A Rose By Any Other Name...

The Sports Direct Arena

It has been a fantastic start to the season for Newcastle United. After a pre-season that saw big names leave and apparently not replaced left many supporters what direction the club was heading. 


However, here we are in mid November with the Toon undefeated, sitting rubbing shoulders with the regular title contenders in 3rd place. A position which even the most optimistic of Geordie's surely would never have predicted in the summer. 


What could possibly take the shine off such a brilliant start to the campaign? Ah, yes. A certain Mike Ashley. 


Personally, I've had to tip my hat to Ashley for the shrewd way he and his staff have performed in the transfer market. On first glance, the decision to let Carroll, Nolan, Barton and Jose Enrique all leave looked nothing short of disastrous. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, these departures have actually left both the squad - and the club - in a stronger position. 


A slashed wage bill has given Newcastle a sound financial grounding. Couple that with a team that believe in their own and each others ability, Ashley looks to be onto a good thing. Until he messed around with history, that is. 


Selling the naming rights to your stadium is nothing new in world football. The BBC sites 11 grounds in England's top two tiers with sponsored stadia. However, the majority of these venues are new builds. They are starting a history of their own, from scratch. Newcastle United have played at St James' since they founded in 1892. 


From a personal point of view, the thing that grates me is the 'probation period' the stadiums name is now under. Managing director, Derek Llambias telling us: "Naming the stadium the Sports Direct Arena helps up to showcase the opportunity to interested parties." and added: "We are now actively seeking a long-term sponsor wishing to acquire full naming rights for the stadium."


So basically, we will be playing at an alternatively named stadium again next season? It just seems that tradition means very little to those at the top. 


Having said that, I am a realist. I understand that bringing in "£8-10million" extra per year will have a great benefit on the club. Especially with FIFA's financial fair play rules coming into play in the near future. 

The Sir Bobby Robson Stand? 

This comes in a week that saw Sir Alex Ferguson celebrate 25 years of management at Manchester United and the much maligned Glazer family rename a stand in his honour. How long ago does it seem since we were lobbying for the East Stand to be renamed The Sir Bobby Robson Stand? 


Now it looks more like being The Matalan Main Stand, Littlewoods Leazes End or even The Greggs Gallowgate. 


Even with an official name change, I think St James' Park will be called just that for years to come. 

Ameobi’s new contract has fans scratching their heads over Nolan and Barton situation.

New Deal

Contract delight for Shola

It has been reported yesterday that Toon striker Shola Ameobi has signed a two-year contract extension with the club which will run until the summer of 2014. The big striker will be coming up to 33 years of age when this contract expires and has said that he plans to end his career at the club.


"Newcastle is, and always will be, my club and i'm looking forward immensely to the next three years, beginning this Saturday with the season opener against Arsenal." said the big front man after signing his new deal. This, however, must have Newcastle fans up and down the country asking if this means that Ameobi is going to be the man to lead the line for the Magpies this season? 


Since the sale of Andy Carroll in January, there has been the small problem of not having a number at the club. With a £35 million transfer fee received for the Geordie target man, a replacement was promised in the summer. However, with Arsenal in the opening match of the season now just days away, we have seen no money spent on a new forward, despite Demba Ba's arrival on a free.

Ba - competition for Ameobi

Ameobi - Number 9?


Taking the apparent lack of investment in the Newcastle forward line and yesterdays new contract into consideration, is this the show of faith that Shola so desperately needs? Or is it in fact a plan B with so little movement in the transfer window? 


Last seasons survival in the Premier League was enough to please most supporters at St James’ Park, but with a new season on the horizon, surely the team must push on and be looking to fight for Europe in the next couple of seasons? With all due respect to Ameobi, I would suggest that mid-table mediocrity is probably as high as we can hope for with the gangly striker up-front - and that is at a push.


Personally, I like Shola Ameobi. I think he embodies the frustrating, yet sometimes brilliant nature of our football club. But, in the modern game, there is little room for such sentiment and I think it shows a real lack of ambition by Alan Pardew and the powers that be. Not only a lack of ambition, but it also goes back on the clubs apparent policy of bringing in young talent at cheaper prices to replace the old guard. Why is Ameobi an exception, yet Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton are not?


