The nice change tomorrow from our encounter with Arsenal is the game at Manchester City is televised live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1 in the UK and is live on Setanta Sports over here in the US.
Its going to be a tough game and Newcastle will need to be at their best to get anything out of this game. But we think that with a strong defensive performance and a decent all round display a draw is the most likely result and one point would be good.
But what our fans would really like to see is a win to help us all recover from the defeat at Arsenal. That will only happen if we are ruthless in front of goal. Even though Arsenal attacked in waves against Newcastle on Tuesday we could still have been 2-0 up if we had taken the chances that were presented to us. We all know goals change games – and it would certainly have done that on Tuesday night against the Arsenal youngsters.
But we didn’t and duly suffered at the hands of Arsene Wenger’s fabulous youngsters. That’s not a disgrace at all as witnessed last year when the same youngsters took Liverpool apart at Liverpool and were leading 5-1 after 60 minutes before settling for a 6-3 win. So the one thing we should understand is that even though they were Wenger’s second string they are an excellent side and would have beaten most Premiership side on Tuesday night and probably by a bigger score than 2-0. That’s not trying to sugar-coat things but it’s giving some credit to our boys who played with great heart and spirit, but just didn’t get any lucky breaks on the night
Some of Manchester’s players are not available tomorrow including Dan Sturridge (leg), Valeri Bojinov (knee). Darius Vassell (knee), Rolando Bianchi (groin) and Andreas Isaksson (ankle) will also be missing on Saturday.
As we know, City are a vastly improved side this season and their defense has usually been solid, although last week it looked decidedly weak against a poor Fulham side. That’s probably Newcastle’s best chance for success tomorrow – that City give us some breaks – and we take them this time. That coupled with another really solid defensive performance is our key to victory.
The Manchester City danger man this season has undoubtedly been new £4.7 signing Martin Petrov. The Bulgarian international winger had long been thought to move to Tottenham before Eriksson swooped for the 28-year-old from Atletico Madrid, once he took over in the summer. Petrov’s got a terrific left foot, lots of skills and has an eye for goal having scored 2 goals last week against Fulham. He is quickly realizing his game is very well suited to the Premiership. He is also a danger from free-kicks so we assume Sam has our guys ready for that. Habib Beye will have his work cut out for him tomorrow and we look to Habib to contain the Bulgarian.
Tuesday saw City advance past Norwich in the Carling Cup with the only goal of the game from Samaras in the dying seconds. Eriksson was singing the praises on Sky Sports yesterday of young Samaras and the Greek may even get a start for City tomorrow. Just 21,000 fans turned out for the Carling Cup and it will be interesting to see what the attendance is tomorrow for our visit.
Newcastle will be able to field a strong team tomorrow despite our long injury list – this is what we think the team will be:
Harper
Beye Taylor Rozehnal Enrique
Milner Butt Geremi N’Zogbia
Viduka Martins
Subs: Given, Edgar, Faye, Smith, Emre
We expect at some point in the game to see Emre, so it will be interesting to see how he performs for Big Sam – he looked decent on Tuesday night in the second half and may be able to add some creativity to our central midfield. We really hope we play 4-4-2.
Is it just us but every time we play 4-3-3 like we did in the first half to Arsenal we seem to concede central midfield. We’ve never seen that formation work for us this season even though we know Big Sam thinks it has advantages on both defense and attack.
A victory would be great but we think a low scoring draw is the most likely result – but it should be a very well matched game. Both sides have made vast improvements from last season and we think both are headed for more success in the next season or two. You can comment on our Newcastle United Forum and comments here are always very welcome.
Come on the lads!
28 comments so far
will
Sep 28, 2007 at 11:23 AM
Comment #13 points are available here, City have done exceptionally well, but I think this will be a game to far for them.
nightfall
Sep 28, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Comment #2milner on both wings? this guy’s good 🙂
nightfall
Sep 28, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Comment #3Sony eriksson wants owen…i say sell him…and also shola (carr, babayaro, emre)… so we’d have: martins-carroll and smith-viduka… but we’d need a creative midfielder who can also play on the right and another LB…
Callum
Sep 28, 2007 at 11:44 AM
Comment #4“The Manchester City danger man this season has undoubtedly been new £4.7 signing Martin Petrov. ”
I disagree, I think their danger man is Elano.
Lamesley Mag
Sep 28, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Comment #5Ed, Milner on both wings or Milner on right and Zog on the left?
Team looks strong although central midfield lacks creativity so expect Emre and Smith to participate at some stage during the game.
Ed Harrison
Sep 28, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Comment #6Whoops – N’Zogbia on the left – made the change – sorry.
Rich
Sep 28, 2007 at 11:59 AM
Comment #7Ye it looks good id personally go with this:
Given
Beye Taylor Rozenthal Enrique
Milner Geremi Smith N Zogbia
Viduka Martins
Subs: Harper, Butt, Emre, Faye, Troisi
Id start with Emre but he wont be 100 % match fit yet so bring him on in the second half, he could be the match winner!! If Viduka is injured start with Smith n Martins up front n Butt in midfield!
aaron d
Sep 28, 2007 at 12:00 PM
Comment #8Man city also have a strong defence, (richards, dunne, corluka and garrido) all have looked strong. There weak link is there keeper has played well in some game, but his decision making isn’t the best and his not that great to the air, if viduka man marks him on corners and free kicks he could make a few costly mistakes. Please don’t play geremi and butt in the centeral midfield together we are far too defensive with them there. Smith in the middle instead of butt
Craig Allen
Sep 28, 2007 at 12:01 PM
Comment #9Should have Zog on both wings lol
As an aside, an article on the allegedly “fickle” nufc fans:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article2532295.ece
Craig Allen
Sep 28, 2007 at 12:03 PM
Comment #10I think Schmeichel the friendly ghost has been outstanding for them. He’s gonna need more than his dad’s name to keep the likes of Viduka & Martins out. GO TOON!!!!
