Just three days after our disappointing 2-0 defeat to Wolves, we face Walter Zenga’s side yet again in this EFL trophy third round clash.
In what was a subdued performance by Rafa’s men, tonight represents the perfect opportunity to take stock of what went wrong and take the necessary steps to correct it.
Team News
With squad rotation a must at this level, signs point to Benitez handing new striker Daryl Murphy a start in tonight’s match at SJP as well as defender Grant Hanley. How he intends to shoehorn the former into the starting line-up remains to be seen; fellow striker Dwight Gayle’s record in this competition (below) certainly isn’t to be grumbled at with the former Palace man netting 8 goals in 6 appearances during his career.
#Newcastle‘s Dwight Gayle’s #EFLCup career record:
Apps: 6
Goals: 8#NUFC #Wolves #wwfc— Goodbrand Stats (@StatsChristian) 20 September 2016
As is now common knowledge, full back Vurnon Anita will not appear in tonight’s game or indeed the trip to Villa or game against Norwich City after getting sent off in Saturday’s defeat.
Prediction
With Zenga’s men not bothering to head home after Saturday’s game with a return fixture just a couple of days later (correct me if I’m wrong), a prolonged stay in the north east capital could indeed unsettle tonight’s opponents.
With the presence of Murphy up top providing a much more direct outlet, and the likes of Hanley using tonight as a means of proving their worth to the gaffer, tonight we’re expecting the Magpies to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat with a comfortable 3-1 win in the return fixture.
Predicted Line-Up (4-4-2)
GK: Darlow
RB: Yedlin
CB: Hanley
CB: Lascelles
LB: Lazaar
RM: Ritchie
CM: Colback
CM: Hayden
LM: Atsu
CF: Murphy
CF: Gayle
Stu, Aye, dead handy that
kimtoon(Quote)
Get in!
best possible outcome really
Beat them, Get Norwich next then Smash Liverpool in the final 😆
Easy….
Gashley(Quote)
Well the last 8 is looking realistic. Who would have thought. Happy days.
Shamrock(Quote)
Great draw. We had a one in three chance of drawing mackems at home at the end! But we’re at home to Preston whilst they travel to Southampton. Some big boys are going out in the next round also as West Ham play Chelsea, Man U vs Mam City and Liverpool vs Tottenham. Best chance of a quarter/semi final we’ve had in years. 🙂
DJG(Quote)
Been very very jammy with that draw,now we have to make the most of it
Icedog(Quote)
Icedog
Three home ties in a row also. Imagine having to gan to Southampton on a Tuesday night in late October. 😆
DJG(Quote)
Preston at home! Our luck has truly changed with Rafa!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Looks like there are some juicy bits about NUFC in Barton’s book that haven’t really come out before. Barton is a total loose cannon but some of his stuff makes sense and is interesting. When there was the confrontation with Shearer at Liverpool Dowie tried to step in and Barton told him to “shut it, boxing glove head”. A juvenile insult but it does sort of describe Iain Dowie’s head.
Still not buying his book. All the best bits are in the papers anyway.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – Barton is a mouthy ***** & a thug. What he writes in a book and what actually happened will heavily favour him & paint him to be a misunderstood victim – rather than relay the truth of events.
Still, it is funny that you pick up on his description of a mans head – you do like a good comparison ? Can you imagine if Carver had been there too ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: Barton certainly thinks he is cleverer than he is and still seems to have major anger issues. I also agree that it will all be his side of the story but some of it rings true. He said there was basically a mutiny when Hughton was fired, instigated by the 5 players on the player’s committee. They didn’t want Pardew either and I think they were all gone within a year.
What he says that I agree with is quite often him pointing out the obvious like that Mr. Roy bottled it for England. Other ex-players don’t have the courage to make such statements and there is usually a sense of the old pros sticking together. Just look at the Rooney situation where none of them will ever say he has had a bad game when he plays well in about 1 in 5 now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And Barton still loves to make excuses for his behavior which shows he hasn’t really changed. His latest is that he cares too much and that is why he blew up at Rangers. It is just spin and bullshit really, like when you are asked in a job interview to describe your biggest weakness and say something like you work too hard or are too conscientious.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Bigmouth!
