Newcastle United v Aston Villa - Official Build Up / Matchday Thread

please log in to view this image

please log in to view this image

Newcastle United v Aston Villa

Sunday 23rd February 2014

Kick off 1.30pm @ SJP ​

Squad (injury update from physio room- return date in brackets)
​

​

C Tiote 1 wk
G Obertan 1 wk
G Bigirimana 2 wks
F Coloccini 1 wk
R Taylor TBC

Looks like one of two of the above may be back for this game given it is over 1 week away at the time of this thread being created.



Betting (from PP)

please log in to view this image

please log in to view this image

Head To Head

please log in to view this image

Streams
http://www.firstrow.org/


ACS's View
I think we will draw 3-3. ​

 

Oh man, do I have to 'look forward' to our next instalment of fun already?

I might just go and hide in a cave on Tatooine for a few days.

 

Looking forward to this game.

 

This.

I have a long memory.

 

Is Remy back to the fore yet? How embaressing our pivotal player isn't even ours!

 

He is mate, I'm certain of it.

 

Barring training ground injuries, he's back

 

I think a few of us remember that game.

 

Cheers lads! Well in that case i'll go for a nervy 2-1 victory with us having a little more impetus in attack but continuing our woeful defensive record

 

If we get beat in this game, and it's possible, surely Pardew can't survive. Villa can be very good on their day but also very poor so depends on which team turns up.

 

This is a must win. Unless we lose. In which case the following game is a must win. Unless we lose. In which case the following.....(repeat ad infinitum until Arab money makes its way to Tyneside)

 

For me this game defines the rest of our season, we've had an incredibly tough run of games recently, not helped by our bi-annual meltdown occurring at the same time. We either pick up the pieces of our season, grind out a result and aim for a consistent, yet unspectacular finish to the season in a position not too far from where we are now.
The alternative is another gutless display, spiralling further into the crisis, and buckling down for a collision with the resurgent teams below us, and a finish somewhere around the 12th-14th position.

 

Why is it that whenever it's cup weekend (and we are inevitably out of the cup), it's also a break in the international rugby?

Nothing to look forward to this weekend, other than cheering on Southampton.

 

Could always go shopping with your missus.

 

Yay. Now why didn't I think of that?

 

Don't worry about it, at least you know what you'll be doing and it'll be better than watching Southampton.

And just think of the reward you'll get for carrying the shopping.

 

Longer arms?

 

Kind of depends how heavy the shopping is. Try to hide her handbag with her purse and cheque book in it.

And the reward will be better than the pain.

 

Right, with Tash's formation porn currently absent from the forum, I'll put in my opening bid to get things rolling.


GK - Krul. Yes he had a disaster vs Spurs, but is still our best keeper by far. A 'no brainer'.

RB - Debuchy. Again, a no brainer for me.

LB - Here is the first dilemma. Santon is lacking in form and keeps being subbed. Dummett and Haidara both keep getting bit parts, with no chance to prove consistency. With the remaining games, I'd like to see what they can offer ahead of Santon. But which one starts? I think Haidara has shown patience and a good attitude. I think I'd shade him in as a starter and have Dummett on the bench - especially as he is versatile.

CB - another talking point. And this one will divide everybody over which 2 of the 4 get a chance. Colo could well be fit by this match BUT we're not giving MYM a chance to settle in - and Colo is likely to be gone in the summer. So do we use this period to settle MYM in? Do we stick with Willo & Saylor? For me, Willo deserves to keep his place (never thought I'd say that). However, I think it's vital that MYM gets some experience, but alongside Colo so he can learn. Sooo, I'd start with MYM and Colo for a few games and see how they go. Willo on the bench.

CM - If Tiote is fit, then I would definitely have him and Anita in the middle. We need their workrate, Tiote's bite and Anita's intelligence.

RM + LM - Choices. Benni? Sammy? Gouf? Sissoko? Even Santon? Tricky one this. For me, Gouf and Sissoko work hard and suit the current style of play the most. Although might not always have the best end product. HBA can change a game - when he can be bothered. Sammy has looked OK recently. Not fantastic, but OK. I would stick with Sissoko + Gouf.

No 10, or use 2 forwards? - do we have a no 10 style role, or play two up top? Either way, who fits best? Remy will be back and for me, he has to start. I know he might be off in the summer and some will say it's time to give Cisse a chance, but Remy is more likely to score here and NOW. Again, HBA could come in. Or Marv. Or Sammy. Maybe de Jong playing deeper. Alternatively, Cisse or de Jong could be a second striker. I would go with Remy + de Jong for a few games.


So, for me, it looks like this:

......................Krul

Debuchy....MYM....Colo.....Haidara

..............Anita....Tiote
Sissoko...........................Gouf

............de Jong...Remy

subs: Elliot, Dummett, Willo, Santon, Sammy, Benni, Cisse



Now, over to you to rip this apart...

 

Good thinking Obi.