Newcastle v Blackpool – Match preview.

Posted on September 10th, 2010 | 97 Comments |

Welcome back Tangerine Army!
Welcome back Tangerine Army!
Domestic football action resumes this weekend as Blackpool visit Newcastle in a battle of two recently promoted sides.

On the surface of it this game couldn’t have been at a more fitting time. A game at home in which Newcastle will be favourites for, a feel-good factor and sense of anticipation regarding our new signings and our steady start to the season all combine to make this match very eagerly anticipated indeed.

Whilst the game is anticipated, we must not forget the danger that Blackpool pose for us. It would be just like Newcastle to do something daft like lose tomorrow afternoon, well the Newastle of old certainly would have, although I have a sneaky feeling that this squad take nothing for granted and will give it their best shot a getting the three points.

New boys Hatem Ben Arfa, Cheick Tiote and Sol Campbell are all fit and ready to make their first team debuts against The Tangerines although I personally doubt that all three of them will be given a start. Andy Carroll has declared himself fit and ready for action after shaking off an ankle injury that has been dogging him since before the match against Wolves. Leon Best, Danny Simpson, Danny Guthrie, Dan Gosling and Steven Taylor are all still sidelined through injury whilst Xisco starts a three-match ban after being sent off in the reserve game against Sunderland last week.

I expect that Hughton will name an unchanged side again tomorrow. That is fair enough as our current lads deserve the chance and our new boys must earn the right to be in the starting line-up. With that in mind I expect a starting line-up of;

Newcastle – Steve Harper, James Perch, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Colocinni, Jose Enrique, Wayne Routledge, Alan Smith, Joey Barton, Jonas Gutierrez, Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll.

As I mentioned earlier, Newcastle will have to be wary of Blackpool. I know some may find it a bit early to call this a ‘six pointer’, but a win at home against a fellow promoted side should be the aim. Let’s not forget that Blackpool were one of only four teams to beat us in the league last season!

Blackpool have a few injuries but will be boosted by the return of Marlon Harewood – our former loanee – to the starting XI. Their last game was a 2-2 draw at home against Fulham where they lined up with a team of;

Blackpool – Matt Gilks, Alex Baptiste, Craig Cathcart, Ian Evatt, Stephen Crainey, David Vaughan, Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Charlie Adam, Elliot Grandin, Luke Varney, Brett Ormerod.

The match tomorrow will be the 60th encounter between the two sides, and it is Newcastle who have marginally the better record – 26 wins to 25. Blackpool’s last victory on Tyneside came in 1970/71 where the visitors ran out 2-1 winners.

Newcastle have the highest ‘shots on target’ ratio in the Premier League – 65% of all of our shots have been on target. We also have the honour of conceding the fewest ‘shots on target’ so far this season – just 5 shots against us have been on target. On the other hand, Blackpool have allowed their opponents the most shots on target, 22 to be precise.

It is definately a winnable game, although most of us will be looking on to see how our new boys get on. I hope they all hit the ground running. I also think it will be a tight game tomorrow and Newcastle will have to make sure they are professional and don’t get complacent.

My prediction: Newcastle 2-0 Blackpool.

Howay the lads!

Date – Saturday, 11th September, 2010.

Time – 15:00.

Venue – St James’ Park, God’s country (Newcastle).

NUFCBlog Author: toonsy toonsy has written 643 articles on this blog.

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97 Responses

  3. Tiote in for Smith would be the only starting change I would like to see. Obviously HBA is the one we are all waiting for but 30-45mins for him in his first match is what I’d expect!

    Prediction 3-1 toon!

  4. Batty, I think it’s more likely he will drop Smith to play either HBA or Tiote. Although I think Toonsy’s selection is more likely with HBA getting a large chunk of pitch time at some point.
    I would be gutted if Blackpool even took a point from us.

  5. i bet my last dollar that AC wont be risked. Start with Shola – Smith on bench for Ben Arfa from the start(we dont need to be too defensive minded – and i think CH has prepared the ground by saying that nobodys too big to be dropped. HBA to come off after 60 minutes to warm applause having seen us 3-0 up and him scoring on his debut – to be replaced by Tiotte and Sol for MW after 80 minutes.
    A win – 4-0 (shola 2, HBA, Barton)
    thatll do for me Tommy!!

