ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Newcastle United - Derby day preview (Howay the Lads)

Posted by Marc Duffy on 08/17/2011

It is far too early in the season for a Tyne/ Wear derby and a trip down to the darklands. For starters we still haven't signed our new, big money superstar striker that the boss promised us 200 or so days ago!

We don't even have a senior left back on our books - but don't let all of that concern you - I'm sure both positions will have been adequately filled by the time the transfer window closes *cough splutter*

Of the new boys who played in our season opener against Arsenal last week, Gabriel Obertan was the most impressive. He showed an exceptional turn of pace and played a couple of lovely short passes - he may well find himself with a starting place.

Cabaye looked neat and tidy, though he looked exhausted by the time he came off! Demba Ba was anonymous and looked totally out of sorts - though I am convinced we will see big things from him if he can stay fit. I still don't know if his withdrawal at half time was tactical or injury enforced.

The mackems have brought in a few new players of their own. Presumably at the request of their shirt sponsor, Tombola online bingo, they signed a couple of elderly folk from Manchester United. They also signed a teenage striker for a fee that equates to £615,385 for each of the goals he managed in his two years in the Championship. Add a few relegated midfielders into the equation and they have themselves a team.

Am I confident? We have a phenomenal record down there and were very unlucky to only come away with a solitary point last season. Pardew has asked us not to expect too much from the first few games as the new boys settle, but they have brought in more than us so I'm hoping he has a more confident approach in the dressing room!

If Tiote overcomes the knock that he picked up vs Arsenal we could boss the midfield. Mackem slayer Shola Ameobi will be looking to add to his excellent derby goalscoring tally.
Assuming that he starts at left back, who would back against Ryan Taylor lashing in a free kick? Our defenders love scoring down there. Marveaux could also feature after coming through a practice game vs Gateshead on Wednesday.

There won't be too many changes to the starting XI from the Arsenal game: Krul, Simpson, R Taylor, S Taylor, Coloccini, Gutierrez, Barton, Cabaye, Tiote, Ameobi, Ba/ Obertan - that's not a bad side.

Joey will once again be in for a torrid afternoon both on the pitch and from the terraces - he will do well to keep his head down and do what he does best after the shenanigans of the past seven days!

Howard Webb will be in charge and this will be his third Tyne/ Wear derby game.

I find it amazing that one of the most intense derby games in football has no live TV coverage in the UK for the second year running!

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Comments

Posted by Craig on 08/17/2011

I would start with Best and Obertan up front, and look to bring Ba on in the second half. Ameobi looked beyond poor on Saturday, think he has only managed one goal in ten years at the SOS?

Posted by Snowdogjrr on 08/18/2011

Best, Ameobi, Ba... "bah, humbug," I say! These are not the strikers that make a NUFC fan confident in the coming season. I'd much rather see us hang on to Ranger and give him some decent, big minutes as a starter, to see what he can do. The guy is only 20, and sure, he didn't score last year, but he was a game changer when he did come in. We know what we'll get from Ameobi - a goal every five games. The potential in Ranger is far greater than the actual ability of Ameobi.

Posted by steve shear on 08/18/2011

If Newcastle don't have a new striker to start on Saturday at the SOS then let's go with Ranger and Lovenkrands, as for BAB (Best/Ameobi/Ba)the less said about them the better, if Ranger and/or Lovenkrands are unavailable the go with Williamson and Obertan up front, yes, that's how highly I rate BAB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by tt9m on 08/18/2011

Shola
Barton
Marveaux Obertan
Tiote Cabaye
Jonas Colo Taylor Simpson
Krul.

3-0. Toon. HTFL.

Posted by jamienich on 08/18/2011

Krul, Simpson, Colo, S.Taylor, Ferguson, Tiote, Cabaye, Barton, Jonas, Obertan & Shola. I know that R.Taylor will start but Ferguson showed real promise when he played last year, my only concern would be he's the size of an 8 year old girl. On the striker front, you can't drop Shola against the scum! Obertan looked good so give him the big game challenge we can always bring Best on in the 2nd half, he's not the greatest striker but has an uncanny talent of just being there to tap in an open goal. Ba looked poor first game but this was vs a top 4 team, Ranger needs more time on the pitch but not in a derby & I wouldn't have Lovenkrands in the reserves let alone the first team (hands down our most ineffective player). saying that, last time I slated him he scored the winner!!! What ever happens 1 thing is gauranteed, head lines will all be about Barton.

Posted by Aaron on 08/18/2011

I'm a bit worried about our wing-backs; or lack thereof. The transfer window shuts soon and the £35m from Andy Carr*ll has yet to be reinvested. I'm aware of our acquisitions but I feel that we haven't even spent half of it! With so many departures we need to at least sign a wing back; ideally a striker would be nice too.

To be honest, I'm feeling about even for the summer. I'm not happy but at the same time I'm a little satisfied. That is to say we keep Barton.

Lineup? I really don't care except for the back line, and as far as that goes, I'm only certain that Colo and Taylor are the center backs.

Only a few days left til end of August!

Final score, 3-2 Newcastle. Sundersh*t get a red card and we both get two yellows. For us, most likely Tiote and Barton.

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