Game On! NUFC v MUFC

toonsy

Game On at St James' Park
Game On at St James’ Park
Good day everyone. I hope you’re all locked in and ready for the game tonight.

Manchester United never seem to give us an easy rude and I’m sure that will be the case again this evening.

However the need for Newcastle to pull off an unlikely result is massive and doing it in a game where we’re essentially expected to get nothing would be a very welcome bonus. But then we’ll have to see what happens.

At the time of writing the match preview (which you can see here) we hadn’t signed Henri Saivet and the deal was still at the medical stage. Subsequently he signed and it appears that we’re also close to completing the signing of Jonjo Shelvey from Swansea.

A welcome boost but neither will be able to assist us this evening anyway so instead we turn to the ‘older’ heads.

For the team news check out the bottom of this article. I’ll try and publish it one hour prior to kick-off but I have a poorly boy at home to sort out so may be delayed.

In terms of broadcasting we are live on BT Sport which is generally good news if you’re looking for a stream. You can normally find a link in the ‘comments’ section below.

Howay the lads!

Newcastle: Rob Elliot, Daryl Janmaat, Chancel Mbemba, Fabricio Coloccini, Paul Dummett, Jack Colback, Cheik Tiote, Moussa Sissoko, Georginio Wijnaldum, Ayoze Perez, Aleksandar Mitrovic

Subs: Karl Darlow, Jamie Sterry Jamaal Lascelles, Yoan Gouffran, Sylvain Marveaux, Siem De Jong, Ivan Toney

Man Utd: David De Gea, Ashley Young, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin, Marouane Fellaini, Jesse Lingard, Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney

Subs: Sergio Romero, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Paddy McNair, James Weir, Juan Mata, Andreas Pereira, Memphis Depay

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.

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724 thoughts on “Game On! NUFC v MUFC”

  1. Shamrock: I agree about Perez. He has a lot of talent and energy but he will never be Aguero. Will chip in maybe 7 or 8 goals so should play behind our forwards and perhaps on the wing.

    He didn’t play well against Man U but he is a real talent that we should nurture. He seems to have the right attitude as well and won’t go off and sulk.

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  3. If the club allows him to leave then it just confirms he’s a gutless wimp. If he stays then good on him and I hope he proves himself and becomes an asset. If the club lets him go and gets Townsend in, then it proves they are listening and changing and for that they get credit but still much work to do.z

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  4. It will be great if we have players like de Jong, Perez, Armstrong and Aarons pushing the first 11. We have to stay up and then we might see some decent football because we have good players.

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  5. I left Perez out of my starting 11, but that’s not to say I don’t rate the lad, I absolutely do. But I think too much is expected from him at the moment. He was thrown straight in at the deep end and did a great job.

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  6. ERIC

    Does Sissoko strike you as the right sort to do that though? He speaks the language and is in a similar position but he’s never really struck me as an amazing team player or a leader.

    I could imagine the likes of Colback, Janmaat, Gini and Mitrovic doing it in time if they stick around too.

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  7. I see Perez in the Beardsley role although “obviously” and “basically” not as good as Saint Peter of Beardsley. Failing that, he could double as a the lead singer in a Depeche Mode cover band circa 1980.

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  8. I don’t want to compare players to the greats of yesterday. We’d need huge progression in the club over several years to see the likes of SBR, Shearer, Beardo or Speedo again. Those people want to be at a CL club and that’s bloody hard to get back into with 2 moneybags clubs in Chelski and Citeh and several other huge clubs around there too.

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  10. TDS: I was just saying what sort of position I would play Perez in and remarking on his ability to stand in for Dave Gehan.

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  11. Positives about Shelvey are that he has PL experience (which we were crying out for) and he’s exactly the sort of player that the fans will get behind in the short term for sure.

    Negatives are that he couldn’t take his chance at Liverpool, then he also had some issues at Swansea. Need to hope that he sees this as his last big chance at a big club to avoid being just one of these players who sticks around in the bottom half of the PL. Players like him and clubs like ours should be in the top half of the PL challenging for cups and Europe.

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  12. Agree Shamrock.
    Elliott has been very good recently and credit to him. He would have been disappointed to have conceded Lingards goal through his legs on Tuesday, but thats typical of our luck at the moment.
    He doesn’t kick the ball out of play like Krul and likes to throw the ball out to his defenders more.
    So far this season, he hasn’t let the team down, except the one time he poorly after the warm up and dumped a load onto Darlow. (poor sod – no where near ready for the Premier League)

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  13. ERIC

    Haha! Yeah, I hope you don’t think I was having a go. I just think it’s a danger at our club that we often seem to compare players, managers, teams and performances to the best we ever had. And I think it’s really tough for people to face up to those comparisons.

    I’d agree about Perez, and I also think SDJ is good for that role too. Mitrovic to hold the ball up with the likes of Perez, Shelvey, Sissoko and Gini looking to get in and attack too. Great in principle…

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  14. TDS – he wasn’t really given a chance at Lpool though mate, Rodgers didn’t fancy him from the off so he was moved out so he could spend crazy money on Joe Allen & Jordan Henderson.

