Game On! Newcastle v Stoke

toonsy

Game On at St James'
Game On at St James’
After the football results yesterday it has become much clearer what a result would do for either team this afternoon at St James’ Park.

Alan Pardew and Tony Pulis will prep their respective sides knowing that a win could potentially see either side in with a shout of finishing the weekend sat in the top half of the table.

To be more precise, a lot depends on how many goals each team is beaten by. Fulham currently occupy tenth place but don’t play this weekend so it’s their spot up for grabs. To move into tenth all Stoke need to do is draw today, which would see us move above Sunderland, but for United to make some real headway in the league then we need to beat Stoke by two goals which will be enough to propel us into 11th. Yes it is technically possible for us to make tenth today but we’d need to win by six clear goals so it’s unlikely.

So results covered, what about the game today? Well a good place to start if you haven’t already done so is by clicking here and reading our match preview. It’s packed full of injury news, fitness worries, recent form tips, a history of games between the two sides and some fun facts and stats for your delectation.

The match is once again not on the telly box here in the UK, but it is being broadcast overseas so streams may be available for those who can’t attend the game. If you do find a good stream then please feel free to share it by leaving a link in the ‘comments’ section below.

As ever team news will be published below, in full, as and when I can get my hands on it. I dare say that whilst I’m updating it somebody will have posted it in the ‘comments’ section anyway but it will be featured at the bottom of this article for sure.

Which means it’s nearly time for kick-off in what is yet another must win game for United against a team occupying the same kind of league position we find ourselves in. It’s a chance to move up the league, and it’s a chance we simply have to take!

Howay the lads!

Newcastle: Rob Elliot; Mathieu Debuchy, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Davide Santon; Yohan Cabaye, Cheik Tiote; Jonas Gutierrez, Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran; Papiss Cisse

Subs: Steve Harper, Massadio Haidara, James Perch, Vurnon Anita, Gabriel Obertan, Sylvain Marveaux, Adam Campbell

Stoke: Asmir Begovic; Geoff Cameron, Ryan Shawcross, Marc Wilson, Andy Wilkinson; Ryan Shotton, Glenn Whelan, Steven Nzonzi, Jonathan Walters; Cameron Jerome, Peter Crouch

Subs: Thomas Sorenson, Brek Shea, Charlie Adam, Dean Whitehead, Michael Kightly, Kenwyne Jones, Michael Owen

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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311 thoughts on “Game On! Newcastle v Stoke”

  6. if shes preggers and told u first i wont be happy hahaha unless your talking our engagement

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  9. kim been the same last few matches great at passing and freekicks but these corners are awful

    cant even remember did over the wall used to take em??

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  13. cheers dave …. about time i settled down i got sick of waiting for that megan fox lassy and cheryl cole/tweedy or wat ever she calls herself now dosent see us white fellas so i decided to take myself off the market 😆 :mrgreen:

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  15. How many corners a game do we win yet do nowt worthy with ,it’s driving me nuts now. 👿

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  23. Someone can explain wtf happens with this Jonas? how he can stay all the time in the pitch? wtf he brings? Pard open eyes

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  24. cheers kim she made me proud the other day…. shes maltese not english and somone said who does your fella support her reply

    i dont know but dont mention sunderland he fooking hates them hahaha

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  41. had a panic thinking it wasnt our game then couldnt flick back on the blog to check

    squeaky *** there phewwwww

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  48. People always saying Cisse needs to score tap-ins, but you can’t score them without supply lines.

    Well, the torment of the last two hours is suddenly lifted with three points tucked away.

    A-fucking-men.

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  49. What a goal by Cabaye. Nice poacher’s finish by Cisse. Marv is looking tidy these days. Get in Toon!

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  50. I had to wait 2 mins for my stream to show that goal you’d already seen 🙄 😆 ,Great play by Marv I must say ,and Cisse very cool

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  51. A strange game really we were clearly superior but were running out of ideas till they scored. Almost felt like we needed that kick up the ****.

    Tiote should be ashamed of himself for that challenge it’s just stupid. Absolutely ridiculous.

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  53. I think B&B will come here later boasting about his beloved Marv. Great win, and we came from behind again to win! 😯 😆 😀

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  55. 33 points and above the Scum ,what a good day . 1 win and a draw ,poss 2 more wins and we should be safe.

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  56. Well I was hoping to keep some of my fingernails today but I can safely say that they’re down to the knuckles!!
    What the hell was Tiote thinking with that rush of blood tackle!!, that will always be in him and a risk we will always take if we keep and play him.
    Fantastic freekick from Cabaye!! – true dreamboat stuff that like. And talk about leaving it til the last minute!.

    Stoke made it difficult and were well organised and Mr Shawcross has clearly been learning how to tackle off Mr Huth, very physical game and really hard earnt win today, but that’s what we have to expect if we want to get out of trouble.

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  57. i think we played well stoke aint a easy team to play against no body likes playing them

    we deserved that win easy and should of won against swansea to hats off boys well done

    tiote your reckless and costly…. spiderman please ask to go to argentina to see your family pleaseeeeeee

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  58. Tiote turning into a Wilkinson-like liability (although he has been off and on like that for a while), Anita instead better distribution and may help Cabaye get forward a bit more.

    We have got to, got to, cut out all those wasted crosses into the box, so much possession in dangerous areas coming to nothing. But, without the penalty Stoke weren’t really in the game.

    F–kin’ Great! Roll on Thursday.

