Title: Spyin' Kop: Newcastle preview
Post by: Armin on March 4, 2005, 01:05:43 pm
At the start of the season many picked this fixture as being decisive in the race for the Champions league places. It may still prove so but it is unlikely that Newcastle will be dining at Footballs top table next season. After a desperate start to the season which cost Bobby Robson his job the Toon have now found some form. Knocking out Chelsea in the FA cup has meant that Alan Shearer still has a couple of chances to pick up some silverware in his final season.
For our opposing fans perpective this week we have Chris from Howaythetoon and David from Fansforum. Also thanks to Rawk's own Murf for getting David on board. Your cheque is in the post
On with the questions and apologies for the formatting which I will sort later ...
Q: How is the season shaping up for Newcastle?
Chris: Newcastle's season has been a disaster from day one. An outbreak of conjunctivitis in the close-season threatened to ruin our pre-season plans and it has just snow balled from there. From the sale of Jonathan Woodgate (great business in hindsight) to Kieron Dyer refusing to play wide right and snubbing the Captain's armband. From Sir Bobby's sacking (in a disgraceful and undignified manner) to the appointment of Graeme Souness (not wanted at all) and his subsequent fall out with Craig Bellamy. Not to mention awful football, poor results and a leaky defence. All in all it's been one to forget. However we are going well in two Cup competitions and should we win one of them then Newcastle fans will have something to cheer about come May. We have also made some very astute signings. Nicky Butt, Amdy Faye, Celestine Babayaro and Stephen Carr in particular. All Internationals and all costing under £7m combined. Not the world's best players in their respective positions but Premiership standard, players we have needed.
David: The season as a whole pretty poor, but this last couple of weeks have been great.
Q: What are your expectations for this season? Have they changed from day one?
Chris:At the start of the season my expectations were quite high. I hoped Newcastle could mount a challenge for that final Champions League spot. Now? I don't expect us to finish in a European place and mid-table doesn't look far off. In the Cups you are always hopeful where your club is concerned. Fingers crossed on that one.
David: I would be pleased if Newcastle finished in the top 6 in the League, and if they could win either the FA or UEFA Cup i'd be over the moon. Yes my expectations have changed since day one because i honestly thought we would finish top 3.
Q: Who do you think is your most important player(s)?
Chris:Alan Shearer, even at his age, is still our most important player. He's the only one who can lead the line and put the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis. Other than the No.9 I'd say Shay Given who is Mr consistency and has saved our bacon many a time. It's just a shame he hasn't always had the protection he deserves.
David: The twelfth man (Toon Army)
Q: Your worst player(s)?
Chris:I don't like to criticise individuals or name names. Lets just say Newcastle have an average squad with a few players who simply aren't good enough at this level.
David: I know who they are but am not prepared to name and shame them
Q: What should we (traveling fans) expect in the way of atmosphere, singing and what do you expect from the Liverpool support? How do we compare to rival away fans?
Chris:The atmosphere could be electric, or very poor. It depends on how the game pans out. St' James' Park used to be a cauldron of noise from the first to the last whistle but it's sadly been in decline for a few years now, like most large Premiership stadiums. On a good day however (like the recent 1-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup) the crowd can create a terrific din and really get behind the lads.
I expect the usual "you've never won f*** all" or "where were you when you were s***" from the Liverpool crowd as most visiting fans tend to sing. All banter, but a bit unoriginal and quite boring. Not that you'll be heard much. Given your lofty place in the heavens the away support, even the more vociferous, get drowned out due to the acoustics of St. James' Park and the general layout. How do Liverpool fans compare with others? I personally would rate you as being one of the better away day fans and good craic. Canny fans whom I personally have no problems with. It should be a good atmosphere, but don't build your hopes up.
David: Bring your binoculars because they stick the away fans up in the gods. You can expect some great craic because Newcastle and Liverpool have always got on like a house on fire.
Q: Any young up and coming players in the squad that we might not know about?
Chris:Steven Taylor, a 19 year-old centre-half and a local lad who is an England under 21 regular has made a big impression this season, playing out of position at right-back in the absence of Carr. He was courted by Gerrard Houllier last season, who watched him for the reserves several times as has Rafa Benitez this season apparently. However there is no chance of Liverpool or anyone for that matter signing him. He's a Geordie and a huge crowd favourite even at such a young age. He's going to be an awesome player and we are all excited about him on Tyneside. Without wanting to build him up before he can walk so to speak, he has everything. Height, immense strength, composure, good reading of the game and above all else, he's a leader. In the 14 games he has played he's faced the likes of Henry and Pires and snuffed them out - clattering both with fearsome (clean) tackles. I've seen him organising the whole back-four and having a go at senior professionals, even Shearer. He had a loan spell at Wycome and Tony Adams couldn't stop raving about him. A future leader of NUFC.
David: Peter Ramage (Defender), he's a local lad from Whitley Bay. He was welcomed into the first team squad for the 2004/05 campaign after coming through the club's ranks. He is a central defender who is a regular in the Magpies' reserve side.
