In the week building up to the game I’m usually flitting between being nervous and being excited but playing on Thursday evening seems to have put a lid on that as far as I’m concerned and it’s only now I’m feeling anxious.
We are the home side and we have to win, it’s as simple as that. Bragging rights hinge on this game and anything other than defeat for Sunderland will ensure that Wearside have the advantage in the banter stakes when normal service resumes after the weekend. That simply can’t be allowed to happen. I don’t want to hear about the production commemorative Sunderland mugs celebrating a rare derby day win again, like what happened five years ago!
Tickets for this game sold out within hours and not one seat inside the ground is available. A complete sell-out for a third time in a week will ensure an electric atmosphere inside the ground. For those that are lucky enough to be there, enjoy!
For those like me who are having to work and miss parts of the game or couldn’t get tickets or whatever rest easy. The game is live on Sky and even though it’s a relatively early start (for us here in the UK anyway!) I’m sure plenty of people will be up to watch it! We need streams people, so if you happen to find one on your trawls round the web then please share it by leaving a link to it in the ‘comments’ section below.
I will be on hand to provide with you with team news as soon as it becomes available. The full team-sheet will be added in at the bottom of this article but both teams are carrying injuries so neither side is playing at what you could call full strength. To view the injury statuses for both sides read my match preview by clicking here.
Really I don’t need to go any longer. We all know what is at stake here and what the game means to everyone on both sides of the divide. All I’ll say is let’s do this!
Howay the lads!
Newcastle: Tim Krul; Mathieu Debuchy, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Jonas Gutierrez; Cheik Tiote, Yohan Cabaye; Sylvain Marveaux, Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran; Papiss Cisse
Subs: Rob Elliot, James Perch, Massadio Haidara, Vurnon Anita, Hatem Ben Arfa, Adam Campbell, Shola Ameobi
Sunderland: Simon Mignolet: Phil Bardsley, Carlos Cuellar, John O’Shea, Danny Rose; Adam Johnson, Alfred N’Diaye, Sebastian Larsson, James McClean; Stephane Sessegnon; Danny Graham
Subs: Kieran Westwood, Matthew Kilgallon, Jack Colback, David Vaughan, Kader Mangane, Mikael Mandron, Jordan Laidler
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/predictor/default.stm
Norwich 42
Sunderland 40
Newcastle 38
Villa 38
Wigan 37
Stoke 36
Way too close for my liking. ****.
Newkie(Quote)
Swansea city have scored one more goal than us, and have failed to score in 4 more games than us, according to ESPN.
Newkie(Quote)
Sad stuff in Boston. Shrapnel involved with some pretty horrific injuries. Just saw on the news one of the dead is 8 years old 🙁
MDS(Quote)
its been fun reading the sniping between each other on this thread (not really).. but heres 1 or 2 thoughts
1) Ashley will not sack Pardew before the end of the season, so no point in debating that.
2) if we stay up Ashley will keep Pardew
3) if we go down, not sure if Pardew will keep his job or not
4) I thought the 8 year agreement was a 1 year rolling contact renewed each May, I might be wrong on this but thought that was what came out at the end of last season (I’m sure somebody will put me right on that if I’m wrong).
5) I said on here well before the first Benfica game that asking the same players to play thur/sun/thur/sun was too much, and we should play a Euro team and concentrate on the 6 points. Pardew only noticed after the fourth game, I’m no fitness guru but that was obvious, we were lucky not to pick up more injuries. hamstrings/pulls etc.
6) we were never going to be Euro kings when we cant beat wigan/reading/norwich/swansea, a few got caught up in the Pardew blarney about “we can win this”.
7) I also mentioned I didn’t expect any points from the last 5 games, now a few more are picking up on this.
8) the hoofball I’ve been mentioning all year is back in full swing, and again cabaye/tiote/sissoko all play **** because they dont get the ball enough, probably injured their necks more than anything. to be fair when they did get it they did naff all with it.
9) I was in favour of Jonas at LB, doh !!!!!!