  7. imagine this:
    We draw or loose,
    We are relegated

    We will look back at the season and say “we could, and should, have of got all three points against Blackpool at home”

    This game IS a 6 pointer, a one which we need to not loose.

    I think a few on here need reminded that we are a newly promoted club to the premiership, we’re not Barca, and we cant chop and change with players and formations as we wish. If it works and gets points, stick with it, and for the past few games our team has worked. I think CH is to pragmatic to change the starting 11, so for me, it will be the same line up, 3-1 to the toon, Tiote and Ben Arfa to make sub appearances.
    HWTL

  8. ILM try tellin chris that though ,the bookies have got us down for a narrow win so if ya fancy 3 1 get on at aroond 12s 14s m8

  10. Carroll has declared himself fit, CH has to start him, been our stand out player. If he’s feeling it at the hour mark and we’re comfortable, get him off then. Wonder how limited Lovenkrands’ pitch time will be now.. can’t help but feel for the lad

  12. I’d like to see Arfa start, but it would be nice to see him come on later to a very nice ovation form the supporters. I think that would make him appreciate where he landed even more.

  13. batts, being match ready doesn’t equal being match fit, I think both will come in gradually. But I don’t know, as I said, I think CH wants points, and the team he has put out in the last couple of games has got them, so why change? If it isn’t going our way, cool, bring Ben Arfa on for half an hour, change it up a bit, but to change a team which is playing well for each other and getting points? hmm doesn’t sound like the right thing to do to me.

    12s and 14s eh for 3-1? tell ya what, not a bad bet, ill check that out at the ground after I see the line ups ;)

  14. i love mike..yes u are right in some points..but this league is so poor we can beat anybody and that home record must still be intact come tomoz night..keep carrol fit the goals will keep coming nobdy has and will get any body to stopp carrol in the air..big advantage we have got on all the teams we can play on the deck or go long for carrol.lot of other teams have got no plan b..with ben arfa and the other signings we have got options which we needed for cover for injuries so that part of it is looking good also.

  16. I don’t think we will get a slack performance tomorow because for the first time in a while people are looking over their shoulders and playing for their shirts with internationals on the bench.

  18. The FA confirm that Xisco’s three match ban commences on September 14th – two weeks after the offence. ;)

  19. As far as changes goits not just a question of taking out one defensive mf and replacing with another, there’s the issue of how the replacement will fit in with those around him, will he be on the same wavelength etc

    There’s no reason to change the starting line up tomorrow especially as its Blackpool at home and not one of the top 4. By all means give the players a seat on the bench and get them to “read” the game for the first time at a competitive level.

    Ultimately when all are fit I’d like to see a mobile front three with a playmaker directly behind them so we can attack as a fluid, dynamic unit.

    Back that up with any two from Barton, Gosling, Guthrie, Nolan, Smith etc and give the full backs licence to roam and Robert is your father’s brother:)

    Dont tell me the WC hasnt taught CH anything

  20. Im not bothered about if its 2-1 or 5-0 tbh. A draw though would be 2 points dropped tomorow. With all respect to blackpool, pool at home will be every teams most winnable game this season.

  22. jay jay says:
    September 10, 2010 at 2:32 pm
    My prediction, 5-0 and a sore head Sunday morning.<<<<< at least ya will be back in battle :)

  23. This hopefully will be one of those games where everybody worries because we’re due a bad result. Then we kick off and within first half an hour we’ve banged 3 past them. Hopefully anyway. I liked what hoots said aboot Benny. ”He’s a very, very gifted footballer who can play anywhere across the forward line”

  26. Batty I’m up and then back down tomorrow mate, but gonna get the bus over to battlehill to visit my gran. Haven’t enough time to be spotted fishing in seaton sluice though :)

  27. Itchin for this game tomo, really think we’ll get 3 points but it wont be easy.

    Should be able to pick up live streaming on iraqgoals site and apparantly Footy Focus is doing a big piece on the game as its thier main game on MOTD.

    Benny gonna rip it up!!!

