By Tyne-Talk
April 26 2009

Portsmouth travel to Newcastle on Monday night for a televised 8pm Kick Off, in what will be their 66th League clash. Newcastle will be looking for a repeat of the corresponding fixture in December when they came away from Fratton Park with a 3-0 victory. However, Newcastle have won just twice since that game, 1 of which was at St James' Park. Portsmouth have won 2 and drawn 3 of their last 6 Premier League games, but travel on the back of a 2-0 defeat against Manchester United. Newcastle have drawn 2 and lost 4 of their last 6 Premier League games and are yet to secure a win under the management of Alan Shearer.

For Newcastle Michael Owen and Mark Viduka are all available whilst Obafemi Martins (groin) could prove to be a powerful substitute if he can play through the pain barrier. Steven Taylor (ankle) remains unavailable, whilst the club will continue to assess Joey Barton (metatarsal) and Fabricio Coloccini. Jose Enrique could return and play some part in the game having recovered from a knee injury, as could Peter Lovenkrands who has recovered from a back complaint.

Since Alan Shearer's arrival the physio-room has emptied with all players returning to training. This week it was reported that both Xisco and Gonzalez have resumed training with return dates pencilled in.

Portsmouth boss Paul Hart will wait until the last minute to determine the fitness of David Nugent and Younes Kaboul who have both been suffering with thigh complaints, but both are expected to feature.

Pompey midfielder Niko Kranjcar will be unavailable after sustaining an ankle injury against Bolton.

Paul Hart said ahead of the game;

"I said when Shearer took the job at Newcastle, and I've said it many times, was that Alan Shearer was a great player and I'm sure he's going to become a great manager if he wants to be.

But it is just the same at Newcastle as it is here. It is players who make teams play.''

Whilst Shearer said;

"Without doubt, they will be a tough nut to crack. Paul Hart has gone in there and done a really good job.

They will certainly be a threat from set-pieces, but I believe if we look at ourselves and do it right ourselves, then we will have a big chance.''

Fact: Portsmouth have not won their last 10 Premier League away games.

Fact: Newcastle last failed to score at home against Portsmouth 58 years ago in what was a 0-0 draw in the old First Division 1951.

Match Preview/Thread/Stats: Newcastle v Portsmouth

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 26/04/2009 15:57

TyneTalk
26/04/2009 15:57

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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annie
26/04/2009 23:10

I believe we are going to win.

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ToonBart
27/04/2009 07:30

6 - 0 to us with a nacho hat - trick

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Mighty__Mag
27/04/2009 15:28

Nacho wont be ready heard he will make his first appearance against liverpool reserves,

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Joesftbh
27/04/2009 15:55

If the players are anything like as fired up as I am we will show real fight and pride tonight.

Seriously, I'm so ready for this. C'MON THE TOON!!!

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tunyc
27/04/2009 16:27

Kranjcar out = good. Far less danger from free kicks. I hope that little f00ker Nugent doesn't play either. I can see his pace being a real problem for Coloccini.

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lostmekeys
27/04/2009 16:34

'little' nugent? 'pace'?

are you thinking of the same fella, mate? i'm not gonna make the mistake of calling him anything other than a footballer on here today, but he isnt little, or quick...

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shotgun723
27/04/2009 17:54

I'm much more worried about quality in our own midfield. We have the health up front to finally capitalize on quality opportunities, but this season has proven that without quality in the middle of the pitch it doesn't matter what goes on behind or in front of them.

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lostmekeys
27/04/2009 19:26

harper
beye
colo
bassong
enrique
smith
butt
duff
viduka
martins
owen



i've changed my mind, we're gonna win!

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annie
27/04/2009 19:34

I am so nervous.

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lostmekeys
27/04/2009 19:35

aye, and half an hour yet!

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becksa09
27/04/2009 19:38

going crazy over here!

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nathan robinson
27/04/2009 19:38

Barton on the bench!

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becksa09
27/04/2009 19:42

aye good looking team! whats up with Nolan....

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wasim4nufc
27/04/2009 19:49

The team looks good. We need to start well but I have a great feeling about tonight!



Wasim's Sport Blog

Toon4life

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MissC
27/04/2009 19:55

LINE UPS THREAD

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becksa09
27/04/2009 20:00

HERE WE GO!!!

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MissC
27/04/2009 20:31

Uh oh Enrique injured again

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MissC
27/04/2009 20:34

Ok well aware i am talking to myself here but how the hell!!!!!!!!!!!!

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becksa09
27/04/2009 20:35

@#$%& link just went down!!!!!!!