Old man in a young squad


This, I believe, is probably the most worrying undertone in giving Shola a new contract. What more use will Ameobi be at 32 than Kevin Nolan would have been for us at the same age? Newcastle United’s top scorer and captain let go, but our hit or miss striker allowed to stick it out? Every youthful squad needs some senior figures to look up to, why Shola and not Nolan? 

Why no new contracts for Barton and Nolan?

Our summer investment in midfielders has allowed Kevin Nolan and  - although not gone yet - Joey Barton to essentially be replaced with younger and (supposedly) better players. However, with no real movement in the striker department, Alan Pardew looks set to stick with Ameobi instead of continuing to replace. With this new contract awarded, I have become less hopeful than I was before that a new forward will be brought in before the window closes.


With talk of a 4-4-1-1 formation already being suggested as probable for the new season, the convenience of using one less striker seems almost insulting. At 29, it is make or break time for Ameobi, at this, the peak of his career. Be it faith by Pardew, or a disguise for the lack of funds available to him at this time, let us hope that Shola can repay the faith shown to him by the Geordie faithful. 

New Season - New No.1 for United?

As the curtain falls on Newcastle United’s first season back in the Premier League, most would agree that it has been a pretty successful return to the big time. For Alan Pardew, however, the work really starts now. Come the 1st of July, the transfer window swings open again, and the frantic process of wheeling and  dealing begins once more. With the Andy Carroll money allegedly available to the gaffer, it could be a summer which sees a few new faces at the club. Although, one area needn’t be strengthened upon, and that is the goalkeeping department. With veteran stopper Steve Harper, Dutch hot shot Tim Krul and the highly thought of Fraser Forster, Pardew faces a real dilemma as to who will be his regular in between the sticks next year.


When pressed on the matter, Alan Pardew told reporters that he wanted to see a lot of competition from the three keepers - "It's going to be a case of, 'come on then, who's the hungriest, who has had a summer, who's actually really taken care of what they're doing over the summer?” This suggests that pre-season is going to be a highly competitive one for all three. But just who is United’s best bet to keep goal next season? 

Steve Harper - The ever present 


First up, we have Steve Harper. Currently the teams longest serving player, having been on the books at St James’ Park since 1993. Unfortunately for Harper, he has spent the best part of  20 years at the club as a second choice goalkeeper, firstly to Pavel Srnícek, followed by Shaka Hislop and of course Shay Given after him. Since Given left for the riches of Manchester City in 2009, Harper has been considered as the clubs number one. The question remains to be asked whether Harper is the teams first choice in goal through merit, or it is because the club feel that they owe it to him for his unparalleled dedication to the club.


Pockets of supporters suggested that if Shay Given had remained at the club in January of 2009, the team wouldn’t have plunged into the Championship - as they did with Harper in goals. During what would be United’s promotional season, the following year, Harper went on to break the club record for number of clean sheets in one season - albeit in the second tier of English football. Perhaps Championship football is really Harpers level? The season past should have been the Easington born keepers first full season as number one in the Premier League, although injuries have restricted him to just 18 matches. Has the time to become first choice actually come far too late in Harpers career? 

Tim Krul - The flying Dutchman 


In the last week contrasting sound bites from the young Dutch stopper have left Toon fans a little confused as to where Krul’s future lies. Media reports from his home country of Holland have Krul stating that he must be confirmed as United’s number one goalie, or he will refuse to stay:


"I am 23 years and now just want to play a whole season. I will tell the trainer when I return the club“ -  also going on to say -  “Something like that has to happen in the new season, otherwise it makes no sense to stay at Newcastle."


These quotes differ quite considerably to those from given by Krul to North East media “…it’s one big fight, and I’ve got to make sure I’m fit. I’ve played 25 games this season, and that’s more than I expected. I’m more than happy with that.” Whether this is a case of misquotation or poor translation remains to be seen.


Tim Krul burst onto the Newcastle picture as a teenager when he was put in goal away to Palermo in the UEFA Cup following injuries to both Shay Given and Steve Harper. It was a debut that would go down in Geordie folklore. Newcastle won the match 1-0 in a hostile environment, Krul putting on a man of the match performance, making a number of fine stops in the process. It seemed Krul was destined to be Given’s heir.


Since then it has been a stop-start sort of time for Krul on Tyneside, with the experienced Steve Harper being preferred over this exciting young talent. Injuries to the ageing Harper, however, have allowed Krul to make more appearances in nets this season than his elder counterpart - putting in some fine shot stopping performances against the likes of Sunderland, Arsenal and Man Utd. 