  28. Right, who here uses Sopcast? Is it any good? Is it reliable? Decent quality? Easy to install? Doesn’t hammer a shitload of viruses onto the computer etc?

  29. Toontastico

    Aye Lawro is up here for footy focus on bbc 1 at 11.30. Don’t know if its a good thing or not being on MoTD first coz if we lse or draw they will make a huge thing about our home record and if we stuff them 5-0 or something, teams will come with more preperation than Villa did.

  31. toonsy

    http://www.firstrow.net/

    has seemed canny for links to me reciently. Ive faffed on with the tv ants and sopcast things in the past and I think its best just to go off a normal site where if one gets dumped for copyright infringement you can quickly try several others.

  33. Batty 6, thats why I said Toonsie’s selection more probable also CH is likely to be happy with the performances so far so why change them. I reckon two or three games on we will see HBA and Tiote starting games with Smith and someone else? on the bench.

  34. Pleased im goin tomorow though and get to see Benny in the flesh. Can never judge a player on youtube or MoTD like you can in the flesh, where you get to watch their movement off the ball ect aswell.

  35. “Right, who here uses Sopcast? Is it any good? Is it reliable? Decent quality? Easy to install? Doesn’t hammer a shitload of viruses onto the computer etc?”

    I’ve always used Sopcast Toonsy as I tend to think its one of the more reliable viewing software options. It does open another programme alongside it called Sopcast advertising (something like that) but you can close that down with Windows Task Manager or whatever your op sys uses to end processes without losing Sopcast itself.

    Additionally it always opens in it own window so you can still browse other sites such as Good Housekeeping or Better Gardening without losing the Sopcast screen.

  37. Might not be such a bad thing Campbell getting on thinking about it. Harewood is basically a big bully aint he. So if we have Campbell the big bear on, he can stick the nut on him in the air ect and make him go missing.

  39. AndyMac says:
    September 10, 2010 at 3:17 pm
    “Right, who here uses Sopcast? Is it any good? Is it reliable? Decent quality? Easy to install? Doesn’t hammer a shitload of viruses onto the computer etc?”

    I’ve always used Sopcast Toonsy as I tend to think its one of the more reliable viewing software options. It does open another programme alongside it called Sopcast advertising (something like that) but you can close that down with Windows Task Manager or whatever your op sys uses to end processes without losing Sopcast itself.

    Additionally it always opens in it own window so you can still browse other sites such as Good Housekeeping or Better Gardening without losing the Sopcast screen.

    You should be called AppleMac!

  40. AndyMac says:
    September 10, 2010 at 3:17 pm

    Additionally it always opens in it own window so you can still browse other sites such as Good Housekeeping or Better Gardening

    yeah right, more like playboy mansion. ;)

  42. I’m predicting 3-1 to the Toon tomorrow, I think their pace upfront with DJ Campbell and Varney will pose a few problems and get them a goal. If Tarzan is fit I would keep the same team as they are doing the business at the moment.

    I’d like to see either HBA, Tiote, Ameobi or Lovenkrands get some game time if we are winning comfortably as I think the attacking players on that list would be lethal if we played on the counter.

    Just a shame I only have mobile internet as the streams won’t work =(

    Come on the Toon!

  46. Gutted this one’s not on TV; no chance of getting there. I would hope for a decent gate too – up towards 50k there to see our new signings.

    Benny to take the field off the bench so as to make an entrance; Shola to start with Loverboy up front. Not sure about Tiote; again – may not start.

    Sol probably more likely to start if fit; he’s just what you need when trying to suppress a team like that who will come at us out of the blocks.

    At the end of the day, only CH really has a clue what’ll work, as he’s seen them train together. Whatever the formation is, it’ll be for good reason and I suspect it’ll work.

    2-1 to us, I think. Harewood may just get one just for the irony value. Shola for the others, with one assist from Benny.

    Specific? Me??

  47. Oh, and Toonsy – Sopcast not too bad. One of the least shite of a shite breed.

    Anyone got any confirmed streams?

  48. Strange feeling about tomorrow lads. They lost 6-0 in their last away match. We won 6-0 in our last home game. Should be 12-0 then! I’ll take 1-0 with an extra time OG.
    Maybe memories of relegation season are still too strong and I’m being too conservative. Hopefully it’ll be a cruise with Benny getting on and scoring.

