The question now is whether United can build on their midweek success by toppling a team who, thanks to having no issues with transfer windows, are one of the top sides in the Premier League.
It’s going to be a tough game but we usually manage to raise our game when the top sides come to St James’ Park, and with fresh hope and renewed impetus brought about by events of the past week or so I wouldn’t be counting on the three points if I was a fan of the West London club either.
Of course we have the extra motivation of facing our former striker and still our top scorer as Demba Ba makes a swift return to the club he spent 18 months at before moving to Chelsea at the start of last month. Personally I’m over that. He’s gone and it’s become clear that was part of the plan all along. He’s got what he wanted but also served us well in the process.
Newcastle:
Sylvain Marveaux’s foot injury is not as bad as first feared and the Frenchman resumed training yesterday. Ryan Taylor and Dan Gosling are also in training although neither are anywhere near match fit. Hatem Ben Arfa and Haris Vuckic are both still sidelined through injury. Cheik Tiote is away with Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations.
Chelsea:
Eden Hazard is suspended for this one following the ball boy incident at Swansea. John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses are away at the ACoN, Petr Cech and David Luiz are both doubtful as is Juan Mata who picked up an ankle injury in midweek against Reading.
Previously…
Chelsea beat us at Stamford Bridge earlier on in the season, and they won on their last visit to St James’ Park. I was at that game and although they won 3-0 they had an awful lot of help from the referee who failed to send off David Luiz in the third minute of the game.
At home we have had the upper hand over Chelsea through the years. Of 73 games contested between the two at St James’ Park, Newcastle have won 35, Chelsea have won 25 times with the other 18 ending in a draw.
Overall, home and away and in all competitions, our record isn’t great against Chelsea. There have been 152 meetings between the two clubs with Chelsea winning 64 times, Newcastle 49 times with 39 draws making up the numbers.
Stats and facts:
Newcastle now hold the record for the amount of French players fielded by a side in any one season. The previous record was seven but we’ve now fielded eight Franch players, and that could be nine if Massadio Haidara makes an appearance before the end of the season.
It’s been 27 months since United last came from behind to win a game. The last time we managed to do just that was October 2010 at West Ham.
Chelsea have not lost in their last five visits to Tyneside and have only conceded one goal in those games to boot.
Tim Krul is likely to make his 100th appearance for Newcastle, and Mike Williamson will follow him if he makes an appearance.
Chelsea have picked up more points away from home than what they have at Stamford bridge this season.
Rafael Benitez has two fewer points than Roberto Di Matteo managed in the same amount of games at the start of his tenure.
Final thought…
The win against Aston Villa was much needed but it hasn’t soled all of our problems. We’re still too close to the relegation spots for comfort and the only way to claw our way away from it is by winning football matches. To get to 40 points we need to grab 1.1 points per game but getting three each time is obviously the quickest.
The point being that a draw tomorrow would not be the end of the world but we should be looking to give Chelsea a game and grab three points. Don’t get me wrong, Chelsea are full of attacking threat but they also have a defence that can be got at and if we can do that and our new signings continue to impress then why not talk about winning the game?
Allez la lads!
Date: Saturday, 2nd February, 2013
Time: 3pm
Venue: St James’ Park
Promoted: Fancy a flutter on the match? Then why not head over to FREEbets.org.uk and check out their promotions and special deals that could be available to you. Good luck!
FANS the reason Douglas has not moved is he stated he would stay until the end of the season ,the thing is though apparently their is a one sided clause in his contract , that if Twente wanted , his contract can be extended for 1 more season meaning he won’t be a free agent in the summer .
Axel(Quote)
FANS Austin is the sort of player we should look at as well because if we dont we are in trouble with the home grown rules come the summer . Simson will leave and i dont know how long Gosling has left at the club but i would get rid of him first chance we get . Shola wont last another season and i have a feeling Williamson will be sold in the summer as well . As for players from the lower divisions cutting it in the prem just look at swansea and Norwich’s squads their is a fair few in both that have peformed well .
Axel(Quote)
NOBBY February 1, 2013 at 15:32
‘Is haidera left footed? If so…. Great!’
