Newcastle United v Wigan - Official Build Up / Match Day Thread

relax... this man will deliver.....

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I think Kone-A might be a nightmare for us tonight. Even stoke killed us on the break!

We cannot play a high line in this game. We need to be compact and scrape a win.

 

Perchinho is deffo out apparently.

 

Any news on the approach to the ground in relation to safety in getting there? Wouldn't like to see it put off because of the bad weather. Pretty bleak here.

 

Feeling a bit more confident about the score now, think I'll go for 3-1 instead of 2-1.

Selected PP Match odds:
Newcastle to win @ evens
Game to end scoreless @ 9/1
Demba Ba to score in a 1-0 win @ 22/1

WAFC: Ex-Magpie defender Gary Caldwell and midfielder David Jones are doubtful, while Ryo Miyaichi, Ivan Ramis, Albert Crusat, Ben Watson, Shaun Maloney and Antolin Alcaraz are all out injured.

Their goals scored total of four is the second-lowest in the division (Villa's is three).

 

JONAS GUTIERREZ believes that too much has been made of Newcastle United’s formation this season.

And that his team-mates are working around the clock to ensure their losing slump comes to an end.

The United stars were back to the drawing board at the club’s Benton base for a double weekend session as they look to see off Wigan Athletic on Monday night.

A defeat against the Latics would set a new record for Newcastle who have never lost five Premier League games on the spin in their history.

Many United fans prefer the 4-3-3 formation but Jonas feels that life in the top flight is very much a case of “horses for courses” – and flexible Newcastle have got to choose their tactics accordingly. Jonas told the Chronicle: “We have different type of formations – we can play 4-3-3, 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1.

“I think we different types of players.

“And so that gives the manager different options and different formations.”

United lined up with a 4-4-2 formation against Stoke City on Wednesday night but it did not end their cold streak and they have now lost four successive matches for the first time since 2008 – the season they were relegated.

And despite calls for a return to 4-3-3 from fans, versatile Gutierrez – who has played out wide and in the centre of midfield this season – thinks that the Premier League is too complex to stick with one formation or one set of stock tactics.

The former Real Mallorca winger said: “It depends on the game and the teams that we play against.

“What is more important is the players that play in these positions try to do their best and try to give 100 per cent.”

Jonas and his team-mates will face a Wigan on Monday without a host of first-team regulars.
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He's obviously been reading Tash's posts.

 

Maybe he IS Tash..? Has anyone checked to see if the gaps in Tash's postings coincide with away games?

 

Hmmm, now that you come to mention it ......................

 

....****.

 

Rub the lamp, and see who appears!

 

Anyone know when Ben Arfa is expected back? I was hoping it would be for this game but that appears not to be the case.

 

If we concede early the atmosphere will be horrible.

No Perch either. The midfield really need to have talent tonight, if they don't show up we will lose this 1-2. I'm really nervous about this one, its a must win

 

Don't think there's been any mention of when he might be back. It's a hamstring injury and they've been known to keep some guys out for quite a while. HBA seems to be a quick healer so here's hoping for some good news on that front.

 

Every time I rub my lamp Kelly Brook appears...

 

That really must be a magic lamp.

 

Going to the Fulham game Jim?

 

It was legendary 40 years ago, it still works these days however it won't light up a room like it used to...

 

Unfortunately I can't make it, I'm working all day and won't finish until about 7.00pm

 

Can't make it to the ground in an hour? Would have thought you'd have been able to cycle it in that time.

 

Pardew said he doesn't think ben arfa will be fit, but if you remember he also said we wouldn't have 5 players vs spurs and yet they all started