Will the Bantam Cocks be like headless chickens this afternoon?
Date: Saturday 18th August 2012
Kick-off: 5.30 pm
Referee: Martin Atkinson
UK TV: ESPN
Dear reader, hello, good afternoon and welcome to our regular “match banter” feature.
As we we made a bit of a bit of a cock up with the match preview this week, with both “Jimbob” and “AndyMac” doing one, I thought we’d make a bit of a departure from the norm this time. You can see Jimbob’s original match preview here, but for this post, I have also decided to show Andy’s preview in it’s entirety to provide an alternative as it’s also very good, provides even more background for our all important first game of the Premiership, and it can’t do any harm!
I will be doing all the usual bits such as putting the team sheets up when they become available, posting some links for the game and so on. When the game is over, I will also be posting highlights and perhaps a link to the whole game if there’s one around.
So for now, it’s over to AndyMac. – Workyticket.
Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends!!!
We begin our Premier League campaign at SJP on Saturday when Andre Villas-Boas once again brings a side to the North East, only this time its not Money bags Chelski but their rather less affluent North London neighbours, Spurs.
However, maybe AVB is now casting envious glances across the Capital towards his former home as Roman splashes millions on some fine, world class players while Spurs have only managed two new signings * in Vertoghnen (ex Ajax captain) and Siggurdsson (the former Reading, Hoffenheim and Swansea player) the while Levy tries to sell his star player to Los Galacticos for £40m.
* Note that’s at least one senior quality player more than we’ve managed so far !!!
As for Newcastle United the close season has been equally disappointing in terms of numbers added to the squad after we released a host of reserve/fringe players plus 6 first team squad members including three forwards, two midfielders and a keeper.
Understandably there has been growing concern over the lack of new additions to the senior squad, so much so that we now find ourselves beginning the campaign with only one fit striker for Saturday’s game and with the possibility that we’ll have to include Reserve team forward, Adam Campbell, just to make up the squad numbers.
Considering this is also our first European campaign for some five seasons, the lack of quality signings are worrying especially when we read that Pardew claims “We might need one more” !!!!!!
On the good news front we find our opponents on Saturday are also somewhat lightweight in attacking terms as Spurs have failed, so far, to bring in any forward players since the end of last season. Now that Adebayor has officially returned to Citeh (albeit until he can sort out who will pay him his “missing” £3m), and Louis Saha finished his spell and moved on to our near neighbours, the official first team squad now has only two registered strikers. Apart from young Harry Kane, Jermain Defoe is the only recognised striker with first team experience and goals to his name in the Premier League.
Fortunately for Spurs, Bale is expected to be fit to play. After Adebayor (who was involved in 42.42% of all Spurs goals during the last campaign) Bale was their most effective player and was involved in almost 30% of Tottenham’s goals during 2011/12 indeed he ended the season with 12 goals and 9 assists from 42 appearances and will, without doubt, be their key player on Saturday.
History
Fortunately, this fixture has never been a drab affair and goals always seem to come in bucket loads. Overall Spurs have won 62 out of the 147 matches played between the two clubs. Newcastle have won slightly less (53) with 32 draws. The stats are a little brighter for home
matches where the Toon have won 31 games to Spurs 22.
Highest scores between the clubs in league competition:
Newcastle Utd. 7 – 2 Tottenham H. 1951/1952
Newcastle Utd. 7 – 1 Tottenham H 1996/1997
Tottenham H. 7 – 0 Newcastle Utd. 1950/1951
And who can forget the 6-1 demolition of our Cockney counterparts in the FA Cup in 2000 competition? In fact the last 0 – 0 between the two clubs was back in April 1999 at Old Trafford, also in the FA Cup semi final but of course we went on to win that tie in extra time with that boring Shearer bloke scoring twice.
Last season’s away performance can be discounted as one of our “absent defence” days (not unlike last Saturday), so hopefully, we’ll get a chance to redress the balance on Saturday just as we did back in 1951 after the previous seasons thumping.
Line ups
Difficult to know exactly how either team will line up at the start of a new season and with both teams suffering from a lack of forwards but AVB seems to be favouring a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-2-1 and, as we all know, Pardew is still stuck in the 90′s with 4-4-2 
What we do know is that Demba Ba is likely to sit this one out with a shin problem. HBA, Chieck and Yohan all trained today but are doubtful for Saturday’s game, which stifles our creativity somewhat and certainly leaves us lightweight up front. Colo and new boy, Vurnon Anita, should be available which begs the question “Is an Eredivisie pre season enough for Pardwho to pitch him in at the deep end ?”
So our possible line up might be:
Krul
Simpson, Taylor S, Colocinni, Santon
Obertan, Anita, Guttierez, Marveaux
Vuckic/Campbell supporting Ameobi.