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  59. thought the fella made a meal of it meself for the pen he was waiting for the knock he lost the ball anyway

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  60. People should be less harsh on Tiote, who rarely makes rash challenges in the box. Just a mistake. He actually played very well today. Him going off did help us win the game though as Stoke began trying to utilise that area more in his absence. This created the space Marveaux, who has that touch of class, the space he needed win us the game.

    Great result.

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  61. Haidara to start?

    Lovely to see the young’un out there at the end. Great movement a drew defenders from Cisse for the goal.

    Sissoko had a weak game but still a Champion. I hope a partnership develops between Sissoko and Cisse as it isn’t quite there yet.

    Jonas was solid.

    Taylor and Mbiwa excellent for defence.

    Eliot’s distribution wasn’t the best today.

    Cabaye did well and a sumptuous goal.

    Debuchy a cracker of a game.

    Marveaux was a good change for Tiote.

    Gouffron hasn’t found the net but good positioning. I think he will come good actually. Good movement between Goofy and Cisse actually.

    All up I wonder if Anita and Haidara should be purples?

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  62. Pup ,So many of our attacks broke down when Jonas went to ground failing to win the FK .There was a time when he was quicker he won them all the time but he’s lost pace and the refs are getting wise to him. I have always been a big Jonas fan ,he does work hard but he’s too slow now sadly. As for Tiote ,words fail me ,there was no need for that today ,so nearly cost us the game. 🙄

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  63. I agree with Pup at 207. Stoke are never easy to play against. We created some chances and the defense was excellent. Feels nice to have a bit of breathing room for the first time in awhile

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  64. Kim, thought Jonas played well. Quite a few FK’s going begging. The problem being that this ref likes it rough;suited Stoke really.

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  65. Griff ,we don’t get much when Andre refs our matches 🙄 ,he does let an awful lot fly. Agree Jonas works hard ,always puts in a shift but he’s getting too slow now so trying to win more FK than is merited and refs feeling like he’s conning them I think.

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  67. Kim

    I thought most of our attacks ended regardless of who was on the ball. We were awful with the final ball today – Sissoko included.

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  68. Can’t describe this game.

    I don’t know whether to praise Pardew for some excellent decisions or criticize him for some poor ones. Think seen as though we won I have to praise him.

    The substitutions after the goal made a huge difference. Marvaeux is definately far better the middle than out wide – that pass was simply sublime. And so glad Cisse took it so calmly.

    Sissoko really needs to work on his awareness for the best option for his final ball – but his running power is a joy to watch.

    I thought Cabaye was incredible all game. For me, this guy is our best player. His tackling, his passing, his vision and technique is world class.
    I actually don’t think his corners were too bad today. Not his fault nobody attacks the ball!

    Tiote was great until a moment of madness. I think he’s back to form so not concerned there.

    Debuchy AND Santon were just brilliant. Lost count of the number of interceptions Santon made. And Debuchy has an amazing engine.

    Gouffran showed some great running, but as times I thought Obertan had possessed him in the final third.

    Cisse’s link up play was decent again. He is a frustrated man… So glad he scored. But here’s where my criticism comes of the tactics.
    Some of our play was superb, but time after time we then chipped a high cross or diagonal in looking for Cisse. This was a crazy tactic against Stoke. We could have done it for 10 years and never have scored.

    Marv came on and played to his feet and BANG! There was a goal. Play stop looking to play the ball high FFS. Especially against teams like Stoke.

    Was so up and down during the game. But we came out on top. So very pleased overall.

    Also, I thought the officials were excellent today.

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  69. I actually thought Jonas had one of his better games and looked slightly fitter, but nothing special. Sissoko and goof were poor in comparison-Cabaye was pretty standard, great goal evened out with poor corners and crosses, but his actual passing ability is great. I just don’t get it.

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  70. Completely forgot about Jonas.
    I thought he had a very good game overall. Definitely a big improvement from the start of the season.

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  71. The kid – I can understand your defence of Tiote and he didn’t have a particularly poor game but the fact is he will always have that recklessness in him which is costly at this level, whether its a freekick on the edge of the box or a penalty as it was today. My mate jokingly said ‘oh **** it’s Mr T’ just seconds before he made the challenge.

    Marv did well when he came on today. That’s why he frustrates the **** out of me!. I know he’s capable of being a match winner or game changer as he was today but rarely does he do that. Well done today tho – credit where it’s due.

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  72. Where exactly do people expect Cabaye to put the ball for corners.

    Twice the ball LANDED in a very dangerous position in the Stoke goal area and no Toon player got near to attacking the ball. Its not so much the delivery that needs work but the determination and technique of the men in the box to get on the end of the balls.

    Today against Stoke our tactical crossing in general was pathetic because Cisse was never going to win an aerial dual with the Stoke defenders. A hard low ball into his feet and all of a sudden the tables are turned and the Stoke players look cumbersome.

    Poor tactics in the final third overall.

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  73. ____________________Elliot___________________

    Debuchy_______Taylor______Mbiwa________Santon

    ___________________Tiote____________________

    ____________Cabaye______Sissoko_____________

    ________Ben Arfa____Cisse___Gouffran__________

    Subs: Harper, Colo, Hadaira, Perch, Anita, Marvaeux, Campbell.

    Not a bad bench that is it? 😯

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  74. Sharpy

    Marv’s best performances come when he is playing centrally. He doesn’t have the pace, desire or style of play to contribute via the wings. Imo, Marveaux needs to play ahead of Tiote when we are. Today we had Tiote playing well, but ultimately he wasn’t really needed as Stoke only wanted to attack down the wings or by lumping it long.

    Although I suppose you could say that was a result of Tiote being in the middle.

    Either way, we clearly needed more guile and creativity in the central area.

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