This weekend, Rafa’s Magpies make the three hour journey down the M6 to take on a Preston North End side no doubt wounded from their 6-0 Cupset midweek. In what was firmly expected to be a much tighter game, a vibrant Newcastle side put 10 man Preston to the sword to book an EFL last 8 match-up against Hull City.
And now, with a rematch looming, I feel the dynamics of Saturday’s contest will be completely different to that of Tuesday’s win for four reasons:
- Home advantage for Preston (the obvious one)
- The size of Deepdale’s pitch
- Complacency
- Selection headaches abound
It hasn’t been long since the last time NUFC had a cup/league double header – against Wolves last month in fact, where both sides claimed one scalp a-piece. We were a mess, if truth be told in our first game against Wolves but dramatically improved in the midweek outing to progress further in the EFL Cup.
This time around we were stunning in our first match against Preston North End, so will our second match-up be ill fated in a reversal of what happened against Wolves?
The main conduit that will help Rafa’s men pick up all three points on Saturday will without doubt be the ability to switch up our style of play to suit a smaller pitch such as Deepdale’s. Looking back to midweek, playing a 10 men side on a pitch the size of SJP is small fry for the likes of Jonjo Shelvey who can zip the ball around with ease. So the question is, what do we do when faced with cramped conditions against a side desperate for redemption? The answer – fight fire, with fire.
With many of Newcastle’s slow starters of the season i.e. Perez and Diame now starting to find their feet also, Rafa certainly has some tough decisions to make this evening. But I feel this match is made for our more guttural midfield and attacking fighters. Whilst not expected to start, target man Daryl Murphy may be a savvy inclusion in Benitez’s squad should he wish to bring him on to see the game out with 20 minutes to go.
As good as Clark has been this season, I’d favour the slightly more physical Mbemba to line up along side our skipper. Elsewhere I feel the front two picks themselves with both Mitrovic and Gayle being partial to plenty of goals recently.
Preferred line-up (4-4-2)
GK: Darlow
CB: Mbemba
CB: Lascelles
LB: Dummet
RB: Yedlin
CM: Shelvey
CM: Diame
RM: Ritchie
LM: Atsu
CF: Mitrovic
CF: Gayle
I think Huddersfield and Norwich had both been somewhat fortunate up until the last week or two, in terms of winning games that could have gone either way. Norwich less so than Huddersfield, but I’m still not surprised that they’ve stumbled a bit.
A lot of people would say we were lucky to beat Norwich, but really they were lucky to be ahead in the first place. It took a combination of us missing a host of chances in the first half, then giving away a clumsy penalty on the stroke of half time, then giving up a goal on a nasty deflection. You wouldn’t expect any of those three things to happen on a consistent basis, much less all in the same game. Yes, Norwich probably should have been able to see the game out being up 3-1, but in the end, the result was more than fair.
Charlie Prince(Quote)
It’s a long rest for Ritchie then. 3 weeks worth. The international breaks truly do my head in. The way they break up the season just isn’t right. International football should only be played when the proper stuff is finished. If we start the season early then finish early May, all the Euro and WC qualifiers could be played then into June.
Georgio(Quote)
Georgia. Ritchie will probably play for the Jocks.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Georgio – it was the bloody autocorrect.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Some Spurs fan quotes from a forum (on Sissoko):
”Whatever the outcome of the incident – one thing is plainly manifest is that Sissoko is an average talent and is nothing better than a below par, muscular Mason.
We are about 17 million quid worse off as far as I can see.
How he gets a game for France is a mystery to me. IMV anyone who gets to play for the current French team should be a regular starter for us, and he isn’t.”
”Sure, he must be given time but if he maintains the current indifferent level throughout the whole season that would be deemed a catastrophic ****-up and waste of 30m by both Poch and Levy, last minute bargain-bin, myopic chancer ****-up.”
”The bloke is a liability. Such an obvious panic buy.
AGREE X 4 DISAGREE X 1”
”Yup looks that way, would be happy to be proved wrong as I’m sure Poch had some say in buying him so must have seen something, . maybe We will try playing him in a more central midfield role see how he fares, but if not there is always the option we ship him to Everton or palace at the end of season…. ”
”When you look at the raw player that he is, even at the Age of 27 and what his potential level could be under Pochettino – look at the likes of Walker, Rose and Dembele and how well they have developed under Poch. It makes me very much optimistic that we have another player that will fit in very nicely in Poch’s squad. Watch this space..”
”He’s a strange one. Defensively sound in a 1 v 1, yet lacks the concentration and positioning to be a DM.
