Thank Christ for England

I think this has honestly been the first time in years that I'm glad there's no prem for two weeks. It was another massive performance from the lads on Saturday but they all to a man looked bloody knackered!!!!!

Now I'm not getting carried away with our start as we are almost certain to lose one this month, but the fact that its November and we still haven't lost is nothing short of incredible. one thing we can count on is that our boys will give it absolutely everything against the 'real tests' and even 3 defeats cant detract from the amazing dressing room spirit and togetherness that hasnt been seen here since sir bobby.

HTL and cheers f.a for giving us a breather

 

Agree. We need the two weeks to recuperate and get injured players back fit. Even Jonas looked knackered at the end!

 

from NUFC.com

Injury update



Shola Ameobi: A hamstring injury picked up during the win over Wigan is predicted to keep our number 23 out of contention for around six weeks, making the Chelsea home game in early December a possible comeback target.

Leon Best: Having received a belated callup to the Ireland squad for their two-legged Euro 2012 playoff against Estonia, the United forward is a major doubt with groin and toe injuries sustained during Saturday's defeat of Everton.

He'll travel to Dublin to undergo medical tests at the Malahide HQ of the Republic's senior squad. And there's an added complication in that Best is due to become a father imminently and keen to remain on Tyneside as a result.

Yohan Cabaye: Forced off before halftime against Everton with a groin strain, Yohan will link up with the French squad ahead of home friendlies against the USA and Belgium for assessment by their medical staff.

Sylvain Marveaux: Another groin problem cut short the United winger's maiden Premier League start on Saturday and like fellow countryman Cabaye, Alan Pardew's initial assessment was that he'd miss the Man City game.

Gabriel Obertan: Confirmed as having an infected toe after the Stoke victory, Obertan is expected to be out for up to four weeks. That would deprive him of a return to his former Old Trafford stamping ground and make the visit of Chelsea to Tyneside in early December more likely.

Cheik Tiote: The knee problem which sidelined him for the last two games Everton has prompted Tiote's withdrawal from the Ivory Coast squad for friendlies against South Africa and Senegal. He'll remain on Tyneside instead.

Mike Williamson: News is awaited of a comeback date for the defender, who limped out of our Carling Cup tie at Scunthorpe back in late August with an ankle injury.

Having seen a specialist in September when a protective boot was removed, Williamson had been predicted to return with six weeks. However that time has come and gone with no sighting of him or update as to his progress.

 

Typical us. We are virually injury free all season, then WHAM! and a huge chunk of our midfield is wiped out in the space of two weeks.

 

Managed to lose 3 of our starters and then one of the people who replaced them. Hope Tiote's back for Man City, if he is and Guthrie stays in this form, we might even get a result.

 

this is what we've been worrying about so i guess we'll see how we cope

 

This, think after this month we'll have a much clearer idea of wether our squad can cope with a full season. That said, what club wouldnt be weaker with players of tiote and yohan's calibre missing?

Hope they're back A.S.A.P but I strongly believe that we'll give city manure and chelski a damn good game regardless of injuries. We may not pick up any points but it's nice to be watching a team that looks like it won't roll over for anyone

 

Suppose we are proving we have good depth, currently 6 injuries all to first teamers.

 

I'm not worried

 

As long as Tiote's back. I can't be doing with Gosling in midfield against City. Cabaye/Guthrie or Tiote/Guthrie and I'm happy. But not Gosling/Guthrie. Nooooo way.

Can't believe Tiote Cabaye Best Marveaux and Obertan are all injured though 5 first team players, that's just unlucky.

 

Shola and Williamson missing as well, loses our depth.

 

Ahh yes of course! Willo bigger miss than Shola to be honest. One of Ba/Best gets injured ( as has happened ) and we just bring in Ben Arfa or Lover. But either Colo or Saylor gets injured and we have to bring in Perch

Bugger =/ Tiote should be alright for City though, right?

And does anyone think we shouldn't play Benny against City? Gonna bring back some bad memories for the guy walking onto that pitch!

 

Tiote could be back, fingers crossed or I think we could get slaughtered without him and Cabaye.

I think Ben Arfa could win the match for us, he's unreal on his day and playing against City could be the perfect motivation. Barry and Toure are the starting CMs now anyway.

 

Guthrie, Tiote, HBA could win the midfield battle if it's against Barry and Toure to be honest. Just Silva to be worried about! Guthrie's quite good at tracking back though and Tiote will be the rock that he normally is. Just hope our defense is up to it!! Just thinking maybe it's a tad too early for Benny to be the match winner. He had decent spells after he came on yesterday, but he's still slowly getting there..

It's difficult to pick a team when you don't know who's injured! But it probably does look like HBA will start if Besty is out

 

Yeah, Cabaye's doesn't sound too serious so hopefully he'll be back for the Man United game. As long as Tiote comes back in I've got faith in Guthrie that he and Tiote could do a great job together. If Leon's not fit for Man City then Ben Arfa will probably start in his place and we'll see how that goes.

Not sure what we'll do for the right midfield if Marv can't make Man City, thanks Heitinga. Maybe Santon? Anything but shoving Gosling or Guthrie out there.

Not nice to see Shola injured but to be brutally honest I don't really care.

 

It's been said a few times but how about trying Santon at LB and stick Raylor on the right? or even Santon on the right. I dunno.

 

As much as I hate the idea of playing Ben Arfa wide, we could put him RW and Guthrie, Cabaye and Tiote all in the middle to try and control the game.

 

He played wide against Everton (last year) though!

Could be good. Tiote dropping back a bit, with Guthrie and Cabaye controlling the midfield and Jonas and HBA running wild on the wings delivering to Ba!

 

I dont want him there though!

He played on the left v Everton and even then he spent the entire game cutting inside, he wants to be a number 10. But given our injuries I wouldnt mind us stacking the midfield and seeing if Ben Arfa feels like getting revenge...

 

My team for City if Cabaye/Marveaux are out and Tiote is back:

Krul

Simpson - Taylor - Colo - Taylor

Santon - Tiote - Guthrie - Jonas

Ben Arfa

Ba