Like all young goalkeepers, Krul will always be susceptible to a mistake, most recently a misjudgement of a free kick against Chelsea, saw the ball loop over his head, only for Alex to thump home a header. But goalkeepers learn from their mistakes and work hard to iron them out of their game. The confident young Dutchman must surely be considered a real prospect for the number one jersey.

Fraser Forster - The new kid on the block (kind of!) 


It seems that it could be now or never for Hexham born goalie Fraser Forster at Newcastle United, after two incredibly impressive seasons out on loan with Norwich City and Celtic respectively. During his time away from the Magpies, Forster helped Norwich to a League One title, winning Norwich’s player of the season award and the divisions award for highest number of clean sheets during his stay. North of the border last season, he won the Scottish Cup for Celtic, as well as recording the highest number of clean sheets in the SPL - a staggering 21 in 38 games - 24 in 44 matches overall. 


Without taking too much away from Forster, you must take this success with a pinch of salt. The SPL is a far weaker division than the Premier League, with Alan Pardew taking a swipe at the quality of football on show - “We have watched that division and watched him (Forster) all year. We've been very disappointed with the quality of the games, other than the occasional Rangers versus Celtic game” - such comments would probably suggest that the giant stopper still has a bit to prove himself to his boss to be considered for the first team.


As July 1st approaches, the rumour mill is already in full force, with Forster being heavily linked to a permanent switch to Celtic having impressed Neil Lennon in his first full season in charge of the Hoops. After Pardew’s damning attack on the SPL, however, a move now looks unlikely, and he will now concentrate on becoming Newcastle’s number one. 


Should Forster win the battle to start in between the posts for the Geordies next season, it would be quite a story for a player who has never played a competitive first team match for the team. Standing at 6ft 8in, a colossus with great command of his area, Forster has been given rave reviews wherever he has been - why not make the step up to Premier League football next season? 


Let the battle commence


All three men will now take some time to re-charge over the summer month (After international duty for Tim Krul) before returning to pre-season training to try and prove to Alan Pardew who his first choice should be. With a host of friendly matches arranged before the big kick off in August, as well as a tour of America - the race to become Newcastle United’s number one starts now. 

Capital gain for Magpies - Late Taylor goal earns Newcastle a well deserved point

15th May 2011
Chelsea 2-2 Newcastle United
Stamford Bridge
Attendance - 41 739


Nothing to play for?


Newcastle United traveled down south to Chelsea safe with the knowledge that they will be enjoying Premier League football next season. The West Londoners had watched their very thin title hopes finally disappear 24 hours previous, with Manchester United wrapping up what has been a hard fought league title. With matters having been decided a week previous, it was suggested that this could be a game in which the players showed little, with their minds on the beach, rather than the pitch. A re-vamped Newcastle side saw young Shane Ferguson and Ryan Taylor brought in to replace the injured Kevin Nolan, as well as the rested Cheik Tiote. The home side started with the misfiring Fernando Torres alongside Nicolas Anelka, with Didier Drogba on the bench.


Match Action


The home side came out with all guns blazing, with Frank Lampard drilling a teasing low ball across the Newcastle goal, forcing Danny Simpson to turn behind for a corner. The same man, Lampard, whipped the corner into the near post, where poor marking allowed Torres to glance the ball on and Branislav Ivanovic to bundle over the line. 


However, the spirit that has played a massive part in Newcastle’s season was never far away, and the Magpies weren’t going to let the home side take out their title frustrations on them. A little ball from Barton put Lovenkrands into a dangerous position, only to be hauled down by John Terry, earning the England international a yellow card. Ryan Taylor, who has missed much of the season through injury, took over set piece duty from Joey Barton, and his miscued free kick deflected off Jonas, wrong footing Peter Cech and ending up in the back of the net.


As the half wore on, Chelsea enjoyed the lions share of possession, despite creating very few chances. Newcastle seemed happy to hit their opponents on the counter attack, an avenue through which they looked increasingly dangerous. Jonas - deployed in a more central role - and young Shane Ferguson, causing the Chelsea backline a few nervy moments with their pace.


The second half continued very much at the same pace as the first, a feisty encounter, which commentator, Ray Wilkins, described as being ‘men against men’. Moments before, Chelsea goal-scorer might have been lucky to stay on the pitch, after being booked by ref Lee Mason, the big Serb refused to acknowledge the referee in a show of dissent. People have received second yellows for much less.

