The manner of performance just wasn’t good enough and whilst it should be noted that we didn’t get many decisions going for us, the fact remains that we didn’t play well enough on the night.
Following on from that we head to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United. Decisions don’t come easy at the home of the Red Devils either and the performance will have to be much improved to stand any chance of taking anything back North from Manchester.
Granted there is less of that heir of invincibility about Manchester United these days, and regular tormentor of recent years – Wayne Rooney – is suspended, but Manchester United are still a strong side and will be hurting from their midweek home defeat to Everton. With a point to prove, and a title race to tray and claw their way back in to, they will be dangerous.
Manchester United:
Wayne Rooney is absent through suspension although Robin Van Persie could return after recovering from groin and toe injuries. Phil Jones is available once again after missing out against Everton through suspension.
Newcastle United:
News is awaited regarding the availability of Hatem Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse who both missed the defeat to Swansea in midweek. Ryan Taylor remains out injured and will be for some time. Moussa Sissoko and Yohan Cabaye are both still one yellow card away from suspension.
Previously…
Suffice to say that this isn’t going to make for good reading. Generally we tend to “give it a go” at Old Trafford but ultimately end up with nothing. We’ve never won there in the Premier League era and have only picked up the odd draw on occasion. In fact we’ve only managed to beat Manchester United four times in the Premier League era – all at St James’ Park – but can you name the scoreline and dates?
Last season we gave it some effort but ended up losing 4-3 courtesy of a last minute goal from Javier Hernandez. That was on Boxing Day following on from the 3-0 league defeat to the Red Devils at St James’ Park back in October 2012.
In the entire history of meetings at Old Trafford – all 75 meetings – Newcastle United have won on just nine occasions, the last time being in 1972. Manchester United have won 46 times with 20 draws making up the numbers.
Overall there have been 154 matches played, with Manchester United winning 77 times, Newcastle United winning 40 times with 37 draws making up the numbers.
Match stats and facts…
Manchester United have not lost successive home league games since May 2002.
Manchester United have conceded the second highest amount of goals from any side currently in the top half of the table. The only side to concede more is Newcastle.
Manchester United have won 78 Premier League points against Newcastle – more than any other club has against the Magpies.
Newcastle have the fourth worst away defence in the Premier League having conceded 14 goals already this term.
Final thought…
Much has been made of the “crisis” at Old Trafford but we’re still only 14 games into the season and there is a lot of time to go for a side that generally starts picking up form and momentum around about now.
Having said that, and despite firing blanks against Swansea in midweek, I do still fancy us to score in most games and if we can get that first goal it might be enough to tip the home fans over the edge.
As for us it’s a case of what to do? Is this the time to change things? What exactly can we change because, to me anyway, the lack of Hatem Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse – in form or not – dramatically reduced our options to change anything.
I never expect anything from Old Trafford and unfortunately I feel no different this time around. I would love to be proved wrong but history would suggest that we’ll put in effort but come away empty handed.
Howay the lads!
Date: Saturday, 7th December, 2013
Time: 12:45pm
Venue: Old Trafford
Well, wouldn’t you know it RVP could be back in time to face us 🙄 typical. If he plays, even if rusty he’ll get a couple I reckon, oh well not expecting owt anyway. Thanks by the way Toonsy.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Yeah bit limited up front if Cisse still injured, means we need Remy to be on form and Shola to play a blinder like against the Baggies and Norwich. Sadly Shola looked like he was tired on Wednesday and I suspect he won’t be up to another full game tomorrow too. If it was only needing to be up early for court on Thursday for Benny then he should be fit for tomorrow . I think he could cause a few problems for the Man U back line and surely he has a point to prove and a WC place to fight for 😕 I would maybe also consider Anita as his pace and good passing skills could be a big influence if only for the entirety of just one half.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Well looks like all the teams that have not won against united for a lond time are getting their way past them with ease be it cardiff or west brom. Well i wudn’t be too surprised if united loses even with a good performance.But one thing is for sure when the real devil wakes up the other teams will be shattered. GGMU
Rookie111(Quote)
rookie111, Well, I’m hoping they stay in their slumber for another game 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
Good that Shrek isn’t playing but I’d be a lot happier if RVP was out too, but I think they’ll try and rush him through to get him on the pitch. They’re pretty desperate.
But then again we could be a bit weak if Cisse and HBA are injured, as I think Shola is knackered. I’d play HBA instead of Shola.
Stuart79(Quote)
Seems idd that hba couldn’t play in a match because he had to get up early the next morning.
Surely he could give up a full nights sleep & be driven (or flown) to court?
Maybe i’ve got it wrong. Perhaps hba is a solicitor full time & he had to get up early to represent a client?
