Peterborough v Newcastle United – Match preview.
Posted on April 2nd, 2010 | 115 Comments |
We could very well end up with a situation where a team gets promoted and relegated on the same pitch although, as said, that scenario is very much dependant on results at Bristol City, Watford, Sheffield Wednesday and the result of our match. Very much a top vs bottom clash then, the sort of clash that looks easy on paper only to end up becoming a banana skin as the underdog will invariably raise their game due to the possibility of taking the scalp of the league leaders in front of the home fans. Indeed that has already happened once this season in a Carling Cup tie at London Road with the hosts running out 2-0 winners on that occasion, something the lads will no doubt want to make amends for.
After enjoying a recent revival, Peterborough have now lost the last four consecutive games and find themselves struggling to name a squad of 18 for Saturday’s game. Despite all that their manager , Jim Gannon, remains upbeat and wants his charges to play with pride for the visit of the league leaders.
“The lads need to restore a bit of pride and we need to stop the rot as the last couple of games have ended in defeat,” Gannon said.
“Newcastle are a very good side and obviously deserve promotion the Premier League. They have been brilliant at home but have had one or two wobbles away from home.”
Aaron McLean, Mark Little, Craig Morgan, Izale McLeod and Chris Whelpdale are all sidelined for the hosts whilst there are fresh doubts over Ryan Bennett who broke down in training but could still feature. Liam Dickinson will be back in contention for the game aswell. Peterborough lined up in their last outing against Bristol City with a team of:
Peterborough: Lewis, Zakuani, Lee, Frecklington, Rowe, Mackail-Smith, Whelpdale, Griffiths, Koranteng, Simpson, Geohaghon.
In contrast, Newcastle are unbeaten in 10 matches and look like a side that has nothing to fear from this division. Fitz Hall and Steven Taylor are definately ruled out whilst Andy Carroll is rated as doubtful after picking up an ankle knock during Monday night’s victory over Nottingham Forest and probably wont be risked due to the return of Shola Ameobi. Alan Smith is available and should be in the squad which should leave us lining up like:
Newcastle United: Harper, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Enrique, Routledge, Nolan, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Ameobi, Lovenkrands.
London Road should be a sell-out and I shall be amongst a reported 4,400 Newcastle fans inside the gorund, no doubt with more Newcastle fans dotted around in the home end aswell. For me, I’d love to see promotion secured on Saturday to get the monkey off our backs at the earliest possible opportunity.
With regards to the game, on paper it should be a comfortable win for the Magpies. It’s a shame football isn’t played on paper though and Peterborough will no doubt find another level of play with a point to prove in front of the home fans.
My prediction: 1-2
Howay the lads!
Venue: London Road, Peterborough.
Date: Saturday, 3rd April, 2010.
Time: 3:00pm
NUFCBlog Author: toonsy
toonsy has written 643 articles on this blog.
It’s gotta be kind of hard to know that your success could spell doom for another team. On the one hand, you could get excited at the prospect of a return to the Top Flight, but on the other hand, you may feel guilty about dooming some players to the lower levels. If it was a bitter rival…say the unwashed across the Wear, then perhaps it’d be ok, but this isn’t a great rivalry…or really one at all, is it? So, I imagine it might be a little bit of a muted celebration should we win…
…that said…CRUSH ‘EM TOON!!