Newcastle v Hull City – Premier League match preview

Magpies v Tigers
Magpies v Tigers
It was a little over a month ago when Manchester City walked all over us in our opening game of the season.

Things looked bleak and frustration was starting to boil over, not just regarding the performance, but also a lack of summer additions and yet more comedy off the field.

To be fair that anger and anxiety is still there, but since then we’ve seen an upturn in fortunes when it comes to results on the football pitch. We’re unbeaten in four games in all competitions since Manchester City. We’ve won three of those, and another win tomorrow against Steve Bruce and his Hull City outfit would represent our best points return from our opening five league games of the season since the year 2000.

Maybe it’s misplaced optimism, maybe it’s cracks being papered over, but right now results are good and, perhaps more interestingly, performances are better than they have been for a while, both in terms of style of football and the way we approach a game so for now, at least, things are looking better than they were a month ago even though little has really changed. It’s amazing what a few positive results can do for supporter feeling.

Newcastle:

United will be without Steven Taylor who picked up a knock in training and is likely to be out for a week or so. Jonas Gutierrez remains absent with a hamstring injury while Shola Ameobi also looks likely to miss out after picking up an injury on international duty with Nigeria. Aside from those three, plus longer term absentee Ryan Taylor, Alan Pardew has a full squad to choose from.

Hull City:

Captain Robert Koren has been ruled out for up to two months after breaking a bone in his foot. Paul McShane is out with a hamstring injury while Maynor Figueroa has been granted compassionate leave to attend a family problem in Honduras so will also be missing. Striker Yannick Sagbo is available after completing his suspension.

Previously…

There isn’t much of a history to reflect back on between the two clubs. The most recent meetings all came in that fateful relegation season of ours with United failing to register a win in any of the four games between the two sides – Hull winning twice at St James’ Park and holding us to draws on two occasions at their place.

There have been just 14 games played between the two sides with United coming out on top in seven of those compared to just four wins for Hull and three draws which make up the numbers. The highest scoring game (and biggest win registered by either side) came back in 1934 with United beating Hull 6-2 at St James’ Park in the old Second Division.

Stats and facts:

Hatem Ben Arfa has had more attempts at goal in open play than any other player in the Premier League so far this season.

It sounds worse than it actually is, but the last time Newcastle beat Hull in a league game was in 1990.

Hull have not won an away game since they registered victory at Fulham in March 2009 – a run which stretches back 20 games.

Final thought…

Whenever I think of Hull I cast my mind back to that relegation season. For whatever reason we just couldn’t beat them and in the end it was us who was relegated instead of them. Of course it’s not their fault as our results over the course of that season did the damage and not a team who we should have been beating with the greatest of respect.

However they did prove to be tricky customers despite them being the underdog in most of their games. Bigger teams than us fell to them so I’m very wary of complacency regarding this game. We have enough to beat them on paper, but football isn’t played on paper and can pan out completely differently to how people may expect it to. We’ll be the favourites, but it’s also up to us to get the job done.

Howay the lads!

Date: Saturday, 21st September, 2013

Time: 3pm

Venue: St James’ Park

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.

113 thoughts on “Newcastle v Hull City – Premier League match preview

  1. It would be reminiscent of the 11/12 season if we can win three league games on the spin. Similarly to Aston Villa they will try and beat us in the air from a set piece so the big guys will have to be marked better. I think they will have a similar defence also, if our forwards take it on it may crumble.

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  2. The main thing I would like to see is a really good attacking performance with the same team picked. They need to show that the last game and a half was not a fluke and this is how we are playing now. We need to keep playing like this and if there is an injury or suspension someone else needs to come in and take over, like Marveaux.

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  3. Toonsy, Hull have obviously come a long way in the last 10 years and deserve credit just for that. Did anyone see the programme about the rise and fall of Swansea City? When Swansea won 4-2 on the last game of the season to avoid relegation out of the football league 10 years ago it was against….Hull City. 😯

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  4. Cheers Toonsy

    Need to rack up another win against “Hull Tigers” as in a way, our last two results/performances have put their own pressure on this game. Every fan seemingly expects a victory and we have come unstuck in these games in seasons gone-and last year no less! Our 5th placed finish started with getting the job done, nothing flashy but solid. We need to do the same this year against the teams we can. It would be nice to have a big win to boost and finally get Papiss scoring again but at the end of the day 3 points is what we’re playing for and I’ll take a 1-0, though hopefully not a scrappy one 😀

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  5. Also Toonsy-is Haidara fit now then?

