Newcastle United are on the hunt for successive home wins for the first time December, when juddering Manchester United come up to St. James’ Park on Wednesday.
The Red Devils are coming off the back of home success themselves, having ground out a result against North East rivals Sunderland 2-0 courtesy of a Wayne Rooney brace. Louis Van Gaal have been under much scrutiny of late, not giving the all out, fluid attacking football usually seen under Sir Alex Ferguson for many years, with fans getting restless of this questionable 3-5-2 formation Van Gaal is trying to integrate into the team.
That said, there’s much to desired over a side not playing up to scratch, but still sitting in the top 4 sides in The Premier League with only 2 defeats in their last 10 matches. Of course, you would expect the most expensive side ever formed in Premier League to be easily in this position, if not further up the table.
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s form continues to be inconsistent as they have been of late. With their last 3 results being a score draw at Selhurst Park, a 5-0 drubbing at The Etihad & a narrow victory over Aston Villa at St. James’ Park, it’s becoming increasingly difficult what Newcastle United to expect from one week to the next. As unconvincing as the victory was on Saturday, Newcastle seem to up the ante when ‘big’ sides come up to St. James’ Park (2-1 v Chelsea, 1-0 v Liverpool), so perhaps another result could be on the cards for Carver’s men.
Team news:
Massadio Haidara has now been ruled out of the fixture after some swelling & fluid came up in his knee, but is expected to be fit again for the visit to Goodison Park next Sunday. Carver has also spoken of potentially dipping into the free agent market to agree a short term deal for another defender, to ease Newcastle’s injury woes.
Jack Colback serves the 2nd game of his two match ban following his 10th yellow card of the season v Man City, so Mehdi Abeid will once again deputise. Remy Cabella has also been ruled out of tomorrow’s fixture, with no set date for the fellow Frenchman’s return. This fixture will also come too early for young prospect Rolando Aarons.
Manchester United will be without Robin Van Persie through injury, whilst Phil Jones & Luke Shaw look to return. Michael Carrick may return to Man Utd’s bench, as Van Gaal claims he lacks match fitness.
Clash to watch: Falcao v Williamson
An absolute mismatch on paper, yet this is a chance for both under performers to prove their worth to their respective sides. Radamel has another 11 league matches & x amount of cup-ties to prove he’s worthy of staying at Old Trafford beyond the end of this season. Falcao was applauded off last Saturday, grafting for over an hour & ultimately winning a penalty for Man Utd.
Williamson has also been under scrutiny of Newcastle fans, constantly at fault for many of the goals conceded throughout the season. However, by the virtue of both Steven Taylor & Paul Dummett injured, with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa loaned out & eventually sold to Roma, Williamson finds himself as a first team regular. However, if he wishes to still be around the first team squad by the summer, when Dummett & Taylor are both fit again & Jamaal Lascelles joins the fold from Nottingham Forest, Williamson will have to vastly improve his performances like he did last Saturday, making 18 clearances around his penalty area – more than any other player over the corresponding fixtures last weekend.
