Newcastle United vs Southampton F.C

[The Fish 10963]

Newcastle United vs Southampton

 

Newcastle United host Southampton as the last game before the Xmas run of 5 games in 3 weeks. Palace, Stoke, Arsenal, West Brom and Cardiff. Now I know the merits/futility of comparing blocks of fixtures; however when you look at the team we have available and the form of the teams we are to face, you could very well see us stepping into the Transfer Window comfortably in the top 6. West Brom, Southampton and of course Arsenal are the toughest tests, fortunately the latter two (the tougher) are home games, the other three are all very winnable.

 

We will be without Cabaye and Debuchy will which likely see a return for Anita & Mbiwa respectively. Southampton will be without the influential Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Boruc and Clyne. Gazzaniga is as big a step down from Boruc as Elliott is from Krul and while Cork and Ward-Prowse are doing ok, they too are a significant drop in quality from Schneiderlin and Wanyama. I doubt they’ve the physicality to match Sissoko and Tiote and we should really look to bully the centre of the pitch as we did so well against Man U’s powder puff midfield. Lallana is without a doubt their danger man and must be starved of the ball if we’re to get a clean sheet. Osvaldo (scored an absolute worldy) isn’t likely to dominate our centre halves like Benteke or Lukaku can, nor pull them around like Suarez or Long will. So stopping Lallana is a must. I think Remy and Gouffran should start, though I’d probably give Ben Arfa a good 30 minutes or so at least. Shaw is a cracking attacking left back, but I think he and Chambers’ inexperience can be exposed if they face mobile, skilful players. Ameobi should regain his place, as Lovren and Fonte would bully Remy (or Cisse) out of the game and I think , while dropping him for Man U was the right decision, Shola at home is a different beast (emphasis on beast).

 

Away from home, most of their attacks come down the right so I’d definitely have initially gone for Gouffran and Santon on that side, however, with Mbiwa taking the right back position in Debuchy’s likely absence, I’d be tempted to give him the added protection against Shaw and Rodriguez instead. My concern is the Cabaye shaped hole. He isn’t just the player with the most assists, he provides the competence through which we turn defence into controlled possession and then into attack. Anita is tidy, Tiote can be a destructive force and Sissoko is a machine. None of them have Yohan’s guile, his subtle invention or simply his range of passing. I expect us to go long much more than we have been.

 

They’re on a run of one win in 6, and while that one victory came at home to Hull, they have met 3 of the top 4, and the losses haven’t been convincing, so I’d not put too much stock in their recent results. We’ve been impressive at home (4 wins from 6) and they’ve been shaky away (1 win & 3 losses from 6), but I still have concerns about this game. We’re just too unpredictable, they’re well organised, well drilled at set pieces and in Lallana, they’ve a real game changer. We’re missing our lodestone.

 

2-2

Edited December 14, 2013 by Tom

[Howmanheyman 33828]

 

Newcastle United vs Southampton

 

Newcastle United host Southampton as the last game before the Xmas run of 5 games in 3 weeks. Palace, Stoke, Arsenal, West Brom and Cardiff. Now I know the merits/futility of comparing blocks of fixtures; however when you look at the team we have available and the form of the teams we are to face, you could very well see us stepping into the Transfer Window comfortably in the top 6. West Brom, Southampton and of course Arsenal are the toughest tests, fortunately the latter two (the tougher) are home games, the other three are all very winnable.

 

We will be without Cabaye and Debuchy will which likely see a return for Anita & Mbiwa respectively. Southampton will be without the influential Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Boruc and Clyne. Gazzaniga is as big a step down from Boruc as Elliott is from Krul and while Cork and Ward-Prowse are doing ok, they too are a significant drop in quality from Schneiderlin and Wanyama. I doubt they’ve the physicality to match Sissoko and Tiote and we should really look to bully the centre of the pitch as we did so well against Man U’s powder puff midfield. Lallana is without a doubt their danger man and must be starved of the ball if we’re to get a clean sheet. Osvaldo (scored an absolute worldy) isn’t likely to dominate our centre halves like Benteke or Lukaku can, nor pull them around like Suarez or Long will. So stopping Lallana is a must. I think Remy and Gouffran should start, though I’d probably give Ben Arfa a good 30 minutes or so at least. Shaw is a cracking attacking left back, but I think he and Chambers’ inexperience can be exposed if they face mobile, skilful players. Ameobi should regain his place, as Lovren and Fonte would bully Remy (or Cisse) out of the game and I think , while dropping him for Man U was the right decision, Shola at home is a different beast (emphasis on beast).