Apparently he’s 100% left footed. The ‘expert’ commentators always said that about Benny and that his right foot was just for standing on, then I seem to remember him smash a long ranger into the top corner with his right foot. 😯
DJG(Quote)
I would take a draw tomorrow. 😎
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Hey pootle 😉 , dont have online so can’t update (transfers done manually). Not suprised by the way we have been playing, many players were rated fairly highly back in September so I’m sure FIFA have altered a few, tbh some, like Bigirimana, should be higher.
Andymag(Quote)
I see we’ve released Madison, Knight, Riley and JJ Hooper today. Surely this is getting a bit ridiculous after clearing out 8 last summer? What is going on there? How are we actually spotting these players? It can’t be Carr doing the scouting? How many teams release 12 young players within 8 months? Strange way of building through youth.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
GT
We released hooper 😯 , thought he was supposed to be one of the big ones coming through, described as being like Drogba. 🙄 Hope Campbell still comes through.
Andymag(Quote)
Wow, some nice passion shown on here 🙂
I am not sure why B&B is copping so much heat, he is entitled to an opinion just like everyone else. If you don’t like his views, skip his posts, easy done. Keep sticking up for yourself B&B, don’t let them get ya down. 🙂
I will update my feeling for this match later today, stay tuned 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I think we must accept that Ashley’s vision of Newcastle is:
plug ‘n play.
Youth players scouted by Carr are players pushing for first team. We simply do not have an academy as such. I’m not saying it is is neither good nor bad. It is quite simply a business model to take the undervalued members of other youth set ups.
griff(Quote)
Can’t wait Aussie for your update. You are so informative. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Thanks Troy!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie I agree with you about B&B. but instead of ignoring his posts they should write a 25 page letter why they are ignoring him. 😛
Bit of his own treatment. 😆 😆
Priceless. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Axel, I’ve never seen the kid play, but, again, with 16 goals last season and 19 so far this season, he’s gotta be doing something right and he’s 23 and homegrown (for you Brits) so why the hell not?
I’m still hoping we go after Altidore, whose record is very, very similar to Bony’s this season and it’s comparable to Bony’s previous season and he would be (or would have been) a **** sight cheaper if we went for him this past window. If he continues to tear it up for the rest of the season at AZ, I can’t imagine he’ll stay there.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Troy 🙂 🙂
How do you think we will go today mate?
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
@Aussie
I would take a draw now.
It all depends on how Chelsea perform and our new signings. I don’t suppose anyone is confident that we can win but there’s always hope.
What do you think. ?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Chelsea are wounded atm and our confidence is fragile so a draw is on the cards. I’d take a point if it was offered now 🙂
However……….. the competitive optimist in me says we will hang on for a 3-2 win 🙂 🙂 – not going to say I have a good feeling because it upsets Big Dave, Kim and Newkster 🙂 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Are chelsea physically wounded, or just in their pansy hearts? I don’t know their injury situation, really, and haven’t watched them this season. Will Pardew set us up to stop them, or to win? I’m guessing the former.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Fans, bit of both as far as wounded goes… they have dropped a heap of points from good positions so they won’t be strutting about with any swagger (we will leave that to Troy ) They also have injuries to some of their better players… I have a feeling Ba will come back to fecking haunt us tho 👿
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Here’s an interesting stat: Our top assists man is Marveaux with 3. Theirs is Mata. He’s got… NINE. ****.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Ausssie, I’m drunk and can’t be bothered doing the research. What time is it over there.?
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
See what I did with the punctuation there? Proof. My fingers ain’t doing what I told em.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
yeah, I think Ba’s going to hit us for at least one.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Will people boo him tomorrow? I don’t think he’s done anything particularly wrong “if I’m honest.”
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Fans – 10 am in the morning (Saturday 😉 )
I think Ba will put on past us to be honest…… We will need to shut down Mata and your stats suggest the reason why…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
@Aussie
Are you still idolising me? 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
He will get boo’d mate…. for sure…. if only to put him off his game…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Troy, let’s not get too deluded there big fella 😉 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie
You should know the score before us then if its 3pm over there before it is here.
