Pardew: “We think Joey has got a good chance.”

toonsy
Joey Barton.

Joey Barton.
Barton could be back in action.
As Newcastle prepare to do battle with Stoke City this Saturday the attention will inevitably turn towards the news regarding the injury situation at NUFC.

It’s far from ideal at the moment as what is already a thin squad in terms of quality is being stretched to the limit even further by injury to key players such as Jose Enrique, Jonas Gutierrez and Joey Barton. Losing one of them is bad enough, but losing all three of them is disastrous as the squad try and limp over the line towards Premier League safety.

Whilst none of those three players have been officially ruled out for the visit to The Britannia, Alan Pardew has given his strongest indication yet with regard to just how likely all three are to feature on Saturday afternoon. Speaking to Sky Sports, Pardew talked about the fitness fortunes of the trio:

“Jose and Jonas, we have just got to see after training tomorrow, really. You are pitching them in without training after 10 to 14 days in a Premier League game where it is almost like warfare at times at their place, so I will be careful what I do.”

“I would have to be 100% sure they are right. We think Joey has got a good chance – he did the warm-up today. Jose looks very doubtful; Jonas did the warm-up today, but he looks a bit doubtful.”

So the message in that seems to be Jose doesn’t have a chance, neither does Jonas but we could possibly have Barton back to boost the numbers. That means that we effectively have no left side of midfield so part of the problem will be trying to address that. Will Ferguson get a start? Will Simpson play left back? Will James Perch get a recall? I certainly don’t know, and neither does Pardew, or at least he says he doesn’t know anyway! Pardew continued:

“I don’t know who will get the nod. My selection will be based around being strong enough to cope with what they do. They don’t really carve you open with inter-play, it is set-plays and second phases and aggression and forceful play, and you have got to be able to cope with that. That’s something I will think about when I select the team.”

Well we’ll just have to wait and see I guess, but being honest there isn’t an awful lot to pick from. Hopefully Steven Taylor won’t get picked to play at right-back again, although to be fair The Britannia has a lot of empty space behind it so it would give him some space to back off the attacker some more! Mind you, he had a shocker so he can only improve from his showing against Everton.

It’s been said a million times now and it will be said another million times from now until the end of the season no doubt, but injuries in certain positions are killing us. It’s something we all know so I won’t dwell on it. I just hope the lads who do deputise can step up to the plate and force their way in to the team. I’ll be there amongst a sell out away crowd backing them to, hopefully, do just that.

Howay the lads!

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.

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142 thoughts on “Pardew: “We think Joey has got a good chance.””

  2. TGS he is brilliant at asking questions but he isn’t as quick at answering

    Richie @ 73 what do ya mean mate 😆 😆

    Ice @ 68 thats one thing about wor Batts he looks after you mate 😀

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  15. All British teams out of the Europa League tonight.

    This means Liverpool need to finish 5th for any European football next year.

    This could be a problem if they want to keep Gerrard or sign any big players next transfer window. This is Gerrard’s last window for a move to a big team I think.

    Not sure the likes of Carroll or Suarez will be happy about it either but they have just got there so not sure how likely they will be to shift.

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  16. Well, feel a bit let down by the English teams the day like, oh well, lets hope we can show them how its done against stoke 😉

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  18. Pardon my ignorance, but why 5th. I thought it would be 6th…unless Stoke or Bolton win the FA cup. I realize Man City and Man Utd have CL basically wrapped up, but if either wins the cup, doesn’t that mean that 5th and 6th go to Europa? Or would it simply be Stoke or Bolton for getting to the FA final regardless of who actually wins?

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  22. Well, that just seems kind of lame…I suppose if it was up to two teams that weren’t otherwise going then, it would be the winner. But going to Europe just for playing in the final…seems a cheeky way to get in.

    All I can say is, i am happy that the Pool are getting as many pieces of silverware as we are this year…except they don’t have the Hercules Trophy…or whatever that gigantic piece of metal was that the lads won in pre-season (Was that this year).

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  27. DAVE there 7yrs,dont breed the ***** now m8,still asked to stud dog but have to be very careful just dont trust anybody.thing is he will have to go when laddie goes to malta,just cannot manage both like

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  29. Ice,
    What’s the connection with Malta? I know you holiday there regularly.

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  32. DAVE cannot go m8,its just to hot with him being all white,it would kill him,kna they dont slubber,unless you let them watch you eat they drool like all dogs

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  37. Ice >unless you let them watch you eat they drool like all dogs
    and Toonsy

    Ice you’ll not get rid of him then mate its easy saying it 😉
    I think that will be my next dog mate I have been reading up on them a bit

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  38. TGS,got lots of mates there,went there a lot with work,nice people,slow pace of live,son also worked there awhile,love the footy there.and they love english people,not many places do now haha,and only about 6wks of cold nights where it drops to about 9/10deg

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  44. ice,
    Went to Malta in 1979 to a place called Marsasacala (excuse the spelling) had a lovely time.
    Your right the locals are so friendly and love the Brits. 😆

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  47. Big Dave,

    Can’t help wondering if the guy is either heading for a meltdown or breakdown. 😯

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  50. TGS,not keen on south side,north side is diff world loads of things to do all day/night.not being funny but that end is for those of 70yrs and over just to quiet m8,have one of the lowest cime rates in the world too,if batty gans that might change like 😀

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  51. dog aye when ya retire too malta and me and dave come visit ya iam sur the crime rate will sore 😆 😆

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  58. Anyway back to the Toon, think we will get stuffed at Stoke.

    Will be delighted with a draw.

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  65. Yeah, gerroff up the dancers and leave the blog to the night shift.

    How about this team:

    Harper
    Simpson Raylor Campbell Williamson Perch
    Tiote Colo
    Nolan Ireland
    Best Shola

    Should be enough height there to stop the set-piece aerial threats and enough ground quality to cope with Stoke’s minimal footballing ability. Might give the full backs some leeway to get forward as well – tho there’s something fishy about Perch playing there, maybe that little 10 year old guy should get a run.

    And if Ireland isn’t fit then go with Gootrie.

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