United take on Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
John Carver expects an Aston Villa team with a “new lease of life” to provide a tough test in todays Premier League encounter at St James’ Park.
So another tough test after we were thumped 5-0 by defending champions Manchester City last time out in a game that marked the low point in a run of just one win in their last eight.
A home match against relegation-threatened Villa – who have not won in the league since December 7 – presents a chance for Newcastle to end that dismal streak and repay the fans for last weeks diabolical performance.
Talking ahead of the game JC was quick to point out that “I’ve seen the difference in Villa straight away under Tim,” Carver said. “They are going front to back a bit quicker.”Villa have got a new lease of life, more energy, and it won’t be an easy game for us.”
Jonas Gutierrez is in the senior squad for the first time since recovering from testicular cancer.
And while Jonas could be in line for an emotional return, and give the fans a bit of a boost, United still have a host of injury issues to deal with.
Remy Cabella is a doubt with a knee problem that forced him to miss the drubbing at the Etihad Stadium,( which after revealing that he would miss the game on social media on friday it would seem he isn’t a doubt anymore) while Jack Colback is suspended. Teenage winger Rolando Aarons (hamstring) is still out and is joined on the sidelines by Siem de Jong (lung), Paul Dummett (knee), Robert Elliot (thigh), Steven Taylor (Achilles) and Cheick Tiote (knee).
Newcastle Krul; Janmaat, Coloccini (c), Williamson, Haïdara; Obertan, Sissoko, Abeid, Ameobi; Rivière, Cissé.
Subs Woodman, R.Taylor, Anita, Gouffran, Gutierrez, Armstrong, Perez.
Villa Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Clark, Lowton, Sinclair, Delph, Cleverley, Westwood, Agbonlahor, Benteke.
Subs Given, Bacuna, Weimann, Sanchez, Gil, N’Zogbia, Grealish.
BigD@297, with all respect to the lads in question, if they consider this blog to be a bit negative, then fair enough that is there perogative. It’s just a bit of a pity if they get in a huff and stop coming on, because at the end of the day the blog isn’t about a willy flashing contest mine is bigger than yours, my opinion is better than yours, you’re talking bollocks scenario….
The only thing keeping me ticking over at the moment is the fact that despite Pardew dropping us in the **** by leaving us in mid season, all being well we can “look forward” to a better season next season, because this season was utter dross imo… I hope and cross my fingers that we genuinely will make an effort to recruit a decent coach, and reinforce the team with new players, so that we have more to look forward to next season…
But hope is all that it is, we know deep down that the yes men running the club are on a different agenda, but we still hope.
Another issue is that safe hands John Carver has inherited Pardew’s team, we’ll all see what he is made of next season when he is given full responsibilty over the team, and can mould the team and the new players to suit his own style.
Munich Mag(Quote)
I’m not hopeful of big changes next season. He has found a winning formula for his interest, the football on the pitch is pretty much secondary to his business priority’s . Sooner we all accept that if wish to follow NUFC then this is the way we go the better, hoping for anything more will just lead to a whole heap of heartache. What keeps me going is that one day he will be gone, I don’t know when but it will happen .
Remember what KK said once
“Don’t ever give up on your club, keep supporting it, it’s your club and trust me one day you will get it back and it will be everything you wanted it to be.
Newcastle United is bigger than anyone. It hurts I know, but just keep going, he is only one man, we are a city, a whole population. Trust me.”
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM always liked KK 😆 😆
icedog(Quote)
Howay the lad…Jonas…. 🙂
http://www.newcastle.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=390639
Munich Mag(Quote)
Dave
Why if I don’t think things are absolutely hopeless does that mean I’m some sort of ashley follower, I have criticised many times the decision to leave ourselves short handed at CB and the decision to keep Pardew and co after last season.
As is said I’m not against the club trying to sort itself out financially, Nor do I think every decision the club make is a bad one.