Georgio(Quote)
Barton put a cigar out in another player’s face didn’t he ? He should of been banned from football for life imo. His definitely a bully by the sounds of thing’s.
Stem(Quote)
Barton’s red against Liverpool was a disgrace. Shearer had every right to ******* him. Barton sorry you are 100 bellend.
Stem(Quote)
Steve McClaren been linked to the Qpr rangers job ? As if they haven’t suffered enough lately. I feel really sorry for them.
Stem(Quote)
Eric – aye, I can’t really give Barton credit for seeing that Pardew & Roy were bang average appointments like – even the kid who’s eye be stumped his cigar out on could see that!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stem – I’ve never liked Barton and still wouldn’t even if that red card hadn’t happened. But that red card sealed it for me – Shearer should have ripped his scrawny little head off!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stem – I read it’s a boardroom position they are offering him – but we all know that’s the beginning of the end for JFH if Mc gets in that way. Sir Les mustn’t have watched many toon games last season ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy JFH wont be in a job for long mate. Bloody good player at Chelsea and Boro. I regret us getting Kluivert over him. McClaren is in it for the money. If someone stupid enough to hire him then they deserve to get punished. We certainly learned the hard way.
Stem(Quote)
Stem – he was well liked when he helped ‘Arry out down there. But there’s a big difference between helping out and taking full control.
JFH did a good job at Burton – but it was a club in good shape before he went in. QPR is still massively broken IMO and there’s a lot of fairly inexperienced people in there. They need years to re-stabilise the club but they want quick success. I see nothing but years in the wilderness & a high turnover of managers.
I feel really sorry for their fans to be honest.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So I wonder how much of a distraction Jack Grealish has been for Villa this week?.
Watching that saga unfold makes me really hopeful that these stories about us looking at Ravel Morrison are just horrible rumours.
Sharpy17(Quote)
What did Grealish do like? Not heard owt…
Canny lucky in the cup draw. After years of getting **** away draws its about time … ?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
I would try something like this against Villa:
Darlow
Yedlin Mbemba Lascelles Lazaar
Ritchie Hayden Shelvey Gouffy
Gayle
Murphy
Don’t give up on Mbemba because of an own goal. Just about every CB will put one in his own net once in a while. If not Mbemba then Clarke in there.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
If we can get past Preston it’s the quarter finals for us. Once we get that far anything can happen.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
We’re actually moving forward after 9 years in hell with Ashley. I don’t count the fifth because it was full of total disappointment the following year. Ashley couldn’t handle having a winning club that was in a decent if not great competition (Europa) and let the club fall apart again from then on. Pardew fell apart with it.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Pards against Mackems, a draw? Palace are without 3 of their 1st choice defenders so Pards would probably be happy with that. I doubt they will be relegated either as they have a decent squad with some new players that are actually being played in their correct positions for the time being.
Mackems on the other hand are certainties for relegation. They have the worst squad in the PL so a point will not save them and might just keep that smug self-satisfied look of Pards’ face. Oh, you say that is impossible because that is his default expression! Maybe you’re right.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
G2: I think that team guess is about as good as any apart from Murphy. I see Mitro or Diame in there alongside Gayle. With Rafa’s stated rotation policy you would think he might rest Ritchie or Shelvey. I hope he doesn’t as they are our in-form players who have had the most influence on games.
Although I shouldn’t second guess Rafa I think resting those 2 is not necessary this early in the season. Later, when the pitches are heavier. Also, Shelvey blows hot and cold and you can pretty much see what sort of night it is going to be in the first 20 minutes, so you could easily have the plan to “rest” him at half time if he is having one of his bad Jonjo days.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
something to do about mucking about with some sort of drugs at a party mate,again
icedog(Quote)
DT, this from The Sun:
“It is alleged hotel guests complained and a row broke out after Grealish and his friends took part in a wild and noisy party in a room containing balloons containing nitrous oxide, commonly known as ‘hippy crack.’”
I had read something earlier that the Police were called at 8am to break it up.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I see Benny has been left out of 4 PSG games in a row because he does not put in enough effort in training. If this goes sour because of his laziness then he is a full on prat. He has had 1 good season in a sub standard league in 5 years and as soon as he gets a chance at a big club he reverts to type.