  49. Why cant we watch what we want on tv in this country without someone having to own copyright and hold everybody to ransom for millions of pounds. It sad really, in other countries people like Murdock would be in the defendants dock with people throwing tomatoes at him.

  50. DJG: Yep, I hate the fact that England is the only country where you can’t watch the ENGLISH premier league matches. Utterly perverse. Personally, I’d only throw a tomato at that aussie get if I thought there was a reasonable chance of him choking on it…

  51. No confirmed streams as yet but .com tells us that these overseas channels are showing it live so there’s bound to be a few links nearer ko time.
    AD Sports HD8
    Cable TV CH305 (Hong Kong)
    Fox Soccer Plus (USA) (delay)
    Fox Sports 3 (Australia)
    Setanta Sports Canada (delay)
    Viasat Xtra PL

  52. Gawd, I miss the Black Cat pub (ironic name, eh) in Whitehaven: had more satellite dishes than NASA and always found some dodgy feed to show matches. Can’t find an equivalent down here in Devon. :(

  53. “Why cant we watch what we want on tv in this country without someone having to own copyright and hold everybody to ransom for millions of pounds”

    I remember a certain pub in a certain part of Jesmond showing oversea sateliite matches and the place was heaving but then they got visited by the gestapo and all that is now a distant memory :(

  55. AndyMac

    how do you get thoses channels?, do you have to have a big 1980’s communist russia satelite dish or something.

  57. The reason the games arent on TV when there is a full schedule of games (3pm Sat) is so that more fans actually go to the games rather than watching on TV. Hence the reason why foreign countries have more EPL games live including at 3pm on Sat as it wont really effect attendences if they show it live in Spain for example.
    Back to the game tomorrow this game stinks of Hull two years ago. Exactly the same situation, 4 points from opening 3 games, playing a newly promoted team at home after the international break. This year we will see a different newcastle, i hope, one that has grit and team spirit to overcome these potential bannana skins!

  58. Whumpie says:
    September 10, 2010 at 3:50 pm
    Gawd, I miss the Black Cat pub (ironic name, eh) in Whitehaven: had more satellite dishes than NASA and always found some dodgy feed to show matches.

    Does anyone know of a pub or club, (in the tyneside area) that still does that?

  59. mattyB

    I don’t think this team will just roll over like MO and chums did mate. Certainly not at home.

  60. Matty – yep, I’d like to think we’re a lot more resilient than back then against Hull. I think it’ll be a narrow victory, but what I’m really enjoying right now is that wee voice in my head saying there’s always the chance of another 6-0 skunking!

    What I’m not expecting any more is the kind of weak-hearted, go-through-the-motions non-performances we had 2 years ago. I honestly believe we have real guts, pride and resilience in the club now.

    HWTL!

  61. Go to Hull, Hull. ;)

    And ‘tangerine’ face Phil Brown. Where’s he now anyway, in a tanning shop somewhere or what.

  66. I’m no computer ace, but I have found that if all else fails ustream.co comes through with video or radio broadcasts. I’m in USA so don’t know how well UK blocks streams, but it would be hard for them to stop some of the ustream presenters.

    I keep thinking Blackpool will be winnable, but throw out the 10 man fiasco at Arsenal & the Beach Bums have held their own. Holloway coaches a squad that keeps its positions well, and looks for seam splitting breaks. I think NUFC will have the possession, with The Mighty Pool looking for counter punches. But I don’t think Pool will just kick it away from their defensive half, or play Route 1. I think they will try to move the ball on the ground if and when they get hold of it.

  70. DJG says:
    September 10, 2010 at 4:34 pm
    jay jay

    Are you taking the car. Will have to fill the tank twice!

    What do you think he’s driving, a bus?

  73. Train DJG, don’t drive mate. Toonsy it might be freezing when I get back to Birmingham, you’re the ponce who wore a coat to the wolves match you cock smoking chutney ferret :) Stuart79 I can’t remember having a man up me, must have been on the vodka that night.

  77. Soz djg just saw that

    DJG says:

    AndyMac

    how do you get thoses channels?, do you have to have a big 1980’s communist russia satelite dish or something.