CC(Quote)
CC, I don’t think any of us want to go back to spending silly money or money we may not have but we have now gone too far the other way imo.
kimtoon(Quote)
CC
March 1, 2015 at 12:02 (Edit)
Dave
Why if I don’t think things are absolutely hopeless does that mean I’m some sort of ashley follower,
CC where have I said you were some sort of ashley follower ? I was simply making the point that you along with a few other have a go at others on here for focusing on the negatives at the club ? But as I touched on if you can see positives why don’t you talk about them on here and maybe it wont be as negative ?
But IMO as it is and has been for long enough now, if we were only to talk about the positives then IMO there wouldn’t be anything to talk about.
Big Dave(Quote)
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alan-shearer-gets-one-over-8745021 😀
kimtoon(Quote)
It should be an interesting week. The financial results are out tomorrow and we have Man U on Wednesday. I don’t know what to make of Man U. I have watched quite a few games and they have often looked terrible even after spending all that money. Van Persie is out and Rooney is in mid-field even though he did score yesterday. Rooney always seemed to hurt us but hopefully that will be limited by him playing in a more withdrawn position. They are 3rd and I cannot see how they have done it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim @ 308 😆 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Cisse is not a hold up CF, and he’s not a lone striker either. He’s a CF who loves being in the box and getting across defenders and moving them round – he’s a player who needs crosses coming in the box and his deliveries coming in from wider areas. If we create the chances he will score goals.
For the first half hour yesterday we didn’t do that enough for me. I remember one ball in from Janmaat that Cisse controlled well at the back post but Hutton nicked off his foot and put out for a corner.
Krul, Janmaat and Cisse played well yesterday, and Colo upped his game too. I thought Riviere came to live after the goal went in, but I agree with Kim – in that he’s a foil CF – a Shola or Leon Best type forward and isn’t a 15 plus goal a season player.
Yesterday’s 3 points will keep us out of the bottom 4 and a relegation battle IMO. We will do well to finish in the top 12 based on what I saw yesterday though.
Sharpy17(Quote)
a midfield of Colback and Sissoko in the centre, with Sammi left and Obertan right, Cisse and Cabella/Perez up front would be worth a try imo
Munich Mag(Quote)
Sharpy: I think the relegation scrap is set, bottom 6 and probably 3 of the current bottom 4. I have said on here a couple of times that I think the hurdle will be 35 or 36 this year because the bottom 4 have scored less than a goal a game and even if they do that it will only get them to a max of 34. Even though we are ****, it reminds me of the saying that when you are being chased by a bear you don’t have to run faster than the bear, just the person next to you.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
You really think there’s not a slightly negative oulook on here??
Going into yesterday people were still tipping us to go down when there’s about 5 sides that would have to win more matches in the last dozen than they have all season to overhaul us
If I really have to:
Positives: I think that the scouting is good, Carrs’influence is a positive, We have some superb young players, Some good first teamers, I’m pleased the club on a better financial footing that where fat fred had us and the ticket prices
Seeing as I’m not going to be pidgeon holed into being something I’m not
Negatives: We cut corners with the squad and always leave ourselves a few players light, The appointments off the pitch largely have been a joke, We are too easily pleased with mediocre results, The treatment of Shearer, Keegan, Hughton and mostly Jonas has been shameful, Communication, Lies and getting rid if the singing section
CC(Quote)
Eric – I know it’s a while ago now, but Carver should look back at Leicester v Man Utd for ideas on how to approach it.
With our defence against Man Utds attack I don’t predict a clean sheet for us. But their defence is still weak (bar the keeper). If we accept we will concede but get the ball to our forwards players quickly, then I think we will score too.
This is the worst Man Utd I’ve seen, and it’s down to LVG rather than the players IMO.
My worry is that JC will go into it thinking nobody expects us to get a win, so will be a bit flippant. He may also think we have more chance of a point (s) against Everton.
