Is it because it was just a friendly that fans of the Toon aren't more up in arms about the disallowed goal by Nile Ranger in the 40th? I was pretty miffed watching the highlights via Sky Sports, as it looked like he clearly had yellow jersey between he and the goal upon Vuckic's pass. Norwich didn't even seem to be appealing for the flag to go up, but there it was. In the end, it would prove costly, as Newcastle dropped their second preseason EPL warmup 1-2.
Tim Krul started between the pipes for the Magpies, giving Steve Harper some much needed rest. He was the backstop of the 4-4-2 (that kind of could have been more of a 4-3-3) that featured the likes of Jose Enrique and Fabricio Coloccini at the back, Barton-Nolan (the captain)-and Vuckic in the middie, and Best and Carroll striking. Not the complete starting eleven for the Man United opener, but plenty of the starters ou there. It was the first time Newcastle donned the all blue uniforms, and despite looking like Chelsea or Everton, I liked them.
Norwich, after winning League One last year, came out storming. In the 13th minute, Krul had to be on top of his game after a nice chip pass allowed the Canaries (no joke) to get a squared up shot on goal. In the 38th minute, though, Norwich would make some noise. Defender Ryan Taylor sent a lackluster pass back to the defense that was stolen, and the quick rush was on. Hoolahan of Norwich challenges both Coloccini and Newcastle's Tavernier, and gets around them in the box enough to send a nice pass to a wide open Chris Martin who stands (offside?) six yards in front of the goal, and easily sends the ball into the net. Krul had no chance, and in reality it was the defensive lapse costing us, but Krul clearly thought Martin was offside, which he appeared to be. It was no matter, though, and the Yellow were up 1-nil. 2 minutes later, I would be fuming. Vuckic sends a perfect pass to the feet of Nile Ranger. Ranger is outside of the final defender, but by no means ahead of him. He sends in a brilliant shot that blows past the Norwich keeper, and the ref's assistant puts up his flag. The replays clearly show that he is on, but such is soccer officiating. We head off down a goal after 45. By the way, I found it classic that Sky Sports called Ranger Shola Ameobi. Whoops...not all black footballers look alike guys.
As with most preseason friendly tests, Newcastle subbed out the world at the start of the second half. Out were Ryan Taylor, Ranger, Kevin Nolan, Coloccini, Best, Barton, and Andy Carroll. On were Peter Løvenkrands (a last season hero), Shola Ameobi (my personal Toon fav), Xisco, Guthie, and a couple of others. The change paid off.
Just one minute in, Newcastle would go five hole for the equalizer (cross sports reference!). Xisco dribbles the ball to the top of the box and sends a quick pass to Shola Ameobi, who has his back to the goal. Quickly, The Amoeba spun around and sent a nice slow roller through the legs of the Norwich keeper. The mostly Newcastle supporting crowd erupted, making all of the Toon Army itch with excitement for the upcoming EPL season. 4 minutes later, fresh off the loan to Spain Xisco had another chance for an assist, but his pass intended for a streaking Løvenkrands was picked off at the last moment. In the 64th, Tim Krul showed why he's a sought after keeper, and may be held back by being #2 here at 'Castle. Two impressive stops kept the Mags square, but the Norwich pressure gave you that weird feeling in the pit of your Black & White stomach. In the 74th minute, potential goal scoring turned to kinetic for the bad guys (physics reference!). A long (and backwards facing) cross from Anthony McNamee comes right to the head of Chris Martin, and the ball slides into the net just past the outstretched fingers of Krul. Martin's double sucks, and we were left down 1-2 on a goal that should have been called offside and a goal that probably could have been stopped given what Krul showed us earlier on. A fake double for Martin, if you will. Will you? In the 85th, a low class Norwich fan stormed onto the field, stopping play (called a "pitch invader" in England), and outside of a 89th minute Løvenkrands header banging off the cross bar, that would be the most action packed moment of the final 15. Newcastle felt the sting of defeat for the first time this summer.
Now 1-1-0 on their preseason warm ups, I think it's fairly clear that Chris Hughton and company and trying to find their groove prior to the 8/16 Monday night opener against Andrew's Red Devils. With the rest of the preaeason, July 31 will see a test at home against PSV Eindhoven before an 8/3 match with Deportivo and an explosive preseason finale (for me, as a Celtic fan as well) against Rangers away on 8/7.
There is still a great deal of movement rumored to be had around Newcastle, and before we make our updated starting eleven predictions, let's explore what's going on.
The latest is that Sol Campbell is expected to come aboard with the Mags any day now. Interestingly enough, Newcastle have stolen Sol from Celtic, who were after the 35 year old Arsenal defender as well. He had a camio in "Snatch," so I'm in with him. Sol Cerveza as a nickname?
Frenchie midfielder Ben Arfa is another name floating around that 'Castle are looking for a loan deal with. While being called "the best talent in all of France," it is said he also lack's discipline (reminding me of a very funny Kindergarten Cop line).
The most exciting rumor currently floating around sees Raúl Gonzalez from Real Madrid fame possibly coming to the Toon. This would be unbelievable, despite leaving out some already established fan favorites. Raúl scored 228 goals in 550 games with Real, and is the leading all time scorer for Real and for the Spanish National Team. He may be 33, but he still looks like he has a lot in the tank, and he kisses his wedding ring to celebrate goals. How can you not like that?
Rumors aside, let's look at the possible starting side for 'Castle come the opener against Manchester.
G- Steven Harper: That would leave Krul as the able bodied backup, and Harper was so solid last year, I'm excited about his EPL campaign.
D- Sol Campbell (since it seems like a done deal), Jose Enrique, Fabricio Coloccini, and Jame Perch: This is kind of the wildcard pick section. Steven Taylor is out for six weeks, so he won't make the list, Campbell isn't on the squad yet, but he's having a physical in Newcastle today, so I'm sure he's in the fold. Enrique and Coloccini seem like locks, leaving the fourth starting slot up for grabs. Ryan Taylor, Ben Tozer, and Tavernier all seem like they could likely get it, but I'm a fan of James Perch getting the cap.
M- Haris Vuckic, Kevin Nolan, Dan Gosling, Joey Barton: Nolan and Gosling are locks, and I see manager Chris Hughton's support of Vuckic meaning he'll see the start, but Joey Barton is my wild card. In actuality, I can see multiple players who are actually strikers getting the nod. We are a striker heavy team, especially if Raúl comes on, and it could easily happen that Xisco, Løvenkrands, Shola, or Best gets the nod.
F- Andy Carroll and Leon Best: A ton of players to pick from here at the up top position, but Carroll and Best have earned it, with Nolan attacking up from the midfield. This would leave us with a grip of options for subs up front, in what could be a surprise Magpie run for those not in the Newcastle know.
As I leave you now, I'll sign off with a song much loved and often sung by the Toon Army:
"The famous Man United went to Rome to see the Pope.
And this is what he said, "Feck off! Who the feck are Man United?"
As the Mags go marching on!"
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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