they haven’t identified a striker all window.
I hope you are right and they have a player in mind but I’m not convinced.
As far as Jonas goes, he looks slow and overweight and has done for a season IMO.
Off to bed but will pick up any reply tomoz.
Toon! Toon!
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Hba need to be set free. only player looked capable of producing something today. sorry ba/cisse we can’t play with two up front. marv in please.
Not too worried about the defence. they didn’t create much clear cut. however in three games we have.barely created any clear.cut chances. every one of our goals have been individual moments brilliance. No team work evident.
Anita looked decent for a.debut in the league.
Coloccini is an absolute class act. anticipation is incredible.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
The Kid in that case we need FB’s that can do their job on their own and at the min we don’t have them, but I do agree that wingers are there to supply balls and attack etc, but as far as I can see most of the time Pards has Jonas helping out the FB which says to me that he doesn’t have enough faith in the LB doing the job on his own, tis the same with Cabaye who I think is a cracking AMF but seems to be playing as a DMF for 90% of the games even when we have Tiote
Big Dave(Quote)
Jonas does seem to have lost that bit of pace he used to have, I wasn’t sure whether that was because we told him to bulk up to defend better? Or something? I don’t think he’s unfit as he still does plenty of running, but he does seem to have lost that little burst that you need in a winger….hence why we need to play him as a defensive mid 👿
Newkie(Quote)