With the game getting on, a display of muscle from the home side saw Drogba, Malouda and Essien all enter the match at the same time - Ancelotti wasn’t satisfied with a draw. The impressive Shane Ferguson came off injured in a display that will have done his reputation no harm. His replacement, the exciting Kazenga LuaLua.

A couple of half chances for Chelsea’s main threat Didier Drogba had gone begging, as the game threatened to fizzle out. However, a free kick just inside the Newcastle half was floated into the penalty area by Lampard, for Alex to power home after a misjudgement by Tim Krul. 8 minutes remained, and the Blues would look to see it out. 

Alan Pardew gave a nice moment to the Ameobi family, bringing Shola’s younger brother Sammy on for Peter Lovenkrands, who was greeted with chants of “there’s only one Ameobi!” 

Into the second minute of stoppage time, Newcastle won a corner, which Ryan Taylor would stand up to the back post. Nile Ranger rose the highest, knocking the ball back across goal to an unmarked Steven Taylor, who made no mistake in heading home a well deserved equaliser with the last touch of the ball. 

Spiderman’s web of influence

An interesting change of role for Jonas Gutierrez today by Alan Pardew, saw the Argentine deployed in a more central role. 

The table above shows the areas in which Jonas completed passes in Newcastle’s last two away games - the draw at Chelsea and the loss to Liverpool. In this match against Chelsea, Jonas was given an almost free role, to roam between the defence and attack, as can be seen with 35% of his completed passes being played on the right hand side of the pitch. This may not sound a lot, but in the previous away match at Liverpool, a miniscule 2% of his passes were played in that half of the pitch. 

Gutierrez is a key player for Newcastle,  and his dribbling ability makes him very hard to shake off the ball. By playing in a more central role, the likes of Ferguson and Lovenkrands were able to take great advantage of Jonas, who, at times, was holding the ball up and allowing the overlapping players to continue on with the ball. An interesting option for Pardew to utilise - especially in the away matches where his side are likely to see less of the ball, and need to make it count. 

Newcastle’s left hand side remains to look its most potent attacking element, with Jose Enrique and Shane Ferguson always looking to go forward. Despite Ferguson playing a little further forward than what is believed to be his natural full-back position, we can see a lot of similarities with Enrique in his all action display.

Both men completed passes right the way down the left hand side, showing the dynamism of the pair, interchanging at will. Should Jose Enrique leave in the summer, as many expect him too, Shane Ferguson could be the perfect replacement.

Man of the Match

Steven Taylor - the London born, Geordie raised centre half was a colossus today for Newcastle, clearing a number of crosses, making crucial blocks and timing his tackles to perfection. In a match which could have saw any one of a number of players receive the man of the match, a last gasp equaliser snatched Taylor the award. Hopefully Pardew will see him as a part of his squad for next year. 

Sacrebleu! C'est Incroyable!

It seems to be a never ending cycle of ups and downs when it comes to the French national football team. From the highs of France '98, to slumping out in the group stages in the far east in '02. An unlikely World Cup final followed in 2006, but was overshadowed by THAT head-butt, before what can only be described as pure meltdown in South Africa last summer. The message was clear: Raymond Domenech had lost his way, and Laurent Blanc was the man to restore the national sides pride and dignity. 

Blanc - under pressure?

However, less than a year into his tenure as boss, his credibility has been seriously challenged, with Blanc - amongst other coaches - being investigated for suggesting a quota limiting the number of Black and Arab players in the French youth team setup. Despite being cleared of creating an unhealthy philosophy of racial discrimination, his reputation may well still suffer in a country with large populations of both Blacks and Arabs.

The suggestion was to limit the number of Black and Arab players to 30% in the national youth academies around France. By doing this, it was argued that young 'French' talent, who held dual nationality, would be more likely to play for Les Bleus, than opt to play for their second country. 

The one that got away, Gonzalo Higuain

Hugh Schofield, from the BBC mentioned that - "At the World Cup, for example, there were nine players on other sides who had previously played for France. This is the tendency that the Federation wants to limit." Players such as Gonzalo Higuain, who was born in France, but instead chose to represent Argentina at national level. Would this have happened with a 'Racial quota'? Probably.