10) I still like Cisse, out 5 or 6 chances on Sunday, 2 class saves, 1 valid goal and 2 or 3 off target, cant get upset about that.
bar that lot, I hope they players come out and put it right next saturday, they have had a nice little rest (ah bless them) and should be well up for it at Brom.
They say you learn more about a person in defeat that in victory, well we will see who has got the balls to put it right next sat. including Pardew.
and as for sqeaky *** time, its more like Shitty **** time !!!
kev(Quote)
mark,
laudrup, done really well in his first season, taken a side only one year up from the championship and got them into a strong league position and won a minor cup, manager of the year ?… sounds a bit familiar to me, lets see what happens next year when Michu doesn’t do a Ba or Cisse “everything goes in spell” and he loses Ashely Williams to a “big club”, thats not us by the way according to Alex.
If we do go for a new manager next year it has to be someone fresh, not the old merry go round of failed managers doing the rounds. probably someone European. I dont know the euro scene at all so cant name names, but (and I’m not saying him) people like berkamp are learning the coaching trade, young fresh people. or the people that have worked and done well in France again i dont know names
kev(Quote)
@MDS
Its horrific man i can’t imagine how that would feel to lose a child like that. I really do feel for all those innocent people and their families.
@Kev
Good post
I hope you are right about that rolling contract although i was under the impression it was a straight forward 8 year deal.
Santii(Quote)
just for a laugh guess who.
“After retiring from playing xxxxxxx began his coaching career as a youth and reserve team coach at Oxford United, where Denis Smith was manager.[9] He moved back to Derby County in 1995, where he was assistant manager to Jim Smith.[10] The pair won promotion to the Premier League in their first season in charge and later enjoyed further consolidation in the top flight.
In early 1999, xxxxxx moved to Manchester United as assistant to Alex Ferguson, replacing Brian Kidd. His first half-season was distinguished by United winning the Treble, consisting of the Premier League title, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League. He developed the reputation as one of the most tactically astute coaches in the country,[12] using modern methods such as video analysis and sports psychologists.[11] United later won the League titles in 2000 and 2001, thus ensuring they won every title contested while xxxxxxx was at the club. As a manager in his own right , took an average side to a uefa final, manged his country, won a league title abroad, has managed in three different countries.
and no I would touch him with a barge pole…….never mind want him as manager. he is out of work though.
kev(Quote)
Santii. By the way, how religion poisons everything is a fantastic book
MDS(Quote)
@Kev
Steve Mclaren? 😀
@MDS
i love Chritopher Hitchens man he was fantastic to listen to
Santii(Quote)
Santi, you win, you get to manage the side next Saturday, have fun 😆
kev(Quote)
I saw hitchens speak a couple of times in person. I still like catching some of his YouTube debates
MDS(Quote)
Lol Kev yay for me il have us playing fluid attacking football in no time don’t worry 😀
MDS
Yeah thats where i first seen him on youtube and from there i got a few of his books. I would of loved to listen to him in person aswell lucky you 😀
Santii(Quote)
Pardew has a home 0-3 battering from the makkems on his cv and that will never go away …. 👿
We’ll see how our “energy levels” are now after getting that dastardly distracting Europa League out of the way. Thank flock we are out.
Too many players playing as individuals, and no sense of “team” against the makkems. In fact that has been the case for the majority of the season, with Pardew covering over the cracks with his startegically thought out post match comments.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Against popular opinion, I am going to start a ‘Pardew is the Manager for Us” campaign. He deserve our support and he needs it just as much as our players do………………
Who is with me?
Say I
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I !
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
🙄 I see there is a small ground swell of support already…nice 😀
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
we will defo beat 1 of westbrom westham qpr and wont lose to both pool and asenal
batty(Quote)
I think our final placement will depend on this weekend.
West Brom is our best chance of getting three points. If we manage that then we’ll finishing around 15th. If not we will finish around 17th!!
Personally I think we’ll finish in 16th/17th on about 38 points.
Reading, QPR and Wigan will go down… (I hope).