Sharpy17(Quote)
CC@314, I would class myself as currently being more in the “negative” camp than the positive camp…..
just a question mate, who do you rate as “superb” young players ?
hadn’t we gotten a lucky win yesterday, against an absolutely rubbish Aston Villa, we would have dropped closer to the mire.. I suppose the three points cheered the majority of us at the end of the day…
Regarding “the club” being on better financial footing than during Freddie Shepherd’s days, I would say the debt is more transparent, but how is “the club” benefitting from this when we don’t spend money improving the team, and stoop to new lows when it comes to pinching pennies ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
* I meant the bottom 4 got less than a point a game.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
CC you’re right. There were quite a few on here convinced we were relegation fodder. You think they’d be a bit happy that we aren’t
MDS(Quote)
CC 1st you wrongly say that I was making you out to be some sort of ashley follower,
When I haven’t unless you can point it out to me ?
Now you ask me ” You really think there’s not a slightly negative oulook on here?? ”
I know there is a lot of negativity on here but as I already said I cant find owt positive to talk about.
You say the scouting is good,, well IMO its doesn’t really matter how good the scouting is if the regime wont buy the players that we need, and have needed for a few seasons. we tend to buy a lot of mid fielders when we already have enough, my guess is that they are easier to come by and are a lot cheaper than a good CB or striker even though that has been the position we have needed to strengthen .
Big Dave(Quote)
Perez, Haidara, Aarons, Armstrong, Woodman
Possiby Roberts, Good if he can overcome his injuries, Satka maybe, Heardman, kemen
CC(Quote)
Sharpster@315, the toon turning over the red devils would really be a feather in JC’s cap, and will win him some “credibility” with the neggers………
The best thing he can do is just let the results and his football do the talking. For me I’ve seen nothing to offset my pessimism, but time will show…
Munich Mag(Quote)
MDS I am not having a go at you but you say ” There were quite a few on here convinced we were relegation fodder ”
Who are they ?
Big Dave(Quote)
CC@320, thanks mate. We have a different understanding of the term superb then. Superb players are in the first team starting line up for me…
I find Perez could be brilliant, he was the find of the season, but granted has shown he really has something about him.
Haidara is average at the moment, but also has potential…
The rest have shown nothing as yet imo…2 decent games in 6 months from Aarons is also overly optimistic…
Munich Mag(Quote)
CC – I understand where you’re coming from, I try to see the positives as often as I can.
A big problem we have at the moment is that the negative aspects heavily outweigh the positives.
The good news is that a lot of those negatives can be addressed and put right in the summer – but we need the decision makers to make the big decisions in the summer.
We could create some positivity by sorting the contracts of Sammy & Aarons now which would also create a bit of hope for the summer as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Dave don’t want to accuse anyone specifically unless I’m sure they said it but I remember a lot of people discussing it early in the season following that poor run under Pards
MDS(Quote)
MM: a win and good performance against Man U would go a little way towards me getting a bit of confidence in Carver. It would not, however, mean he should have been given this chance in the first place as there is nothing on his CV to show he deserves it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Munich – if I was Carver, when I got the job the stand out remaining games of the season would have been Palace, Scum and Man Utd – coz Man Us visit has always roused the atmosphere in SJP.
I didn’t see much in the Palace game, and his excuses after City makes me think he may class Man U as points he can write off – I hope not, but that’s the excuse I hear if we get beat.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yesterday meant that we’re all but safe, if not yet mathmatically. What I’d like to see now is a real audition from JC for the job – make what looks like a lose- lose now into a win – win: I mean can the team play with a bit more relaxation, a bit more patience, and so be less naive and suckers for counter attack, can he blend in players like Riv (as a link striker) and Cabella and give Arma a chance? Probably, the answer to that is not satisfactorily, but if he can, then we can at least feel that we’re not doomed to a real struggle next season. In that context, man U is a good game to have – nowt to lose, opportunity to play canny.
Most likely we will get turned over in the next few games and the players will mentally head to the beach early.
GTE(Quote)
Cabella was one of the top young talents in France and we shouldn’t be writing him off this early especially as Pards didn’t play him much.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
MDS thats your choice then, but I dont recall there being quite a few on here convinced we were relegation fodder.
And to add to that IMO if we didn’t get the 3 pts yesterday there was a chance that we could have got drew in to a relegation scrap, even though I have not once thought we would be in a relegation scrap this season.But up until yesterday I could understand why some would worry about it.
