Newcastle v Portsmouth

[kennethlindheim]

Two sides with deeply contrasting Premiership fortunes meet in the Carling Cup third round as Newcastle welcome Portsmouth to St James' Park.

The mood on Tyneside is rapidly darkening after a poor start to the season, and Magpies manager Glenn Roeder is in need of a good cup run with the pressure palpably mounting.

The Carling Cup represents a chance for Newcastle to win the major trophy that their supporters have been waiting for for 37 years, but in Harry Redknapp's Pompey they encounter a side bursting with confidence.

The South Coast outfit are currently in fifth position in the league and will be keen to build on their 2-1 win over Mansfield in the previous round against opponents they have played just twice ever in cup competitions - with Newcastle winning both of those encounters by a 4-2 scoreline.

Roeder's men would jump at the chance to record a similar win, with memories of the pathetic performance that saw them lose to Wigan in last season's competition still raw on Tyneside.

The North East side have turned to on-loan Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi to inspire them with the Italian youth international set to make his first start since joining in August.

Midfielder Kieron Dyer is still short of fitness, but could be back for the weekend's game against Charlton, whilst Roeder must do without Turkish international Emre (back) and French forward Antoine Sibierski (ankle) due to injury.

Redknapp, meanwhile, is ready to ring the changes and is expected to rest a number of the players who have been so impressive in the first quarter of the Premiership season.

David James, Sol Campbell, Linvoy Primus, Kanu, Gary O'Neil and Benjani Mwaruwari could all make way, and right-back Glen Johnson is suffering from a thigh strain.

In midfield Ognjen Koroman, Rodolph Douala and David Thompson could all make rare appearances, whilst former Magpies Andy Cole and Tresor Lomana Lua Lua are expected to start in tandem up front.

With Dejan Stefanovic out with torn knee cartilage another former Newcastle man in Andy O'Brien could come into the starting XI, whilst Redknapp could also recall a fourth ex-Magpie, Andy Griffin, from a loan spell with Stoke to ease his worries.

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...Pompey+preview

[kennethlindheim]

Midfielder Kieron Dyer could make his first senior appearance for Newcastle since April in Wednesday's Carling Cup clash with Portsmouth.

Manager Glenn Roeder has been expected to keep the 27-year-old England international under wraps for a few more days following six months on the sidelines with his hamstring problem.

However, having seen Dyer play his part in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Darlington on Tuesday, Roeder has included him in the squad for the game.

He told the club's official website: "Kieron did very well yesterday and after talking to him, I have decided to put him on the bench tonight.

"He is very positive about everything and I know it is one of football's oldest clichés, but it will be like having a new player in our squad."

Glad he is finally back. Hopefully it will transform the whole team.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Redknapp to make changes

Harry Redknapp will hand his fringe Portsmouth players some much-needed playing time in the Carling Cup tie with Newcastle United.

Pompey have enjoyed a fine start to the Premiership campaign, but Redknapp is likely to rest several of his regulars for Wednesday's trip to St James' Park.

The likes of Ognjen Koroman, Rodolph Douala and Andy O'Brien can all expect an outing on Tyneside.

Koroman has made more appearances for Serbia than Portsmouth this season, while Douala and O'Brien's sole outings were in the last round of the Carling Cup against Mansfield Town.

"It's a good competition, it's a competition you'd like to win," Redknapp told Sky Sports News.

"We'll make a few changes. We've got some lads here who I think are good players and are not getting a chance to play at the moment.

"It gives me an opportunity to play a few of them. A couple of them are international players who haven't played, lads like Koroman who plays every game for Serbia and is a terrific player.

"Douala hasn't had a game yet and is a Cameroon international. A few of the lads here really need a game. Andy O'Brien hasn't been in the team lately, so we'll make a few changes."

Meanwhile, Redknapp admits he is surprised a club of Newcastle's stature have failed to win a trophy for approaching 40 years.

He added: "Newcastle are a massive club, there is not a better supported club. They have great fans and a fantastic stadium.

"You look at it over the years and they have had some great managers. Kenny Dalglish, Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan, Graeme Souness, Ruud Gullit, a real who's who of top football people, and they've not been able to win a trophy.

"They had the best centre forward we've seen in Premier League football in Alan Shearer and still not won a trophy."

Source: http://home.skysports.com

[Pennywise]

Another trip down?

[kennethlindheim]

I'm not looking forward to this game. We need a win here to boost everyones confidence. We should stick with Ramage and Taylor in CB like vs Fener.

