Newcastle v Birmingham match preview: top 10 finish in Pardew’s sights

May 6th, 2011 | 12 Comments |

Birmingham are 3 places, 2 points and 15 goals worth of difference behind us in the league with them occupying 15th place against our 12th place.

They’re also just 3 places and 4 points above the relegation zone, although personally I think they’ll survive.

If we can take all 3 points and Stoke and West Brom have poor results we can sneak into 10th which, judging by his recent comments, is now Alan Pardew’s aim for the remaining 3 games.

Mike Williamson Injured – Steven Taylor In

Of course, thanks to a recent training ground mishap, Mike Williamson won’t be partnering Coloccini in his usual place in central defence. This means a return for Steven Taylor, about whom Pardew said:

“Steve had a fantastic younger part of his career and then he’s hit a bit of levelling-off when he’s not gone forward or backwards. That can be dangerous for a player. He needs to get his career moving in the right direction again. (more…)