Game On! Newcastle v Fulham

Game On at St James' Park!
Game On at St James’ Park!
Good afternoon all and welcome to our ‘Game On’ match article which will take us through every twist and turn of the Fulham game this afternoon.

It’s another home league game following on from the 0-0 draw against West Ham last weekend so we really should be looking to win this one.

It’s going to be tough though. We’re in a rut at the moment and Fulham are a good side who do well against us generally. In fact here’s a stat for you. Fulham have won more Premier League games against us than they have against any other current Premier League side. Not exactly good reading but it’s up to us to break that stat though and we have the tools to do so. It’s just a matter of realising how to best utilise those tools and get them to click.

The game itself will not be shown live here in the UK as it’s a Saturday, 3pm kick-off however there are lots of overseas TV channels which are broadcasting the game so the chance of watching it online are pretty decent. Same again, if you find a decent stream then please feel free to share it by leaving a link in the ‘comments’ section below.

Team news will be added in at the bottom of this article, in full, as soon as we can get it published. One note of late team news however is that Time Krul might miss the game after struggling with a groin problem but I guess we’ll soon find out.

And that’s that. Now we need to register our first league win of the season.

Howay the lads!

Newcastle: Tim Krul; Mathieu Debuchy, Fabricio Coloccini, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Davide Santon; Hatem Ben Arfa, Vurnon Anita, Moussa Sissoko, Sylvain Marveaux; Shola Ameobi, Papiss Cisse

Subs: Rob Elliot, Paul Dummett, Dan Gosling, Yohan Cabaye, Sammy Ameobi, Yoan Gouffran, Loic Remy

Fulham: David Stockdale; Sascha Riether, Brede Hangeland, Aaron Hughes, John Arne Riise; Alexander Kacaniklic, Steve Sidwell, Scott Parker, Bryan Ruiz; Dimitar Berbatov, Darren Bent

Subs: Neil Etheridge, Giorgos Karagounis, Damien Duff, Matthew Briggs, Adel Taarabt, Huga Rodallega, Derek Boateng

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.

601 thoughts on “Game On! Newcastle v Fulham

  1. Mark & AMF…cheers lads…

    It stands to reason that the opposing centre halves will get the Playstation out when Shola and Cisse are playing up front…Great tactic by Pardew to lull them into falling asleep before bringing on the speed merchants… 😆 😆

    Also curious as to how the midfield / forward link up play is developing, ?

    Let’s also be honest, Fulham must be pretty pish ….

      (Quote)

  2. So funny listening to Man City fans whingeing about paying more money. Also goes to show what can be achieved if the opposition go for it…i.e. Cardiff… Hull….
    Note the term “feisty”…..look and learn Pardew … 👿 👿

      (Quote)

  3. Personally I thought we were much improved yesterday from the off. 1st half we passed well made a few chances and generally dominated the game. “looked like a premier league team” was one of the posts. 2nd half we upped the pressure bought on some pace and gave some real hope for the season. HBA still on his own planet. 😆

      (Quote)

  4. Premandup, good call mate. Where you at the game yesterday ? I didn’t even get to see the game on internet yesterday 🙁 Would be nice to watch some highlights if there any out there ?

      (Quote)

  5. Think you’d have been the only one below Richie, if you hadn’t withdrawn through embarresment 😳 😛

    Call me if you need any tips. 😉

      (Quote)

  6. JJ I thought Richietoon ran the Predictor league ? It’s only a matter of time before he is top of the league mate 😉

      (Quote)

  7. MM 😆 …and yep last game of the season if I’m not in the top 5 of the predictor league I will delete everyone else from the league..taa daa…the winner is Ric…… :mrgreen:

    JJ…When it comes to the leagues I’ve learnt everything I know of Pards 😥

      (Quote)

  8. MM,
    I watched the game three times just to see what the difference was.

    It was plain and simple. The difference was Remy.

    He seemed to spark life into the entire team. I though Gouffran injected some pace and movement too.

    Anyone that watches the final 30 minutes (especially when Shola went off) when we actually gave Cisse the support he’s been craving). Tell me he didn’t look threatening.

    Watch the game, analyze it. Look at Cisse’s movement. Look at the timing of his runs. He had three very decent attempts in 20 minutes because he had the RIGHT players around him.

    DEMBA BA IS NOT THE ANSWER…

    If you can see that then you clearly know sweet FA about football (a bit like Michael 12).

    The only thing I will credit Ba with, is that he did take attention off Cisse because he was seen as a threat by the opposition. Shola isn’t seen as a threat. Which means, they can solely focus on marking Cisse out the game. However, as a combination, they were poor.