Shamrock(Quote)
That makes sense Eric. I’m not sure I trust Mitro to finish though. Diame and Gayle would be worth a try. Bring Murphy or Mitro on in the second half if we need either of them. We definitely need the points because the next match is going to be tough.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Given the record with and without Gouffran, is he an automatic now until we don’t win a match in which he is playing? Funny to see how excited people are with him…given some past comments.
By the way…long time no chat. Hope everyone’s been doing well…
NorCal Toonfan(Quote)
Thanks Ice, Eric… Hadn’t heard. Let’s hope it puts him off his game or even out of the match.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Nice to see you back on mate keep it up 😆
Icedog(Quote)
I’ll do my best. I actually sit behind a desk more often now and can from time to time spend a few minutes catching up on the latest news (craic? sorry, I forget my Geordie)
NorCal Toonfan(Quote)
I think what Grealish is doing is totally understandable. He is 21, born in Solihull and is playing for his hometown club that he joined at the age of 6. He will have all his mates around him whether they be from school or in the youth leagues. Villa just gave him a 40k a week so what kid wouldn’t want to go to/throw a party?
I haven’t read a lot on it but it was in a Hotel so I wouldn’t be surprised if Grealish paid for a couple of hotel rooms and picked up the tab for booze and had his mates and some girls over. Sounds normal for a 21 year old and getting the room(s) to be away from parents and tabloids makes sense as well. Just got a little bit out of hand by the looks of it. Much worse happens in Ibiza every night with groups of lads on holiday.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Norcal – good to see you back on mate, hope you’re well ?
Goof would certainly be in my starting 11 mate, as would Diame. Perez has shown real quality at times but I think Diame offers that greater physical presence in there.
But for me, Matt Ritchie is the first name on the team sheet week in, week out for sure.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – couldn’t disagree more mate. The lad has just had a close season to party his tits off.
He’s in a massively privileged position and has an opportunity that millions of kids would love to get a chance at. He didn’t do anything for Villa last season and they are hardly on fire this season either.
If he’s earning as much as 40k per week (which I think would probably be half that to be honest) doesn’t he have a responsibility & commitment to earn it?. That’s not just playing well on a match day either.
I know Villa fan sometimes pops on so I’d be interested to hear his thoughts on it.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree with Ritchie, from what I hear/read (still haven’t seen a game) he plays very well.
I like Perez as a super sub honestly. I am keen on the lad, but i always feel like he has greater impact off the bench…i am sure stats would prove just the opposite, but that’s the general feel I get.
I really hope Gayle finds his touch again. I know it’s only been a few games, but those few where he was burying them was a cool and felt entertaining.
NorCal Toonfan(Quote)
Speaking about in forms players – watched Andros Townsend at the weekend & that lad is true quality.
It’s such a shame that we couldn’t have kept him and just loaned him out this season, to get him back if we get promoted – if not, sell him then. But to know his toon career is over when we kick started his form is just gutting.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think exactly the same about Perez mate and also feel that way about Gayle. I think his pace coming on around the hour mark after the CBs have been roughed up by Mitrovic & Diame would just give them a fresh headache in the final third of the game.
It gives Rafa options if his plan A looks like it’s not working – like the Wolves game for example.
But I do think there’s something in ‘playing your inform players’ and ‘not changing a winning team’ – in which case Goof would defo be in there.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: Grealish just signed a 3 million, 4 year deal. I agree with the sports science and nutrition stuff for the most part. However, this kid is under a lot of pressure at a young age and blowing off a bit of steam can be a good thing. He has been Villa’s “next big thing” for a while. Anyway, I don;t want to get into it too deep about Grealish because I don’t really care 🙂
More importantly, I read a stat that Villa have won 3 out of their last 45 games. They were absolute tripe last year and developed a losing mentality which may take a while to shake off. They have bought a few players but were starting from a low base. I have seen a few Villa fans saying it was the worst team they had seen. Let’s hope the losing continues on Saturday.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Probably someone has already said this but I don’t see any British lead in shows. I think teams are taking the league cup much more seriously now. I watched the Man U and Man City games and they had hundreds of millions of pounds worth of talent whereas in previous years they would play kids in the round of 16. I think it is a function of there being so much money and the world’s most talented managers all in one place, but now there is competition for the Champions League spots. For the last few years it was basically a closed shop of Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City. Now you have last years Champions, Spurs and Liverpool all vying for those positions. Whoever doesn’t make it has to settle for one more European place in the league or one of the Cups. Even Everton and Southampton will be pushing hard because whatever Mourinho thinks there is a prestige to playing in Europe and it helps attract higher quality players.
