Anorthernsoul 1221 Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 TEAM NEWS Newcastle pair Moussa Sissoko and Jack Colback both return from suspension. Captain Fabricio Coloccini is unlikely to be risked as he continues to recover from a calf injury, while Mike Williamson, Daryl Janmaat and Sammy Ameobi all face fitness tests. Chelsea striker Diego Costa is available after a one-match ban, while defender Gary Cahill is set to play having recovered from concussion. However, influential midfielder Nemanja Matic is suspended. MATCH PREVIEW Just how do Newcastle go about trying to halt the Chelsea charge? Sunderland's 'contain and counter' approach worked a week ago, but there's something in the Newcastle DNA that says they can't play that way - even if most supporters would gladly take a draw now. Chelsea make a quick return to the North East on the brink of two club records. Avoiding defeat would mean new bests of 15 league games unbeaten from a season's start, and 24 competitive matches without losing any. You could travel to Mars in less time that has passed since Atletico Madrid's Champions League win at Stamford Bridge at the end of April! Little wonder that talk of Chelsea following Arsenal's 'Invincibles' into the Premier League history books grows by the game. Jose Mourinho won't have it, and declared weeks ago that going an entire season unbeaten is "impossible"- but even pragmatic, curmudgeonly Jose must have a flicker of 'maybe' buried somewhere deep inside. Mustn't he? Alan Pardew seemingly agreed with his opposite number this week - but read carefully. The 'impossible' word only came when talking about the season across all competitions, with a flawless league campaign only "difficult". Looking from the outside, a home win looks the most unlikely of the three possible outcomes, but there are some Chelsea fans viewing the game with a minor degree of trepidation. Maybe it's the fact that a Mourinho Chelsea team has never won a league game at St James's Park, drawing two and losing two. Or maybe it's down to the magnificent Nemanja Matic missing from their midfield through suspension? They might miss him more than they did (the returning!) Diego Costa against Spurs on Wednesday, especially with Moussa Sissoko back for Newcastle. The Frenchman's finest Magpies moment remains his two-goal home debut against Chelsea in February of last year, and Pardew says he does "owe the team a little bit" after his silly sending off at West Ham. No pressure Moussa, but it looks like you'd better have a good one. Newcastle Newcastle are unbeaten in five home matches (W3, D2), since their opening day defeat by Manchester City. They are currently enjoying a three-game winning run at St James' Park, keeping clean sheets in all of them. The Magpies have only conceded three goals in their last seven league matches. Alan Pardew's side have only scored three first-half goals this season - the fewest in the Premier League. They are yet to score before the 37th minute of any league game. Chelsea Chelsea can set a new club record of 24 matches unbeaten in all competitions by avoiding defeat on Saturday (W17, D6). They can become the fourth team in Premier League history to be unbeaten after the opening 15 games, emulating Arsenal (twice), Manchester City and Manchester United. Chelsea have only once previously been unbeaten over the first 14 games of a season, in the old Second Division in 1925-26. The Blues have kept only one clean sheet in seven away league games. Jose Mourinho's side have gained nine points from losing positions this season. Eden Hazard has scored four goals in three Premier League appearances against Newcastle United - more than against any other side. Difficult one lads Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noelie 103 Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 My concerns are many: Should Janmaat be fit will he be able to suppress that tricky little bugger Hazard? Will anyone be able to subdue him? Will our defense be able to control the box on corner kicks when Terry & Cahill threaten? Biggest concern is will Pardew get his starting line-up wrong and play a useless fucking idiotic strategy? Will he play a lone striker against Chelsea's formidable back four? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 My concerns are many: Should Janmaat be fit will he be able to suppress that tricky little bugger Hazard? Will anyone be able to subdue him? Will our defense be able to control the box on corner kicks when Terry & Cahill threaten? Biggest concern is will Pardew get his starting line-up wrong and play a useless fucking idiotic strategy? Will he play a lone striker against Chelsea's formidable back four? He will do all of those things. 3-3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 21922 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 I've got a strange feeling we might do alright today. We usually do against this lot at home. Plus the Mackems held them last week so why not? Try to defend well, hit them on the counter - just how pards likes to set it up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddockLad 17257 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Jose thinks we're a big club.......bottom of last paragraph.....article won't copy... http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/dec/05/jose-mourinho-newcastle-united-chelsea-stern-test Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoslingBeast 0 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 I feel it's time to give a Anita a chance, at right-back, to deal with Hazard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trooper 940 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Colo having a late fitness test according to physioroom.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 I feel it's time to give a Anita a chance, at right-back, to deal with Hazard. Hazard these days seems to be not as consistent as he used to be. /jinxed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howmanheyman 33197 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Savage, Mcmanaman and Owen. How many wankers does a BT studio need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClubSpinDoctor 0 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 I'm oddly a bit excited for this one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trooper 940 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Dis over ear & Dem over Derr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trooper 940 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Newcastle United 21 Elliot 22 Janmaat 27 Taylor 02 Coloccini 36 Dummett 24 Tioté 14 Colback 07 Sissoko 20 Cabella 28 Ameobi 17 Pérez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 30610 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Savage, Mcmanaman and Owen. How many wankers does a BT studio need? Their lack of knowledge on Newcastle is shocking. On the odd occasion they talk about us it's in entirely generic terms that could be used about any side or resort to stereotypes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trooper 940 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Substitutes 06 Williamson 08 Anita 09 Cissé 11 Gouffran 19 Haidara 29 Riviere 31 Alnwick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausman 0 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 I don't know why Pardew hasn't gone with Dummett and Colo in the centre and stuck with Haidara and Janmaat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 (edited) Their lack of knowledge on Newcastle is shocking. On the odd occasion they talk about us it's in entirely generic terms that could be used about any side or resort to stereotypes. And people wonder why Eng is failing to produce good managers. Every level of Eng football is chock with thickos. Edited December 6, 2014 by Park Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatty 24 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Dummett looks long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClubSpinDoctor 0 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Wonder if we'll manage any shots today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smooth Operator 10 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Any rivers on a pm would be grand.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 44872 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 The lack of commitment to get forward when we break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howmanheyman 33197 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Fair play, we're doing a good job of lulling them into a false sense of security by appearing to be unambitious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoslingBeast 0 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Tiote always a liability Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClubSpinDoctor 0 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 I've seen Tiote do at least 3 shit things already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 30610 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 That must have cheered you up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monroe Transfer 0 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Hold on to half time and we'll come in to this. Easier said than done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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