Benfica v Newcastle United - Europa League Quarter Final - Official Matchday Thread

benfica don't do well in europe against good teams (not sure we are one though) Their confidence is based on a poor portuguese league. We can turn them over at st james's so anything but a heavy loss here isnt the end of the world.

 

Cant wait for tonight's game I think we will line up like this

Krul

Simmo Mbwia Saylor Perch

Anita Cabaye

Sissoko

Marv Cisse Jonas

Id rest Santon for Fulham as the extra few days will do him the world of good. An away goal is vital, a 2-1 defeat might not necessarily be the worst result but as we have lost our last 2 games I feel a positive result is key to give us some much needed confidence for what is a key game against Fulham. HWTL

 

I haven't really paid too much attention to what Benfica have been doing recently, however if we can keep Eusabio quiet I see no reason why we can't get a positive result.

 

love your humour Jim... drier than the Sahara!

 

Good luck tonight guys!

I predict a hard fought draw 0-0 or 1-1

 

I'll probably get blasted for this, but I've thought for a while we have the players to play with wing-backs where needed.

Stick three at the back and put Anita and Jonas on the flanks, with Perch or Tiote sitting deep to shield the defense.

Put Sissoko alongside Cabaye in front of that, with Marveaux floating in a Ben Arfa role just behind Cisse or Shola.

More of an emphasis on getting enough defensive guys behind the ball, but still some pace to counter and maybe nick a goal...

––––––––––––Krul

––––Simmo––Saylor––Mbwia

Anita––––––Tiote/Perch––––––––Jonas

–––––––Sissoko–––Cabaye

–––––––––––––––Marveaux
–––––––––Cisse


It's unusual, experimental (more european?) I agree but frankly given the normal line-up's inability to perform we haven't got much to lose!

By the way I have no idea whether these suggested players are actually fit to start so I doubt it's a realistic shout but I've tried to factor out the ones crocked or ineligible.

I'd just like to see Pardew freshen things up because let's face it, it's broke...

 

For the first time ever my heart sais the toon are definitely going to loose tonight 2-0

so naturally im saying that we are going to win 2-1

Have a good night people

 

Going to watch it in the pub, can always drown my sorrows if things don't go right for us. A clean sheet and an away goal will be good.

 

I'd take either a clean sheet OR an away goal.

 

I've thought for a while we should play this, especially with Santon being crap defensively. I'd rather line up:

------------Elliot/Krul------------
-----Perch---Saylor---MYM------
Anita*--------Tiote--------Santon
---------Sissoko--Cabaye--------
---------Marv^------------------
---------------Cisse------------

Although tbh I'd rather go with 10 men than Simpson...

*Debuchy when fit
^HBA when fit

 

Hope so.

 

Either will do me, as long as we lost by no more than 1 if we score.

 

Going to need a stiff drink for these next few weeks.

This season I've not been getting nervous or excited for much, but now I'm realising that the result vs Fulham is extremely critical. Nervous times.

I'm not worried that much about this result tonight, but I'm praying that we don't get any injuries.

 

Darth Gogledd

Although tbh I'd rather go with 10 men than Simpson...
___________________________________________

Simpson and Perch have both improved a lot this season and it's a bit cruel judging them on previous seasons form.

I get behind the guys no matter who's playing, they are playing for us after all.

 

A draw would be good.

A score draw would be great.

A 1 goal loss with us scoring wouldn't be bad.

Let's not even talk about a win.

 

It's going to happen so we may as well talk about it and rejoice.

H.T.L.

 

For some reason, and this is most unlike me, I am actually very optimistic about this evening.

For the first time this season, in any competition, I am going for an away win. I am taking some of the 8/1 available on the Toon.

 

Are u on the box ( bet its f**kin chelski or tottenham, cockney c*nts), if ur not may watch on 1st row, they are good side 2 great CBs in Luisao and Garay, and the 2 wingers are tasty too, Salvio n Gaitan

Best of Luck!!!

 

We're on ITV 4, I believe anyone with freeview can get it,