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Injury-ravaged Newcastle United will want to bounce back from their defeat against Chelsea on Wednesday night, and begin to climb from a disappointing 14th in the table. The next three consecutive home matches are vital to the Magpies season, and subsequently, it is fair to say that the supporters expect nothing less than a win against 20th placed Watford at St. James Park on Saturday.
This will be the second encounter between the two clubs this season. It was at Vicarage Road that Newcastle secured their place in the quarterfinals of the Carling Cup, although Watford made the Geordies work hard for the result only finally succumbing on penalties after a 2-2 draw after extra time. Sibierski and Parker got the goals that night, but many would probably like to forget the sloppy goals conceded against a team considered shy in front of goal.
However, the eventual defeat of Watford set Newcastle off on the start of an eight-match unbeaten run, and their performances have improved, not only in defence, but all over the pitch, where they have shown solidity, enthusiasm and penetration. The run ended against Chelsea on Wednesday, but the club could do no better than to begin another unbeaten run, starting once more against Adrian Boothroyd’s men.
SQUADS
Newcastle: Given, Srnicek, Taylor, Ramage, Huntington, Babayaro, Parker, Butt, Emre, Milner, Duff, Pattison, Troisi, Gate, Edgar, Martins, Dyer, Sibierski, Luque, Rossi, Carroll.
Watford: Lee, Chamberlain, Chambers, Shittu, DeMerit, Stewart, Powell, Mackay, Doyley, Mariappa, Smith, Francis, Bangura, Bouazza, Mahon, Spring, McNamee, Young, Henderson, Priskin, Jarrett.
INJURY NEWS
Of Newcastle’s walking wounded, Kieron Dyer is most likely to return having resumed full training last week. Parker is also likely to return, and Sibierski has been declared fit, but the game may be a little too early for Emre and Duff, although both are included in the squad after rapid recoveries from their ankle and knee injuries.
Watford striker Marlon King and goalkeeper Ben Foster remain on the long term injury list, while Clarke Carlisle has a thigh problem. Skipper Gavin Mahon is likely to return to the first XI having served his suspension.
VIEWS BEFORE THE GAME
Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder on our injuries:
“In a strange way you could argue the injuries we have had have actually made the squad stronger.
“They are a tight-knit squad anyway, they do get on ever so well around the training ground and some of them socialise outside the training ground.
“You can sense a real willingness from the injured players for the team to win the next game.”
On lifting the Intertoto Cup:
“Someone mentioned it to me at the gate this morning.
“The lads will be pleased.â€
Watford defender James Chambers: “The key for us is to stay positive.
“When you are at the bottom of the table, it is easy to feel sorry for yourself, and I have been through that before at West Brom.
“At times like these, you need to keep your spirits up and dig in, because it really does only need one result to turn around a season.”
PREDICTED LINE-UP
Given
Huntington
Taylor
Ramage
Babayaro
Milner
Parker
Butt
Duff
Sibierski
Martins
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Played: 32
Newcastle Win: 11
Draw: 13
Watford Win: 8
THE LAST 6 HOME RESULTS
Newcastle 1 – 0 Watford
Newcastle 2 – 0 Watford
Newcastle 2 – 2 Watford
Newcastle 1 – 0 Watford
Newcastle 2 – 1 Watford
Newcastle 0 – 0 Watford
PREDICTION
Newcastle showed against Chelsea that despite all the injuries, we are prepared to stand up and be counted, and that sort of attitude is likely to see off a Watford side that is really struggling to find results. Obafemi Martins seems to be getting to grips with the Premiership, and you would expect him to have some joy against Watford’s defence, especially if Dyer is on the pitch, as the two have shown that they can link up effectively on the counter attack.
I am going to predict a 4-0 victory, with two goals for Martins, and one each for Dyer and Rossi. Howay the Lads!
Once again we ask you to tell us your predictions using the Comments feature available below.
posted by Taylor27
December 16, 2006 @ 8:47 am
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My Predicted Line Up:-
1. Shay Given
32. Paul Huntington
27. Steven Taylor
26. Peter Ramage
33. Celestine Babayaro
16. James Milner
22. Nicky Butt
17. Scott Parker
11. Damien Duff
20. Antoine Sibierski
9. Obafemi Martins
Subs
24. Pavel Srnicek
5. Emre
8. Kieron Dyer
15. Giuseppe Rossi
7. Albert Luque
Comment by Matt December 16, 2006 @ 2:09 pm