The Toon v Wigan

[Deleted]

This weekend has The Mags back at SJP for the visit of Wigan in a Saturday 3pm showdown.

With the unbeaten run continuing despite the visit of Spurs last Sunday, confidence is as you would expect still running high among the Toon Army.

As has been the case for quite a few fixtures recently this game also includes the return of some former players, namely Gary Caldwell and Patrick van Aanholt.

Newcastle are up against a Wigan side who have lost their last six games. Given this, it is hardly surprising that the Mags are favourites to pick up all three points and strengthen their position in the top four. Wigan’s chances of victory are probably even more remote than usual not least because scoring a goal is likely to be a big issue. With just six goals scored in eight games so far this campaign, Wigan have the worst goalscoring record in the league alongside QPR and Wolves. On top of having their own problems in attack The Latics also have to contend with The Toon having the joint-best defence in the league – along with the two Manchester clubs, only conceding six in eight games.

This makes Newcastle a good bet to keep a clean sheet. Not something The Toon Army are overly familiar with as nil was something of a rare event most games until recently.

In addition to being solid defensively, Newcastle also average almost two goals a game at St James’ Park and the form of Leon Best and Demba Ba in particular suggests they should have little trouble continuing in a similar fashion.

They will be helped along by Wigan’s tendency to ship goals with alarming frequency – they have let in ten in their last four matches.

And with the Latics struggling to hit the back of the net, even a draw appears to beyond Roberto Martinez’s side.

Having now talked this game up big time in favour of The Lads it's probably just commen sense to say I have been to fixtures like this before and come away disappointed. Yet such is the belief among the current crop of Newcastle players I have a gut feeling for once this may well not be the case come five pm Saturday after the final whistle.

What do you think will happen?

CWL

[Deleted]

More stats from Opta about The Toon and Wigan............

Newcastle profited from a late goal last time out against Tottenham. These nuggets indicate that the same thing could happen when Wigan visit St James' Park...

Ryan Taylor has scored four goals in this fixture, all while playing for Wigan.

There have been four goals scored in the final five minutes of the last four meetings between Newcastle and Wigan.

Newcastle are unbeaten in 11 consecutive PL games for the first time since August 1997 (W5 D6).

Steven Taylor has blocked more opposition shots than any other player in the Premier League this season (14).

Wigan have won just one of their last 12 Premier League trips to play the three north east teams (W1 D5 L6).

Wigan have lost their last five Premier League games in a row, their worst run since November 2007

Only Wolves (6%) and QPR (7%) have converted a lower percentage of shots in to goals than Wigan (9%).

Wigan have only scored seven goals in their last nine Premier League matches and just three in their last six matches away from home.

Newcastle have the joint-best defence in the Premier League conceding just six goals so far, along with two clubs from Manchester.

The Magpies' defenders have cleared five shots off the goal-line this season, more than any other team.

CWL

[Jazz]

Thanks for great info from CWL re games, statistics etc.........better than the "Ronny Gill" by far!

[Nattfare]

Just like your match summaries your match previews are top notch CWL!

Should be three safe points indeed, which is why a cautionary finger should be raised really.

I hope we'll see Marveaux at the expense of Obertan today, it would be a good match for him to start in... not to mention that Obertan has provided very little to speak of so far.

Most likely though we'll still see the same team as before, which would make sense of course since they haven't lost yet.
But I think it would be nice if Ben Arfa, Marv and Santon were brought on pretty early in this game.

[Jazz]

Maybe Ben Arfa will be the key to this game.....he is an inspiring sort of player for the other guys, when he comes on. A real super supersub!

[Deleted]

All,

for those of you unable to attend games at Gallowgate for whatever reason here is the fifth of my match accounts for this season, including personal thoughts as a Newcastle supporter as the day’s events unfolded both outside and inside St James Park.

When compared to the previous Sunday’s fixture against Spurs the build up to the game against Wigan Athletic had been for the most part a low-key affair. That’s not to say there was a great deal of concern from myself about the quality of the opposition or the prospect of any Saturday home match with a 3pm kick being brushed off lightly. More a case of this one not quite setting the taste buds alight, as do other Premier League games. On making my way into Newcastle for the tie I wondered did this have anything to do with the fact The Toon for once were expected to win this one at a canter by a big margin?

While making my way to a more regular watering hole now Leazes was back with the Sand Dancers (no not those from South Shields) that nagging feeling about The Latics just would not go away. With the first round out of the way pre match training also took on a more familiar feel to it and as always following the usual handshakes, mutual back slapping and general taking of the p, the conversation turned to the game.

Predictions ranged from an easy three points by at least two goals, too more outrageous scores involving four or five goals. It is about then that dreaded voice of reason usually turns up (but never buys a round!). Reminding us all this is The Toon we are talking about and not Barca. After several more rounds of training and many yes but scenarios everyone was of a mind there is no problem lets just get the points.

Walking up to Gallowgate in the October sunshine I got the distinct impression the crowd was going to be a good one and to my horror found I had to queue to get in!
The main reason being a load of people with printed match day tickets not having a clue where the hell they were supposed to go………….to get in.

