Swansea v Newcastle – Premier League match preview

Swans v Magpies
Swans v Magpies
Our first away trip of the season will see us visit the Liberty Stadium – home to Swansea City – following on from the 2-2 opening day draw with Southampton.

The match last week, while entertaining and rather positive in terms of the way we approached the game in an attacking sense, still highlighted the same issues that blighted us last season. That being a rather ropey defensive unit although I do see signs in Chancel M’Bemba that he could turn out to be a very good central defender. It’s early days though so let’s just see how it pans out first.

While our draw was fair it was at home to Southampton who are a good side, however the draw the Swans managed at Stamford Bridge is a rather more notable achievement. They’ve played in a certain way for a good for years now going to back to before they arrived in the Premier League, but they are building on it each year and continue improving aided by Garry Monk who played for the Swans back in the day when their current philosophy was introduced to the side.

Swansea:

The home side have very few injury concerns to contend with as manager Garry Monk has a near fully fit squad to choose from. Ki Sung-Yeung is the only injury doubt after limping off in the match against Chelsea and it is touch and go whether he will be risked given the fact that a hamstring injury was sustained. Jordi Amat in in contention to play after recovering from a broken metatarsal.

Newcastle:

United do have a few absentees with Emmanuel Riviere looking to be the longest term to date after undergoing cartilage surgery. Remy Cabella and Paul Dummett are both now back in training but are unlikely to feature this time around.

One surprise face that could continue his role in the team is Vurnon Anita. The more open-eyed fan will have noticed that our performance dropped off when he left the field of play on a stretcher last weekend so to see him back and in line to resume his role in the team is quite pleasing. Hopefully he can build on a positive start to the season.

The other area up for discussion is the striking berth. We saw both sides of Papiss Cisse last weekend with wayward passes balanced out by an ability to find the back of the net but at some point he is likely to have to relinquish his role to Aleksandar Mitrovic. However I don’t think that will be tomorrow and while Cisse is scoring then there is no need to drop him in my opinion.

Previously…

Our recent record against the Swans is woeful with no wins in the last six meeting between the sides and only one point gained in that time. You have to go back to April 2012 – a 2-0 victory at the Liberty Stadium – to fins our last recorded win against Garry Monk’s side.

However historically we do have the edge still although that gap is narrowing. At Swansea a total of 18 games have been played with United winning nine, Swansea winning seven with two draws to make up the rest. Overall, home and away in all competitions, there have been 37 meetings with Newcastle winning 19, Swansea 13 and five draws.

Facts and stats:

Swansea have picked up more Premier League points against Newcastle than they have managed against any other side.

Only one player has scored in the Premier League for Newcastle at the Liberty Stadium. That man is Papiss Cisse who has bagged four goals on his visits to Swansea.

Newcastle used just one English player (Jack Colback) on the opening weekend of the season, the fewest of all Premier League sides.

Swansea lost their last home game (last season against Manchester City). They have never lost back-to-back home league games under Garry Monk.

Final thought…

It’s another tough game, one that I’m not expecting too much out of if I’m being completely honest. Swansea showed against Chelsea that they are capable and, despite being labelled as ‘deluded’, I’m sure most of us will admit that we’re not at the same level as Chelsea.

That being said, anything can happen on a given day and you never quite know what to expect. Against Southampton we were good in spells and really turned the screw before running out of steam and in the end we were lucky that one of those late chances that fell to the Saints wasn’t put away. If we can take the good bits of the performance last weekend through into this match and leave the bad stuff behind then who knows?

Howay the lads!

Date: Saturday, 15th August, 2015

Time: 3pm

Venue: The Liberty Stadium, Swansea

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.

