Battle at the North....

Newcastle United v Manchester United

Sunday 7th October.4pm kickoff.

People usually associate the north of England as wet and cold. Rainfall pouring all the time and definitely no place for sunshine...is there any truth to that? Well I am certainly sure that most people that make those comments either don’t live up north or just had terrible timing when it came down to when they actually went up north. The north of England is wonderful, yes it can be cold (than normal) but it’s a wonderful area to live. Our focus this weekend is Newcastle, home of the Geordies. In my opinion, the Geordies are the friendliest northerners....say hello all the time and are very receptive people. But there is definitely something they are not friendly about, and that’s when Manchester United visits St James Park. 

The Toon Army have been doing well, from their rise last season in the league, almost getting a champions league spot, two goal scoring machines in Demba ba and Cisse and a manager whose energetic flow goes through the entire team. He has been rewarded with an 8 year contract. And yes there is a contract dispute with the club and Demba Ba, the striker we believe has asked for double his wages (he now wants 100,000 pounds) but even with such disputes, on the pitch he is certainly giving them something to think about as he has 6 goals in 6 premier league games. And if lighting does strike twice he might just make it 7 as he scored a goal against the red devils in both appearances for Newcastle United. Newcastle united has gone unbeaten in their last 3 premier league matches against Manchester United. On the other hand,Cisse hasn’t started this season firing as he ended it last season, the striker is having a rear goal drought and has only scored twice this season in the capital one cup game against Manchester united where United where the victors and their Europa league win against Bordeaux. 

Manchester United as we all know has started the season in a shaky manner but will be buzzing with the Champions league victory away to CFR Cluj and have the return of Scholes, Giggs, Valencia and Carrick. Van Persie has 5 goals in 6 and with the return of the fit again Wayne Rooney, Newcastle united may have plenty to worry about as Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and RVP like playing against them. Wayne Rooney has scored 10 times against the Toon, his best against any other opponent. Paul Scholes has scored 9 against them and Robin Van Persie has scored 5 against the Toon in his last 5 starts...and In the past 10 Premier League meetings between the two clubs Newcastle have only won once (the last time they met, a 3-0 home win in January).plenty to worry about for the Toon then.. 

Both teams have a strong midfield and the battle between Cabaye Tiote and Ben Afra against Paul Scholes,Carrick and Rooney will be key to whoever wins come Sunday.I think there will be goals as both teams both have in form strikers but Manchester united will be more cautious as they have conceded 9 goals in 6 matches compared to Newcastles 8 in 6 matches. Manchester United has lost twice and Newcastle just once.




Newcastle United (Possible, 4-4-2): Harper; Simpson, Pearch, Williamson, Santon; Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Tioté, Gutierrez; Cissé, Ba
Out: Coloccini (hamstring), R Taylor (knee), S Taylor (hamstring), Krul (arm).


Manchester United (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Lindegaard; Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Carrick, Scholes; Nani, Rooney, Cleverley; Van Persie.
Out: Jones (knee), W Keane (knee), Smalling (toe), Vidic (knee), Young (knee).

As friendly as the north of England is, this is some clash between the north east and the north west......the people are friendly but there will be no friendship for 90minutes.There are both united by name but who will remain united come Sunday?

In more words to come..Sabi Boi..