' TODAYS TEAM: NEWCASTLE v CARDIFF CITY ' MATCH THREAD

BOOST FOR RAFA BENITEZ

02/11/16

Rafa Benitez will apparently be able to keep hold of all his Newcastle players in January.

It has been reported that Chelsea are keeping an eye on Magpies captain Jamaal Lascelles.

However, the Northern Echo say Benitez will not be under any pressure to sell in January, as long as Newcastle remain in contention for automatic promotion.

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is apparently happy with the financial position of the club.

Three reasons for Cardiff to go to Newcastle without fear

By Jamie Kemble

Wednesday 2nd November 2016

Cardiff travel to the St James’ Park on Saturday in the hope of gaining vital points against the league-leaders.


Newcastle have an excellent balance and despite starting slowly they now lead the Championship by three points. Cardiff however, have struggled and despite building some momentum under Warnock, gaining seven points from nine they lost to Wigan on the weekend to leave them just a point off the relegation places.

If Cardiff want to avoid relegation, they will need to start picking up points and fast.

Cardiff however must not fear anyone in this division, and this brings us onto three reasons why Cardiff shouldn’t fear Newcastle this weekend.

Cardiff have a massive aerial threat

Its been there all season for everyone to see, but Cardiff are a major threat in the air and this is where Newcastle are most vulnerable. This was clear to see, especially at the start of the season where they struggled to pick up points.

Last weekend they also struggled to deal with Preston’s set-pieces and when long balls came into the box with the score 1-2 they struggled to deal with the likes of Jermaine Beckford in the penalty area with balls coming in thick and fast.

Newcastle will have to be very wary of the threat that Cardiff have in the air, especially with the likes of Sol Bamba, Sean Morrison and even Lee Peltier who despite being just five foot eleven can be a real menace in the air.

In fact, against Bristol City he won every single won of his aerial battles so the Magpies will have to keep a close eye on the former Bluebirds captain. Ultimately the Bluebirds have experienced striker Rickie Lambert up front who is capable of winning just about anything in the air, and has exhibited this throughout his career.

Cardiff also scored twice from crosses against Nottingham Forest, with both Joe Ralls and Aron Gunnarsson both scoring via headers.

If Cardiff are to cause an upset at the Sports Direct arena then set-pieces could be key to their success.

The Warnock effect

Since taking over from Paul Trollope, Warnock has acquired seven points from a possible twelve. He’s got the passion flowing back at the club, and their seems to be more belief among the Cardiff camp than there was under Trollope. Cardiff have got a lot more success in the wide areas, this has been especially clear in the home games under the Warnock reign.

Warnock also appears to be getting the best out of Craig Noone, which seemed like an impossible task. He’s a more direct player under Warnock, and is no longer afraid to get injured. In the game at the City ground two weeks ago he was probably the stand out player in that second half. On the topic of changing players fortunes around, Aron Gunnarsson. He looks hungry again.

Since Warnock’s arrival he has been City’s most influential player, and his determination has come back. Was superb in the defeat against Wigan and unfortunate to get on the score sheet.

Warnock is a self-driven manager, and isn’t afraid of anything. If something doesn’t work he will try something different to make it work. He’s got the experience that Cardiff need, and has that incentive of a record eight promotion.

If Cardiff can get a point, or even three at Newcastle this weekend it could be down to the managerial excellence in which Warnock possesses.

Best yet to come from Cardiff

Cardiff’s best performance this season probably came against Bristol City, but apart from that their performances have been ordinary. They have yet to play well for a full ninety minutes, and this could come as a concern for their opposition because they are bound to have one game where they perform well for the full ninety.

Cardiff seem to have a lack of concentration, even under Neil Warnock they have let games nearly slip away, such as the Nottingham Forest game where they were cruising up until Gunnarsson brought down Henri Lansbury for a penalty, and then it was an all new ball game.

In the Bristol City game the visitors missed a guilt edge chance in the dying seconds and even in the Wednesday game where they let a one goal lead slip to draw.

