Game On! Newcastle v Norwich

Game On at SJP
Game On at SJP
Good afternoon all, and welcome to this ‘Game On’ article which will take us through every twist and turn of the visit of Norwich City this afternoon.

Expectations are higher for this one than they have been for any other match in recent weeks. Impressive wins against Chelsea then Tottenham have given us a platform to build on and, should results go our way, we could end up in fifth place by the end of the game.

Standing in the way of that is Chris Hughton. The former United manager is under pressure at Carrow Road and will need to avoid another disappointing result if he is to keep the wolves from the door. The memory of the 7-0 defeat to Manchester City is still fresh on the minds of the Canaries fans, and despite a 3-1 victory against West Ham in their last match I get the feeling that result only have Hughton a temporary reprieve and that another poor result could prove to be the fatal blow for his tenure at Norwich.

Anyway, moving on… For more background ahead of the match including news of injury concerns for both sides, facts, stats and a history of the fixture then why not have a peek at the match preview which is linked at the bottom of this article?

The game itself is not being shown live here in the UK but will be broadcast overseas so if anyone happens to find a stream then please feel free to post a link to it in the ‘comments’ section below. Team news will also be added in at the bottom of this article.

And that is just about that. As I said in the match preview this is one of those games that often leads to disappointment, but hopefully United and their band of merry, World Cup qualified, Frenchmen can allay my fears and get the job done.

Howay the lads!

Newcastle: Krul; Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini (c), Williamson, Santon; Sissoko, Cabaye, Tiote, Gouffran, Shola Ameobi, Remy

Subs: Elliot, Haidara, Anita, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Ben Arfa, Cisse

Norwich: Ruddy; Martin (c), Turner, R Bennett, Olsson; Johnson, Fer, Howson; Redmond, Pilkington, Hooper.

Subs: Nash (GK), Whittaker, Bassong, Hoolahan, Elmander, Becchio, Josh Murphy.

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.

323 thoughts on “Game On! Newcastle v Norwich

  1. I think Gouff is my favourite player at the moment.

    Also strange that Willo seems to be the one covering for Colo’s **** defending most of the time.

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  2. Poor decision making and finishing in the final third is costing us. They are not finished, and Mbwia looks shakey at right back at times.

    Shola is proving a handful for the Norwich defence, Remy, Sissoko and Gouffy need to get closer to him 👿

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  3. Tiote needs to learn that its his job to tackle and pass to someone who can actually play. NOT think he’s a playmaker and long range specialist.

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  4. Haha fans constantly shout shoot at Tiote but are disappointed when he misses, brilliant.

    Ps that’s why amoebi is in the squad, gerin!!!

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  5. SUPER EAGLE SHOLA AMEOBI !!!

    What great play from Shola, and what a great goal from Goofy.

    btw the Norwich goalie is absolutely pish ..

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  6. Ameobi heads down, Ruddy half parries and Gouffran taps in. And against Norwich on the road these days, that should be enough for three points for the Magpies.

    😆 😆

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  7. Is it just me, or does Shola seem a far better player when he plays in the hole behind the striker as a disruptive playmaker, sort of an unconventional no.10, rather than a target man leading the line…

    I genuinely think he is far more effective sitting in the no.10 position. He has more time on the ball. His lack of pace isn’t a problem and he plays some delightful through balls.

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  8. Cannot deny it guys again credit to Pardew he has worked hard and turned around what looked as if it was going to be another relegation fight. We are looking convincing and have authority and winning games now.

    When we lose he takes the blame and I am first to criticise him when he wins we should also be fast in complementing his efforts.

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  9. Newkie @94,

    He does do it once or twice a year… 😀

    If Pardew has intentionally told him to play a bit deeper, then its been a great tactic. He looks a completely different player.
    It’s sort of the position Keegan asked Owen to play when he was in charge here the second time after recognizing he has lost his pace but could still make use of his football brain.

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  10. Commentator “It’s the first thing he’s done wrong this half. He’s been impressive” on Shola.
    JJ I really hope we’re on the stream, they’ve been gushing about Shola since the word go! 😉 😆

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  11. Munich-isn’t he the england no.2? Obviously he’s **** 😆

    JJ- He has always looked good in that role. That’s where he played with Carroll, disrupting play and being able to link up the passing. Peoples rose tinted specs said Carroll was good with the ball at his feet, but it was bollocks, Bambi was feeding off the initial carroll knock down and developing play alongside our midfield.

