Ash Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Last thing i'd do is play Ben Arfa off Ba. Why? Because both of them are withdrawn strikers, and one of the best things about our play in the last handful of games has been Ba assisting the midfield. We won't get that if Ba has to hold the line. Ben Arfa can assist the midfield, Ba can hold the ball up. Not seen a great deal to suggest that Ba can hold the ball up that well. Certainly not as well as he drops deep. Eh? He's done it loads this season. Besides, by all accounts Ba and HBA didn't link up against a vastly inferior team to City. That was HBA's first start in a competitive game in a year. Funnily enough, it was also one of Ba's best performances this season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Still wouldn't. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 What's the score on Best anyway? Did he pick up a knock with Ireland (didn't he get called up in the end)? Got knacked against Everton. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Fuck me, these international weeks kill me, lose all ability to keep up to date. His work rare will be a massive miss. Saying that, love to see HBA and a) do himself justice and shut the thick knackers up and b) viciously assault De Jong and get away with it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beren Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 The lack of information regarding our injuries seems a little suspect to me. Best got knacked at Everton, but was ready to play Ireland's home leg, but for the birth of his child - so why would he now be unavailable again? Hope he starts anyway. No problem with Shola or HBA partnering Ba up front. Both offer different attributes and are capable of playing incredible or dogshit I'll give Pardew the benefit of the doubt as to who he chooses. So long as there is a second striker and we don't go 4-5-1. Right midfield is tricky too. All depends on our strategy, which I hope we try to stick to (as Pardew has mentioned). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley17 Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 The lack of information regarding our injuries seems a little suspect to me. Best got knacked at Everton, but was ready to play Ireland's home leg, but for the birth of his child - so why would he now be unavailable again? Hope he starts anyway. No problem with Shola or HBA partnering Ba up front. Both offer different attributes and are capable of playing incredible or dogshit I'll give Pardew the benefit of the doubt as to who he chooses. So long as there is a second striker and we don't go 4-5-1. Right midfield is tricky too. All depends on our strategy, which I hope we try to stick to (as Pardew has mentioned). Best was in the squad for Ireland but he reported to them saying he was injured and was thus prefer to stay in Newcastle pending birth of baby Best rather than travel to Estonia. By the time the 2nd leg came around, he was still injured. Always suspicious when the injuries aren't reported properly, it usually means the bad news is dropped in on the end of some good news in the hope we don't notice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxfree Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 "The Toon's acid test has finally arrived." Until we draw and meet Manchester United, at least. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ameritoon Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Can't believe no one's mentioned there's only one more sleep until the game! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decky Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Looking forward to this. What im not looking forward to however is the tedious aftermath if we lose. People will be calling it Newcastle's crash back down to earth, and their luck is out etc etc. Totally ignoring the fact that we played the best team in the league that is walking it's way to the league title. Fact is no matter who we lose to in this league, it will be our fall from grace with other fans, mackems in particular. So fucking boring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decky Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 And another thing, if we lose all 3 of these games, it will no doubt be "Newcastle are in free fall" etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sifu Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Looking forward to this. What im not looking forward to however is the tedious aftermath if we lose. People will be calling it Newcastle's crash back down to earth, and their luck is out etc etc. Totally ignoring the fact that we played the best team in the league that is walking it's way to the league title. Fact is no matter who we lose to in this league, it will be our fall from grace with other fans, mackems in particular. So f***ing boring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christmas Tree Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Can't believe no one's mentioned there's only one more sleep until the game! Thats because Im on nights Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanSkÃrare Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 "The Toon's acid test has finally arrived." Until we draw and meet Manchester United, at least. Who said this? I'm sort of obsessed with the way media paint our current run. Today, one of the most renowned pundits in Sweden wrote that "We will see whether Newcastle have the quality to stay at the top of the league after the test that lie ahead." Again, what fucking test? The absence of analytical ability is overwhelming. Why are they getting paid... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanshithispantz Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Isn't it "litmus test" anyway? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxfree Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 "The Toon's acid test has finally arrived." Until we draw and meet Manchester United, at least. Who said this? Steve Brenner. Twat from The Sun. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David28 Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Woke up and immediately felt the nerves. Like it's a Cup final. Good signs.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Ben arfa >>>Best +Shola You are stupid , nufc plays city not stoke What the hell do Stoke have to do with it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Can't believe no one's mentioned there's only one more sleep until the game! Sleep over. Really looking forward to this. First away trip of the season. I've woken up in a positive mood. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beren Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Everyone has forgotten what defeat tastes like! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 I'm hoping it tastes like a nice curry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankpingel Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Up and getting ready. Nervously excited about the day but that's the norm for me on away days. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ykmkmdd Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Everyone has forgotten what defeat tastes like! Too true - over 6 months isn't it? Got a feeling that if we do lose there will be an element of injustice to it - dodgy penalty, fluke deflection, something like that - fucking hate City. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledGeordie Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 I don't think Santon right side of midfield is a bad shout really. He's quick and I remember seeing a quote from him saying how he can play in a more forward position either side of midfield. He'd also provide support for Simpson and the midfield especially with the possibility with Ben Arfa roaming. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David28 Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Finally. As soon as there's Live Saturday Football on the bbc website the Saturday really starts for me. Decent. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/default.stm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
relámpago blanco Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Its weird after an international break feel like I havent seen us play for months. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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