Will you give us a shout if we win or draw. If we lose I won’t bother going. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
So on a scale of 1 – 10, 10 being absolute idolisation and 1 being you think I’m great craic, where would you put me? Hmm? 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
-1
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
If it’s 10am there, Aussie, the game is just starting, for me in New York. Good luck.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
give me you mobile number Troy and I will txt you the result… just put your number up on here, it will stay between you an me 😉 (don’t put B&B’s up as a laugh either )
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Saylor strikes me as a big doofus, but I really liked his comments here–he’s listening to French language cds in his car. Ha!
http://www.express.co.uk/football/view/375066?
“We have to move on. It’s now Frenchland. I am listening to French language CDs in the car and I’m sure my accent is terrible. But thumbs up means good and that’s all they need to know.”
Although Newcastle did manage a first away win of the season at Villa Park, it has been a season of decline and Alan Pardew’s side are aiming to secure back-to-back league wins for the first time since April. Poor results persuaded owner Mike Ashley to spend about £20m on six new signings, all from France.
Taylor said: “This season things have not gone for us. Our luck hasn’t been there. We keep playing well in games and getting beat, but injuries have played a big part.
“Last season we went through to December with the same team, but this season the gaffer would get up to Thursday and still not know which team we had for the weekend due to injuries and suspensions.
“Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye have only
started together three times this season. When Hatem Ben Arfa gets back from injury the squad will be very healthy and there will be competition for places, which the gaffer has not had.”
The ability and strength he has is top class and his talent is there for all to see
Steven Taylor
As for the French-only buying policy, Taylor has no problem with it.
“They’ve been a breath of fresh air around the place,” he said. “The night before the Villa game in the hotel they were all presented with a shirt and the gaffer asked each of them to stand up and tell the lads why they signed for Newcastle.
“They all did it and they all said they wanted to be accepted by the players as quickly as possible.
“That’s a really good sign. They also had to sing a song as well, which is a new tradition. They were a bit embarrassed at first, but they got right into it.
“They were singing in French so I’ve no idea what they were going on about, but it was a great atmosphere before the game and the manager and the coaching staff have made sure they feel part of the group.
“Their arrival feels like a massive weight has been lifted off our shoulders.”‘
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Sounds like they’re trying to build good team spirit too. Would have liked to see the Karaoke session…
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Troy, I have a confession to make.
I’m sure you’ve been wondering, but I made the TROYS LEATHER SETTEE profile on here.
rest assured I was intoxicated at the time 😆
I think toonsy deleted it though, ‘bringing the blog into disrepute’ or something. It won’t let me log in.
My apologies for sh*t craic.
Nobby(Quote)
Ha! Nobby. I thought it was class! 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Nobby – How did you find it on twitter?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I was full of it yesterday, thought we’d definitely win. Now people saying that Mata could be selected. That’s put me off a bit.
I’ve got to say, I hate Chelsea… But Mata is probably my favourite player in the league ( after cabaye). Passing, tackling, assists, goals… He can provide it all, Jesus…. Pass the bloke some gloves and I bet he’s mint in goal!!!
Maybe Sissoko could end up like this…. This fella could be HUGE for us.
Nobby(Quote)
Aye lad on twitter, had just come in from the pub and it was in my feed
Nobby(Quote)
How can it be in your feed if your not following me? Or are you?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Agree Nobby, Mata is a class act….
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I am, ‘Nobby Clarke’
Nobby(Quote)
Feckin hell Troy, I thought the Nobby part of his name may have given you a clue 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aye, but the “Clarke” bit will have thrown him 😆
richietoon(Quote)
“I am Nobby Clarke”
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
😆 😆 😆 😆
Nobby(Quote)
What your feeling for todays game Rich?
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
We’ll get at least a point Hopefully be able to watch it as it’s on Canal+ just need to find somewhere that shows that channel, is “Geographic” an Aussie chain, reckon that place will be my best bet.
richietoon(Quote)
Never heard of “Geographic” mate. 😐 I’ll have it on my big screen tv if that helps 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aye but will you be getting served steak n beer by a sexy senorita wearing hotpants? 😉
richietoon(Quote)
No, but I will be having steak and chips cooked on the bbq and a few beers 😉 …. I will have to change out the sexy senorita part with a grumpy wife tho 😆 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Unfortunately the sexy senorita will be serving while the grumpy wife is sat next to me 😐 😆
richietoon(Quote)
🙂 🙂 when did you tie the knot mate? I thought you were Geordie George Clooney of Spain(without the looks and coin) 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Chelsea look vulnerable at the back and hazard is one less problem to deal with.