    DJG-Same, hoping for the same team. Hopefully Anita keeps tiote out, other than that there aren’t any obvious changes. If Papiss is poor again I would be tempted to switch him with Remy and start using Goof or Marv on the left.

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  6. NEWKIE
    Agree mate, what is it that beats these sides? If they go to Man U or Liverpool or somewhere they (usually) get beat and it is quality that beats them. If we try and go for hoof ball or an Aerial battle they will give us a game. If we get the ball down and pass it with a good tempo and get them double marking Ben Arfa then it will open up space for Remy to run into. We need Huddlestone and Livermore to be controlled as well. Anita, Sissoko and Cabaye need to cancel them out and try to control the midfield, if we do that they we really be in trouble.

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  7. My worry is that the team will be tinkered with. Tiote is now fully fit. He shouldn’t just walk back in as Anita has been doing well but will seniority rule?

    Also what DJG says is right. Teams will double up on Benny but we at least have another option now in Remy.

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  8. DJG-Exactly. People are worried about teams doubling up on Benny but as you say it will open up space for us elsewhere and now we actually have an attacking threat on the other side of the pitch they will have to be very careful. With Villa I was very worried about the counter attack, Hull don’t seem to have that much pace in the side so hopefully we can pin them in their half. When you considering the passing ability of Mbiwa and Colo and the link up ability of Anita we should finally have a side that can keep the opposition penned in their half and make them chase the ball + open up for us.

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  9. If Tiote starts, he should start in place of Sissoko.

    Tiote and Anita are not replacements for each other at all.

    I would say our team should be built around Anita. He has to start (and finish) every game.

    We have nothing to fear against Hull. If we don’t win it will be because of complacency. It will be because Hull wanted it more.

    We will win. I expect us to win 3-0 or 3-1.

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  10. I don’t expect Tiote to last 90 mins.

    Based on Pardew’s previous choices, i would expect Tiote to start and then be subbed for Anita after 65mins.

    However, Pardew is too scared to change a winning combination (especially for a game we should win) so Anita will start & Tiote will come on after 65 mins.

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  11. I’d like to see Cabaye subbed and swapped for Marveaux in the second half.

    I think Marveaux is probably the most underrated player at the club. Somebody needs to make him angry & aggressive so that he can actually impact a game instead of doing the odd sublime pass.

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  12. Read somewhere this morning that Pardew was having difficulty deciding his starting line-up. Why? You can see why some people still worry about his management skills even though we have made a good start to the season.

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  13. Groucho – nothing to consider in my mind but he has hinted about Tiote’s seniority. I have to ask what has that to do with anything? Anita seems a far better player than the old bull in a china shop. Anita rarely gets caught in possession – Tiote’s forever getting caught. No brainer for me.

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  14. Good preview Toonsy, if we start the same team we can win but I do think Anita will be dropped for Tiote which I think would be a big mistake and a bad signal to send out to the other players.
    But maybe Pards will reward Anita by letting him keep the shirt .

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  15. I hope Anita starts. He deserves to. However Tiote looked a little bit like his old self when he came on in the last game and he can still be an epic player for us when he is on form.

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  16. I’ve got a good feeling about this game :mrgreen: 3-1 to us.. you can all thank me later.. 😉

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  17. There is no need to change the starting line up.. players are fresh, no mid week games and it’s a winning team… no brainer…
    Huddlestone is a lazy fecker, a good player but a lazy one. We should have Sissoko running at this guy at every op, he won’t track back..