This is something that Warnock would have stressed to his players, but it could come soon as Cardiff have provided glimpses of excellence in the four games that Warnock has been in charge for.

Could their best performance come against high-flying Newcastle?

Christian Atsu on standby to line up for Newcastle United against Cardiff City with Matt Ritchie suspended


Wednesday 02 November 2016


Ghana winger Christian Atsu is on standby to start for Newcastle United ahead of their Championship clash against Cardiff City on Saturday following the suspension of Matt Ritchie.

The 24-year-old has not been a consistent starter due to the presence of the Scottish winger and climbed off the bench in the Magpies 2-1 win at Preston North End last weekend.

But the Ghanaian, who has started two leagues matches so far, is expected to get the nod to replace the suspended Ritchie.

Atsu is a like-for-like replacement for Ritchie, 27, as he could slot into Benitez's formation of 4-2-3-1.

The Black Stars wideman is loan from Chelsea where he has impressed so far.

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Newcastle 0-2 Cardiff.

Will there be tickets on the gate ?

Blakey hails the influence of Sol Bamba and Aron Gunnarsson and thinks this clash will be perfect for them

By Nathan Blake

Thursday 3rd November 2016


It looks like the impossible job this weekend: a team in top form, scoring so many goals, 52,000 fans loving life, a Champions League winning manager.

It almost seems impossible to stop but we all knew that if Rafa Benitez stayed at Newcastle and they got the fanbase going then you knew they'd be formidable.

They could end up top eight in the Premier League in two or three years with that manager, because he's so good.

But throughout the season they will lose games. The pressure is all on Newcastle because there's expectation with them, I've heard already 'they're going to run away with the league, over 100 goals, over 100 points', all that. I've heard it all but a couple of bad results and confidence can quickly disappear.


Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez is making a huge impact
There's no pressure on Cardiff other than their need for points. You go up there as the underdog but Cardiff have got good quality players. You don't look at them as being in Newcastle's league of quality but you'd still say that they should be top half of the league.

They've also got the kind of squad that can be perfectly suited to this kind of game, sitting back and nicking a 1-0. For example you could bring in O'Keefe alongside Gunnarsson and play two in front of the back four, just leaving one man up front. Then you could really see them posing Newcastle a problem, sitting quite deep and trying to hit them on the counter or from a set-piece. Their aerial power at set-pieces and the quality of Whittingham's delivery is probably their best strength right now.

I'm hopeful, not just with my Cardiff City goggles on!

Sol Bamba is improving the defenders around him and has been a great addition

I had a good chuckle at the Beckenbauer line from Neil Warnock, but I completely understand what he's saying.

Bamba clearly does as well, there are times when there's just no need to give the opposition even a sniff of a chance and Bamba hasn't done that at all since he came in. He's just been no nonsense, all over the pitch, reading things, knowing when to step in front to try and nick the ball. We haven't seen a striker get the better of him so far and he's come up against some of the best in the division.

There's nothing better than when a manager is just straightforward, tells you how it is and what he expects from you. Bamba knows if he is under pressure and just wants to kick the ball into the stand, he knows the manager isn't going to be frowning, looking at him thinking 'I want you to get it down and play'. He won't feel under scrutiny, knowing there's only a problem if he gets himself into trouble trying something daft.

Blakey thinks Bamba has improved Sean Morrison
He's been a great addition all round, he's lead Morrison into better positional play and also boosted his confidence. Morrison looks more confident with someone of Bamba's experience and that leadership alongside him.

How Aron Gunnarsson can bring the fans closer to the team

It's great to see how much fans are enjoying Aron Gunnarsson at the moment and I love hearing them sing his name.

He came out of last season probably quite low, went to the Euros, back amongst people from his own country, his mates, playing in a system he believed in, for a manager he believed in, and look what they did to England.

Watching that, you know the player is there.

