Next week it is QPR at St James’ Park with the aim being very much three points against a side who have yet to win this season (famous last words, watch them get a win today or next week against us), but today we have to try and get something out of the Premier League champions and their expensively assembled squad.
It is going to be a tough ask, a very tough ask, when you look at how we’ve been playing recently but all we can do is give it our best shot and see what the outcome is at the end of it. Giving it our best shot is something we haven’t done too often this season for me, but it’s all I ever ask and providing we do just that I’ll be happy regardless of result. Well, relatively happy anyway…
The big team news in the build up is the news that Hatem Ben Arfa is rated as doubtful after aggravating a hamstring injury on Monday night at Fulham. Maybe it’s some of those “mind games” regarding his selection but I guess the team news will reveal all. Incidentally all team news will be published in full below as and when it becomes available.
The game is live on Sky Sports 2 so if you aren’t at the match you can head down the pub or watch it at home providing you have Sky. It’s also being picked for broadcast by a whole host of overseas TV channels so if you aren’t at the game, don’t fancy heading down the pub or don’t have Sky then you might be able to catch a stream of it. Suffice to say should you find a good stream please feel free to leave a link to it in the ‘comments’ section below.
Which just about wraps it up. The match preview is online here for you to peruse should you feel the need to although it basically details our horrific recent record (L9, D2 of the last 11 games) against City.
Suffice to say my expectations aren’t exactly sky high for today but we’ll see what happens. A hammering wouldn’t be good for confidence so I’d obviously like to avoid that as I’m sure most of you would, but I have a horrible feeling about this game…
Howay the lads!
Newcastle: Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Davide Santon; James Perch, Cheik Tiote, Vurnon Anita, Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba, Jonas Gutierrez
Subs: Rob Elliot, James Tavernier, Shane Ferguson, Gael Bigirimana, Sylvain Marveaux, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi
Manchester City:
Subs:
3 hundred and 1st 😆
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Those toon fans hoping that we sell Ba because he is selfish, and that it will improve the team need there heeds looking at. We will be in desperate stakes if Ba should leave in January. Pardew needs to find the best formation to play with Ba in the team.
A lot more fight in our side today, but for any fans thinking that Mancini had targeted Santon because he is not such a good defender, more likely Mancini targeted Jonas, because he brings nothing to the team, and needs a spell on the bench to recover his spark.
I wonder how far Paul Dummet is away from pushing for a first team place ? I mean the sweaty league is pretty gash, but Sellic are in the next round of the Champs League so they cannot be too bad ?
Put your house on us beating QPR next week, there’s nowt more certain 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
Will there be enough highlights to make a season review DVD BB? Perhaps the club should just issue an apology instead. 😥
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Just re-watching our second half performance. Not sure where Vurnon Anita was playing, but wherever it was, that is HIS position! I haven’t seen a midfielder link so well with the players around him for some time.
Quality player.
The Kid(Quote)
well for me there just a glimmer but only a glimmer of improvement,but no change in defending and for me jonas has lost his legs and put weight on,maybe hes been comfort eating but needs resting imo god knows we need comfort from somewhere ime losing heart just hope the players are not,colo must be having nightmares playing in that defence,pardew now has to prove how good or bad he is
icedog(Quote)
By the way, Williamson played well today, but there has been very little said of it…
The Kid(Quote)
Shamrock – is it his head firmly up Ashley’s ****?
Personally I want to know what Hughton has that Pardew doesn’t?, it certainly isn’t a squad full of better players (IMO). He just has them playing to their strengths. Mind I’ve heard some pundits say Lambert deserves all credit 🙄
Hughton brought in his own players and has experimented with players and formations to find the set up which best suits them.
Pardew was in the papers this week saying he still hasn’t found the best way to fit both Ba and Cisse into the team!. Well he’s only had a bloody year to find it, and surely that should have been played out before buying Cisse FFS.
Anyway, the Scum got well beat today as well so live isn’t all bad 😀
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hmm Sharpy. Where Hoots has his players players playing to their strengths, it seems Pards has his players doing the opposite.