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  18. I wouldn’t be bothered by tiote starting but really this match is made for Anita as we should be going straight at them. If we have thoughts of success this season, this is a match we should win comfortably

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  19. Thanks Toonsy . I wanna see the same team as last week and the same or better performance again . If Pards drops Anita for Tiote it will be wrong on so many levels as he has been excellent so far and deserves to stay in the starting 11. I also think it will leave Anita thinking ,what the hell do I have to do to keep my place ,so hopefully he’s not dropped . I have only watched Hull once this season on TV v Man City but was very impressed with their workrate and they should of gone ahead on more than one occasion first half ,one particular cross from Robbie Brady was a peach which should of put Hull ahead. I remember thinking how well they attacked City especially first half but late in the second half they conceded the first of two goals which was unlucky. I don’t think they will be a walk over ,they got a draw v Cardiff but I never saw that match so not sure how good they played. All the same expecting a win otherwise last week was for nowt if we can’t beat the so called lesser clubs.

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  20. Groucho-why does that worry you? If Cisse has another poor game he would be out of the first 11 and Remy up top for me with Goof coming in. Not sure why that is so off the radar this week.

    Thank **** saylor is injured though, we’ve looked solid defensively since he’s been out. His stupid punch might just be the best thing he’s ever done for us 😆

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  21. I still think Tiote at his best is better than Anita, but we’ve not seen Tiote at his best for a very long time now. I didn’t want to drop Anita for Cabs and I don’t want him dropping for Tiote either. Its Cabs and Tiote that should be fighting it out really..

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  22. Newkie I respect your views but I would beg to differ regarding Tiote and Anita. They are different players and personally although I like Tiote I think that Anita suits an attacking passing game where the ball is kept on the ground.

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  23. Anita & Tiote are completely different types of players.

    Sissoko is the closest type of player to tiote so they should battle it out.

    Cabaye and Anita are also similar.

    It depends on how much we want to win. Tiote, sissoko & cabaye is more defensive than anita, cabaye and one of the others.

    Anita is too important to drop for any other midfield player.

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  24. Looking forward to the match. I hope to see the same 11 start. I could see Tiote as a sub in the last 20 minutes or so to get him up to game speed. Hull shouldn’t be able to match us at home.

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  25. NEWKIE
    What are the injuries to Steven Taylor and Guttierez out of interest? Bruised egos? 🙂 I still think Tiote at his best got silly yellow cards and gave free kicks on the edge of the box, ‘Little Vurn’ is a more valuable player in my book.

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  26. KK
    Tiote vs. Anita = Anita wins
    Tiote vs. Sissoko = Sissoko wins
    Tiote vs. Cabaye = Cabaye wins
    On current form Tiote needs to wait his turn as we simply have better options. The only time I would start him is against a top 6 team away, where we need someone to chase the ball when out of possession, even then it would be hard to justify dropping Anita as he does that job so well and commits less fouls.

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  27. Groucho/KK -I know they are completely different players, I never said otherwise. What I’m saying is Tiote at his best is more effective than Anita on an individual basis, at least on evidence I have seen so far-but we have not seen enough of Anita really. It depends on how we want to play of course but nobody should be safe. Like I said before any of our midfield 3 could and should lose their spot if they take their foot off the pedal. Tiote used to boss midfields when he was alongside Nolan and was essentially alone in the hassling. He also used to be a very good passer-didn’t he have 100% success on his debut vs Everton?-and his long range passing has improved while he’s been here. He just tries to be too flashy nowadays and still picks up silly yellows but has also lost that competetive edge.

    Cabs wasn’t really anything special vs Villa and if Anita can get to grips and get forward more often then he might be the better player to play in the advanced midfield role. Cabaye often seems to vanish when he plays there..

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  28. I don’t think the question is ‘who is the same type of player’, I think the question is, ‘who will Parsnip drop’ and I think NEWKIE and a few other recognised that that player might be Anita as he is not as far up the pecking order as Sissoko and Cabaye and probably Jonas. Pardew put Cabaye back in the team in a different position just to get him in the team. He was not spectacular but did free up space for others well and could get the odd poachers goal if he can keep his composure better than the last few he has mis-hit. Regarding Anita and Tiote, they are not the same player but they are filling the same holding position on the pitch, with Sissoko generally recognised as a midfielder with licence to go forward and Cabaye in a more attacking position.

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  29. DJG 😆 sounds about right!

