March 22nd: Newcastle United Vs Fulham

[Russell1892]

After returning from the midlands with a point we face Fulham (obviously with renewed confidence since they beat Everton last Sunday). We don't have the best record against Fulham in recent seasons (neither did Everton). Has KK rediscovered his attacking flair in naming a side that includes Martins, Viduka and Owen? Wouldn't St James Park be the more appropriate venue to overwhelm the opposition? Has Alan Smith been permanently banished to the bench? Will KK line up 4-3-3?

Last weekend: Fulham: For all the talk of a rejuvenation of their ranks its worth bearing in mind they were playing against an Everton side who played 120 minutes plus penalties on Thursday. On the other hand maybe Bullard and McBride's return has galvinised Fulham. I would point out that all 3 of the teams involved in UEFA cup action lost (possibly in games they should have won.)

Newcastle: We got a point against Birmingham and our reaction was half relieved (I celebrated our goal in a way I haven't since Bellamy scored in the last minute of the champs league against Feyenoord.) We still look (unbelievably) light in creativeness - as we have all season, and woefully sh*t at the back, as we have since my Grandad was cheering on Jackie Milburn.

We need the full three points from this game. Fulham will be hard to beat - this will be a scrapper - unless we knick a goal early on.

Out: Emre (probably), Carr , Given.
Forgotton men (based on the reserves): Ameobi (with good reason).


Come on you mags. KTF.

[Dirt McGirt]

Prepare for invasion of the Yanks!

[tigerdave]

2-1, Martins with a brace, McHead to make it interesting near the end.

[City Dave]

2-1, Martins with a brace, McHead to make it interesting near the end.

That's what would happen if KK doesn't take out Martins in the 59th minute.

[Toon³]

Toon!

******** them up old skooool boyieeeeeee

brrrrraaaaaaaaaap brrrrraaaaaaaaap

[tigerdave]

That's what would happen if KK doesn't take out Martins in the 59th minute.

He's plenty capable of scoring in the first half.... :confused:

[Russell1892]

The crowd will be nervous I think - having last seen us hammer Blackburn and still lose they'll want to see the ball in the net early on. In fact it would have to be about 3-0 before I could relax. Despite Fulham's good record against us (records are made to be broken?) and recent "form" - which is about as impressive as our form... I can't see nor want to contemplate anything other than 3 points for us.

I see this game going one of two ways - either we grab a goal early and dominate for the rest of the game tallying up an impressive victory. Or we start nervously, they grab a goal and we all start thinking about Stockport away next season before rallying late on.

Knowing Newcastle United the first would be slightly probable, the latter is more likely.

Judging by KK's comments after the Brums we're likely to see the same XI in a 4-3-3.

Come on you Mags! (I mean this now more than ever)

[mplsTOON]

... Or we start nervously, they grab a goal and we all start thinking about Stockport away next season before rallying late on.


I agree. 1-1 with a new world record set of most fingernail bits being swallowed by 50K+ in 90 minutes...measured in metric tonnage.

Come on you poor bastards, prove me wrong

[colinh9]

So with a group I co-founded at school I am holding a Teach In on the War in Iraq. It's turned into a major event, but it runs from 1030-5 tomorrow so I can't watch the game. I just wish I could tape it or watch it on delay somehow, it kills me not to be able to watch one of the biggest matches of the season.\

My prediction:
3-1 with a brace from Oba and one from Owen.

[tigerdave]

I've got a level of anticipation for this game I don't think I've had since AZ Alkmaar away last year. Do I need my head checked? :confused:

[Russell1892]

I'm gonna stick my neck out and say 4-1 Newcastle. That may be strangely optomistic but if we go all out at home with a three man attack we can have some joy against them. For some reason I also think there might be a sending off in this game (for them not us hopefully).

McBride always scores against us too - so I don't foresee a clean sheet.

Owen will score at least one I think (its an England squad weekend).

and Martins to turn his tears into something more productive hopefully.

[ToonUSA]

Fulham hasn't won back to back games in 64 games. Something tells me they are due.

God I hope I'm wrong.

[City Dave]

Fulham hasn't won back to back games in 64 games. Something tells me they are due.

God I hope I'm wrong.

Yeah, and do you know where their last road victory was?

:rolleyes:

The press just can't get enough of this crap.

There's no such thing as "due".

It's all on how our boys and their boys play tomorrow on the pitch.

[Russell1892]

Weather news: As an added complication its SNOWING here in the North-East. Good old Geordie weather as we head into spring time.

I'm not sure what it means for the match. Prepare to see Martins come out with a jumper under his shirt, gloves, and possibly a bobble hat (and a thermos of soup).

[tigerdave]

No changes to the starting XI from Monday's match at Birmingham. Edgar comes in for Cacapa on the subs' bench,

NUFC: Harper, Beye, Faye, Taylor, Enrique, Butt, Geremi, Barton, Owen (c), Viduka, Martins. Subs: Forster, Edgar, N'Zogbia, Smith, Carroll.

FFC: Kasey Keller, Paul Konchesky, Paul Stalteri, Brede Hangeland, Aaron Hughes, Leon Andreasen, Jimmy Bullard, Danny Murphy, Simon Davies, Brian McBride (c), Eddie Johnson. Subs: Tony Warner, Moritz Volz, Carlos Bocanegra, David Healy, Clint Dempsey.

[JayRockers!]

No changes to the starting XI from Monday's match at Birmingham. David "********ing Mint" Edgar comes in for Cacapa on the subs' bench.FYP :)

Thx,

Jay!

[THOMA GOL]

brrrrraaaaaaaaaap brrrrraaaaaaaaap


LOL damn I just heard that in a reggaeton song. Big up big up it's a stick up stick up, and Fulham's 'bout to get robbed.

[tigerdave]

FYP :)

Thx,

Jay!

I'm in Facebook's "David Edgar is ********ing Mint" group too so I really should know better. I blame sleep deprivation on that one. My bad. :o

[THOMA GOL]

Man, the faces on those old men coaching the two sides tells plenty of the magnitude of this match.

[giffenbone]

live match commentary of Newcastle/Fulham can be found at http://soccerticker.blogspot.com

links to streams can be found at:
http://myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=8587&part=sports
http://rojadirecta.org/