Fulham v Newcastle

I say this every time we hook up with the Magpies, but miss the 'special' Geordie avatar SteveM19 would bust out twice a year for Newcastle week (Steve if you're lurking, feel free to grace us with the avatar that makes everyone yell 'Put on a SHIRT!!!'.

The match isn't until Monday because Newcastle is playing in the Europa League on Thursday. Both clubs are tied with 17 points with Fulham ahead on GD. The Magpies have been in a poor run of form also before beating 10 man Wigan last Mon. Demba Ba has been a goal scoring machine, but limped off after his 2nd goal in the Wigan match. No word about his health, but obviously have to be ready for him. Brede will be back, which should give a boost to the back line. Hopefully Reither can go, but if he can't Stephen Kelly will need to perform like he did last season, which was consistently solid. No predictions, just hope the lads find the back of the net at least once more than them.

 

I'll second the request for Steve's Geordie avatar. I like Brede's return - maybe the Captain can inspire the squad. I expect a slugfest of a match as each club really needs to halt their respective falls in the table. I'd like to see Rodallega up with Berbatov - Petric can come on later if needed. Kaca should be back and what's Richardson's status?

COYW

 

Gonna take a shot in the dark and guess........this guy?

 

:clap: Great find Shiner!! Except it was 2 shirtless (it might be one of them) dudes with the same 'svelte' build :shock:

 

They just lost 2 of those guys in the last game. If they suffered hamstring injuries, I doubt they're back that soon.

Based on injuries suffered by both sides, it's easy to see a low scoring affair. However, you have to go back to Dec '07 to find the last Toon win at the Cottage. In that 5 year span, we've won the other three and there was the one year where we didn't play b/c they'd been relegated :laughing-rolling: (which i fondly remember Steve and I revelling in).

So, while I have know idea how we'll do it, I'll take Fulham for the 2-1 win. I have a feeling Duff (and Berba, obviously) will play a big role. I assume this will be on ESPN on Monday.

 

I just wasn't sure we could stomach him amongst his mates........but here ya go:

 

Always got a chuckle from this photoshop work.

 

OMG My ovaries just dried up and blew away...

 

Got the DVR set, just hoping against hope our lads can somehow find a way to get three points at home. They've got a semi-hot/luke warm striker right now, so that gives me pause, but I'm banking on the long layoff and the friendly confines of CC to win the day. 3-1 Whites, brace for Berba, Sidwell gets the other and NOBODY gets nicked...

 

It's still early in the season, but this feels like a 'must-win' game.

 

I think it is, Joe. Consecutive losses at home would be dire.

 

Shouldn't you be "workin' for the weekend?"

 

Got to watch a good chunk of the first half (shh, don't want the boss to hear). Got to see Sidwell's goal and Berba's shoulda been a goal on the breakaway.

A much needed three points from a considerably livelier looking side. Wish we could bottle the first half effort, at least, and spread some around to the rest of the fixture list. Good to see Duff, Kaca and Brede back in there, along with Sascha, who made some nice blocks for a nicked player.

Hoping we can build some momemtum off of this (although history suggests otherwise), but, hey, QPR's next, so, optimism abounds!

Just feels good to have a result again, doesn't it?

COYW!

 

Most importantly.... :banana-linedance: :banana-rock: They got it done. I'm sure Newcastle will probably feel they deserved a share of the points, but not going to complain. The lads worked real hard and the 3 points gets them back in touch with mid-table.

Mark; He's been a great servant for years, but Father Time is undefeated. He looks real shaky, and a feeling of dread comes when the ball is played back to him. Maybe it's his wages that are keeping Stockdale from getting a chance, but the time has come for a change.

DD; 2 assists, I loved how much satisfaction he got from the winning cross, and got a chance to give the Magpie traveling support a some of the same stick they were giving him all night.

Hugo; Ran his socks off and got his just reward.

Berba; Off a little bit by his standards. Sometimes I wish he would keep it simpler, but would never ask to curb his creativity. I'm sure he can't wait for the QPR match and I'm smelling a bounce back and a goal or two v the HaHa's.

Sidders; Forget the goal (which was lucky), he was everywhere and he looks as good as ever has in a Fulham uniform.

**Have to mention Ben Arfa of the Magpies who was the best player on the pitch for 70 minutes, so happy he was on a time restriction.

 

So happy to take all the points. Ba was not on his game for sure. As stated when Ben Arfa came off Newcastle lost a lot. We had great passing most of the game. Just need to keep that up.

 

Very good summary, Joe, and I agree with all of it. A few points I'd add:

Now where has that performance been the last month or so? It was so nice to see some agression from our boys again. They took the fight to the Toon both offensively and defensively. We did bog down a bit and cede possession in the 2nd half, but still created chances and got the game winning goal. And we were massively entertaining in the process.

I agree on Sidwell and this may be the first time I've really liked Sidwell and Baird paired together. Steve threw himself forward applying defensive pressure to their cm's as they got to midfield regularly and Baird protected our back four with equal determination. It was a good balance of central midfield defending. Had you told me going in that someone from Fulham AD (after Dickson) would be able to out-physical Tiote, I'd have laughed. But Sidwell met the challenge today. And the passing from both cm's was much more direct and accurate. We rarely reverted to slow, horizontal passing among the cm's or along the back four and it showed up brilliantly in our chance creation. I hope this partnership gets a run out to see if they can build on that performance. I've been very underwhelmed with Diarra this season.

We also did a good job using the wings to link to the front. I had a feeling Duff would have a big game and he didn't disappoint. I'd have probably gone for him as MotM if not for Sidwell's performance. Kaca struggled on the other side but he's young and learning and he did spread the defense with his speed. Dejagah did well winning the free kick right after coming on and he had a nice sequence with Berbatov that left the Bulgarian smiling (or so it appeared), but otherwise I was mixed on his performance. He looked like he gassed out pretty quick too.

It was really nice to have Hangeland back. The Thames Barrier stood tall to the challenge posed by Ba, Cisse and later Ameobi. I was having Special 1 TV flashbacks when Shola came on. And as good as H&H were, Riether was probably better.

I hope Jol plans on recalling Stockdale or bringing someone else in come January.

But more than anything, I just hope we see that kind of aggression and effort in the coming matches from Fulham, especially at home. If that Fulham side shows up week in and week out, we're a top 10 team, easy. Obviously there are teams that will pose greater challenges than Newcastle did defensively today, but there are plenty of Newcastles out there to exploit and it's maddening when we don't take it to them.

 

Hughes had a fantastic game too. He made a couple of really key plays/clearances.

Sidwell and Hugo have their good qualities, and both had very nice games yesterday, but the vision of the former and the touch of the latter is seriously lacking when viewed alongside Berba. Ruiz, however, can keep up with Berba which is why we need him healthly.