Fans will identify with someone like him, that put your foot in player. Warnock has just simplified things for him, getting him to stick to what he's good at. We said last season and at the start of this, he can pass, but not like Whittingham, so don't play him as an attacking midfielder or a number ten.

Blakey thinks Gunnarsson can help bring the fans closer to the team
It's so important for players to have that feeling of closeness with the fans. There's a gap between players and fans now across the game which there shouldn't be.

I'd love to hear fans have songs for a few different Cardiff players, I thought that when I was watching Pablo Zabaleta get the crowd going against Barcelona and the brilliant reaction he was getting. It troubled one of the best sides in the word.

It's so hard to stop the wave of attacks when you're playing against a team with 20, 30,000 fans behind them. It doesn't matter who you are or how good you are.

Cardiff City players destroyed by Newcastle United FC six years ago


BY PHIL SMITH

3 NOV 2016


Pulling away at the top of the league, they look to have unstoppable momentum and will be backed by a massive, feverish crowd when Cardiff City arrive on Friday night.

It isn't too dissimilar to the situation the last time they were in the Championship, as Chris Hughton lead them back to the top tier at the first time of asking.

One of their best results that season was actually the last time these two met in the second tier, in what turned out to be a galling occasion for Dave Jones and his team.

Cardiff took 3,500 fans up to the North East as over 44,000 turned out, but Bluebirds could only watch on in horror as their team was blown away inside 15 minutes.

Andy Carroll was in inspired form as Newcastle stormed to a 3-0 half-time lead. Peter Lovenkrands added a brace in the second half and a late goal was little consolation for Cardiff, who finished on the receiving end of a 5-1 hammering.

Surprise – Newcastle Star Will LIkely Miss Cardiff Game

With Rafa’s comments about Dwight Gayle today it seems almost certain that the Newcastle manager will not risk the 26 year-old who has just been named The Championship Player of the Month for October.

It looks like Rafa will stay with the in-form Serbian Aleksandar Mitrovic for the home game against Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon.



Dwight Gayle – will likely miss Cardiff City game

Rafa Benitez has confirmed the former Crystal Palace striker is back with the first team squad in training and said this about Gayle today:

“He was training but we have to be cautious with him; we will see in two or three days,”

“We have some time and we will see how he feels. At the moment he is training and improving little by little.”

If Dwight is rested for Saturday it will give him plenty of time before our next game at Leeds United on November 20th to ensure his hamstring is OK.

Dwight has had problems before with his hamstrings so given the good form of Mitro it seems sensible to rest Dwight for the upcoming game and give the in-form Serbian another start in front of the home supporters.

Matt Ritchie is suspended for this game after picking up 5 yellow cards so it looks like Christian Atsu will get a start and maybe Ayoze Perez too.

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03/11/16

Dwight Gayle – will likely miss Cardiff City game

03/11/16

Cardiff City travel away to Newcastle United this Saturday 5th November 2016 3pm, City were given up to 2,500 tickets and could of been given more.
So far Cardiff have sold just over 500 tickets.Tickets are still on sale. We will know tomorrow if City fans can pay on the day.

' NO TICKETS ON SALE ON THE DAY '

Don't want to be negative but feel we don't stand a chance of winning this. We've got Warnock and I believe we'll survive relegation this year and make it up the table abit (my prediction was around the 12-14th finishing place). Looking at Newcastles previous games - they are unstoppable. They're unbeaten in like ages! There goals are coming from many different players - Gayle, Mitrovic, Richie, Perez etc etc it wouldn't matter if 2-3 of those players are missing as they have many goals in the team. It's going to be a really tough match and we will have to play the best we have this season and beyond if we are going to get a result. A draw would be an incredible result for us! I completely trust Warnock but they have just so much quality and GOALS in them. They are real battlers as well - look at the Norwich game they played . It was 3-1 to Norwich and Newcastle came back to win 4-3 (2 goals scored in injury time)! Will enjoy the match and looking forward to it but Injust can't see us getting anything without a miracle. I predict Newcastle 4-1 Cardiff.

