Match Preview: Wigan Athletic Vs Newcastle United
Match Info:
| Kick-Off:
Wednesday 30 November 7.45pm BST (Sky Sports) |
| Venue:
JJB Stadium |
| Competition:
League Cup 4th Round |
| Referee:
Steve
Bennett |
Match Preview By Howaythetoon
(30 November 2005)
With the pressure increasing on Graeme Souness and the League Cup
remaining United's best chance of picking up silverware this season
(we say it every year...), tonight's match at the JJB Stadium against
high-flying Wigan, is a must win game. Defeat could tip the scales.
After a shocking performance away to Everton, the Newcastle manager
has talked about a reaction from his charges and with his opposite
number Paul Jewell hinting at making many changes to his side, this
game is there for the taking.
Injuries/suspensions
Owen and Bramble misses this match while Babayaro is out injured but
wouldn't have played anyway after picking up a three game suspension
today for his scuffle with Everton's Tim Cahill at the weekend. Carr,
Dyer, Moore and Taylor are also all out injured but Luque could start.
United squad:
Given, Harper, Ramage, Elliott, Boumsong, Parker, Bowyer, Emre, Clark,
Faye, N'Zogbia, Brittain, Shearer, Ameobi, Chopra, Luque.
Wigan Athletic Squad:
TBC...
How should we approach this game?
We know Wigan will rest players while we will be forced into making
some alterations of our own with Shearer apparently being considered
to play at centre-back due to Bramble's withdrawal. But I don't think
for one minute that Souness will go with that. We do hear that Faye
could be in line for a starring role alongside Boumsong however...
Regardless, we must win this game. The pressure has been cranked up
on Souness following two successive away defeats, a third, ending
our best chance of winning that elusive trophy, could up the ante
further on the Scot.
Wigan are a hard working team, with a sound defence, a compact midfield
and have pace and power up front. While not many of their players
spring to mind, it's not hard to see why they are doing so well. They
play football and keep things simple, backed up by a tremendous work
ethic, a will to win and they scrap for every ball. They have been
a breath of fresh air this season.
We need to start the game well, play at a high tempo and get forward
quickly while keeping our shape at the back. If we start off badly,
it's very hard to get going and Wigan won't need any encouragement
to attack us.
Key Players
Newcastle:
That man Alan Shearer will, for me, be the key player for United.
Not the player he once was but in one off games he can still have
an impact as he showed in the previous round, winning us the match.
I fancy him to leave a mark on this game. Lets just hope this isn't
to be his swan song in the League Cup.
Wigan:
Jason Roberts, the man who scored their winner in the League fixture.
He's powerful, quick and direct and will cause problems for the confidence
shot Boumsong or whoever partners him in defence.
Verdict
This is hard to call, you would imagine we would come out firing on
all cylinders following that defeat and performance at Goodison and
Souness' claims of a reaction. But with wor lot, you just never know.
I fear a stalemate and penalties but I'm going to put us down for
a 2-1 win with Shearer and Parker to get the goals.. please. Howay
the lads!
Likely Lineup
Pre-Match Reaction: Graeme Souness
"Between the top four or winning the Carling Cup I would take the
top four.
"That would be sensible option. No-one wants to win a trophy more
than I. I have tasted it at other clubs so I know what it is like,
but the Champions League adds so much more.
"I accept common sense does not come into football, but that is the
way I look at it. Our chairman would be stuck between two stools as
well.
"If you get into the top four you are in the Champions League and
that means much more money.
"It means your club has the finances to compete with the very best.
"But if you got into the Champions League once and invested wisely
it would give you a far greater chance of success over many years
than winning the Carling Cup just once.
"We have travelling support going there and will field a very strong
team.
"I am not concerned about what other teams do. Wigan will see
it the way they choose to but we are going there with all our big
hitters. The team is up for this competition."
Pre-Match Reaction: Alain Perrin
"Maybe it's a more important game for Newcastle given the expectations,
but we don't want to be just bit-part players.
"We obviously want to win the game and progress as far as we can,
although I feel there might be a bit more pressure on them to get
the win.
"It's one of those cups they will be targeting to win because it is
entry into Europe for them, so they will probably bring the big hitters
out."
Wigan Athletic Vs Newcastle Head To Head
| Comp |
Wigan
Athletic Wins |
Draws |
Newcastle
Wins |
| League |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| FA
Cup |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Total |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
