Newcastle United v Everton match preview.
Posted on March 4th, 2011 | 70 Comments |
Newcastle do have a pretty good record against the “Toffees” in recent years though, especially at home, with Everton chalking up just two victries in the previous sixteen encounters between the sides at St James’s Park. The last one coming way back when Everton were under the management of Walter Smith!
This is no excuse for laxity though against a side who can be outstanding on a good day. A key player for Everton could be one of the most underestimated players in the Premier League. We may have he considerable talent of Jose Enrique at left back, however the Toffees have the equally outstanding Leighton Baines. Despite his defensive role, the full back has provided the assists for no less than 24% of Everton’s goals this season, a remarkable figure I think you’ll agree.
Looking back at the last game between these two sides though, that is probably remembered mostly for a goal from another remarkable player, one of our own this time. I am of course referring to Hatem Ben Arfa’s wonder strike at Goodison Park, which I have included a video of below.
Team News
Newcastle United
A masked Shola Ameobi may or may not be in the side. Manager, Alan Pardew has reported that the facial contraption designed to protect his cheekbone injury is restricting his vision slightly, and is causing some pain when he heads the ball. Over to Alan:
“Shola looks to be getting more comfortable with his mask and we think there’s a chance he could be involved,” the United boss revealed.
“I think the mask causes some problems in terms of pain when he’s heading the ball, but he looks like he’s coming to terms with that.
“In football players do play through pain – thay play through thigh strains and little aches and pains here and there. They’re playing through it all the time. You get hardened to that. So a little bit of pain in terms of pressure around his face isn’t going to hurt him.
“The most important thing that he’s finding is visually with the mask, because you can’t see (peripherally) sometimes and he’s finding that a little bit uncomfortable. But we hope, by Saturday, we’ll get around that.”
Pardew was also forthcoming about other injury worries in his interview. On other injury doubts, Stephen Ireland, who has yet to make his debut because he was carrying a knee injury when he joined the club, Pardew added:
“Stephen Ireland has come back; the injury he had when he arrived here has cleared up but unfortunately we think he might have a slight thigh strain. When you’re coming back from long injuries, you get these little pulls and little tugs which might just keep him out of the weekend, which would be a shame because he’s trained very, very well.”
Finally, Pardew’s attention switched briefly to Joey Barton, who injured his thigh in the warm up for our previous game against Birmingham. On Barton, Pardew concluded:
“Joey’s better than he was last week, so I would say both of those are 50/50.”
Finishing off the Newcastle side, Gosling, Ben Arfa and Smith with sit this one out as they continue their respective recoveries from long term injuries, but Danny Guthrie could well see a return to action after shaking off a hamstring problem.
Everton
Meanwhile, Everton and their manager, David Moyes, have an injury controversy going on over midfielder, Marouane Fellaini. The player’s father, Abdellatif, criticised the club for playing him against the beastly Mackems, despite the fact that he picked up the injury initially in the game before that one. Fellaini is now ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury which requires surgery.
Another important midfield player for them, Tim Cahill, will also be out for the game with a foot injury. However that seems to be about it on the Everton side.
Don’t forget that you can also catch up with the banter through our “match banter” feature, which will be published in the hour before the game kicks off.
Howay the Lads!
NUFCBlog Author: workyticket
workyticket has written 1078 articles on this blog.
A scouse collegue has just said he believes Cayhill, Fallini and Saha all missing tomorrow!
Never a better chance to do another double!