 

Away from home, most of their attacks come down the right so I’d definitely have initially gone for Gouffran and Santon on that side, however, with Mbiwa taking the right back position in Debuchy’s likely absence, I’d be tempted to give him the added protection against Shaw and Rodriguez instead. My concern is the Cabaye shaped hole. He isn’t just the player with the most assists, he provides the competence through which we turn defence into controlled possession and then into attack. Anita is tidy, Tiote can be a destructive force and Sissoko is a machine. None of them have Yohan’s guile, his subtle invention or simply his range of passing. I expect us to go long much more than we have been.

 

They’re on a run of one win in 6, and while that one victory came at home to Hull, they have met 3 of the top 4, and the losses haven’t been convincing, so I’d not put too much stock in their recent results. We’ve been impressive at home (4 wins from 6) and they’ve been shaky away (1 win & 3 losses from 6), but I still have concerns about this game. We’re just too unpredictable, they’re well organised, well drilled at set pieces and in Lallana, they’ve a real game changer. We’re missing our lodestone.

 

2-2

 

FYP

 

Tough game I think, I wouldn't be too disappointed with a draw if I'm honest, especially with Cabaye missing and it being after The Lord Mayor's show.

[Tom 14013]

So this is the match thread?

[Howmanheyman 33828]

No, this is a tribute.

[Tom 14013]

[Howmanheyman 33828]

Aeris: "Write the best OP match thread in the World or I'll eat your soul."

 

Fish: "ok."

 

Newcastle vs Southampton

Newcastle United host Southampton as the last game before the Xmas run of 5 games in 3 weeks. Palace, Stoke, Arsenal, West Brom and Cardiff. Now I know the merits/futility of comparing blocks of fixtures; however when you look at the team we have available and the form of the teams we are to face, you could very well see us stepping into the Transfer Window comfortably in the top 6. West Brom, Southampton and of course Arsenal are the toughest tests, fortunately the latter two (the tougher) are home games, the other three are all very winnable.

We will be without Cabaye and Debuchy will which likely see a return for Anita & Mbiwa respectively. Southampton will be without the influential Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Boruc and Clyne. Gazzaniga is as big a step down from Boruc as Elliott is from Krul and while Cork and Ward-Prowse are doing ok, they too are a significant drop in quality from Schneiderlin and Wanyama. I doubt they’ve the physicality to match Sissoko and Tiote and we should really look to bully the centre of the pitch as we did so well against Man U’s powder puff midfield. Lallana is without a doubt their danger man and must be starved of the ball if we’re to get a clean sheet. Osvaldo (scored an absolute worldy) isn’t likely to dominate our centre halves like Benteke or Lukaku can, nor pull them around like Suarez or Long will. So stopping Lallana is a must. I think Remy and Gouffran should start, though I’d probably give Ben Arfa a good 30 minutes or so at least. Shaw is a cracking attacking left back, but I think he and Chambers’ inexperience can be exposed if they face mobile, skilful players. Ameobi should regain his place, as Lovren and Fonte would bully Remy (or Cisse) out of the game and I think , while dropping him for Man U was the right decision, Shola at home is a different beast (emphasis on beast).

Away from home, most of their attacks come down the right so I’d definitely have initially gone for Gouffran and Santon on that side, however, with Mbiwa taking the right back position in Debuchy’s likely absence, I’d be tempted to give him the added protection against Shaw and Rodriguez instead. My concern is the Cabaye shaped hole. He isn’t just the player with the most assists, he provides the competence through which we turn defence into controlled possession and then into attack. Anita is tidy, Tiote can be a destructive force and Sissoko is a machine. None of them have Yohan’s guile, his subtle invention or simply his range of passing. I expect us to go long much more than we have been.

They’re on a run of one win in 6, and while that one victory came at home to Hull, they have met 3 of the top 4, and the losses haven’t been convincing, so I’d not put too much stock in their recent results. We’ve been impressive at home (4 wins from 6) and they’ve been shaky away (1 win & 3 losses from 6), but I still have concerns about this game. We’re just too unpredictable, they’re well organised, well drilled at set pieces and in Lallana, they’ve a real game changer. We’re missing our lodestone.

2-2

 

 

 

 

[The Fish 10963]

So this is the match thread?

No, it absolutely is not.

[JaMoUsE 0]

Where has this info about Debuchy being injured came from? Pards said everyone fit other than ryan taylor.