So basically Pard’s would have got us knocked out in the first round of both domestic cups and we would have placed one position above relegation… All compiled with a huge Derby defeat and some poor man management.
He is a very very very lucky man to have Ashley’s backing.
JJ(Quote)
I genuinely can’t see us picking up more than three points the rest of the season. For me, it all hinges on the West Brom result.
We need a point at least otherwise there is going to be some serious pressure on the team.
JJ(Quote)
Aussie,
You remind me of a wanna be politian who starts an ridiculous party at election time only to get support from your wive and mother. Even your kids secretly vote for the opposition 😉
JJ(Quote)
We nearly always play **** against Liverpool and even when we play well they beat us 4-3 😕
Arsenal we could win at home, depends on which Arsenal turns up, but they’ve been in great form. 7-3 result doesn’t fill me with confidence.
West Ham are decent at home and Nolan and Carroll will want to impress. I think a point is possible though. Just hope we keep it on the deck against them.
I think West Brom we can get a point or three. Hopefully the players are up for the fight after the hurt of the derby defeat.
I can see QPR beating us at their ground as we usually don’t fair too well there either and players will be trying to impress looking for new clubs.
So between 2 and 4 points I think.
JJ(Quote)
JJ, that is bullshit! my kids would not secretly vote against me in anything. They would openly tell me they were going to do it…cheeky sods
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I think Toonsy has slit his wrists… has anyone checked up on him?
I can picture this being him typing out the match report….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opcO5edCzZY
JJ(Quote)
JJ@698 😆 hillarious vid .Yep, I said last night poor Toonsy must be totally depressed writing up yet another all too common loss review 🙄 👿 .
KIMTOON(Quote)
MDS@678 ,watched it on the news last night mate ,terribly sad scenes feel for all involved .That poor 8 year old lad was at the finishing line waiting to cheer on his dad as he crossed the line 🙁 just a pointless waste of life .
KIMTOON(Quote)
The world as a whole disgusts me with the way its going.
What makes things like this even worse is the unwarranted hatred it sparks.
People having a go at Muslims but FFS its not the religion causing this, it’s extremists and terrorists.
Christian extremists have caused more deaths in history than any other religion.
An aggressive reaction is exactly what they are looking for. Anyway. Not commenting on it any more. I get depressed enough with trivial things like sport. 😥
JJ(Quote)
JJ, forget religion mate, join my Pardew is the Manager for Us campaign. It will lift your spirits
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie ,The voice of reason as always 😀
KIMTOON(Quote)
Pardew is the manager for Usa!
Sweet, I’ll join that campaign no problem 😉
JJ(Quote)
I wouldn’t go that far Kim! 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
all this talk has given me an idea for a article 😎 I might see how I am going for time tomorrow and I get cracking on it if I can…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie ,No, 😆 nor would I mate.
KIMTOON(Quote)
WBA is a good chance of some points I think. They have nothing to play for and aren’t particularly great. QPR will be down, Liverpool will be fcking about to finish top 7 (although almost certain now anyway), Arsenal will already have secured top 4 and West ham will have nothing to play for as will be safe.
Having said all that I think West Ham will beat us as Sam’s teams generally do, I think Arsenal will beat us and I think QPR will beat us too. They will be down and have nothing to fear and do have some good players. So our hopes rest on WBA and Liverpool.
Stuart79(Quote)
I think we can beat WBA and im pretty sure we will beat QPR, as for the bin dippers I can see us getting a draw.
Now we need a new thread as it takes yonks to scroll to the bottom of this one 😯
Big Dave(Quote)
Big Dave, in answer to your post @ 564:
I accuse you of mocking me relentlessly for not wishing to name top managers. You say, “I have never done that to you and if you think I did please show me where I have mocked you how could I mock you for not naming a name when in your own words you want Pards to stay as our manager”
Check out just a couple of examples I’ve dragged up but there are many more of you and Troy in tandem.
