Season 2006-2007

NEWCASTLE UNITED

 v

EVERTON

Harper, Krul
Carr, Ramage, Bramble, Moore, Taylor, Huntington
Milner, Parker, Butt, Emre, Duff, N'Zogbia, Pattison
Ameobi, Martins, Sibierski, Luque, Rossi.

Michael Owen (knee), as we know, is out till next year with the injury he picked up at the World Cup.
Shay Given (abdomen) is expected to be out until 28^th October.
Nobby Solano (hamstring) is expected to be out until 1^st October.
Kieron Dyer (hamstring) is back in full training but it’s very doubtful he’ll take any part.
Steven Taylor (bruised foot) is back in training but misses out.
Titus Bramble (ankle) is back in training but misses out.
Celestine Babayaro is suspended.

My thoughts:

After two ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ like performances against West Ham and Liverpool, which Newcastle United will turn up at St James’ Park this Sunday afternoon (local time)? We’ve heard that one before already this season haven’t we.

Like a lot of teams in the league we cannot string results together at the moment and the basic fact is, the teams that become the most consistent will be the ones that finish behind the top 4. Like Rajjy said on the forum, we are in the same category as Everton, Spurs, Villa, Portsmouth and Bolton, all much of a muchness and chasing the last few European spots. If we accept 8 defeats against the top 4 sides are going to happen, then home games against Everton are must wins if we want UEFA Cup football to return next season.

Everton have looked good this season with some already impressive results, a 2-0 win away at Spurs and of course the 3-0 drubbing of Liverpool at home. Andy Johnson has been a revelation so far in the Premiership, with 5 goals and will be the man to watch for the Newcastle defensive.

Our record at home to Everton is very favourable and is something for us to hang on to.
@ St James’ Park
League: Newcastle 40 wins, Everton 16 wins, Draws 16
Prem: Newcastle 9 wins, Everton 2 wins, Draws 2

I can see goals in this game(bet on a 0-0 now then!) and our defensive we’ll need to on the ball if we are to prevail. I’m also confident our strikers will have more of a chance to get into the game, than they did at Anfield, and if we take an early chance or two the game can be controlled.

These are the sort of games where the St James’ Park crowd really needs to step up to the plate also. What you’d expect to be a very tight game against two equally matched teams, the Toon Army could really influence this game and give our players a real home advantage. I’ve said for years that a ‘minimum of 3 pints are to be drank for successful entry in to the ground’ should be introduced, this would guarantee most people would sing and really bring back the atmosphere. Hey don’t laugh for years it’s been proven to work at away games.

Before the Liverpool game I spoke of the challenge facing us Aussie Mags, which was deciding whether you have a drink before going to work, and if so, how many. (For the record I had two beers, one each half) Now we face a different but equally difficult decision, do you stay up all Sunday night and risk a major hangover on Monday morning at work or do you go to bed early and get a few hours sleep before the match, so as to reduce the hangover? I’m undecided at present and it’ll probably depend on how mad my weekend is but giving the fact I’m going drinking all day on Saturday at Caulfield Races, it doesn’t booed well.

I’m talking more and more about drinking alcohol in my match previews these days aren’t I? Supporting Newcastle Utd tends to do that to you I guess but it’s only September, so it must be hitting home earlier and harder than normally this season. Now where did I put my beer again…?
 

HOWAY THE LADS!!!