BPL:RD 19-Wigan AFC -vs- Newcastle United - Boxing Day [R]

[Dirt McGirt]

http://www.maltarightnow.com/content/images/Wigan%20FC.jpg

UK TV: none
USA TV:1:45PM ET Setanta
Internet: http://myp2p.eu/competition.php?competitionid=&part=sports&discipline=football

Boxing Day sees us on the road for a 3pm start at the JJB Stadium against Steve Bruce's Wigan Athletic side.

We go looking for our first win, first point and even our first goal at this venue on a day when we've traditionally got absolutely bugger all on our travels....

Our Boxing Day away disappointments:

2006/07 Bolton (a) lost 1-2
2005/06 Liverpool (a) lost 0-2
2004/05 Blackburn (a) drew 2-2
2003/04 Leicester (a) drew 1-1
2002/03 Bolton (a) lost 3-4
1997/98 Derby (a) lost 0-1
1996/97 Blackburn (a) lost 0-1
1995/96 Man U (a) lost 0-2 (played on 27th)
1994/95 Leeds (a) drew 0-0
1993/94 Chelsea (a) lost 0-1 (played on 28th)
1989/90 Stoke (a) lost 1-2
1988/89 Sheff Weds (a) won 2-1

This game marks the end of the first month of Steve Bruce's second stint in charge of Wigan and so far he's seen his side draw 1-1 at home to Man City, go down 4-1 at the Reebok and beat Blackburn 5-3 at the JJB, before drawing 1-1 at Fulham on Saturday.

Former Magpie Titus Bramble has played every minute of those four games, while his ex-Toon colleague Antoine Sibierski recovered from a thigh injury to appear off the bench at Craven Cottage.

Marcus Bent scored Wigan's goal at Fulham, which was his fourth in two games and completed a century of strikes for the club in the Premiership - the Latics taking 94 games to reach that tally.

NUFC: To follow...United expect messrs Ameobi, Carr, Faye and Owen to be back in contention for this one.

WAFC: To follow...after being stretchered off against Blackburn, striker Emile Heskey is a doubt.

Ref: Mike Dean

Mags @ Latics:

Springfield Park:
1953/54 Won 3-2 (FA) Broadis, Keeble, White

JJB Stadium:
2005/06 Lost 0-1
2005/06 Lost 0-1 (LC)
2006/07 Lost 0-1

[Dirt McGirt]

Our record away at the JJB is horrendous coupled with our awful Boxing Day history leads me to believe a 2-0 victory is in the offing.

Merry Christmas Toon Army!!

[mplsTOON]

'Twill be an ugly win for the Toon.

Just barely scraping by after a woeful performance, yet again with Milner on the left and Smith on the right, Zoggs back left and Martins, trying to do his best imitation of El Hadj Diouf sans expectorations, wide right.

But win we shall. And all shall be well mid table.

[Jimbo Asprilla]

I predict players being played out of position in an inefective formation providing a shambolic performance which presents Wigan a home victory on a plate.

[ottoman]

In a game that we would otherwise rather forget, Duff made a statement for the last twenty minutes or so. Any predictions on whether Allardyce heard it?

[Dirt McGirt]

Antoine Sibierski has admitted Wigan must prey on the fragile temperament of Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton in a bid to wind him up and get him sent off.

Barton and Sibierski were team-mates at Manchester City. Sibierski said: 'Joey Barton is a really good player with great commitment but sometimes he can switch off very, very quickly.

'His strength is also his weakness because if you know you are going to play against a player like that and, if you are a little bit clever, you can provoke him. He is going to go mad and see red very quickly.' :rolleyes:

Ottoman- Hopefully Duff will in included on the left moving Milner to the right thus giving us the balance and moving Geremi to the bench.

[Cottonmather0]

Duff definitely made his presence known; let's hope Sam lets him stay on the field.

[ToonUSA]

I hope Joey knocks out the Frenchman's teeth for that crap.

[tigerdave]

It'll be hard for Barton to get sent off from the spectators' box.

Starters, from BBC radio: Given, Beye, Taylor, Faye, N'Zogbia, Geremi (capt), Smith, Emre, Milner, Duff, Viduka. Subs: Harper, Cacapa, Enrique, Butt, Martins.

Wigan starters: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Scharner, Kilbane, Valencia, Landzaat, Brown, Taylor, Sibierski, Bent.

[mdfc]

I'm looking forward to seeing if we have more teeth in attack with Emre and Duff on the field.

[Shameus]

Did the annoncers say if it is a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 with Smith and Duke up top?

[tigerdave]

Did the annoncers say if it is a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 with Smith and Duke up top?

They made it sound like Duff and Milner are up with Viduka. Could be a pseudo 4-5-1 I suppose.

[tigerdave]

Congrats to Taylor for his 100th appearance.

I do stand corrected on the team sheet, however. Smith wears the armband even though Geremi is in the starting XI.

[mdfc]

And congrats on the team for not being a goal down 5 minutes in!

[tigerdave]

Only one team playing football right now and it's not us. Every time we get the ball we give it away within two or three touches and let Wigan pass it around the park for a while again. Not too threatening though.

[Dirt McGirt]

Wigan with 79% of possession according to ESPN Gamecast.:confused:

[mdfc]

Doesn't appear either side has had a real chance...Fulham all over again?

[mdfc]

HT...sounds like another snooze fest.

[tigerdave]

Dire. We've looked second best against the second-worst team in the league, who has the attacking ability of Jell-O.

[mplsTOON]

And were back with a lot of hoofinit up to Duff and across to Viduka...