Q: Do you have a particular memory of any previous meeting between us?
Chris:Many. The 3-0 win in '94 when Andy Cole bagged a hat-trick was quite special as was the 2-0 win at your place that same season. One that stands out is a 1-0 New Years Day win at St. James' Park in 2003. It was a scrappy game, a poor game but the atmosphere was tremendous and the highlight of the game was seeing Shearer with the ball at his feet at the corner, in the dying moments, fighting off 4 Liverpool players and not one of them could get the ball off him. He was immense that day. A sweet, well earned, hard fought victory.
David: I've got two, 4-3 anyone ?
Q: What do you make of Graeme Souness and do you think he will stay beyond the end of the season?
Chris:I didn't want him at the club in the first place nor do I rate him as a good manager or even believe in him but I'm a supporter and that's what I'll do - support him. He's made a few good signings and seems to have sorted out the dressing room. Although the manner in which it manifested (the Craig Bellamy saga) wasn't very pleasant. Our League form is awful and Souness' tactics of playing a 3-5-1 formation while dropping our only creative player and winger (Laurent Robert) has contributed to that poor form. He's thankfully woken up to his sense and reverted back to 4-4-2 and started the Frenchman of late. We are going well in two Cup competitions which could save our season. Do I expect him to be at Newcastle at the start of next season? Not if he doesn't win a trophy and or qualify for Europe. I personally believe he needs time, lots of money and patience. He's here now, we may as well get behind him and hope he can get us back to qualifying for the Champions League and win us a Cup (or two - I'm greedy!), leaving his eventual successor with something good to work with.
David: To be honest i think he was brought in to sort out the brat pack at Newcastle and he has certainly done that. He has received a lot of stick from the fans but if he were to win us a Cup this season he would be a hero.
Q: What sort of line-up will Newcastle put out against us?
Chris:4-4-2 will probably be used, although it wouldn't surprise me if Souness reverted back to 4-5-1 or 4-3-3. The lineup I expect is as follows:
Given, Carr, Boumsong, Bramble, Hughes, Dyer, Bowyer, Butt/Faye, Robert, Shearer, Kluivert.
David: 442 if he has any sense, using a couple of wingers.
Q: Do you have a favourite/best chant(s) and perhaps any that require an explanation?
See: http://www.newcastle-online.com/toonarmy/nufc_songs.shtml
David: YNWA is one of the best songs ever, don't forget to get your scarves out when singing it
Q: Where do you expect Newcastle and Liverpool to finish in the Premier League?
Chris:I expect Newcastle to finish 10th, maybe 8th. Liverpool? 7th or 5th. I don't expect you to topple Everton as they aren't dropping many points and seem to be squeezing out victories. Either way, neither finish is good enough for both clubs.
David: I think Liverpool will overtake Everton and finish 4th this season (sorry Toffees, it's nothing personal).
Q: Which Liverpool player will you fear the most?
Chris:Steven Gerrard is the obvious candidate although he can go missing in certain games. The one player I fear the most is the much improved Jon Arne Risse who has a great left foot, a great engine and works his socks off. Fernando Morientes will be a danger in the air and in and around the penalty box but he seems to be way off the pace at the moment as he adapts and regains full fitness.
David: If he was fit, if he was playing, if he was on form just as he was while playing for Leeds i would have no hesitation in saying Harry Kewell, but since signing for Liverpool he has gone off the boil. I'm going for your captain Steve Gerrard as he is inspirational, tigerish in the centre park and lethal around the edge of the box.
Q: And your feelings on the new 'Spanish flavour' Liverpool. Rafa Benitez himself and our new recruits?
Chris:Rafa Benitez is obviously a very good manager. Valencia were a cracking side, built on a small budget and for me, were one of the best sides in Europe. Certainly over the past few years. Balancing a mean defence with attacking flair and efficiency. I don't know if he is the right man for Liverpool though. Something tells me he isn't. He's a very good manager and should do well, but I don't know if he can build a Title winning Liverpool side which is surely the aim? As for his signings. Xavi Alonso will become a fantastic player as will Morientes. The others: Luis Garcia seems far too light-weight for the Premiership. Lots of tricks but no end product and very flimsy on the ball whenever a challenge comes in. He could really struggle. The former Real Madrid winger who's name escapes me, doesn't look like a player at all. However with all clubs, players need time to settle and we've all seen before, even ugly ducklings can become Swans.
David: No comment really although Baros reckons he's a bastard.
Q: Care to predict the score? Go on!
Chris:2-1 to the Toon. It will be a hard game. Both sides are average in my opinion and there isn't much to separate the two. You have your good players, and so do we. You have your poor players and likewise we do. Enjoy the game, but not the result
David: A very hard game and i'm going for a 2-1 victory to Newcastle.
As ever RAWK would like to thank our opponents for graciously giving us their time and giving us an insight into the oppositions thoughts.
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