James Linnington before the game?I only caught this on Radio Newcastle so whatever follows is partly second-hand but…
Amidst some baffling officiating, Newcastle’s ‘Wembley Dream’ was shattered by a strong West Brom team who went two better than their plundering at St James’ last Monday, to take them through to the next round of the FA Cup. But the matchday officials can expect lifelong infamy round these parts, as they more than played their part in the fortunes of the victors.
Chris Hughton made expected changes from the 2-2 draw earlier in the week, which saw Tim Krul replace Harper between the sticks, Ryan Taylor come in at right back for the newly-acquired Danny Simpson and Tamas Kadar slot in for Steven Taylor, who appears to have suffered a serious knee injury following a shoddy challenge from Bednar in the previous game. Fabrice Pancrate and Andy Carroll also started, with Lovenkrands understandably being given time away to spend with his family and Ameobi dropping to the bench. The shape of the team changed as we elected for the 4-4-1-1 approach with Pancrate allowing Guthrie to move into the middle with Smith, Gutierrez in his usual wide left role and Nolan pushing in behind Carroll.
West Brom manager, Roberto Di Matteo, had suggested he would also make changes to protect his squad for the priority of promotion, but it was a very familiar starting eleven which ultimately trotted out. And yet despite that, it seems like they lacked the quality and drive on display in the league game. However, in a first half where Newcastle players were again found wanting for some creativity and where a number barely applied themselves, it was West Brom who took a deserved 2-0 lead into the break. (more…)
The Throstles await, again!This afternoon sees the third titanic encounter between the two Championship heavyweights of Newcastle United and West Brom. With the two previous encounters being very tight draws, it will be a very tough game to call.
As far as team news goes, George Caulkin has been reporting in the Times that Steven Taylor has suffered knee ligament damage from the last game with the Baggies, and may be out for the rest of the season, however this story has not been subtantiated at the time of writing. Danny Simpson is also highly doubtful after picking up an ankle knock too. Striker, Peter Lovenkrands will also be out of the squad after travelling to Denmark twice in the wake of his father’s death. Ryan Taylor and Tamas Kadar will probably step in if Steven Taylor and Danny Simpson are out of the game, with substitute keeper, Tim Krul looking for a bit of practice in between the sticks too.
For more details on the game, check out Geordie Deb’s excellent match preview on the game. If you have any links for audio coverage etc, please feel free to post them. (more…)
Roberto Di Matteo and Chris Hughton yesterday.West Bromwich Albion manager, Roberto Di Matteo saluted the Premiership quality within Chris Hughton’s Newcastle United squad in the wake of their exciting 2-2 draw at St James’s Park. He also commented on how he saw the Championship as a “strange” league, where quite a few teams will be “in the mix” for promotion places, saying:
“It’s a strange league, so I expect other teams to be in the mix as well – Swansea, Leicester, Cardiff, I think Sheffield United will have something to say as well.
“You can see every week that any team can beat any team.”
Moving on to his observations about the Toon he added:
“Newcastle, you see they have the edge over everybody else with the strong squad they have and the players they have in their team.
“You look at their players and it’s Premier League all over, isn’t it?”(more…)
Maggie bird v Baggie bird. Who'll get the juicy 3 point worm?Newcastle United take on West Bromwich Albion in a crucial top of the table encounter on Monday night at St James Park. With the Toon drawing the Baggies in the FA Cup 4th round, the two teams are forced to play each other twice in the space of six days.
We will be looking to extend our unbeaten home run of nine wins and three draws at SJP but Albion will be a real test for the lads. Recently knocked off second spot after a defeat at home to in form Nottingham Forest, Roberto Di Matteo will be looking to his team to win the two games they have in hand
over Forest to position themselves back in second place.
Di Matteo was a great midfield player, who, you will remember, enjoyed a very successful playing career with Chelsea and Italy before being forced to retire following a horrific injury. His first steps into management in 2008 with Milton Keynes Dons proved successful, as he led the League One club to within two points of their second successive automatic promotion while they played attacking, attractive football. (more…)