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  15. I still think it will be a long shot for us to get Townsend and Berahino but it would be madness to let Thauvin go if we weren’t to get Townsend. As for the striker – well everybody knows we desparately need one.

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  16. TDS – he is mates with Elliott too, so I hope that will help to settle him in and integrate with the squad.
    I hope he works out and proves everyone wrong. Especially the fat controller who never likes to buy British if he can help it.

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  18. Regarding SdJ – I thought he looked washed out on Tuesday when he came on. Positively ill looking. Cant remember him actually touching the ball either (?)

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  19. BB: erm… SDJ came on after 2 of the 4 minutes of injury time. What impact did you expect given that it was obviously McClaren running the clock down??????????????????????

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  20. Before the goal it might have been a last throw of the dice, but after it was clock management. I have the game taped. I will have to have a look to see how ill he looks but me not being a Dr. I am not sure if I can give a definitive medical opinion.

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  21. Who would make a big impacct coming on in the 93rd minute? He started two games and we won them both. Next thing you know, he’s dropped and we start losing…

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  22. Stuart: I think Wijnaldum is SDJs replacement at the moment. I really don’t think he has fully recovered from the 2 collapsed lungs. I am not sure he ever will. Our medical staff must have tests they can do to test if he is up to full capacity. However, given their history with Taylors, Tiote, Cisse etc. they will probably diagnose it as an ingrowing toenail.

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  23. Actually SDJ came on and reorganised the defense then won a key headed clearance from a Manure set play. It was then pretty much full time!

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  26. SHARPY

    But Shelvey could have broken in at Liverpool if he had proven himself. It’s just something mental that has so far prevented him from being a CL midfielder and cementing himself in the England midfield.

    There has to be a concern where he hasn’t performed at Swansea to a point of falling out with people and being dropped. My suspicion is that the greater profile of our club, manager and players will make it easier for him to feel at home.

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  27. I really don’t think anybody can hold the fact he never made it at Liverpool against Shelvey. He was 20 years old and had the likes of Gerrard to displace. Let’s not forget that Rogers also tried to flog Henderson to Fulham but he didn’t want to go. Shelvey could have stayed and picked up his money but he wanted to play so went to Swansea.

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  28. Thanks for that Sham @ 398
    Erm Eric I wasn’t expecting an impact, just commented that to me he looked ill/washed out. Could have been my crappy stream of course. 😉

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  29. BB

    Not sure if Shelvey has to prove everyone wrong, in fact I think he needs to prove everyone right. Pretty much everyone would agree that he’s got the talent, the question is can he apply that talent consistently and be a top English midfielder?

    We have to face it, pretty much every signing we’re going to make is either going to be just decent, unproven in this league or only here for the money. We have to hope the coaching team can get the most out of the existing players, bring the youth through and sign the right players too.

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  31. BB: no problem. I have wild conspiracy theories about our medical staff because they are so **** so they are probably applying leeches or giving SDJ mercury to rehabilitate him.

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  32. Maybe having SDJ lick the lead paint off his Sports Direct bobble head toy imported from China?

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  33. The Cisse injury takes the bloody biscuit:

    He’s out for 2 to 3 months says McClaren.
    We’re waiting for the second scan.
    Ryder chips in 2 days later that he might be back in a month.
    A week later we are told he is running and might be back in a week.
    No, he is totally f@cked now and needs an operation after we got a 3rd opinion and will be back in a month. NO HE WONT!!!!

    Our medical staff are the biggest joke in the League. It happens every time.

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  34. Well if Thauvin goes back to France then that’s a pile of egg on Carrs face. They made a big point out of saying how they fully research the character and suitability of incoming players before they sign them, it’s laughable when you consider how long Carr chased after this lad. Even him being voted the worst player in france in a fan poll vote didn’t set off the alarm bells for Carr. Time to give France a rest for a while, we’ve fallen out with half the owners anyway. 🙄

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  35. Breaking News: Newcastle United have won match day programme of the year award!

    Does that mean Ashley is selling up now?

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  36. Eric, they still think they can kid us over injury lay off time. The fact that folk outside the game can get the same injuries and be fully aware of the recovery and rehabilitation time doesn’t occur to them. I don’t know why they can’t just be honest from the start. Are they seriously not aware that even a small injury like a broken toe can be 6 weeks plus out 😯

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  38. Bloody hell, first my music hero Bowie dies now my favourite actor dies 🙁 **** start to 2016

    RIP Alan Rickman 🙁

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  39. Kimtoon:

    The Chron are now reporting Riviere and Aarons are to play for the U21s. This, after saying they might be fit for Arsenal after 2 or 3 days training FFS. So they might be fit for Watford, fully 3 weeks later. I think there is a conspiracy and they take us for fools.

    http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rolando-aarons-emmanuel-riviere-set-10735633?

