Match Preview/Thread/Stats: Newcastle v Portsmouth
By Tyne-Talk April 26 2009
Portsmouth travel to Newcastle on Monday night for a televised 8pm Kick Off, in what will be their 66th League clash. Newcastle will be looking for a repeat of the corresponding fixture in December when they came away from Fratton Park with a 3-0 victory.
However, Newcastle have won just twice since that game, 1 of which was at St James' Park. Portsmouth have won 2 and drawn 3 of their last 6 Premier League games, but travel on the back of a 2-0 defeat against Manchester United. Newcastle have drawn 2 and lost 4 of their last 6 Premier League games and are yet to secure a win under the management of Alan Shearer.
For Newcastle Michael Owen and Mark Viduka are all available whilst Obafemi Martins (groin) could prove to be a powerful substitute if he can play through the pain barrier. Steven Taylor (ankle) remains unavailable, whilst the club will continue to assess Joey Barton (metatarsal) and Fabricio Coloccini. Jose Enrique could return and play some part in the game having recovered from a knee injury, as could Peter Lovenkrands who has recovered from a back complaint.
Since Alan Shearer's arrival the physio-room has emptied with all players returning to training. This week it was reported that both Xisco and Gonzalez have resumed training with return dates pencilled in.
Portsmouth boss Paul Hart will wait until the last minute to determine the fitness of David Nugent and Younes Kaboul who have both been suffering with thigh complaints, but both are expected to feature.
Pompey midfielder Niko Kranjcar will be unavailable after sustaining an ankle injury against Bolton.
Paul Hart said ahead of the game;
"I said when Shearer took the job at Newcastle, and I've said it many times, was that Alan Shearer was a great player and I'm sure he's going to become a great manager if he wants to be.
But it is just the same at Newcastle as it is here. It is players who make teams play.''
Whilst Shearer said;
"Without doubt, they will be a tough nut to crack. Paul Hart has gone in there and done a really good job.
They will certainly be a threat from set-pieces, but I believe if we look at ourselves and do it right ourselves, then we will have a big chance.''
Fact: Portsmouth have not won their last 10 Premier League away games.
Fact: Newcastle last failed to score at home against Portsmouth 58 years ago in what was a 0-0 draw in the old First Division 1951.
Newcastle United
Portsmouth
33
Played
33
30
Points
37
6
Won
9
12
Drawn
10
14
Lost
14
37
Goals Scored
35
53
Goals Conceded
50
Match Preview/Thread/Stats: Newcastle v Portsmouth
Posted by: TyneTalk (IP Logged)
Date: 26/04/2009 15:57
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Kranjcar out = good. Far less danger from free kicks. I hope that little f00ker Nugent doesn't play either. I can see his pace being a real problem for Coloccini.
are you thinking of the same fella, mate? i'm not gonna make the mistake of calling him anything other than a footballer on here today, but he isnt little, or quick...
I'm much more worried about quality in our own midfield. We have the health up front to finally capitalize on quality opportunities, but this season has proven that without quality in the middle of the pitch it doesn't matter what goes on behind or in front of them.
frustrating game, we just don't create anything, martins is just running around hoping for a break and then gets one and blasts it over! Viduka isn't winning headers and oh is Michael Owen even playing.....have seen him touch it maybe 4 times, tops. We need a huge improvement in the second half if they are going to win this game.
Think we should be 2-0 up, Martins should have scored and Viduka should have done better when Guthrie shot, maybe being a bit harsh on Viduka but was easier than he made it. Playing well though, Butt running things, getting back, breaking up play and trying to get people away when attacking. Enrique is going to be a massive loss yet again.
pompey are siting very deep though, it would be very hard to get back into this game if we went behind. for a long time in the middle of that half we couldnt get the ball off them, but later in the half we got better.
wonder how fit barton is?
Didn't seem to try in the last 10-15mins. Viduka, Martins and Owen should have scored. We reduced them to mainly shots from outside the box which was good but still looked nervy at the back.
I'm huffed by tonights performance (Micheal owen should have scored) but I'm not throwing in the towel yet.
Hull could very well get no more points.
We have games with Boro, Fulham and Villa which we can get some points from.
(Liverpool will be a defeat though)
Hull and Boro won't get to 37 points, which with 2 home wins we can, we just needed some composure up front and we'd be celebrating a good win right now!
still the same old lack of communication on the pitch for me,
i think Owen fluffed the chance cos Martins was running through towards it, other chances saw Viduka head Butts chip into the box over, but Beye & Coloccini both in better positions, later Carroll getting infront of Owen!
shame we lost Enrique, he saw lots of the ball while he was on,
Gotta go to 4-4-2 and play Jonas, smith butt are too much the same, start with two wide players two midfielders, hopeful Barton & Guthrie Jonas Duff, then see how the strikers get on, swap them depending on who's not delivering the goods, playing three forwards hoping for goals isnt working, cos they all get in each others way!
wake up guys.
Don't be so pathetic -.-
...good times are coming soon (finally) , so calm down and stop feeling sorry for the team > saviors always come when you need them the most.
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