I’m going out on a limb here, but I honestly think one win would make us safe and would ensure we have Premier League football next season after this disastrous campaign. Mathematically it’s not enough, but that one win should realistically be enough.
Getting those points as soon as possible is the ideal scenario. The pressure would be off us and would be applied to the teams below us – namely Wigan and Aston Villa – who are now the only two sides below us who can catch us.
Standing in the way of us getting those three points are a Liverpool side who have been dragged through the press this week due to the actions of their cannibalistic striker Luis Suarez and his well documented biting incident culminating in the Uruguayan being handed a ten-game suspension, a suspension he is considering contesting.
Newcastle:
It’s slightly better news on the injury front for United for this match. According to Alan Pardew, Hatem Ben Arfa is looking fitter, Cheik Tiote has trained, Papiss Cisse is fine and Fabricio Coloccini is closing in on a return although is unlikely to feature in this game.
News is still awaited regarding the availability of Sylvain Marveaux although I suspect he’ll be out and will join Tim Krul, Davide Santon, Ryan Taylor and Haris Vuckic on the sidelines.
Liverpool:
Luis Suarez is most definitely suspended for this one. Even if he decides to appeal the length of the ban he has already admitted violent conduct so will serve the mandatory three-game ban that such an offence carries. The only part of the punishment he could appeal is the additional seven games added onto his violent conduct charge which hopefully clarifies things.
Suarez won’t be the only absentee however as Martin Kelly, Joe Allen and Fabio Borini are all out injured.
Previously…
United managed a 1-1 draw at Anfield earlier on in the season courtesy of a fine goal by Yohan Cabaye which was subsequently cancelled out by the Angry Beaver.
Newcastle have the upper-hand historically at St James’ Park. In total, 77 games have been played on Tyneside with United coming out on top on 31 occasions compared to 23 victories for Liverpool.
Overall though it is the Reds who hold the advantage when all games at all grounds are considered. There have been 157 meetings between the two sides with Liverpool winning 76 times, Newcastle winning 43 times with 38 draws making up the numbers.
Stats and facts:
Newcastle are looking for a third successive home win over Liverpool. If they are successful it will be the first time we’ve managed three home wins on the spin against the Reds for 63 years.
United have the third worst defensive record in the league having conceded 60 goals already this term. Only Reading and Aston Villa have conceded more.
The winning team in this fixture has scored a minimum of two goals in the last 12 league meetings.
Survival watch:
Reading and QPR play on Sunday in what is essentially a relegation play-off. Whichever side loses will be relegated whilst the other side will live to fight another day. A draw could see both sides relegated if Aston Villa manage at least a point at home to Sunderland on Monday night.
Wigan host Tottenham prior to our match. If Wigan lose and we win our game they will be nine points behind us with only four games to play meaning that we would have to lose all of our games whilst Wigan try and win three of their four remaining fixtures after the Tottenham game. A Wigan win though would see the pressure cranked up on us, especially if we fail to beat Liverpool.
Bizarrely, if all results go our way including ours, then we could find ourselves in 12th place come the end of the weekend, above the Mackems, nine points away from 18th place with two of the three relegation places gone.
Final thought:
It’s going to be another cagey affair but a win at any cost is what matters the most. I’m even past the stage of caring how we play as long as we get the three points.
Of course not having to face Luis Suarez is a massive plus, but Liverpool are still dangerous and still have other players who can inflict damage upon us, and by that comment I mean the likes of Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge.
To sum it up, anything could happen.
Howay the lads!
Date: Saturday, 27th April, 2013
Time: 17:30
Venue: St James’ Park
Angry Beaver 😆 good show Toonsy.
Well, I suppose Liverpool are likely to test Cisse’s ribs as much as we are Gerrard’s shoulder. Honestly think the teams aren’t too far off with Suarez out, Benny to win it?..
Newkie(Quote)
Solano – Following on from the other thread, the barton free kicks were ok, but they were just hoofs into the box that judas got his nut onto and either scored or it fell to nolan who scored. Classic Fat Sam and Pards football. It is very surprising though that we are so so poor with set plays.