KK(Quote)
I AM NOT HAVING THIS ENGLISH FOOTBALL FANS DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL COMMENT
BOLLOX
ST is correct – barry is a very gifted player and was instrumental in city’s title winning season who their ITALIAN manager loved
would rather have tiote at moment but to say barry is average shows how little that person knows about football. in the right team and system that man can control a game on his own – as was evidenced on Wednesday night
id say that even if he was he was a foreigner
DOITFORSIRBOBBY(Quote)
Well, I’d been building Rooney up for a while because I thought he was due a performance against us after recent years-thankfully he’s put himself out 😀
Fact is if Cisse and Benny are out then we’ve no real options but to go same again and I can’t see anything but a loss with that. Shola should have been rested mid week, he will pick up an injury if he plays this game as well methinks. Play Benny behind the striker, there is plenty of space in front of their back four in the absence of any real defensive mid. Marv is back from injury and played on Monday, might also be a decent shout.
I’d also put Sammy on in stead of Obertan if we need a goal, or Jonas to see it out. Draw would be a very good result.
Newkie(Quote)
ps KK
Oba maybe is a good player, just not for us. that’s football. i wont shoot you down if you think he’s good because he may be, he just hasn’t shown it at our club in the years he’s been here and football statistics will show that he probably wont (at our club)
oh – and neutrals will deffo see saints as having as equal a squad to ours and evertons as better. swans im not sure.
DOITFORSIRBOBBY(Quote)
So Krul got player of the month? Not surprised Pardew got the award, but other than Tottenham he hasn’t even been our man of the match, let alone player of the month. Oh well, congrats, not like we get many of those things anyway 😛
Newkie(Quote)
Doitforsirbobby-You tell them southern hemisphere snobs pal 😆
Newkie(Quote)
http://mobile.newsnow.co.uk/A/683641175?-11058
WOW!, what a difference just 4 weeks makes 😯
It’s a strange old game, but huge congrats to both – well deserved IMO.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Maybe someone can churn the stats, but i rmb Van persie having groin injury and that IF he does play against us, his recent record against Newcastle isn’t that good either.
Have hope guys~!… Man Utd midfield is non-existence as of now. 😐
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
@doitforsirbobby
Agree about obertan. I can’t see how he could break into the first 11 on a regular basis. It’s too much pressure for him so he should move on.
I do think english players are overated by a lot of english fans but the same could be said about fans that overate foreign players.
Generally though, english football is in the dark ages at youth level, senior level & national level. Only the premier league is a success because it is so competitive.
Player vs player, i would say we have a better first 11 & squad than southampton but i’m not a neutral.
KK(Quote)
Where has it been said Van p is back
??????
Hello(Quote)
Krul winning the award for his (possibly once in a lifetime) performance vs spurs. He did the equivalent of scoring 10+ goals!
Pardew probably deserved it more because based on results, it does look impressive winning against chelsea & spurs.
Realistically, we probably only deserved 2 wins from 4. Chelsea should have been 3-0 up at half time & krul did something he won’t do again for a long time vs spurs.
6 piints from 12 isn’t too bad.
KK(Quote)
Everton went to old trafford without fear. They were the underdogs but the knew anytime can beat any other team over 90mins.
Do i expect us to beat man utd? No.
Did i expect us to beat chelsea & spurs? No.
Beating chelsea & spurs was a harder thing to achieve than beating man utd.
If we go into the game with a fierce mentality & really high tempo, we have a very good chance of scoring first.
If we score first, they will be under a lot of pressure & negativity.
The game is there for us to win. Otherwise we should not turn up, save some money & time, rest a few players, do some shopping etc.
KK(Quote)
Doitforsirbobby,
Gareth Barry is an slightly above average defensive midfielder. If he was so instrumental in Man City’s title win, then why can he not get near their starting lineup?
He is just as inconsistent as Tiote, but you overate him because you are English. 😛
I also never said Englishmen know nothing about football. I said they have exaggerated opinions about players the ability of English players.
JJ(Quote)
Should we just completely dominate the midfield?
———————-Krul—————–
Debuchy—Williamson—Mbiwa—Haidaira
Sissoko——–Tiote——Anita—Ben Arfa
——————-Marveaux—————
———————Cisse—————–
It’s not are best 11 or best formation but:
Anita & Tiote should be able to dominate midfield.
Debuchy & Sissoko, Haidaira & Ben Arfa should be able to cross the ball for cisse.
Sissoko should be able to power into the box
Ben Arfa could trick his way into the box
Marveaux shpuld provide 2 or more clear chances gor cisse.
I’d prefer ameobi or remy to partner cisse but i’m not sure on their energy levels.
KK(Quote)
KK where are you from buddy ❓
Newkie(Quote)
KK,
If as predicted Fellaini and Jones play for Man United in midfield, then I wouldn’t start Anita or Marv.
I’d also have Williamson there to mark Fellaini for set pieces, because he and Taylor are the only two in our squad that could do that job decently.
