' Its a must Win game '

'Cardiff City clash is like a Champions League game for us' - Newcastle United facing must-win trip to Wales
3rd Oct 2013



Newcastle United have dubbed their game with Cardiff City this weekend a ‘must-win’ – with one star claiming it means as much as a Champions League clash.

The Toon arrive at Cardiff City Stadium under huge pressure after a home defeat against Hull was followed by a 3-2 reverse against Everton on Monday


Newcastle United have dubbed their game with Cardiff City this weekend a ‘must-win’ – with one star claiming it means as much as a Champions League clash.

The Toon head to Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday under real pressure following a stuttering start to the season, with manager Alan Pardew facing increasing scrutiny over his job after Monday’s 3-2 defeat at Everton.

And the Bluebirds have been left with little doubt just how fired-up their opponents will be to stop the rot in South Wales after Vurnon Anita claimed victory over Malky Mackay’s men was vital because of the ‘worrying’ state of the Premier League table.

Cardiff won’t shirk the challenge after their contrasting mood following the weekend away win at Fulham, but midfielder Anita stressed: “The real Newcastle United is the team of the second half at Everton.

“A couple of weeks ago we were doing very well and people were talking about us.

“Now we have lost two games but we must recover from this and show the real Newcastle.

“Because I admit the table looks worrying now so this is a must-win game and I know that we will do much better.

“You cannot underestimate anyone in the Premier League so Cardiff will be tough.

“But that game is like a Champions League game for us it is so important. We must give it our all.”

' Alan Pardew '
Questions have been asked of Pardew in the wake of back-to-back defeats and a powder-puff performance in the first 45 minutes at Goodison on Monday, although sources near to the North East club have dismissed suggestions he had offered his resignation to controversial owner Mike Ashley.



But Anita has insisted the Toon team need to take responsibility as they look to follow Tottenham’s lead at Cardiff City Stadium and stop Cardiff’s winning momentum.

The Dutchman said: “It is not just about the manager, it is about the whole team.We all want to win here as well as the fans. I understand that and we must improve and put it on the pitch on Saturday.

“To get rid of this inconsistency we will watch what we did wrong against Everton and improve on it on the training ground.

“Then we must put it out on the field on Saturday – that is the main thing for us now.”

I think they are in for a shock. 2-0 .

They need to win it more than we do, that's for sure.

A win for us will be great and is certainly achievable, but a draw won't be a bad result for us.

They score goals just can't stop them at the other end. We will need our A game to get anything IMO as I feel they are going to really go for it

They score goals just can't stop them at the other end. We will need our A game to get anything IMO as I feel they are going to really go for it

The only reason they scored 2 at Everton on Monday though, is because the Everton defence turned into a pile of wobbly jelly, with their central defenders being noticeably indecisive!

It's still going to be tough, but if our boys show the same defensive qualities, the same team work ethos and togetherness we've shown in the last 5 league games, then there's no reason why we can't come away with all 3 points!

Honestly think we can get at least a point against Newcastle, No doubt Malky and his players will want to win this one

A point will more than suffice for us after beating Fulham. They'll have to go hell for leather to get a win of us at home judging by our shape in previous games.

I would love a win but a point would not be that bad

3-1

would have been happy with 4 points from the last two games, so a draw wouldnt be the end of the world

Recall the last time we played them, 5-1 at their place.

No one expected anything from that game but 5-1 was a shock.

Now what 3 seasons later we are expected to turn them over. If we do and no reason we can't then eith we have come a long way or the premier has gone backwards.

Recall the last time we played them, 5-1 at their place.

No one expected anything from that game but 5-1 was a shock.

Now what 3 seasons later we are expected to turn them over. If we do and no reason we can't then eith we have come a long way or the premier has gone backwards.

So if you beat newcastle - you attribute their decline to the whole Premier League?

The gap between yourselves in the championship and the gap between yourselves in the premier league has obviously closed.

The fact being they had a premier quality side in the championship while you had a championship one... They still have a premier quality side after naturally being promoted and you have since spent upwards of £30 million to replace your championship quality players.

They need to win it more than we do, that's for sure.

A win for us will be great and is certainly achievable, but a draw won't be a bad result for us.

Recall the last time we played them, 5-1 at their place.

No one expected anything from that game but 5-1 was a shock.

Now what 3 seasons later we are expected to turn them over. If we do and no reason we can't then eith we have come a long way or the premier has gone backwards.

We have improved massively since then

I see Lawro is predicting 2-1 to Newcastle.. but then the sum total of his predictions for us so far
this year adds up to just 2 points from six games and a -8 goal difference !!

Playing at home I'd put it the other way around at 2-1.