I've never understood why some of the managers that Newcastle have had in recent years have failed to prioritise the domestic cups. Winning one of them would give them so much credit with the fans. Seems like a no-brainer to go for it, even at the cost of a few league points.
I wouldn't be surprised to see us edge it but I'd be shocked to see us win by a couple for...the second time this year, maybe? The key for me may be if we start Lennon on the right. If we do, we'll create some chances at least. I have to agree about resting Walker, though. He's a very valuable player, he's just back from a long layoff and has played two games in four days. I'd prioritize cups at this point as well. Our chances of getting fourth are vanishingly small, and we're still alive in the two cups we have a chance at winning. Also, we have an unusually deep squad. We ought to be able to rest key players without diminishing our chances of winning much.
Wouldn't mind us tonking the Blades over two legs, simply because when I was living in Sheffield their fans could be divided up into two groups: dickheads and twats.
Well done on breaking the curse then. Probably helped that I didn't predict a Soldado hattrick too, that usually ****s us up.
I'd like to say that is why i did it. I was at home, ill, and i thought "i know what will make me feel better!". I forgot it wasn't 2011
I'm going tonight with my kids... have been to QPR, Forest, Basiktas, asteras, brighton and partizan this season 6 matches, 5 wins 1 draw 0 losses 16 for 3 against if we win tonight you lot need to get us season tickets
Hey, hey hey. I have a 100% record, no draws on my watch (literally). Please PM me with the details of the Season Ticket.
Not just a 100% record for me, but never a goal against. Unless you count exhibition games, in which case there's a draw, but the no goals against still stands.
Vorm, Chiriches, Fazio, Vertonghen, Rose; Bentaleb, Stambouli; Chadli, Eriksen, Townsend; Kane. COYS!
Strong sides from both of us from the looks of things. Davies, Lloris and Walker are the only ones really missing from the side, Mason, Lamela and Soldado have been poor lately so hardly a miss. Looks to me like Pochettino's using it as an opportunity to test out a few combinations with the midfield and having Kane lead the line, which he doesn't often do. Most of us have been looking to see Stambouli line up alongside Bentaleb and now's his chance to stake a claim as a regular PL starter, even if it's in a cup match.
Glad to see Stambouli starting. Looks like a good like-for-like replacement for Mason, only with more finesse. Mason needs a break.