Big Dave(Quote)
Sharpy
I’ve never hidden from that just that I don’t think every little thing the club does is ****
CC(Quote)
we are 11th at the moment, and have a feeling that’s where we’ll end up…
Munich Mag(Quote)
I think it is the nature of football fans to have extreme highs and lows. Last weeks thrashing clouded a few people’s thinking as to where we actually stood in terms of the relegation fight. We were 10 points ahead of 4th bottom with 12 to play and that should have been the focus but it wasn’t. I can’t recall anybody saying we would be relegated but there was some warranted doom and gloom. I think there was a bit more of an overreaction on Ed’s blog which I find funny sometimes. Even Ed himself is getting a bit manic depressive about the Toon in his old age 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Blimey – how much are Man City going to spend this summer?
GTE(Quote)
CC – you’re right mate, its not as doom & gloom as some say. But equally, there is a lot more that could be done to improve things.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I look at Cabella and Riv and think that they could well be more central figures in their second seasons (Cabs more than Riv, it’s true). I also think that Perez, Dummett and Haidara will conitnue to emerge, as will Sammy. Add those to Krul, Janmaat, Sissoko and, Colback and there’s the makings of a team. One of Abeid, Lascelles, Arma, Roberts or Aarons will likely step up. Not sure that I see much from Taylor, Willo, Colo however, and Tioe and Cisse will probably be off.
It still however looks to me that we need in a strong new starting CB and CF (unless De Jong lives u to his rep and stays fit) as well as 2-3 squad players, even to stand still.
GTE(Quote)
Eric Sykes@333, there is no getting away from it, and this is my biggest gripe. Our football is most of the time absolutely pish, and has been for the last 3 seasons at least…
Stealing flukey 1-0 home wins against dross teams like Villa and getting battered every year by the makkems doesn’t relate to “extreme highs and lows” imo mate. NUFC don’t do extreme highs and lows anymore….we are flatlining and at a level of mediocracy which is shocking…
Only Ashley, his wallet, and the decision makers at the toon can make me venture in the direction of the happy clappers. When they look like they give a flying flock, then I will too. Until then I’ll remain unconvinced… I’ve supported the toon for 40 years without seeing any great success, I’ll just carry on as before…
Munich Mag(Quote)
MDS I wonder maybe you are thinking of the thread a while back when bloggers were talking where we would finish in the lge,Ime not sure but one or two said we would end up in the bottom 3 I could be wrong but maybe that’s what you remember??
icedog(Quote)
Sharples@335, Pardew, Charnley and now Carver ALL talk from the same hymnsheet. They are trying to take the objective emotion out of following NUFC.
I don’t like anyone telling me about a particular game of football, or talking up a performance, when I have just watched something completely different.
I’m a bit of an opinionated flocker when it comes to that type of thing….it is my toon at the end of the day.. 😳 😳 😆 😆 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
GTE@336, I’m right with you there mate, but the fear of Cisse leaving fills me with dread at the moment. We score few enough goals as it is…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Was anyone at the game yesterday ? I’m curious what the atmosphere was like ?
It seems as if there was a bit of trouble in the Leazes End with the Villa fans yesterday…seems to be a recurring problem, aint gonna do the chances of achieveing a standing / singing section much good ? 🙁
Munich Mag(Quote)
Surely we can’t have another season with so many injuries as this season ? We’ve been really unlucky…
Munich Mag(Quote)
I’ve that and a few of the match day/post match day threads from the fall and again recently
MDS(Quote)
Cissé smiles, Rey aint there to take his spot, he is our 1st attcking threat and he shows it.
At this time with Darlow and Lascelles already signed, without future players coming our strongest team would be:
—————–Krul—————–
–Janmaat–Colo-Lascelles-Dummett-
—-Sissoko-Abeid-Colback-Sammy–
—————-De Jong————–
—————–Cissé—————-
Subs: Darlow, Taylor, Haidara, Tioté, Aarons, Cabella, Ayoze
Not bad if all fit, if Sissoko leaves, Id like to sign Daniel Wass to play on right wing with Janmaat.
