During the 10-11 season? No way. You guys had Gerrard, Reina, Suarez, Lucas, Meireles and 9 goals in 23 apps from Torres. We had no in-form Krul, no Steven Taylor, had Nolan in midfield and once Carroll left, we had to rely on the WOEFUL partnership of Lovenkrands and Ameobi for half of the season (including when you beat us 3-0). That's includes no Cabaye, Ba, Ben Arfa or Santon, who is looking almost as good defensively as Enrique did. A lot of people outside of Newcastle presume we were severely weakened by losing Barton, Nolan, Carroll and Enrique. However, in reality, Carroll and Nolan have been replaced by MUCH more effective players, and Santon is looking great. The only area we may have went downhill in his replacing Barton with Obertan, but imo Cabaye is making up for some of that too with his exceptional CM play compared to Nolan. The guy was a good goalscorer but **** me he sucked at CM play.
Agree with Chappaz. It is understandable why people who didn't watch us every week thought Nolan was vital because of his goals and leadership. But as a CM he was a liability, especially beyond the 70 minute mark. Tiote received 14 yellows last season, not because he is dirty, but because he was doing the work of two men defensively.
Good fair article...OP its worth pointing out that Newcastle sit only one place and one point behind you in the table. I haven't seen vast amounts of Liverpool throughout the season but we've tended to lift our game against the traditionally big teams. Drew with L'arse Citeh beat us fair and square and are by far the best team we've played this season, though we played well and produced (missed a sitter and hit the post) we eventually lost out to 2 penalties and a horrible defensive error. Drew with Manure with an incredible defensive effort and a huge slice of luck with regards to our penalty. Chelsea beat us, though they should've been down to 10 men after 6 minutes and in the process sacrificed one of their star players (Mata or Sturridge) AND not making the 3 subs they did make (all of whom were involved in the final 2 goals) which came whilst we didn't have a single CB on the pitch and were down to 10 men. I am predicting a defeat but would love a draw. Krul Simpson, Colo, Williamson, Santon Obertan, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez Best/Ben Arfa Ba Strengths: Krul is one of the best keepers in the league and aside from his distribution, looks close to being the finished article! When he had our starting back 4 in front of him (not even our strongest IMO) there was no keeper with a better record! Cabaye and Tiote are our engine, held (until injuries broke them apart) the record for being the furthest running midfield partnership in the league. Ba is 2nd top scorer, looked good in a terrible WHU team and is pasting over the cracks in our feebly thin squad. Weaknesses: Simpson backs off too much and tends to allow the cross to come in, against Downing this is dangerous. Obertan and Gutierrez, whilst fast and direct, lack the final bit of quality to make them truly dangerous wingers. Best was shocking in our last game, but Pardew feels Ben Arfa still isn't ready, therefore, Ba may be our only attacking threat, nullify him and you could potentially nullify Newcastle! Things to look out for Williamson is only just back from a long lay off, he was my MOTM against Bolton, but they're a completely different kettle of fish to you, I think handling Carroll will be OK (though never an easy task) due to his size, but Bellamy will tear his arse out with his pace, we'll need Colo to be at his intelligent best. Santon is an unknown quantity in that we know he has the potential we just don't know how long it'll take before he reaches it. He looked very good until being forced off at HT against WBA, hopefully he'll add a bit of attacking ability to counteract the threat of Enrique down the opposite flank!
The first half of the season, definitely. You were actually above us by 3 pts in January when Roy Hodgson left. And you say 9 goals in 23 apps, but 3 of those came under Dalglish in January (in 4 apps). So it was basically 6 goals in 19 apps, which looks significantly worse. Suarez didn't play under Hodgson either. If you mean when you came to Anfield then fairplay, but I meant the first half of the season when we had Hodgson as manager and you beat us 3-1 (battered us)
Just to add to this section (if you don't mind!): Another thing to look out for is the fact Newcastle have never dropped points from a winning position this season. I also don't think Liverpool have come from behind to win in the league since Bolton ((H) 1st January 2011) under Roy Hodgson when Torres and Cole scored to cancel out Kevin Davies' opening goal, although we did come back from 1-0 down against Stoke to win in the CC cup, courtesy of two Luis Suarez goals, who is unavailable for this game. So if Newcastle score first, its hard to see Liverpool getting a win from the game and Newcastle would look good for the win or at the very least a point If Liverpool take the lead first? (Which we have in all games bar two home games (B'burn and Man City))Then we should look at the fact Newcastle have salvaged three draws from losing positions (2 away from home and 1 at home). Liverpool on the other hand have drawn three games from winning positions (all at home) so Newcastle wouldn't be out of the game at all if Liverpool scored the first goal, although if we scored a second then Newcastle probably would be out of it, as we've only conceded more than 1 goal in a league game once this season (when we had 9 men against Spurs). So looking at the stats, if anyone wants to bet on this game, then the stats and recent history suggest it will be a draw.