If we even take a glimpse of the French national side over the last 10 years or so, it is filled with racial diversity and players born out with their borders. This includes a number of former captains and some of the countries most capped/loved players. In fact, three of the five most capped players in France's history have represented them, despite not being born in the country. Record cap holder Lillian Thuram played 142 games for France, whilst Marcel Desailly and Patrick Vieira played 116 and 107 times respectively. 

Thuram - 142 caps

Were the powers that be at FFF subliminally trying to suggest that they want to change the way that football is played in France? No more would it be the days of large muscular midfielder's such as Vieira and current power houses Alou and Lassana Diarra. Instead, would they prefer more players in the mold of Samir Nasri, Franck Ribery and Youri Djorkaeff, smaller, more technically skilled players - playing a more attractive brand of football, pehaps?

It could be said that France is suffering from its colonial past, where young, bright footballers may still hold dual nationality. It seems only logical for some players to pursue a fledging national career elsewhere, rather than play the odd friendly match for the country of their birth. Even the great Zinedine Zidane was once (supposedly) said to have been close to playing for his parents nation, Algeria. 

A nation that bans wearing of a veil in public, despite being the largest centre for immigration in Western Europe will always be hard to understand from an outside perspective. In this instance, however, it seems like a case of having one's cake and eating it too. It is perfectly acceptable for foreign born players to represent Les Bleus, but not Les Bleus representing anyone else.

'98, a nation culturally united.

 

Blackpool vs. Newcastle United - A point toward safety

Blackpool vs. Newcastle United
Saturday 23rd April
KO 3pm


Pre Match:


After a rollercoaster ride in Blackpool’s first season back in the big time since 1971, relegation fears had all of a sudden become very real at Bloomfield Road. With only 5 games remaining, the Seasiders found themselves in the bottom 3 for the first time this season, but knowing that 3 points would see them leapfrog a couple of teams up to 16th place. Newcastle, however, find themselves sitting in a rather comfortable looking 9th position in the table, probably safe, yet not mathematically assured yet. With games away to both Liverpool and Chelsea still to come for the Toon Army, Alan Pardew’s men would be looking for 3 points against Blackpool.


The home side made 3 changes to their side after defeat at home to Wigan last time out, David Vaughan, Alex Baptiste and Matt Philips all getting the nod. Meanwhile, there was only one difference to the Newcastle side that drew 0-0 with Man Utd last week, with captain Kevin Nolan returning to skipper the side, replacing Danny Guthrie, having served a 2 match suspension.


Match Action




In a game of big decisions and controversy, the first real chance fell to Blackpool and a strong claim for a penalty. A long ball up the field found the head of Gary Taylor-Fletcher, knocking the ball down to DJ Campbell, beating Williamson to a 50-50 ball, before hitting the deck. Replays show the centre half getting none of the ball, and maybe a clip of the front man, but no penalty awarded by Martin Atkinson, leaving Mike Williamson a relived man. 

Great strike for 1-0

Misplaced passes allowed Blackpool a couple of half chances for Taylor-Fletcher to open the scoring, but it was the Toon Army who broke the deadlock. Barton seizing upon a mistake in the Blackpool defence, slipped the ball to Lovenkrands, who fired passed the ‘keeper from 22 yards. A tidy finish from the Dane, 1-0 Newcastle.


An increasingly scrappy half saw Newcastle take their foot of the gas a little and gave Blackpool their second big shout for a penalty. Jose Enrique playing a suicidal pass across his own area, where it was touched passed Krul in the goal by Campbell, before seemingly being taken out by the Dutch stopper. Ian Holloway was going crazy on the sideline, but it was a fantastic save by the impressive Krul, tipping the ball away from the striker before any contact was made. Another good decision from the referee.


Blackpool wouldn’t be denied, and like so much good that’s happened for them this season, it came through a Charlie Adam corner kick. The ball fizzed in toward the near post, being cleverly flicked on by Campbell, whose shot appeared to have been cleared off the line. However, the linesman’s flag was raised and a goal given. Jose Enrique the guilty party, standing a yard behind the line to try and clear the ball.
Before halftime, another big shout for a penalty for the home side, this time for handball. Simpson in possession in the area slipping over and accidentally touching the ball with both hands. A clear hand ball, that would have been harsh on the Mancunian.


The second half started as the first one ended, Blackpool pressuring with Newcastle playing very much on the counter attack. But the second half never really hit the same pace as the first, with the visitors looking increasingly happy to settle for a point, with the hosts coming close on twice through free kicks by Adam and Eardley, as well as Taylor-Fletcher wasting another chance, heading inches over the crossbar. 