Just think about it. 3 of these managers will miss out on the Champions League: Mourinho, Pep, Wenger, Poch, Conte, Klopp, Ranieri. They and Koeman and Puel would probably get jobs at shoo-in Champions League clubs at any other league. If they fail, at least the League Cup gets them European football.
Just glad NUFC got a relatively easy quarter final because I think the PL league clubs will be trying harder to win this than in years gone by.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sorry, wishful thinking. I had us in the QFs when of course we are only in the round of 16. However, this makes my point even stronger as you saw a player like Ibrahimovich in the round of 32 at a league 1 side when this would have been unheard of a few years ago.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – sorry mate but i see this pressure thing as an excuse. Is he under any more pressure than Marcus Rashford – who’s the next big thing at one of the biggest clubs in the World. Is he under any more pressure than our very own Lascelles, who’s a similar age and has been given the responsibility of captaining our promotion charge?.
There would be plenty others but those 2 prove the point enough I think.
As I say, he’s had a close season to blow off steam. If Villa have just invested 3m on him & shown that level of faith in him – surely they have a right to expect better – and he a right to do better, regardless of age.
Sharpy17(Quote)
As for Villa as a team – their form may be ****, but they still have a threat in the likes of Ayew & Gestede.
I personally think I’d play Clark in this game. He’s trained with their forwards last season and will have a good idea on their movement & play. Him & Lascelles would be my CBs on Saturday.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Subject to Rafa’s rotation policy, I do think he’s an automatic start. I still don’t view him as a proper winger but he’s a worker who may have found his level, and of course he is playing well. Also, not many options there at the moment.
MDS(Quote)
Goofy looked good when he first came to us and it’s not like he cost a shed load either. He defo went off the boil but I think we can safely say that was down to poor coaching and his face maybe not fitting. A little walk and pep talk with Rafa and the lads on fire again, funny old game.
kimtoon(Quote)
Norcal & MDS – welcome back guys!
Agree with you again Sharpy. Bring Gayle on as a late sub if we still need a goal from a knock down or something. I have no confidence in the guy.
georgio(Quote)
Dwight Gayle is our top scorer. 4 goals from 6 starts. I have no issue with him being in from the start if called upon.
Shamrock(Quote)
I don’t dislike Gayle – other than I think we maybe paid a couple of million too much, I actually like the kid. I think he will play a big part in this season – I just don’t see him in what my strongest 11 would be but that’s just my opinion.
Sharpy17(Quote)
problem with him imo is hes better playing off a big guy to see him at his best
icedog(Quote)
Ice totally agree mate, I like him but I do think he needs a big lad alongside.
kimtoon(Quote)
Wouldn’t mind Murphy getting a start against Villa actually, he can do it at this level we know that much.
kimtoon(Quote)
It’s a difficult one because he has proved he is our best finisher. He can take a penalty and score a free kick too, which adds to his value in games. Mitro may have presence but he seems to lose his head emotionally and in front of goal. Our current system seems to rely on only one striker. Who knows what’s best.
Shamrock(Quote)
Seems like Gayle has to prove himself over and over again. Many strikers don’t appear to be doing much – except scoring that is. He may fall into that group. Let’s see where he is in another 10 games if he gets decent playing time that is.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Until he improves his consistency and learns to avoid losing control of his temper I favour Murphy over Mitro to start. We’ll see what Rafa does.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Sharpy I thought Les was director of football at QPR’s ? So Steve being on the board could really undermine JFH’s position as manager. If JFH doesn’t start getting results it’s knifes in the back time.
Stem(Quote)
you bet it will be mate
icedog(Quote)
Have Gayle and Mitro been paired together yet?
