Match Preview: NUFC Vs West Brom
By
Craig Hope
After a week that has rather surprisingly witnessed the absence of
Newcastle United from the front pages of the tabloids, the visit of
WBA to SJP presents Graeme Souness' side with the opportunity to make
back page headlines by recording three consecutive Premiership victories. October
2003 was the last time we managed such a feat (four victories in total)
defeating Southampton, Boro, Fulham and Portsmouth.
Minor tales of discontent 'reported (!)' by the Daily Mirror have
passed by without interference, leaving the impression that our preparations
for Saturday’s match have gone well - the players were even awarded
Wednesday off (as of yet no confirmed sightings of Tuesday night Quayside
escapades).
Newly promoted West Brom are our opponents and at 1/2 in the betting
market we are the strong favourites to earn yet another three Premiership
points. The optimism that surrounds the build up to Saturday’s game
should not however be replaced with complacency come kick off - it
cannot be forgotten that both Norwich and Spurs have headed south
from SJP this season with points in the bag.
They are nonetheless a team in trouble. A midweek Carling Cup defeat
to Colchester United has done little to boost morale. It was indeed
though the Carling Cup last season when, minus a rested Shearer, we
were beaten 2-1 at SJP by West Brom thanks to a Lee Hughes strike.
This time around they are without a Premiership victory and in Robert
Earnshaw they have purchased what can be argued a terrific striker
at 1st Division level – for the same money Gary Megson paid Cardiff
City we have managed to acquire both Butt and Kluivert (and still
have half a million left over!). The Second Division is not the Premiership
however and having seen what I have of Earnshaw to date it is evident
that his addition will not save what looks like an already doomed
West Brom side.
Baggies boss and ex-Mag Gary Megson is under pressure and was this
week linked with a move away from The Hawthorns to Sheff Wed. A defeat
on Saturday and Megson could join both Sir Bobby and Paul Sturrock
in those receiving early season P45’s.
As was the case last weekend it remains to be seen just who Souness
will select. It has to be said that he surprised the majority at St.Mary’s
by including Kluivert, Shearer and Bellamy. His decision to play Jenas
on the left was met with a certain degree of caution before the game.
But, following the victory and Souness’ subsequent explanation that
Jenas played there to combat the threat of Fernandes cutting infield,
we were all left reassured by his tactical acumen. The midfield last
weekend looked far more resilient and compact without Robert. At home
Souness may decide that we can afford to play the Frenchman and revert
back to a Bellamy/Shearer front line with Jenas playing right midfield.
Bowyer and Butt are sure to maintain their central berths. Bowyer
needs to improve upon his last two performances. With Nicky Butt behind
him he has the perfect platform from which to attack and not have
to worry about defensive duties. He should utilise this freedom and
continue to make those runs that can often distort the shape of the
opposition defence thus creating space for other players. This additional
space is what Alan Shearer thrives upon. It would be exciting to see
all three of our strikers accommodated once more and if Souness subscribes
to the 'never change a winning team' adage then that will be the case.
At the back, pending fitness, Carr and Bernard are expected to continue
with a central pairing of O'Brien and Elliot/Hughes.
VERDICT
It is often the way that a team like WBA rise to the challenge in
the face of adversity. This I feel will not happen on Saturday and
we will run out easy winners against a team surely heading for 'Championship'
football next year.
It would be good to see the man on the ball presented with more options
on Saturday - something that has been sadly lacking this season. The
likes of Jenas and Bowyer, as all good midfielders should, must be
looking to make themselves available to every Newcastle man who has
possession. They need to show an eagerness and a hunger to want the
ball and to drive us forward. Too often this season our midfield,
excluding Nicky Butt, appear all too happy to participate when the
play comes their way. An energetic, eager display from our midfield
on Saturday will surely ensure three points and add yet more numbers
to the growing herd of Toon supporters who are stepping down from
the fence and signalling their eventual approval towards the appointment
of Graeme Souness.
Likely
Lineup
Player
Watch For Them: Nwanko Kanu
Player
Watch For The Toon: Stephen Carr
Who
To Boo
NUFC
Squad News & Pre-Match Reaction
West
Brom 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
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