I have said on here and elsewhere that I want Pards out at the end of the season. I think he has done a decent job, but he over achieved last term. I think we need a continental manager to get the best out of the players we have. The good old ‘English’ style just doesnt work with us. Clearly Jonas and Sholla have him by the goolies for something to be in and around the team each week.
I also think Cabaye and Sissoko MUST swap positions. Cabaye is wasted as a cdm trying to be a quaterback, and Sissoko has said himself he aint no #10. He and Capoue formed a great cm partnership at Toulouse so where are we going wrong with him?
Anita is a cracking player who after a little run in the team started to show some good stuff, then was booted out. Tiote, Anita and Sissoko should form the mid 3. Cabaye just in front and Cisse up top. HBA should have the licence to go where he wishes. Give more fluidity.
I really wouldnt mind Blanc, Simone, Benitez, or someone from the Bundesliga to push us on. We should strengthen our coaching and management this summer. I think Ashley may well do it and I will say thanks to Pardew, but onwards and indeed upwards
Raffo(Quote)
So Suarez has accepted his 10 game ban. Pleased he is missing tomorrow but we need a committed , mistake free performance. If we can get 3 points we are safe and Lamearse can then announce the mega sponsorship deal he was banging on about. Hopefully we won’t make the same mistake as last summer and invest some cash in really strengthening the squad.
3hourswasted(Quote)
We should get a campaign started to get a singing section. Not high up on level 7, but in the gallowgate. The entire stand. Just like Dortmunds. Get people together to creat a wall of noise, in the fabled end, sucking the ball into the end that we famously like to attack.
How do we go about this?
Raffo(Quote)
If Wigan lose tomorrow and we get anything from our remaining matches they need to win 3 of their last 4, With 5 games in 15 days, A small squad and tricky fixtures at Arsenal and West brom its hard to see them getting more than 7 points.
Even so its irrelevent what they do, We need another win on the board and then the planning for next season can start…
CC(Quote)
It’s good news that Suarez will miss the game but it would be stupid to think Liverpool are a one man team!. Johnson and Enrique will still bomb forward down the wings, Gerrard and Coutinho are strong in midfield and Sturridge will be desperate to step up and try to fill the Suarez gap.
So I think whilst Suarez missing makes it slightly easier, our form and other players Liverpool have will still make this a hugely difficult game to secure those all important 3 points.
I posted my preferred team/formation on the last article and that hasn’t changed. We need to protect our defence but also get Cisse support and for that reason I think we need to line up 4-3-1-2 for the remaining games we have.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Id change siss and cabaye in your line up, but go for it certainly sharpy.
CC – they did it last year mate, exactly that scenario and they did it. They also have more points than they did at same stage last year. We need others to slip up, and thats the sad reality of where we are.
Raffo(Quote)
Raffo – my other set up if Tiote wasn’t fit enough would be to have Anita/Cabaye/Jonas behind Sissoko who’d be behind Cisse and Gouffran.
Anita and Jonas could then naturally fill in for Debuchy and Haidara getting forward.
However, if it was that but with Sissoko and Cabaye switched around I’d be more than happy with that coz I think Sissoko has the pace and power to get up and support when we were on the attack.
Sharpy17(Quote)
RAFFO @2
‘Clearly Jonas and Sholla have him by the goolies for something to be in and around the team each week.’
I think we just haven’t got anybody else, or the players we have/had got like Amalfitano, Moyo, Ranger, even Ferguson must not have been deemed good enough to take over. One of the local rags said we are after a defender, a left winger and a striker in the summer, coincidence?
DJG(Quote)
I’ve just been looking the the ‘paper talk’ and the Telegraph are are suggesting Birmingham are looking to sell Nathan Redmond for £2m 😯
Norwich, WBA and Fulham linked with him.
The kids 19 and 100 times better than Obertan, in fact I’d offer them £2m plus Obertan on loan for the season with an option to buy.