December 10, 2012 at 19:18
“B+B what would I be holding out for ?? until you named a few top managers ? nah mate I don’t have that much time on my hands ”
December 11, 2012 at 22:40
“Troy for your own sanity I think it’s time to declare yourself out.
It’s obvious that even though B+B states that there is loads of top managers that would walk over hot coals to take the Toon job, that he can’t really believe that or he could easily throw one name in a hat that would take the job, but oh no he would rather bring up 2 names that other people mention…”
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
well i think we will beat pool
batty(Quote)
Batty doesn’t think too often so when he does I am inclined to agree with him regarding liverpool.. 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Sorry Dave et all. Been struggling to find the motivation to write after Sunday. Still fuming 🙁
toonsy(Quote)
Dave, you say Pardew is not the man for the job, yet you have ridiculed me relentlessly over the months for not calling for him to be sacked when I believe he’s not the man for the job. So why haven’t you called for him to be sacked when you believe he’s not the man for the job?
You say, “I have also maintained that he was the best we could get and the only man, the Regime will stick by him and wont sack him until the pressure mounts to unbearable levels.” SO WHAT IS STOPPING YOU FROM PUTTING THE PRESSURE ON AND CALLING FOR THE REGIME TO SACK HIM AND APPOINT SOMEONE BETTER, SOMEONE WHO IS NOT A YES MAN? Why don’t you start making the case on here? Sack him and appoint someone better if he’s not the man for the job. It may not happen, but why aren’t you arguing the case on this blog that that is what should happen? Instead you prefer to defend Pardew whenever you think you can.
Your argument that the regime would always appoint a yes man does not mean that you cannot come out and argue for Pardew to be sacked and to be replaced with a man off a list of your choice. AS I RECALL, HOWEVER, YOU AND TROY WERE ARGUING FOR LONG TERM STABILITY WITH PARDEW. IS THAT CORRECT?
You’re always ready to bash “Jabba” so why are you resignedly dancing to his tune? Tell your fellow bloggers on here what you think should happen and argue for it, even if you think there is little hope. I just don’t get you criticising me for, allegedly, not following my convictions when you take the position you do.
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
JJ-Always play poorly v liverpool? They were lucky to get a point after colo clowned about, gave them their goal and got himself stupidly sent off, imo. Benny bossed the game, possibly cabs match of the season.
Newkie(Quote)
As for religion, recently we have seen buddhists burn the houses of muslims and murder them in the streets. There is no good religion. Equally, no religion is inherently evil. It’s just a mask for the hatred in people’s hearts.
Newkie(Quote)
Aussie, I’ll give you a vote alongside a free pass to my new reality train, you’re seated next to dave though so make sure you don’t get bullied.
Batty-we will smash liverpool mate, good lad for keeping the faith 😀
Newkie(Quote)
Finally calming down after Sunday. Despite the huge critical posts, mine included, Pardews tired quote does have a ring to it. We were Ok against Benfica then Fulham (just), not bad against Benfica again and finally dreadful against the scum. There were too many tired players on the field. Jonas, Cabaye, Mapou even Sissoko looked knacked, Benny’s no where near fit, and the gaps between our defence and mid were huge. Mind you Pardew did nothing about it. Campbells energy instead of Shola might have made a difference. Perch may have been better than Tiote but a fourth game in ten days may have made a difference. On 5live last night four experts discussed the third team to go down. None mentioned us with Wigan favourites and Stoke next. I live in hope.
georgio(Quote)
Newkie – smash Liverpool? Only possible if Suarez doesn’t play. Would love it mind.
georgio(Quote)
Newkie,
In our last 13 fixtures against Liverpool we’ve managed 10 points.
I would say that is a poor record.
JJ(Quote)
Also,
Colo took a lot of criticism for that goal, but IMO Suarez would have made most defenders look stupid. It was more exceptional skill that poor defending.
JJ(Quote)
Toonsy,
No worries. We’ve had around 700 reviews, analysis, votes, and debates on the issue.
