Well that's a turn up for the books! Usually players return fit and hungry for a game against West Ham (even Michael Owen!) so when you read that three of the opposition's first choice players will not be taking the field, you have to smile and wonder if our fortunes are changing.
It would be even better, of course, if Cabaye were deemed not to be right mentally for the game, with a switch to either Arsenal or Paris SG looking more and more probable. In fact, it might be an idea for Sullivan and Gold to "go public" on a £20m bid for the talented midfielder on the eve of the game, prompting Wenger to make another bid on the morning of the match.
Pardew is asking the Newcastle fans to judge him after three games, which suggests a degree of confidence ahead of back to back home games against West Ham and Fulham. But Pardew was confident ahead of the Sunderland game at the back end of last season, and look what happened there!
Nolan will have his tail up for this fixture of course but Newcastle will come out of the blocks fast, anxious to make up for the tonking at the Etihad. We will need to be mentally strong and organised at the back as we won this fixture last season and need to conjure up 47 points this time around just to stand still.
No Carroll of course, but Newcastle are without at least three key men so...
What's your prediction for the game then?
ReplyDeleteYoung dummet making his home debut at left back I would be tempted to play downing and jarvis on the wings. Gutierrez is the man they play ahead of a less experienced defender as he doubles up so without a lb and cover they will be exposed on their left and from what I have seen of debouchy. That guy could get send off half a dozen times this season. Can you imagine the frustration of jarvis and downing running past him the entire game making him look like a mug. If jarvis and downing alternate flanks during the game it could get interesting. And ofcoursr the way they dumped kev he will be up for a goal and last year we beat them up there without carroll. I predict a draw and would be happy with a point
ReplyDeleteWhat is YOUR prediction for the game HF?
ReplyDeleteSuperstition prevents me predicting or betting on a West Ham result.
ReplyDeleteYeah right, what you mean is you don't want to say incase you get it wrong! You don't have to say score but win lose or draw
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