We are eight games in and we are going strong. Still in 4th place on 16 points having held off a strong Spurs side and looking to build upon their great start to the season with a win against a less than convincing Latics, who are sat joint bottom on five points having lost their last five league games.
Wigan can only be described as being in “freefall” at the moment. Capable of some terrific football and with a top young coveted manager at the helm in Roberto Martinez, Wigan are a team with potential, but this season it has just gone wrong. They look dazed and confused in defence and desperately unsure of themselves in front of goal. Newcastle will be looking to capitalise on this to continue their fantastic start to the season, while Wigan will be hoping they can find the resolve to turn their fortunes around.
Newcastle United:
The Toon are pretty much at full capacity. Alan Smith (hamstring), Haris Vuckic (broken hand) and Fabricio Coloccini (toe) have all recovered and should be available for selection with Mike Williamson remaining absent thanks to his ankle injury.
The likes of Alan Smith and Danny Guthrie are unlikely to feature due to the competition just being too hot whilst forgotten man Tamas Kadar is beginning to make an impression for the reserves again having captained the last outing against Liverpool – he is back to full fitness and may find himself on the bench some time soon if he continues his hard work. The likes of Davide Santon, Hatem Ben Arfa and Sylvain Marveaux are pushing hard for starts.
Provisional squad: Krul, Harper, Simpson, R. Taylor, Santon, Ferguson, Coloccini, S. Taylor, Kadar, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Marveaux, Obertan, Gosling, Guthrie, Ben Arfa, Abeid, Vuckic, Smith, Ba, Best, Shola Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Sammy Ameobi.
Wigan Athletic:
Ben Watson is likely to shake off his knock from the loss to Bolton whilst Hugo Rodallega could come back into the fold. Antolin Alcarez and Emerson Boyce are struggling for match fitness but likely to feature. Chris Kirkland has gone off on loan as has young McManaman.
Provisional squad: Al Habsi, Boyce, Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa, Watson, Diame, Moses, Gomez, McCarthy, Di Santo, Jones, Pollitt, Stam, Van Aanholt, McArthur, Lopez, Thomas, Sammon, Maloney, Crusat, Gohouri, Rodallega.
Stats and Facts:
This week the stats will have more bulk than tactical analysis. The reason I hear you ask? Simple. There is not a great deal to analyse for this match, but I’ll explain that in a minute…
Wigan have won just one of their last 12 Premier League trips to play the three North East teams (W1 D5 L6).
Although we have the joint best defensive record in the league with the two Manchester clubs, four of the six goals we have conceded this season have been at home.
Four goals have been scored by Ryan Taylor in this fixture…. All for Wigan…..
Although Steven Taylor gets stick for his last ditch rash challenges, that same style of play has seen him block more shots than any other Premier League player with 14.
Staying with our defence, they have made five goal line clearances this season – more than anybody else.
Newcastle have hosted Wigan five times in the Premiership, winning three and drawing two.
Wigan have only ever failed to score in our back yard once in all competitions.
The last two fixtures at home against Wigan have ended 2-2.
Demba Ba has 12 goals in 15 Premier League starts. He has the joint best goals to shots ratio of anybody in the league, with a success rate of 38% he can proudly share with Sergio Aguero.
Ali Al Habsi is rated as this season’s 4th best goalkeeper with 30 saves and a saves/shots ratio of 68%.
Victor Moses is the league’s best dribbler with 62. Impressive huh? Not really. He tends to run around like a headless chicken, managing 26 shots and hitting the target zero times!
Antolin Alcarez was statistically one of the Premierships best five central defenders last season notably making 171 aerial challenges.
Ben Watson can pass. He is successful 85% of the time.
Yohan Cabaye and Cheik Tiote are the Premier League’s 4th and 5th best tacklers so far this season.
Tactical analysis:
So this will not be in too much depth because Wigan really do not pose half as great a threat at Tottenham did. I don’t want to disrespect them, but their squad is unsteady, unproductive, in free fall and generally just not clicking this season. This week is not so much about countering what they have to throw at us, but how we should really be looking to dominate them all over the pitch and control the game.