    To be fair, Cabaye gives away silly fouls and picks up yellows as well, not to the same extent but he must be glad he is awesome at shooting from free kicks because otherwise he’d be struggling to get a game as well. Still, at least he put in a shift against Villa, last year he was so lethargic after such a good first season. If he can cover the pitch then he does have more talent and should keep Tiote out of the side well enough.

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  30. As a complete player, anita is better than tiote, sissoko & cabaye.

    Anita is a better passer, he’s more mobile & a better link up and team player than cabaye, sissoko & tiote.

    Tiote is more fearsome than anita. Cabaye is better at freekicks than anita. Sissoko has better physical attributes.

    Anita is the most rounded player in that lot.

    Pardew can’t drop cabaye, cabaye is way too popular and influential for that. He doesn’t want to drop tiote or sissoko as he likes big strong powerful players rather than small, technically fantastic players.

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  31. Since the cup game it seems Marveaux is a forgotten man again. Didn’t he have the most assists last season with limited playing time? Is it possible he will get some playing time or will it take a couple of injuries to the midfield for it to happen? Don’t know what to think of him anymore myself. He was so poor against Morecambe. I would still like to see Pardew try 4-3-1-2 with Ben Arfa in behind Remy and Gouffran (or Remy and Cisse if Cisse recovers form). That would leave a possible right wing position open to be fought over by Marveaux and Anita. I would have Sissoko in the middle for his size and try Cabaye on the left.

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  32. Most old school english managers and coaches have the same view as pardew. Thats why we have such technically **** players english players.

    English players struggle to dribble and are too scared to keep posession so they pass it to a team mate thats surrounded by 3 opposition players. Either that or they just kick it up the pitch.

    How many small players on this blog were never given a chance because they hit puberty too late??

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  33. @g2

    That would be very nice to see although i think anita should always be a starter.

    The morecombe game was rough. I think marveaux struggles when he’s involved in physical intense games.

    In a no contact match he would really be fantastic. He needs to be more aggressive and less scared if he is to fulfill his potential. Perhaps his experience with injuries are holding him back and he just wants to stay injury free for a season so he’s holding back??

    I would love to see a 4222
    Anita cabaye
    Ben arfa marveaux
    Gouffran remy

    All of those players have great off the ball movement and are comfortable and smart enough to play in that formation.

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  34. Ben arfa, marveaux, gouffran & remy in the same team! The opposition would have no idea who to pick up. They would have no chance of doubling up on any of them as they can all run at the opposition and dribble.

    I’m dribbling just thinking about it…..

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  35. Geordietwo-He doesn’t do himself any favours does he. He looked poor in all the cup games up until the bigger Euro ones last year, he just doesn’t seem to want to put a shift in unless it’s the league. Even then he is prone to disappearing in games, especially 4-4-2. Maybe he could be tried further up, or in centre mid, but unfortunately we’re quite stacked there. Obviously he is better than playing in games against morecombe-but it’s part of the job and that’s where he has to prove he is good enough.

    KK-I agree Anita is probably the most rounded of the midfielders, although an argument could be made for Sissoko soon, but it could also bring out the “jack of all trades” tag. in the 2011/12 season Tiote and Cabs were a great pairing and when they played in the 3 it was Jonas who needed replacing. Now Sissoko is essentially a better version of Jonas in the middle. Anita is different-but I did like the way we played vs Villa so by all means give it another crack.

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  36. Sorry kk but 4 4 2 ❓ are u sic mate ❓
    Look at the stat since pards here.. 4 4 2 is loose majority of our game ❗
    All lasT years 4 4 2 and u see what happened..
    We played pards have listen too us i think 💡 halaluyaaa ❗
    He s back 4 3 3 ..yes the same when we finsh 5.with ba on the left (still to day not happy 😉
    No please 4 4 2 hoof football **** and dirty game looser finish… ❗ i can t live that an other season ❗
    God ❗ hope alan perdu not heard u… 😳

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  37. 4 3 3 is the strongest tactics and we played lovely like that …(i prefere 4 3 2 1 wth hba free 😉 ) but If we winnig games… 🙄
    I dont know if pards wake up his bread or someone in the hierachic club must order this ❓
    but i dont care …i see decent football and goals …players happy and fans too… 😎

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  38. Sory kk 😉 but in ghe middle we can heating a hit big hurikan…
    The pich is large and bigger for a 4 2 2 2 u know …
    I dont know if existing a coach tactic using that… 🙄
    But 4 4 2 will be a 4222 too…
    I don t know…

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  39. Based on current form we should win tomorrow, and I think we will -2-0.
    But my only fear would be similar to that of Toonsys @7, which is that Pardew may tinker with team. Same starting 11 as was against Villa, playing with the same mentality and we should have quite a comfortable day.