That would be a great deal for us and them IMO coz I do think Oba would be a very good player at that level.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy-You do know what will happen to his potential if he signs for us?.. 😆
Would defo swap though. Agree with DJG above, Jonas has got the nod wrongly on some occasions imo, Shola is literally the only striker we have so no surprise he is the subby.
Newkie(Quote)
Toonsy ,I agree 3 points tommorow no matter how ugly for me. Really hope Benny gets plenty of game time tommorow and we actually pass the ball to him rather than let it sail over his head . I can see Pool being really out to prove a point in that thay are not a one man team as well so hope we are well prepared for that approach from them. Nail biting stuff now ,we’re at the **** end of a ***** season and need to wake up and smell the coffee .3 points that’s all ,1 little win from the last four and if we can’t manage that then frankly we deserve relegating.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Newkie – yeah mate, playing the type of football we play at the moment would really develop the lad much like, but I reckon he, Ince and Phillips have the ability to make it in the PL and like I say £2m plus Oba would be great business IMO.
I know he’s unproven but at that price even if he’s not a huge success it’s nee money really.
I also agree with DJG and have done all season. We can have a pop at the likes of Jonas, Shola and Willo but realistically speaking we have few or no other options within the squad at the moment, which is why I think we need as many as 5-6 additions in the summer to provide strength in depth.
Sharpy17(Quote)
KIM ime with you 100% if we cannot get 3points from 4 games no matter who we play its a sad look-on,and will get what we all know what
icedog(Quote)
i see the game is sold out,lets hope the players repay the faith
icedog(Quote)
Toonsy good read mate,
I am expecting something from the game as im sure the players will be up for it, though I do agree that the dippers will be out to prove a point.
Big Dave(Quote)
0-2 tomorrow and the pressure cranked up on Pardew 🙁
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM lawro goes the other way round so you could be right lol
icedog(Quote)
Icedog…Lawro has as much idea as me …. none 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM you stick with the square heed footy mate
icedog(Quote)
Ice I think MM is declaring himself as an official square heed now after the CL games 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
i see fergie has a fortune of 34mill thought it might be more for a jock
icedog(Quote)
DAVE how can a west-end lad stoop so low,beats me,you think he could be one of those band-wagon guys lol
icedog(Quote)
Ice yeah maybe next year if the EPL teams do well he might be English again, or maybe it will be Spanish next
Big Dave(Quote)
DAVE aye mate we will keep a eye on him,whats your forcast for sat?may i remind you you got the derby wrong
icedog(Quote)
Difficult to predict the way we’re playing lately. I’m hoping the lads do us proud. A loss will be another blow for Pardew especially. Any further slippage in our league standing could be disastrous for him. Liverpool are definitely beatable so we should just go out and do it! Howay the lads!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I would take a draw with this one. Suarez out is a huge huge bonus for us. Every team has their talisman and without them they are weakened immensely. Suarez makes Liverpool tick.
I remember SBR team achieved great things, in toon terms anyway, but take Bellamy our the team and we were ineffective. He simply made the Toon tick.
Because of that I believe we can get a draw and if lucky a win.
Come on Pards! There would be nothing better than Pards going through a rough patch and to come through the other side a better manager.
That’s what can happen if you stay loyal to managers. They gain confidence. Can you imagine being in any job and because you go through a bad spell you are sacked.
You’re confidence must be shattered. Come on Pards! Lets show these anti Pardew hissy fitters.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Ice I was trying to forget about the derby, as for the dippers I go for a **** 0-0 but if Benny starts 2-1
Big Dave(Quote)
Anyone fancy a pint tomorrow I will be in Shearers from 4pm.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy @ 27 I have said for a while that this bad run could make Pards a far better manager, as in the past he would have been fired when in trouble, so he has no experience of how to get out of the hole but when he does he then knows what to do different.
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave
Exactly.;-)
How does any manager improve? Teams need continuity. They need to bond and have difficulties and to experience bad times so they can work together to get through things.