Naturally as Newcastle fans, we are all aware of how our squad has changed. Last week I described the side as one making the transition from workmanlike to more technical and European. However, the spirit the lads showed against Spurs underlined that despite the French current now running through the side, there is still that steely British determination forming the teams backbone.
I remember a commentator looking at the Newcastle work rate and stating it was only a matter of time before the legs got tired and the performance levels drop off. It did not happen. As the game wore on, the boys looked even stronger. Why? They are clearly extremely fit and equally determined.
Newcastle covered 118km against Spurs, that is the 2nd best result out of anybody in the league so far and an accurate reflection of fitness levels. Cabaye and Tiote are covering about 12km of ground each per game themselves. That is good going and that is what breaks opposing teams down – simply not being able to keep up with the tempo.
Now then, Wigan like to pack the middle of the park in an effort to take control of the game, but with Watson passing the ball accurately to Moses, who then efficiently dribbles it into a ‘shooting position’ and promptly sends it wide – they can crack on quite frankly. They tend to begin disciplined, then get wider and wider meaning spaces open up. They are likely to sit deep and try to build up play against us. The problem for them, is when they build that pressure up they shoot too early (46% of their shots come from outside the area). From 16 shots against Bolton yielded only 2 on target. This shows they are short on confidence moving forward and I would like to think that with Fabricio Coloccini calmly dispossessing them and playing the ball out to feet, holes can be exploited in their midfield.
The key for Newcastle is simple. Keep up the high work rate. Hassle them into mistakes, run at them all day. Have Best drop deep and pull them out of position allowing Cabaye space to feed Ba that perfect ball, or Gutierrez to go an a mazy run and the breakthrough will happen. As long as we keep our shape, stay focused and disciplined and don’t get complacent then the three points and a decent goal margin is there for the taking. Sorry Wigan fans but deep down, you know it too?
This is Newcastle’s game to lose.
Referee:
This season is Neil Swarbrick’s first as a regular in the Premier League. He was born not too far away from Wigan (Preston) so lets hope he is not more inclined to lean in their favour when decisions have to be made. That said, he has officiated us twice so far and we have not lost whilst on his watch. A 1-0 win against Leicester in the Championship and a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa this season reflect that.
Wigan are unbeaten under his watch too – because he has not taken charge of them yet….
He has given out 33 yellows and 1 red so far this season, so is generally a four cards per game ref.
Swarbrick started out a bit late in life with regards to the refereeing game starting at age 29 and making it into the Football League in 2005. He enjoys a growing reputation and was promoted to the select group of referees in June this year, having proven his worth last season at the top level in the Fulham v Sunderland and the Wolves v Blackpool games.
Lets hope the fans get right behind the team, they stay driven, focused and grounded and we could potentially be looking at a big win here on home soil. We could do with notching the goal difference up a mark or two before we run into the ‘Big Three’ in a few weeks time!
Newcastle United Vs Wigan Athletic.
Venue: St. James’ Park.
Kick Off: Saturday the 22nd October 2011 at 15:00.
Howay the lads!
We should be confident going into the game. Lets just hope we was fans are not too complacent expexting wins against struggling teams. lets not forget these teams will be playing to survive the more they lose. These games are not easy just because the opposing team has lost a lot of games, instead they get desperate and do try.
I would hate to see us lose, but it has to happen some time to bring us to reality. I am positive but we are not guaranteed a win…..HWTL
tooneye(Quote)
I’m not as confident as others are evidently. Yes we should be looking to win this game,but there is still a banana skin element to games like this.
Great preview though. Loving the stats.
