Mar 17th Relegation 6 Pointer against Birmingham FC [R]

[Dirt McGirt]

Game preview to follow. This game is massive. By game time we could be firmly in the relegation zone.

What does KK do for this game?
Who should play?
How would you approach this game as a manager or player?

Discuss.....

[tigerdave]

Three points isn't necessarily an absolute must, but it would certainly help. Birmingham are pretty good going forward lately, but I think they can get caught on the break, particularly if KK starts Owen and Martins, but definitely Martins. The most important thing is to not concede and then score the first goal. If we go all out, we're going to get eaten alive in the back, so we should sit back and wait to hit them on the counter.

I don't really think that KK knows what his best XI is yet, which is understandable given that he's only eight games in but still. At Newcastle it's a no-brainer: Harper/Given, Beye, Faye, Taylor/Cacapa, Enrique, Milner, Butt, N'Zogbia, Duff, Martins and Owen/Carroll. Only about three choices to make and they're not particularly tough ones. Not like you're choosing between Rooney and Tevez or anything.

At any rate, I don't expect to see this lineup but this is what I -want- to see: Harper, Beye, Faye, Cacapa, Enrique, Milner, Butt, N'Zogbia, Duff, Martins, Carroll.

Of course, Owen will start because KK's obsessed with making nice with him and has given him the armband even though he's not really the best leader in the world (of course, he might well be the best we have unfortunately), and he won't want to jade Taylor any further even though he might need to sit down just because he's been poor the last few games.

Sounds pretty logical to me at least. But since when has logic played a role in anything involved with this club aside from buying Wor Al?

[Dirt McGirt]

Three points isn't necessarily an absolute must, but it would certainly help. Birmingham are pretty good going forward lately, but I think they can get caught on the break, particularly if KK starts Owen and Martins, but definitely Martins. The most important thing is to not concede and then score the first goal. If we go all out, we're going to get eaten alive in the back, so we should sit back and wait to hit them on the counter.

I don't really think that KK knows what his best XI is yet, which is understandable given that he's only eight games in but still. At Newcastle it's a no-brainer: Harper/Given, Beye, Faye, Taylor/Cacapa, Enrique, Milner, Butt, N'Zogbia, Duff, Martins and Owen/Carroll. Only about three choices to make and they're not particularly tough ones. Not like you're choosing between Rooney and Tevez or anything.

At any rate, I don't expect to see this lineup but this is what I -want- to see: Harper, Beye, Faye, Cacapa, Enrique, Milner, Butt, N'Zogbia, Duff, Martins, Carroll.

Of course, Owen will start because KK's obsessed with making nice with him and has given him the armband even though he's not really the best leader in the world (of course, he might well be the best we have unfortunately), and he won't want to jade Taylor any further even though he might need to sit down just because he's been poor the last few games.
Great post and I would love to see young Carroll get the start as well. I do have to disagree with you on one point and that would be the importance of the game. Make no mistake this is one of four "playoff" games that we must win to insure our Premiership survival. It's do or die time.

I think we should sit back in the first half and play compact and look for the counter when we can and if we're still level going into the 60th minute then bring in some fresh legs off the bench change the formation a bit and try and get forward and press for the winner. Pressing for the winner doesn't mean putting 9 men into the box for corners and sending Taylor forward either but attacking in a smart fashion.

[Toon³]

Where is the 'hide under coats and hope everything turns out ok' option?

[Dirt McGirt]

Where is the 'hide under coats and hope everything turns out ok' option?
I've never ever felt like I do now with any other team or sport that I've followed or supported. We don't have relegation in the States and the threat of it of it has really upset me. Compounded by the fact that 98% of the people that I come in to contact with on a daily basis have now idea about the BPL or soccer in general.:(

Bolton has a much tougher schedule and still have to be odds on favorite to go down but.........

[tigerdave]

I do have to disagree with you on one point and that would be the importance of the game. Make no mistake this is one of four "playoff" games that we must win to insure our Premiership survival. It's do or die time.

I disagree. We may only need a point (to ensure Birmingham stay below us) if they lose to Pompey midweek. If we draw this game and win two of the three at home against Reading, Fulham and the scum, I believe we're safe as I think 35 points will stay up this year if only just.

[Dirt McGirt]

NUFC: To follow...Viduka, Carr, Emre and Given are all doubtful, while news is waited on Milner, who left the field at Anfield with a foot problem.

Barton is available for selection - court appearance permitting.

BCFC: Martin Taylor is suspended, while
Olivier Kapo (hamstring) is also absent.

Ref: TBC

UK TV: Live on Setanta

Overseas TV: to follow...

Toon @ St. Andrew's - thirty year record:

2006/07 drew 2-2 Taylor, Dyer (FA)
2005/06 drew 0-0
2004/05 drew 2-2 Jenas, Butt
2003/04 drew 1-1 Speed
2002/03 won 2-0 Solano, Ameobi
2000/01 lost 1-2 Dyer (LC)
1999/00 lost 0-2 (LC)
1992/93 won 3-2 Peacock, Scott, OG
1985/86 won 1-0 Reilly
1979/80 drew 0-0
1977/78 lost 0-3

http://www.nufc.com

[City Dave]

NUFC: To follow...Viduka, Carr, Emre and Given are all doubtful, while news is waited on Milner, who left the field at Anfield with a foot problem.

Barton is available for selection - court appearance permitting.

BCFC: Martin Taylor is suspended, while
Olivier Kapo (hamstring) is also absent.

What is this, #$%@ing Dream Team?

[ToonUSA]

I've never ever felt like I do now with any other team or sport that I've followed or supported. We don't have relegation in the States and the threat of it of it has really upset me. Compounded by the fact that 98% of the people that I come in to contact with on a daily basis have now idea about the BPL or soccer in general.:(

Bolton has a much tougher schedule and still have to be odds on favorite to go down but.........

