Okay so we're now 19th and beginning to look nervously over our shoulders and we have a game at the Champions elect, the same side that inflicted our record home defeat earlier in the season.......doesn't bode well. However they've been beaten 7 times in 27 games, they've only drawn 1 game all season and they've lost 4 times in the last 10 games (clutching at straws I know) but I fancy us for a point tonight if we play with the same intensity and organisation that we showed at Reading a couple of weeks ago....... So what would your team selection be? I'd go with Smithies Furlong, Ned, Lynch, Bidwell Doughty Pawel, Manning, Luongo, Mackie Sylla Discuss.......
I'd reluctantly go with that. I say reluctantly because Sylla simply doesn't deserve to play and Washington was a lot livelier on Saturday.
Agreed. Connor to start and Sylla coming on for the last 20 if Connor hasn't done the business. Are the new signings able to play?
Agree Wats, couldn't really decide between the 2, but maybe foolishly thought that Sylla might just occupy their center backs a bit more than Washington.....hopefully we're still in the game around 60 minutes and could introduce Washington then to use his pace and nuisance ability......
Actually **** it. Give Washington the nod. Sylla was a complete **** on Saturday and Washington might just hassle them into a mistake.
I think Sylla also has an attitude issue. He don't like being taken off. Understandable if you are on a hat trick but not when you have been shyte.
Sylla and Hall injured. So down to bare bones, before replacements arrive (by Saturday) Smithies Furlong, Ned, Lynch, Bidwell Perch or Doughty Pawel, Luongo and two of... Mackie/Manning/Goss/LuaLua Washington On the bench 3 of the above plus the Bolton CB, Ece, and I hate to say it HENRY (or could he even start)
For what it's worth, my expectation is Smithies Furlong or Perch, Ned, Lynch, Bidwell Perch or Goss Pawel, Luongo, Manning, Mackie Washington As an ex Newcastle legend, Perch will be in the starting side!
If Hall was available I'd go with the sweeper system, but as he's not, I'd go with this: -------------------------------------------Smithies------------------------------------------ Furlong-------------------Onuoha-----------------Lynch-------------------------Perch --------------------------------Luongo-----------Manning-------------------------------- Wszolek---------------------------------Goss-------------------------------------Lualua -------------------------------------Washington--------------------------------------------
I am loving the Furlong/Wszolek pairing. It's going to be difficult for them to shine against NUFC, but we have had a glimpse of what they can do. Well 'appy!
I'd go with 2 up top, Mackie and Washington, and just go for it. I assume Newcastle will go 4-4-2, tell Luongo and Mackie to continually press Shelvey and see what we can create. We're not expecting much, and I think Newcastle will expect us to sit back, be nice to spring a surprise and go for them.
Agree. Wouldn't be totally surprised if he went with Lua Lua, Mackie and Wzolek and no real striker at all.
Pulled this from LFW's and their chat with a Newcastle fan for the preview..... Best players and weak links… JH: In terms of the squad, our greatest weakness is the imbalance of the team. We're so skewed to the right flank that as soon as teams double up on Ritchie we struggle. We desperately need a left winger. Dummett gets a lot of stick but you'll see a pass get played to him and he'll have no options on as the left wing has naturally drifted infield. It winds me up when I hear people saying he's slow; I've seen him cope with Navas and Sterling with no problems. Gayle is crucial to whether we're going up. I think most Newcastle supporters were pleasantly surprised at how well he adapted. Ritchie was an absolute steal. Shelvey is so integral to the flow of our play that he plays like a quarterback. When he's nullified we look ordinary. Holloway was singing his praises as a pundit on Sky so I'd be surprised if he didn't have a plan for him. Yedlin and Hayden have been very solid signings. I thought dropping a division would suit Jack Colback but he looks even slower in this division. He tried to commit a professional foul on Marvin Emnes against Blackburn and was too slow to even clip his heels. He'll be a Carlisle United player next season. Mitrovic is another player who flatters to deceive. Rafa obviously doesn't rate him and he's only had one good game this season (PNE away). He's lazy, slow, ill-disciplined and often makes the wrong decisions; a complete blunt tool. A special mention for Daryl Murphy as well who has had to bide his time but is a complete professional and is putting Mitrovic's lack of effort into focus. - See more at: http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/footba...in-on-course-–-interview#sthash.cRKQCCJ6.dpuf Interesting that he's highlighted a weakness down their left side, ideal for Pawel & Furlong to attack and if the left side can nullify there attacking strength down the right we may have a chance.......time for Holloway to do his homework and prepare accordingly.....
Agree with Tramo on this one. No way should Connor start. Playing lone forward away from home , if ever, is not his game. Sylla plays well with Mackie to support him and if we're behind by the time Mackie is done in for the night, I would bring on Connor to play with Sylla. We'll probably be chasing the game by then. I would like to see Smith and Washington paired up for the Blackburn game. Pending our next set of injuries everyone will get a few chances so let's not waste them in a game where work rate and organisation with a view to grinding out a clean sheet and the odd breakaway attempt will be the order of the day.
Yeah I had Mackie in originally but then remembered how well Lualua played against Burton. Away at toon you're probably right. I was just trying to carry some attacking threat, as just sitting back won't work imo.
