pennington10
Senior Squad
Our beloved Toon take on French club Marseille in which should be an interesting game to say the least.
The following Newcastle players are out or doubtful for the game:
Bellamy
Jenas
Ameobi
Dyer
Griffin
The following have injury problems which may keep them from playing:
Bowyer
Bramble
Bridges
This is not good news for us. Things are so bad there was talk about us recalling LuaLua who wanted no part of coming back to Newcastle and probably burned the last bridge he had with us.
The other concern is do we try and win this game or do we try and beat Chelsea to make the Champions League. I don't see why we can't do both. Liverpool has been less than impressive and Villa and Birmingham aren't really battle tested for a euro push like we are.
I say we play O'Brien and Woodgate in the middle and hope Woodgate does not pick up a knock. Since we already know O'Brien is going to be out against Chelsea there is no need to risk Bramble to futher injury.
Dyer is said he is willing to play hurt but I see no need for that since Viana played well against Villa and could give us some creativity we desperatly need in the midfield.
Also the next two games should be Chopra's chance to shine. This is it. I mean I would rather see Chopra in the game than Bridges who has not really fit into the club and Amoebi is not ready to play tommorow from what is being said.
As for a prediction. We play well at St. James Park and this will probably not change. Drogba scares me alot but Woodgate has proven time and time again that he can shut down any big time striker when he is healthy. Also Shearer has a good record against good ol' Fabian Barthez so that could be a wash. I think Shearer really wants the UEFA Cup and Given has been nails this season so I can't see us losing. As long as we have a lead going into the game at Marseille we should be safe.
My prediction 3-1 Newcastle Shearer x2 and Chops to get his first maybe even as a sub late in the game. I do think Marseille may get one back from Drogba though. Should be exciting.
GO TOON!
The following Newcastle players are out or doubtful for the game:
Bellamy
Jenas
Ameobi
Dyer
Griffin
The following have injury problems which may keep them from playing:
Bowyer
Bramble
Bridges
This is not good news for us. Things are so bad there was talk about us recalling LuaLua who wanted no part of coming back to Newcastle and probably burned the last bridge he had with us.
The other concern is do we try and win this game or do we try and beat Chelsea to make the Champions League. I don't see why we can't do both. Liverpool has been less than impressive and Villa and Birmingham aren't really battle tested for a euro push like we are.
I say we play O'Brien and Woodgate in the middle and hope Woodgate does not pick up a knock. Since we already know O'Brien is going to be out against Chelsea there is no need to risk Bramble to futher injury.
Dyer is said he is willing to play hurt but I see no need for that since Viana played well against Villa and could give us some creativity we desperatly need in the midfield.
Also the next two games should be Chopra's chance to shine. This is it. I mean I would rather see Chopra in the game than Bridges who has not really fit into the club and Amoebi is not ready to play tommorow from what is being said.
As for a prediction. We play well at St. James Park and this will probably not change. Drogba scares me alot but Woodgate has proven time and time again that he can shut down any big time striker when he is healthy. Also Shearer has a good record against good ol' Fabian Barthez so that could be a wash. I think Shearer really wants the UEFA Cup and Given has been nails this season so I can't see us losing. As long as we have a lead going into the game at Marseille we should be safe.
My prediction 3-1 Newcastle Shearer x2 and Chops to get his first maybe even as a sub late in the game. I do think Marseille may get one back from Drogba though. Should be exciting.
GO TOON!
