The Whites vs. The Black and White Stripes

Newcastle are 13-11 and 4, sit 8th in the table, have scored 37 and conceded 39. All this and more should be more than enough to earn 3 points during their annual visit to the Cottage unless:

1) Johnny Haynes scores a hat trick, assisted on all three by Clint Dempsey.
2) Dempsey scores a brace for good measure.
3) Brian McBride finds the net as well.
4) Kasey Keller and the back four keep a clean sheet.
5) And my son leads the North Oldham Mustangs to their first ever Sweet Sixteen berth at Rupp Arena tonight.

Since none of these is going to happen, we're sure to lose to the Toons. Unless........

Ah, screw it.

More brown ales for everyone!

 

Assuming, A BIG ONE I KNOW, that we don't completely screw the pooch we may have a chance. Here's why:

Newcastle are comfortably 8th, far behind the Europa chase, far ahead of the possibly-maybe-relegation scrap. They have zero to play for in the last few months.

Their manager just got suspended for 7(!!!) games. They have zero to play for and no manager.

They're playing on the road. I don't have stats for this, but at this point in the season a team with zero to play for, with no manager, on the road...advantage must go to the home team.

That said we'll probably get conked 4-0.

 

I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that no team who has ever just had their manager suspended for seven matches and then had to go on the road has won that match. By factoring in Murphy's Law this must be true so Fulham can be the first home team to lose under those particular circumstances.

 

I'm sorry, but I have no faith remaining to suggest that we can beat anyone in this league.

Fulham will be the cure for what ails Newcastle, just as we were the cure for what ailed Cardiff, and Swansea, and Sunderland.

You're right that they have nothing to play for. But we're the ones playing like it.

 

Great points by both Timmy and Tim. Have seen nothing in the Magath takeover to think that Newcastle won't come in with some very good skill players and tear us apart. Also have seen no evidence that Fulham will suddenly start scoring multiple goals per match that is needed since a clean sheet isn't likely any time soon. However, against all logic I'm going with a 2-1 victory.

While I don't see Fulham getting out of the mire, I would be willing to bet that everyone posting on fusa thought we were going down at this exact moment 6 years ago. With 13 matches left in 2008 Fulham was teetering and with 3 losses and a draw in the next 4 we were doomed. March 16, 2008 against Everton saw Simon Davies cross and Brian McBride finish for a 1-0 victory.

 

These are good points. And, if this squad could dig up the heart that Davies and McBride demonstrated when they wore the shirt I'd be more confident in survival. Obviously, it's not over for this campaign, but if Cardiff hung 3 on Fulham, then I'm afraid of what Newcastle can do with or without Pardew (with or without you....).

Still, until it's mathmatically impossible, COYW.

 

We win this one. here's why. we win, and we're still in last place! that is all

 

+1 thanks for saving me the effort Tim

 

Quotes from Magath: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news ... tadium-ban

Keep working Magath... keep working.

As a player, I wanted to win every game and I'm sure that attitude is not any different from the professionals. I understand that the team has given up very easily on occasion this year, but I'm sure they understand their situation now. There's probably not a single one of them that would rather play in the Championship next year. So I don't quite understand the whole relegation fight argument. How differently would you play or game plan vs Newcastle if we were sitting 10th in the table?

 

I agree, Tim pretty much sums it up. I'd add Sheffield United to his list.

Last time Remy was out, Newcastle were held scoreless for 3 matches. Ring any bells from last week? So either Pappis Cisse will regain his form from last year (where one of his goals was against Fulham) or we'll turn Luke De Jong into Andy Carroll or Alan Shearer. De Jong has yet to score for the Toon, but he's 6'2" and good in the air and we have a bad habit of losing big men in the box this year. Coloccini returns to captain the side, so that's another threat from set pcs. However Debuchy is out at rb and he's been their best defender this season. If Richardson starts at lm (or even Kasami perhaps), we could find success attacking down our left.

I'll go with 1-2 and hope for better. Unfortunately, the most interesting thing about Fulham at this point is seeing what odd lineups Magath comes up with from week to week.

 

A clean sheet and a win!!! So this is how winning feels. I've missed that. :banana-dance:

 

+2

 

:character-beavisbutthead: :banana-stoner: :greetings-clappingorange: :greetings-clappingyellow: :greetings-clapyellow: :happy-cheerleadersmileyguy: :happy-partydance: :laughing-rollingred: bscene-birdiedoublered: :romance-grouphug: :text-bravo: :text-bump:

 

Yay!!

 

bscene-drinkingbuddies:

Only 4 points from safety - hope exists after that clean sheet as well. I know Hangeland is captain, but man, he's lost a step or two the past few weeks and wonder if he's carrying an injury. It would be a difficult decision, but I think Magrath has to consider dropping him. Problem is, what's the central defender pairing if so?

COYW

 

I think Brede is still carrying around a back issue, but gutting it out. I would agree the Heitinga and Burn would be our best combo. HD, also a huge admirer of Hughes, but he was dreadful his last year or so.