Look at the relegation team that stayed together and got promoted. It was united because they went through hard times together.
Its like us two Dave. We had the reality train and there was me, you and Batty stoking the fire, driving and conducting. Even though Batty had the easy job at the time cos he was the conductor with no passengers, he now has the most difficult task as the carriages are full.
We have a bond! 😛
Toon! Toon! Come on Pards! United! 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
That’s a good point Troy @27 and Big Dave @30. I hope he can regain his confidence and bring us through this. I still have my doubts about where we might finish next season unless we get a more consistent striker and a very good CB to replace Colo but that’s not really up to Pardew. Ash/Llam will to show some ambition and desire to improve the squad if we are to have a good season.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Hopefully my bucket seat will be installed for tomorrow’s game. They reckon it will be. £150 well spent. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Big D are you picking on me mate 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
Troy @ 31 🙂
GEORDIETWO I know at the min he is making lots of mistakes but it could be down to the fact that he doesn’t have the experience to know what to do so is always trying to be defensive etc but after the season is over he can sit back and reflect on all the things he has got wrong and hopefully not get them wrong again, I think it’s similar to other walks of life where until you have experience of how to dig yourself out of a hole you just don’t know the best way to go about it.
Big Dave(Quote)
Troy me old cocker, if I was in the toon I would join you for a gargle mate…but I’m stuck over here in Germany watching proper football 🙂
Big D and Ice, you don’t need to worry about my allegiancies lads, once a west end lad always a west end lad…..TTBAWA 🙂
I hope all wor players have been vaccinated for the game against the bin dippers tomorrow
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM would I do that on you 🙂
Big Dave(Quote)
Troy I can see Pards making it through the rough patch, but I’m not sure if he’ll come out the other side a better manager. I really hope he does though, because I agree about this stability stuff, it’s the farting around at the bottom of the league I’m not too keen on.
Munich Mag(Quote)
@G2
We aren’t the only club that are or have been disgruntled by their manager and better times have materialised.
Its part of football. Of course we all want a top manager, but they cost big wages and work on big transfer budgets. Unless Ashley changes his policy and is willing to fork out for a top manager then we have to give Pardew a proper chance to sort the issues out.
What I like to see are the players backing Pardew and there’s plenty of that in the local sports news.
The players seem happy and I’ve not heard of any player talking about transfers.
Despite what some say, Pardew seems to keep the players happy.
This season has been a disaster and I won’t be as tolerant if next season is the same but the statistics that a premier league manager lasts 2.13 seasons is bloody ridiculous really.
That average may be longer now that Pards has beaten that record by a few months now despite certain people predicting he would be sacked right on schedule. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
What I liked to hear lads was Pardew stating he will sit down at the end of the season and listen to the fans and their gripes and seek out solutions.
That to me is refreshing. Some may say, why he hell should it come to that.? Why doesn’t he know the problems? How can’t he work it out for himself?
To me, its been a big learning step for him and he’s willing to listen. Many managers are too pig headed and think they know best. Well, we all believe we are football managers and give our opinions on here. There’s nothing wrong with listening and taking on board advice and opinions. Its maybe why other managers get the sack because they don’t change or listen.
Well done Pards for taking this approach and lets see if you can turn this round. Despite Pardews faults, I find something likeable and different about him which has been different to many other managers we’ve had.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Big D just because B&B had you on the ropes you don’t need to start picking on me mate …
Where’s the Laird of Alicante these days ? …
Ah well, looks like my Smileys have given up the ghost… 🙁
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM the only time I was on the ropes was resting 😉 as for the Laird I think he has visitors over with him this week, or maybe he is just sleeping off the last all you can eat buffet
Big Dave(Quote)
The championship hasn’t changed. Teams neat and tidy but clueless in the final third
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Big D…aye I remember he mentioned it a while back…folks visiting and stuff ..
