Next 5 PL games without Tiote and Ba

Well, the time has pretty much come to see how we're going to do without these guys. We've won games before without Tiote, and won games when Ba was struggling to score goals near the start of the season, so there's plenty of hope, especially with Ben Arfa back. I really think that him and Best can create enough goals.

Plus, Pardew needs to get it into the rest of the team to start having a pop. I noticed with Sunderland, for example, that something like 8 or 9 players have scored goals now, and up until Vaughans goal this week, every single one of the goals since MoN took over have been from different players. We need some versatility like that. They don't exactly have any good out-and-out strikers leading the line, yet we know how well they've been doing lately.

Newcastle vs QPR
Fulham vs Newcastle
Blackburn vs Newcastle
Newcastle vs Aston Villa
Spurs vs Newcastle

If we play well, there are one or two wins in there and one or two draws up for grabs. We don't HAVE to score too many to grab points. Even an array of 1-0 wins and 1-1 draws would get us the same kind of points as if we scored 4-2s and 3-3s. We just need to get on the scoresheet at least once per game and then try to control it from then on. None of those teams bar Spurs are particularly renowned for their attacking prowess, so if the defence stays strong we should grab one or two clean sheets and increase our chances of grabbing points.

How do you guys think we'll do?

 

The way I see it, their replacements are more than capable.

Tiote -> Guthrie
Filled in tremendously, and while he doesnt break up play as well he offers more going forward. Abeid and Gosling in reserve.

Ba -> Ben Arfa
Totally different player but just as good. Wont score half as many but will create far more. Best/Shola/Lover in reserve.

 

Not worried on the Tiote front. Guthrie's performances earlier in the season proved he is more than capable.

I do however think we'll struggle for goals. But with 'Iron Mike' back we look a lot less likely to concede so we probs wont need to score as much.

 

Go to bed everyone! Get some sleep!

 

We're strong defensively again. Two clean sheets since Willo came back.

I think if we are able to score 1/2 in any of those games we can go on to win them tbh.

QPR aren't that great, just above relegation

Fulham will be tough, but I think we can hold them off better than Arsenal did. However, I don't see us getting anything from it.

Blackburn - We simply have to win this game. If Bolton, Wolves and Everton can win there, we can win there, with or without Ba.

Villa - They look dire now but pose a bit of a threat up front. We need to score goals to win it.

Spurs - Haven't looked great recently. Scraping 1-0 wins. I'd say if we score a goal we have a great chance of a result.

Best is good when relied upon, and strikes me as the sort that always goes out to prove a point.

If we must play 4-4-2 I'd just go for Shola and Best.

Shola isn't very good but he can bully players, and last season he showed he can frighten the lesser teams like QPR and Villa.

I'd personally play -

--------------Best---------------

Jonas--------HBA-----------Raylor

------Gosling--------Cabaye-----

Santon---Colo---Willo-----Simpson

--------------Krul------------------

Shola, HBA and Perch as subs.

I'd be happy if we got 7 points from those games, but I'd hope for 9.

Edit - I'd play Guthrie next to Cabaye, but he isn't fit yet and I think Gosling is back now.

 

I certainly wouldnt want Gosling in a defensive position, Guthrie's proved to be a much better player in a deep role. When Gosling plays again I'd want him in a position where he can make his forward runs without worrying about defending, which he appears to be poor at.

 

I suppose. He got into some great positions vs Norwich. It was just a knee jerk CM thing to be honest.

Perch anyone?

----------BEST-------------

Jonas-----HBA-------Raylor

--Perch/Guthrie--Cabaye----

 

Guthrie, or failing that Abeid. I think Gosling is a decent replacement for Nolan to be honest, except he works harder and isnt as good a finisher.

 

Yeah I agree, but if he keeps making those runs he's bound to pose a threat.

 

You've got HBA in the starting line up and on the bench. What are you on?

 

I want Perch with Cabaye till Guthrie is fit.

 

Imma get some sleep now lol

 

Anyone know when Guthrie is actually expected back? I've heard maybe the QPR game but that might have been speculation.

 

That Physio room website has him back at 18th Jan I think.

 

Give Abeid a DM runout against Blackburn this weekend and then start him for us in PL games alongside Cabaye until Guthrie is back.

 

I like the new tables function.

[TABLE="class: grid, width: 350"]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Played
[/TD]
[TD]Shots[/TD]
[TD]On Target[/TD]
[TD]Goals[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Best
[/TD]
[TD]12+2s[/TD]
[TD]16[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Cabaye[/TD]
[TD]19[/TD]
[TD]21[/TD]
[TD]12[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Raylor[/TD]
[TD]18+1s[/TD]
[TD]18[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Gosling
[/TD]
[TD]1+4s[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Ben Arfa[/TD]
[TD]3+7s[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Shola[/TD]
[TD]5+7s[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Gutierrez[/TD]
[TD]19[/TD]
[TD]17[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Guthrie[/TD]
[TD]5+1s[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Sammy[/TD]
[TD]1+9s[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Vuckic[/TD]
[TD]2+2s[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Obertan[/TD]
[TD]16+2s[/TD]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

wheres this table from ??

 

Newcastle vs QPR - WIN
Fulham vs Newcastle - LOSE
Blackburn vs Newcastle - DRAW / WIN
Newcastle vs Aston Villa - WIN
Spurs vs Newcastle - LOSE

 

I'm predicting 10 points

Newcastle vs QPR - 3 points
Fulham vs Newcastle - 1 point
Blackburn vs Newcastle - 3 points
Newcastle vs Aston Villa - 3 points
Spurs vs Newcastle - 0 points

43 points after 25 games.

 

I can see Fulham being a bit of a bastard with only a goal in it either way.