[Andrew 4856]

Where has this info about Debuchy being injured came from? Pards said everyone fit other than ryan taylor.

 

http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php

 

expected back 14th of december apparently.

[Kid Dynamite 7169]

Tomorrow then?

[Andrew 4856]

Aye, no mention of a late fitness test for the next match or owt though and thats expected return to full training so (assuming PR is right) he hasnt trained properly this week

[JaMoUsE 0]

Cant see him not playing, looks like the same team again with Anita in CM and either Hatem or Shola further up

[The Fish 10963]

Newcastle v Southampton Sat 3pm

 

This will be a real test between two sides enjoying a decent season

Ian Horrocks

 

Alan Pardew is keen to beat his former club, and fellow interlopers at the top end of the league. Newcastle are on a great run, and cruised to a win against Manchster United last week. They are a match for anyone on their day, and Saints' attacking style may suit United.

Yohan Cabaye is suspended robbing Newcastle of their dynamo, but Vurnon Anita can assume the extra responsibility, with perhaps Shola Ameobi recalled up front. Or Hatem Ben Arfa slotting in to Cabaye's No10 attacking midfielder role?

Pardew knew most of Southampton's youngsters when he was boss, and says they have emerged as brilliant prospects for English football.

Prediction: 2-1

 

 

 

 

 

AND CHANGE THE FUCKING THREAD TITLE!

Edited December 13, 2013 by The Fish

[JonTheMag 4]

I would be tempted to play Ben Arfa in the role that Cabaye played last match against Man Utd. Hatem looked well up for it in his appearance against Man U, and he offers much more creativity than a midfield duo of Tiote-Anita.

[Kid Dynamite 7169]

Got to be

 

Anita Tiote Sissoko

 

Barfa Remy Goiffran

[aimaad22 4222]

I'd go with that too.

 

Cabaye and Debuchy will be a real miss though. They bring so much energy and guile, along with the quality.

[JonTheMag 4]

Most sources are saying Debuchy will be fit to play. From SkySports:

 

However, Cabaye's French team-mate, Mathieu Debuchy, returns to the squad following a hip injury, while Ryan Taylor remains sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Edited December 13, 2013 by JonTheMag

[Rayvin 5295]

We should beat Southampton. Fairly comfortably as well, given the sorts of teams we've been turning over. Also feel like we're a better team - they may be better managed though, so that could play a part. A banana peel of a game, but a 'should win' game nonetheless.

[Monroe Transfer 0]

Hoping Anita takes his opportunity here, big role to play with Cabaye out.

[Howmanheyman 33828]

We should beat Southampton. Fairly comfortably as well, given the sorts of teams we've been turning over. Also feel like we're a better team - they may be better managed though, so that could play a part. A banana peel of a game, but a 'should win' game nonetheless.

Who's else has been comfortably beating Southampton this season?

 

We're at home which is great but we're without Cabaye who's looking back to form. I was impressed with these last year and they've improved since. This will be a tough game and if we aren't on our toes we'll regret it. I expect a close game with the odd goal deciding it.

[Andrew 4856]

Who's else has been comfortably beating Southampton this season?

 

We're at home which is great but we're without Cabaye who's looking back to form. I was impressed with these last year and they've improved since. This will be a tough game and if we aren't on our toes we'll regret it. I expect a close game with the odd goal deciding it.

 

100% agreed. Its easy to underestimate them but they are a very good, dangerous side.

[Christmas Tree 4821]

Would have thought it will be 442 from Pardew

 

Debuchy Williamson Coloccini Santon

 

Sissoko Tiote Anita Gouffran

 

Remy Shola

[Tom 14013]

I'd go with the above.

 

Daft as it is Southampton are a dangerous side and we are getting better at battling for results. I'm hoping if we play direct we can disrupt them.

 

(although - old fashioned as it may be - I would play a 'keeper)

[Rayvin 5295]

I approve of the thread subtitle change!

 

And yes, I basically agree about Southampton. Thing is, I go into every game we play thinking "this is gonna be a tough game, not sure we'll have what it takes" and just once I decided I would approach it with some optimism in order to enjoy it a bit more!

 

But if you're gonna be all realistic then yes, they're definitely capable of causing us problems. I want to believe we're just better through the middle though.

Edited December 13, 2013 by Rayvin

[Park Life 71]

Tough game. They've got good results/performance this season against the top sides. Strangely confident however. Sneaky win.