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Match Preview: Newcastle United Vs Sunderland
Match Info:
| Kick-Off:
Saturday October 23rd 1.30pm Live PPV |
| Venue:
St. James' Park |
| Referee:
Rob
Styles |
Match Preview By Ally
Campbell (21 October 2005)
26th April 2003 seems a long time ago, the day a Nolberto Solano penalty
gave us the three points against a soon to be relegated Sunderland.
I’ve missed the derbies personally, and while it gives me pleasure
to see them in Division 1, their promotion guarantees us six easy
points for this year...
I can’t wait till Sunday, but at the same time I’m absolutely bricking
it!
Sunday is being described as ‘win win’ by many fans. If we win the
game, then we’ve beaten the Mackems and gain 3 points.
If we lose, I’d put money on Souness being out of a job by Monday.
Personally I’d rather have the three points, keep local pride and
let Souness leave later. It may be for the best for him to go, but
I can’t see how any Toon fan would want to lose to the Mackems!
Injuries/suspensions
Oh dear, another bloody hamstring. Its getting beyond a joke now and
with Owen a ‘doubt’ it gives us a serious scare ahead of the game.
The cynical side of me thought at first it was a media trick by the
club in the same way that Wenger often says Henry is injured only
for him to miraculously return, but knowing our lot he’s probably
crocked.
Hopefully he’ll play but we then run the risk of aggravating it a
la Dyer and Emre. Speaking of the little man, he is back thankfully
and put in a good showing at Wigan, I fully expect him to start this
game.
Solano is also back, but whether he starts is unknown. Bowyer has
played on the right recently but now he’s injured so I really wouldn’t
be surprised to see Nobby return to the 11. Elsewhere it’s the usual
suspects, Dyer, Luque, Babayaro and Bramble still out.
United squad:
Given, Harper, Carr, Elliott, Taylor, Boumsong, Ramage, Parker, Bowyer,
Emre, Clark, Faye, Solano, N'Zogbia, Brittain, Shearer, Owen, Ameobi,
Chopra.
Mackems Squad:
Davis, J Murphy, Nosworthy, Hoyte, D Collins, Breen, Stubbs, Caldwell,
Miller, Whitehead, Welsh, Lawrence, Robinson, Le Tallec, Elliott,
Gray, Stead, D Murphy.
Julio Arca is a major doubt (toe) while Christian Bassila will definitely
miss out (hamstring) along with long-term absentees Stephen Wright,
George McCartney, Colin Healy and Kevin Kyle.
How should we approach this game?
On paper we’ve a far better team than Sunderland do, but that all
goes out the window for a game like this. There will be a great atmosphere
and both teams will no doubt go out all guns blazing. Derbies are
never brilliant games of football but even so, we should try and play
the game.
Emre and Solano will give us the creativity we’ve so badly lacked
over the last month or so. We’ve now got players to take effective
free kicks and corners, and in Solano a guy who will put the ball
at Shearer’s head.
I’m optimistic we’ll play quite well, but I usually am and end up
disappointed by Souness’ idiocy! As per usual, we need to play to
Owen’s strengths if he plays and that means the ball played at his
feet.
With Emre behind him this is quite an exciting combination, I bet
Owen is delighted he won’t be ‘receiving’ the ball from Amdy Faye
anymore, and he’s not the only one!
Defensively we need to be strong and physical, Elliott still plays
but he’ll be alright against this lot, but against top opposition
he’ll be caught out. Hopefully Boumsong will be on better form on
Sunday, no more headed back passes from the half way line please!
Key Players
Newcastle:
I think Emre could play a big part in this match. From what we’ve
seen of him he’s not afraid to get stuck in which is vital for a derby
match, and he’s got the killer pass we’ve lacked recently. I imagine
Sunderland will defend with a lot of men behind the ball when we go
forward, so to have the talents of Emre to slot the ball through to
one of the strikers will be very useful.
Mackems:
For Sunderland, well, they don’t have any good players do they? Looking
at the team sheet with incredible bias I struggle to find any direct
threat, especially if Arca is injured. Elliott looks a decent player
though and caused problems for Man Utd last week, Boumsong will have
to make sure he stays on his feet and we’ll be alright.
Verdict
I’m nervous about this game, even though we’re superior on paper it
tends to go out of the window. The thought of losing to them isn’t
a good one! Fingers crossed Owen will be fit and we’ll be ok, without
him we’re pretty toothless upfront. I’m going for a nervy 1-0 win
for us, goal coming from Michael Owen. Howay the lads!
Likely Lineup
Pre-Match Reaction: Graeme Souness
"I like big games and they don't come any bigger than this. The players
are excited about it as well.
"I would expect Sunderland to be up for the game - of course they
will. Mick McCarthy is a gritty character and he wants his team to
play a certain style.
"They will think it is a good time to play us, but we think it is
a good time to play them as well."
Pre-Match Reaction: Mick McCarthy
"We try to prepare for it like it is just another game but of course
it is not, it is local rivalry.
"I do not want to be involved in a losing derby and neither do the
players - but I do not want them going into the game trying to show
how much they care.
"A silly tackle could get them a silly booking or red card. Yes, be
passionate about it, but be sensible as well."
Newcastle Vs Sunderland Head To Head
| Comp |
Newcastle
Wins |
Draws |
Sunderland Wins |
| League |
46 |
38 |
40 |
| FA
Cup |
2 |
3 |
2 |
| League
Cup |
0 |
2 |
0 |
| Total |
48 |
44 |
43 |
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