Newcastle travel to Moscow this evening where they will contest the first leg of a two-legged Round of 16 Europa League tie with FC Anzhi Makhachkala.
United will need to be at their best to get anything against an outfit who has had little trouble getting results at home. Armed with an array of attacking talent, Guss Hiddink will be looking for his side to grab something to protect at St James’ Park for the second leg.
In the match preview (which you can read here) it was revealed that Papiss Cisse was doubtful with an illness which has subsequently ruled him out of the game and he has been left on Tyneside to hopefully recover for the visit of Stoke on Sunday. Adam Campbell will replace him leaving a 19-man matchday squad that looks a bit like this:
Rob Elliot, Jak Alnwick, Danny Simpson, Davide Santon, Massadio Haidara, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, James Perch, Cheick Tiote, Gael Bigirimana, Yohan Cabaye, Vurnon Anita, Hatem Ben Arfa, Dan Gosling, Sylvain Marveaux, Gabriel Obertan, Moussa Sissoko, Shola Ameobi, Adam Campbell
So a team will need to be picked out of that lot. Personally I don’t think there will be too many surprises and we can pretty much all get close to naming the team that will play. For confirmation purposes though, team news will be published below as and when it becomes available.
We are live on ITV4 this evening, presumably now Liverpool have been eliminated, so there is no excuse to miss the match providing you’re at home and have access to a TV. However some people don’t have TV’s or won’t be at home or don’t live in the UK so can’t get ITV4 so streams will still be needed. I don’t see an issue with picking one up though so if you do find one then by all means feel free to share it with your fellow NUFC fans by leaving a link in the ‘comments’ section below.
Which just about wraps this up and leaves us with the football to talk about. Hopefully we’re talking about it in a positive light come 7pm.
Howay the lads!
Anzhi Makhachkala: Gabulov, Eschenko, Joao Carlos, Zhirkov, Ewerton, Jucilei, Shatov, Ahmedov, L. Diarra, Willian, Eto’o
Subs: Pomazan, Tagirbekov, Logashov, Gadzhibekov, Carcela-Gonzalez, Traore, Smolov.
Newcastle: Elliot – Simpson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Perch, Haidara – Anita, Cabaye- Marveaux, Sissoko, Obertan – Ben Arfa. (4-2-3-1)
Subs: Alnwick, Santon, S.Taylor, Bigirimana, Tiote, Shola Ameobi, Campbell.
it taylor scored there, forget running the length of the pitch, he would of ran home celebrating
alanthedog363(Quote)
Sharpy ,agree mate 8 out of 10 tonight for me. 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
man what a great result, no injuries either 🙂
Pardew must be afraid to replace Santon with Hairdryer now in case Santon gets a blob on 😀
Munich Mag(Quote)
Haidara was tidy! I like that fellow. Certainly should be pushing Santon. Perch did well at CB despite my concerns. Worked well with Mbiwa. Obertan and Marveaux didn’t excite me however. I can see why Ben didn’t play in the PL. He needs to regain fitness. Some fantastic touches though.
griff(Quote)
would of like to seen us threaten more, but job done
no noticable injuries
alanthedog363(Quote)
I hope those who were quick to judge Yanga M’Biwa on one or two performances are just as quick to laud his performance tonight. Total master class in defensive positioning, composure, distribution from the back and tackling.
Like I have said in the past, he is our best defender after Coloccini and will prove that in no time at all.
The Kid(Quote)
Griff, HBA looked cream crackered when he came off. He still needs a couple of games before he is up to full speed, but excellent that he put in such a good performance after a long lay-off and on a tricky pitch. Welcome back 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
Benny should have scored, but we probably didn’t deserve a win-well earned draw though.
Newkie(Quote)
The **** is wrong with these commentators and pundits, Young Rob Elliot-what, at 26? Christ 🙄
Newkie(Quote)
Good performance . Couldn’t pick man of the match but I think Haidara deserves a special mention – so cool. Disappointed that Campbell didn’t get a look in when they were tiring. Wish I had a pound for every time Shola fouls to break down our attacks. Still, not a night for having a moan.
Groucho(Quote)
Good result. Never going to be easy, will be tough at home – but actually quite fancy us to do something at SJP. Howay the Lads!
Shamrock(Quote)
If you’re not all giving total plaudits to the team right now then have a good hard look at yourselves. Great performance from what seemed like a thrown together team.
