please log in to view this image ............................................... please log in to view this image Newcastle United................................... vs ...................... Swansea City St James Park Newcastle Referee Lee Mason Sat 17-12-11 15:00 PM KO For links to watch the game online, click HERE Welcome one and all to the match thread for the game between Newcastle United and Swansea City. This game threatens to be a cracker, as Newcastle will hope, and expect, to pick up a win after a stutter in their incredible start to the season. They've only managed to pick up one point from their last four outings, and granted, they've played both the Manchester clubs away, and Chelsea at home, but with the hope a start like theirs gives they will no doubt be itching to get back to winning ways to retain their lofty position in the league. Swansea come into the game somewhat energised after only their second win in the last eight games, and their first since beating Bolton at home. Any honest Swans fan would say that only the "glass half full" type of person will go into this game seriously expecting a result, but the Swans have looked very good so far this season (considering pre-season expectations from most corners) and the away-day hoodoo must surely end soon. Newcastle's blighted defence will no doubt be targeted by the Swans here and the Swans may even try and play a little more directly if they think they can force cracks in the home rearguard. Neil Taylor is likely to come in for some flak over his protracted transfer sage this summer, where a disputed release clause was the cause of much consternation. In the end, the young Wales elft-back signed a new 4 year deal with the Swans. The last time these two sides met was in February 2010, in the Championship, a 1-1 draw at the Liberty Stadium where the main thing I remember, if I'm honest, is Andy Carroll pole-axing Garry Monk with a flying elbow, only picking up a yellow for his efforts, before the aforementioned Carroll scored a mighty header at the back post in the third or fourth minute of injury time. I think there is a lot of mutual respect between Swans fans and Newcastle fans, and while I don't think any travelling set of away fans would ever drown out the locals, the Jack Army will no doubt make themselves heard. The Match; Newcastle are looking for the first win since beating Everton at St James' on Guy Fawkes' Night. Demba Ba will fancy himself to add to his already impressive tally of goals, but the spotlight will no doubt be on Newcastle's defence, and how "patched up" it's looking will probably dictate the confidence level of the travelling fans. The scoreline of the Chelsea game was flattering to Chelsea, I thought, but there can be no arguments about the manner of the defeat to Norwich. Lack of muscle and organisation at the back meant they were punished at set-pieces, and the home fans can take solace from the fact that the Swans' are fairly spectacularly useless in this particular area. Swanseawill have taken great heart from their game against Fulham, where despite not putting on their best performance of the season, they managed to secure three increasingly vital points. Another impressive performance from Michel Vorm, along with Luke Moore, who will be looking to retain his place this week. Newcastle are unlikely to let the Swans retain possession without a fight, and this could mean that the combative Joe Allen returns in midfield at the expense of Moore, who isn't known for his defensive capabilities. Prior Form; (most recent at top) Norwich City 4 - 2 Newcastle United Premier League Newcastle United 0 -3 Chelsea Premier League Manchester United 1 - 1 Newcastle United Premier League Manchester City 3 - 1 Newcastle United Premier League Newcastle United 2 - 0 Everton Premier League Swansea City 2 -0 Fulham Premier League Blackburn Rovers 4 - 2 Swansea City Premier League Swansea City 0 -0 Aston Villa Premier League Swansea City 0 -1 Manchester United Premier League Liverpool 0 - 0 Swansea City Premier League Team News; Swansea are still without Angel Rangel so Jazz Richards will continue to deputise. Stephen Dobbie and Kemy Augustien are both now pushing for starts, while Caulker should retain his position ahead of captain Garry Monk. Allen is available again after a one game suspension for the red card received against Blackburn at Ewood. For Newcastle, Guthrie, Taylor and Marveaux are all long term absentees. It's rumoured that Tiote, Williamson and Coloccini will all be available, and this would be a huge boost for the Toon as Alan Pardew tries to get his team back to winning ways. Trivia; - "Courtesy" of Opta Completely guessed lineups; Newcastle - Courtesy of AbsolutelyGlorious Krul Simpson Williamson Coloccini