    We have some difficult games beyond Hull in the league so the confidence of 3 wins in a row could be a big help.

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  40. Djebs9

    Existing a coach tactic does use 4222.

    Pellegrini (man city) used it at villareal.

    You’re the funniest poster here! Are you foreign or just joking?

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  41. I do my best kk..
    Of course i m not english..dear watson.. 😉
    But i try to be funny sometimes u r right 😆
    Sorry but i think evry body can understand a little bit no.. ❓ 😉

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  42. Sorry but i never seen 4222 ..only on pes2013.. 😀
    No…i lougthing.. but 442 is contracted for 4222 thats it..because if u keep this 222 on the pitch..u must ruing like steve austin mate …and u loose 7 -0 easely i think… 🙁

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  43. How old are u too..we played policmann here ❓
    U live on ur computer all days..u have not an activity ❓
    How old are u …litle bread ..u missed inteligency man..u can working ur mind a litle ? No ?
    Why u want my age i can be ur dad mate …
    I try to speak correctly ..and u **** with me with my age ? U dont shame ?
    What is is fucking blog ?
    If not toonsy bb geodies and other i apreciate i never back here ..
    What hapened kimi ? U r very kool usualy…u maried with fucking monkey mind troy or what hein..?

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  44. DJEBS@54 well I’m not married , have plenty to occupy me and 52yrs old since you ask. And the steve Austin thing was what made me laugh @51 and I know you know what lmfao means you tinker. 😉

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  45. Kim theres no flies on you girl 😉 .
    I gave his first rant a bye ball but this is the 2nd time he has abused bloggers so he will need to wind his neck in.

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  46. Troy it’s funny how he can spell words right one day then the next he cant remember how he spelt them before 😆 but he does seem to have a bit of a temper

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  47. Wind ur neck in ur *** big davanus..
    Troy **** u…
    Kim .continu to.suck them ..
    **** u all..****** geekks.go play with ur same dirty bread..poor bastards ..
    Happy or not hit ur breads in ghe wall… ❗

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  48. Kim @ 62 you know me I love a bit of craic and banter but there is a line and it seems that some love crossing the line.
    in Djebs case I do know he has been on the receiving end off a bit of banter ❗ but that is the difference it’s been banter Djeb has crossed that line and has abused others and its not the 1st time he has done it

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  49. Dave ,who do you think Djebs is ,he’s obviously British ,do you think he’s a regular blogger on a wu ❓ I bet it’s Joe Kinnear 😆

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  50. It always worries me when I see people predicting 3 or 4 nil. It has been said long and often that there are no easy games in the PL, and as we all know things with Newcastle United are never so simple as ‘we are on a roll so we’ll win this.’ Every game is a new start, and I’ve watched a couple of Hull games (or bits thereof) and they are no slouches.

    As ever, I expect things to be close but, as ever, will be hoping we give them a good thumping. Mind you, I’m more hopeful with this one than I would be if it were, say, ManU or Arsenal or one of about 6 others.

    Howay the lads.

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  51. 2-0 I reckon…I still can’t see us letting lose on a side, we aren’t gelled enough. Hopefully I’m wrong though!

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  52. We will concede one and score 3, I’ve told you all twice now.. listen up or i will keep my tips to myself 😎 😛

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  53. I see there was a brainless wum on here last night. Troy, why don’t you have a night off fella 😆 😆

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  54. Depends on who scores first. If they do. Sloppy corner. then they will park the bus and we might nick a 1-1 draw late on. If we score first we might go on to get a few.

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  55. We may have to start calling you Gameday Richie cuda.. the only time you show up on here is game day. Why don’t you post more often? There is plenty of misery to go round, join in the fun 😆 😆

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