Welcome one and all to Championship match day, a day in which Rafa Benitez’ Newcastle United visits the i-pro Stadium (otherwise known as Pride Park) to take on Nigel Pearson’s Derby County. Pearson is a familiar face to the Toon Army, having been assistant and caretaker manager from 2006 to 2007. All sentiment goes out the window today however – and knowing Nigel, he won’t spare a second thought for Newcastle whilst he tries to unhinge their season and spark Derby’s into life.
Amongst the favorites for a play-off place this season, The Rams sit in 18th place having began the campaign poorly with only one win under their belt. Their most recent league outing resulted in a disappointing 1-0 loss at relegation favorites Burton Albion. The Magpies meanwhile, are title favorites and currently find themselves in 5th place having recovered from an opening two defeats to now be seeking a 4th straight league victory. Their last league outing was a very reassuring 2-0 win against fellow promotion rivals Brighton & Hove despite not having first choice forwards Dwight Gayle or Aleksander Mitrovic available.
Newcastle have not won at Derby since 2002, when Laurent Robert, Kieron Dyer and Lomana Lua-Lua launched a stinging comeback from 2 goals down to win 3-2. Their last win at Pride Park prior to that was in 1998, when they prevailed in a classic Premier League 4-3 game during which the late great and cult hero of mine Gary Speed netted a well earnt double. The last game between the two sides in Derby was a 3-0 win for the Rams when goals from Rob Hulse, Kris Commons and Shaun Barker comprehensively saw the Magpies off.
Today’s game kicks off at 17:30 and will feature live on Sky Sports, so hopefully for those with no access to Sky TV, links will be found on the internet. Steve McClaren will NOT feature from the Sky Sports studio today (cue collective sigh of relief from Toon Army and Derby fans alike), so everybody can enjoy watching the game without being reminded of the horrors of the Grin Reaper’s past whilst at the helm of both sides. The game will be referee’d by Newport-born journeyman James Linnington, who has spent the years mostly rawling through the Championship to League 2 on a week-by-week basis. He is not a lucky omen for either of today’s sides. Newcastle’s last game with Linnington in charge was a 4-3 FA Cup loss to West Brom in 2010, when he dished out 4 yellows for the Toon and a controversial red for Ryan Taylor. Derby have only won 1 of their last 5 with the Isle of Wight refee in charge. Their last home game being a heavy 3-0 loss to Reading in 2015.
Lets get to it then and have a look at the line-ups. It sounds as if Derby are setting out with a 4-4-2 in order to try and address an alarming lack of goals in which they have only made 1 so far this season. Newcastle meanwhile appear to be playing it safe, with Gouffran getting another chance following his sharp appearing performance against Brighton. New signing Christian Atsu has failed to force his way into the squad today, whilst Deandre Yedlin and Achraf Lazaar both make the bench. Isaac Hayden has been rotated out in place of Jack Colback. One might consider that a risk given Hayden is well rested following the International break and has been such an influential figure so far this season.
Newcastle United:
So there it is. Game On!
HWTL.
It was one of those where Yedlin will claim it and the defender will deny it. 😉
I was watching on sky go and it looked like it came off the defender although Yedlin was running into him and definitely caused it to be a goal. Good to see Yedlin get some minutes, he does look very quick.
DJG(Quote)
DJG agree 100% regarding your take on the Championship and how we need to win, the Ashley coasting question is for another day.
Munich Mag(Quote)
hi all,
well,your team is up and running now.
just what you needed,a good run of wins.i dont think you have anything to worry about now.
as for us,we must start our campaign tomorrow.
i now expect us to go on a run,otherwise we will start drifting away.we are already a few points down.
a villa fan.(Quote)
Munich I think we did what we needed to do. I think we had another gear if we had needed it. I don’t think we were lucky, just played with assurance and confidence. Would’ve liked to have seen Mitro but I think we’ll see him on Tues.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Villa I think you’ll get the win tomorrow for what it’s worth
kimtoon(Quote)
Hi Villa. Tomorrow is huge for you guys. Win and you are just about in touching distance of the top sides. Lose or draw and the gap is already looking difficult to close. Forest have got off to a steady start, so beating them is essential for confidence and sending out a message. Should be an interesting game. I see Forest trying to keep it tight and play for a draw, so Villa will need to show some passion and creativity to open them up.
Shamrock(Quote)
kimtoon,
if we dont win tomorrow,then ill start to get worried about this season.
a villa fan.(Quote)
shamrock,
hi mate,
agree with you 100%.
but it is us we are talking about.how can a group of players tire after 60 minutes is beyond me.
we have been like that for a few seasons now.
a villa fan.(Quote)
Cheers Villa for the kind words and nice to see a fan of another team on here with good words. Hope you win tomorrow mate, you need it now I think. Good luck!