I see the ref was born in Preston? Is there not some ruling where he shouldn’t be allowed to ref a team from the same district FA or something like that?
toonsy(Quote)
Well said Tooneye… There’s no gimmes in the prem.. Look at Wolves-Man U last season! ❗
I don’t believe we our team will become complaicent as that is exactly one of the points that pards has focused on 😎
We play every game like its a cup match at the moment and that is exactly the mentality we should have. We never want to settle for a draw even if that’s what we end up with! 😈
HWTL
Nobby(Quote)
Scores anyone?.. 6-0 toon I say 😈
Nobby(Quote)
3-0 HWTL
Premandup(Quote)
Funny thing is at the beginning of the season I was looking out for the results from Villa. Everton, Fulham etc as they were what I saw as our competition, now I’m more interested in Liverpool, Spurs & Arsenal. Yes I know that they can buy their way out of trouble, but it feels great.
Premandup(Quote)
I’m not worried about complacency- with the new lads and compeiition for spots, everyone still has something to prove.
But do worry about bad luck, a few bad breaks, not converting a couple of chances etc., that let wigan hang around long enough to nick it.
Not sure our squad knows how to proper bury a team yet
MDS(Quote)
I feel bad for the Wigan fans. Both of them…
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
MDS- agreed. We lack that killer instinct
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
Hopefilly it’ll be as easy as made out but goals change games as we all know, and all they need is one Moses shot to creep inside the post and were under pressure. A lot can go wrong. Still, I’m optimistic.
Would really like to see a clean sheet as its been quite a while, even though we still haven’t been conceding many. Would be good for the confidence of the lads at the back and get them in the habit you’d hope
Dubtoon(Quote)
@8, actually there’s only one of them left. Zog’s mom now supports Villa
MDS(Quote)
It’s not going to be that easy, as I’m sure everyone will agree we won’t finish in the top 4. Something has to give sooner or later!
Saying that, no offence to Wigan but we should beat them. Fingers crossed and HWTL.
NorthernPaul(Quote)
I think we will win , hopefully keep a clean sheet.
Ill go 2-0 , Ba with both of them
Johno Toon(Quote)
Infact i’m increasing my deficet… 24-0 toon ❗
Nobby(Quote)
Think we’ll win but I remember after our 11 wins in a row and three points at Roker Park, the newspaper headline was something like “Frying Grimsby next week”. Lowly Grimsby won 1-0.
georgio(Quote)
Nobby says:
October 21, 2011 at 14:51
Infact i’m increasing my deficet… 24-0 toon
Loving the ambition 🙂
Johno Toon(Quote)
good read shamrock ,very dodgey game i reckon .
batty(Quote)
Praps the rose-tinted specs are on a bit tight again, but I sense our first proper infliction of a skunking tomorrow. 5-0 the Toon.
Nurse! It’s the voices again! Nurse!!
Whumpie(Quote)
“Demba Ba has 12 goals in 15 Premier League starts”
That is bloody amazing given the slow start this season. Two more for him tomorrow.
Surely AP will use this one to try some other options? Santon and Benny to start; possibly Marveaux? Trouble is – who to drop?
Hate to say it (ok, no I don’t; it’s good craic) but Benny and Shola looked like a brilliant combination at the end of the Spuds game. That’s partly down to being up against knackered legs, but will he be tempted to try it again?
Whumpie(Quote)
You know Toonsy, your ex-mate has a football blog where you can talk about stadiums, and having a good time there. Better than the same old, same old “Shola is sh*t stuff” on here. And that little cry out for help that you wrote the other day – you know when the world was ending and you wanted to give it all up, but then did an about face and said you didn’t mean it.
You must have a thick skin if you can put up with Batty and Troy. Rodzilla is not that bad and I am sorry I put him into their category.
Best that we leave it here and you can have your fun with Batty. As Joey Barton said “a man is described by the people he mixes with”.
GS(Quote)
GS you still crying like a half bred c unt little man
batty(Quote)
Even a boring 1-0 would be great really.
Would love to see HBA, marveaux and Santon all start
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
GS hahaha love the joey barton comment ,you must be very bright taking quotes from a murders brother 😆
batty(Quote)
GS and your messiah wanky tissue is a thief and a lairer 😆
batty(Quote)
🙂
Here’s an idea, GS.
