The Derby match will be a battle and our fans will have a big part to play in it. Hope we're at full strength for it. I know bragging rights are massive, but I'd take a point against the unwashed, providing we got a win in either the Liverpool or Man City games. Four points is better than 3 and this season I want us to hit the 40 points mark asap. I realize that beating the filth is a priority for a lot of people, but I'd swap a draw with them tomorrow for a promise of survival. That's far more important. Better still, let's win all three!
A draw against the Mags would be a very good result. They’ve still got absolutely loads of quality, it’ll be tough.
Everyone I know would take that swap, me included. However the derby isn’t just another game tbh, beating them wouldn’t just mean three points. It would put a massive marker down and go along way to redressing a balance. I’d also think a win at home to Newcastle is much more likely than winning away to Liverpool or Man City. Newcastle have a very busy period and they don’t possess great strength in depth at the moment. We’re capable of beating them and I think we’ll have a psychological edge.
The defining point of this season for me is when we are home and dry with a few games to go, but to win a Tyne / Wear derby is always special.
TBH, for this scenario, and any other, to have any credibility I’m having to say I believe we’ll stay up. Otherwise the entire season begins and ends on the day we either stay up or go down and no individual games worth discussing. What I’m saying is that I’d happily sacrifice a point away, to any club, for a win at home to Newcastle … … I think it would have an enormous significance for the entire club from KLD to the tea lady.
Definitely we need our strongest possible side out against that lot. 1 it's a Derby 2 its more winnable than 2 games before it.
I love O9 but respectfully, O9 wasn't even a good midfielder in league one nevermind the premier league. The lad is a defender through and through now it's just a shame the league is so physical and we have so many options ahead of him now.
Booked against Everton in a huge home clash to miss the Arsenal game at home would be my choice. For some reason I thought we had Arsenal next and was saying to my mate on Saturday I’d rest Sadiki because it’s a free hit. Some fans will say they want to win every game which is fair enough but realistically we are much better missing a few players for a match like the Arsenal game than missing them for Fulham or Bournemouth.
It’s inevitable now, in my opinion, that Xhaka and Sadiki will both serve a one match ban … … there are now only four matches before the derby. But only three in which to pick up a booking before Man City
If they don't, I would bench them for Man City away. Geertruida in for Xhaka and hopefully Diara for Sadiki
Problem with that is, after mags game we lose players to Afcon, so could do with xhaka missing game before.
Can we not get Sadiki banned from a game when he is away for Afcon. Surely the rules of a league ban apply to the next league game irrespective if the player is away on international duty?
That's a good plan We do have Leeds on the 28th, though, and I'd like to have them both available for that.
Agree Ron, the problems of being a top four side eh! I probably shouldn't worry too much about teams at the bottom like the mags. ...only joking by the way