51 thoughts on “Swansea v Newcastle – Premier League match preview

  1. Cheers Toonsy. Yes you are spot on regarding Anita, I said last week we lost our flow when he went off injured. I know Tiote has been injured but even when fit he tends to slow down the game too much. I like how we were trying to play out from the back and pass the ball more and quickly too, makes so much difference. Think Mbemba and Colo have a real test on their hands tomorrow,how will they cope with the height of Gomis I wonder. And you just know bloody Ayew is bound to score after being linked to us so much 🙄
    On the plus side we do pose a bigger threat now with Gini and Cisse is always capable of getting a goal. If Sissoko has his playing head on that will help too and he does seem to have an understanding with Cisse.
    Reckon we could scrape a draw if our backline concentrate for the full 90+ mins, no brain farts aloud tomorrow . HWTL 🙂

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  2. Good preview Toonsy, cheers.
    Would happily take a draw, preferably 0-0.
    A clean sheet would do the defenders confidence a world of good.
    Howay the Lads

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  3. maybe not so much ‘on form’, but just a little interested and determined would be good. 😉

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  4. It’s been a while since I’ve been on. Good sum up of Anita last weekend Toonsy, as much stick that myself and others give him he can link a midfield and was missed when taken off. I am optimistic about tomorrow, though I always am at the start of the season. 2-1 Newcastle. Ayew, then M’bemba, then Cisse. I’m calling it

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  5. Cisse is not only a bad passer of the ball but his close control is awful and his first touch is usually terrible as well. That’s probably why he tries those impossible snap shots, because he hasn’t got the skill to get the ball under control first.

    However, it works sometimes. Let’s hope it works a few times v Swansea.

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  6. I did some scouting for next week and watched Man U. They were shyte and then Schweini came on and they were good. Still didn’t have a shot on target except their deflected goal. Rooney doesn’t know if he is a midfielder or attacker and was awful (he always picks up his game for us though).

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  7. I reckon we’ll finish above Swansea.

    They’ve not replaced Bony so may struggle scoring. Gomis was dropped a lot last season.

    2-1 Sissoko, mitro

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  8. I agree Eric. Man u looked very disjointed. Villa looked useless apart from a bit of energy. Reckon villa will do poorly this season

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  9. Ice and Stuart from the previous thread. Here’s a quote from McClaren about Kemen (I admit I lifted it from Uncle Ed):

    “Yes, definitely. He’s a good player.”I like him.” “I call him a young Cheicky, that type of player.”

    “He’s come back late because of the France U19s. He’s been in and out of the first team, training with us.”

    “But I like him. He’s still only young, and still got a lot to do.”

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  10. According to some that watch Kemen regularly, he isn’t quite ready yet.

    We have some good players (apparently) coming through that may be close but with more money available and the need to keep pace with other teams purchasing quality players, they may find it difficult.
    With this Toney lad be given a chance. Callum Roberts has faded since lst year

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  11. expecting a really tough game but I’m also more optimistic about our New set up, Style & having some game changers on the bench

    I’ll say 2-2 but a more convincing one than the smash & grab job last season

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  12. I watched Kemen a few weeks ago on tv playing for France bairns, and he was by the far the poorest of a very bright bunch. Still, he is captain, so there must be something about him.

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  13. Tricky old game this. We need to break up their play very early and disrupt them. Then we can start playing. If we defend like we did last game they will murder us with their movement.

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  14. STUART@20 you got it about spot on there but can we move the ball quick enough don’t think SM has got them there yet this is a tough start to
    get it flowing,our first six games makes it hard to bring in a new way of playing

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  15. Spurs have signed a forward and hammers r looking at a Turk.

    Offer 12m for Austin and H Vuckic. This waiting game may pay off ( if indeed we’re after him)

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  16. Montero will batter Janmaat today..

    agree with Stuart79@20….. the toon unit hasn’t been honed yet, too little time playing together…

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  17. MM: we now get the Bundesliga live on yet another channel. Yesterday I had the choice of Bayern, Man U and the French League – all live at the same time on a Friday afternoon. The problem with Bayern is that it is a bit unfair and inevitable a lot of the time, like watching Barcelona.

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  18. Re the Shearer statue, it captures something of him from certain angles but not quite right imo.

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  19. I bet you Freddie is well peeved having paid so much money for that piece of scrap.

    I bet big Al is horrified at the outcome. Looks absolutely nowt like the lad 🙁

    sculptors and architects, what a bunch…, 🙁

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  20. MM: Montero played great last week but he is not always like that. He had one goal last year. I couldn’t find the assists and I know that is his main purpose. I wonder what they were?