JJ(Quote)
Also, Doitforsirbobby,
In the right team and system, Andy Carroll could dominate and control a game. That doesn’t make him class. But most people in the UK went nuts over him. Completely over-hyped his ability. Its what they do…
If Tiote was English he’d be a regular in the first team. Barry struggles to get in the squad.
JJ(Quote)
I don’t want to take anything away from Everton coz their win was well earned. But that could well have went the other way if you watched the game. Utd had a number of good chances themselves. Utd badly missed Carrick in midfield, and without they are very weak through the middle.
If Utd are still without Carrick tomorrow then personally I’d definately play Benny thru the middle coz I think he’ll find bags of space
KK – I like that formation but I’d push Sissoko and Benny up with Marv and play Remy in place of Cisse – as I think Cisse is injured mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I would have more respect for Pardew if he dropped Colocini for Mbiwa tomorrow unless he wants us to get slaughtered by Manu. I have no idea why he dropped a player for getting two clean sheets against Chelsea and Spur, I thought good form should be rewarded but no!
stem(Quote)
Need some help
I have only been to Old Trafford once before for the semi final v Sheffield. I was in a drunken stupor. My younger days. Where is a decent place to go before the match.
I am on supporters bus that instead of having terms and conditions should have just said do not enjoy yourself.
toby le rhone(Quote)
I haven’t rated Colocini much this season and I think there’s better options less than 60k a week.
stem(Quote)
It wouldn’t ******* surprise me if he lost that match on purpose just to please Ashley and to have no fear of european football.
stem(Quote)
Jesus, the Gareth Barry talk is still going… ffs, who gives a **** about him.
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I know which Gareth B I’d rather have..
DJG(Quote)
Romantically? 🙄
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
🙄 😛
DJG(Quote)
Bang on lads. Gazza Barlow is an absolute hearthrob 😉
Newkie(Quote)
We’re winning tomorrow. Bank it.
Now bring on the World Cup draw
MDS(Quote)
@newkie
I’m from winchester which is not too far from southampton. Why do you ask? My bad spelling can be explained away because i’m typing on a mobile.
Gareth barry is a decent player but…
100% in form barry vs 100% in form tiote = tiote is miles ahead of barry.
KK(Quote)
@jj
Who would you play instead of anita or marv?
I would assume anita is a definite starter tomorrow. Marveaux might be on the bench but i doubt he will start.
@sharpy17
I thought his injury was minor & he would be back in action?
———-Krul——–
Debuchy—Williamson—Mbiwa—Haidaira
————–Tiote——-Anita————
——Sissoko—-Marveaux—-Ben Ara—-
——————–Remy—————–
KK(Quote)
4231 with anita & tiote protecting the centre backs is very strong.
I think we would be weak defensively whichever side ben arfa is on so perhaps:
———————-Krul——————
Debuchy—Williamson—Mbiwa—Haidaira
—————Tiote——Anita————-
——Sissoko—–Ben Arfa—–Remy——
——————–Cisse——————
KK(Quote)
Doubt Pards will make wholesale changes tomorrow, just not his style
Expect 1 and poss 2 at most, I also expect a defeat
stevep(Quote)
Don’t expect us to get anything tomorrow, hoping we can pick up points v Palace and Stoke as don’t think we’ll beat Saints either, and we can defo forget a win v Arsenal .
KIMTOON(Quote)
England against Italy in the Amazon then. Apparently it’s hot there. Glad we’ve got our excuses lined up 😆
Newkie(Quote)
France have a quality group though, at least some toon players will progress 😀
Newkie(Quote)
KK-it wasn’t your spelling mate. I was thinking along the lines of the argument yesterday that English football supporters don’t know much about football…i’ll hold my piece though 😛
Newkie(Quote)
Pretty happy with our draw. We can beat Ghana and Portugal but have to be at our best…which is as it should be.
No excuses for France then
MDS(Quote)
2 nil to newcastle….moyes get sack the next morning
Sham Nufc(Quote)
Yeah France have a jammy draw there, but our Aussie friends on here look to have a toughie in group B ,Spain and Holland plus Chile, ouch 😆
KIMTOON(Quote)
@NEWKIE
The argument yesterday that English football supporters don’t know much about football is based mainly on your opinions mate 😆
Aussie on the other, is ALWAYS right. 😀
Still, not all English football supporters know as little as you – just look at me 😆
KK(Quote)
Chile
Australia
Greece
Japan
Costa Rica
England
United States
All of these teams will go out at the group stage.
KK(Quote)
@MDS
Not so sure that we can beat Ghana & Portugal.
KK(Quote)
France could make it to the quarter finals but then they’ll most likely get knocked out by Germany or Argentina
KK(Quote)
Tough matches KK but not impossible….Germany on the other hand
MDS(Quote)
KK you just took all me bait matey 😆
See you all on here for manure post mortem!