    The bigger the satellite dish, the further from the UK you can watch UK TV channels (and vice versa) From the Astra 2 satellite a 40cm dish will enable you to view UK TV in the UK, a 50cm dish works in France to Bordeaux/Lyon and Holland; 65cm dish South of France and Germany and an 85cm dish to Barcelona/Madrid in Spain and North of Rome in Italy. Anything up to 100 cm (or just under 40″ in old money) would enable you to view most western European TV channels.

    I recall staying with friends just outside Amsterdam many years ago and they used to get a better TV signal for BBC1 etc than I did in the UK. Astra2 Northern beam is ideal for us and NW Europe and you can swap to Astra 2 Southern beam however there are limited channels available.

  78. Stuart79 says:
    September 10, 2010 at 4:36 pm
    DJG says:
    September 10, 2010 at 4:34 pm
    jay jay

    Are you taking the car. Will have to fill the tank twice!

    What do you think he’s driving, a bus?

    jay jay says:
    September 10, 2010 at 4:44 pm
    Train DJG, don’t drive mate.

  79. AndyMac

    Do you still need to have a service provider or can you just scan for channels. I had this cable box thing that was programmed so that you could watch sky sports and setanta (as it was then) for free via a normal virgin media co-axial. They change the code for the channels every year to stop people doing it though so only worked for one season. :(

  80. I’m just as eager as everyone else to see what our new lads are made of, but I’m happy for us to start with exactly the same line up as we have been-I realise that people on here don’t like Nolan and Smith,but I belive they have all earned their chance to play again, I’ve been happy with all our performances to be honest, and its up to the new boys to break in-We can analyse what’s happened at half time, and if theres an area that isn’t working, or we happen to find ourselves 4-0 up :) Then we can bring on the new lads

  81. I could see Hughton throwing out a 4-4-2 tomorrow! Possibly giving Andy a bit of a rest, but also seeing Shola and Lovenkrands get a run out.

    I’m obviously very excited to see Ben Arfa and Tiote do some business as well, but highly doubt that they’ll start

  83. I don’t see the new DM playing tmr…He hasn’t really jel into yet.whereas Ben arfa and Sol have bond up a little.

    Though Sky Possible XI ish huge surprise to me.8O

  84. fair point jayjay. Especially with the current form he’s showing! I really don’t see CH leaving Carroll out.

    Yeah, i’m a moron for thinking that our #9 wouldn’t start

  85. I do hope Xisco does get to play too…at some point in tmr…I don’t like player doing nothing,yet getting pay.

  88. i don’t know if I would want to see Xisco play when we’ll have players like Ben Arfa, Tiote, etc. on the bench

  89. Newcastle United have even more to smile about following their bright start to the Premiership season after Complete Smile signed up as the official dentist for the club.

    Complete Smile, based in South Shields, is an exclusive Cosmetic Dental Practice with an international reputation and matching client list. Founded by dentist and business investor Allen Branley, Complete Smile performs a variety of cosmetic dental treatments – from veneers, single tooth implant replacements to fixed bridges, teeth whitening and their hugely popular complete smile makeovers.

    WHAT ISH HAPPENING~~~OFFICIAL Dentist??? Omg,didn’t anticipate that.

  90. Let’s see,we have official CAR brand,Official dentist,Official ice cream?/Colo creamy?

    Oh gosh,So many….

  91. “Complete smile makeover”…Let’s hope its not following the trend of one of these 60 minute things.

    Never normally bother with the pics from training but i had a quick browse the day and it was nice to see Benny/Tiote having a kick about and a laugh, seem to be settling in no issue. That’s the thing with the group of players we have now, I think they’re a tight knit bunch and will welcome anyone else into the group immediatly as one of their own, no outstanding ego’s thinking they’re better than anyone else, Good to see.

  93. Official dentist? I mean I don’t mind like, but are we going to have an official everything?

    Official bog roll next. You heard it here first :lol:

  94. @toonsy: see i told you few days ago,abt this “OFFICIAL” Partnership,whereby i joke Land,sea,Air transport.

    And Pooffs….Official Dentist for NUFC. :)