Ben Arfa is our ace in the pack. he's scored some brilliant solo goals and now plays for as a team player (a quality lacking in the past). He also get's us free kicks in and around the box which cannot be underestimated too.
Having seen newcastle over the two legs against benfica, and seeing some of the decent football and quality that they have, i can only see tha TOOOOON comfortably winning im afraid! They arnt perfect and have their faults, but theyve got a canny few better players than us! Which pisses me off immensely, when you consider their recent relegation setback and our recent run in the premier league, its a disgrace! I think we'll give them a better game than we would have a month ago, but looking on paper, and what we have produced in recent derbies, and injuries and suspension to our 3 key players, we are pap!
excuses in early? the team arnt fit(even though there 3/4 the way through the season) that sounds like an excuse to me
Newcastle are favourite, imo. They are at home and have much better form in the last 6 or 7 games. They also have a few more better players. However they are not man Utd or anywhere close. Hell, they ain't even top 10. Yes they are favourites but not overwhelmingly so. They have a better midfield and an experienced striker but they are not some top notch team by any stretch. Favourites yes but we can get at them and they are vulnerable.
My view is that our side is better, on paper and in reality, our manager is more experienced, we should have beat you at your place, and all that added to being at home makes us overwhelming favourites. However, stranger things have happened in the EPL, never mind in a derby game
