By Tyne-Talk
April 3 2009

Alan Shearer steps up to the 1st challenge of his managerial career tomorrow, Guus Hiddink's Chelsea. With players clamouring for a place in the team Shearer should be getting the most out of his inherited side. Newcastle have won just 6 games all season to Chelsea's 18, and lost 13 to Chelsea's 5, leaving them in 18th place fighting relegation to Chelsea's current 3rd place.

After a reshuffle at the club, Shearer and new assistant manager Iain Dowie, will face 52,000 fans all welcoming him back and the focus at St James' Park tomorrow will certainly not be on the visitors.

Early match reports suggest that Michael Owen is a dead cert to start alongside Obafemi Martins; whilst Cacapa and Danny Guthrie will both return from injury and start on the bench. Sebastien Bassong and Steven Taylor are hoping to be fit to play, but whilst Taylor is unlikely to start, Bassong who returned to training in the week could be in the starting eleven.

Ignacio Gonzalez (Achilles), Shola Ameobi (Ankle), Joey Barton (Metatarsal) and Mark Viduka (Achilles) all remain injured and unavailable for selection. However, Xisco (Toe) and Andy Carroll (Ankle) have both returned to training.

The big news coming from the Chelsea camp is that Didier Drogba will not be fit for tomorrows match after he injured his ankle in training, and Jose Bosingwa returned from International duty with a hamstring problem. However, Nicolas Anelka is fit and will play some part in the game.

Chelsea remain without Joe Cole and Ferreira who are both nursing knee injuries.

Both clubs will be revitalised on the back of the International break and Chelsea will be on a mission to collect a win after dropping points against Tottenham in their Last Premier League game, the first time under Hiddink's management.

Fact: - Chelsea are the only team yet to concede a penalty in the Premier League this campaign, whilst Newcastle have conceded more than any club (nine)

Fact: - Chelsea have scored 49 goals this season whilst Newcastle have conceded 49 goals this season.

Rob Styles Referees.

3pm KO

Match Preview/Stats/Thread: Newcastle v Chelsea

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 03/04/2009 19:14

TyneTalk
03/04/2009 19:14

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becksa09
03/04/2009 19:39

If Drogba is going to miss the game that it leaves them with little choice upfront, anelka is still out! This would leave us with a shot at the upset we need to get the ball rolling. We need something from the game, a drew at least. Can't really expect a win though, not sure even Alan Shearer coming home can turn the tide instantly!

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lostmekeys
03/04/2009 20:31

hate to be the one to say it first, but its still chelsea, and we havent signed any players this week...
preparing myself for a few goals against, the revolution starts sunday i reckon


hope i'm wrong, but i'm not expecting much at all on saturday as far as the result goes. three straight wins after though!

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Joe
03/04/2009 20:44

I heard on Sky Sports news today that Anelka is fit again?

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annie
03/04/2009 22:34

I don't think Chelsea's away goal tally is that good.

I'm hoping for 1-1. Owen must feel he has a point to prove.

C'mon the Toon.

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lostmekeys
03/04/2009 23:09

ten away wins though annie, and thats in a season 'bad' enough to see the manager sacked!

stuff them though, nothing ventured gained, lets have em!

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Mighty__Mag
04/04/2009 01:16

I never expected us to win this, since the bbc prediction thread ive had us down to lose the past few games & this was one of them, but i know all the boys will play for Shearer, and we will probably see some aggression, and pressing for the ball like liverpool do, C'mon shearer's black & white army!

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MissC
04/04/2009 09:42

Read up ---^ Anelka is likely to play some part after recovering from injury.

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Gallowgate Luke
04/04/2009 11:43

I want 3 points.
If we get beat and Blackburn win............

Maybe Big Al can lift the morale of the squad just enough to triumph?

Oh and it would be great if when Iain Dowie comes out the tunnel if 52,000 could all shout this

[">www.youtube.com]

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senyabtoon
04/04/2009 11:46

knew what was coming but still lmao

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senyabtoon
04/04/2009 11:47

football focus at 12:10 and a little bird tells me it gonna be all aboot the toon!

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cappen
04/04/2009 13:05

We need Spuds to do us a favour and then all the home teams to win.

Ha'way the Lads...

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senyabtoon
04/04/2009 14:50

beye and colo start at cb and jonas and owen back in

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senyabtoon
04/04/2009 15:53

we need to score as i think cheslsi will get one but not bad so far!

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cappen
04/04/2009 15:53

Half times:
1550: Half-time Bolton 2-1 Middlesbrough - Good

1549: Half-time West Ham 1-0 Sunderland - Good

1549: Half-time West Brom 0-1 Stoke - S.hit

1549: Half-time Hull 0-0 Portsmouth - okay

1549: Half-time Newcastle 0-0 Chelsea - we can win this

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OnTheLevee
04/04/2009 16:00

If West Brom can do something and we can snatch one this will be a good day despite Blackburn's last 10min win. Also, good to see Sunderland behind.

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cappen
04/04/2009 16:23

We have to learn how to defend... but we are still not creating anything!

0-2 Stoke.

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senyabtoon
04/04/2009 16:56

colo just lost us this match what a shocker he had other than that every one else did thier bit dissapointed but not resigned to going down will can still do it

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cappen
04/04/2009 16:59

wasnt really expecting much from this game, if Owen's goal had counted could have been a different ending but that's the way our season has been going.

Hopefully he can drop/rest Colo next game and bring back Taylor and Bassong for CB and Beye move to RB.

We are still sorely lacking creativity,, we only seemed to come alive once we were two down....big game against Stoke next week.

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OnTheLevee
04/04/2009 17:04

Colo is not handling the pressure. He's a sure thing for at least one howler a game at the moment. It's not what we need right now.. In saying that we were never going to beat Chelsea today so now we really have to do the business next week.

If we can win our 3 home games and 1 away out of the next 7 we will be safe. Just.

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