Match Preview: NUFC Vs Manchester City
After our excellent win over in Athens it's back to the Premiership
with King Kev and his Manchester City team coming to St. James' Park
to do battle with his former charges. Keegan hasn't quite got City
going like he did at Newcastle but they represent a challenge as Chelsea
found out last week, losing for only the first time this season at
the City of Manchester Stadium with an Anelka goal enough to win them
the 3 points.
Newcastle have an excellent record over City, winning 68 of our 151
meetings - City winning 48 and in the previous 6 meetings at the Old
Gallowgate we have won 5, losing just the one - a 1-0 reverse back
in 2001. Since leaving Newcastle, Keegan hasn't so much as won a point,
lets hope it stays that way come 4.45pm on Sunday.
As ever under Souness, it will be interesting to see what team he
puts out. No doubt Nicky Butt will return to the centre to partner
Bowyer, leaving Jenas with a berth on the flank. Which flank remains
to be seen. Whether Souness decides to stick with Robert after a decent
performance from the Frenchman over in Greece or relegates him back
to the bench will ultimately decide where exactly JJ plays. One thing
is certain, he wont drop the England man after a terrific second-half
performance against Panionios on Thursday.
A decision to go with Robert or not will most likely depend on how
the Scot sees the threat of Sean Wright-Phillips down their right
and our left. Fast, hard working, tricky and often explosive - could
Robert deal with him? That will be the question facing our manager
ahead of this match.
From an attacking sense, we look a far better outfit with Robert in
the team and look less capable of creating opportunities when he's
sat on the bench. A balancing act for Souness to juggle with as he
starts getting to grips with the rich array of personnel that Sir
Bobby Robson left for him.
City, like ourselves, aren't exactly solid at the back so the game-plan
should be to get at them and let our overall quality prevail. With
news on Kluivert's fitness somewhat a secret within the confines of
SJP it seems that Bellamy will keep his place up front alongside Shearer,
with the Dutchman maybe being fit enough for a place on the bench.
At the back, it should be the same that's started on Thursday.
City will come to Tyneside in confident mood and with such attacking
options as Anelka, Wright-Phillips and McManaman in their ranks, they
have the the keys to unlock our suspect defence so we will have to
be strong, resilient and above all else - focused. Good luck to Souey
and the lads.
Likely Lineup
Player Watch For Them: Sean Wright-Phillips
Player Watch For The Toon: Laurent Robert
Who To Boo
NUFC Squad News & Pre-Match Reaction
Man City Squad News & Pre-Match Reaction
The Referee
Last 6 Meetings Between The Sides
Head To Head All-Time Record
Current Form Of Both Sides: Last 10 Games (all competitions)
Prediction
Sir Bobby Defends His Corner & Sticks Up For
Big Al
Sir Bobby quotes regarding his book and relationship with Shearer:
"I was amazed to read I was producing a final chapter to a book that
was being re-launched as a paperback and that the chapter was entitled
'Betrayal' - and that it was referring directly to Alan.
"I couldn't understand it, I knew nothing about it! It was being written
by a long-time journalist friend of mine but I didn't get a penny
from the original book.
"I had nothing to do with it - the book was done on the back
of an excellent Gary Lineker documentary about me.
"But I started to get lots of calls about it and had to react.
"I've spoken to Alan, explained my amazement at the stories
and he accepted what I had to say - that I had nothing to do with
any of the stories.
"I also rang the author Bob Harris and he told me the book
was being reproduced in soft back with this added final chapter -
which is usually the way.
"It's not even finished yet, however, some people put two and
two together and got five. It left me in a terrible position.
Sir Bobby on his relationship with Shearer:
"Of course, when we were together he wasn't happy when I left
him out to rest him - but I didn't mind that, I wouldn't expect him
to be.
"But there were no tantrums from him. He would simply train
harder the next time we were in and he knew my reasoning, knew why
I'd done it - three times in five years by the way!