    Some people only have the ability to judge a player by his skills on the ball. Whereas most of football involves a players football skills OFF THE BALL. This part, most people can’t seem to appreciate. But its the most important.

    Remy and Gouffran are both brilliant in this regard (Shola is useless). But Remy just has that little bit of extra class when he is on the ball. For me, he’s the most talented player we have at the club – he oozes class (football wise).

    Anita is just as good as Cabaye for me. They offer much of the same thing except that Anita is a bit more mobile and Cabaye has a bit more tenacity.

      (Quote)

  9. Munich –

    http://www.goalsarena.org/video/england-barclays-premier-league/31-08-2013-newcastle-united-fulham_en.html

    Jol’s tactics were abysmal, coming to arguably the worst team in the league (prior to yesterday’s games) and playing for a draw. His team didnt press the ball and allowed NUFC to have a load of possession in Fulham’s half. Perhaps he was betting on our inability to fashion chances… and his bet looked a safe one until Remy came on. Suddenly the openings came and we looked like a decent side

      (Quote)

  10. JJ, i must admit that i am in awe of your awesome football knowledge… and your so humble as well… when you cap locked that Ba statement.. wow, powerful stuff 😆 😆

      (Quote)

  11. Remy is brilliant. He doesn’t just hold of the ball. He finds the right pass and immediately looks for the ball again, or goes on a run to draw defenders away from his fellow strikers.

    Compare this to Shola who holds the ball, dwells on it. slows momentum, then passes it, and walks – leaving his fellow striker completely isolated. You just cannot afford to carry a player at this level.

    He has a great personality. Big heart. But his efforts on the field. Unless he gets himself in the area are abysmal, lazy and at non league standard. Even when he gets on the ball and in space in the opposition area. He is still only average at best. And for a big big guy at 6’3 he is poor in the air too.

    That’s why even though Gomis isn’t a world beat. He’d still be a major improvement. We won’t buy him though. I think at best we’ll get Ayew/Thauvin. But it’s likely we’ll sign nobody till January. Hopefully Remy can stay fit.

      (Quote)

  12. Thanks Aussie. I appreciate the respect. I can tell that you are in awe by the way you continuously comment about my statements with such raw emotion.

    I find the caps a powerful technique myself. Its called organic marketing. 😉 😉

      (Quote)

  13. Aussie,
    You should try some marketing on the fantasy league. It would be more fun if it were more than just you and I in the league. 😆

      (Quote)

  14. Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble
    When you’re perfect in every way
    I can’t wait to look in the mirror
    Cause I get better lookin’ each day
    To know me is to love me
    I must be a hell of a man
    Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble
    But I’m doin’ the best that I can!

      (Quote)

  15. RT@535, well done mate, I like you’re style 😉

    “I am top of the league, say, I am top of the league”… I can see you now strutting round on the costa del Richie in your flip flops with a Franziskaner in your right mitt 😆 😆

    Pards…you’ve learned from the best mate…:lol: 😆

      (Quote)

  16. JJ@536, good call mate, I appreciate it…

    point 1…Remy isn’t wors….I hope knacker Ned agreed a buy-clause with QPR cos if he’s as good as you make out, and continues to develop, he’d be a great signing for the toon… I also reckon the toon and there loyal fans can do a great job in convincing him to sign up full time for the toon, cos he sounds like just the kind of player that the toon fans love… …Howay the lads, and howay Remi… if his good mukka HBA stays at the toon then theres a good chance Remi will sign up… 😉

    Not sure of the Anita better than Cabaye comparison, though who knows with the right line up and some good dynamic, mobile and speedy players in the final third offering pass opportunities… there again Cabaye would also probably find that quite nice 🙂

    Regarding Cisse’s “improved movement” after the introduction of more mobile strikers. It’s obvious that the bloke will perk up…ffs it must be tough playing up front with the stationary striker like Shola. Btw I love Shola, and he is in the team because the manager wants him in there. It’s not Shola’s fault, the bloke is a legend, has scored great goals for the toon over the years. If our director of football can’t improve the situation up front then Shola represents the striking options open to the club.

    Regarding Ba, I hope those extremely aggressive capital letters aren’t aimed at me mate 😆 😆 😆 I loved Ba’s goals during his time here, but he is past history… btw can someone explain how Liverpool can loan Moses from Chelsea for 1 mill, yet we have to pay Chelsea supposedly 3 mill to loan Ba ? A case of unpaid debts somewhere ?

      (Quote)

  17. M@539, thanks mate, much appreciated 😉

    Agree 100% regarding Jol. He aint gonna last long there with a new owner looking in on things.