Munich Mag(Quote)
Big Dave @35 and Troy @39 I think that is good advice for those of us who have been getting very impatient with Pardew. If he can make improvements and learn from his mistakes it will be a big lift for all of us. The four games left are important for supporter morale as well as keeping us up of course! I’m hoping Ben Arfa can come back into form quickly now that he’s finally fit again and that Cisse can have a few decent games to finish the season. There really should be no reason we can’t grab at least another 4 points before it’s over but I want to see a big effort from the lads in all 4 games at the very least.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Toby
That was the same when we were in the Championship. We got dominated on a lot of games and some teams should have had us beaten at half time but they simply didn’t have the players to finish the game off.
We created the odd chance and scored. I suppose that’s why strikers demand the most money.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Strange game this. Both teams started off with slick passing. It has now degenerated into sloppy passing nd hoofbball.
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Are you watching the Leicester v Watford game TLR @43? If so what’s the score? I think Hull will be promoted if Watford lose? Can’t see them being strong enough to stay up if QPR can’t do it with all the spending they’ve done.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2.
Would you be happy with a point tomorrow? I would. Another point at QPR and a point at west ham should hopefully see us survive.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Just seen one of the best strikes ever from a player I can’t pronounce. Then just seen horrible miss but not by the same player.
Love the way Zola has watford sorry udinese reserves playing. Hope Pardew is watching this. They would be too good for us
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
This question and answer thing Pards has lined up ,didn’t he do something like that before and get a strop on and walk out due to what was being asked ? Sure that happened ,anyone remember ?.
It would be nice to think he’d come out of this a better manager ,but there are serious questions need answering from this season and I’m not sure he has the answers as yet , here’s hopeing though .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Half time 2 – 0 to Watford sorry Udinese reserves. The lad who scored the wonder goal is 18 and on loan from chelsea. Worth a watch on the internet later
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Considering our powder puff front line, and the gash we have been turning out lately, a point tomorrow would be welcomed for sure. We are where we are because we are poor. If we put it in a superhuman effort and get the breaks up front we may win. But we all know we cannot put a good 90 minutes together…so I’ll settle for a point.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Troy I would be satisfied but not happy with a point mate. The supporters deserve a good showing at home tomorrow. Pardew needs to leave us with a few good games to send us into the summer with a feeling things will get better with him in charge. As Kimtoon says though we will need some answers for this season. I think there are a number of teams we must finish above next season including Norwich, Sunderland, Stoke, Southampton, Swansea and or including whoever the bottom 3 are.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Troy , I think our best chance of survival is a win tommorow as I don’t see us getting anything from West Ham mate. Reckon Carroll and Nolan will come back to haunt us tbh. Might get a point at QPR unless Remy does a number on us. And then it’s Arsenal and that won’t be easy especially if we are in need of a point or 3 to stay up ,that’s assuming we got nowt between now and then like. I said earlier if we can’t get one win from 4 games we don’t deserve to stay up .
KIMTOON(Quote)
My choice for tomorrow would be…..
4-3-3
—————–Elliott——————-
Debuchy-Saylor-M’Biwa-Haidara
——————Tiote——————-
——–Sissoko——Cabaye———
Ben Arfa——Cisse——-Gouffran
Subs: Harper, Perch, Collo, Anita, Jonas, Obertan, Shola
Never gonna happen but we are at home so lets get at them!
