Unlucky Timmy.....Newcastle lost 4-0 against Arsenal last night in a match that put an end to any lingering hopes the home side may have had of making an appearance at Wembley.
The 4-0 scoreline suggests that Newcastle were dominated all the way by an Arsenal side that was slightly stronger than you would expect to see Arsene Wenger field in the Carling Cup under normal circumstances.
The fact is that we weren’t dominated, and despite the harsh scoreline I actually believe there are a fair few positives that can be took from the match last night.
Chris Hughton made nine changes to the side that beat West Ham just four days ago in a move that signalled what most of us already knew anyway – that the derby, and a chance of three points on Sunday are more important to the club than progression to the quarter-final stages of the League Cup. (more…)
Ranger: Hoping for a place the neet!Chris Hughton has challenged his fringe players to step up and perform tonight as they prepare to face Arsenal in the last 16 of the Carling Cup.
The United boss wants the players to build on their feel good factor and add Arsenal to their list of League Cup victories.
Hughton looks set name a second string XI tonight against the Gunners, just like he did at Stamford Bridge when he named an entirely new XI from the side which beat Everton days before.
United’s boss told the Press Association:
“There is nothing that lifts and breeds confidence like winning football matches, and whether that’s the same team, whether that’s a completely different team or whether that’s a mixture, it’s a feeling that goes through the club.
“That would see us going into the Sunderland game certainly more confident.”
Hughton is expected to call on the young talent at his disposal again tomorrow with the likes of Shane Ferguson, Tamas Kadar, Haris Vuckic and Nile Ranger all pushing for starts. (more…)
A warm welcome to The Gunners.Newcastle entertain Arsenal tonight in a match where both sides will be looking to progress to the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.
Newcastle beat Chelsea in their own back yard a few weeks back to get this far, and they have been rewarded with a tough tie against another top team in this round.
Arsenal have been accused of devaluing the Carling Cup over the years as Arsene Wenger has tended to stick with his youth players and use the competition to give them some match experience. Early signs suggest that Wenger is eyeing the Carling Cup as a chance to and a five-year trophyless run (boo-hoo eh!) which could mean that he is willing to risk more first-team players than he would normally.
As for Newcastle, well I would say that we can expect a mix of youth, experience and fringe players to feature for us tonight with some first-team players on the bench ready to come on and try to make an impact if it is needed. (more…)
Lovenkrands: Hoping for a place.On the eve of Newcastle United’s League Cup clash with Arsenal, Newcastle United striker, Peter Lovenkrands, has been hailing the stylish passing play of the North London giants, likening them to Barcelona. However, the great Dane still thinks that victory is possible, especially after the Magpies’ scintillating 4-3 victory against the mighty Chelsea in the last round. Another one against the “Gooners” would mean a place in the Quarter Finals.
Lovenkrands said of Arsenal:
“They are the team who come closest to the passing game of Barcelona, it’s a similar style with the same kind of players like Fabregas, who can pass like Iniesta or Xavi.”
On what it’s like to actually play against them, Lovenkrands added:
“I’d pay to watch them because it’s so exciting, but it’s not too much fun playing against Arsenal when you’re running about after them. It’s a matter of trying to get hold of the ball first and if we can play like we did at Chelsea, you never know.”
Thanks to manager, Chris Hughton’s seeming preference for big target men such Andy Carroll and Shola Ameobi over swift gundogs such as Lovenkrands, it has been a lean time in terms of first team action for the Dane recently, however the League Cup has provided an opportunity for him to get some more time in, however it is still unknown whether he will feature for the Magpies tomorrow evening. (more…)
Vučkić: “I love the game and the people here”Perhaps the most talented of Newcastle United’s crop of young talent waiting in the wings, Slovenian, Haris Vučkić, has been speaking on his life at Newcastle United. He spoke of the interest shown in the young star from the likes of Manchester United, AC Milan and Real Madrid, Newcastle United’s League Cup tie with Arsenal tomorrow evening, and life at Newcastle in general.
He began on the interest from some of the giants from the footballing world:
“I didn’t know too much about AC Milan or Real Madrid until I read it in the papers back home.” Vuckic began, moving on to his life at Newcastle, and how his head hasn’t been turned by the high profile outside interest. He continued:
“If Manchester United or Real Madrid are watching you, it tells you that you are doing the right things, but it won’t disturb me. I’m only thinking about Newcastle in the future. (more…)
