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Newcastle Build Up Thread
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Newcastle Build Up Thread
New Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is hoping for a major fitness boost in his first game in charge against Liverpool this evening.
Joey Barton missed last Sunday's 3-1 defeat at West Brom with a slight groin injury which stopped his return from a three-match ban but he should be ready for Liverpool.
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Skipper Kevin Nolan is also expected to be fit following the ankle problem which has kept him out for the last two games.
Danny Guthrie was stretchered off at the Hawthorns with an ankle injury but the injury is not as bad as was first feared and he could yet take his place in the squad.
Steve Harper played a reserve team game in midweek on his return from shoulder surgery and is nearly ready for a return, as is Leon Best.
Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson serve the final game of their three-match bans and Dan Gosling, Ryan Taylor and Hatem Ben Arfa are all still out.
Striker Fernando Torres returns to Liverpool's starting line-up after missing Monday's victory over Aston Villa to be at the birth of his second child. Ryan Babel will most likely make way.
Captain Steven Gerrard is still a week away from making his comeback from a hamstring injury, so manager Roy Hodgson is likely to retain all but one of the side who comfortably beat Villa.
Newcastle Squad: Krul, Soderberg, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, S. Taylor, Campbell, Kadar, Barton, Tiote, Smith, Routledge, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Nolan, Vuckic, Tavernier, Donaldson, Carroll, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Ranger, Xisco.
Liverpool Squad: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Konchesky, Lucas, Meireles, Kuyt, Rodriguez, Torres, Ngog, Jones, Aurelio, Kelly, Poulsen, Jovanovic, Cole, Babel, Shelvey.
Same side as Monday with Torres coming in for Babel or do we start him on the bench ? It's hard to change a winning team and would give Babel confidence or is that just madness on my part?
Me, I’m either planning a holiday or I’m on one.
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I'd be surprised to see anything else but Nando's form at present is hardly brilliant so maybe Roy's thinking of giving Babel a start to see if he can cut it as a striker for us. Time is ticking for Babel to prove himself in his "preferred position" up front.Originally posted by Mostar View PostExpected line-ups:
Newcastle (4-4-2): Krul; Simpson, S Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique; Routledge, Guthrie, Nolan, Gutierrez; Carroll, Ameobi.
Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina; Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Konchesky; Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Maxi; Torres, Ngog.
Me, I’m either planning a holiday or I’m on one.
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Cannot see it mate. Nando's form has been up and down but he's first choice striker unless he's injured.Originally posted by SB View PostI'd be surprised to see anything else but Nando's form at present is hardly brilliant so maybe Roy's thinking of giving Babel a start to see if he can cut it as a striker for us. Time is ticking for Babel to prove himself in his "preferred position" up front.
Babel has shown glimpses of his potential in last game or two but I expect him to go back to his old habits as we have seen it before..Member #1 of the Luis Suarez fan club
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So do I but if we are looking to strengthen up front in the January TW surely we should assess what players we have already to fit into Roy's 442 formation.Originally posted by Mostar View PostCannot see it mate. Nando's form has been up and down but he's first choice striker unless he's injured.
Babel has shown glimpses of his potential in last game or two but I expect him to go back to his old habits as we have seen it before..
Me, I’m either planning a holiday or I’m on one.
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He'll have a very tough time breaking into starting 11. Nando is a quality (leave temporary form aside) and Ngog is constantly improving.Originally posted by SB View PostSo do I but if we are looking to strengthen up front in the January TW surely we should assess what players we have already to fit into Roy's 442 formation.
Babel is a third choice option and he may get an odd game here and there and if we have injuries but that's about it.
I think his days are numbered and even though he may be around in January I don't expect him to be a red in summer.Member #1 of the Luis Suarez fan club
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I agree and think he'll be off in the summer too. I'd still like to see more of him playing up front with a partner before he's moved on, He's played lot's out wide and doesn't have the skill to make it as a LM or RM but for me, the juries still out on him as a striker.Me, I’m either planning a holiday or I’m on one.
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but then please change the name of his thread to mine 


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