If we win this......it'll be a better result than when we beat the jacks in the premier league! (First team to win the Derby in the PL )

Rickie Lambert fitness update


Neil Warnock: "It was a ‘horrific’ injury that Rickie Lambert picked up against Nottingham Forest a fortnight ago."

The talisman missed the Wigan Athletic defeat. And here is the latest from Warnock, who won’t gamble on his frontman’s fitness.

"He is running, but we’ve got problems elsewhere with the striking situation. Perhaps he can make the bench, I don’t know. He’ll definitely be ok for Huddersfield, it’s whether this is too soon. We won’t take a risk. He did some training on his own, non contact."

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Warnock on Cardiff City's injuries this week.

Neil Warnock: "Up and down, there’s been some good bits and one or two injury problems, hopefully it will level out. We’ve got two or three decisions either way, lads trying to get into the team. There’s been a bit of illness in the camp too so it’s not been great preparation."

' Newcastle injury update '

Dwight Gayle and DeAndre Yedlin are both fit to play for the Magpies, while Rolando Aarons, Rob Elliot and Daryl Murphy are all ruled out.

Other than that, it’s a clean bill of health for Rafa’s troops.

Of course, Cardiff have one or two of their own issues such as the injury to Rickie Lambert, but otherwise it’s full steam ahead to tomorrow at 3pm...

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Dwight Gayle and DeAndre Yedlin are both fit to play for the Magpies, while Rolando Aarons, Rob Elliot and Daryl Murphy are all ruled out.

Vince Alm on Facebook saying over 800 tickets sold

05/11/16


Approx 840 Cardiff fans are travelling incl 50 comps.

Neil Warnock's Cardiff City side face another stern test this afternoon, with a trip to Championship pace-setters Newcastle United.

The Magpies have won six consecutive games in the league and are six points clear of 3rd place.

The Bluebirds will be going into this match as overwhelming underdogs, a tag Warnock said he would relish as he pits himself against old foe Rafa Benitez.

We will find out if Rickie Lambert makes the matchday squad and if the boss makes any changes from the side which lost 1-0 to Wigan Athletic last weekend.

Stay with us for live updates

850 a decent following be interested to see what qpr and Fulham take up there similar distance to travel both played Newcastle a few times in the last few years. And there fans not overly happy with the way there clubs been run for the last few seasons

Heres Newcastle's line up today

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Noone over pilks wtf.

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Tactical battle

So it looks like 4-2-3-1 to take on 4-1-4-1 today at St James’ Park with Aron Gunnarsson tasked with keeping the tricky Ayoze Perez quiet, with ‘Mitro’ posing a major challenge for Sean Morrison and Sol Bamba. Out wide, it’s Gouffran rather than Ritchie for the Magpies with Christian Atsu looking to get the better of Joe Bennett.

The former Villa left back has been really good since making his debut against Bristol City - and the same can be said of Bamba.

The question marks for Cardiff are whether they can pose the Toon back four enough of a threat at the other end.

Rickie Lambert has made a shock return to the Cardiff City XI ahead of game with Newcastle United after recovering from injury.

Kieran Richardson also makes his full debut in the heart of midfield, while Peter Whittingham drops to the bench.

Cardiff are otherwise unchanged.

Craig Noone and Junior Hoilett retain their places on the wing with Anthony Pilkington out with a knock.

Christian Atsu replaces Matt Ritchie for Newcastle, with Aleksandr Mitrovic starting up front. Ayoze Perez is preferred to Mo Diame and the Championship's leading scorer Dwight Gayle starts the game on the bench.

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Shit 1-0 down already

One down already. It's going to be s long afternoon.

Christian Atsu 3 mins

One nil down already

Newcastle 1 City 0

Now we really are up against it

Dreadful start

Complete disaster for Cardiff. The last thing they needed. Sol Bamba comes out of position to challenge Perez but the Spaniard is one step ahead. Tees up Mitrovic, who lays off for Atsu. Easy finish. Worst possible start.