I'm never one to normally bow to peer pressure but I feel it is my duty to try and keep this winning streak going for as long as possible and single handedly guide us to safety with (hopefully) another winning matchday thread. We switftly return to action for our 3rd game in a week, our away trip to the Hammers coming on the back of two home victories which have steered us 6 points away from the drop zone and to within 2 wins of a top 10 spot in the league. West Ham have won once in their last 6 games, losing 3 and drawing the other 2. Kick off is 5.30pm and is live on the telly box courtesy of them slags at Sky Team News - Rafa should have a full compliment of players to pick from, I'm expecting a fairly unchanged team from the 11 that started on Tues night against Burnley. Manquillo was the only change for that game, it remains to be seen whether he retains his place or if Rafa decides to bring Yedlin back after being rested. Chris Kavanagh has been tasked with trying to keep the peace in the middle of the park, this being 3rd outing for us this season. The Manchester born whistler took charge of our 0-0 draw at Southampton in Oct and was also in charge for our visit to Chelsea in Jan which ended in a 2-1 defeat. To date this season CK has brandished a total of 65 yellow cards and just the 1 red card. Fixtures elsewhere have thrown up a couple of 6 pointers which are of interest to us down at the Amex and Turf Moor. Cardiff and Southampton (looking below us) both have tough away fixtures as do Leicester, Everton have a Merseyside derby to contend with at home (looking above us), so a win for us coupled with results going our way again could see us put a bit more distance between us and the drop zone as well as gaining some ground on the teams above us. I'm going for a 3-1 win to the Toon again on this one, Miggy finally getting off the mark before Rondon and Miggy again seal the points for us. HWTL
Hmmm, well I'm out in town on Sat night so I'm contemplating an early start to take the game in somewhere, I'm in a right ****ing dilemma. Really, going to the pub is no different to attending matches and I was there last Saturday when we won so I think my curse may be lifted now.
Good thread well thought through but there is just one problem. You forget to mention Dummet's sexy locks! So for this reason.... IM OWT!
Not really any pubs nearby now - there's a couple in the Westfield shopping centre adjacent to the ground but that's about it You can also go into Stratford if you come out the station on the other side, but I'd be really ****ing careful - Stratford is a **** hole at the best of times and bloody ropey pubs.
Varadi's a great shout and despite being a very overweight comedy star of the silver screen, his father Oliver was also a handy footballer. People will think I've lost the plot breaking up a winning team but some of the guys need a rest. I'd bring in David Mills on the right wing, John Brownlie at the back and stiffen up the mid-field with John Trewick. This should allow Paul Ferris and Almiron more freedom to work just behind Rondon and Varadi. I think it will be tight but I'm having a little flutter on 3-1 with Rondon, Varadi and a first goal for Almiron. On a side note, visiting hours to come and talk football how it used to be with me and Mickey are between 3.00 and 5.00pm every Saturday.
I have to say I can't agree with Trewick coming in. He's clearly been out of sorts recently and it's an obvious scenario and game for Kettleborough to play with his steadying influence in what will be a midfield battle.
How is Kettleborough going to be a steadying influence, he died in 2009. Honestly, I don't know why I bother.
I only started going to the match in 1959 so never saw him score. The first Newcastle goal I ever saw was Ivor Allchurch.
