Manchester City v Newcastle United - Official Build Up/ Match Day Thread

Would be the worst kind of performance/defeat for me.

Would rather lose 4-0 and give it a go than play for a 2-0 loss that "won't damage the confidence too much".

 

Go for the throat, win 2-1.

 

It is a tough dilemma that one.
I'd favour going out with all guns blazing.

 

The whisper on Twitter is Jonas is injured...

 

A quote from Pardew.

"We got a really good workout and we had some bonuses out of the game. The only real disappointment was that Jonas Gutierrez got an injury that we’ll have to assess.”

 

Not seen much mentioned about the brilliant goal we scored when Colo gestured to HBA where he wanted him to place the corner and HBA delivered it to the exact spot and Colo duly obliged by putting it in the net.

Was Mason wearing dark specs at the time?

I might be going ga ga but I thought you couldn't be offside from a corner anyway.

 

Normally I'd be delighted about Jonas getting injured, but as it's a new season and it's the toughest away match, arguably, having an engine willing to do the dirty work would have been ideal. However, I reckon something is going to come out of this (for everything a reason, and all that). I think, as Pardew is going for more damage limitation in this game, he's wanting a solid look to at least one side of the field, right? Hence why Jonas would have started. I reckon, given Dummett's application, that he'll push Santon further up to offer Dummett extra protection and I just wonder if that move, by default rather than astuteness, could be a goldmine for us?

I really want to see Santon as a left midfielder, rather than left back. Sure, he's no Bale, but he has the potential to be a top class footballer and always looks that bit better going forward. The added bonus is that Santon's a right footer, Dummett's a lefty, so the overlapping should be a really good combination.

It's things like this that give me a little spark of hope - I always felt we desperately needed to freshen things up, whereas Pardew seems to want to somehow repeat 2011/12 as much as he possibly can (absolutely nailed on that Remy's going to be where Ba played). We'll see, but the team for me is a 4-5-1 more than 4-3-3:

Krul

Debuchy, Coloccini, Taylor, Dummett

Anita, Sissoko, Tiote, Cabaye, Santon

Cisse

I think Benny, Gouff, Remy will all make the bench and we'll be looking at keeping it tight up til the 75th/80th, then may switch out to go for a goal (Benny on for Anita, for example, or go 4-4-2 with Cabaye off for Remy).

I like this team above. I think it's important we become difficult to beat this year, it was such a weak spot last year. When we build a bit of confidence in the squad, then switch up to more dynamic 4-3-3's.

 

Be a big blow to lose Jonas for this one. I kind of like RolyD's formation if not though. We have to be negative for me and try to stifle and frustrate them. Obviously people would rather watch us have a go but I see little point in creating space for Navas, Jovetic, Silva, Nasri and Yaya personally.

 

Can see this being 3-1 to Citeh but wouldn't be surprised if we scored first.

Krul
Debuchy Colo Mbiwa Santon
Cabaye Tiote Anita
Sissoko Cisse Ben Arfa

If there is a possibility of Jonas being fit then replace Anita with him.

 

Can't see Sissoko playing up front.

 

With Mr Effing Useless Pardew at the helm, I hold out no hope. Just damage limitation - although Pardew's not even good at that, after Makems and Liverpool at home back end of last season.
Don't think I can EVER remember such depression and pessimism before a season even started from Newcastle fans. All down to the evil Trio of Ashley/Pardew/Kinnear
I take us to go down with a pathetic whimper, shamefully embarrassing the travelling fans.

 

going for a 1-1

I remember when we got Manu first game away
and came away with a (in)credible draw
sometimes, and I mean sometimes teams are not up to speed
so there is a chance




keep taking the tablets and I'll be alright,
keep taking the tablets and I'll be alright
keep taking the tablets and I'll be alright
keep taking the tablets and I'll be alright
keep taking the tablets and I'll be alright


there it's gone away

 

Huh? That would be the most bizarre 'comeback' ever. Even if we did still lose.

 

Oh and sorry, but predicting a 3-1 loss for this one.

Although as it's our first game of the season, strange things might happen and Jimileysbaldhead's reversal of that score might just be right.

 

We can live in hope.

 

Disgraceful. Wash your mouth out and get a grip. Pardew is a god amongst mortals.

 

I would be staggered if we went with any of the gung-ho formations we see on here. Optimism is fine, but at some point reality has to kick in and we have to realise that not one of our players would get in the City starting line-up. If they could, they'd have been sold to them. Keep it tight as possible, stifle and hit on the break. With Santon, Sissoko we have two players who can carry and beat a man. Tiote will sit deep, Cabs and Anita can both hit a pass. I wouldn't expect to score (unless of course we get a corner...), but trying to somehow sneak a 1-1 would be a fine result.

 

did you not know? Kinnear has signed Dr Who to play up front with his Tardis

 

How dare you come on here with your big ideas and fancy ways, furthermore having the temerity to bad mouth Pardew on this board is classed as treason and still subject to capital punishment. I'll have you know that Albert Pierrepoint's grandson is a drinking buddy of St Alan so it's looking bleak for you my lad.

 

Nothing would surprise me about Kin'near

I think he plays with his ting a ling too much.