It’s been nearly a month since Newcastle played a match on home turf, yet we still remain unbeaten. With the greatest of respect to Blackburn, they are a team that we should be looking to beat in front of our own fans with the aim of extending our unbeaten run to 11 games.
Perhaps that is why I feel so apprehensive about the match. Blackburn do notoriously well at St James’ Park and are looking for the sixth successive win on our home patch. They are a bogey team, of that there is little doubt.
Still so were Villa and so were Fulham but we managed to get results against them pair. I just hope we can continue that trend this afternoon. Not that I’ll be able to watch it of course as I’m at work. I’m not bitter about it, honest…
Those of you who are going to the game today could well be in with a treat. A rare treat in fact. You may well get the chance to spot the elusive Hatem Ben Arfa in a Newcastle shirt for the first time in nigh on a year. With a place on the bench seemingly nailed on I think it’s pretty safe to say that we may see a little cameo from the Frenchman this afternoon.
For those that aren’t going I feel fairly confident that you’ll still be able to see the team in action. The match is being broadcast on numerous channels overseas so the chances of a stream at the moment seem fairly decent. Obviously if you find a really nice one, or one that doesn’t stop and start every few seconds, then please feel free to share the link with your fellow NUFC fans.
The match preview is here for you to peruse at your leisure should you choose to do so. Contained within it are some fun match facts and player stats, news of injuries for both sides aswell as a stab at trying to name the team. Have a look if you haven’t already done so.
That is just about it really. Hopefully we can extend our unbeaten run in front of our home fans with a nice performance to boot. You never know, if we get a win and a decent performance it may take just a little bit of attention away from those garish Sports Direct signs that appear to be popping up all over the place!
I will endeavour to get the match report written up in it’s entirety when I get in from work so it should be with you first thing on Sunday morning including highlights, interviews, etc. The whole shaboodle basically, so be warned that it may be a long one!
Howay the lads!
Team news is as follows…
Newcastle:
Krul; Simpson, S Taylor, Coloccini (c), R Taylor; Obertan, Cabaye, Tiote, Gutierrez; Best, Ba
Subs:
Harper, Perch, Guthrie, Marveaux, Sammy Ameobi, Ben Arfa, Lovenkrands
Blackburn:
Paul Robinson; Michel Salgado, Christopher Samba (c), Scott Dann, Gael Givet; Junior Hoilett, Steven N’zonzi, Jason Lowe, Martin Olsson; Mauro Formica, Yakubu
Subs:
Mark Bunn, Grant Hanley, Vince Grella, Radosav Petrovic, Simon Vukcevic, Ruben Rochina, Jason Roberts
In a way it might be a good thing that they scored. Kick up the **** kind of thing. At 2-0 its a different game compared to 2-1
toonsy(Quote)
Haha yes I know. FAT CHANCE thanks to FAT ASH!
Shamrock(Quote)
Shamrock-Aye, I wasn’t implying you’d said it but I’ve heard many around saying Raylor should be first choice RB, just can’t see why myself from a defensive perspective. Raylor messed up for the goal, and so did simpson, however I also have an issue with crosses.
People expect our full backs to stop every cross into the box which to me is pretty unbelieveable, all the best sides leak crosses to teams well below their standard. People often forget about our lack of aerial defensiveness from our centre backs. I don’t like to criticise those two as along the ground they’re brilliant, and attacking headers are great, but we still suffer massively from set pieces, crosses and corners in the box. Is it all the full backs fault and none of the CB and keepers?
Newkie(Quote)
I don’t want the fullbacks to stop the crosses but close the attackers down better than they are.
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
Good clearance from Raylor. Looking really shaky now.
Newkie(Quote)
oh that was close
Big Dave(Quote)
DEMBA!!!!
The Kid(Quote)
get in ba hatrick
hitman(Quote)
hatrick beauty!!
Newkie(Quote)
Get in Best ?
Big Dave(Quote)
You are right Newkie, like I pointed out Hoilett should have been tracked and dealt with. Could be looking at Colo, Saylor or Tiote to blame for that. All in all it was a defensive horror show full of basic mistakes. That said, Colo and Saylor I feel are consistant enough to be considered 1st teamers week in, week out. Cannot say the same for Simpson. There is no argument for Raylor at right surely. Hehas had his chance there and was aweful. Simpson is the best option we currently have at right back, but unless his learns from these constant repeated mistakes he does not deserve to keep the shirt in the long run… Get in Ba hat trick. Great header!
Shamrock(Quote)
actually I think it was BA
Big Dave(Quote)
Ba Ba Ba (or Best)!!!
Wonderful play by Tiote
MDS(Quote)
Ba’s clearly taken a goal laxative. They’re pouring out of him like a Bigg Market curry.
Whumpie(Quote)
Ba Hat-trick ye ha demba Ba
Big Dave(Quote)
Oh, Demba Demba Ba. When he comes good he’s the best by fa!
