3 points or die - The Newcastle United vs Norwich City match day thread.

If you're playing Man City, Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal in your first 8 games, along with a tough fixtures away at Swansea and West Ham, as well as waiting for new players to settle under a new manager, it's not easy to predict that perhaps you are going to face a tough start to your new campaign.

But there can be no more excuses for the Toon Army. On the 18th of october, it's the beginning of crunch time for Steve McClaren and Newcastle United.

Does Newcastle United's team have any sort of spine? Norwich City at home is the first of a run of games that will prove if there's any hope for Newcastle United's season. There's no more time for anyone to hide from responsibility, and if points don't start rolling in, then a familiar sense of worry will start to surround St James' Park again.

If Newcastle fall apart in a similar manner as they did in the 2nd half against Manchester City, then the Newcastle Fans, famous for their no tolerance policy for players who don't show guts and determination, will let their voices be heard.

It's time to see if the current squad in black and white have anything between their legs. It's now or never.

Howay the lads.

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Form table -

Newcastle United - DLDLLLDL

Norwich City - LWDLWDWDL

Injury table -

Newcastle United -

Gabriel Obertan, Rolando Aarons, Jack Colback, Massadio Haidara, Steven Taylor, Paul Dummett, Kevin Mbabu, Emmanuel Riviere.

Norwich City -

Youssouf Mulumbu, Lewis Grabban, Gary Hooper.

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LIVE ON - SKY SPORTS 1 @ 4PM

 

I know it's early, but what the fudge.

 

We absolutely HAVE to win. A point is definitely not good enough in this one.

 

We wont win and unfortunately we wont die, however i think a draw is possible

 

ummmm Adam Armstrong........isn't he on Loan to Cov?

 

Oh yeah lol.

 

The best injury list ever its like a gift from the gods

 

An epidemic of LBs, along with Ober, Taylor and the elusive Riviere.
Doesn't seem a long list, but, by the time the game comes along, it will no doubt be longer...

 

Anything less than 3 points wouldbe wholly unacceptable. No pressure on Norwich at all.

 

Disagree, their fanbase will see it exactly the same way the shape we're in at present!

I expect Norwich to nick this one. Could be a miserable day!

 

We will win 3-1

 

I truly hope.

 

I see from your AV that you have defected to being a Norwich fan. Scab!

 

We will lead 2 - 0 at Half-Time.
Following a trip to the dressing room for a cuppa, slice of cake and chat with Steve and the Coaches, we will come out and stuff Norwich 0 - 3 in the Second Half.

 

First league victory of the season, despite McLaren not having the bottle/intelligence to drop certain players. 2-1 win I'd say.

 

So 5-0. That's a positive and bold prediction, but I like your optimism.

 

We need to just get at them and attack, attack, attack.
We can't defend so need to keep them busy.
I think Mitro will score again.
The lad looks some player.

 

2-1 victory. Mitro & Perez to put us ahead. Hoolahan to pull one back on about 70 minutes to make us all go and hide behind the sofa again.

 

First win of the season, Mitrovic and Perez both to score, Norwich to nick one around the 80th minute and make it a nervy finish but the lads hold on for their first win of the season.

 

The Keegan approach, score one more than your opponents, certainly can't be any worse than it is already, need pace though and 2 strikers none of this one up top and tippy tappy possession play as it just slows everything down, I don't think at this point in time any team has a great defence, the ones at the top though do know how to attack and score, I watched 5 matches over the weekend and in 4 of the games it was more that one of the teams had a better attacking threat, Palace, Southampton, Man City and Arsenal were all on the front foot and had a go, West Brom set not to be beaten but were unlocked by Cabaye and Zaha, I also thought Man Utd playing LVG's possession style were far too slow and sluggish, nowhere like the Man Utd that terrorised other teams and always had that attacking threat.

I would rather go down with a glorious charge than a meek surrender, you never know it could be more Waterloo than Charge of the Light Brigade.