The home side have won five games on the spin and go looking for a sixth successive win for the first time since 1996 as the race for Europe hots up. Indeed a win against Stoke would likely mean that European football is guaranteed as the odds are stacked against Everton getting a result at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Anyhow, first things first and that is Stoke City. You know what you’re going to get when you come up against Stoke. You will get tested in the air and tackled on the ground. In the corresponding fixture last season we lost 2-1, but earlier on in the season we turfed them over on their own patch with Demba Ba bagging a hat-trick to silence the Britannia boo boys, who were displeased with Ba because their own manager didn’t sign him? Yeah, I can’t work it out either but that is Potteries logic for you!
Newcastle United
Alan Pardew has been boosted by the return to fitness of a whole host of players ahead of the run in. James Perch (thigh), midfielders Cheick Tiote (hamstring), Danny Guthrie (calf) and Gabriel Obertan (ankle) are all back in training, as are striker Leon Best (knee) and midfielder Sylvain Marveaux. Cheik Tiote is likely to go straight back into the starting line up.
Peter Lovenkrands, Steven Taylor and Sammy Ameobi are all still sidelined while there is worrying news over Tim Krul, who sat out training on Thursday after feeling a back spasm. He’s expected to be fit but backup keeper Rob Elliot is being prepared for action should Krul not make it.
Stoke City
Jermaine Pennant could miss the match through illness although he will undergo a late fitness test to determine whether he is officially ruled out or not. Mamady Sidebe and Salif Diao are both injured long term although Andy Wilkinson is available again after recovering from a groin injury.
Previously…
Newcastle go searching for their first ever Premier League double over The Potters. On Tyneside it’s been a bit of a horror story though as Stoke have won one and drawn the other of their two Premier League trips to St James’ Park.
In general though we don’t have a bad record against Stoke. Of 82 meetings in all competitions we’ve won on 40 occasions with Stoke being victorious just 23 times in comparison. The other 19 matches, not surprisingly, have been draws!
Tactics and team selection
It’s going to be 4-3-3 again I would imagine. We have a virtually full strength squad to choose from so I see no reason to change what has been a winning formula. The attacking trio of Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse and Hatem Ben Arfa will cause Stoke problems as, quite simply, they can’t mark all of them at once, not with the movement and fluidity they possess.
The other issue we have to address is how we play at the back. It is likely to be Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini paired in central defence, but regardless of who it is they will need to be on guard against Stoke and their aerial threat. For once they can afford to keep a relatively high line, providing that the wingers of Stoke are sufficiently shackled. I honestly can’t see Peter Crouch or Julie (Jonathan) Walters breaking through the defence with searing pace…
If all else fails just give Danny Simpson a towel and they’ll soon get radged up!
Match stats and facts
Papiss Cisse is bidding to become the first player to score in six consecutive Premier League games this season. Wayne Rooney, Rafael Van der Vaart and Robin Van Persie have all got to scoring in five consecutive games before drawing a blank.
A clean sheet will set a new Premier League club record for consecutive clean sheets at home. The previous best was three in a row back in 2008.
Stoke are the lowest scorers in the Premier League, and the joint lowest scorers in the Premier League along with Fulham. Both sides have only found the back of the net 11 times away from home.
Stoke haven’t won in seven Premier League away games.
Final thoughts
Three points is a must, but Stoke are well capable of playing the role of party pooper. We can get at them but will need to be wary of the threat they carry. Ultimately their game isn’t the greatest to watch, but it is effective and can be dangerous.
I feel that this is another game, like Bolton, where patience and a bit of brilliance may make the difference. Fortunately we possess both of those traits in our team.
Howay the lads!
Date: Saturday, 21st April, 2012
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: St James’ Park
I reckon we throw in the towel tomorrow. as many times as possible.
Tsunki(Quote)
well i think this is our easiest game out of the 5 remaining so i expect 3 points if we do want to challenge for this 3rd 4th spot!! who would of thought us saying 3rd and 4th spot at the start of the season eh?!! i agree it should be the same formation as our previos games with cisse roaming up top and ba and benny on either side!! it will be a tough game as stoke are a decent team on there day! all in all i do expect 3 points but you just never know ! my prediction for this match is 2-1n to the toon with cisse and ba getting 1 each ! lets hope anyway eh !
i will defintley be keeping an eye on the arsenal chelsea game ( drogbas out 😀 )
if you get the chance and you think you know the crack lol have a go at bbc predictions for the rest of the season for every game!! i done it and have got newcastle finishing 5th in the league 😀
Army69(Quote)
I forgot about danny simpson and the towel…. brilliant game!
Nobby(Quote)
I’m going for 5-1. Think the atmosphere will be great and that will reflect on the pitch.
Ba, Arfa and Cisse with the goals.
Stuart79(Quote)
STUART thats a brave statement mate,but like your faith 😉
icedog(Quote)
Ice – The only thing stopping us is ourselves. Will nerves play a part? Maybe if it’s nil nil with 30 mins to go but I think we’ll get an early goal and I also think Benny will have a field day.
Stuart79(Quote)
Having done them at their place I fully expect us to beat them at home , let’s face it they can’t shackle all three forwards at the same time . 😉 .
kimtoon(Quote)
I hope it’ll be as easy as everyone is predicting but stoke have never been easy to turn over.
We haven’t beaten them at home since…. 1990!
Nobby(Quote)
Patience will be the key, just as it was against Bolton.
And I’m talking about the fans here.
There was just a hint of the old moaning and groaning going on just before HBA took the game by the scruff of the neck.
Gotta kepp the faith Lads n Lasses, as I feel Stoke will come to spoil as per usual, not to play football.
We have the quality necessary to beat them tho, and I think we will.
Howay the Lads.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
think pennant may be out for them,that closes one outlet for them imo,they tended to use him as a out-let at times because of his pace
icedog(Quote)
Hobby – We’re due a win then.
Stuart79(Quote)
We’ve been re writing many stats this season tho Hobby
😆
nice one stuart pmsl 😆 😆
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I’m more concerned about Huth and Shawcross kicking lumps out of Benny and Papa smurf.
Need the ref to have a good game also.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Lads I hate to say it but I think this is going to be a real rough game 😥 and i’ll be happy enough to get a point out of it.
I just think they’re going to try their usual ugly kicking game and I fear the ref will let them get away with it, as we never seem to get any protection from the ref.
But saying all that if we can score early on it might just be a different game
Big Dave(Quote)
Howay, Dave man! We’re going to smash their back doors in!
Stuart79(Quote)
Nobby….tbf we’ve only played them twice since then 😉
richietoon(Quote)
Stu I hope your right lad 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSVZti4hF20&feature=g-u-u&context=G227d014FUAAAAAAACAA
anyone seen this bollocks saying tiote, ba and ben arfa not plying tomorrow, ben arfa refusing to play.
Alex(Quote)
nobby we beat them 4 1 in the cup the day keegan came back 😉
batty(Quote)
who the hell’s hobby?
I’ve just fell out my chair laughing! 😆
Nobby(Quote)
Well I suppose we have to look on the brightside atleast its at home and not down in that fuking hole, as we can’t risk picking any diseases up for the run in 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
now now DAVE
icedog(Quote)
😆 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
1-1 With 20 mins left. On comes Sholiobi. This guy don’t care too much for red and white stripes. BANG, The Toon win 2-1. Come on the Black Diamond. HWTL.
Porciestreet(Quote)
Nobby @ 20 it could have been worse it could have been a high chair 😉 .
Ice just noticed Batts on and didn’t even say hi 👿 whats up with him ? did he have to give you extra today 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
🙄 😆
batty(Quote)
Hello lads 😀 Long time no speak, I have been mad busy with this being my last year in school before heading to uni in September. But I am back now and got a few articles planned for you, just finished writing one too!