Has the pace and power to leave many players for dead, yet lacks the killer ball or shot to make it all worth while.
Has the technical ability to nut meg people and pass out of trouble, yet struggles with passes and decision making in the final third.
He’s at least a solid 6-7/10 at everything, yet not skilled enough in any area to be put in a specific role. In a match where we will be on the back foot, I can understand £30 mil personally. Those big games often pay for themselves, especially when you’re in the champions league. He could possibly be the difference in a quarter final or last 16 game. Put him on the wing or in a midfield 3 and suddenly we become even harder to break down.
I’ll never love him, he’s just not my type of player, but I can appreciate what he brings. Isn’t hard for me to rate him above Bentaleb either, who I thought was an impersonator at best and a fraud at worst (At least in CM).”
”For all the reasons you’ve listed, it’ll be very interesting to see how Sissoko is playing by, say, Christmas. I can’t remember the last time we had a manager this good at coaching players to their potential (as long as they’re willing to work hard, of course).”
”Sissoko has only been here a month (one week of which was an international break anyway) after a summer of not giving a solitary **** about going back to Newcastle. If anything, I’d actually say I’m pleasantly surprised with how he’s come on so far. Definitely better to have him (with the injuries we’ve had and CL football to navigate) than not.
He may not be worth £30m as a player, but he will have been worth buying for that much if we finish in the top 4 again.”
”He scared the living day lights of City defenders and talent and potential alone, very top of my list.”
”Can’t see how Sissoko is a good fit for any Poch preferred s11. Seems limited with the ball at his feet and attributes just don’t seem to be a good fit for Spurs system. Definitely a fine player for depth purposes but that price tag seems hardly justified at the moment.”
….Bit of a mixed consensus amongst Spurs fans and I think they are rightly reserving judgement until he has had time to bed in – but I don’t see many that feel he is or ever will justify his price tag. Good business from our point of view for sure.
Shamrock(Quote)
Agree Sham, they will soon see his shortcomings are actually masking the fact that he’s a lazy **** who only turns it on for the tv cameras and the biggest games. So so glad we sold him as I couldn’t stand the thought of him in a Toon strip for another season.
kimtoon(Quote)
The only player we lost that I was sad about was Townsend, thought him and the Toon were a brilliant fit tbh. He will never be the best he can be under Pards, Rafa was good for him and it’s sad he felt he needed to go to the PL to get back into the England squad, especially if Pards keeps leaving him out.
kimtoon(Quote)
‘Whatever the outcome of the incident – one thing is plainly manifest is that Sissoko is an average talent and is nothing better than a below par, muscular Mason.
We are about 17 million quid worse off as far as I can see’
…….
I’m sure I had an argument with someone on this site about who was better, Ryan mason or sissoko?!
Andy Magpie(Quote)
Kim I think Townsend was a bit short-sighted. At the end of his career I reckon he will look back and regret the monumental **** up that he made. For the sake of one season in the Championship he could have set himself up as a regular PL starter under a top top manager for many years. Instead he will likely see his value drop in a yo yo forgettable team and end up being a journeyman type amongst the lower PL sides.
I know I’m assuming Rafa and the Toon end up as a solid PL unit together, but on current evidence I think it’s a safe bet.
Shamrock(Quote)
Yes rings a bell Andy. Sounds like Sissy has managed only 1 good game for Spurs so far, against Citeh. Hardly a suprise. He turns up when he knows he will be on telly against the top sides and then he goes to sleep for several weeks and talks **** to the press.
Shamrock(Quote)
This week he has decided to have a pop at Everton all over again and explained that he never considered them because Spurs is a far better side. I mean, has he considered that if it does not work out at Spurs, Everton could have been one of the only solid PL sides willing to take a punt in him? There is probably only a realistic pool of about 7-8 teams that could afford him and would want him – and he goes and rules one out by needlessly running his mouth. I think Spurs have shot themselves in the foot, as he’s on a long term contract taking him well into his 30’s and he just won’t justify his wages, whilst his selfish and outspoken nature will alienate fans – leading to a toxic relationship that Spurs will be tied down to because nobody else will touch him with his age and wages.
Shamrock(Quote)
We all know what Pards will do to Townsend – turn him into an auxiliary right back and break his spirit. His teams always end up being a facsimile of him as a player, a lot of huffing and puffing and effort and not much skill.