Stephen Ireland made another substitute appearance, but it was Blackpool who came closest to snatching all 3 points. More sloppy defensive play from the visitors allowed the ball the bobble through to Charlie Adam, who’s low drive clattered off the bottom of Krul’s post and out of play.


Post Match Thoughts:


After a bright start, Newcastle seemed to fade during the game, seemingly happy to take a draw. Had this been earlier in the season, it would have been a bit of a worry to see such a lack of ambition against a struggling side like Blackpool, but with the side now on 41 points and probably playing Premier League football next year, maybe a point isn’t so bad. Blackpool will feel they deserved more and could have had more than one penalty, but on this day they got none of them. Maybe a contentious equaliser makes up for not winning the penalties. 


Man of the Match:


Blackpool’s DJ Campbell was a livewire throughout the match, not allowing Coloccini and Williamson a moment to breathe. Got one goal, could have had a few more on a better day for the front man.

DJ Campbell - threat

Title chasing Man Utd pay midweek visit to St James'

Match Preview


Tuesday, 19 April 2011 - KO 7:45pm
Newcastle United vs. Manchester United
St James' Park


Manchester United will travel to the North East looking to bounce back from a derby defeat on Saturday, at the hands of Manchester City. That defeat to their noisy neighbours was United's first defeat in 7 matches, and will want to bounce straight back with a win to continue their march on the title. Newcastle, however, will take great encouragement from results in and around them over the weekend, and a win would see them rise above Aston Villa to 9th place on 42 points - surely enough to beat the drop?


The reverse fixture saw Newcastle travel to Old Trafford for their first game in the Premier League since promotion, which saw the Red Devils run out comfortable 3-0 winners. When looking at the head to head between the 2 sides, it would seem foolish to bet on the Magpies, having not registered a win over Man Utd since September 2001, with a pulsating 4-3 victory at St James' Park. Almost 10 years on, can Newcastle upset United's title charge with a win?


Team News


Manchester United will be boosted massively with the return of Wayne Rooney to their ranks, after the striker completed his 2 match ban for swearing at a TV camera during his sides 4-2 win against West Ham. However, they will be without Paul Scholes after receiving a straight red card for his horror tackle on Pablo Zabaleta at Wembley at the weekend. There is also a chance that Michael Owen might make an appearance against his former employers. Owen's 4 years on Tyneside were plagued with injury, meaning the Geordie faithful never got to see their record signing on a regular enough basis.


The home side have problems of their own, with captain Kevin Nolan suspended for two games after reaching 10 cautions for the season, meaning the Scouser will also miss the trip to Blackpool on Saturday. Player of the season candidate Cheik Tiote is welcomed back to the midfield after serving his suspension for racking up 10 yellow cards also, as well as Shola Ameobi potentially leading the line. Another welcome site for Toon fans will be the inclusion of Stephen Ireland, who is set to feature at some point during the game, where he'll make his debut for the club.


Key Players


Newcastle United: 

Player of the season?

Cheik Tiote - The Ivorian has missed the last two matches through suspension, but comes back for this vital clash. He has been a dynamo in the middle of the park for United this season, and if he can get in and about the Man Utd engine room, Newcastle have a real chance of walking away with something.


Joey Barton - Much maligned for his off field antics, Barton has really knuckled down in the last 18 months and has been at the heart of most things good for Newcastle. A threat with his delivery, Man Utd must stop him providing.


Manchester United:

Back on form, Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney - The England hit-man has netted against the Magpies 9 times in the Premier League and will keep the Newcastle back line busy all evening with an energetic display.


Nemanja Vidic - Captain of the Reds, the big Serbian centre half has been key to Man Utd's defensive stability over the last couple of seasons and could make it tough for the Toon's paper thin attack.


The game will be refereed by Lee Probert. The Gloucestershire born official has taken charge of 21 games so far this season, showing 5 red cards and awarding just 3 penalties. He last officiated at St James' Park in November, when Fulham held the Magpies to a 0-0 draw.


Potential Line Up's


NUFC - Harper (GK)
Simpson Coloccini Williamson Enrique
R.Taylor Barton Tiote Jonas
Lovenkrands Ameobi


MUFC - Van Der Sar (GK)
O'Shea Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Nani Carrick Park Giggs
Berbatov Rooney