That’s the Ba I remember from West Ham.
hydeous(Quote)
Zoe-yeah I can see where your coming from, but for a full back its a tough ask. You get to close and you run the risk of them knocking it beyond you and getting in a completely free cross. I’d rather the chance of a defender getting something on it before it goes in. Still, not regarding Santon, we will need new full backs
Newkie(Quote)
Ooh ah demba BA
Don’t **** it up the wall. These are there for the taking now. Just keep it steady at the back.
toonsy(Quote)
Lovely stuff from Ba. Not sure about foul but who cares.
SJP14(Quote)
stop fuking crying and get on with it 🙂
Big Dave(Quote)
BA-BEST! BA-BOOM! WHO CARES! IT’S 3-1!
Who, for the love of god, has a good stream? Mine is crappy. I’m using firstrowsports and it’s all stop-start.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Don’t think I’ve ever felt less safe with a 3-1 lead. Need another lads! Lets really take it to ’em
MDS(Quote)
Our midfield is looking great! Lets get Marveaux on now that Jonas is down!
@JamieVincente(Quote)
Yeah Best hasn’t touched the Ball so I hope he doesn’t try to claim it,
I hope Jonas is ok
Big Dave(Quote)
Here’s a good stream mate, I use it every match http://real-tv-sport.com/channel-4.php
@JamieVincente(Quote)
FSOTC try this > http://real-tv-sport.com/channel-4.php
Big Dave(Quote)
Obertan has been superb today.
The Kid(Quote)
Oh Simmo…
Shamrock(Quote)
some of our passing is real good
Big Dave(Quote)
The crowd sounds great today. More vocal then they’ve been so far this season
MDS(Quote)
Simmo’s making a mug of me for defending him today, but even so I stand by my overall assessment :p
Newkie(Quote)
Wonder whom of those calling for that much need striker have to say now.
Michael12(Quote)
All of these streams have gotne to s**t
The Kid(Quote)
Michael – we still need a striker. Best will be a good back up but he is not a great finisher. Ba looks good, but our other strikers are not good enough and need to go with the exception of Ameobi who ranks behind Best.
Shamrock(Quote)
speaking of which MDS.. whats the attendance today mate?
craig chisholm(Quote)
Dave, you are a saint. Thank you.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Michael12… ah mate, you are off the pace mate… we have all been saying for a week or so that we would much rather have a dedicated LB in January than a forward.. pieters being most peoples top choice.
craig chisholm(Quote)
Simpson showing in the last few minutes why he’s getting stick.
Nearly gifted them a goal there, couldn’t control that long pass, then leaving gaping space for Rochina…
Thad(Quote)
Craig- 46,236 apparently
MDS(Quote)
Another nice run from Obertan. Think that playing regularly will see him develop in to a top player
SJP14(Quote)
Red card! now bring on Ben Arfa and score 2 more
MDS(Quote)
Olssen…Moron
The Kid(Quote)
That’s Ben Arfa on now, surely, for Ba.
hydeous(Quote)
Obertan Cabaye and Tiote absolutely owning the midfield today
MDS(Quote)
Obertan….I will say it one last time. Quality
The Kid(Quote)
Benny warming up
Big Dave(Quote)
Here he comes! Go Bennie boy!
MDS(Quote)
come on benny
hitman(Quote)
SJP – Obertan is looking a very good signing. Well impressed with him.
Shamrock(Quote)
Hatem’s going to tear them a new one. 🙂
Whumpie(Quote)
That is some sound!!!!!
hydeous(Quote)
HBA!!! 😀
The Kid(Quote)
MDs…. ah good, i am pleased as thats a good outing for bburn i guess and up on the fulham turnout. AP does play a much more entertaining brand than CH i have to say like.
craig chisholm(Quote)
Fuk im sure BA and Benny feel like a million dollars with that applause
Big Dave(Quote)
Well done supporters there.
MDS(Quote)
Benny for a screamer
Big Dave(Quote)
Bloody great bit of football there! Equally good block unfortunately!
Shamrock(Quote)
Some beautiful football there
MDS(Quote)
Best sort your finishing out son, you are better than that!
Shamrock(Quote)
come on Best lad they should be on target
Big Dave(Quote)
come on besty
hitman(Quote)
Great ball by Cabaye. Best has done everything well except shoot.
MDS(Quote)
Christ’s sake Best! By the way, nice work on the Yak Saylor 🙂
Shamrock(Quote)
fuk some of the passing is sweet as fuk
Big Dave(Quote)
Loving this team right now.
The Kid(Quote)
Come on benny!!!!!!
Liam southern toon(Quote)
I guess Pardew wasn’t full of **** after all in regards to style.
MDS(Quote)
Ice where are ye
Big Dave(Quote)
Here comes Marv
MDS(Quote)
Super Sylvain about to come on
The Kid(Quote)
Been a great performance today. We’ve really dominated them and should have scored more.
Best has played very well- his movement has stretched them on a number of occasions.
SJP14(Quote)
What’s with all the candy floss? We’re **** man. Should be at least 5-1 to them. Can’t believe how lucky we are. Bring back Kinnear!!!
Toon Chicken(Quote)
Llambashley looks hung over there
MDS(Quote)
AP did say we were in for a treat today… he might run his gob off but when he gets them playing like this its hard to argue against the blokes ideas.
craig chisholm(Quote)
TC :p
Newkie(Quote)