Newcastle v Sheff Utd

[kennethlindheim]

After their outstanding Uefa Cup success in Palermo, Glenn Roeder's Newcastle will be brought down to earth by the fact that they will be in the Premiership relegation zone if they lose to Sheffield United on Saturday, live on PremPlus.

The Magpies won 1-0 in Italy on Thursday to maintain their 100 percent record in the Uefa Cup this season, but their domestic form has been nothing short of awful having lost six of their first ten games.

Captain Scott Parker has already spoken of a potential battle against relegation and only a win against Neil Warnock's similarly struggling Blades will calm fears of a long, hard winter on Tyneside.

Roeder could not have hand-picked better opponents in the search for three points, on paper at least, as the Yorkshire side have won just one point on their travels after their return to the top-flight.

Newcastle's cause could be boosted by the return of senior players, with Roeder leaving a number of his squad in Newcastle to nurse knocks as a makeshift side earned a memorable 1-0 win in Sicily.

Magpies skipper Parker (knee), right-back Stephen Carr (knee) and flying winger Damien Duff (groin) could all return to the starting XI if they prove their fitness, whilst Celestine Babayaro will be hopeful of reclaiming his place at left-back.

Teenage goalkeeper Tim Krul was the hero in Italy with a string of impressive saves on his debut for the North East outfit, but if Steve Harper passes a late fitness test he could return to the starting line-up with Shay Given still recovering from an abdominal injury.

Up front, Albert Luque is likely to make way despite scoring the only goal of the game on Thursday night, and with Obafemi Martins (hamstring) and Shola Ameobi (hip) currently sidelined, Giuseppe Rossi could return to spearhead the Magpies attack after missing the Palermo game under the terms of his loan move from Manchester Untied.

In Kieron Dyer's absence due to an eye injury Charles N'Zogbia, Emre, James Milner, Nolberto Solano and Nicky Butt will all be competing for a starting role in what could be a five-man midfield at St James' Park.

The Blades meanwhile, are weakened in midfield by Michael Tonge's absence due to an ankle injury which could rule him out for a month, with Nick Montgomery set to deputise for the trip to the North East.

Defender Leigh Bromby was another player to pick up an injury in the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, so Rob Kozluk and Derek Geary will be competing for a starting place at right-back.

Warnock has issues up front with Colin Kazim-Richards and Danny Webber both suffering from illness during the week, but both will make the trip to Newcastle with Ade Akinbiyi absent with a hamstring injury.

Otherwise Warnock has a relatively healthy squad for a game the Blades boss will view as eminently winnable, but full of confidence from their continental exploits The Magpies will be keen to prove they are capable of pulling away from the drop zone.

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...&hlid=4264 05

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I expect Newcastle to follow up their Palermo win with 3 points against one of Premiership weakest team.Their self esteem after that win should do the work.

[kennethlindheim]

Well, it was expected that we would beat Charlton last weekend and we didn't. This is exacly the same sort of game. Hopefully we will get the three much needed points this time.

You have to remember there's only something like 36 hours between Palermo ending and Sheff Utd starting. The players do have to recover and I think there will be a lot of changes.

Goes to show that FFS is happy to knacker his players just to get a bit of Sky money in.
Lousy decision by FFS imho and will be all the worse if Newcastle don't take all 3 points in what is an important match for both clubs.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Newcastle United 0 - 1 Sheffield United

SU: Webber (68')

Newcastle:

12 Steve Harper
02 Stephen Carr
18 Craig Moore
19 Titus Bramble
33 Celestine Babayaro
16 James Milner (Albert Luque 66)
17 Scott Parker
22 Nicky Butt (Belozoglu Emre 46)
14 Charles N'Zogbia (Nolberto Solano 46)
11 Damien Duff
15 Giuseppe Rossi

Newcastle United's season lurched to new depths on Saturday as they were beaten 1-0 by Sheffield United at St James' Park.

A first-ever win on Italian soil in midweek raised the spirits on Tyneside, but the revival proved short-lived as Danny Webber handed The Blades a vital three points.

A spirited display lifted The Blades out of the drop zone, while Newcastle dropped to second from bottom in The Premiership.

A home loss is never welcome, but the insipid way in which Newcastle failed to fashion any sort of fight is what will cause distress on Tyneside.

Results earlier in the day meant both sides started the game in the bottom three and the nerves were in evidence, as chances were few and far between in the first half.

The Blades were handed an opportunity to test Newcastle inside four minutes, as Webber beat the offside trap down the right but, with two players to aim for in the middle, he managed to hit a retreating Magpies defender.

Newcastle did little to spark their fans into life, with a disappointing header from Titus Bramble the best they could muster in the opening 20 minutes.

