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Newcastle United v Sunderland - Sunday 20th March 2016 at 1:30PM (live on Sky)


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I know it's clichéd.  But the midfield battle is going to be massive, in this game. 

 

They currently play with a centre half and two holding midfielders.  So I'd like to think we have the attacking edge on them!  I certainly don't want to see Anita in there again.  Up against that lanky German bloke, Cattermole and M'Vila, he'll be a passenger.  No idea what's going on with Tiote and Saivet must look dreadful in training.  As he's not had a chance since Everton away.  Doesn't leave us with many options. 

 

I know it's a bit attacking and I've been against it in the past.  But I'd be tempted to stick Wijnaldum a bit deeper.  He actually offers something when he gets on the ball and whilst he's not defensively minded.  He is mobile and doesn't appear to run out of steam.  Shelvey has put a lot of effort in of late, compared to what we saw at Swansea and when he first signed.  So I think him and Gini, could work.

 

I guess it kind of depends who plays in front of them, though?  As if we played Perez, it would be a bit too open and attack minded.

 

Yeah Gini and Shelvey as the two, it's the best option by a mile, also frees up one wing for Townsend, who looks the most likely to make a chance. I'm fucking done with Sissoko, he's pointless.

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The main difference between us at the minute is Defoe. If we'd had him we'd not be bottom 3.

 

So Defoe is worth 2 whole points ?!

 

How did you conclude that from what ON said? :lol: He's right like. People on here laughed when the mackems got Defoe for the fee and wages involved, but he's worth his weight in gold for them as his goals are the difference between staying up and going down. Oh how we could do with someone of his ilk right now.

 

I think Rafa's primary focus for the Leicester game was for us to be more solid in defence, but this week everything needs to be focused on devising a coherent attacking game plan for this game and the Norwich away one. Personally, I would go with Doumbia (or Cisse if fit) from the start and work on attacking movement and off the ball runs, and keep Mitro on the bench as a late sub when we have to go gung ho.

 

                          Elliot

 

Janmaat  Mbemba Lascelles  :anguish:

 

                  Tiote/Saivet

        Wijnaldum      Shelvey       

 

          Perez                Townsend

                    Doumbia

 

Mbabu is a massive upgrade when slotted into [anguish face]'s position. If fit he's a difference maker I think, over these final 9 games.

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With 6ft 5in Kirchhoff as anchor man, could Sissoko be used centrally? He could match him physically, despite having a pea-sized heart.

 

Wijnaldum, Shelvey, Sissoko central, with Townsend and Perez out wide.

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Just watched yesterday's game again. Think we could have done better in midfield. Our momentum was often stiffled by not winning the 2nd balls or not winning the 50-50s. Once we lost the loose balls, Leicester just controlled it without really asserting themselves.

 

And Mr. Fistpumps was so good last night.......at impersonating Danny Simpson's backing off style.

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Sissoko - Wijnaldum - Shelvey - Perez

 

                        De Jong

 

                        Mitrovic

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Guest firetotheworks

Got this awful feeling we're going to get done by another dodgy refereeing decision against these again. Notice the ref for the last derby hasn't reffed a Newcastle match since. Looks like it's Martin Atkinson on Sunday.

 

Martin Atkinson's still absolutely terrible, that's before getting onto him telling Ben Arfa to get up after De Jong had just broken his leg in two places.

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The wait this week for this  :anguish:

 

One minute I think we've got Benitez, he's class, he will have us the best we can be in terms of preparation and we will win this.  Next minute I'm thinking they are going to score another 90th minute winner.

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I'd definitely not be against Colback bicycle kicking Khazri on the 90th minute.

 

EDIT: I also wouldn't be surprised if this is actually Sam's plan, and we leave the game with a few injuries.

 

Will be amazed if we both have 11 on the pitch at the end. Gonna be physical and Rafa is right in trying to focus our lot on playing football and staying calm..

Let the cloggers clog and out pass and move them....in theory.

 

Let's hope Taylor has one of his good days...

 

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Defoe worries me, he's the only real goalscorer on either team so if it's a tight game he's the one most likely to come up with a goal.

 

Set pieces will be a nightmare as well, need to keep corners and attacking free kicks to a minimum.

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Remember Pardew only had them training attacking one day a week, and McClaren probably didn't even do that.  It's no wonder no-one can hit a barn door after that.  Rafa will get them scoring again.

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The only time we struggle in this match I'd when we allow ourselves to get dragged into their game. Rafa will have a plan and if we stick to it and play our own game I have no doubt (barring a dodgy refereeing decision) we can win this.

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Guest ElCid

Whoever scores first will win.

 

That's been the big problem I think it was Cabaye the last time we scored first and at home it was the 5 - 1 game. Crucial to get the first goal I agree.

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