    They also said Taylor is almost ready. If we see him before mid-feb I will send Troy a Valentines card.

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  40. Aaaarhhhh….. read the last line of The Chron report @414 that says Aarons, Marv and Riviere are hoping to be fit for Saturday. What!!!!!! when we have 2 new players and it is only 2 fckn days to Saturday for players that haven’t seen game time in 4-5 months.

    I have to get a job at the Chronicle to do the proof reading so that they don’t keep saying stupid ****. That’s what happens when Ryder is the senior “journalist”.

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  41. I am actually much more upbeat about our prospects even though I might not sound it. It is just that The Chronicle and NUFC take us for fools.

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  42. Eric, I gave up on Ryder yonks back ,the man is a first rate fool and always looks and sounds either in total depression or half cut to me.

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  43. Eric, I remember him speaking in a short report on 5live to do with Newcastle, can’t remember what is was about but it was something of a serious nature. Anyway he couldn’t give a coherent answer to them and even laughed, he sounded pissed and frankly some fan off the street could of done a better job. Total embarrassment to north east reporting.

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  44. Let’s assume the reserve game finishes at 9 tonight. That gives Marv, Aarons and Riv 42 hours recovery time before we face West Ham at 3 on Saturday. Yeah right, Chronicle, they will be available for that game 😕

    And they have all been out for 4 months or more so the best thing to do is risk them getting reinjured on 42 hours rest 🙂 It is beyond belief how stupid these journalists are.

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  45. Kimtoon: Ryder lost me when he was doing one of those interactive threads that they do now and was totally condescending to a couple of people sending in questions. I know we can all be dicks at times but it is his responsibility to rise above it and be professional.

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  46. Aarons gets injured from the draught of a big lorry passing him on the street and The Chronic expect him to play on 42 hours rest 😕

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  47. Ryders an embarrassment; He got shirty with a french based journo over Saivet the other day, The guy said he obviously not seen him as he is now a very useful CM. Ryder pointed out that he had dedicated a full line to his position changing this season but still referred to him as a winger in the headline and first paragraph… 🙄

    If you have time look at Ryder of the day on twitter, A page dedicated to his constant **** ups. Some of them are unreal

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  49. I got a valentines card today. Early I know and I haven’t got the foggiest who from.
    Plenty of spelling mistakes and terrible hand writing. Clearly a low IQ. 😆

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  50. Spelling mistakes Troysta. Really, you are calling ME out for spelling mistakes. Do you know what IQ stands for? I bet you don’t 🙂

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  53. CC: I looked at that twitter feed and it was a bit harsh on Ryder. Some of it was funny though.

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  58. I think there is another Valentine on the way from Lee Clark as well. One of those giant sized ones with a big wet lipstick kiss on it.

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  59. I reckon our next transfer will go right down to the wire… Won’t be pretty!

    Hope you’re right, Troy as he’s a good player. Think it’s a tricky one though so would say my opinion is it’s less likely to happen than likely.

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  61. With an overall winning percentage of 20.8 with us so far how much better than John Carver is Steve Tufty McLaren? 🙁

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  63. Is The Tufty Man leading us up the creek without a paddle? I think I hear a large waterfall ahead…..

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  65. Stu – he’s a good young English full back, but i think RB isn’t a priority just now. Mbemba & Mbabu can both cover RB and Anita if desperate.
    I reckon CB & LB are more pressing at the back.
    That said, I think it will be winger & forward that are addressed this window – or at least one of those.

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  66. Troysta: you know I will bore everybody sh!tless by pointing out every misspelling you make from now on 🙂

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  67. Is Berahino any good? I haven’t paid much attention to him either as I figured he was off to Spurs.

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  71. A lot of you have become very needy lately. Constantly asking for more top, top interviews with the head honchos at the club. Well I’m up to it lads!
    Here’s the latest:
    G2: Welcome Steve. Some of the supporters are getting a bit restless. Four wins so far this season. Are we on track in your opinion?
    Steve: G2, of course we are! There’s no doubt in my mind we’re completely on track. The training sessions have been generally excellent. Morale within the team is high. How could we not be optimistic?
    G2: Ahhh, hmmmm. Well……..
    Steve: Stop looking at the stats G2. That’s your first mistake. Avoid looking at the table. Keep your head up and smile, smile, smile!!!
    G2: Ahhhh, hmmmm. Well…….

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  72. Eric – he’s a good player, fast and instinctive finisher. But there are obviously issues with his attitude towards training and sticking to the rules, which is why WBA aren’t playing him.
    I think it’s also the reason why Spurs haven’t signed him yet – that and probably the asking price set by WBA.
    I think Spurs are looking elsewhere, and if they get someone else then we have a good chance of getting Berahino – if Spurs don’t, then he’ll probably end up there.
    I think Townsend is a real possibility, IF we can move Gouffran and/or Marveaux off the wage bill.

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  73. STUART@439 talk he is one fine prospect a lot of clubs looking at him toon were even looking,missed out again like the kid that went to Spurs

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