TINC Death comes in 3's shall be my theme until after the game..... I will either be way off and slagged or hopefully right on and our luck might change!
I think the side will be Reina Jonno Skrtel Agger Jose Maxi Hendo Adam Downing Kuyt Bellamy With Stevie coming on after about 60 mins
Hopefully Henderson performs like he did in the red and white against us last season. In all seriousness though, I wouldn't be surprised by any result Friday except if the score isn't close. Liverpool has a better squad on paper, but I think right now is lacking an identity and cohesiveness. By comparison we're in 7th because of strong teamplay. I expect as the season goes on, Liverpool will really hit a great run of form and start scoring...I just hope it isn't this week.
With Suarez out, I wonder if Gerrard will be placed behind the striker. He was fit enough to play around 30mins against Blackburn and will have had 4 days to recover. The back five will be: --------------------------Reina------------------------------- Johnson---------Skrtel-------Agger----------Enrique Which has proven to be very solid so far this season - the best in the league in terms of goals conceded. Johnson has been in fine form recently, whilst Agger is top class when fit. Skrtel is a good defender at RCB. Enrique you're familiar with. The rest could be as follows: Downing-----Henderson----Adam-----Bellamy ---------------Kuyt--------------Carroll--------------- Downing could be swapped for Kuyt on the right. Bellamy very well could be up front. Carroll may not play. Spearing could come in for Henderson OR - with ideal fitness ------------------Spearing---Adam------------------- ----Kuyt------------Gerrard------------Bellamy ----------------------Carroll----------------------- Quickly on Carroll - statistically his season doesn't make good reading - but he has hit the post numerous times and has been denied by some seriously good goalkeeping too - it's not so bad.
Looking at it from a Newcastle fan's perspective, I don't want Maxi or Downing to go up against Raylor, so I'm guessing Dalglish will take that into account and one of those two will play on the right with Kuyt and Carroll up front. Would for a similar reason be surprised if Bellamy wasn't included somewhere he can run at our defence. On our side, to quote Football Manager, the entire world knows how we'll line up, the only question mark is over Best or Ben Arfa alongside Ba up front. My money's on Best.
No offence meant but I hope it's Best not B.Arfa. Class act when fit B.Arfa is As for Liverpool I think the longer the game goes without a goal the more likely we'll be to drop points. An early goal would boost confidence and crowd volume but at the moment I'm just not sure where the goals are gonna come from. I predict a tight 1.1 (so it'll be a free flowing 4.3 classic )
How we do in this match will be indicative of how we do against Man U. If we get a well earned point or even a win, I fancy us to take something at home to the Mancs. Confidence will be high. However our record at Klanfield is diabolical so one is never certain!
I want Benny to play too but I reckon we're going to go out and play like we did against Stoke - which means we want Best up front to flick on Obertan and Jonas on the counter. Does that make sense? I don't think Benny will start again until Ba goes to ACON..
I have said this in the other thread Maybe better in this one! Would like us to try three at the back, mix things up a bit ………………………………………….Reina………………………………….. ……………………..Carra………….Agger……….. Skrtel …………….. Johnson ……….. Adam ……….. Henderson ….………. Enrique ……………………….. Gerrard ………………..Downing……………….. …………………………………………. Carroll …………………………………. I will admit I am one of the most optimistic pool fans around, so think we might just smash a few goals in. It would be typical with Suarez out for us to score a few-like we have been threatening to do all season Looking forward to the game always had a soft spot for Newcastle
Would take a draw right now, fancy us if we score first though now we have Williamson back. I think Raylor will keep his place over Santon though, he got an assist last week and Pardew's kept him in the side after much worse performances. Ben Arfa to start please!
good article and good to see no arguments have developed yet, it shows the progress we have made as how respectful the liverpool fans have been in this about us and how they actually fear some of our players, liverpool are still a good team they have a great keeper in reina a solid defence a good midfield and a decent attac, suarez out is a massive boost for newcastle but I am never going to count out andy carroll should be a cracker