Shamrock(Quote)
Shamrock – maybe not completely the opposite, but I think it could be argued that his persistence with 4-4-2 up until recent games has not favoured his best players, and seen them played out of position or the likes of Ba and Cisse paired that didn’t work. Also his refusal to drop out of form players hasn’t help. That’s the bit that’s disappointed me most I think. Some players have been given the chance to prove their worth IMO, what’s the point in having a squad if you’re going to stick with the same players regardless of form or fitness.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Pardew’s fate will come down to a few key games and we have to win most of them. The latest he could be sacked and still save the season I would think would be early February. Ashley probably learned at least that much when Shearer was only given 8 games. Whether it comes to that is impossible to say because we don’t know the plan for the transfer window (I certainly hope Ash/Llam have one). I’m not expecting miracles from Pardew but I think he will have to get at least 45 points from the season to be worth keeping him around. That leaves us with 28 points to get from 21 games. Can we manage that? I’m not sure but that would give us a chance for 15th or 16th place I would hope. Poor but at least we stay in the Prem.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Our organisation for the third goal was a joke. We had Willo on Dzeko which is fair enough, but Colo was reluctantly acting as right CB and Simpson was left vs 2 manc players and a bunch of our midfielders were just standing around. Such sloppy goals.
Newkie(Quote)
The Kid-Willo has often played well, but still gets the blame (usually for our entire season being so poor, or in the case of last year, for us not getting CL football)
I thought he did will, considering he was against Tevez and Aguero backed up by Silva and Nasri, all of whom I thought would run rings around him.
Newkie(Quote)
We are now 2 points and 1 place lower than we were in the relegation season (courtesy NUFC.com). So very much on par with that set of performances. What to make of it? Our strengths seem to have deserted us and doubts have crept in. Ba is scoring but many supporters seem to feel he is selfish and hasn’t provided enough for Cisse or is being played in the wrong formation with Cisse. I’ve always heard that good goal scorers have to be selfish. By being selfish sometimes they score probably at a greater rate than the players they would pass off to. Whatever happens with Ba I think we will be worse off without him than with him. He is a quality player and as far as I can tell keeps his head up on the pitch. I like what I’ve heard about Cisse the person but he must improve and be used better by Pardew or it’s all for nought. Improvement has to come from several other players as well including Tiote, Jonas and whoever subs in for Cabaye. Marveaux and Anita seem to be improving to me but we have such a bother at the back now it gets disguised by all the losses and goals conceded.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2-Aye agreed. We need to keep Ba and then ideally a wingforward. to supply either Ba or Cisse centrally
Newkie(Quote)
Can Pardew get more out of this team Newkie? I’m in 2 minds about that. When I hear Pardew talk I’m not filled with confidence. But then I have to admit he hasn’t been given the support he needed by Ash/Llam. Still he will have to bring in more points per game in the final 21 games than he has so far or he will be gone and we will be questioning Ashley’s motives about whoever gets brought in to replace him.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2-If the rest of the performances are, generally speaking, like our last 3 vs man city, wigan and fulham then I think we’ll be alright, with additions. The key is being backed in Jan, I can’t see us getting anyone better than Pardew now.
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie –
#312 – He played well today. I think we need a quality CB to play alongside Colo, but for me, Wiliamson is no worse than Taylor. Two mediocre CB’s.
#314 – Loic Remy!
The Kid(Quote)
Look how good Tarabt was today for QPR….Benny is twice the player he is, get him in the hole ffs.
Newkie(Quote)
The Kid-Yup, they are very much alike. Staylor probably just pips him as he can pass better but is a liability with his elbows, his flying floor tackles and obviously his injuries.
Remy would be good, I like the look of Miralem Sulejmani, maybe Anita could put in a word?
