Newcastle's new signings look to have raised their spirits, Sissoko in particular is looking an awesome signing and Gouffran seems to have a good amount of pace to trouble defences. Going for: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Ekotto Lennon, Parker, Dembele, Bale (free role though) Holtby, Adebayor Subs: Brad, Naughts, Caulker, Jake, Deuce, Sig, Kane No place for Hudd for me, been really poor and should be loaned out now to a Championship team to build fitness (and hopefully confidence). Jake is more vital now as I think Scotty is looking rusty still and therefore a DM will be needed as cover. Tough game, think home advantage should see us through but I'm worried about the midfield battle, Sissoko looks to be a real handful. Adebayor had his best game in a Spurs shirt in this fixture last season so here's hoping for a repeat performance. 2-1, Bale and Adebayor. COYS!
SOS, same players on the pitch as I suggested- just a different formation. Ade misses too many chances-always has IMO. Just hoping as the only striker he can put a couple away. Having watched Newcastle beat Chelsea I am very worried for this game. If Sissouko can leave Cole standing what will he do to BAE? With our high line they will find it easy to get behind our defence. I think at this stage I would also take a draw so Tasty Magpie let's shake on it now and save our nerves.
they might use him to counter Bale,then he won't get forward to much,and we can use Bale to counter him!
I think both our strikers miss way too many chances to be fair, if we had a clinical finisher top, we'd be on plus 25 goal difference easy in my opinion. Yeah Sissoko definitely looks talent and his pace will be a worry though he doesn't play as a winger so in theory, the Cole scenario will hopefully be a one-off and therefore Benny won't have to worry too much if you get my point. The two CB's will need to be sharp though and read it early, allowing him space could be deadly. I'd settle for a draw but do think we can win it if we play at full capacity, on paper we are a better team and so providing the lads are up for it, I can see us winning, will be tough but we have to be favourites at home.
Lloris Gallas Dawson Vertonghen Benny Dembele Parker Lennon Holtby Bale Ade Pardew will expect Bale to start down the middle but frankly I don't fancy Bale's chances of walking off the pitch at the end of the game if Tiote's marking him all game. They're quite weak at fullback too so I fancy Bale's chances out wide, even if he's doubled up on, Holtby's good at getting out wide to help. Some good old fashioned wing play should help keep Ade awake too, get him attacking balls in to the box, none of this drift to the far post for knock downs nonsense.
we need Bale and Lennon using their pace down both wings,with plenty of bodies attacking the ball in the box,hope fully their french contingent won't be used to that
Cole is 32, and I think his pace was already dwindling this season, Sissouko's not the only one who's give him a bit of a hard time.
I think it might also be wise to bear in mind that Sissoko's only had 1 game. It was his home debut that he was obviously going to have been fired up for. Don't get me wrong, he looked like a good addition, but no one should be getting carried away just yet. We now have that home debut to come from Holtby... after 2 very impressive away performances. I'd say we've got more to be excited about.
Sissoko looked good in NUFC's away win at Villa too mate. Bossed the game. Reminds me a lot of Vieira.
Newcastle is one of four teams that beat us away who'll be coming to WHL in the near future. They're all massive games at this point, so there's no point saying this one is a big game, but it may set a tone. It's interesting that the last two teams we've played were on bad runs, while Newcastle is on a good one, or at least looks to be much more formidable with a recent acquisition(s). I wonder if Newcastle will sit back as teams have been doing. I'd also like to see the same lineup, but wouldn't be shocked to see Dempsey playing for Holtby.
Just reading an interview from Adebayor about the exit from cup of nations with the headline "Adebayor:I'm physically exhausted"......
I'm quite tired, too. Should be alright by Saturday afternoon though, despite working a full-time job in between...
I'm quite tired, too. Should be alright by Saturday afternoon though, despite working a full-time job in between...[/QUOTE] Footballers are abit more precious then us mere fans
Footballers are abit more precious then us mere fans[/QUOTE] IF there wasn't us mere fans,there wouldn't be any fabulous wealthy players,they should remember that at times
There's something bothering me about the centre pairing of Dembele and Parker. Dembele isn't the best of tacklers and is not a natural spoiler. He is more effective in the opponents half, playing one/two's and making a nuisance of himshelf, shimmying between defenders. He has a tendency to driffed forward typically. Parker is not the parker of yester-year., in part as a result of extensive injury and age. Although highly experienced, he can't now be 'expected' to perform heroics by himself anymore. He needs more support then Dembele can give, in the CM area. I would be tempted to start with Huddlestone along side Parker, simply to add some muscle and brawn, I would ask the pair of them to sit back close to the back four. This, I think, would make it difficult for their lively players to find a way through. I don't know why, but the term 'swatting flys' has just strung to mind. I would give Dembele at least 60 mins, in the VDV role and I would not start this game with Holtby. Holtby is obviously keen, fit, full of energy and is a fantastic prospect ,. but I feel he needs to be introduced into the EPL gradually. Throwing young talent into the deep end can sometimes have adverse effects. There!, all sorted..... Now where's my rum.
My heart bleeds for him. I'm sure playing a few games of footy on £100k a week is just an absolute nightmare. God I'm so lucky not to be in his scenario.
I've been saying the exact same Bajan RE Mousa and Parker not looking a good CM partnership, though if I'm honest, the last thing I'd want to see is Hudd start another game for the forseeable future. He's a shadow of the player from 18months/ 2 years ago. I'd rather we played Jake instead of Scotty for a game and see how he and Moussa do together. I would start Holtby though, I think we've looked far better as an attacking force with him in the side in his sub appearances and I've said before that I think the Bundesliga is the closest league to the Prem in terms of style so I don't think he'd need to be slowly bedded in like we done with Hugo.