——-
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Remy*
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Never saw it myself as after a tough stretch we have a fairly easy last 5 matches. That and the fact that you’ll need far less that 40 to stay up this year. Don’t see any of the bottom four getting 18 more points this season
MDS(Quote)
MM: my first game at SJP was a couple of years after the Fairs Cup so I have seen us win nowt either. We have been to a few FA cup finals but didn’t really turn up 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric@347, I think those cup finals and the Champions League era are as good as we are likely to see mate… that was our zenith as a club… we had a chance to kick on after our top 5 season, but failed miserably…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Eric did I see where you said you live in Chicago? I saw a few of the Toon Army Chicago lads have been over to matches this month
MDS(Quote)
I agree MM, but I also do think he’s off. The only glimmer of hope I see is that squad wages are a much bigger indicator of how Mikey runs the club than any individual transfer fee – and I think the plan is to relieve the wage bill of at least Tiote, Cisse and Jonas this summer – that’s three of the likely five most highly-paid players gone (the others being Colo and Taylor). Maybe, just maybe, that allows for several new signings.
GTE(Quote)
MDS: There is a “soccer” bar called The Globe that I sometimes get to and there are usually only one or two other NUFC fans and very infrequently the same ones. There is another bar called AJ Hudson’s that is a bit further away so maybe they go there. I will see if there is a web page but I never looked before because as I said I have seen so few Toon fans in the main soccer bar in Chicago – plenty of Spurs and Arsenal as I said to Stuart recently 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, Toon Army Chicago have a Facebook page and Twitter account, as do Toon Army America and most of the other local chapters
MDS(Quote)
Howay Eric lad, get yourself up to speed there man will ya 😉 😆 😆
There are probably loads of mags in Chicago, you just need to make the effort. 😆 😆
On a normal televised match day there are usually 5 of us in Munich, but I have seen 10 there for a makkem derby game…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Cheers MDS. I am not on Twitter or Facebook. I am a bit of a dinosaur in that regard, I might sign up though. It is weird I don’t see many at The Globe as they show our games when we play top six even when they start at 6.30 am. I might have a look on Wednesday. Thanks again for the links.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
MM: last midweek game I went to here there was one other NUFC fan, a Yank. I watched Spurs last year and there was one other and a load of screaming ****-erals/neys.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well I have to be honest, I said last week if we didn’t beat Villa I was concerned we’d be dragged into the dog fight as we have a really tough run now. Thankfully yesterdays results have pretty much made us safe you would think, now I just have to worry about next season .
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric@355, aye you’re right, it’s something else getting up at 6.30 in the morning to gan to the pub 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
If we had lost, and been tense, tight, it could all have been ugly, Kim, especially at the mackems, but now there’s the chance to just give it a go. Our run in (last six games) looks relatively easy, easy enough to get Carver the job in fact. The next five games could have been tricky, but I’m now seeing all the pressure on our opponents, none on us.
GTE(Quote)
Eric, top 6? Most footy bars I know, including my local, show all the matches. Then again so does my TV at home 😉
MDS(Quote)
GTE, my hope is they can relax a bit now the real pressure is off, play with a bit of freedom, might even get a few entertaining displays 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
On the other hand they might have their flip flops on already 🙄 👿
kimtoon(Quote)
MM I was there yesterday and didn’t notice any trouble with the Villa fans. They actually put a banner up on 17th min with John Alder and Liam Sweenyes names on with Aston Villa Supporters Club underneath. They all seemed ok. As for the atmosphere, like it’s been lately, quite quiet apart from odd bit of shouting and little worry when Villa got forward. Did look like 2 poor teams and to some extent as if we had just met up in the pub for a pint and thought let’s have a kick about, very few seemed to know where team mates were to pass too. But without being too negative lol we got 3 points rather that than nowt
Simon(Quote)
So who do we want to win the cup today? I’m hoping Spuds
kimtoon(Quote)
MDS: The games are available and might be shown on one TV but the sound would be for one of the more high profile matches and as I said there are loads of **** and Spurs fans so they get first shout.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Neither i hope they have to abandon the game
CC(Quote)
Surely to God Mikey Ashley must be watching this cup final (if he’s the football fan he tells us he is) and think it would be great if we were there. It’s not logical for a Sports team to think the opposite is it?