"I knew just how important he was to the team, to the club,
its fans and as a representative of the whole city.
"Alan Shearer has been one of the finest centre-forwards around
for years now - and his acquisition was a wonderful piece of business
by the club. And he chose his home-town club ahead of Manchester United.
"I have nothing but respect for the man and what he stands
for.
"Alan did hang around to see me honoured by the City Council
after The Match on Sky.
"He did congratulate me on the proud honour bestowed on me
and I not only spoke to Alan but also his wife and family later that
Sunday evening. But what angered me most was to read newspaper articles
suggesting I had added that final chapter to a book and that it was
aimed by me at Alan.
"I repeat: I did not write a word of the book, I didn't get
a penny for the book. I had nothing to do with it.
"These stories have hurt and upset both of us, I tell you.
"But I know we will be able to talk to one another and respect
one another for the rest of my life.
"Yes, we've had our odd difference in opinion.
"But we were five years together at Newcastle. We've had no
fall-out, no bust up.
"I want to put an end to this because it is simply not true.
"We had five great years together and I hope he believes I
helped him because he certainly helped me and the football club.
"I hope our lasting legacy will be that we played an important
part in turning things around to the positive again at Newcastle United.
"He is a great captain, a huge personality and a wonderful
signing for the club.
"But let me end with a final tale for you. Some two or three
weeks before I left the club for the final time, I got Alan into my
office and we talked.
"We agreed that it was likely to be our last season, that we'd
go out together with a united front and with all guns blazing.
"We agreed on this and while I can't keep my part of that,
I know for sure he will keep his side of the bargain.
"I will be writing about him in the definitive Bobby Robson
book, about my huge regard and respect for the man.
"Will all of these good things I then say be reported?
"I hope so, because it's the truth - it's how I feel deep down about
a great centre-forward and Geordie."
Source: The Sun
Match Report: Panionios 0-1 NUFC
Player
Ratings
Full
Match Report
Team
Lineups & Match Facts/Stats
NUFC
Milestones From The Match
How
The Goals Were Scored
Match
Reaction From Souness & Bellamy
Match
Reaction From Carold Pecze
Your
Shout: Match Reaction From The Toon Army
Chopra A Victim Of Abuse At Barnsley
From Sky Sports:
Barnsley striker Michael Chopra may have his loan spell from
Newcastle United extended.
The 20-year-old has been on loan for two months but the spell expires
after this Saturday's game at Oakwell Stadium against Swindon Town.
"Graeme (Souness) has agreed in principal for Michael to stay," Barnsley
boss Paul Hart told the club's official website.
"The question is will he want to after the treatment he has been given.
"I'm sure he'll have other options."
Chopra has been the victim of much abuse since joining the club. He
was even jeered after scoring against Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday.
Come back to the Toon Chopra, the right-flank is up for grabs.
Newcastle On the Path To Making History
A trip down memory lane...
Two years ago to this day, Newcastle set out to make history with
a 1-0 win over Juventus at St. James' Park in the Champions League
thanks to an Andy Griffin goal. United had lost all 3 of their previous
games in the group stage but the win over the Turin giants was the
first of 3 that would see the Toon become the first side to qualify
out of a Champions League group after losing their first 3 matches.
A 2-1 win over Dynamo Kiev at SJP and a memorable last minute, heart
stopping 3-2 win over Feyenoord in Rotterdam brought the Magpies that
little bit of history.
Teams:
United: Harper, Griffin, Hughes, Bramble, O'Brien, Speed, Solano,
Jenas, Shearer, Lua Lua (Ameobi), Robert (Viana).
Juventus: Buffon, Thuram, Birindelli, Tacchinardi, Juliano, Ferrara,
Camoranesi (Zambrotta), Davids (Conte), Di Vaio (Zalayeta), Nedved,
Del Piero.
Attendance: 48,370
Will we be seeing a return of Champions League nights at SJP next
season? |
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