In all honesty, I’ll take anyone now. Bring back Leon Best ❗ ❗
Newkie(Quote)
I hope you’re right Newkie. There is some sign of life in us. The question is how much will QPR raise their game now they have a win and a decent performance for ‘Arry? Will Ben Arfa be back and will Pardew sit Jonas out and give Marveaux a chance or shuffle things with Tiote, Anita and Marveaux? I’m already getting anxious about this one.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I’ll also take back any CB going…Woodgate, Aaron hughes?…Bramble? 😆
Newkie(Quote)
Don’t worry about QPR, I’ve just ordered my tickets and I’ll be close enough to bark out my instructions…3 points guaranteed 😉
richietoon(Quote)
Have to go for a while lads and lasses. Thanks for the discussion. Richie we’re counting on you. 😆
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 …nae probs, Fly out tomorrow, been 20c here today so my question is will I need to take a jacket for my 2 weeks in Newcastle?
richietoon(Quote)
Richie-Good lad 😉
All we need now is Toonsy and Aussie to predict a loss and we’ll be treated to a 6-0 victory….
Laters G2 😉
Newkie(Quote)
Aye, the one comment from Aussie that fills me with dread is “I’ve a good feeling about this match” 😕 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Fellani should be out for 12 games, filthy c*nt that bloke.
Newkie(Quote)
He’s always been a dirty fecker, should have been off when we beat them at Goodison with Benny’s strike.
richietoon(Quote)
Richie-Yeah, usually a sign to not watch the match 😆
Yeah, I’ve thought that about him every time we’ve played them. He always gives his elbows a good work out.
Newkie(Quote)
I just think what Pardew said on BBC Newcastle to Fat Mick was a bit disrespectful (and clueless). He said that… quote, ‘the man on the street’, ‘and in the pub’ or something like that; doesn’t understand how the things they work on in training and the tactics of what they do work. 😐 I’m sorry but we understand a lot better than you think. So buck your ideas up Pardew, we’ve seen more managers come and go here than you’ve had hot dinners and we know about how our team is playing equally (probably better in historical terms) than you. 😉
DJG(Quote)
When in doubt, vomit on a badger. 😛
Always works for me.
Rodzilla(Quote)
DJG, I didn’t hear that interview, but must admit Pardew does come across a tad patronising at times. His blah blah blah ‘the fans should be grateful we didn’t sell anyone’ after the last transfer window irked me somewhat.
Let’s face it, as charismatic as he is, he’s a fucking mouthpiece. Fatty’s PR geeza innit.
AYYYYY 😯
…I’s rather have Hughton. 😎
Rodzilla(Quote)
*
I is rather having Hughton innit
Rodzilla(Quote)
I’d rather have Hughton
AAAAAiiiiiiiiYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY 😯 😯
Rodzilla(Quote)
There ye gan bedsheet boys, new chant for the 70th minute against QPR when we’e 2 goals behind…
PARDEW IS A HUE
PARDEW IS A HUE-OO
SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT THAN HUGHTON
AND SO IS PANTONE 152 😯 😯 😯
Rodzilla(Quote)
**** off
Rodzilla(Quote)
…a flock of Oompa Loompas scampering fearfully into a forest (filmed from a microlite, with conjunctivtis) could look like a smattering of Pantone 152.
Just in case anyone was interested.
Rodzilla(Quote)
…kinel, sorry, Peter Gabriel just tornd up at mi hoos with the corpse of Patrick Moore in a rubble sack and fawa bottles of Absytnh!!!! 😯 😯
…in the fucking bag. 😯
PPPPARTTTTAAAAAYYYYY 😯 😯
😯 😯 😛 😯 😯
😯 😯 😛 😯 😯
😯 😯 😛 😯 😯
😯 😯 😛 😯 😯
😯 😯 😛 😯 😯
😯 😯 😛 😯 😯
😯 😯 😛 😯 😯
😯 😯 😛 😯 😯
😯 😯 😛 😯 😯
…in a Gangnam styl rubadubdub-tree men inat 😎 ub innit
Rodzilla(Quote)
SCRIBBLE 😯 😎
Rodzilla(Quote)
…good word that, scribble. 💡
Rodzilla(Quote)
place a mirror in front of your screen and listen to this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyltMQFEi9E
Rodzilla(Quote)
pork scratchings are the fuckiing business like. 😎
Rodzilla(Quote)