Stoke game - An opportunity for the Youngsters and fringe players.

I cant think of a worse way to approach the game tash.

We wont beat Stoke at their own game and neither has played LCB before and it would be unfair to drop Colo so a no to Williamson and Taylor.

Perch is just awful, I would only ever play him at CB and we'd need about 6 injuries (not even exaggerating) to do that. He's awful at RB, what makes you think he'll handle being on the wrong side with his terrible positioning.

Vuckic is injured, but in any case, he and Nolan are both attack minded and unable to defend, there is no way we can leave Tiote out. What do you even mea by risk him? If he gets booked he gets booked, you dont drop him because Wolves is more winnable, you play your strongest XI available every time.

Kuqi off Ranger, really? Kuqi hasnt has more than 5 minutes so that isnt happening anyway, especially with Shola, Lover and Best all fit and all higher up the pecking order. As I've said, we wont beat them at their own game, so 2 players with such modest goalscoring records against Stoke's resilient defence just wont work. Ranger and Kuqi's physical approach to the game works better on smaller CBs they will outmuscle. This game is perfect for Best IMO as he is bug enough to not be pushed around by their defence but has enought pace about him to beat them.

And finally please tell me, have you ever watched Guthrie on the wing? He just int a winger and should be played in the centre. Square pegs in square holes and all that, if you have no fit wingers, dont play any wingers.

-----------------------Harper
Simpson----Saylor---Williamson---Colo---Ferguson
------------Guthrie----Tiote-----Nolan
-----------------Best-------Shola*

*I'd pick Ranger but he never starts

This line up is mainly because of lack of other options but everyone is in their favoured position and 10 of them are senior players, you are obliged to start what you consider your strongest team.

 

You're very optimistic, i applaud you for that, but i can't see us getting a win mate.
The whole point of my thread is not ridiculous, i gave reasons for Ranger and Kuqi starting, because they would more likely be able to deal with Stoke's ariel and physical threat. We've played Stoke before, with a stronger team, and we dominated the game, yes, but we couldn't deal with Stoke's height, and we could have quite easily lost 1-4.

I admitted in my article it's not a good attitude to have, to think that the game is already lost, and i said this is only IF we have other vital players injured. If Ireland and Barton are out, then i can't see us getting much from the game. We've never won a game without Barton, and have shown against Bolton and Everton that we're we lack that little piece of vision and execution without Barton.

It doesn't look good for us, and since Jonas could also be out, we might aswell give a few fringe players a chance, and not risk the few vital players we have left, on a game that already looks quite beyong us. I like the idea of 5-3-2 though, and perhaps i'm going a little too far with some of my selections.

Can't see us getting anything, especially at a tough place like Stoke, and i'd rather not risk the last of what we have before a period of vital games.

EDIT: I also forgot about Shola. I'd actually start with him up with Ranger.

 

We can't take any risks until we have reached safety, so for me we have to put out an eleven with established players if possible in whatever formation we can put together. For me it would be 5-3-2, make it tight and go for a draw. One point away at Stoke would do me right now.

--------------Harper-------------
-----Saylor---Willo-----Colo
Simmo--------------------Ferguson
------Guthrie ----- Tiote----------
-------------Nolan----------------
------Best----------Loverlover

That would still be bringing one new face into the team (Ferguson). And bring Ranger on with 20 to go as an impact sub, which appears to be his best role at the moment (he doesn't seem to perform from the start).

 

Well whats the bigger risk? Potentially losing one game, or risking players like Tiote before a period of extremely important games? We could get a result, but in return we could end up losing futher games because vital players are suspended or injured. Look what's happened to us in the last couple of weeks without Barton... God forbid Tiote and Enrique should be out of the picture also.

 

Harper
Simpson Williamson Coloccini Taylor
Ranger Nolan Tiote Ferguson
Best Lovenkrands

Sorted.

 

We will get thrashed if we play that team , Tash.

 

If Pardew had that attitude he'd play the reserves every game. Tiote is the best player we have available at the moment, he has to start.

 

AG, Saylor at LB and Ranger out on the wing?

I do see your point though, that is probably the strongest 442 we can come out with because of injuries.. either way it'll be a very tough match and I see a boring 1-1 or 0-0 draw IMO.

 

We have no other LB (Ferguson can play there but that leaves us with no left winger) and Ranger played well on the right wing in the League Cup.

 

I don't understand your logic re Tiote Tash. I think we are all in agreement that due to his style of play Tiote will pick up another yellow card before the end of the season and therefore serve a two match suspension. But i think we would all also agree that he has been crucial to us this season and that we need him to play every game possible. Therefore by not playing him in order to avoid the possibility of picking up the inevitable yellow we would in effect be adding one extra game to his suspension, i.e. losing his services for three games and not two. Sorry but I don't understand how that is in our best interests?

 

Harper
Simpson - Colo - Saylor - Perch
Guthrie - Tiote - Nolan
Guttierez - Best - Lovenkrands

 

I'd just prefer Tiote to be here for the Wolves game mate, that's just my preference.

 

Mmm.. it'll be interesting to see if that happens but will Pardew start Ranger? that's the big question.

 

Gutierrez might be out mate

 

Said he was fit on some article I read, can't remember where. If he is just play Ranger or Ferguson instead.

 

A dey nah lads, this season is ****ing mental. Sometimes i just want to cry, sometimes i jizz constantly in my pants because it's so good.
Buying a Newcastle United season ticket should come with a health warning, seriously.

 

Fair enough I think we can beat Wolves at home with or without Tiote but am sure we will lose at Stoke without him. That's what makes debate I suppose we all see things differently.

 

Yeah i know mate, but i just see Wolves at home as a real opportunity to get our season back on track after this **** spell, and i'd just love for the team to be full strength, and absolutely pulverize Wolves 5-0 and for everyone to catch their breath again. I'd love Wolves to be a recovery game and for everyone to be leaving the game feeling content and optimistic about the final section of the season. I fear the worst without players like Tiote and Enrique, and i certainly don't fancy another game with Steven Taylor at a full back position.

 

I don't fancy Saylor at RB either which is why I went 5-3-2. Wolves is nearly three weeks away so I am hoping that we have some of our crocks back by then (Barton, Enrique, Ireland, Shola) so I think it less of a problem getting a side out than the Stoke game. We are really down to the bare bones for that one so don't think we can afford to leave a fit first teamer like Tiote out. Hey you never know he might not get booked, he doesn't get a card every game.

 

By not wanting Saylor at full back, i meant in the sense of not risking Enrique, and having to choose between Perch and Saylor for full back.