As for Sissoko, I think he is probably a useful player to bring on as an impact sub. He has pace and power and does scare defenders. He is very good at running with the ball out of defense. These are his good points, but what stops him being a very good player is his lack of any end product. The stats do not lie in his case and his goals and assists tell you he is not Champions League quality. He is probably Stoke or West Brom level, lower mid-table. I have seen many worse players in an NUFC shirt. Amdy Faye anyone 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim – I completely agree. I understand he wasn’t keen dropping out the PL and saw it as a backward step – but I think he made a mistake & his advisors let him right down on this one.
I think being first name on a Rafa team sheet that is winning week in week out and the boss is playing to your strengths, can’t be any worse than playing in a PL side that struggles most weeks.
If he had went to an Everton or Saints, that would be up there challenging in that group 6th-10th I could understand. But he must have known it was bottom half or even relegation battles with Palace.
But he left. No hard feelings but I prefer to focus on those there now & I really like Ritchie & Atsu. I wonder if we have an option on Atsu? – hope so coz he fits really well IMO.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The argument I have seen with Sissoko is that if he had better players to pass to he would show his true quality. I don’t really buy that because he almost always scuffs the final pass/shot or chooses the wrong option. That is down to him, not his teammates.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: there are reports that we will exercise an option on Atsu in January. If true, Rafa must rate him. I don’t have an opinion because so few of our games are televised. All I really saw was that goal he scored the other week on some highlights.
I don’t mind talking about ex-players. I usually want most to do well unless they say bad things about NUFC or are tits like Joey Barton. I don’t get the people who called Carroll Judas. He doubled his wages and Fat Man wanted the dosh. Didn’t he send his helicopter to take him to Liverpool?
I fear for Townsend under Pardew and I am not sure if Gini is good enough for Liverpool. I don’t think he has a goal yet in 10 games and the role he occupied at NUFC is filled by Lallana and Coutinho.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I agree completely Eric. He’s a bit of a headless chicken once he actually has to think about his next move. He’s a great instinctive player when momentum is behind him, but that’s about it.
Shamrock(Quote)
Eric – I wonder whether because of Obertan, Cabella & Thauvin, my rating of widemen has been affected. I think Atsu is head and shoulders better than those 3 but then that means jack **** I suppose.
From what I’ve seen of the lad so far, I like him. If we get him at a decent price then game on.
I don’t fear for Townsend coz he’s made his bed. I don’t dislike him, but I don’t really care about his career now he’s left – good luck, but if you fall on your **** then nee sympathy here kid.
Gini won’t be a starting regular for Lpool, but I get him going as well – chance of trophies & working with Klopp.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Not one bit surprised he’s had a pop at Everton, the lad can’t help himself it seems. Time he did his talking on the pitch. For me he’s no better than Obertan, all pace ,no end product, so frustrating.
kimtoon(Quote)
Sham-
My favorite comment you posted from that Spurs blog is the one saying they’ll just sell him to Everton or Palace if he doesn’t work out. I suppose Palace might be realistic if Pardew is still there, but you have to be completely deluded to think Everton would give him a sniff after the stunt he pulled.
Also, with Levy constantly demanding insane fees for weekly bench warmers, even Pardew would struggle to justify meeting the asking price. I think they’re stuck with him unless they’re willing to take a bath on him.
Charlie Prince(Quote)
Here’s something from a Guardian writer on Sunderland, about another one of their writers:
“A couple of years previously he had incurred the wrath of many Sunderland fans when criticising a squad drinking culture which many claimed did not exist. He recalled a time in Marbella when he had seen one unnamed Sunderland player ordering a Nebuchadnezzar of champagne for £75,000. The player in question was Connor Wickham, now of Crystal Palace, although other reports of the striker’s extravagant poolside purchase suggested his 15 litre bottle of Armand de Brignac cost only £17,500, still more than two thirds of the average annual salary earned by residents of the city whose team he represented.”
That is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. I know it is a big bottle but still… Wickham was probably only about 20 at the time so I doubt has a wine connoisseur.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
More from the same Guardian article. The writer is actually an Irish Sunderland fan:
“In more important news for citizens of Sunderland, the future of the Nissan factory has been confirmed following controversial government “support and assurances”. This week, Moyes and his players are due to visit the car manufacturing plant and the manager joked some of them might soon be looking for jobs there. They are unlikely to get them – while Nissan have announced plans to build two new models on Wearside, collapsible clown cars are not expected to roll off their assembly line any time soon.”
