League Cup Preview: NUFC Vs Norwich
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.
Likely
Lineup
Norwich's
Strengths
Norwich's
Weaknesses
NUFC
Squad News & Pre-Match Reaction
Norwich
Squad News & Pre-Match Reaction
The
Referee
Prediction
Newcastle In Great Shape Thanks To Souness!
Shape of things to come as we move backwards in going forward?
Whenever a new manager comes in one of the first things we look for
is a change, or any changes, in the playing style. Well, 7 games into
Souness' new reign and there isn't much of a difference in the way
we 'play' under the Scot than how we did under Sir Bobby. We are still
sloppy on the ball, look bereft of ideas when going forward at times,
and fail to kill off the opposition. That is going forward however.
Off the ball, going backwards it is a different matter. We have changed
and for the better as the results are proving. [More
+]
Bellamy's Torment
Bellamy quotes:
"Maybe it was just me but I felt the fans might have been ready to
turn against me.
"I heard a couple shouting at me from the sides and I’ve never
really experienced that before at Newcastle. Maybe it's just me being
paranoid but it was the first time it hit home.
"The reception at the end was brilliant. I think it was the
Geordie fans saying 'Thanks for the winner and, as long as you try
your best, we'll stand by you'.
"People always see me as someone giving 100 per cent. I probably
wouldn't still be here after the incidents I've been through down
the years if they didn’t think that. Maybe I would have been shown
the door a long time ago.
"It all stems from me. I've only myself to blame, even if everyone
else looks to pump it up. It would be easy for me to blame others
but I have to look at myself.
"These are not headlines I want to be involved in. I'm a 25-year-old
with a missus and two kids and I don't need that - and nor does the
club.
"It's not nice for the fans to read about the same player causing
aggro.
"It really hit home after the last week and now I just want
to get on putting in better performances for Newcastle.
"Sunday wasn't one of my best games but to get a late winner like
that was incredible."
The Gazza & Beardsley Supershow
A trip down memory lane...
19 years ago to this day, goals from Peter Beardsley
and Paul Gascoigne saw off Aston Villa at Villa Park
in front of a lowly 12,633 crowd as Newcastle made it 6 wins from
14 in the old 1st Division. United's season didn't get off to the
best of starts with Jack Charlton resigning as manager just days before
the start of the 1985-86 campaign and by the time the Toon appointed
Willie McFaul in September, his job was to make sure the club he once
played for with distinction, stayed up.
McFaul got off to a great start, winning his first 2 games in charge
and drawing the 3rd and 4th before a 2-1 defeat against West Ham at
St. James's brought an end to the unbeaten run.
From then on in Newcastle's form was rather patchy and was reflected
with the club finishing in a modest but welcome 11th place - bagging
63 points. 3 places better off than the previous campaign. The undoubted
stars of that season were defensive stalwart Glen Roeder, the outrageously
talented Paul Gascoigne and of course Peter Beardsley, who notched
19 times in all competitions with Gazza down in second place in the
scorers charts with 10 less.
Just 3 seasons later United's stay in the top-flight came to an end.
After the sale of Beardsley and Gazza had left them bereft of their
star players. Newcastle were relegated to the 2nd Division in one
of the most wretched campaigns in our history. St. James' Park would
have to wait 4 more years for the return of top-flight footy, but
it was worth waiting for... |
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