Steve Harper was the first keeper called into action, but Rob Hulse's drive proved little more than catching practice, while at the other end, Paddy Kenny was almost embarrassed, as a cross-shot from Charles N'Zogbia landed on the crossbar.

Kenny was finally tested on 44 minutes, as Magpies skipper Scott Parker connected with a drive on the edge of the box - but the Irish keeper was able to plunge to his right and grab the effort.

Newcastle were booed off at the break and manager Glenn Roeder responded by throwing on Emre and Nolberto Solano, but it did not have the desired effect, as Hulse and Alan Quinn tested Harper with shots from distance.

The Blades continued to call the tune, as Webber and Mikele Leigertwood let fly from distance, with Newcastle defender Craig Moore responding by felling Hulse in the centre circle - although referee Steve Bennett opted to take no action.

Newcastle took 20 minutes to fashion an opening, but Stephen Carr's cross was poor and less than a minute later, The Magpies were made to pay.

A swift break down the right saw Nick Montgomery pick out Webber in the box and he guided a superb header into the corner.

Newcastle's response was hardly swift, as The Blades stood firm and a shot across the face from Emre summed up the mood on Tyneside.

Source: http://home.skysports.com

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Shepherd unhappy with results

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has admitted the club's form has not been good enough this season.

The Magpies' season took a turn for the worst on Saturday after a dismal home defeat to Sheffield United.

The team were booed off at St James' Park and thousands of fans staged a protest after the match against the club's board.

Newcastle currently sit second from bottom of the table after picking up just two points from their last seven Premiership games.

Pressure is growing on Magpies chief Glenn Roeder and Shepherd admits results have not been what is needed.

"Our Premiership results have been disappointing," Shepherd told the News of the World.

"The general feeling is that we are better than the low position we currently occupy.

"But you do not get points for what you deserve.

"You only get points for results and our results in the Premiership have simply not been good enough this season."

Meanwhile, Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given has admitted the team's confidence is very low following their slump in form.

Given, who is currently recovering from injury, has called on the players to stick together and get through this sticky patch.

"The confidence and the moral is low, but we are not a million miles away," said Given.

"We just have to stick together to get through this."

Source: http://home.skysports.com

[LAF]

Shepherd should take the blame. Did he really think managers with a track record of failure (Souness and Roeder) turn his side around?

This is worrying times for Newcastle fans. It would not suprise me at all if they were relegated with Roeder at the helm.

He should have kept Souness as manager, imo. He never really got a fair go as his top players were ALWAYS injured. Didn't he get a ridiculous amount of time (under a year?) as manager?

It was clear no other decent manager was up for the mess that is Newcastle Utd, so why sack Souness?! Because he didn't want the bad press Souness was getting effect his image. Ironically, now it's worse.

[Leftfooted]

Miserable performance by Newcastle. Seriously, Roeder has to leave. It doesn't matter who Shepherd replaces him with, he cannot be worse than this chump. Shepherd must out too. The cancer is growing in the club.

[Pennywise]

Roeder out!

Depressed Newcastle United. This is just horrible.

[LAF]

Roeder isn't very good but Newcastle are a horrible team with no money. Nobody decent would want the job, unless they get payed a ridiculous wage.

[Olzy]

to be honest whoever comes in, still wont have any strikers?

Rossi upfront by himself woah. Longs ball to Rossi doesnt work so stupid.

To be honest Roedar is shit...... always does well to start of with....then it turns awful.

[LAF]

Exactly my point. They have a shit squad and no money to improve.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Shepherd not quitting Newcastle

Under-fire Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd insists he will not quit the club.

Angry Newcastle fans called for the head of Shepherd following Saturday's dismal home defeat to Sheffield United.

Magpies supporters staged a protest after the match calling for Shepherd to leave the club.

However, Shepherd is determined to ride out the storm and he has promised to sort out the mess on Tyneside.

"Right now it would seem I am the only one prepared to do this job and it is one I will continue to do to the very best of my ability and with the best interests of the club at heart," Shepherd told the Evening Chronicle.

"There is no doubt we are in a situation which needs sorting out and sorting out quickly.

"None of us can be happy at the position Newcastle United find themselves in right now and it is up to everyone involved to get us out of it.

"We have to do better and that means everyone pulling together for the good of the club to work through what are undeniably tough times."

Shepherd also played down reports linking Gerard Houllier and Alan Curbishley with replacing the under pressure Glenn Roeder.

"We have been down this road before," said Shepherd of the speculation.

Shepherd also revealed that he planned to meet with the Newcastle players to discuss the club's form.

"I think it is time the players are reminded just who they are playing for," added Shepherd.

Source: http://home.skysports.com

[kennethlindheim]

Worst performance I've ever seen. I won't comment the game any further.