Barclays Premier League: Newcastle at Man City 29 Sep [R]

[tigerdave]

Well, we go to Citeh on Saturday, 12:45 local kick. No Owen, no Ameobi, no Barton, perhaps no Viduka, maybe no Cacapa, no Duff, and that oughta be about it I think. Maybe, just maybe we'll see Smudge up front and he can get out of the midfield for once. Or am I just engaging in wishful thinking?

Bianchi is out for Citeh, other than that not sure. Hopefully we catch them at the end of their hot streak, but they've won four in a row at home and that Schmeichel kid is pretty good. Heard his pop was a keeper too or some such. </feigned idiocy>

All signs point to Harper as being the man, which means that Given is yet again on the bench. I'm starting to get the sneaking suspicion time's up for Shay here and that disappoints me. At any rate, discuss the game here.

[Dirt McGirt]

I'm hoping for a 0-0 draw.

[toon_soldier_86]

i think that the best city could hope for is a 1-0, the key will be containing petrov, he tore fulham apart because he had lots of room to run and play on the left

so 2-1

viduka
n'zog

i would like to see sam play 4-4-2

--------GIVEN
beye-taylor-roz-enrique
milner-smith-gerimi-n'zog
------martins
----------viduka

[Crazy Man Michael]

We seem to play better against better competition - Arsenal game excepted, although we did keep them off the board until near the end so that is something. I see this as a good bounce back from that one. Our defense should be strong and I see Martins remembering how to find the net when the opportuniity presents. I agree with Toon Solider, the result should be 2-1 for us, but I don't see Enrique starting. Zogs will be in the back again and either Butt or Emre will be in the middle w/Gerimi, Smith and Milner.

[roxbury]

it will be difficult match up...

i say,

2:3 we can get 3 point... or 2:2


regards
iwa

[Jimbo Asprilla]

Not feeling very positive about this one, Martin Petrov looked awesome against Fulham the other night, but City are without Bianchi which is a bonus, but they still have the likes of M'Penza and Elano too.

I'll settle for a draw.

[tigerdave]

NUFC: Given, Beye, Rozehnal, Taylor, N'Zogbia, Smith, Geremi, Butt, Martins, Viduka, Milner. Subs: Harper, Faye, Pattison, Emre, Jose Enrique.

MCFC: Hart, Corluka, Dunne, Richards, Garrido, Ireland, Johnson, Hamann, Petrov, Elano, Mpenza. Subs: Schmeichel, Onouha, Samaras, Geovanni, Ball.

Interesting, Schmeichel and Harper both dropped. I think that bodes well for us, because Given is miles better than an unproven youngster.

[tigerdave]

Given makes a mistake that gifts Mpenza a chance but Butt puts out the fire. Martins nearly sets up Smith for a smash-in opportunity but comes to nothing. After a lazy first few minutes it's starting to pick up.

[tigerdave]

Fabulous move by Citeh, but Given makes an even better save. They're getting the better of the play right now.

[drc003]

TD,

Where are you watching? The Sopcast feed is not working out for me.

Thanks,

Dave

[tigerdave]

TD,

Where are you watching? The Sopcast feed is not working out for me.

Thanks,

Dave

Listening on the club site.

[tigerdave]

Milner goes down in the area with definite contact by Richards, but nothing's given.

[mister19]

MARTINS!!!!!! BEAUTiFUL!!!!

[tigerdave]

Geremi picks out Martins, who controls it about waist high and brings it down with his left foot and pokes it by Hart with his right with a fine finish.

0-1 Martins 29'

[drc003]

Thank the Lord that he was left with no choice but to start him!

[mister19]

Newcastle fall asleep, 1-1, awful

[tigerdave]

Ireland unlocks the offside trap, had the chance to lob Given but he carries the run and squares it for Petrov, who sweeps it home.

37' Petrov 1-1

[mister19]

Wow! Wonderful play by Given -- one-on-one with Ireland. Should be 2-1.

[mister19]

1-1 halftime score. I'm happy with that, all things considered.

[tigerdave]

Half time, 1-1. Citeh would be worth the lead if they had it, frankly. They've had far better chances and more than edged possession. N'Zogbia's looked shaky at the left-back position, and the commentators are discussing a change. That would be a huge mistake. Enrique isn't ready for the English game at this level, and we'd lose everything going forward from the defense.