please log in to view this image Newcastle Utd v Leeds United please log in to view this image Wednesday September 25th, 2013 - K.O 19:45 - St James' Park please log in to view this image That's right, with everyone looking as shocked as Colocinni in that top banner - the match threads are back! Since they've been away Leeds have slumped to 3 defeats from 4, so let's hope it proves a good omen and we get back to winning ways. The third round of the Capital One cup sees Leeds head to the North East to St James Park for what will prove to be a tough game against Alan Pardew's Newcastle United. Realistically it will be tough for either team to go on and challenge to win this trophy, but don't write this game off in any way shape or form. Newcastle have their pride at stake against lower league opposition, and Leeds had an impressive run in this competition last year, turning over more than one premiership side - something they will hope to replicate for the fans. While there is considerable history between these two sides in the league in previous years, this fixture has only ever featured three times in the League Cup competition. Leeds have had the better of those fixtures leading 2 to 1, but in all competitions the teams are locked with an equal number of wins. In the last round, Leeds faced Chesterfield which was expected to be a straightforward affair at Elland Road, but the Spirites came out of the blocks fighting and gave the hosts a tough game, which finished 2-1. The Whites have been struggling for form over the last month, however the defeats suffered have been against teams at the top of the Championship, so it will be up to Brian McDermott to keep their heads up and turn this around. Newcastle overcame League Two outfit Morecambe after a dominant second half performance was capped with 2 goals in the final six minutes of the game. Alan Pardew gave starting opportunities to quite a few fringe and youth players in that game, but he may not be some complacent with his team selection against Leeds. Form Guide (Last 5 Games - all comps.) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD]Team[/TD] [TD]Form[/TD] [TD="align: center"]F[/TD] [TD="align: center"]A[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Pts[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Newcastle United[/TD] [TD]D - W - W - W - L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]7[/TD] [TD="align: center"]5[/TD] [TD="align: center"]10[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Leeds United[/TD] [TD]W - L - L - W - L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]5[/TD] [TD="align: center"]6[/TD] [TD="align: center"]6[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Head to Head (Previous League Cup) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD="align: center"]Team[/TD] [TD="align: center"]P[/TD] [TD="align: center"]W[/TD] [TD="align: center"]D[/TD] [TD="align: center"]L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]F[/TD] [TD="align: center"]A[/TD] [TD="align: center"]GD[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Pts[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Leeds[/TD] [TD="align: center"]3[/TD] [TD="align: center"]2[/TD] [TD="align: center"]0[/TD] [TD="align: center"]1[/TD] [TD="align: center"]5[/TD] [TD="align: center"]2[/TD] [TD="align: center"]+3[/TD] [TD="align: center"]6[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Newcastle[/TD] [TD="align: center"]3[/TD] [TD="align: center"]1[/TD] [TD="align: center"]0[/TD] [TD="align: center"]2[/TD] [TD="align: center"]2[/TD] [TD="align: center"]5[/TD] [TD="align: center"]-3[/TD] [TD="align: center"]3[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Early Betting Odds (Correct on 22/8/13) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD]Newcastle Win[/TD] [TD]Draw[/TD] [TD]Leeds Win[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]8/11[/TD] [TD]3/1[/TD] [TD]4/1[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Team News Leeds United After returning from an injury and playing 56 minutes against Burnley on Saturday, Sam Byram could feature here as he continues his come back from the long lay off. Stephen Warnock is also back in contention after missing the last fixture suspended. With El-Hadji Diouf back in the starting lineup again last weekend, Brian McDermott has his pick of his players for this one. Matt Smith has spoken out about his desire to feature in this game, and the striker has currently had more attempts on goal than anyone else in the competition, though he is yet to find the back of the net. Ones to Watch Ross McCormack - Leeds will be looking to Ross to provide some creativity against the Premiership defence. Luke Murphy - Murphy has impressed so far since stepping up to the Championship, this will be a good test for the young midfielder against tough opposition. Rodolph Austin - The back line will undoubtably need protection in this game from the likes of Cisse, Remy and Ben Arfa so the captain will have to get stuck in in midfield. Not that he usually needs an excuse to do so... Newcastle United Alan Pardew may have to do without wantaway midfielder Yohan Cabaye for this fixture, after he picked up an injury in the defeat to Hull at the weekend. Shola Ameobi and Steven Taylor are both doubts, but Gutierrez and Haiadra should be back in contention. Other than that Newcastle have a full squad to chose from, and while Pardew may include one or two fringe players the regular spine of the team is expected to be in place for this fixture. Ones to Watch Loic Remy - Remy is flourishing on loan from QPR this season. He has had an instant impact and leading the club scoring charts while adding creativity and width to Pardew's favoured 4-3-3. Hatem Ben Arfa - Ben Arfa has found the very best of his form again at the start of this season, he complements Remy perfectly on the other side of the field, and has matched his goal scoring effort too. Fabricio Colocinni - The experienced defender is no stranger to the physical side of the game, so won't be intimated by what Leeds throw at him in his own penalty area, or when going forward for set pieces. Durham's Prediction I'm afraid I see this as a Newcastle win, as much as my heart wants Leeds to upset the applecart again this year. I think it could be a 2-0 win for the hosts as their attacking options and power provide the one thing that Leeds lack, pace. Byram has to start for me to help nullify Remy on the left. Ben Arfa on the right will be a tricky proposition as well, with White having more pace than Warnock, but Warnock having the upperhand in experience. I'm going controversial and going for the 3-5-2 that we had a chat about at the end of last week: please log in to view this image With a lack of natural width, I think it makes sense for us to focus on restricting Newcastle's attacking options and try to hit them on the break. This will let Byram and Warnock (I went for him for the experience eventually, maybe White as a sub if we need the pace) move forward without being too concerned with being horribly exposed at the back thanks to the extra center back. In midfield, Austin enforces, leaving Murphy and Tonge free to be a bit more fluid. I know a lot of people will probably call for the likes of Mowatt to start here, but I think we should go for the win. McCormack and Varney up top, as I think they're probably the best option available at the minute. Smith on as a sub at some point in the second half to give their defence something different to think about, and maybe Diouf for the same reason. I didn't go for Diouf starting because I think he would slow the game too much when we will probably need to break. Possible Audio Links for Wednesday: BBC Radio Leeds FM Coverage (whitenoisefc on ustream) & ustream leeds are two pretty reliable options. There's also a chance of it being on TV according to this morning's thread. Any links to that appreciated! OK, over to the not606 faithful. Let's hear score predictions and what team you think will go out. Do you think McDermott will go for fringe & youngsters, or go full strength?