Rich
Sep 28, 2007 at 12:19 PM
Comment #11Callum – i agree about Elano, i think he is a class act, him and petrov are both very dangerous players, both look excellent buys for City but i particularly like Elano!Hopefully hel be crap against us tho!
Arthur Prince
Sep 28, 2007 at 12:41 PM
Comment #12I agree Rich with the team selection . I think we must go for 3 points not just accept a draw Ed otherwise we wont get into top 6 which has to be this years goal and therefore Europe next season .Positive thinking . I think the defence is good enough to shut out Man C
Cockney Magpie
Sep 28, 2007 at 12:51 PM
Comment #13N,zog V Richards, what a battle that is going to be
Ed Harrison
Sep 28, 2007 at 1:00 PM
Comment #14Arthur – i agree – it was just that we had predicted a win in every game this season so far – and wanted to try to be more objective 😀
Ed Harrison
Sep 28, 2007 at 1:01 PM
Comment #150-0 with 20 minutes to go – perfect situation for us to increase pressure for all 3 points.
nightfall
Sep 28, 2007 at 1:05 PM
Comment #16……………..given
beye rozehnal taylor enrique
…………geremi butt
martins…n’zogbia…..milner
……………viduka
subs: harper, smith, faye, emre, troisi
Tom_toon
Sep 28, 2007 at 1:14 PM
Comment #17Id go for
Given
Beye–Taylor–Rozehnal–Enrique
Milner–Emre–Geremi–Zog
Martins–Viduka
Subs: Faye, Troisi, Smith, Harper, Edgar
aaron d
Sep 28, 2007 at 1:19 PM
Comment #18Did anyone see the Arsenal game? I think Faye played well, he ran the whole pitch, made important tackles and his passing was pretty good too. Look a lot better than Butt when he came on, threw himself in to poor tackles and gave the ball away far to often.
this 4-3-3 formation doesn’t look to good either, for it to work need out and out wingers e.g duff or similar. Doesn’t suit Martins, and Milner needs to be played on the right not the left all the time.
Given
Beye – Taylor – Rozehnal – Jose Enrique
Milner – Geremi – Smith or Faye – N’Zogbia
Martins – Viduka
Subs: Harper, Emre, Butt, Edgar,Faye or Smith
A few injuries and now our squad is a bit weak one more injury then a youth player on the bench.
Rich
Sep 28, 2007 at 1:47 PM
Comment #19Tom_Toon – I like the team selection. Same as mine except i had smith in for emre but when emre is match fit id play him before smith, really hope he produces this year cause im a big fan of emre.
yemozone
Sep 28, 2007 at 2:00 PM
Comment #20aaron d – i will go with the same team but i ‘ll rather have faye in place of smith.
But guys BSA can use geremi has an attacking midfielder.Remember when he had a loan spell with boro ????
Tom_toon
Sep 28, 2007 at 3:25 PM
Comment #21Im also a big fan of Emre. Tbh i dont think he has done to badly for us, but not the form he showed for Inter and Glatasary, deft touches and execellent passes, still been effective for us though.
Toon Chicken
Sep 28, 2007 at 4:08 PM
Comment #22I’ve noticed no one is including Taylor in their teams for Saturday – not even as sub!
I’ve also noticed that the team is just about picking itself – which is good, but also slightly worrying in that we don’t seem to have much competition for places – except possibly in the middle of midfield where Geremi, Faye, Butt, Smith and Emre are all fighting it out for the attacking and holding positions.
Toon Chicken
Sep 28, 2007 at 4:10 PM
Comment #23Ignore me
I’m mad and blind
Toon Chicken
Sep 28, 2007 at 4:10 PM
Comment #24sorry didn’t see taylors name in the line ups for some mad reason. it is worrying there isn’t more competition for places though!
Toon Chicken
Sep 28, 2007 at 4:18 PM
Comment #25I’m not going to name a line-up but I think there are a few things we should do.
1. Play Faye midfield holding role to make life hard for Elano.
2. Play Viduka – he was immense against West Ham.
3. Give N’Zogbia license to attack at all times.
4. Drop Ameobi off on the M6 and tell him to go and play with the traffic.
If we do all that we should be good for at least a draw I reckon.
Alex
Sep 28, 2007 at 4:43 PM
Comment #26I think once fully fit Emre will be an important player for us this season.He does have good passing skills and the abillity to open up a defence.if fit tomorrow then i hope he starts in a 442 with this line up.
Harper
Beye Taylor Rozenhal Enrique
Milner geremi emre Nzogbia
Martins Viduka
IF Emre and Viduka are not fit to start then i hope he goes with a 451 lineup
Harper
Beye Taylor Rozenhal Enrique
Milner Geremi faye Nzogbia
Smith
Martins
a 433 line up just isnt working .
leo
Sep 28, 2007 at 5:46 PM
Comment #27hmmmm
id go for
harper
beye
taylor
rozehnal
jose enrique
milner
germimimimimi
smith
n’zogbia
martins
viduka
and if viduka is injured put smith up front and bring faye into middle of the park, possibly emre
PK-Norway
Sep 29, 2007 at 1:01 AM
Comment #28Away game..hmmm
Given
Beye-Rozie-Cacapa-Enrique
Faye-Geremi
Martins-Smith-Zogbia
Viduka