Stuart79(Quote)
He’s watching the cup final (with a few pork pies on his lap) supporting his team, Spurs, and thinking about how valuable next weeks’ profits announcement makes his football ‘asset’ Stuart. He’s also hoping that Spurs make top-4, because he shuuders at the idea of the Europa…
GTE(Quote)
Cholo – The team you picked for next season is bang average! Pissnpoir in the middle of the defence and lacks so much creativity in Midfield that it would be more of a pleasure to watch Wimbledon of the 90’s.
But actually, we are the new Wimbledon so maybe not too bad a comparison.
Stuart79(Quote)
Ok then Stuart.
What do I think we’ll get (vs what I’d like):
2 players per position:
GK – Krul / Darlow (Elliott sold, Alnwick released)
FB – Janmaat, Haidara, Dummett and Raylor as second in position, mebbe a young signing
CB – Colo, Taylor, Willo, Lascelles (I know…), Streete, Good relesased – leaves us short a main CB
CM – Abeid, Colback, Sissoko (I hope), Anita, Tiote sold, so pretty weak here, need a purple leader either here or at CB
AM – Cabella, Oba, Aarons, Gouffran (allegedly)
Inside Forward – De Jong “like a new signing”, Sammy
Centre Forward – New Signing, Riviere, Arma, Cisse sold
Also Ferreyra, Guti, Vuckic, Bigi, Ferguson sold or released
GTE(Quote)
GTE – Depends what you want to achieve to honest. But I would say that the following players will be sold/released this summer:
Santon
S.Taylor
Sissoko
Tiote
Cisse
Jonas
The above are first team players and will need replaced. The following list will be released and these are squad players so they will need replaced too:
Chucky
Vuckic
Bigi
Ferguson
Ryan Taylor
That’s 11 players that will need replaced and that’s just replacing what leaves. We’re already a striker and centre half shirt today so that’s 13 players that need to be brought in. That’s scanderlous!
How on earth has the club left us in this position? It’s a serious dereliction of duties in my opinion is disgusting. Let’s be fair, we could spend £50m profits and still not really have a squad as strong as this year and this years squad is worse than last seasons.
It’s a shamble, it really is. We aren’t building a squad, or a club every year. We are dismantling the squad every year and it’s impossible to improve.
Its just such a huge rebuilding job that I can’t see it being completed by the muppets we have at the club currently.
For me, if we’re lucky we will stagnate next season. But as I said at the beginning, it depends what you want and I think it’s clear the people that matter are happy to tread water.
Stuart79(Quote)
GTE: we would have to be mad to sell Cisse and mad to keep Ryan Taylor. His contract expires and he has played a total of 1 game in 2 years due to 3 separate injuries. Both cruciates and then the last one was knee as well but supposedly unrelated. It did manage to keep him out for 2 months though and was caused by minimal contact.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I hope that Taylor goes and is replaced with a proper CB, Stuart, but fear they’ll keep him as one of the four on the books. As for Sissoko, that’s such a no-brainer that even they will probably replace. Not fussed about Tiote, obvioisly would like younger less slow-thinking replacement. I agree we need several first team platers just to stand still – but I imagine we’ll get nothing like that.
GTE(Quote)
Stuart: I agree with you for the most part except I hope we keep Cisse and Sissoko. I think we might because our asking prices might not be met. Tiote has already packed his bags and is in Qatar. I doubt we will get an offer for Steven Taylor given his injury record and he still has a year on his contract. Apart from that, it is a decent summary of where we stand, i.e. we can just about put together a decent starting 11 (bar centre back) but have no depth without major luck with the development of some youngsters.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Bloody Chelsea
kimtoon(Quote)
Well we won yesterday and the points are crucial to avoid relegation. But in all honesty it was a battle of two sad sack teams. We were barely better than them and they are poor indeed. They had several excellent opportunities to score. Ashley sat there and looked bored. No wonder with the lack of entertainment in front of him.
GeordieTwo(Quote)