Oblong(Quote)
That’s a harsh assessment MM @53 but I can’t say you’re wrong in all honesty mate. Ben Arfa should add something if he is finally fit. We need to find more ways to score. With absolutely no ability from corners and almost nobody in the side that can cross a ball well it really puts us in a bind.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
That might be pretty much the best we can do for tomorrow Oblong@56 but what do you bet Pardew will slip Jonas into the starting 11?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Whatever happened to Josh McEachran? Is he still at the Boro. He was tipped to be the next star of Chelsea and England. Never seen him play for yonks is he still progressing? The germans wouldn’t have let him slip down the ladder
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
My guess is that Pardew will go 4-2-3-1
——————Elliott——————
Debuchy-Saylor-M’Biwa-Haidara
————-Cabaye-Tiote————
—Ben Arfa—Sissoko—Jonas—
——————-Cisse—————-
Subs: Harper, Perch, Collo, Anita, Obertan, Gouffran, Shola
Liverpool won’t see that formation coming and will be taken by surprise 😆
Oblong(Quote)
@Toby apparently he has been good for Boro this season…I’ve not seen much of him this season myself to make a judgement though…
Oblong(Quote)
G2…you’re better off not cracking on with me mate…I’ve got the worry beads out 🙂 I’m a bit peeved about our general efforts this season so cannot wait for this season to end. 🙁 I would LOVE US to cuff Liverpool but just cannot see it…
Munich Mag(Quote)
I think he’s just stopped progressing and maybe had an injury as well TLR. When I’ve watched him in the past he’s been decent but not great. So easy for people to make huge claims about young players and raise everyone’s expectations too early. He may be one of those I’m afraid.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I’m not making excuses but we have to look at some factors.
We have been top of the injury list table for some time this season. That has to have a huge effect considering our most creative player in Barfa has been a long term injury.
We lost a player in Ba half way through the season who was prolific last season and we never replaced him.
We bought in 5 new players in January and expected them to gel and settle in immediately. This goes against everything we have witnessed with other French players who have arrived in the premiership. Henry et al took at least 2 seasons to show their true potential.
Extra games in Europe.
The youth players not coming of age as expected.
All these factors are important to consider when assessing the season. Pardew has got the brunt of the stick but despite some of his tactical failings, I do believe he has been too harshly criticised.
Anyway, I’m just gonna do one last training session for my Free Run class tomorrow. Hurdling the chimneys tonight and practicing my Frosbury flops! Its going well. ! 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I don’t blame you for the worry beads MM @62. I’ve had mine out practically all season mate. 😆 How could we not? This has been a disaster for us. Ashley doesn’t know how lucky he is to have us as supporters continuing to fill his pockets despite some absolute horror shows on the pitch.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
TLR the media and some old EPL commentators often seem to have a hidden agenda, and seem to be intent on bigging up certain players. I watched a game a few weeks back and they were crawling up Berbatovs ***, while at the same time I was watching the game and thinking man what a lazy crouton. Berbatov this, Berbatov that, as if he was some kind of maverick… When you are a media darling then you seem to have it made…
No fooling me though, I know my stuff 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
Has Benny lost a yard of pace after his horrendous series of injuries ? Will he be the player he was…we all remember that wonder goal he scored away at Everton…
Absolutely no ****, I remember vividly watching that game on TV live in the south of France and thinking…man this guy is an absolute genius, he is phenomenal….one of the best players I have EVER seen in a toon strip.
I hope he comes back next season with his full strength intact, and free from injury, because if not man what a tragedy.
Munich Mag(Quote)
I never doubt your knowledge Munich. Very similar to Rodzilla at 3.30 in the morning
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Your argument @64 is a good one Troy. But I’m so tired of us always having to pull out excuses after a poor season. Are we really as bad as our record indicates? I would say there have been a fairly large number of games where I couldn’t believe how poorly we played. I’m still looking for a huge improvement next season as I would imagine all of us are. It simply has to be there for Pardew’s sake.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2, good to hear it mate, because whereas I was ecstatic with last seasons top five finish, I have been equally peved with this seasons debacle.
I remember watching the game here in Germany pre-season and thinking there was something seriously wrong with our play and the spirit within the team. This season cannot end soon enough for me…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Yes I would imagine Rodz will be on later tonight TLR. 😆
GeordieTwo(Quote)
That goes for me as well MM @70. I’m off for a bit to unwind before the game mates. 😀
GeordieTwo(Quote)
TLR don’t worry mate, you can’t help being a bit of a clever **** 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
G2 will you be at the match tomorrow ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
Munich.
How do the German clubs attract such good players when they don’t have the huge TV revenue that we have and the fans, though huge crowds, pay a pittance for entry?
Are the players on huge wages?
Troy Stavers(Quote)