Mitro and Perez were paired in the 6-0 win at QPR so I wouldn’t mind seeing that again
MDS(Quote)
aye mate they have played together,it lasted about 25 min,they both got head knocks so under new rules they had to come off
icedog(Quote)
You would think Gayle would get the start as he has been held out for a couple of games. Mitro didn’t face Wolves and hasn’t played much because of suspension. If he is our first choice “big man” you would think he would also start considering our last away performance when we played the “little and large” formation.
This is an important game so you have to think that Rafa will stick with the form players. My team:
Sels
Yedlin Lascelles MBemba Dummett
Ritchie Hayden Shelvey Gouffy
Gayle
Mitro
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sorry, Gayle played against Wolves in the league but not in the cup. Couldn’t get any coverage of the league game so I don’t know how he did in that. Gayle and Perez might be interchangeable in a little and large approach and we will probably play one or the other. That might be stating the obvious but probably not as I think Perez is versatile enough to start on the wing if Gouffy goes off the boil.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
hi all,
well its the big one tomorrow.
well it is for us anyway.a must win game for me.
the only problem is.i cant see us winning it.we just are not good or consistent enough.
i like rafa,always have.but his one fault,is when he tinkers with the side,as he did last week against the wolves.
whatever happened to not changing a winning team.but he wont tinker tomorrow,which is bad news for us.
so for me,i just live in the hope we will win.
otherwise its Dday time for Di Matteo.
a villa fan(Quote)
Thanks, Georgio.
I didn’t mean to abandon the site…but real life got in the way.
I went to work for my father-in-law a couple of years ago to learn his business. He passed in March and now I am running his company. Generally consumes most of my time, so getting to the blog has been a challenge. But, since I’ve gotten a better grip on things, I can spend more down time and this is one place I am glad I can come back to.
Glad to see most of the names that were here when I took a break are still around.
NorCal Toonfan(Quote)
Welcome again a villa fan. I hope you’re right. We’ve had our ups and downs as well so this is a big one for both clubs. McCormack is your main striker I would think. How has he been playing? Never rated Grealish that highly myself but I may not have seen him enough. I see he has 2 goals for you lot so far.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Whoops. I see Gestede has 3 for you?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Another quick note on the front 2:
little and large – won 6 nil
little and little – lost 2 nil
little and large – won 2 nil
Admittedly, this is a small sample, but we should go this route as Mitro will be match fit or Murphy will be a bit more settled (remember we signed him and then it was the international fcking break.
BTW: nice to see you again Norcal. I really enjoyed your write-up of the friendly you went to with your son.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
My point on Gayle he needs a big guy up with him to get the best from him,but the thing is I don’t think Rafa will go with two strikers in this game,anyone guess who that will be
Icedog(Quote)
****** it. Ignore that last point as we played Diame and Murphy in the Cup. This is what comes of not watching the bloody games because nobody is televising them.
Did anybody see what Klopp said on live TV about League Cup games not being televised: “every fcking game is televised in Germany”. He had to apaoligize, but his point is valid as I am finding it difficult to get streams for our games and UK fans can’t get 3pm Saturday PL games. This is way behind the times considering how much the cable companies are charging.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ice: maybe Diame and Gayle as Diame is more attacking MF or No 10?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Could go that way mate my gut feeling he will go with Diame attacking me with Mitro to help rough them up a bit,as I said guessing game on this one
Icedog(Quote)
Icedog look how thing’s worked out with Dennis Wise and Joe Kinnear mate. Or giving the final on transfer’s to Graham Carr. It never work’s. I’m glad Ashley has changed his way’s, really I am. Watching QPR operate kind of reminds me of us. I feel sorry for there fan’s, really I do. McClaren depressed me so much last season. Rafa has my full support 100 percent. I wouldn’t wish McClaren on anyone but Sunderland.
Stem(Quote)
Sad thing is McClaren still got paid 2.1 million for being absolutely horrendous. Don’t inflict that misery on another team that’s just cruel. His a con man and full of **** with an insulting grin to make thing’s worse. If I had to choose between McClaren or Carver ( yes it’s a terrible decision) I would honestly pick Carver.
Stem(Quote)
Alright, getting closer…just booked my hotel for the weekend of the Wigan home fixture.
Dream becoming a reality…
As we get closer may need some tips on what to see in the short span I will be there.
Already got some tips from one nice gent.
NorCal Toonfan(Quote)