Which, if correct, will persuade me to try picking some lottery numbers on Saturday night!
My own preference would be to try a 4-5-1 with Shola up front but its not an ideal situation for the Mackem slayer to be pitched into a full 90 minutes at this stage of his career.
As for Spurs I’m informed that the most likely combination will be 4-2-3-1.
Friedel;
Walker, Gallas or Kaboul, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto;
Sandro or Jenas, Livermore;
Sigurdsson or Lennon, Van der Vaart, Bale.
Defoe.
Current Form
Going into this game, both clubs had a mixed pre season with our shocking 1 – 4 display at Cardiff undoubtedly the worst result of the lot. With both our African strikers “enjoying” the month of Ramadan, which finishes on Sunday 19th, its arguable whether either would be risked even if they were fit.
Unfortunately when both HBA and Cabaye are out we always struggle to find a creative spark and with our shortcomings up front we’ll be looking to get the midfield more involved in an effort to create some goalscoring chances.
Tottenham have had some decent performances in pre season, including wins against Stevenage (2-0 Sigurdsson, Falque), New York Red Bulls (2 – 1 Bale, Sigurdsson) and Watford (1 – 0 Defoe) and draws against LA Galaxy (1 – 1 Bale) and Liverpool (0- 0) with their single defeat coming at the Mestalla against a lively Valencia (0 – 2).
Similarly they are also without striking options other than last nights match winner (Defoe) in Switzerland but Bale has found the net already and so too has Siggurdsson, so their midfield may well be their most potent weapon on Saturday and has the potential to win the game for them if we dont find a way to stop Bale and Siggurdsson ?
Conclusion
It’s undoubtedly good to be back with competitive football on the menu again but with last Saturday’s woeful display still indeilbly etched in the
mind we’re going to have to tighten up considerably at the back if we want something from this game.
If I had the choice I’d pick Anita and Bigi to start as holding mids and allow Marveaux, Jonas and Gosling (who all have good engines) to operate behind Shola or maybe even try Obertan in a 4-6-0. (Wash my mouth out with soap and water )
Clearly without either of the main strikers we’ll struggle to put the ball in the net and even though most of the Spurs fan are worrying about the result on Saturday, I’d take a draw now with all those missing players.
Team sheets
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim_Krul (G), Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, James Perch, Davide Santon, Hatem Ben Arfa, Cheick Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez (C), Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse,
Subs: Steve Harper (G), Ryan Taylor, Mike Williamson, Vurnon Anita, Dan Gosling, Gabriel Obertan, Shola Ameobi.
Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1): Brad Friedel (G), Kyle Walker, Williams Gallas (c), Younes Kaboul, Benoit Assou-Ekotto; Jake Livermore, Sandro; Aaron Lennon, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Gareth Bale; Jermain Defoe
Substitutes: Carlo Cudicini (G), Kyle Naughton, Jan Vertonghen, Jermaine Jenas, Andros Townsend, Rafael van der Vaart, Harry Kane.
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NUFCBlog Author: AndyMac
AndyMac has written 13 articles on this blog.
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..Why not get a 
No Ferguson or Marveaux in the starting 11
I think Pardiola has been playing mind games seeing the team the has put out.
Vuckic and Campbell played in the U-21 match today so I think they’re out. I think the back line is solid but the midfield is anyone’s guess. It looks like SHOLA upfront because there’s no sense in risking Ba and Cisse this early. Also, Cabaye is short so don’t start him but he’ll get a runout for any of the forward mids as we can shift all three of them around. Here’s my guess.
Krul
Simpson Taylor Colo Santon
Anita Gosling(Tiote)
Obertan Jonas Marvauex
SHOLA
Oooh, Rodgers gets off to a slow start.
Well this is awkward. I refresh and there’s the team sheet.
those sure are some fancy shiny logos up there…
Another excellent match preview, Andy.
4-4-2.
tunyc says:
August 18, 2012 at 4:40 pm
“those sure are some fancy shiny logos up there…”
It’s a special occaision, tunyc.
Giroud owns miss of the season candidate already.
Cazorla looks quality though.
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, James Perch, Davide Santon; Hatem Ben Arfa, Cheick Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez (c); Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse
Mind games from Pardew regarding fitness
Please don’t just get Benny to hump it in the box though! I just cannot see Pardew leaving this set up or formation. Though the site says 4-4-2, I dunno if it’s entirely accurate all the time.
FFS, I honestly can’t believe we haven’t signed a senior CB.
Don’t worry, Jim-HBA will drift in regardless. I just hope he’s not subbed at the half for Obertan…
Jimbob says:
August 18, 2012 at 4:47 pm
“I dunno if it’s entirely accurate all the time.”
It’s entirely inaccurate much of the time Jimbob, though I suspect it isn’t this time.
Lads! Where are the links!?
I cancelled ESPN in the closed season
Some links for the game lads if you don’t have ESPN.
“Bloodzeed” on Sopcast will almost certainly be the best one, as good as the telly, but you’ll need to have Sopcast first I think.
http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=165305&part=sports
DarthBroon says:
August 18, 2012 at 4:58 pm
“Lads! Where are the links!?”
See above Darth Broon.
Hmmm, well we all saw how we played in the 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3 at the back end of last season. 4-4-2 suits us defensively, but at home I think we’re better off being fluid, with interchanging positions etc.
If it is this way for the season, where does Anita fit in? He can fit into most formations but he won’t displace Tiote or Cabaye in a midfield four. And he wasn’t signed to sit on the bench…
DarthBroon:
http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/
Best link to download the Sopcast player if you don’t have it.
http://download.cnet.com/SopCast/3000-13632_4-10601520.html
QPR 0 – 5 Swansea! What happened there!
Cheers Worky, Jimbob.
Jimbob says:
August 18, 2012 at 5:05 pm
“QPR 0 – 5 Swansea! What happened there!”
Michael Laudrup is the son of God as far as I’m concerned.
Oooooh I’m excited!
HOWAY THE LADS !!
MARVEUX has vanished haha
Just lost Shola in the warm up. More proof we need another striker. Three is not enough.
So Ba and Cisse have to play Thursday too?
Jim you are forgetting Nile”power” ranger and Xisco
We will not be held to ransom by other clubs.
Silly me Jason!
haha
Ranger is a baboons fart,xisco is worse,we need another.wheres sammy?
Jon Champion just said that it was in the mid seventies in Newcastle. Was he referring to the temperature or the time period?
Sitting back looking for long ball over the top.
And what happened to sylvan?
Getting outplayed at home. It’s good to be back!
Getting dominated first ten mins. Extra midfield man tends to cause problems.
Ba off for Anita but it’s never gonna happen!
Something’s going to have to be done here.
Some Silver Supremo magic is required.
Come on ANITA !!
Nothing will be done for the next 60 minutes or so Worky.
Simpson on a card doesn’t help.
More Ben Arfa, please.
sampdiago says:
August 18, 2012 at 5:43 pm
“And what happened to sylvan?”
That is a very good question. How’s his groin?
Need to match them like for like, hopefully it will even it up.
sirjasontoon says:
August 18, 2012 at 5:49 pm
“Come on ANITA !!”
And come on Eileen too!
Cabaye looks off the pace. I’m guessing Anita comes on for him at some point if Tiote recovers.
Here we go he’s changed it. Jonas has tucked in. Ba’s dropping deeper.
Woooooooh! Close! Ba! Getting a bit better now at least.
Simpson is CAK
Simpson’s going to get himself sent off.
Simmo won’t get away with that again. Seriously. He may need to come off. Bring Williamson into the middle and put Perch at RB.
Can see Simpson getting a red before the end of the match.
For the record, Simpson is not cack-he’s just up against the premier left-sided midfielder in the world.
Unnecessary Challenges badly timed.
Jonas playing great so far.
Post saves the day.
Honestly, both sides look sloppy. Not a feast for the eyes.
How many times are we going to hoof it to nobody and gift them possession…
Weve been hoofing it for the last 3 seasons like that…
And there’s the crossbar.
FFS be brave Alan, ditch this system that just doesn’t work against teams with an extra midfielder and match them up. Stop hoofing it and keep it simple, otherwise they will win this.
Yeah changes needed it’s so obvious. Shouldn’t wait until were losing to change things.
Agreed. Right now we’re so overrun in midfield a spuds goal seems inevitable. Not to mention Ba & Cisse are barely involved.
Grrrr. This is awful.
We can’t keep the ball. When we lose it we can’t get it back.
These long balls are useless. There’s always a CB free to cover the runner because they have an extra midfielder. Duh!
Tiote with the long ball.
Followed by Cabaye with the long ball.
COME ON TOOOOOOOOOOOON
Stupid booking Cabaye. Use your head.
Yellow for Cabaye for a very cynical challenge. I think he should come off at half. Bring on Vurn!
One of the dembas need to come off for Anita so we can have an extra man in midfield, but Pards wont.
Jimbob says:
August 18, 2012 at 6:22 pm
“Stupid booking Cabaye. Use your head.”
You think he should have nutted him instead Jimbob?
Did we have a shot on target? Our second halves are typically better than our firsts so lets hope that continues. Jonas & Santon playing well IMO. Not sure what I’d change assuming Pardew hs told Ba he will get game time.
What difference will it make Tunyc? Unless we match them up in the middle?
Gotta take Simmo off, can see a red.
HBA the only one trying to play actual football. Maybe Alan hopes he can run from the half way line and score again.
Very fortunate not to be two nil down. Need to get a grip in midfield. I would revert to 4-3-3. Bring on Anita and take off Jonas.
Kev sez bring on little Vurn.
Need to give Ben Arfa the ball more often – he’s been drawing some daft tackles and one more might see the end of Sandro or Livermore – if they both come out for the second half.
I say bring on little Vurn.
Anyone who moaned about 4-4-2 in pre-season, or last season, this is the example why it doesn’t work.
We played like this last season at the start in a few matches, but managed to win by the odd goal. Does that make it alright? If we win today because Cabaye scores a screamer, did it matter how we performed throughout the ninety?
Anyone who is pro this system always refer to 11 games unbeaten last season, but in my opinion, this performance so far is very similar to a lot of those eleven games. We won them though, so it doesn’t matter…
U lot don’t look very fit,the boy ben afra looks class.
Formation definitely needs to change but Cabaye is also off the pace. He’s contributed very little other than being booked.
Ben Arfa’s supposed to be the least fit! Suppose that’s saying something.
Hairdryer time. The lads are still at preseason pace. Unacceptable.
And for the second half…no changes. Wow.
Think he may have changed the shape Tunyc…
tunyc says:
August 18, 2012 at 6:39 pm
“And for the second half…no changes. Wow.”
70 minutes is the standard time for Silver Supremo substitutions.
Looks like the same formation to me.
Jonas is roaming through midfield.
BA!
Individual brilliance saves the day again.
Sublime finish. Good to see him open the account early.
Some spirit now lads!!
wow….demba ba..we love you
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!!
Nice passage of play to build up for that as well!
Now Cabaye’s lucky to stay on the pitch. Dangerous.
hatrick from ba and a goal from sub obertan would do it for me
alan pardew sent off
AP sent to the stands over pushing the linesman…
Silver Supremo sent to stands!
Fair to Pardew that ball was miles out.
indeed maze. gotta play what the official says though. again we seem stuck in preseason.
and our silver supremo throws away the walkie talkie set ,mind you ,its not a easy thing to use.
Llambias has been buying cheap, knacked headsets. Tut!
Haha I see Llambias went for the cheap option in regards to communication equipment.
Pardew’s worse than Joey Barton today, and we’re a goal in front!
Is it me or is Santon pushing into midfield at times?
Probably wouldn’t shell out for the batteries.
Will AP have to sell a player before he gets more, Jimbob?
VDV on for Sigurdsson.
AP still liking what he sees.
Xisco for a triple pack of AA’s would be a fair deal.
He will have to sell before he can buy new batteries for the walkie talkie
time for some subs
Gash.. had Siggurdson(sp?) in my fantasy team.
well done ,simpson..
Vurnon warming up apparently.
anitas coming on!
Anita for Cabaye.
anita on for cabaye…right on 70 min..
Good effort from Cabaye who clearly isn’t completely fit.
Krul pulls our bits out of the fire again.
It’s little Vurn’s turn now.
70 minute Silver Supremo substitution of course.
It was coming, wasn’t it?
Nackas man!
Soft goal.
HBA gets a pen! He knew what he was doing there…
yo…penalty..well done arfa
goallllllllllllllll..arfa
HBA takes it and scores! 2-1!
Bollox.
We’ll be hanging by fingernails now.
score..now please stay the same..please
eeee
Been a class above today. Even better had been in a front three though today
Get in!
Get. Simpson. Off.
Obertan on for Demba Ba. Wise, actually.
Love Ben Arfa for trying that corner again.
cisee should have been substituted instead of ba
Spurs go with Kane-two up top.
Three minutes extra time.
Hold on lads!
Ugly.
But they all count-bank 3 points and howay the lads!
HBA is MOTM for me…
and so win…so relived ..congrats everyone
GET IN !
Not Pretty but happy with 3 Points.
I have a man cruise on Ben Arfa! Dont tell my wife
Crush, damn autocorrect
Wasn’t great to watch, which was expected. Hopefully we will improve next week. Well done to the lads in getting through an uncomfortable game.
I’ve put some match highlights up now lads.
Will try to put a video of the whole game up later if I can.
http://www.nufcblog.org/2012/08/newcastle-united-vs-tottenham-hotspur-match-highlights/
TF says:
August 18, 2012 at 7:31 pm
“I have a man cruise on Ben Arfa! Dont tell my wife”
Man cruise
Sounds a bit George Michael, TF! Do you have gay predictive text?
Only when I use my Ipad. ; )
TF says:
August 18, 2012 at 7:51 pm
“Only when I use my Ipad”
Ah, IPad. Enough said TF!