Dubai Toon(Quote)
DJG – I don’t think Rafa will let NUFC or Ashley coast ever again! He wants to be successful. Although I actually believe Ashley will sell the club if we go up. He’s not in great shape and I reckon he will be looking at taking SD private again. He will want to concentrate on that and raise funds to do it.
Stuart79(Quote)
Villa, they look more a team now though mate, don’t you think.
kimtoon(Quote)
dubai toon,
mate ive always had a soft spot for newcastle,always considered you similar to us.
used to love to watch our games,especially when kevin keegan was your manager.
how you didnt win the league that season,ill never know.
especially as i hate man utd.
a villa fan.(Quote)
kimtoon,
mate,
if you mean us,the players we have signed have certainly improved our squad,
but in saying that,that wasnt hard to do. 😆 😆
because last season,was the worst villa squad i have ever seen.
even worse than the one that went down to the old third division.
but as i say,you will be o/k ive always rated Rafa.
a villa fan.(Quote)
Villa, yep I was referring to Villa mate, I think they look more cohesive now, less fragile if you know what I mean.
kimtoon(Quote)
It’s Huddersfield I can’t get my head around, never expected that start from them.
kimtoon(Quote)
kimtoon,
tomorrow will tell us.
i expect a win.nothing else will do.
a villa fan.(Quote)
Our second goal in particular was a tactical masterpiece. I’m more impressed by that than any goal we have scored in the last few years. Derby just had no idea what the hell was going on. Considering we could not score for toffee from corners not so long ago – we are now complete masters at them ?
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham – agreed. I was pleased to see how brave Yedlin was getting in between the defender & keeper
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yes Sharpy. All planned to have the fastest man in the pitch bombing in like that and he showed guts.
By the way, if anybody has not seen the Barnsley game, you should. All good goals but our lad Armstrong showed some slick skills and very tidy finishing. He will have a successful year in the first team at Barnsley and should really kick on.
Shamrock(Quote)
Solid win… very business like… thought Shelvey was our best player even though he faded in the later stages of the game. We lack a little cutting edge in the final third… goals from set pieces are great, don’t get me wrong, but apart from that we were pretty toothless. Still an away win is gold and as long as we keep on keeping on, happy days.
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
So happy with the result and defense but I won’t be sucking guff off and saying how awesome he is
Seasons gone missing when we needed him not trying have stained him for me
Screw the fair weather players screw those players who try when it suits them and I hope never kicks a ball again for the toon again
Ice pup(Quote)
YouYew(Quote)
Hi youview. Yes I agree he looks like he could go the distance. I think while he’s young he needs to be playing week in, week out if possible in order to get the experience. The Toon is obviously a ‘big’ club with lots of competition, so he would only get game time as a squad player at this stage in his career. If he can play every week at Barnsley and taste relative success with them then it’s all good.
Next season will very much be the same I reckon. We will be a PL side looking to push on to the top 10 and I can’t see Armstrong being a first choice stiker with us, but a squad player again as he has no PL experience. Can see him getting another loan as a first teamer but at PL level in a team expected to finish in bottom 5. The season after I’d expect him to be fully integrated into the Toon to provide real competition for places. If he ends up staying though, then great so long as he gets the game time he needs otherwise his development will stall.
Shamrock(Quote)
Good to see Pardew has Palace back up to mid table. Best put your knives away again. He’s laughing at you again. 😀
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Kim, I know a Huddersfield fan and they can’t believe it either. Some expected them to struggle actually and it is a difficult league when you look at where fancied teams like Brighton and Derby are. I said to him there’s no reason why they (Huddersfield) can’t be top 6. I can see us catching them soon though. 🙂
DJG(Quote)
Did you watch the highlights on MOTD Troy? How Boro never came away from that with 3 points I will never know.
kimtoon(Quote)
I suppose it depends how much their good start can carry them on, if/when they get injuries will they have strength in depth to keep this run going. It will be some achievement if they finish top 3 that’s for sure.
kimtoon(Quote)
It’s only four games in an Sunderland need to win tomorrow night against Ronald Koeman to get out of the relegation zone, after that they’re away at Spurs, happy days. 😆
DJG(Quote)
DJG, They are down this season I reckon, can’t keep avoiding the inevitable .
kimtoon(Quote)
I stand by my theory that they’ve got no Newcastle games this season, which is like their FA cup and champions league finals, as all they can realistically hope to achieve in life is to beat (a poor) Newcastle side. Also because of their inferiority complex. Now they used to knacker themselves and lose the games after, but it gave them a lift beating us and got their fans on side. They also were fighting relegation against us at the end of the season.