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie 😆
KK(Quote)
I Have to say I am both shocked and disgusted with Barclays. 👿
manager of the month to the clueless tactician is bad enough, but player of the month for Krul is a joke surely. 😯
simply beggars belief.
How they can favour Krul’s one great day over Williamsons great month defies all logic.
Anyway they only gave us the awards so the kiss of death would work against the manure darlings. 👿
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
We will never get a better chance to beat these at lot old trafford, We are apart from wednesday in decent form, Ben Arfa will hopefully start with a point to prove.
Rooney is out, Van Persie is 50/50 but not fully fit and i honestly as daft as it sounds think think we have better players all over the pitch.
CC(Quote)
but do we have the belief that we can beat them ❓
I would love it, just love it if we finally do manage to beat them.
knuts
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
If we can hold firm against far better Chelsea and Spurs sides then we can beat this bang average (by their standards) man utd side imo
CC(Quote)
Rather defensive reaction there @ 7. I don’t think anybody said English fans know nothing about football.
The WC draw has given the Socceroos a tough task – but let’s face it, any combination of teams would make it a tough task for us. Just changed our manager, rejuvinating, eyes mainly on the Asian Cup being held in ‘stralia in January 2015. Might as well test yourself out against the best.
However, as you all-knowing English people will be aware, Australia has played Netherlands 3 times in recent years – won 1 and drawn the other 2 (although we got absolutely hammered 0-0 in the last game).
Only played Chile once – and drew.
Never played Spain. But we take heart from Bafana Bafana last month.
Never say never. As with v ManU tonight.
brisvegas(Quote)
RVP handed in a transfer request?
Stuart79(Quote)
I’m expecting a defeat tomorrow
stevep(Quote)
Yep, tough draw for Australia 😥 my local team Perth Glory had a great win last night
had 6 first teamers out and half the team under 23 including a 17 year old! Its a good omen for tonight! 
I see KK has turned into quite the **** stirrer! He tries hard, bless him.. he is a bench player, in the **** stirring league tho, he doesnt get near the starting 11 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Just got back from free running and I’m Knackered.
I hold classes every Friday and tonight was top secret in case the police turned up fortunately they didn’t.
There was me and 15 students and completed a full lap of the SJP stands and then finished off with a final leap from the East Stand onto the student accommodation.
There was only one casualty who missed the leap by a couple of feet but she managed to use the techniques I’d taught her to somersault to the ground safely.
My cape got caught on the flag pole but momentum prevented any tearage.
Classes start at 6pm next Friday if anyone is interested. Capes are optional but recommended as they create lift on the big jumps.
Speed 😯 ability 😯 strength 😯
Composure 😯 agility 😯 are vital in Free Running. 😉
You might think you’ve got none of the requirements but I can teach you. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy, if she somersaulted to the ground safely, why was there a casualty? 😛
DJG(Quote)
Free running 😆 more like free feeding 😆 that gut of yours doesnt get that way from running 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
At least Pardew can makes some changes to the team after our loss. I am not sure how he would have gone if we hadnt lost. After all you dont change a winning team! Its football fan law! 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Good morning all. So this is the day we get beat at old trafford again. They will be desperate for a win.
stem(Quote)
—————Krul—————-
Debs—Willo—–Colo—Hadaira
—————Tiote———–
——–Cabaye——Anita——
Sissoko—————-Gouffran
————-Remy————–
Subs: Elliot, Ben Arfa, Cisse, Shola, Santon, Mbiwa…
JJ(Quote)
JJ, that line up looks a little right side heavy to me.. so you dont want any wide left players? 💡 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie,
Hadaira provides width being natural lefty. Gouf provides movement and tracks back.
Remy also likes to take up positions high on the left.
JJ(Quote)
I’m off to OT today to watch us give them tossers a good basting, before putting them in the oven to cook. By the time they’re done HBA will eat them up.
1-2
Stuart79(Quote)
Bloody hell JJ, I was talking about the format of how the team was set out on screen, not who was playing where.. it was a joke.. 🙁 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie,
I can’t see what it looks like on your screen. But looks normal on my phone.
It’s quite fitting that your last comment was no. 69 because it sucks any way you look at it. 😆
JJ(Quote)
Now, now boys play nicely . 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
Hate these bloody lunchtime kickoffs, pain in the **** for me. Bad enough I will be feeding Lewis but with him being off colour still it takes twice as long 🙁 . Anyway still think even with a lightweight side they will beat us but hope I’m wrong.
Stuart@57, Where have you read/heard that like?
KIMTOON(Quote)
Still have Welbeck and the Pea to think about even if RVP and Shrek aren’t playing.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Boom boom JJ 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
😆
JJ(Quote)