JJ(Quote)
Georgio- I don’t really believe it as Suarez will be too tricky for out lot, but if our attackers can gel by that time, their def is still average
Newkie(Quote)
JJ-not denying we have a poor record, just saying we don’t always play poorly. 3-1, 2-0 wins and a 1-1 draw in recent years is a good record I would say. Suarez did well, but from what I had come to expect of Colo I would have said he should have done better. He certainly shouldnt have had himself stupidly sent off, for me that shows he knew he should have done better.
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie, I am on the Pardew train mate.Granted i’m by myself but I will take other passengers on board at any time.
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
B&B I will cover what you say later when I have time and not on my phone, as it seems that I have to keep repeating myself when talking to you.
Toonsy I understand and tbh I don’t really feel like reading a post game report
Big Dave(Quote)
Aussie-I assume I’m on the Pardew train. I am more than willing to take the manager everyone is talking about though, this young, unknown-yet-proven continental, forward thinking manager who will work for Ashley on shoestring wages on a shoestring budget whilst also have us challenging for the CL. I just can’t remember his name. 😕
Newkie(Quote)
Toonsy-no bother mate. Maybe email woolfie, he’s always in a good mood enough to write some positive tripe? 😀
Newkie(Quote)
People seem very optimistic about picking up points against West Brom and Liverpool. I really hope your right but are away form is woeful and Liverpool are a far better team than they were last time we beat them.
QPR might well be down by the time we play them that for me is the best chance to get a point or 3
Santii(Quote)
Diego Simeone, Ricardo Pinto, Rene Girard, Jorge Jesus, Unai Emery, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Laudrup, Laurent Blanc, Rudi Garcia.
All of them I think would bring a fresh more technical approach which would benefit the side.
No doubt you’ll brush aside the names as suggestions because “Pardew is the only man who would want to work under Ashley”. 😉
JJ(Quote)
Santii,
I agree, Liverpool are a far better side.
They still aren’t getting inconsistent results, but the difference is that they put in consistently good performances football wise.
Whereas we are inconsistent in terms of results but consistent in terms of awful performances football wise.
JJ(Quote)
Newkie,
I think Wolfie might have slipped into some sort of Bi Polar Disorder after this season.
He’s probably asked for in increase in meds. 😆
JJ(Quote)
Newkie 🙂 🙂 I know the bloke your talking about, he is a great choice 🙂
JJ, picking names at random mate or are they all ready made pl managers 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie,
You probably don’t follow a lot of football outside of the Toon and Oz, but these are young talented managers most of whom have actually won silverware and play good technical modern football.
It’s ok if you don’t know who they are… 😀
JJ(Quote)
That’s true JJ, I really don’t have a clue as to who all those south american managers are !
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Diddnt Brendan rojers say qualifiying for europe next year would be a hinderence to them.
to be honest dont think they want it so it will be a chance for us to take 3 points.
Alex(Quote)
Aussie,
You could have stopped at “I really don’t have a clue…”
JJ(Quote)
Big Dave @ 726 You say you have to keep repeating yourself when talking to me. Is that my fault? Here is your answer to one of my questions above.
DO YOU STILL SAY THAT THE REGIME TREATS MANAGERS, PLAYERS, AND FANS LIKE DIRT? = B+B I have answered this many times the Regime have been learning vital lessons and seem to be learning, but I still believe that the 1st time they have to they will still do what they like and won’t really care who they hurt.
So is that yes or no? On the one hand they’re learning lessons, whilst on the other hand, they will still do what they like. You always like to hedge your bets.
What vital lessons anyway? What makes you think that they seem to be learning? It is you who said we could never get a better manager than Pardew whilst the regime is here. I have always argued otherwise. Now you’re saying they’re learning and therefore holding out the possibility that we might get a better manager. I just don’t know where I am with you, which is why I have to repeat questions or put them another way. And you call me slippery. 😛
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
Well, one thing is for sure…
If Pardew stays with us next season the first signing we should make is Andy Carroll.
If Pardew goes next season, and we get in a technical manager, the last signing on Earth we should make is Andy Carroll.