It’s not unusual for them to have a poor start but I just wonder if this will be the season they finally get relegated (without the derbies to get up for and the lift it gave them) 😈
DJG(Quote)
It’s already happening as ‘boro beat them at their place and assuming they don’t win away at ‘boro, that’s the 4-6 points gone that they got against us, that kept them up in the last 3 seasons. 🙂
DJG(Quote)
Kim
I don’t think they’ve got the cover to keep the run going during injuries and suspensions mate. Certainly not two first team players for each position like we have anyway.
DJG(Quote)
DJG, Agree on all points there mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
didnt think you would bite mate
icedog(Quote)
Yesterday was a cracking result for us and it times we were playing some really nice football – but at times we also looked so shaky in defence.
I’m not sold on Sels at all. I know it takes keepers a few games to settle in and that position is probably scrutinised more than most, but he just doesn’t fill me with any confidence at the moment.
I don’t know if that unsettles the back 4 as well, but he seems so flappy and unsure at the moment.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I agree Sharpy. He seems a bit slow at reading play and can get caught slightly out of position. I also don’t understand his need to punch the ball. It’s a total gamble doing that as he has no idea where the ball will rebound off to. Distribution wise he seems ok and I can’t judge communication yet. His actual reflexes seem sound though. The defense is making sure he has not really been tested properly yet, but time will tell I guess. The back 4 do seem to be clicking quite well though.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sharpy
I feel the same about Sels and I would put both Darlow and Elliott ahead of him.
On a brighter note we could have paid £17m for Bravo and I rate Sels the better keeper on their performances yesterday.
sidekick(Quote)
Sham – I’m not right the lad off or anything, just that he’s my main concern at the moment. I’d personally go with Elliott, but I don’t suppose Rafa has paid £5m for the lad to warm the bench
Sharpy17(Quote)
? Sidekick, Pep was on the wind up after the game I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Oh dear Villa. Sort it out ?
Shamrock(Quote)
After watching Arma’s brilliant goal yesterday and a somewhat iffy display from Gayle (there’s been a few already) I wonder if Rafa’s got this one wrong. Although Arma’s had a lot of sub appearances he’s never been tried up front like yesterday or at Coventry. This season was perfect for him to progress.
Eric – see the ToonArmyChicago were at the match yesterday!
georgio(Quote)
Wehay, Villa have decided they will have a go at the Championship after all!
Shamrock(Quote)
This Villa game is mental !
kimtoon(Quote)
Yup. Lansbury has always been an underrated player. This will deflate Villa I think. Personally I kind of want them to fail after the bed sheets shenanigans, but I feel sorry for our own blog Villa fan!
Shamrock(Quote)
Villa the better side today imo
kimtoon(Quote)
Sham, I have always been angry about the sheets thing, like I said to villa it lacked class but you get plonkers at all teams fan basis . I have never took joy from seeing any team relegated it’s awful for the fans and that was the first time I have actually seen fans delight in a team that actually means little to them go down 😕 made no sense and still doesn’t. Yes we’d have a laugh at Scum dropping but that’s your rivals so makes sense. Still I don’t think we’d organise a flypast to celebrate like they did.
kimtoon(Quote)
That’s definitely 2 points dropped there, based on a large part of that game you’d say Villa deserved to win really.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim unless there is some seriously woeful decision making by referees turning games, then I don’t buy into sides deserving results other than what they end up with. You can have all the possession and chances, but the game is simple at the end of the day – score more than the opposition. Plus Villa were at home and still did not make the advantage count.
Shamrock(Quote)
Yep, need to make home games count I agree, especially in this league.
kimtoon(Quote)
Georgio: the lad that was at the match from Chicago runs the website and said he was doing the Great North Run as well. Not sure if he will have recovered. Anther lad I spoke to the other week said he had gone to a Toon game with his Dad and after the Match got talking with fans in a pub. Hearing the Yank accents the Geordies couldn’t figure out why they supported NUFC especially as it was only a recent thing. They told me they didn’t buy another pint that night and ended up rat arsed.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Swansea what a come back !!!!!!!
kimtoon(Quote)
Massive last 20 mins or so in this game now
kimtoon(Quote)
Costa certainly making friends with the Swansea fans today 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
Don’t understand why Costa isn’t off tbh, poor by the ref not to punish that dive.