      (Quote)

  18. MM
    I can’t see Ashley taking Ba back for a year and paying half the fee we sold him for. Never going to happen. And thank goodness.
    I loved him when he was here too. I just didn’t think he worked with Cisse. I think Pardew should have played one or the other. Or he should have played Ba out wide, because he was more effective there than Cisse.

    However, he is history now as you say. I don’t want him back.

      (Quote)

  19. Much improved performance that got a lot better when Remy and Gouf came on. We’ve really got to get rid of the big guy up front game. Shola and Cisse have such poor immobile play they just pile the pressure on the midfield and defence.
    Thought Fulham were poor but actually I think we made them look poor. Sissoko and Anita were full of energy closing everyone down. They looked way way better than Cabs and Tiote and were the key to the win for me. Even the dodgy defence looked good with them in front. Cabs or Anita? Anita for me!

      (Quote)

  20. Bullet dodged with Bent. Pardew just has to dodge the same bullet – putting Shola or Cisse in the team.

      (Quote)

  21. It is certainly not looking good for new players arriving… it will be a dismal effort if we don’t sign anyone.. Joe will have to dig deep into his excuse book to try and talk his way out trouble should we fail to get bodies in…

      (Quote)

  22. Maybe Joe’s just having a laugh, maybe he’s signed 4 players but is going to wait until 1 minute before the window shut to announce them, the little tinker 😛

      (Quote)

  23. Erik Pieters, best mate of Timmy Krul…. a bit like Douglas…a bloke we seemed to chase for 3 years before everything petered (excuse the pun) out. Now plying his trade at Stoke, 3,5 mill euros for a cloggy linternational eft back, sounds like a bargain to me.
    We’ll see this season if he is any good. Stoke fans are raving about the bloke…

      (Quote)

  24. You going to be watching the manure vs Liverpool game cuda ? Starts in a few minutes

      (Quote)

  25. Aussie…Aye, Joe’s gonna make all us negative feckers look stupid 😆
    Yep, going to watch it, already watched Real Madrid this morning :mrgreen:

    MM…Maybe his injuries were a concern for us…or more likely he was €3m overpriced for us 😉

      (Quote)

  26. It wouldnt take much effort from Joe to make some of neggars on here to look stupid 😆 😆

      (Quote)

  27. Richietoon-Sports Weekend……the Toon yesterday, Real Madrid this morning, Man Utd this afternoon. Is your lass at her mams 😆 😆 😆

      (Quote)

  28. what is surprising is why Remy wasn’t in the bench for the west ham game?
    French Comentators yesterday said that Remy told us he was ready to play last week to and was very frustrating.

      (Quote)

  29. HBA39, Pardew probably wanting to ensure he was fully fit and his heed was right. I’m still not sure though whether Pardew will start him, I think he prefers the slumbering Shola option with Remy as impact after 45 mins or so… Hope I’m wrong though 🙄

      (Quote)

  30. MM…Don’t forget Citeh v Hull and Palace v Scum yesterday too and later I have Arsenal v Spurs and Valencia v Barca…and nope she’s not ather Mam’s….yet! 😆

      (Quote)

  31. Remy has had a number of injuries since he has been in England.. he has also had no real pre season with us he needs to be eased in..

      (Quote)

  32. RT@562 😆 😆 😆 😆

    Some canny tasty games today like, just watching Liverscum v Man Ure mesel…. Spuds v Arsenal looks canny as well…. I’m backing you up mate if your lass gives you jip.

    Might give the Barca game a miss though cos I have to do the ironing later.

      (Quote)

  33. MM 😆 😆 It’s because I wear the trousers in my house…or at least I will once I’ve done the ironing 😛

      (Quote)

  34. RT@565, 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 You know one has to rely on stealth tactics where the German lassies are concerned 😉 😆

      (Quote)

  35. If the spuds beat Le **** this afternoon that will keep us above them going into the last day of the transfer window so why would Cabaye leave us for a team lower in the league 😉 😆

      (Quote)

  36. RICHIETOON just watched highlights of the game yesterday and if we can keep up the second half performance levels all season , then we will be more than ok for a finish between 6th and 10th .The subs turned us into a team that looked threatening at last ,suddenly i feel more positive and apparently the defence were good as well .