Having pointed a few fans in the right direction for where to get in I made my own way inside the ground. I had already heard during training that the starting eleven would be unchanged, however received something of a shock when I found out both Smith and Perch were on the bench. With about less than ten minutes to kick off it was also becoming obvious the home crowd had turned out in numbers again. As some of the empty sections witnessed last wekend in the Leazes End were filling up with people and two parts of the upper tier previously given over to away fans were also doing the same albeit slowly as stewards ushered fans into the seats. Not that they were in any danger of being harassed by the away support…………well what there was of it!

The game kicked off with The Mags attacking the Leazes End and the usual flurry of early exchanges resulting in very little. Although that could have been a very different story had Tim Krul not responded superbly to deny ex Toon target Victor Moses in the sixth minute. The first half pretty much summed up by both sides effectively cancelling each other out. Only a Leon Best header causing any concern for Al Habsi in the Wigan goal, along with a Raylor effort which probably looked closer to the goal from where I was sat the East Stand, than it did for the keeper who just let it go past his post.

Which brings me nicely to a point I would like to raise about one of the Wigan players, Rodallega. Now I keep reading rave reports about this lad and yet every time I have seen him play at SJP he just does not do it for me. This game was no different. Gets into some good areas then is unable to hit a barn door from five yards. Oh! Well, perhaps he just has off days at The Toon, nice lime green boots though!


Half time entertainment comprised of a penalty shoot out and was as forgettable as the first half had been. That said most of the chat during the break was very positive with many fans around me saying it was just a matter of time before we scored. Not sure where that optimism came from considering the lack of goal chances created in the first half.

The second half started with the early arrival of Hatem Ben Arfa for Leon Best. Both Leon and Demba had struggled against the central pairing of Caldwell and Alcaraz. The latter who I thought was outstanding for his team throughout the game and only rivalled for Wigan MotM by Mohamed Diame. If we are looking for a centre-back come the January transfer window then I reckon we could do a lot worse than going for Alcaraz.

The game was becoming a tactical as well as physical battle now as the half continued. Saylor certainly vouching for the physical element as he was ordered off repeatedly by referee Neil Swarbrick to receive attention for what at the time I thought was a bad cut to the head.

So the stalemate continued, despite tremendous endeavour from both teams with plenty of fans possibly forgiven for thinking it would end up as a goalless draw.

The reason it did not was down to a great move of wonderful quality and finished off with a strike worthy of winning any match not just this one. Newcastle had been building up a head of steam before we reached the 81st minute mark. With Hatem, Yohan, substitute Marveaux and Jonas all prodding and poking the resolute Wigan defence looking for an opening. It was hardly a surprise this eventually paid off with a goal. Following an intricate flowing move the ball was finally crossed into the area from the left to be received by Sylvain who simply laid it back for Yohan to do the rest. His delightful curling shot giving Al Habsi no chance. The roar and celebration that followed said it all.

Despite the sense of relief throughout the crowd the goal brought, Wigan could have and probably should have scored to level the game. Diame missing with a free header when well placed inside the area. In some way, this was a shame as the player had worked his socks off for his team and probably deserved the goal as the just reward his play merited. That miss was the end of Wigan’s belief and The Mags simply ran the clock down until the final whistle.

Positives………….that patience is a virtue and brings its own reward, the returning supporters in a magnificent crowd of 48,321 and Newcastle’s unbeaten run continues with the lads showing another side to their game.

Negatives...................that being patient is not something The Toon Army are comfortable with…………but we could be with this team!

Next up The Potters away in a Monday Night Halloween Special........... but before that The Mags have a job to do against Blackburn in the Carling Cup.

CWL

[Jazz]

Usual good report.....nice to have the atmosphere and build up to game too.....cheers CWL.

[Deleted]

CWL.....Udaman!!!!! Thx again.

[Fairscup]

Yet another great report CWL. Just a couple of observations from the far north.

Best - lucky not to receive red card for an atrocious tackle and what a difference Marveaux made coming on for the ineffective (as usual) Oberton.

[Fairscup]

Oct 24, 2011 10:30:06 GMT 1 Fairscup said:

Yet another great report CWL. Just a couple of observations from the far north.

Best - lucky not to receive red card for an atrocious tackle and what a difference Marveaux made coming on for the ineffective (as usual) Oberton.

Why on earth did they wait so long before making the change?

[Deleted]

Fairsy I can only think he was being careful with his last sub in case Saylor had to come off................... Once that was not part of it he sent on Marvelous.....as last throw of the dice.

CWL

[Deleted]

Oct 24, 2011 10:30:06 GMT 1 Fairscup said:

Yet another great report CWL. Just a couple of observations from the far north.

Best - lucky not to receive red card for an atrocious tackle and what a difference Marveaux made coming on for the ineffective (as usual) Oberton.

From inside the ground the Best challenge looked to me to be a hard but fair 50 50................... Not seen it on a TV replay although couple of people next to me later on said they thought he was late with the block.

CWL

[Deleted]

Tried to find a decent blog report of the game however most appear to talk about anything and everything except the match itself so here's an official Wigan view of events....................

www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10429~57693,00.html

Dominating................umm, err, No!

CWL