kimtoon(Quote)
Although Cahill was dithering, it was still a foul. And what a miss by Costa earlier when he could have put the game away.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I know it is really early days for Pogba but if you had asked me to name the player that cost a world record fee yesterday I think he would have been about the 15th one I mentioned. His replacement at Juve absolutely ran the game yesterday so playing in that position in that team might have flattered Pogba. I watched quite a few Juve games last year and couldn’t see what all the fuss was about. He is a really good player but not at the level of Silva or De Bruyne.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
and a goal from the man who shouldn’t be on the pitch 🙄 top teams still getting the lucky breaks in the PL. Almost glad we’re out of it.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: glad we don’t have to play Citeh anyway.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, aye mate
kimtoon(Quote)
Chelsea players fouling for fun, fair few carded now
kimtoon(Quote)
All over, what a game that was. Terry and Hazard both limping at the end another 5 mins and Swans could of capitalised on that cause all Chelsea’s subs used. Lot of talking points too.
kimtoon(Quote)
Costa should of been off for simulation .
kimtoon(Quote)
Another win yesterday. I like being this high up the table. We should try it in the Prem sometime. Gouffy has been very solid for us so far this season. I wonder if we’ll see Mitro against QPR? And several others I would think. Gayle was less impressive. Good depth everywhere should mean far fewer slumps in the season. I’ve heard about Armstrong’s goal as well. Very encouraging. City looked like beasts yesterday. I can’t see anyone keeping up with them. ManU are a strange looking club now under Mourinho. Definitely better than they were last season though (I would hope so after the amount of money they’ve spent). Can’t see Pogba as the most expensive footballer in the world.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I never gave Gouffy any stick as I thought he was a below average PL player anyway and had lost confidence by having to work under bad coaches who didn’t know what to do with him. Similarly, I am not going to go over the top with praise after a couple of good games. Don’t get me wrong, I am happy for him, but I doubt he is going to be our main man and I wouldn’t be getting out the new contract just yet. I expect he will run down his contract and end up playing for another Championship team next year or back in France.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
hi all,
well we screwed it up again.
lower league same old mistakes.
doesnt look as though we will be catching you up for a long time yet.
we have got to learn to kill games off.
ah well. 😳
a villa fan.(Quote)
Villa, I don’t know a lot about your team but as an outsider looking in I thought you only had one thing going for you this year, the parachute payment. Unlike us, you didn’t have players to sell and the squad was weak. Then the league farted around with the takeover and you were then behind everybody else in the transfer market. I think you might scrape a playoff spot if DiMatteo is given some money in January but you will be strong next year in The Championship as there are more parachute payments and you will have had time to figure out what you need.
Did you get rid of Agbonlahor yet?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric Sykes,
you are correct mate.
ive been saying on our blog,that last years squad was the worst i have ever seen at the villa.
but,we have invested quite heavily in this squad.
and for me,should not be this low in the league.but,league tables never lie.
as for gabby agoalayear. he had the chance to go to reading on loan.
but unfortunately for us,he is quite prepared to sit on his ****,to wind his contract down.
a villa fan.(Quote)
I’d like to reserve judgment on Sels until after a season at least. De Gea took his time and it’s a bit more frantic than Belgium the Championship and he probably isn’t use to so many crosses or high balls.
Stuart79(Quote)
Villa, Thought you were worth the win today mate, first half you were all over them, their goal coming against the run of play. As you say they screwed up again letting them in, must be really frustrating .
kimtoon(Quote)
Stu, I thought he looked a little better v Brighton and yesterday. Still flapping a bit though which makes me nervous. Like you say lets let him get up to speed with the league. I do like Elliot though if I’m honest.
kimtoon(Quote)
kimtoon,
hi mate,
ive got used to it mate. 😀
saw your comments earlier about our fans that disrespected your club the last time you went down.
agree with you,most fans i know agreed that it was totally out of order.
but as i said last year.our younger fans have no respect.
even for our history.
after all,they even accepted Mcleish from our real enemy.and clapped him every game.until they woke up.
a villa fan.(Quote)
just before i go,
a joke from our blog.because we are ****,we villa fans drift off onto other topics.
“i thought my vasectomy would stop my wife getting pregnant again,
but apparently it just changes the colour of the baby” 😆
night all.
a villa fan.(Quote)
😆 😆 😆
icedog(Quote)
one more just put up by our joker ,
“my wife used to punch me in the face when she had an orgasm,
i didnt mind,until i found out she was faking them” 😆
right,
catch up next time im around.
a villa fan.(Quote)
Stuart: Sels has to do well mate, because if Elliot gets his chance he will keep him out of the team. If that happens it is a good problem to have and whilst I still have some reservations about Darlow, he is a really good 3rd ‘keeper that most PL teams would be lucky to have in that role.
Doubt Darlow will stick around though if Sels turns out to be good.
Eric Sykes(Quote)