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jamestoon
27/04/2009 20:37

"butt's down on his knees injured. that doesn't look good"

aye right!

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MissC
27/04/2009 20:37

Okay brief update Butt is off the field injured

No injuries in the treatment room at 7.55pm this evening

Now at least 1 (enrique) and Nicky Butt is wobbly on the field after treatment on sidelines

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becksa09
27/04/2009 20:40

its back....phew....frustrating game!

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annie
27/04/2009 20:46

I'm pacing the floor.

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lostmekeys
27/04/2009 20:47

then u have better movement than viduka, annie, and more purpose to it than martins

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annie
27/04/2009 20:51

LOL

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MissC
27/04/2009 20:52

So 0-0 half time think the ref has been reasonably well behaved this half

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waffles
27/04/2009 20:55

Martins should have had the one around 40 minutes. Great tackle from Colo running head on, and good cross from Beye.

Viduka fumbled a heel pass to put Martins in not long after.

Ref is letting them play physical, which I think is to our advantage.

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becksa09
27/04/2009 20:56

frustrating game, we just don't create anything, martins is just running around hoping for a break and then gets one and blasts it over! Viduka isn't winning headers and oh is Michael Owen even playing.....have seen him touch it maybe 4 times, tops. We need a huge improvement in the second half if they are going to win this game.

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nathan robinson
27/04/2009 20:57

Think we should be 2-0 up, Martins should have scored and Viduka should have done better when Guthrie shot, maybe being a bit harsh on Viduka but was easier than he made it. Playing well though, Butt running things, getting back, breaking up play and trying to get people away when attacking. Enrique is going to be a massive loss yet again.

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lostmekeys
27/04/2009 20:57

pompey are siting very deep though, it would be very hard to get back into this game if we went behind. for a long time in the middle of that half we couldnt get the ball off them, but later in the half we got better.
wonder how fit barton is?

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waffles
27/04/2009 20:59

Skysports says that Hrediararsson got booked during stoppage time. I saw nothing on the stream. Can anyone confirm?

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lostmekeys
27/04/2009 21:00

yeah, tangled with beye waiting for a corner to be taken

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MissC
27/04/2009 21:56

We are S*C*R*E*W*E*D*

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CNDShearerFan16
27/04/2009 21:59

Bunch of no-goal ninnies we have!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:04:27:22:15:10 by CNDShearerFan16.

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nathan robinson
27/04/2009 22:02

Didn't seem to try in the last 10-15mins. Viduka, Martins and Owen should have scored. We reduced them to mainly shots from outside the box which was good but still looked nervy at the back.

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Gallowgate Luke
27/04/2009 22:04

I'm huffed by tonights performance (Micheal owen should have scored) but I'm not throwing in the towel yet.
Hull could very well get no more points.
We have games with Boro, Fulham and Villa which we can get some points from.
(Liverpool will be a defeat though)

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nathan robinson
27/04/2009 22:09

Hull and Boro won't get to 37 points, which with 2 home wins we can, we just needed some composure up front and we'd be celebrating a good win right now!

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annie
27/04/2009 22:10

I'm off to bed, suffering from nervous exhaution and we've got to go through it all again.

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Gallowgate Luke
27/04/2009 22:13

We'll have to send Micheal Owen a note

Score goals or your horses get it!!!!!

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Mighty__Mag
27/04/2009 22:17

still the same old lack of communication on the pitch for me,

i think Owen fluffed the chance cos Martins was running through towards it, other chances saw Viduka head Butts chip into the box over, but Beye & Coloccini both in better positions, later Carroll getting infront of Owen!

shame we lost Enrique, he saw lots of the ball while he was on,

Gotta go to 4-4-2 and play Jonas, smith butt are too much the same, start with two wide players two midfielders, hopeful Barton & Guthrie Jonas Duff, then see how the strikers get on, swap them depending on who's not delivering the goods, playing three forwards hoping for goals isnt working, cos they all get in each others way!

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becksa09
27/04/2009 22:20

its time to give up guys, its just not going to happen, stop kidding ourselves.

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Gallowgate Luke
27/04/2009 22:22

Agree.
drop the 4-3-3 and revert to 4-4-2

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Biffins Bridge
28/04/2009 00:51

If you play 433 two of the forwards have to get wide. We were far too narrow especially with Smith, Butt and Duff playing in the middle.

I cant believe the formation wasnt changed to stop Glen Johnson from getting forward.

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Meliz
28/04/2009 06:05

wake up guys.
Don't be so pathetic -.-
...good times are coming soon (finally) , so calm down and stop feeling sorry for the team > saviors always come when you need them the most.

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