Thought I would have a go at a match day thread, as there does not seem to be one yet. If its a problem, just delete it Dave!! Premiership clash between The Canaries and The Magpies This is an important game for both sides, but few would have predicted at the start of the season that Newcastle would be the more desperate of the two to want three points, after there lofty position in the table last season. But weather Alan Pardrew likes it or not, at the moment they are in a relegation fight, having lost eight out their last ten Premiership games, and have failed to win away from home all season, add in an FA cup defeat to Championship side Brighton,, and this becomes a game in which Newcastle would love to get back to winning ways. The loss of Demba Ba to Chelsea, will certainly be a big miss for the Magpies, and with club captain Coloccini expressing a desire to leave the club, things are not going to get any easier for them this season. This could now be time for striker Pappe Cisse to show the sort of form he did when he joined the club last season and start finding the net again. As well as this Newcastle have captured the signature of the highly rated defender Mathieu Debuchy, from Lille, to try and shore up there leaky defence, and he could possibly make his debut here. Chris Hughton may have mixed feelings about facing his former employers. He enjoyed three years as coach and manager at the club, but most would agree was treated pretty poorly by Mike Ashley, in getting sacked having lead them back to the Premiership. But Hughton is now getting his chance to prove he is a very compitant manager at this level, having guided Norwich City to 25 points this season so far and a ten game unbeaten run. But Norwich are coming into this match on the back of a very difficult Christmas run of games and four straight defeats. They will certainly want to nip that losing feeling in the bud, and make sure they stay clear of the relegation dog fight. Many tipped Norwich for certain relegation this season, but some very estute signings in the form of Sabatian Bassong and Alex Tettey have seen Norwich become a much tighter unit in defence and very creative in midfield. Wes Hollahan is having a tremendous season and has really come to life under Hughtons five man midfield, giving him the space he needs to run with the ball and create things. This game could see the return of club talisman Grant Holt from injury, and he will be hungry to find the back of the net. Expect a cagey start to the game, as both teams will not want to concede an early goal, but things could open up as the match progresses, and I certainly expect to see goals in this one.
Yes, this is a crucial one. Win it, and I really think we have one foot in next year's Prem. Lose it and we'll all be starting to get rather nervous. I'm a bit worried Cisse may come to life without Ba, just to show that he's the main man. Other than that, we should be favourites. This season is taking years off my life.
You and the rest of us! But, hey, what a way to go. Unforgettable games so far include the home matches v Arsenal and Manc United, the away fixture at Swansea and the fantastic NCFC 3 - 4 MCFC hardly two weeks ago More of the same second half of the season, please, Chris and the lads
NCFC just announced the teams. Bunn R. Martin, (c), Bassong, Turner, Garrido; Pilkington, Johnson, Tettey, Snodgrass, Hoolahan, Jackson. subs: Rudd, Holt, Fox, E. Bennett, Barnett, R. Bennett, Kane. Surprised Holt isn't starting, glad to see Jackson getting a chance though.
Unfortunately, Colocini plays, and Debuchy makes his debut. Cabaye on the bench too, so Newcastle not quite as weak as I'd have hoped. We've spent all week discussing if Jacko can do a job on his own up front, I guess we'll find out soon...
If I was Elliott Bennett, I'd be seriously considering handing in a transfer request at that news. MotM performance one week, dumped on the bench the next. What more can the guy do, especially as Pilks drifts in and out of recent games ?
I guess Benno might get a longer sub appearance than normal, if possible? Maybe give him half hour to show he can do it against PL sides and not just lacklustre championship sides.
Poor game this, final ball is really lacking. Martin is struggling slightly, Pilks anonymous and Jackson hasn't had a lot to work with really. If Holt can manage a half I'd be tempted to bring him on at half time, possibly with Bennett for Pilks too.
our passing, especially wes, has been terrible. totally non event of a match. if either team had played even reasonably they would be out of sight.
This game is crying out for Holt. Even Hoolahan has not quite had his usual passing boots on so far and so there could be a case for a Benno for Hoolahan switch. Thing with Pilks is that you have to get the ball to him. He doesn't come looking for it the way Snodgrass does. If you don't give it to him he looks anonymous.
I don't care how much it costs we MUST sign a striker this window, while not brilliant, our build up play hasn't been too bad at times, we've just no bugger to put the ball away. It's not working out there, it needs a change, why does Hughton always take so long to make changes ? It's the one thing that really effing bugs me about him.
How come when you're watching a stream then the ads never stop while the video buffers. Grrr Not that I've missed anything.
