Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2013 14:26:06 GMT 1
No time for rest during this period of the season as another game quickly follows that of Sunday against The Gooners. Unlike Boxing Day fixtures which have seen the majority played away, this game has tended to be a home based affair, however this time round it's an New Years Away Day trip to the midlands. To face yet another Premier League Club currently without a manager, namely West Brom.
I'm not aware of any new injury concerns going into this fixture although by the end of Sundays game some of our players were looking very tired. Regardless of that APee should be able to select a strong enough side to take something from what on paper looks to be a winnable contest. On that basis I don't see him tinkering too much with the side although I would hope he goes with a more attacking set up than the cautious one taken against title contenders Arsenal. Defensively not much will alter from what we have already seen so the back four and keeper all retain their starting positions. In midfield both Tiote and Cabaye will start as first choice favourites so it's out wide and up front I expect the changes, if made, to occur. For me that means possibly both Stroller and Hatem Ben Arfa coming into the side from the start with Anita and Sissoko or Gouffran dropping to the Bench. HBA's job will be to supply the bullets allowing Remy to play off the big man rather than trying to lead the line.
The Baggies under caretaker Keith Downing have over the Christmas period stopped the rot in the wake of Steve Clarke's departure earlier in December. The home side however are still only two points above the drop zone despite drawing their last three games under the stewardship of Downing. Given the nature of things down the bottom of the table that still may appear decent form in the search for valuable points, but it also stretches their winless run to nine. West Brom also quite often adopt a bit of a strange set up as they play only three across the back, five in midfield and two up front. It should be interesting to see just who plays in attack for them with Anelka grabbing two goals, and the headlines for other reasons, against West Ham, following a lengthy period out of the side. That said if Shane Long has recovered from injury I expect him to be in the starting line up.
All in all the defeat to Arsenal was only Newcastle's second in their last 10 Premier League matches which had obviously seen The Toon climb up the Premier League table. This game is an ideal opportunity to bounce straight back as APee's side are unbeaten in their last four meetings with the Midlands club and they will be looking to maintain that record as they aim to get back on track with their top six aspirations. In my opinion anything less than a point will be seen as a backward step.
What do you think?
Lights Oot!
I'm not aware of any new injury concerns going into this fixture although by the end of Sundays game some of our players were looking very tired. Regardless of that APee should be able to select a strong enough side to take something from what on paper looks to be a winnable contest. On that basis I don't see him tinkering too much with the side although I would hope he goes with a more attacking set up than the cautious one taken against title contenders Arsenal. Defensively not much will alter from what we have already seen so the back four and keeper all retain their starting positions. In midfield both Tiote and Cabaye will start as first choice favourites so it's out wide and up front I expect the changes, if made, to occur. For me that means possibly both Stroller and Hatem Ben Arfa coming into the side from the start with Anita and Sissoko or Gouffran dropping to the Bench. HBA's job will be to supply the bullets allowing Remy to play off the big man rather than trying to lead the line.
The Baggies under caretaker Keith Downing have over the Christmas period stopped the rot in the wake of Steve Clarke's departure earlier in December. The home side however are still only two points above the drop zone despite drawing their last three games under the stewardship of Downing. Given the nature of things down the bottom of the table that still may appear decent form in the search for valuable points, but it also stretches their winless run to nine. West Brom also quite often adopt a bit of a strange set up as they play only three across the back, five in midfield and two up front. It should be interesting to see just who plays in attack for them with Anelka grabbing two goals, and the headlines for other reasons, against West Ham, following a lengthy period out of the side. That said if Shane Long has recovered from injury I expect him to be in the starting line up.
All in all the defeat to Arsenal was only Newcastle's second in their last 10 Premier League matches which had obviously seen The Toon climb up the Premier League table. This game is an ideal opportunity to bounce straight back as APee's side are unbeaten in their last four meetings with the Midlands club and they will be looking to maintain that record as they aim to get back on track with their top six aspirations. In my opinion anything less than a point will be seen as a backward step.
What do you think?
Lights Oot!