I’ve noticed all bar two of your comments have been either slagging me, this, site, or the users of this site off (a lot of whom shelled out their own money, batty included, to save the other one only to find out the money was used for other purposes). How about chatting about the article and ignoring the rest? Just saying that on the grounds that NOBODY has gone off topic yet, apart from you, which is hypocritical of you considering that is what you are moaning about 🙄
For someone who isn’t bothered you certainly have a massive issues with letting things go. Quite sad really.
toonsy(Quote)
Im to complacent about this one its not good! 4-1 toon!
On another note, I think i’m going for my first bit of ink next week 😀
SpencerTheToon(Quote)
Better than the same old, same old “Shola is sh*t stuff” on here.
——————-
To be fair there’s been none of that on here since Sunday afternoon 😉
MDS(Quote)
GS that quote means batty etc should be the ones that describe him best as they know him best 🙄 either joey or yourself used it the wrong way. Not the best role model to take your inspiration from so maybe you’re both wrong.
If u don’t like them/the clique, don’t read it or ignore what you don’t like
Dubtoon(Quote)
GS on behalf of everyone, if you don’t like it here, tie your shoes (if you can) and **** off 🙂
SpencerTheToon(Quote)
Spence stay away from that face fella, god know what he’d ink you with 😉 😆
Dubtoon(Quote)
One more thing Toonsy:
why are you even bothered what your ex-friend writes on his Blog?
Are you a bus driver, by the way? Good job that, a lot of potential for promotion. Might get the Skegness or Birmingham run one day.
GS(Quote)
GS – And as for…
“And that little cry out for help that you wrote the other day – you know when the world was ending and you wanted to give it all up, but then did an about face and said you didn’t mean it.”
Sorry for questioning whether or not I really wanted to carry on having just received an e-mail wishing my as yet unborn child harm.
toonsy(Quote)
Spence 😆
MDS(Quote)
GS – What does my profession have to do with anything? So my opinion isn;t valid because I am only a bus driver. What a snobby ****** 😆
And where did I say I was bothered about what he writes? I was merely pointing out that cliques as you call them form all over the place. Here it’s Batty ad Troy as you say, there it’s Worky, AndyMac etc.
toonsy(Quote)
Careful spence, he’ll threaten your family like he did to Toonsy
MDS(Quote)
MDS – Funny you mention that….
toonsy(Quote)
Toonsy i think he only comes on here as the blog he goes on is ***** and hes a lonely little man 😉 i can see he is trying too get me banned ,i just attract the propper loons ,any 1 would think ide give it his missus up her **** scoop 😆
batty(Quote)
Spencer:
I think I have worn out my welcome on here, but I dont care.
GS(Quote)
Gs show your ignorance again why don’t you. Pay attention and you’ll notice toonsy doesn’t bring up the other blog, others do, he avoids saying names or anything offensive where possible and says things like he’s never had a problem with the man in question personally.
What difference do his career advancement opportunities in one job make to his ability to run a website or the alidity of a mans opinions.
PS I think this other webmaster may view what you just said as grounds for banning
Dubtoon(Quote)
Batty – I just fond it funny as at the end of the day I’ve (as in me personally) done nowt to him yet he is now having a pop at me when his original gripe was with you? What a hero 🙄
toonsy(Quote)
GS the site you like made you look a right **** when the other persons comments were taken off the blog looked like you were talking to yourselve if that floats your boat go for it
icedog(Quote)
GS it was mds and ohurley who your missus has been giving it away to while your at work ,as they are both from the USA but if there handed it on a plate like 😉
batty(Quote)
You are the one that said “only’ a bus driver, so you must have some remorse about “only” being a bus driver.
GS(Quote)
GS @38 grow up man has wanky promised you **** sex if you come on here too try and cause trouble 🙂
batty(Quote)
Batty he already gets it, he might just get a chance to give 😉
Dubtoon(Quote)
GS – No remorse at all although I do realise that ignorant people will view what I do rather dimly (better than unemployed like other people though eh 😉 ) I’m earning stupid amounts of money doing it and that is all that matters to me, not being called a fancy name. I’ve done my management in previous jobs, and I’ve got no regrets about giving that up at Toyota. None whatsoever.
toonsy(Quote)
Icedog:
I even said that about removing the comments. But really, I don’t care. This is internet w@nking and the biggest toss@r of all is Batty. He proves it every time he writes anything.
