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Zulte-Waragem v NUFC - Pre-Match Thread


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Guest toon tone rudeboy

Interesting:

 

http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/journalsport/tm_headline=dury-expecting-a-uefa-cup-exit%26method=full%26objectid=18614587%26siteid=50081-name_page.html

Dury expecting a Uefa Cup exitFeb 13 2007

 

 

 

 

By Paul Gilder, The Journal

 

 

Newcastle will face opponents without European ambitions in Belgium this week after SV Zulte-Waregem coach Francky Dury insisted he is ready to bid farewell to Continental competition.

 

The two teams will go head-to-head in the last 32 of the Uefa Cup in Ghent and, although the home side have beaten Lokomotiv Moscow, Sparta Prague and Austria Vienna in their maiden season in the tournament, their chances of overcoming United are being played down.

 

Dury's preparations have been hampered by an injury crisis that threatens to leave him with just 15 fit players for Thursday's fixture in Flanders.

 

And the Regenboogstadion boss last night appeared to have thrown in the towel 72 hours before the biggest game in the Jupiler League club's modest history as he claimed that seeking domestic stability was more important than chasing European success.

 

"It's time that this European adventure was over," said Dury, whose side revived their stuttering Belgian campaign with a 3-1 triumph over Standard Liege at the weekend. "It has been very good but we should now say our goodbyes to Europe.

 

"I would like a good result in our home game in Ghent to make the second leg fun. But after that we will have to concentrate on the Belgian League and nothing else. The games in the Uefa Cup have already cost us six points in the league this season and we cannot continue like that. Our game against Cercle Brugge on Sunday is much more important than the one against Newcastle."

 

 

It remains to be seen whether Dury's comments are indicative of a penchant for mind games but, having finished sixth in their maiden season in the Jupiler League, it is obvious that Waregem have struggled to meet the high standards set last season.

 

 

Saturday's 3-1 win against Standard Liege was the club's first this year and, although it lifted the Essevee to 10th place in the top-flight table, much of the season has been spent too close to the relegation play-off zone for comfort. For Dury, guiding his inconsistent side back up the domestic standings is chief amongst his priorities.

 

 

Waregem would have been the overwhelming underdogs against Premiership opponents whatever the circumstances. But the loss of so many key players mean the odds on the part-timers springing an upset have lengthened considerably in recent days.

 

 

Sebastien Siani suffered an ankle problem against Standard at the weekend that has made him a major doubt for Thursday's first-leg tie at the Jules Otten Stadion. The Cameroonian is one of just two strikers in the Zulte squad eligible for European action.

 

 

Dury's attacking options have looked limited since former Coventry and Wolves frontman Cedric Roussel was allowed to join Brescia last month. The Belgian signed Tosin Dosunmu and Siani but, with the former unable to play in the competition having already featured for Nancy this season, and the latter not expected to feature as a result of his fitness troubles, it seems Tim Matthys will be the home side's sole striker.

 

 

Waregem have problems in all departments and with Ludwin Van Niewenhuyze suspended having been dismissed in the previous round against Ajax, and Nathan D'Haemers, Geert De Vlieger and Stijn Minne having already been ruled out with various injuries, the home side will struggle to fill the substitutes' bench.

 

 

And, although Dury's depressing appraisal of the situation will not sit well with the Regenboogstadion faithful, it seems a pragmatic manager is approaching this week's game in a realistic mood.

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Guest TheOrder

If we don't beat these then the club wants shutting down.

 

What about Stevenage?

 

We are by far the better team, but they are still footballers, and we are still human. I'm sure we'll cruise it, but we are Newcastle United.

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Also Zulte Waregem have their injury problems (also former Man City goalie Geert De Vlieger is injured), this means that they will not even be able to have a full bench for this game. Also do they have only one available striker for this game, so we might expect a very defensive opponent. Nevertheless we should never get in trouble against them.

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Only one fit striker in a team that has managed a miniscule 25 goals in the league this season, from 21 games that is. And with a defense that conceded 6 goals against Espanyol. Howay Oba - go wild mate. :lol:

 

Would love to see Martins help his goals tally significantly here. What better chance has he got than now to boost his chances of reaching 20 goals?

 

Is Matthys injured? He's the only one with the potential to cause us an upset, i feel.

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Only one fit striker in a team that has managed a miniscule 25 goals in the league this season, from 21 games that is. And with a defense that conceded 6 goals against Espanyol. Howay Oba - go wild mate. :lol:

 

Would love to see Martins help his goals tally significantly here. What better chance has he got than now to boost his chances of reaching 20 goals?

 

Is Matthys injured? He's the only one with the potential to cause us an upset, i feel.

 

Matthys is the one fit striker. He's been playing really great in Europe this season. They bought a new striker this winter, Tosin Dosunmu, he's really good but has played in Europe for Nancy this season, so he is cup tied. Their striker Cedric Roussel, who played for Coventry and Wolves, left them a few weeks ago for Italy.

Their defense has a lot of experience but is really slow, so Oba should have a great time on Thursday. But I suppose they'll try not to play very high and keep the space for Oba really small.

 

Anyway, most of these players have to take a few days off work for their trip to Newcastle, most of them have a job, so it would be a disgrace to get in trouble against them. Their coach, Franky Dury (who's been there for many years), only signed a full time contract last week. He was a cop until now. Also mind that this season is only the second in their club history in the Belgian top level after promoting two years ago.

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Today there's an interview in a Belgian newspaper with Philippe Albert prior to the UEFA Cup game. Unfortunately he won't be present at the game tomorrow cause he has to get up early the day after for work. Still remarkable how hard he still works despite having made such a great career.

He also saids that he was called by the president's son for his opinion on Oguchi Onyewu.

 

Oh, and he also saids that he misses the city of Newcastle and the warmth of the people there.

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Since when has the Belgian league been Part time? Didnt realise Belgian football had gone that bad like.

 

Almost all of our teams in the top level are professional teams. But when Zulte Waregem promoted to the top level two years ago they decided to continue with amateurs and semi-pros. They already have a few professional players now but most of their players still have a daytime job though. But I think they're the only team in Belgian top level who work like this.

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Lets take it to them!

 

------------------Harper

 

--------Taylor--Bramble----Edgar

 

Nobby----------------------------------Duff

 

------------------Parker

---Milner---------------------------Butt

 

------------Dyer------Martins

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Lets take it to them!

 

------------------Harper

 

--------Taylor--Bramble----Edgar

 

Nobby----------------------------------Duff

 

------------------Parker

---Milner---------------------------Butt

 

------------Dyer------Martins

 

Parker is injured

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Would be suprised if we didnt go for

 

Harper

 

Solano  Taylor  Bramble  Baba

 

Milner  Dyer  Butt  Duff

 

Sibbers Martins

 

Like to see Luque get a few mins, expect he probably will aswell.

 

That team will be spot on.

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