I would play a
Krul
Taylor Mbwia colo
Debuchy santon as wing backs
Anita holding to watch mata
Cabaye sissoko
Marveaux
Cisse
That would combine strong defence with a fast counter attack and leave it congested for ba and mata
Liam southern toon(Quote)
2011 mate, traded in the 1st one, I’m more like the Buster Bloodvessel of Spain…without the looks or the coin 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Rich 🙂 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Richie Buster ? Yeah a few yrs back maybe, but now more of a Fester 😆 .
But it could be worse you could look like a wombat 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Having £20 on Sissoko to score first today.
Stuart79(Quote)
G2/Andy – I know I’m miles behind but was at graft last night so playing catch up. I can’t believe we have released JJ Hooper?! 😯 👿
The looked a real prospect and I envisaged he and Campbell playing upfront for us one day.
The players we’ve stuck with over the year, and are sticking with actually, who seem a lot worse is madness.
The only thing I can think is that maybe he was offered another contract and wanted a lot more than we were prepared to offer, coz really, giving him another 3 yr contract to see how he looked at 21 or whatever he’d be then really wouldn’t have cost too much in the grand scheme of things.
They must know something we don’t I think 🙄
Sharpy17(Quote)
For the record, womats are very intelligent, cute and the ladies love them 🙂 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie – Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. I don’t get people who react to criticisms of their favourite player or lover manager as if you’ve just called their lass a slapper. 🙄
.
At the risk of being written off as negative, I think we’ll lose. 😥 I reckon the back four as a unit under Pardew is suspect. I hope this new lad, Mbiwa, is playing and he can make a difference.
Santon looks like he has all the attributes to be a very good centre back, although you can’t properly tell until you see him there. We haven’t replaced Enrique in my book.
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
Well for the next couple hours I’m a huge Norwich fan. QPR have apparently made 28 signings in the past two seasons spending over 50 millions pounds. They deservedly sit rock bottom of the league.
Can’t stand their manager, can’t stand their chairman. Come on Chris Hughton!
JJ(Quote)
Aussie- just curious. Do they show most of our matches in Aussie?
MDS(Quote)
Harry is standing up and telling the owners what he wants and where they need to invest to improve the team. I’m not sure I get this anti-QPR stance, even if people don’t warm to Harry or his sharp practices.
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
JJ – 😯 28 signings in 2 yrs!! That’s just nuts isn’t it!, and yet they have only spent £50m on that many players 😕
I’m right by ya tho mate, singing like a canary during that game. I see Remy ain’t playing either 😀 what a shame.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Right Santii, I’m off to the match. I’ll give the lads a big positive roar from you. I have to stop short of giving Pardew a kiss from you though! Have you got any messages for him? 😆 😆 😆
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
When did Samba become the best defender in the world. The entire prematch preview has been blowing smoke up his ****.
JJ(Quote)
B&B – well it’s quite simple from my part, the anti QPR stance comes from the fact that they are currently below us and I want it to stay that way mate!. Secondly, QPR believe they are a bigger club than what they are just coz they have a rich owner who’s prepared to throw money around. Thirdly, and maybe most importantly, Arry is a bent shitbag who’d trade his own mother in a transfer window just to get on SSN!
Sharpy17(Quote)
They’ve spent around 60mil after sales Sharpy. That’s a heck of a lot for a club that only has a gate of 18 000.
JJ(Quote)
What a miss by Norwich.
JJ(Quote)
C’mon Norwich .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Bad news about Mata playing 👿 ,May have to revise my 2.2 prediction now 🙁
KIMTOON(Quote)
JJ – I want us to finish above Norwich so a draw might be a better result. I just happen to like cockneys – salt of the earth sorts.
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
What a miss by Mackie! I’ll be happy to see Hughton pick up a win here.
Wellington(Quote)
Kim – Yeah, Mata’s important alright. I’m hoping he’s been rushed back. 😐
Wellington(Quote)