JJ(Quote)
If QPR are down when we play them, they’ll be playing with no pressure. Many teams in that situation play much better.
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
JJ-Wouldn’t dream of such simplicty, especially whe its paistakingly obvious people like Blanc, Simeonne, Girard, Jesus, and Garcia wouldn’t join us for the pure fact they are challenging for league titles and european honours, and probably get more money and bigger budgets…wonder what our outlay has been under pards..10mil or so? Don’t you need to spend 20mil to stay still in this league? (lol)
Ole manages a side who grow on out of date food, you really think he is tried and tested?
Laudrup has commited himself and wouldn’t make the swap.
Pinto-who?
Emery, aye, could get him.
Newkie(Quote)
JJ, now now, some of us have real knowledge of the game and some of us rely on google to prove how clever they are. I m classing you in the later category. Go on, type in “who are the managers of the top teams in football” Then write down the answers online and then try and look like a clever ****.
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Newkie – What this about “shoestring wages” and “shoestring budget”?
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
Aussie-if you play more football manager you will recognise names, that’s where i know them most of the time as i slag them off week in week out, or i used to when I played 😉
B+B-pards is on low wages as was hoots, I guess I can dig around for evi when i’m out of work, it’s pretty common knowledge though. Our outlay speaks for itself, most good managers want money to spend. We run at a profit.
Newkie(Quote)
B&B
I think Dave has made it clear that he doesn’t believe Pardew is the right man for the job, however, he thinks that no manager with more ability than Pardew will want or be offered the role.
Either because he won’t be the “yes man” that Pardew is, or that he will have more ambition than our board does.
I don’t agree with him. I think they COULD attract a manager with more ability. I just don’t think they will, because they will see it as a risk getting rid of a manager that they know they have such control over.
I know it is a risk to employ someone knew. But for me its more of a risk expecting the side to produce quality attractive attacking technical football under Pardew. I’ve seen no attempt from him to produce this kind of football and he’s been here almost three years.
JJ(Quote)
Aussie-wouldn’t worry aoubt JJ, he is more interested watching spanish football than he is paying attention to NUFC, as evidenced by the fact he takes his info on us by random commentary teams on the TV 😆
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie 🙂 exactly mate. Laudrup has done no better than Pardz last season. Michu has scored the bulk of the goals and has won many games for them. I will not be surprised to see them close to relegation next season. But let us all throw names out there with no real idea as to if they will hack it in the pl or not.
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie,
Not really. You are hilarious really.
People ask for list, they get it, and then they have some snotty comment to come after it without actually looking at the validity of the options that are suggested.
I’m a sports journalist by profession and I bet on games throughout Europe. In order to do that I have to know the leagues a bit otherwise I’d just be throwing away money.
I follow the Spanish, French and German leagues with great interest. I enjoy watching them.
But I guess you were always going to have an answer prepared for any names given weren’t you. Clever ****.
JJ(Quote)
Newkie – I just don’t get the fatalism. I also don’t know how anyone can second guess Ashley’s mind to be so firm that we will never get a better manager than Pardew. One thing I do know is that Ashley isn’t stupid, and like Dave says, he will dump a manager if he wants. I’m sure he will change his strategy if he doesn’t get the expected rewards.
If we’re working on a shoestring budget with shoestring wages (which I don’t believe we are), we surely need a man who is the best at working on a shoestring? That’s not Pardew in my book. He needs re-inforcements when he has a bad run of results.
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
There are probably a host of talented managers out there I have never heard of… Which only enhances my opinion that there must be a technical coach out there, who can take this team further.
You cannot begin to compare the resources of Newcastle and Swansea. You also can’t begin to compare the attractive football Swansea play to the bollocks ***** we play (even when we finished 5th).
Also, you keep saying, they will probably be close to relegation next season… (Uh… like we are, and every other team Pardew has managed has been…). 🙄 🙄 🙄
He’s got us on the verge of relegation with a far far superior squad to Swansea.
Its more likely we will be close to relegation next season with him in charge.
JJ(Quote)