Brendan(Quote)
Really delighted with the result and love Hairdryer at left back right now would take him over Santon. MYM was superb. Only complaint was the number of times Obertan destroyed attacks. He has no football brain.
sjp14(Quote)
Brendan@162 spot on there, absolutely brilliant performance from a “weakened side”. The game at SJP will be different with the toon having to make the running, but Anzi are far from unbeatable.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Pleased with the overall performance. Obertan incredibly frustrating at times but had some really good spells same for Marveaux.
Andymag(Quote)
well i think it was a top result seeing we played with nine and half men imo as oba is useless he should have come off and young cambell put on,the one i feel has let everybody down is marv he “was”a top player dont know what has happened to him,but thought pardew did a good job not his fault some players are letting him down
icedog(Quote)
Thought the use of technical players was a good one on that pitch but thought Campbell should have had a run out, would’ve added something else and is quick so would have caused a few problems.
Andymag(Quote)
Reminiscent of our defensive performances last year. very impressive. didn’t create much, but an unfit hba, no cisse etc.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Mbiwa was outstanding 😉
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
TGS yes mate he handled that 10ft 6 fukker well imo and a top job done by the young left back too showed some nice touches
icedog(Quote)
Ice – couldn’t agree more mate, Oba and Marv really let us down tonight. I understand what some people are saying about them have ‘moments’ but they were far too few and far between and in the wrong areas of the pitch for me. That’s not a critisism that is only valid for tonight’s performance either, I don’t think either have done enough when handed an opportunity this season. Personally I’d see them both replaced in the summer.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY @171 hope your right mate,bit part players are nee good
icedog(Quote)
Ice, Pardew’s line up did a great job of stifling the Russians, we’ll see if he has the tactical nous to win the home game. I think he’ll go all-out to win the game at SJP with an attacking line up. I hope the lads are rewarded with a big crowd and a cracking atmosphere.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Bale again ,where would they be without him 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
inter being played off the park here by Spuds
KIMTOON(Quote)
MM my worry was if they got beat would heads be down a bit for stoke game,should be fine now imo as stoke will be coming not to get beat,cissie and goofy will need to be on there toes for this one it will be tight
icedog(Quote)
MM@173 , Can’t let them get the away goal though ,wish we could of gotten a goal there but it would just of been the icing as I thought we played well overall . Obatan was a bit better 2nd half but Marv looks like he has a sulk on to me ,it’s disappointing as he showed such promise.
KIMTOON(Quote)
I don’t like stoke much ,crappy horrible outfit .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Great result – a win next week and we’re into the QF. Can we dream then…
Stuart79(Quote)
Spuds 2.0 now
KIMTOON(Quote)
Marv seems to have real motivation issues, the talent is there but he just doesn’t look arsed. Obertan, well, he grafts a fair bit, but way too many attempts at flashy touches that just don’t come off-he’s done it since he’s been here, always tries to be too flashy and isn’t direct enough.
Newkie(Quote)
Does anyone know who we’d play if we got through?
Andymag(Quote)
Newkie, I get the impression that Marv is not very mobile, and needs to be deployed further up the pitch. His remit today was to hug the right hand side with Simmo and provide defensive cover, and leave the attacking flair to other players, Sissoko who worked his socks off today. Consequently Marv’s ability to find a telling pass doesn’t come to the fore. Today he did a job for his team, but I think he is more dangerous further up the field.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Only got home in time to see HBA substituted so can’t comment on the game.
Unfortunately 0-0 is not a great result though I would have snatched their hand off if offered before the game. The problem being that we have to win at SJP. An away goal from them could be a big problem, so now we have to win the game. Whilst they come here thinking if we can just get an away goal they will need 2. So they will set up counter-attacking and they have good players.
Gonna be a great game at SJP. Finely balanced.
premandup(Quote)
Andy don’t think the draw has taken place yet
premandup(Quote)
Andymag…. from the UEFA web page mate…
12.00CET, 15 March, Nyon
The quarter-final pairings are determined by an open draw in which no teams are seeded and clubs from the same national association can be drawn against each other. The side drawn first will play the first leg at home.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Newkie
My thoughts exactly. If you could combine Marveaux’s skill with Obertan’s pace and determination you’d have quite a player. They both still fumble a bit though and they are very indecisive, choosing the wrong idea when they do make a decision.
Andymag(Quote)
Premandup and MM
Thanks, thought it might’ve been like a tree so we know how it’s gunna pan out in each stage, like how we knew we’d play either Anzhi or Hannover.