[kennethlindheim]

Newcastle:

12 Steve Harper
18 Craig Moore
19 Titus Bramble
33 Celestine Babayaro
27 Steven Taylor
4 Nolberto Solano
22 Nicky Butt
14 Charles N'Zogbia
16 James Milner
15 Giuseppe Rossi
9 Obafemi Martins

Subs
24 Pavel Srnicek
26 Peter Ramage
8 Kieron Dyer
11 Damien Duff
7 Albert Luque

Portsmouth:

1 David James
11 Noe Pamarot
5 Andy O`Brien
2 Linvoy Primus
14 Matthew Taylor
7 David Thompson
28 Sean Davis
6 Manuel Fernandes
19 Niko Kranjcar
8 Andy Cole
32 Tresor Lua Lua

Subs
33 Dean Kiely
17 Ognjen Koroman
22 Richard Hughes
29 Rodolph Douala
27 Nwankwo Kanu

[kennethlindheim]

1:0 Rossi (48)

[kennethlindheim]

2:0 Solano (53)

[kennethlindheim]

3:0 Solano (90)

[kennethlindheim]

3:0 FT!

[Pennywise]

Yihaa

Great victory and very important win for The Magpies. So much disappointments this season, so this will help a bit on the self-confidence.

[kennethlindheim]

Newcastle defied the elements to snap their poor run with a 3-0 victory over Portsmouth in the Carling Cup.

Torrential rain had put the game in doubt but, despite a slow start, The Magpies sloshed through the puddles to book their place in the fourth round.

Loan star Giuseppe Rossi marked his full debut with the opener and a brace from Nolberto Solano made the game safe, while the return of Kieron Dyer put some icing on the cake for Newcastle.

The conditions were hardly conducive to attractive football, although Pompey settled the better and a long-range drive from Sean Davis almost embarrassed Steve Harper.

Harper was the busier of the two keepers in the first half and he had to be alert to make a low save after David Thompson had burrowed his way into the box.

The home side's best chance of the first half fell to Obafemi Martins who latched onto a long ball which eluded Linvoy Primus, but his lob over David James landed on the roof of the net.

Andy Cole should have netted against his former cub ten minutes before the interval. The veteran striker dashed down the middle but, with the conditions seemingly playing on his mind, he took a heavy touch and this allowed Harper to smother.

Martins did not reappear for the second half and the introduction of Damien Duff prompted The Magpies to emerge from their slumber.

Glenn Roeder's side looked much sharper and they were in front within three minutes of the restart. The ball fell to Rossi following a scramble in the box and the youngster showed exactly why Sir Alex Ferguson rates him so highly with a neat turn and finish.

The goal boosted Newcastle's confidence and they extended their lead five minutes later as Solano stooped low to head home a deep cross from Duff.

The biggest cheer of the night was reserved for the introduction of Dyer and the returning star went within a whisker of marking his seasonal bow with a goal, but his shot fizzed just wide of the far post.

Pompey looked devoid of ideas, but they were almost thrown a lifeline 12 minutes from time as Harper got himself caught under a long ball and was fortunate to tip the effort over the bar.

After Pompey had a goal chalked off for an infringement, Newcastle put some gloss on the scoreline when Solano bundled home from close range after a ball into the box from James Milner had not been cleared by Pompey.

Very good result, hopefully we can take this into the next few games now and pick up some much needed points.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Newcastle isn't that bad as you think kennethlindheim.All that talk about regulation.You think you are realistic but you don't see the hole picture.

[Pennywise]

Newcastle today vs the Newcastle team in 2003, do we find big contrasts? I don't think so.


2003:

Given

Hughes, Woodgate, O`Brien, Bernard

Solano, Dyer, Speed, Robert

Shearer, Bellamy

Bench: Ameobi, Viana, Jenas, Bramble, Harper

-------------------

2006:

Given

Carr, Moore, Taylor, Babayaro

Solano, Emre, Parker, Duff

Ameobi, Martins

Bench: *Owen*, Bramble, Luque, Butt, Harper, Rossi, *Dyer*


Newcastle have a team today that shall finish top six IMO. It is VERY important to have a skilled manager if you want success with this team. Glenn Roeder is not the right man to lead this club. Newcastle United are using millions every season to win and be top four in the PL, but they always fail.

Better to sign Svennis than Roeder. N'castle have many names like Parker, Emre, Solano, Duff, Martins, etc.. but they do not fit together. Look at for example Bolton. They have found players that fit together in the formation and tactic they're running. At Tyneside, they just buy in names because they can get them (like Luque)

You need to buy in players that the club need and players that fit in, in the system.

This team need a new manager who runs a good formation and tactic. He need a couple of new defenders and N'castle will start climb.

That's my $0.02