For the first time in a while I agree with you. People will have no idea why I'll be pissed off for a solid month if we were to be you know...(don't speak of it)

It's also alarming that the biggest build up to a game all year is the one that could determine our very survival in the Premier League. The seriousness of this situation has finally caught up to me.

[JayRockers!]

What should KK do against Birmingham?

Sit back and attack on the counter. Possibly our best option. However, at some point the goal will become all consuming and we'll give one up just like against Blackburn.

All out attack and go for the 3 points. We don't have the class. Plain and simple.

Sit back and play for a point. See #1 above.

Sit back early and then all out attack late. See #1 above.

Attack early and then sit back and defend late. Didn't work against Villa, ManU et al.

Quit now and badmouth Ashley in the press. KK's best option available.

Thx,

Jay!

[Toon³]

8-0 us

[Russell1892]

It's just not funny anymore. We need to play like we did against Blackburn but convert our chances. Bolton's tough run in gives me hope. We have games against Fulham, Reading, the Mackems (home) and this one. We need to turn the corner in this game... if we lose... I don't even want to say it.

Reading have turned a corner and we have much more class than they do? don't we??

I think after the Blackburn game we were all thinking "we're in the mire now." Its like how the mark of a title winning team is playing badly and getting 3 points - surely playing well and getting nowt is the mark of a team going deep into the s**t. Hopefully our class will shine through and we'll win and we'll all sleep a lot better. Nervy days..... this is a time for all Newcastle fans to get behind the team... wherever they may be, this is no time for any other bullsh*t, other than 100% support of the lads. We can all do a post-mortem at the end of the season.

To those that say going down will help us... like it helped the last team Milner, Smith and Viduka went down with?

Keep the Faith!

[JaredSS07]

8-0 us

Hell ya. At least someone is putting out the vibe.

Owen gets a hattrick. Martins gets brace. Duff, Butt, and Smith get one.

[Dirt McGirt]

Nervy days..... this is a time for all Newcastle fans to get behind the team... wherever they may be, this is no time for any other bullsh*t, other than 100% support of the lads. We can all do a post-mortem at the end of the season.


Keep the Faith!Great post and I agree.

I'm nervous for this game. I haven't been nervous for a game since Inter away in 2003 Champions League. It's different though this time it's like I'm hoping against hope everything my brain is processing is wrong and we're really a good side and we'll go on and win the rest of our remaining games.

[City Dave]

It's just not funny anymore. We need to play like we did against Blackburn but convert our chances. Bolton's tough run in gives me hope. We have games against Fulham, Reading, the Mackems (home) and this one. We need to turn the corner in this game... if we lose... I don't even want to say it.

Reading have turned a corner and we have much more class than they do? don't we??

I think after the Blackburn game we were all thinking "we're in the mire now." Its like how the mark of a title winning team is playing badly and getting 3 points - surely playing well and getting nowt is the mark of a team going deep into the s**t. Hopefully our class will shine through and we'll win and we'll all sleep a lot better. Nervy days..... this is a time for all Newcastle fans to get behind the team... wherever they may be, this is no time for any other bullsh*t, other than 100% support of the lads. We can all do a post-mortem at the end of the season.

To those that say going down will help us... like it helped the last team Milner, Smith and Viduka went down with?

Keep the Faith!

That should do it. ;)

[ToonUSA]

8-0 us

I had a thought like this last night about the absolute meltdown the British Media would have if we were to put a 7-3 or 8-1 pasting on Birmingham in the game to decide the season.

However, I snapped out of my comatose state in time to catch the end of Law and Order.

I'll go 2-1 us, and a tight one at that.

[mplsTOON]

If we play like we did against Blackburn and Martins either starts or comes on before the 75 minute mark, think we can turn ourselves around. Therefore 2-1 or 3-1 us.

But there are rumbling coming from KK that he will stick to his side of "Seasoned" players meaning Smith will start and we will probably pull off a tie by the skin of our teeth.

[Jimbo Asprilla]

Just got a call from a friend of mine who lives in the same apartment block as Martins, he says he just saw him struggling to get out of his car, limping heavily, doesn't look good for Monday night. :mad:

[Dirt McGirt]

Just got a call from a friend of mine who lives in the same apartment block as Martins, he says he just saw him struggling to get out of his car, limping heavily, doesn't look good for Monday night. :mad:KK wouldn't start him anyways so whats the difference?

[Russell1892]

Anyone else finding it agonising having to wait til Monday? At least we'll be in the position were we'll know what everyone else has done (Saturday's results have been fairly good - but all the teams around us are showing fighting spirit and we need to as well.)

Updated Team News


New Signing: Lamine Diatta (I don't know who he is either - Senegal Captain apparently)
Out: Milner, Given, Carr
Back: Barton (His ASBO doesn't apply to Birmingham apparently - he will be unavailable when we go to Everton though)
Probable: Viduka, Martins

Viduka has an excellent record against Birmingham and whilst he may be the forgotton man for the moment - He is twice the centre forward Smith is. He and Owen have actually forged a decent pairing in the games they've had this season. With Milner out who gets the nod on the right side of midfield? please let it not be Alan Smith - Jack of all trades, master of none. The other option appears to be Geremi... why not give LuaLua a run - I've been impressed with what I've seen of him so far. Martins' pace is surely far more deserving of a place somewhere in the team than Smith's tackle hard and get booked attitude (if Smith's yellow cards were goals we'd be in the top half)

Anyway this is a massive game for us. We need at least a point... 3 points would be very handy (understatement of the season). Anyone care to offer a hoped for line-up?