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  12. Really very solid first half.
    This kind of half time we must do against every team out of top six at home.
    We look very solid and norwich lack of offensive threat.

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  13. Solano-I think JJ spent too much time on here slagging Shola off and counting all the balls he lost and managed to miss his good bits of play…Just saying! 😆 😛

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  14. Solano,

    Don’t try undermine Shola’s efforts by quoting this nob commentator. 😉

    Haha. Tiote has been aweful today. Needs to be given a stern lecture about thse ridiculous efforts at goal.

    Well done Shola, been quality. I’m a bit in shock to be honest.

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  15. Man oh man, I’m so happy for Shola. Some of the vitriol he gets fired at him is way out of order.
    Super Eagle Makkem Slayer 🙂

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  16. It’s an absolute disgrace. Where would Everton be without Lukaku’s goals ? 😳 😳 🙄 😆 😆

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  17. Maybe we’re actually trying to avoid giving Norwich a humping? Or Tiote is taking it on himself to keep them in the game, by trying to attempt 40 yard screamers. Why the hell was he at the edge of the box? Anyone else! (Still, that is usually his position from our corners so it kind of makes sense-and he’s such a bad shot nobody is marking him anymore 😆 )

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  18. Definitely want to see HBA on at some point, 2-0 up so we have a bit of a buffer. I think we should try and spank them proper.
    Would like to Cisse on at some point as well.

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  19. Solano,

    I’m watching on tele.

    Shola started poorly. Gave the ball away with seven of his first eight touches.

    But even then I was impressed with the fact the (for a change) he wan’t just letting the ball go over his head without attempting to get it.
    He went for flick ons he had no right to reach. He pressed defenders.

    Then around the25 min mark he played a terrific through ball for Sissoko. He seems to grow from there. Was brilliant the last half hour.

    In a way it annoys me more to know he is capable of playing like this yet most occasions he doesn’t get near it. Very frustrating.

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  20. Really happy with that save for a little negative 10 mins after our first goal . Shola has been outstanding so far and Remy is sheer class act, we will pull off a miracle if we keep him . Can’t see Norwich being so poor 2nd half, though they do seem a confidence team so maybe they will be.

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  21. JJ
    He definitely didn’t give away 7 of his 8 first touches, but fair play for giving him his deserved praise.
    Best performance I’ve seen from the lad in a while. He’s probably just trying to get to the WC so he can get a bumper deal at a different club 😥

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  22. i just dont know what to make of that first half we were both brilliant and ***** at times . Tiote needs to have the armband again just to stop him from those stupid long range shots but god this team when they move forward they are very good .If we get another i think the flood gates will open and it will be a monster score , i bet Norwich score early second half though so we are all back in stress mode 😉 HWTL

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  23. Just watching 1st half highlights.
    Who is that wearing no.23 and what have they done with wor Shola?? 😆

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  24. Whumpie

    You will see a lot more of that No 23 he is going to be a Star in next years world cup. Player of the tournament 😀

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  25. Solano, @119

    He definately 100% did. If you don’t believe me watch the game from the start and count. But he came right in a big way so who care.

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  26. It doesn’t surprise me that norwich have only scored 9 goals in PL so far. They look so inoffensive.
    Its almost we can let them play and do that they want but still no danger.

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  27. Want Shola to get a goal soon then come off.

    Try get Cisse a goal against downbeat Norwich. Bring on Ben Arfa for Gouff to get a standing ovation and Anita for Cabaye.

    Win 5-0 😀

    That would be a perfect day for me.

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  28. the only one who is still poor for me. In this kind of game we normally must see more from him offensively, is Sissoko.
    Looses a lot of ball because of his lack of tecnic, too look control..

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  29. Thing with Norwich is they need to take the lead to play well they are a confidence team, fall behind and they fall apart from what games I have watched . Feel sorry for Hoots really, he’s a better coach than this side are showing.

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  30. Remy got tripped there. Ref was scared it was in the pen area so didn’t give it. It was actually outside.

    Typical cop out by English ref.

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  31. Well, to be 2-0 up at home against a pish poor Norwich team, thgis is a really disappointing second half attacking wise from the Toon.

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  32. AoD
    I was thinking that but then remembered when we played Norwich home last year… 😉

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  33. JJ
    Yes you say it right with his running. but football is a little bit more than just running.
    What is the end product after the running? Just look to his touches his passes more closely one game.. you will see how many times after running he looses the ball and at the end he does nothing, no shoot, no cross.

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