      (Quote)

  37. Axel…Aye, the last 20 was the most I’ve enjoyed watching the Toon for a while…sad but true…let’s just hope Pard’s cottoned on to when and why we played better 😕

      (Quote)

  38. Axel@571, I hear where you’re coming from mate, and it is most definitely an improvement, but Fulham are pretty pish. If Berbatov run around like that for the toon someone from the Gallowgate End would run on and lamp him one 😆

      (Quote)

  39. Off topic, but did anyone else notice the aggressive advertising for the French arm of sports direct at the ground yesterday? In French rather than english? Wonder if there is an additional motive behind having so many French players in the squad, as we are likely to get extra exposure in France where Ashley is expanding his chain…

      (Quote)

  40. https://twitter.com/NUFC_Stats/status/374174843560022016/photo/1

    Cisse, received the ball once in the league in the area. With his ONE chance. He had powerful header which crashed against the crossbar.

    Its quite clear to me he needs some decent support up front. He needs to be afforded more space in the final third and he needs more chances created for him.

    Remy and Gouffran both gave him this space. It was wonderful to watch the attacking flow. Some superb movement. Attacking at pace.

      (Quote)

  41. Rinton
    That makes a lot of sense. Hopefully Ashley expands to the rest of Europe. Starting with Spain and Belgium.

      (Quote)

  42. Well it’s a tad embarrassing for spuds that they have spent so much and are getting beat by Arsenal who have spent naff all .

      (Quote)

  43. Tottenham haven’t scored a goal from open play all season in the league, have they? It’s all been Soldado penalties.

    After the spending they have done, that’s shocking.

      (Quote)

  44. FJ ,I expected a better showing from them given who they have brought in. Just goes to show big money buys don’t always work out ,but in fairness it is early days yet. A lot of new talent to bed in and gel yet ,the reverse fixture will give a clearer indication on whether or not they are making any in roads on their rivals.

      (Quote)

  45. They have made a far more expensive copy of our problem – buying only midfielders and no one else. Their squad is now totally out of balance.

      (Quote)

  46. I can only assume Spurs will play Erikson up front or something?

    We still need to try Obertan as a striker. I can’t see how it would fail, he has shown to be a good finisher anytime he has been one on one and his pace would melt most defenders. Why do we never try it?

      (Quote)

  47. FJ ,I was saying a year back that we had nowt to lose by just trying him as a striker you never know it could be a masterstroke and would mean we don’t lose out on him financially .It’s a crying shame , he has so much pace but no football brain but maybe just maybe he could excel in a strikers role ,stranger things have happened.

      (Quote)

  48. He is only 24 or something, isn’t he? He is only the age now that Henry started to move to being a striker and it all clicked. Not saying he is Henry level or anything but people blossom later than others.

    I’ve been a long term Obertan supporter, often being ridiculed for it.

      (Quote)

  49. FJ , I’m not sure he offers us anything but it’s defo worth one or two shots up front just to see . As for anywhere else on the pitch he’s an epic fail for me sadly.

      (Quote)

  50. I still think the long season with our lack of depth with come back to haunt us. A few key injuries will be our downfall. We have 4 or 5 key players that we can’t do without yet injuries happen. If Ben Arfa, Colo, Remy, or Mbiwa get injured (or more importantly any combination of them), then we just don’t have quality depth to replace them for any length of time. That’s why other clubs spend money to strengthen each summer Ashley.

      (Quote)

  51. G2 ,Spot on mate ,any sane football fan knows you need to strengthen every summer just to stand still. To assume we can sail through the season unscathed by injuries especially with our track record is nuts.
    G2 ,how’s the diy going?

      (Quote)

  52. If not for that one moment of brilliance by Ben Arfa it would have been another goalless draw at home. And of course we don’t need any depth as we proved last season after a completely useless summer window. Thank god we have those 3 points. We can just sit back, do nothing, and relax now can’t we Ashley?

      (Quote)

  53. Hi Kimtoon. I’m about halfway finished mate thanks. 😆 It’s killing my back though. I don’t mind the cleaning, taping, sanding, painting etc but the evenings are always spent with a sore back. And yes Ashley never learns anything it seems. We just barely beat Fulham at home. We are not ready for a long, hard season but Ashley just doesn’t get it (apparently). He’ll be watching the attendance figures carefully though I would wager. All the best to you.

      (Quote)

  54. Isn’t it about time we had another article from that lazy aussie AMF? What are you up to mate? We need your input on the window and the Fulham match. 😀

      (Quote)

  55. G 2 ,he’s still asleep in his eucalyptus tree mate cuddled up to his pet koala dreaming of all the signings Jabba’s gonna make before 11pm tomorrow 😉

      (Quote)

  56. so are we only going to be active on the very last day? aye.. probably to sell one OR two and sign nobody, with Pards claiming he’s happy with the squad..

      (Quote)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *