Deportivo v Newcastle – Pre-season match preview.
Posted on August 3rd, 2010 | 41 Comments |
Deportivo la Coruna play the hosts tonight as Newcastle step up preparations by tackling their second game in just a few days to ensure they are ready for the big kick-off against Manchester United on the 16th.
Newcastle took a 20-man squad out to la Coruna via private jet yesterday afternoon and will have to deal with a place that us slightly hotter than the UK at the moment. I was planning on going to this myself as a birthday treat but it was just too expensive so I have had to settle for Wolverhampton in a few weeks instead. I’ve heard there isn’t that much difference between Spain and the West Midlands on a sunny day, at least that’s what I’m trying to tell myself anyway!
Newcastle and Deportivo have a bit of recent history when it comes to the transfer of players. Of course there was Albert Luque, who wasn’t exactly a success on Tyneside. Then there are current squad members Fabricio Coloccini and Xisco who both made the switch to Newcastle from Depor. In terms of money spent, it’s safe to say that Newcastle are probably one of Depor’s favourite teams.
Sol Campbell hasn’t travelled with the squad and has stayed in Newcastle to work on his conditioning whilst Steven Taylor and Danny Simpson remain on the sidelines where they wil be for a good while yet. Jonas Gutierrez, anyone heard anything of him? I have searched high and low and can’t find any injury news or anything so can only assume he has been rested so far? Please feel free to update if you know different.
On the plus side, Joey Barton and Wayne Routledge will be back after being rested against PSV as a precaution. I can understand the cotton wool approach with those two as they are likely to be key players for us this season, well I hope they are anyway.
With only two matches left in the pre-season camaign, the time has come where it becomes a bit more serious. The result still isn’t that important, but I would expect to see the team that will face Manchester United feature either tonight or on Saturday at Rangers.
Balance is the key as we simply can’t afford anymore injuries in certain positions. I still expect to see players rotated, but with just under two weeks to go until the big kick-off things should begin to get a little bit more serious.
Howay the lads!
Date – Tuesday, 3rd August, 2010.
Time – 8:00 pm (UK time).
Venue – The Riazor Stadium, La Coruna, Spain.
Hopefully the game will be on the internet later ;)