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think the £30m is more to do with the silly TV money sloshing about at the top of the PL and the fact that Spurs are now a champions league club. It is artificially enhancing the value of average/good players. Spurs are not going to sign the players Man City and Chelsea want, so they are shopping in the market below the ‘world class’ players, where we would probably be, if not so badly mismanaged. It was a fair deal in that regard as Everton were prepared to pay it, so they still wanted him and had the money to spend. We may as well get our hands on some of that TV money if we can! I’m sure Villa and others would have, if they had the chance.
DJG(Quote)
I was reading about the PL money giving clubs like Bournemouth the chance to aspire the the top division, with 11,000 stadia; whilst ‘big’ clubs like Leeds can’t just outspend them anymore. I do worry with the amount of TV money and if/when the bubble bursts, what will happen to some club. I think there has to be a balance. If it was all based on gate sales and merchandise, then I think supports would be even more of a cash cow. There would probably be less concessions for the elderly and children and even though we have around 50,000 we don’t pay London ticket prices. Arsenal may get 60,000 but if you look at the cost of their tickets they would make a lot more money than us. Another point, is anyone else gutted that Liverpool now have 53k? since the ground redevelopment? Time to extend the East Stand for next season methinks and sod the grade II listed buildings in the way. 😆
DJG(Quote)
Eric, spending that on a bottle of plonk is totally unacceptable to me. In a city like many others across the uk where youngsters are struggling to get on the property ladder or just pay the bloody bills, that a 20 year old who kicks a ball for a living can blow that much in a matter of seconds is obscene imo. That goes for anyone spending that on a bottle actually, the more I think about it the more angry it makes me. I know so many hard working young people who have zero chance of getting together a big enough deposit for a home, it’s incredibly sad that the players many idolise can be seen to throw cash away like that.
kimtoon(Quote)
Ah nah, Spuds are getting a bit above their station these days, it’s not that long ago we used to give them two good beatings a year. 🙂
DJG(Quote)
Morning folks,
Little update – we’ve got a new writer Jake starting today. He’s a massive Toon fan and currently in his final year of his sports journalism studies so looking to hone his craft by writing for you wonderful lot 🙂
So you should see him on here quite a lot in the coming weeks/months.
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
Suspending a player for 5 yellows is a bit stupid in my opinion. I don’t know where you draw the line but 5 is too few. Maybe 10? There should be some form of punishment for yellow card accumulation but it could be argued that it is double jeopardy as the player has to be cautious for the rest of the game, for example, look at Herrera this weekend who got a second yellow for basically falling over and running into a player.
The yellow cards are so arbitrary as well. It depends where the foul was on the pitch, the time of the game, if the Ref had given you a previous talking to and to a large extent WHO YOU ARE. Gerrard got away with murder and so does Rooney who should get are card every match for swearing and backchat. And of course, there is taking your shirt off. There really isn’t a system for who gets a yellow and when, and some Refs dish them out more than others.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
i think we fans sometimes get lead up the garden path when it comes to what players get payed it seems,Thanvin was up in court for speeding it was disclosed his wages were £100,000 a month?? can this be right surely you wouldnt dare tell lies in court about your wages as its easy to check
icedog(Quote)
Ice, I’m sure the wage and bonuses players get will always be a bit of a mystery to most of us, one things for sure though, there’s a lot of very young lads earning head turning money who don’t always spend it wisely. Then again I suppose that’s being young for you, it’s not just footballers who are guilty of that folly I’m sure. Fast cars, bling and all that goes with it seems the order of the day to both sexes nowadays. Seems to be the thing to have credit card debt these days too, you actually get frowned on for wanting to pay cash. Everyone I know has credit/store cards, I am one of the few I know who does not possess a credit card and never will. It makes it hard for me as I have no credit history other than a paid off mortgage. Strange world.
kimtoon(Quote)
never understand this credit rate ****,its a changing world,ive never had credit in my life you either have the money to buy it or you dont so save until you have the cash to buy whatever it is.great to see you have no mortgage and yet the odd money people i know say never pay it off,always leave a thousand or so on mortgage because if you ever hit hard times you get no help from benefits if you have no dept
icedog(Quote)
Ice, my brother was saying the other day that he won’t save a penny as when he’s old and infirm the government will take it all for care. He has a point, my parents saved all their lives and all their savings and income went on their care, the amount was eye watering .
kimtoon(Quote)
Ice, my aunt was penniless and ended up in a bupa care home with DWP funding her stay there along with social services. That women never did a days work in her life and was a wicked nasty cow who never thanked anyone who helped her.
kimtoon(Quote)
So you kinda get my point mate,I’ll never tell you wrong 💡 😉
Icedog(Quote)
Ice, aye, as I said, Strange world.
kimtoon(Quote)