Andymag(Quote)
Premandup, being somewhat hyper critical there mate, “a 0-0 is not a great result”. It’s a lot better than a 3-0 defeat 🙄 , or did you expect us to go to Moscow as a team near the bottom of the league club involved in a relegation battle and beat Anzi 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
Just home and missed the whole game. How about the crappy old player ratings, 1-10 for those who watched? Especially curious about Mbiwa, Hydra(!) and HBA. How did he do up front, all alone, if that was indeed his position. Did that formation seem to have anything in it? Come on kids, chat it up for us unfortunate souls who missed out.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
By the way, why was Santon out? I thought he was supposed to play today?
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
FSOTC, you missed a solid NUFC performance you would have been proud of. Sound solid defence, with all the players you mention having splendid games. Plus we came home without any new injuries. All in all a god day at the office, but the tie is far from over. It’s ours to lose now imo
Munich Mag(Quote)
Great performance and result by the lads and Pardieu. Considering the make shift defence we had they were fab. Gonna be quite a game at SJP.
Geordie Deb(Quote)
Just watching the game that I sky plussed. Cabaye is an artist. The glory hunters will be knocking on our door this summer me think
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Thanks, MM. Anybody else? I see some praise for Mbiwa and a little vitriol for Obertan. No real comments on HBA, it seems.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Fans to be fair they all put a shift in ,benny nearly got a goal just before being subbed but looked knackered poor sod ,very rusty but worked tirelessly. Hairdryer and Mbiwa were excellent and Elliot pulled off 3 great saves . Perch and Simmo combined well too. Only negatives were Marv who wasn’t at his best yet did enough and Obatan who was guilty of not having a football brain again ,though he was much improved 2nd half in fairness ,oh and an away goal would of been nice . A quality performance all round really 8 out of 10 for me.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Elliot – 8
Simpson – 7
Perch – 7
M’biwa – 8
Haidara – 7/8
Anita – 6
Cabaye – 7
Sissoko – 6
Marv – 5/6
Obertan – 5/6
HBA – 6
Shola – 5/6
Tiote – 6
Taylor – 6
Andymag(Quote)
Agree with Kim
Andymag(Quote)
Don’t want to take the spotlight too much from a great toon performance, but the Russian league isn’t obviously so good, and Anzhi not as good as the media have been bigging them up to be. Throw in the fact that they are in the middle of the winter break and sunning around in Marbella for a few weeks and that puts the toon result into a somewhat different perspective.
Still a great and disciplined performance from the lads. Pardew 1 – Huiddink 0 imo. If Laudrup had of been managing the toon we would have won today 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
Right on, folks. Thanks. Here is your reward.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbxT0LR4nRY
You’re welcome.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Munich-Yeah, I do think Marv might be better suited to a more central role, still got good touch and vision. Still that period where we played manure and arsenal I remember him doing pretty well and notching up some asssists-there was an outside of the boot cross for Ba I think that was superb-he was on the wing then, but I’m not sure-he’s been underwhelming in all of his European apps really and hasn’t shown much hunger.
Andy-Yup, let’s hope Gouffran can be that combined player eh! Certainly looks to be making that spot his own over those two.
Newkie(Quote)
MM
Agree that the press have bigged them up like they were gunna slaughter us, the reason being that they beat Liverpool so the media feel that they must be world class 🙄 . I did however expect a bit more from the team boasting Eto (highest paid player in the world) and various other multi million pound/euro players, a team that is currently second in the Russian league, ahead of Zenitvand various others and only slightly behind CSKA.
Andymag(Quote)
On the evidence of what i am watching I don’t envisage a goal fest next thursday. I could have played in goal for either team
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
So looking at a first and second 11 for next season:
——————- Krul —————–
Debuchy – Saylor – MYM – Santon
———– Cabaye — Tiote ———–
— Ben Arfa – Sissoko – Gouffran —
—————— Cisse —————–
2nd 11:
—————— Elliott —————-
Signing – Good – Signing – Haidara
———— Anita —- Perch ————
— Jonas — Signing — Signing —
—————- Signing —————-
This is based on my belief that Colo will get his move in the summer of course, otherwise he and MYM would be team 1 CBs and Saylor would be along Good in team 2. So I reckon we need 5 new signings to have a very strong back up 11 – like for like positions. By getting those 5 in would allow the likes of Bigi, Tav, Sammi, Fergie, Vuckic and Campbell to go out on loan and continue their development.
5 in may seem a lot but as I say, I think Colo will leave and Simmo is out on a free as it stands. Then I’d get rid of Oba, Marv, Gosling, Amalfitano, Williamson and Abied. There’s 8 out so to keep the numbers the same, I’d like to see another CB, another CF and perhaps another attacking midfielder.
