Newcastle United Vs Norwich City |
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Date:
Wednesday 27th October 2004
Kick Off: 7.45pm UK
Venue: St. James' Park
Ref: Philip Dowd (Stoke)
Comp: League Cup 3rd Round |
| Match Preview
In Association With Toon
Ale |
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Last season a so-called weakened Newcastle side with Shearer, Given,
Speed and Hughes all dropped and on the bench, was dumped out at this
stage of the League Cup by the then 1st Division West Brom in extra
time - and despite playing well and creating enough chances to win
2 games, many blamed Sir Bobby's 'weakened' lineup for the defeat.
12 months on and Sir Bobby is no longer in charge. Will his replacement,
a man who won this very competition a few seasons back, pick a 'weakened'
team for the visit of Norwich? You bet he will and to be honest it's
not only expected but warranted. Even in reserve we have enough in
our locker to see off the Canaries. Harper, Kluivert, Bramble et.al
will not weaken the team. Some will argue they will in fact strengthen
it.
Not only is this an ideal match for Souness to give those waiting
in the wings a run out to learn more about them, but more importantly
for them, a rare opportunity to stake a claim for first-team football
without the prospect of jeopardising all important League points.
With a hectic League schedule and UEFA Cup games coming up, the League
Cup - a trophy I would dearly love to see being paraded around the
Toon in May and one I believe we have a chance of winning and would
hope that is the aim of all concerned - is the one Cup that allows
managers up and down the country to use the squads they have at their
disposal.
Souness would be crazy not to give the likes of Harper, Bramble and
Kluivert a run out. Like I said these are not 'weak' players but important
ones and for some, gaining match fitness will go a long way to helping
us in the long run. Bramble for example isn't going to get match fit
by playing a few reserve games. You get that needed sharpness by playing
competitive football.
I'm confident whatever lineup Souness goes with, that we will have
enough quality in the side to see off most. It's not as if the bairns
will be playing. Dire is injured for a start...
We already know that Kluivert and Harper will start and it won't be
a surprise to see Bramble, Hughes and Ameobi all making starts too.
Ronny Johnsen is in the squad but after limping out of a reserve match
only last week, this game could come too early for the Norwegian,
although a run out towards the end could be on the cards. In midfield
I'd like to see Bowyer start as he needs a goal and he isn't going
to get one sitting this one out. A goal will spark off his season
you feel. I'd also like to see Robert keep his place on the left.
After scoring at the weekend the last thing we need is to dampen his
admittedly, cold fire. Robert has a history of going on scoring runs.
Against Norwich he will fancy his chances.
In the centre I'd like to see Milner start. he hasn't quite cut it
on either flank yet but he has impressed for England Under-21's from
the middle - maybe a free reign will give him some confidence.
Either way I expect a home win and progression to the next round.
We have the talent regardless of who starts, and I'm sure Souness
will have them in the right-frame of mind. Good luck Souey and the
lads.
Harper |
Hughes |
Bramble |
Elliott |
Bernard |
Ambrose |
Milner |
Bowyer |
Robert |
| |
Kluivert |
Ameobi |
|
| Norwich Strengths & Weaknesses |
Strengths
As we found out in the 2-2 draw at St. James's back in August when
the Canaries come back from 2-0 down to earn a point, Norwich have
tremendous spirit within their camp and work hard for one another.
The impressive Nigel Worthington has done wonders with the Carrow
Road outfit and has created a real team from, to be honest, a bunch
of 1st Division journey men and youngsters. And that is their main
strength and they will need this spirit if they are to cling onto
Premiership football. What has also impressed me is the manner in
which they work the ball - on the deck and to feet. Most newly promoted
teams come up and try to kick their way to a few points but Norwich
have come up playing football. In what turned out to be Sir Bobby's
last match in charge at the Old Gallowgate, I thought they played
the better football that night. Norwich can string a few passes together
and keep the ball if we allow them to.
Weaknesses
The main thing that stands out is that real cutting edge, they don't
have any with only 7 League goals to their name this season. In most
of their matches they have played really well and got back into games
but they have lacked that punch up front to do some real damage -
to win games. They have pace in Huckerby and McKenzie but neither
are goalscoring forwards. They will sneak goals here and there, but
not on a consistent basis. They don't exactly worry you in that sense.
Although with our back four I wouldn't bet against them scoring at
least one. Their other weakness and perhaps the most telling one is
their lack of real Premiership quality in the side. Should we approach
this game in the right frame of mind the obvious superior quality
should prevail.
| NUFC Squad News &
Pre-Match Reaction |
Graeme Souness on the match:
"I know that our fans will have coughed up their hard-earned cash
to come and watch us play Norwich City and really it's a balancing
act for me.
"So what I am going to have to do is the pick a team which is capable
of beating Norwich City on the night - and I have a team in my mind.
"But the big prize is the Champions League.
"Qualifying for that is the main priority because that is where the
big money is, and it can get you the top players who improve your
squad."
United squad:
Given, Harper, Carr, Hughes, O'Brien, Elliott, Johnsen, Bramble, Taylor,
Bernard, Milner, Ambrose, Brittain, Jenas, Bowyer, Butt, Robert, Shearer,
Bellamy, Kluivert, Ameobi.
| Norwich Squad News
& Pre-Match Reaction |
Nigel
Worthington on the match:
"The performance up there was first class from start to finish.
"We conceded two goals but battled back and almost won it at the death.
The new manager has come in and I don't think he's lost a game since
he's been there.
"Again, it's a wonderful crowd to play infront of.
"They are a huge club with huge finances and have a lot of quality
players."
Norwich squad:
TBC
 Philip
Dowd
Last officiated a Toon match when we beat Bolton Wanderers 1-0 at
St. James' Park back in 2002-2003. The Potteries born ref has issued
11 yellow cards and no reds in the matches that he has refereed in
the Premiership this season. Lets hope he has an uneventful night
and allows the game to flow.
If Newcastle enter this match in the right frame of mind I can't see
anything but a home win and progression to the next round in a competition
I'd hope Souness and his team believe we can win and that must be
the aim. 3-0 with Kluivert getting a brace and Bowyer scoring his
first of the season. |
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