RTaylor Obertan Cabaye Ben Arfa Tiote Jonas Ba Swansea Vorm Richards Taylor Williams Caulker Britton Augustien Moore Sinclair Routledge Graham Key Battles; Yohan Cabaye vs Leon Britton Cabaye has stood out this season as being a quality footballer, but between him and his partner in crime Tiote they've clocked up some miles this season. Cabaye was second on the list of "distance covered" the last time I checked, and whether Leon Britton is allowed to turn and play the Swans out of defence will be a key factor in determining the outcome of the game. Analysis; Ok, so the game. Newcastle have been playing football like Newcastle do best. Determined attacking football, build on hard work and good football. Demba Ba has been a revelation up front, and Jonas has stepped up a gear from the player I saw a few years ago. These aren't the only players to have shone this season and the squad is littered with players who have rightly earned plaudits, and I hope that Steven Taylor's unfortunate injury doesn't derail their season as the partnership he and Coloccini had formed was starting to look quite special. As I've said, a lot depends on how many players Newcastle have back and this will in turn affect tactics. What I see happening, though, is Swansea being pressed very, very heavily by the Newcastle midfield and attack, and they will need to be up for the fight. The Swans will need to play very fast football if they are to retain possession, and if they do manage to get hold of the ball it's safe to say the tempo will be forced to be very high. If it gets past 30 minutes and it's 0-0, I'll be a lot more confident of the Swans getting a point or more, as I feel how they respond to early Newcastle pressure will be crucial. With Caulker back in defence, the Swans have a youthful, fast looking defence and whereas before we had inexperience in Jazz, and lack of pace in Monk, now the inexperience of Jazz Richards is made up for by the presence of Caulker, looking more and more an accomplished centre half. How these players respond to the threat of Demba Ba is crucial. The striker is unpredictable, and will drift across the back four, so the Swans zonal marking will be tested to the fore. At the other end of the field, Danny Graham is likely to return to the starting lineup, and he'll quite probably be joined again by Luke Moore who has impressed in the last 2 matches. After grabbing himself a goal off the bench against Fulham, Graham will be confident of a strong performance leading the line for the Swans. As I've said, the first half an hour, or maybe even the first 10 minutes, will be crucial. The Swans need to learn to play their football at 100mph, while Newcastle need to get back to winning ways, so this match is intriguingly poised. Surely the Swans terrible away record must come to an end soon, but whether it comes on Saturday is another matter. I fear the energy, drive and physicality of Newcastle will be too much for the Swans and the Toon will get the 3 points...having said that... I watched "El Classico" the other night, and if the Swans can do what Barca did in that game...and ride the initial pressure, they could somehow find a way back into this game. Iechyd Da. Scott
Good thread, if everyone passes their fitness tests I think we'll line up like this: Krul Simpson Williamson Coloccini RTaylor Obertan Cabaye Ben Arfa Tiote Jonas Ba All three (Williamson, Coloccini and Tiote) will probably fail and the line up will be a complete mess.
In fairness, I had a really tough time trying to predict anything about this game due to the possible connotations of your lineup changes! Would you expect to start 4-5-1 regardless of who's fit? I'll use your lineup, Absolutely Glorious, if you don't mind.
I'll be surprised if we don't, reckon Ben Arfa will go straight back into the side which pretty much necessitates a 4-5-1
People would argue it's 4-4-1-1 but I refuse to acknowledge formations with more than three numbers unless it's the Christmas Tree formation. If Ameobi plays we'll start 4-4-2, but he was ****e last game so hopefully Ben Arfa will play. I'd also want to see Santon in there but I don't think Pardew will go for him. Don't worry about struggling to predict our line up, if you asked ten fans to try right now you'd probably get eight answers. It's impossible with the amount of doubtful players we have, I don't think we've fielded our strongest XI once this season.
Got something for you, I'll bring it with me on Saturday and I'll give it to you if you come down to the lower tier at half time.
I was actually glued to the whole thing and read every word of it, which is saying something as I usually ignore threads that are half this length! Very well written article, spot on in every way possible, well done
