Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2011 13:11:04 GMT 1
Following their Boxing Day delight at Bolton The Toon head off back across the M62 again this Friday for an evening trip to Anfield to face Liverpool. There's only a point separating the two sides and with the confidence booster of Mondays result behind them The Mags may well be looking to pour more misery on the Scousers festive party. King Kenny has been moaning quite a bit about his side not getting what they deserve from games. Most recently after the one all draw with Blackburn.
It will be interesting to see what APee does in the way of team selection. Once again the long term injuries are both out plus Guthrie and Lovenkrands. The back four with keeper Krul should remain the same as Mike Williamson on his recall made a difference alongside Colo so I expect him to continue keeping Perch out. Don't anticipate much tinkering with the midfield either despite Ben Arfa having scored against The Trotters and Best proving ineffectual up front. The thing is APee does like to play 4 4 2 and he may well go for a similar line up as on Monday that will keep Hatem initially on the bench. That probably also indicates both Obertan and Jonas will retain their wide roles with a combination of Ba, Best or Shola starting in attack. Davide Santon may also be back on the bench next to Danny Gosling who has now completed his three match suspension.
This fixture could also see old boys Jose, Bellamy and Andy Carroll all facing The Toon. Another returnee to the Liverpool starting line up is possibly Steven Gerrard and he has a nasty habit of scoring against us when he does play. One player definitely missing is Luis Suarez banned for this game after pleading guilty to an FA misconduct charge over his finger gesture to Fulham fans at Craven Cottage.
On a pessimistic note Newcastle have failed to score in the last five away encounters against Liverpool although with Ba in terrific form at the moment I don't believe that will be the case this time.
As with Bolton I would take the draw now and anything more than that gratefully received as a massive bonus.
What do you think?
CWL
It will be interesting to see what APee does in the way of team selection. Once again the long term injuries are both out plus Guthrie and Lovenkrands. The back four with keeper Krul should remain the same as Mike Williamson on his recall made a difference alongside Colo so I expect him to continue keeping Perch out. Don't anticipate much tinkering with the midfield either despite Ben Arfa having scored against The Trotters and Best proving ineffectual up front. The thing is APee does like to play 4 4 2 and he may well go for a similar line up as on Monday that will keep Hatem initially on the bench. That probably also indicates both Obertan and Jonas will retain their wide roles with a combination of Ba, Best or Shola starting in attack. Davide Santon may also be back on the bench next to Danny Gosling who has now completed his three match suspension.
This fixture could also see old boys Jose, Bellamy and Andy Carroll all facing The Toon. Another returnee to the Liverpool starting line up is possibly Steven Gerrard and he has a nasty habit of scoring against us when he does play. One player definitely missing is Luis Suarez banned for this game after pleading guilty to an FA misconduct charge over his finger gesture to Fulham fans at Craven Cottage.
On a pessimistic note Newcastle have failed to score in the last five away encounters against Liverpool although with Ba in terrific form at the moment I don't believe that will be the case this time.
As with Bolton I would take the draw now and anything more than that gratefully received as a massive bonus.
What do you think?
CWL
