Chris Hughton was at Everton on Monday night, weighing up Saturday's opposition (among other things no doubt). I didn't see the match but I was wondering what those Canary fans who did see it thought as the match progressed. From reports Newcastle were pretty awful in the first half, but much better in the second. What do you think Chris Hughton would have made of it with an eye to Saturday?
hughton was at the portaloo last night. maybe eyeing up kevin doyle or another wolves player? he can't have been looking at any of the binners!! as for the geordies, i think they are struggling for form a little and its not out of the question to get a positive result up there. they were very fortunate to nick a point at everton - lets hope they've used up all their luck on monday night, we're due a little ourselves!
Newcastle do play a lot of ball through the middle and do spectate (posh for ball watch) on the width quite a lot during the game. Baines had a blinder against them so we know that with our width they can be got at. The Toffees had two goals disallowed that were good goals although its hard to blame the officials too much. So on reflection, the Magpies are not as good as last year and I'm reasonably positive of a draw (again) this weekend.
I think CH has a good footballing brain and is still searching for tweaks to systems to capitalise on individual opposition.He will have learnt a lot from his trip to Goodison I reckon. Last night he had a night off and went to the comedy store which is my suggested name change for Portaloo Road
The main threats are Demba Ba, Cisse and Ben Arfa. Also Cabaye can be dangerous if allowed to shoot from distance. Do we need any adjustments defensively to counter them? As far as I can see, CH doesn't adjust much to the opposition, relying on system rather than special measures (another difference from PL). Certainly Newcastle's likely back four doesn't look much stronger than the line up at Carrow Road last year, so hopefully there will be some joy for our own strikers and midfield.
But he sounds a bit unsettled up there at the moment. Could be the best time to play them if Ba's mind is roaming.
Alternatively, Ba might be fired up to catch the eye of prospective bidders. He certainly seemed focussed on Monday night! I expect he has noticed that Liverpool need a striker. What odds Carroll to Newcastle, Ba to Liverpool in January?
the comedy store which is my suggested name change for Portaloo Road They could then do a spoof on Allah and end up with 30,000 muslims in the ground as well.