I’m aware that’s a lot of chances and maybe too many for one transfer window, but if was achieved over the next 2 or 3 I think that would give one hell of a competitive squad of players.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Newkie
Yeah Goofy seems to have skill pace and enthusiasm, the latter characteristic that Marv is lacking.
Andymag(Quote)
Watching teams score from corners is so painful these days.
Newkie(Quote)
0-0 against Anzhi is very good as their away form is poor.
The Kid(Quote)
Sharpy ,You don’t want too much then, you might get one or two ,never 5 though.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Has the draw been made for the QF or is it a separate draw? If it has who do we play?
Stuart79(Quote)
Knowing our luck we’ll draw Spuds 🙄 if we go through.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Andy, You rate Sissoko just above Ameobi and below Simpson? Bit harsh on a quality player who ran his socks off the whole game.
Robert(Quote)
Spuds 3.0 up now
KIMTOON(Quote)
How much do we figure the injury to Willian aided us… and how hurt is he?
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Stuart
All eight teams in the hat with no restrictions.
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Fans ,hard to say ,he was looking good and quick tbh ,we’ll never know now.As for next week ,well he has a week to get over it ,didn’t look too severe to me.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Thought the ref was very good tonight by the way.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Robert
Was maybe a bit harsh, bump him up to 7 😉 , Ameobi only got 30 min and didn’t do much in that time except foul a lot so I’ve given him a mediocre rating, Tiote and Taylor both put in solid performances with the limited time they had on the pitch so had higher ratings than Shola.. Simpson was part of an excellent defence so 7 is deserving.
Andymag(Quote)
Kim – it’s what I’d like, certainly not what I expect 😀
To be fair though, at the beginning of Jan we needed a hell of a lot more. Yeah we’d probably have to spend decent money on a CF like PEA and a decent replacement for Colo. But if we can pick a couple of decent free transfers up and/or a couple of well priced players then who knows.
Priorities for me would be x2 CFs for me coz I think we are very light of goals at the more and with Ranger and Xisco gone then we need 2 IMO.
That is closely followed by a replacement for Colo and then another wing forward. There’s 4 of my 7-8, ill wait til the Jan for the rest 😉 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
MM said I’d have snatched hands off before the game
No just not getting carried away thinking it will be easy at SJP. It won’t be
premandup(Quote)
Sharpy 😆 You’re a dreamer! Do think we need a youngish forward though, it will allow us to send Campbell out on loan-he didn’t get on today and we’ll be without any “easy” european fixtures next year and, assuming we don’t win the thing this year I would expect pards to attack the cups next year and try and end our dismal recent performances against lower league opposition.
Newkie(Quote)
Sharpy
I reckon that we should only get another winger if Obertan leaves which I believe he should and should Benny leave than a top quality Carr replacement would be needed, possibly Belhanda though apparently he’s overrated.
Andymag(Quote)
The new system seems to be 4231 that could potentially be very central leaving the fullbacks to attack the wings, making the ‘3’ CAMs. With this in mind I can see players like Siem De Jong being bought rather than an actual winger.
Andymag(Quote)
Newkie – this is the toon man, anything can happen. Just look at Jan for god sake, who expected that?!. Like I say I don’t expect 8 in one window or anything like that, but I’d love PEA, Austin, Kjaer and someone like Ince, Redmond or Phillips in.
RB wouldn’t be too much of a concern (cover for Deb I mean) as Perch and Anita could cover there.
My initial post was a dream case scenerio though and to highlight that realistically, we aren’t too far away from having 2 decent starting 11’s.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Not sure anyone posted it but did anyone else see Eto go over to shake Taylor’s hand when he come on? Was nice to see from a real Gent especially when Taylor said earlier in the week that he probably wouldn’t remember trading shirts with him 7 years ago when we played Mallorca. Remember Bolt saying in an interview a couple of years ago that Eto had given him his £60,000 watch for free as a gift because Usain complemented it.
Andymag(Quote)
Andy – Belhanda would cost around £12m mate, as would De Jong. Personally I think Ince could be bought for around £6-7m and apparently Man City want rid of Scott Sinclair – not sure what his wages would be like since moving there but reckon City would take around £7m for him as well. Redmond I think could be got for £4-5m and Phillips probably cheaper again.
I think those players would work out better value for money and I could see them in the 4-2-3-1 formation we play now.
Sharpy17(Quote)