Hope you are all well
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
ZOE welcome home 😀
icedog(Quote)
DAVE i heard on f/b that you and toonsy have been bullying wor BATTY,you know hes just a big hearted softie,not reet that like
icedog(Quote)
Thanks ICE, its nice to be back home
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
@Alex I think it’s BS….
ksmit(Quote)
Welcome back Zoe. Remember though exams come first 😉
toonsy(Quote)
Zoe 😯 good to see you back on, I thought you might have found a new love 😆
Ice you know me I wouldn’t bully batts and yeah your right he is just a big soft lad 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave – You’re just so negative! Cannot stand people like that ya kna! 😉
Stuart79(Quote)
😆 🙄 😆
batty(Quote)
Stu 😆 I know mate I have tried to change but just cant cause everytime im about to cross the line and enter the fluffy world, Jabba makes another one of his ****-ups 👿
Big Dave(Quote)
Batts are you watching Piers ? bruno looks high as a kite 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
ye watching it mate i quite like frank i met him once years ago 😉
batty(Quote)
toonsy says:
April 20, 2012 at 21:00
Welcome back Zoe. Remember though exams come first
Only a Daddy a few days and giving it the old man routine already 😆 😆 😆 Didnt take long did it?
Johno Toon(Quote)
Batts he is a good spud and always seemed to be down to earth 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Good to have ya back Zoe 😉
BigDave is right, it’s gonna be a tough game and I’ll be happy just with a win to be honest.
I’d love to see Ba on the scoresheet!!
Dave – I’m watching Bruno, he’s still not a full sack of tatties like is he?! 😕
He was one of my heroes growing up though
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy aye he is a bit of a nut job like 😆 but a good laugh
Big Dave(Quote)
Zoe congrats on your piece in the Sports Journalist world 😉 well done lass
Big Dave(Quote)
He looks like he’s got dressed in the dark in Elton Johns dressing room doesnt he … still wouldn’t fancy a clip off him though 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy I find it sad to see someone go that way, it just reminds me of my bro inlaw that is medicated that much that he doesn’t really know whats going on.
But yeah I would say he would still lay a few out
Big Dave(Quote)
It’s something I’ve never had any experience with fortunately but I can only imagine it being horrific seeing someone you love on self destruct and not being able to stop or help them, especially in Brunos case where it’s his kids watching it – must be really tough.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’ll be at work whilst its on 😥 will be able to watch football first later though, will be checking for the score on my phone, being sneeky like 😆
ANDYMAG(Quote)
Just checked and the game is on the TV tomorrow. Sweet. It’s on at 7:00 AM here which is a bit of a bummer in that it’s a bit early to b enjoying a pint, but it’ll be nice not to have to watch some dodgy link that Richie puts up. 😀
NorCal Toonfan(Quote)
All right boys let’s have ’em!!! Ba to score first 😀
Nice to see you back, Zoe 😀
Susan(Quote)
Cheers to Dave and everyone else who’s welcomed me back. Toonsy: Of course my exams come first but they are a couple of months away but I’m working very hard every night after school to prepare for them.
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
NorCal…..I only put links of the very highest quality 😉
richietoon(Quote)
Zoe…don’t listen to them, articles and the Toon comes first 😉 😀
richietoon(Quote)
if Krul’s injured, can we recall Fraser from Celtic ?… not much faith in Elliott, especially against the Stokes normal “put it in to the keeper and hit him hard” plan.. too late I guess… shame if Fraser does leave, but can see why he wouldn’t want to sit on a bench for 3/4 season. Where’ Harper is he injured ?
kev(Quote)
want to see ba playing through the middle today with cisse given a free role to roam, about time cabeye took control of the middle of the park. iv took 3-1 ba 1st scorer
bazza(Quote)
i really hope with 3 cups we can keep forster as second choice keeper, i would like to see how he does
alanthedog363(Quote)
Anyone watching the Ars-Chelski game?
the best reult would be a draw right?
DanishToon(Quote)