Newcastle United v West Brom - Official Build Up / Match Day Thread

Well that game last night couldn't have gone any better. Real thunderous derby to take some out of the legs. I think we saw where WBA's vulnerability lies too, pace. It really unsettled them when Weimann and Agbonlahor came on so I hope Pardew took note. All in all, good for us in the league in terms of points, and good for us in terms of them not coming into our game on too big a high or looking to right a wrong.

 

Sorry mate but disagree with you here, I think throwing away a 2 goal lead at home in a Derby is a wrong and West Brom will want to put things right, just think they probably got a bit lazy after it seemed so easy in the first half. Think this could be a tricky game.

 

As with all things NUFC, it's impossible to tell. You could be right, but I'm leaning the other way - I think the 2-2 will have been a bit of a blow to them and as Hacky points out, pace is going to unsettle them. Sadly for WBA, we line up with Gouff, Remy and Sissoko from the start.....there aren't many quicker attacks than ours. HBA from the bench too. I'm strangely excited about this one.

 

You could look at it like that but to be honest it was the best possible scenario after the start they had. If they'd continued like they did first half, then they'd be coming here brimming wtih confidence. If they'd lost then it would have been a disaster and they'd have closed ranks to siege mentality. Of course it would have been better if it had been a boring uneventful 0-0 but given where they were at 14mins then I'd say it could not have gone any better.

I expect a tricky game though. You only have to look at their away form this season to know that. Very good side and Mulumbu and Yacob will certainly not allow Cabaye/Tiote to have it easy. Long will stretch us and it is imperative Mbiwa is back at centre back to deal with that. His aerial prowess is an obvious concern for us no matter who we play. Personally I think it was a combination of a few things last night. They put a lot of effort into that opening period physically/mentally and visibly drained as the game wore on. Lambert also deserves credit for tweaking their formation which helped them get a foothold, and also his subs were excellent. Couple that with WBA stepping off it a touch, little bit of laziness/sloppiness and you had the ideal result for us.

Its only a small part the previous game plays though because Saturday is a new game and new challenge for both sides. I do think we are equipped to hurt them, however I also think they are very well equipped to hurt us. Counter attacking sides do not really suit us. Sides that really push do because we have players who can stretch you to. It should point towards a draw but I think we might nick it.

 

I see no reason why we shouldn't nick it.

 

Do you really think MYM's going to start ahead of the cap'n? Can't see it myself. The issue with MYM is whilst he has the physicality to deal with Long, is he canny enough? I think you need smarts to deal with a player like Long, Colo's probably got that - we just have to hope it's the real Colo and not Colo the Clown turning up on the day. Either way, the return of Debuchy and Willo's form are great for the club.

I think West Brom will worry about NUFC more than they'll be thinking about their own game. Gouff will do enough harrying of his own and with Remy's pace we have the right ability to take it to West Brom. Cisse's not dissimilar to Long, though woefully short of confidence. Both thrive on tricking defenders; but West Brom are canny at the back so it's more about that ability to burst away and find space that has a better chance of working. Shola vs. Olsson should be fun, but it's their full backs vs our wide midfielders that I think will prove key to the match, we're just better armed in that area of the pitch. I'm going to stick a neck out here and say that Norwich was an end to the hoodoo, the players will be full of confidence and I reckon it'll be around 3-0 to the Toon with a decent showcase for us (and a great opportunity for the fans to get unrealistic expectations ahead of a defeat in South Wales, which will prompt more cries of "PARDEW OOOOOOOT")

 

I hope you are right. I don't think MYM will start ahead of Colo. I just think he should. I like Colo a lot and can see the angle of having smarts to deal with him. I just think there is not enough pace in him and Willo to cope with him. You then have Sessegnon who will be deeper trying to drag them out to make holes for him to exploit with his pace. Mbwia is far from the finished article but he is lighting quick for a centre back.

 

Tiote>Sessegnon, so I'm not sure we need to worry too much about the defence being dragged about in their 4-4-1-1. Even so, when you have players dropping deeper you need someone in there who can read between the lines! MYM one day, just not yet. Either way, I'm happy with those CB's and - bafflingly - there's no question that Willo has to play

 

I know West Brom were unlucky against Chelsea but they've only won one of their last 6 and that was at home to Palace.

We have to target three points here and given that we have no injuries, no midweek game and that we've had a full week to prepare there are no excuses. I'm not saying that we should or will roll them over but when we have a fully fit squad, with no injuries and week to prepare added to the fact that we're at home then we should be beating every team aside from the top 6/7.

If we win this game there's not a chance we'll be relegated ( we'd need 5 wins from 25 games), it would put us 8 points clear of West Brom, firmly in the top half (maybe even the top 4/6) and we'd have a nice run of fixtures coming up. Another very important game.

 

Wow, you really know how to lay the kiss of death on thick...

 

That's not just the kiss of death, that's the full on Snog of Death (with tongues)

 

!

 

After watching the WBA game the other night I hope we don't play a high line on Saturday especially with Willo in defence.

 

Agreed.

I'd play Willo up front.
The form he's in he will get a Hat trick.

 

A hat trick of headers and one or two with his feet.

 

I think this is the game that will give us a massive indication as to ho well this season will turn out. I'd take a point and think that's probably gonna be the outcome.

 

That's just begging to be put in someone's sig...

 

Interesting for Swansea game. Bony limped off with hammy tonight. With Michu out injured and only a possibility for our game, they have forward issues.

 

Rob Lee Royal Antwerp style