ToonForum - Newcastle United Forum

Newcastle host Blackburn Rovers this Saturday at a sold out St James' Park for Mick Lowes' last commentary game on BBC Radio Newcastle. After 25 years of following Newcastle to virtually every game, but resisting the urge to swear at our defending, his retirement is well earned.

Blackburn, under the management of Owen Coyle sit just inside the relegation zone. Six years into the unpopular regime of the Venky family, Blackburn are struggling for attendances and performances, the latter not helped by the sale of a number of the star players. Jordan Rhodes goal presence, whilst overlooked at the Boro is missed at Ewood park.

Team News
Grant Hanley is not available to face his former team, joining Colbck and Aarons as confirmed injuries. Shelvey is available pending his misconduct hearing, also joining Dummett on the precipice of a one game ban for accumulating five yellows.
Blackburn can call on former Smoggie Marvin Emnes, but former mag Guthrie is out. Other absensees include Adam Hanley, Elliott Ward, Gordon Greer, Scott Wharton and Tommie Hoban.

Predicted Line Up I've went for some changes, because I feel Rafa will rotate in some players rested post the international break. I do think Shelvey will play with Colback out, as Rafa won't take games for granted. Maybe Ritchie will get rested for Gouffran, the former wasn't at his best at Leeds but along with Shelvey adds an extra level of creativity

Manager Quotes

Benitez wrote:Blackburn have a manager with experience, and he know what he has to do to win games.
We are doing well but before any game I send the same message: Focus on the game & 3 points. It is more important than ever.
Blackburn have played well recently. We’re talking about a good team that are in a bad position. We have to be concentrated.

Coyle wrote:It shows the strength of Newcastle’s squad that Grant, who we all know is a very good player and a really nice young man, has found himself on the bench and only started a few games.
But football can change quickly. In Grant’s case, when you are out of the team you have to make sure you are working your socks off on the training ground so when the chance presents itself you are ready to take the chance and stay in the team, irrespective of what club you are at.

Referee David Coote

Coverage BBC Radio Newcastle and also via beta.nufc.co.uk worldwide for free (if it works).

We should batter these but I have a horrible feeling we'll f*** up.

First game of the season for me

Driving up from the south so will park at the Metrocentre and get the soccer bus I think.

2-0.

originallad wrote:We should batter these but I have a horrible feeling we'll f*** up.

I've felt like this every game but i think we'll win this one 3-1.

Hope Shelvey won't play. Must be preserved for Hull's game. One yellow and he's out.

Tsi wrote:

originallad wrote:We should batter these but I have a horrible feeling we'll **** up.

I've felt like this every game but i think we'll win this one 3-1.

It's bound to happen sometime though. Been looking at the Blackburn forum and they're consigned to a defeat which makes me think they'll beat us.

Johnny from the block wrote:Hope Shelvey won't play. Must be preserved for Hull's game. One yellow and he's out.

Looks like he will start as Colback is out injured

Rafa - Colback has a problem with his eye – he will not be available – and Hanley has a problem with his shin.

In midfield...

Beatski wrote:

Diame - Hayden
Perez

In midfield...

Tsi wrote:

Johnny from the block wrote:Hope Shelvey won't play. Must be preserved for Hull's game. One yellow and he's out.

Looks like he will start as Colback is out injured

Rafa - Colback has a problem with his eye – he will not be available – and Hanley has a problem with his shin.

Tbf, Diame played a lot of games with problem in his both eyes... So one eyed captain Jack won't be such a problem.

Bodacious Benny wrote:First game of the season for me

Driving up from the south so will park at the Metrocentre and get the soccer bus I think.

2-0.

Enjoy . I'm going too. It's f***ing freezing today aswell

Tsi wrote:

Johnny from the block wrote:Hope Shelvey won't play. Must be preserved for Hull's game. One yellow and he's out.

Looks like he will start as Colback is out injured

Rafa - Colback has a problem with his eye – he will not be available – and Hanley has a problem with his shin.

Has he got a problem though or have they just realised he can't see anything more than 5 yards in front of him?

Bald beauty over the blind beast for me.

Johnny from the block wrote:Hope Shelvey won't play. Must be preserved for Hull's game. One yellow and he's out.

I don't understand the clamour for this. We can't be complacent with league games.

Colback's Orange Tufts wrote:

Johnny from the block wrote:Hope Shelvey won't play. Must be preserved for Hull's game. One yellow and he's out.

I don't understand the clamour for this. We can't be complacent with league games.

We've got a gap of 9, effectively 10 with our goal difference, points for the automatic promotion places.

We can definitely afford to rest one player, especially considering he's already been rotated this season anyway. It's not complacency, it's using our superior quality in depth to our advantage.

Shelvey has been great this season but we should be capable of beating Blackburn at home without him. Even if we do get beat today, it doesn't matter in the slightest. Worst case scenario we are 2 points clear at the top and 6 points, effectively 7 with goal difference, clear in automatic promotion places. It's hardly the end of the world.

Heisen wrote:

Tsi wrote:
Looks like he will start as Colback is out injured

Has he got a problem though or have they just realised he can't see anything more than 5 yards in front of him?

Good grief! Some changes there!

Got to trust him though.

Still looks a solid team. Surprised to see Lascelles on the bench though. Interested to see how the full backs do today as I thought Dummett and Anita were poor against Leeds.

It's Rafa's Rotation Time!!! Be interesting to see how our back four play today. Clark's played well for us, but has he played well because Lascelles has been next to him? Gamez must be a bit rusty surely?