GS(Quote)
Listen lads, no need for the “**** sex” jibes ad such like that. Rise above it man 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
GS – So your problem with Batty has now turned into a problem with this site and everyone on it?
toonsy(Quote)
Batty:
for the last time it is “to try” not “too try”.
GS(Quote)
What does GS stand for anyway? Gob *****?
Toon Chicken(Quote)
not going to forcast again it seems to be working not to
finding it strange that Van Aanholt hasnt had more game time the lad seemed to be a canny prospect when hear unless he has been injured,but it looks like he will be sub on sat and wigan need all the help they can get imo
icedog(Quote)
spot on TC 😉
batty(Quote)
Ice – Especially since Wigan are shocking defensively. Always thought we should have signed PVA when we had him on loan in the fizzy, but he has a new contract at Chelsea now so it seems as though he has a future there. I think Chelsea were hoping that he’d get games like Cleverley did. Mind you, who is the Wigan LB? Figuroa? I think he is a great player even though my opinion matters not as I’m only a bus driver, but I’d have him at Newcastle:)
toonsy(Quote)
Nah, not really Toonsy. I just got wound up a bit. I am a Man U fan anyway so it doesn’t really matter.
GS(Quote)
Does this GS guy actually know this is a football site?
georgio(Quote)
TOONSY is it not time to end this its becomeing a right bore?
icedog(Quote)
GS what medication are you freakin on 😆
batty(Quote)
Toon Chicken @51:
that was really good and funny, really.
GS(Quote)
“I am a Man U fan anyway so it doesn’t really matter.”
Explains the lack of football patter then 🙂
I still don’t buy it for one second though 😉
toonsy(Quote)
I’m hearing that Maiga is a done deal
Of the ever reliable footymad 😆
SpencerTheToon(Quote)
Toonsy well i hope Figuroa isnt that good tomoz 😉
batty(Quote)
STT – Wasn’t it a done deal in the summer aswell? 😆
Still not sold on Maiga to be honest. I know Benny huffed his way to Newcastle, but there is undoubted with him. With Maiga he has one decent season to back him up 😕
toonsy(Quote)
Now I get the on the buses link. I am so stupid that I never got it before.
See you lads, I won’t be back and I am sure I will not be missed.
GS(Quote)
“See you lads, I won’t be back and I am sure I will not be missed.”
All of your own doing I’ll hasten to add.
toonsy(Quote)
Toonsy you havent left army and pootle on the old server have you 😆 😆 😆
batty(Quote)
Toonsy- I just report news as I hear it 😆
SpencerTheToon(Quote)
I bet that wont be the last post from GS
johno toon(Quote)
Proper miss army me, I’m getting the new footy manager tomorrow, I need him to make my squad! 😆
SpencerTheToon(Quote)
Wow. We’ve had some supreme ***** on here, but GS takes the soggy biscuit! The ‘I’m a Man-U fan’ thing was classic; you just knew it was coming.
Ahhhnyway – back to Wigan. Anyone else think we’ll tonk the ferret-stuffers?
Whumpie(Quote)
Batty – Pass. They should have all migrated over now although being a bus driver I just don’t know if they have and I’m too busy walking into doors repeatedly as I type. Would be funny if they had though 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Yeah right, and when you lay down with Batty dogs you get fleas. So watch out.
GS(Quote)
Toonsy i think alot of my stalkers come from when i 1st went on eds blog 😉 but TC has never held a grudge agaist me thats why i think he a crackin lad 😉
batty(Quote)
TOONSY@63 ime with you there yes its only i season could that be down to being a little more mature hes started with a bang like but i havent seen him play (tv) from what ive seen cissie play more on t.v.and looks a canny prospect but would cost a bit more i think
icedog(Quote)
GS you on both blogs at once 😉
batty(Quote)