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  21. It is surely time for a clean sheet – no ball watching with crosses and corners.Swansea aren’t anywhere near as good up front as Southampton, just got to get hold of centre midfield and their number 10 space, then scare them a bit and see how they like it. Time to wipe a slightly smug smile from Swansea faces.
    Come on Munich, you need another bike ride, last week wasn’t too bad in the end and this will be better. 😀

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  22. If anyone is interested here’s the upcoming games on BT and Sky
    sat 22.aug at 12.45pm v Man utd BT LIVE
    sat 29. aug at 12.45pm v Arsenal BT LIVE
    mon 14 sept at 8.00pm v W.Ham Sky sp 1
    sat 26 sept at 5.30pm v Chelsea Sky sp 1
    Sun 18 oct at 4pm v Norwich Sky sp 1
    Sun 25 oct at 12pm v S/land Sky sp 1
    Sat 7 Nov at 12.45pm v B/mouth BTLIVE

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  23. Everton just scored an identical counter-attacking goal to the one we scored against Southampton.

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  24. Eric Sykes @29, regarding Montero mate, do you know that for sure or are you just assuming that ? Have you watched the bloke regularly ?

    Every time I have seen Montero he looks absolutely brilliant, especially last week he murdered the Chelsea right back.

    Based on this I reckon Janmaat is in for a torrid time today, cos he is somewhat slow in turning and could struggle.

    I reckon Schteve will have noticed that too though 😉 😉

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  25. Lionel@30, our defence is absolutely pish mate, and we could have easily conceded 6 against Southampton. You did watch the game didn’t you ? 😕

    Still, I don’t want to upset your rose tinted outlook 😎 😎

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  26. MM I looked up his goal tally and watched a few Swans games last year. I do recall him skinning another right back, can’t remember who. Hopefully Janmaat can slow him down with a sly kick or two.

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  27. On that Shearer statue. His goal celebration was with an open right palm. The sculptor must have found the one photo with him raising a finger. Freddy should ask for his money back.

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  28. Saints look less than average today like – that’s 2-0 Everton now.

    Big difference between Everton playing Saints today & us playing Saints last week is the Centre Backs – organised, strong and both good in the air. But it helps them having Howard behind them, who commands his box fair better at set plays.

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  29. I hate to say it but I still think if we match Swans today and play 4-2-3-1 then we will be the weaker team and I’d expect us to loose. Really hope I’m wrong but it’s just a feeling I have.

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  30. I don’t get the Everton fans flying a plane over the ground today wanting the board & Bill Kenwright out?! – ungrateful mother funkers!!.

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  31. Eric Sykes@39, I hadn’t realised I had such a hold on you mate 🙂

    Get doon the pub and have a few snecklifters with the rest of the Chicago Mags mate 😉

    Then you can come on later and wind me up after the toon win 4-1 and Collocini scores a brace 😆

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  32. Sharples@45, maybe Kenwright has had an attack of the Ashley Syndrome and hasn’t parted with any of the 100 mill that he got for last season.. ?
    Understandable really if the fans are peeved ? ….

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  33. Sharpy

    You would be amazed how many accuse us off that RE Ashley/Pardew

    I’m not judging Everton for expressing their feelings but this plane thing is so tired now

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  34. Munich/CC – Kenwright has done a remarkable job at Everton and has always put the club before money. He brought Moyes in and at that time they were brassic as a football club, but Kenwright gave as much as he could to allow Moyes to keep Everton a top 10 (usually 8) club. Since then he’s brought Martinez in to ensure the fans are served up a certain style of football – and backed him heavily (for Everton) with money for players. He’s shelled out close to £30m for Lukaku and so far has not let John Stones go – for what have been big bids for a player bought for £3m.
    They may not be a mega rich club, but Kenwright seems to have always done his best.
    Maybe it’s a case of seeing how much the Reds spend each window and the green eyed monster has kicked in.

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  35. Sharpy – agree totally with 49. Hardly like he is milking the club dry, I think Everton are just pissed off nobody with money has bought them, as that’s the real reason they’ve never broken into the elite of British football in the last 20 years, despite being so consistent.

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