Got called in for a lunch meeting, then realised I didn't have a line-up shirt made for Wooton yet, so little later than I wanted - but here you go!
Great thread work durham I got a feeling Pardew is going to put out his under 21s (or near enough) and with our good away form this could be one we win! 1-2 Leeds
Our good away form died last week along with our home form. Even if our top scorer nets one we will only score the one and expect us to fall short on present form by at least 2-goals. Sorry everyone but we need to see a turnaround or we could end up sinking down the league. I'm not bothered about a cup run as only the owners will see increased revenues and not the team. When was the last time we were all bouncing about a result that saw us score at least 4-goals? For some reason the only one I can remember was back in L1 days doing it all over Hudds with JB scoring 2 or 3 or even all 4 Ross in midfield Smith patchy, slow and no service for his head and he's too clumsy. Poleon is young and green but worth a run out at times Varney is lucky to be picked but doing better than expected Hunt I don't know what he adds. So not a promising bunch of strikers is it
Apparently Ben Arfa has been quoted as saying they want to win the League Cup, so not sure Pardew will risk his under 21s. Especially as he needed to bring some of the senior players on to see off Morecambe when he played his reserves
Result will at least depend on which side Pardew puts out. Their 1st team will beat us comfortably. Anything else and we have a real chance. I hope BMD gives Mowatt, and Smith up top with Ross. I'd also like to see Diouf at the head of the diamond with Brown replacing Austin to give him a break. I'll take Leeds to win 2-1, as we can relax and enjoy ourselves whilst the Geordie crowd will get on Newcastle's back if they don't score early
Nice match thread once again Newcastle second string and it will be a nice close game, 60% first team in there and we are going to get stuffed 3-0 - We struggle to score more than once in a game, just like Burnley I can't see us nilling them so a win for the home team
Whatever the result (I see extra time and penalties) after a 1-1. I am really looking forward to this one. God knows how high up my seat is, row Y in tier 7. I read somewhere we sold out our 6000 allocation, if that's true ........ awesome.
Yeah rumour has it we have, gutted that I can't go the one time the game is practically in my back yard
Off the top of my head regarding scoring 4 goals... Shrewsbury cup game last season 4-0. Peterborough game at home 2011/2012 4-1. Forest game away 2011/2012 4-1. Hull game at home 2011/2012 4-0.
Does anyone feel similar to me about this tie. I really don't give a damn what happens. Only league form interests me at moment. Probably means a lot more to Newcastle tbh
I think we should play for the win, but I won't lose any sleep over not getting it. Definitely more at stake for Newcastle
I'd be tempted to very quietly risk it if I had the spare cash! I've been on enough Saturday nights out in Newcastle to know I'd have to keep my mouth shut though...
You won't need to worry about standing up if we score though mate cos it's unlikely at the best of times, let alone Newcastle away. I sat in the home end at Reading last Wednesday thinking 'do I stand up if we score?' I needn't have worried
great thread! I have to say i agree on the 3-5-2 i think it plays to our strengths more than the diamond, its better to adapt the system to the players youv got than to try force players into a system that doesnt work for them. I also think people get put off this formation by the idea of only having 3 at the back but its only three at the back when going forward it 5 at the back when defending plus the man in front of the back 3 so it can actually be a very solid formation
Welcome to the forum Radebe. I love the 5-3-2 formation using two wing backs. We have two very good wing backs in Byram and Warnock, but we need a proper dm (like a young Michael Brown or a Batty)
Cheers fella and welcome on board, and yeah I'd like to see the 3-5-2 tried out and can't think of a better opportunity than this game really. If it works, great, if its awful then no great shame either.
Good point El, I've stuck Rudy in there because he'd put a shift in...whether that shift ends in a red card remains to be seen...
