Season 2006-2007

NEWCASTLE UNITED

 v

MIDDLESBROUGH

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- Michael Owen (knee) is in the final stage of his rehabilitation and is back in training.
- Shola Ameobi (hip) is probably out for the season after his hip operation.
- Tim Krul (knee) currently has no return date.
- Craig Moore (hamstring) is back in training.
- Peter Ramage (hamstring) is out for another week.
- Stephen Carr (thigh) it has been reported will be back in training next week. (Oh great!)
- Emre (groin) is back in training and expected to return against AZ Alkmar.
- Celestine Babayaro (hamstring) is yet again missing.
- Olivier Bernard (hip) made his comeback for the reserves but doesn’t seem 100% fit.

My thoughts:

This Saturday sees us entertain the Smoggies at St James’ Park and these deformed freaks don’t have the greatest record in the capital of the North East. Only one win and three draws in ten Premiership visits would see us as strong favourites, however, the last two games have been draws which included us needing a injury time equaliser from Lee Clark last season.

The expected return of Kieron Dyer (from flu) should give the team that extra dimension to cause Middlesbrough plenty of problems. It was obvious to everyone that he was sorely missed last week and Glenn Roeder will be thankful to have him back in the starting XI.

This game represents the first return to Gallowgate since his departure for Jonathan Woodgate. With Roeder allegedly interesting in hijacking his move to his home town team this summer, it will be interesting to see how he performs and what sort of reception he gets from the Toon Army.

One player the Newcastle defence will have to watch out for is Melbourne’s very own Aussie Croat, Mark Viduka, who seems to have finally pulled his fat finger out and started to some goals of late. Nine goals in his last eleven games, is by far his best run of form in a Smoggie shirt. With Titus Bramble not a man to shy away from the buffet himself, he’ll have to be careful not to touch Viduka too hard in the box, as the Aussie has a reputation for diving. You’ve been warned Titus!

After last Sunday’s poor performance away at Wigan, this game takes on extra significance on our league ambitions. Granted every game in the league this time of the year is vitally important but two defeats off the trot would see us nose dive down the table further and totally off any European radar.

A real middle of the table six pointer this one, with Middlesbrough poised take over us if they win and if we win it draws us back towards a the top eight and a draw isn't really help to either side. I can see this game being played at a furious pace, with plenty a touch tackling, which means the likes of Nicky Butt and Scott Parker will have to stand firm in the central of midfield.

Of course there is also the interesting matter of a Nigerian striker shoot out. With 16 goals so far for Middlesbrough and 14 goals for Newcastle, both Yakubu and Martins have been in fine goalscoring form this season. Yakubu is the slightly older of the two and has a lot more Premiership experience but both are match winners on their day and no doubt will have a big say on the outcome of this match.

And finally I’ve found something interesting this week. The lyrics and music have been found for an old Newcastle United song called "Gan On Newcassel", and it’s been recorded and performed for the first time in 100 years. It’s still as adapt and relevant today as it was then, give it a listen http://videos.icnetwork.co.uk/icnewcastle/gan-on-newcassel.mp3
 

HOWAY THE LADS!!!

- Middlesbrough is a small town in Yorkshire.