Turf wars
Posted on July 23rd, 2011 | 10 Comments |
It seems there are a few problems with the pitch at Orlando. Apparently the Orlando team usually play on astro-turf (not be confused with Astro Boy) but Pardew wasn’t keen on that idea due to its alleged proclivity for producing injuries. So Orlando owner Phil Rawlins spent a six figure sum getting real turf laid for tonight’s game.
However, after a pitch inspection today, both teams have agreed that they don’t particularly fancy the freshly rolled pitch after all.
It was thought that Rawlins might acquire a magic carpet from Orlando’s ‘Olde Shoppe of Inexplicable Items’ to play on but, alas, they’d sold out, so it looks like they’re going to have to put the astro-turf (not to be confused with Batman) back.
As a result, Pardew may have to rethink his team selection for tonight and it’s thought he may opt to leave Demba Ba and Steve Harper on the sidelines in case the synthetic pitch affects their troublesome knees in some way, although Bolton played on the astro-turf (not to be confused with Deputy Dawg) last week without any problems.
Newcastle didn’t train on the match pitch yesterday – as they did before the Kansas game – but instead trained on a grass training field close to the ground.
Apparently our three keepers were going to get a game a piece in the States, so perhaps Forster will start between the sticks tonight if Harper doesn’t fancy it.
And, it seems Enrique was only left out of the team for Wednesday’s game against Kansas due to an injury niggle and it had nothing to do with transfer speculation surrounding the left-back. Pardew said:
“Jose can probably start. It was only his first day back from a little hamstring injury in training yesterday.
“We have protected him because he is an important player for us. We don’t want to risk anybody, we’ve had two injuries, two games and two X-rays so far.”
I can’t imagine Phil Rawlins will enjoy the game too much after seeing his six-figure turf hoyed in the bin though.
Denied!
Not liking this Astro turf. I can see a injury happening.