Newcastle will undoubtedly be buoyed by their astonishing comeback last Gameweek, as they clawed back a four goal half-time deficit to draw with Arsenal late on at St James’ Park. Whilst Joey Barton accredited the Geordie nation with helping the side’s brave home performance, Newcastle play both their double Gameweek 27 fixtures on the road, travelling to Blackburn next Saturday then, with no FA Cup duties, face Birmingham three days later in a Tuesday evening kick-off at St Andrews.
The Prospects
Pardew has been in charge of four away league games for Newcastle and the stats make depressing reading; twice they have failed to score and on the two occasions they have found the net, they have mustered just one goal, as their tactics are a little more tentative away from home. Only once in those games have they kept a clean sheet, away to West Brom.
Both Blackburn and Birmingham garner the vast majority of their league points on home turf, suggesting this could be something of a struggle for the Toon Army’s boys. As Saturday’s defeat at Wigan shows, however, Blackburn are certainly not as tight at the back since Steve Kean’s appointment, picking up just one clean sheet in his eight games in charge and, with Birmingham so miserly at the back, it would seem Ewood Park could be Newcastle’s best bet for finding the net.
Pardew’s new 4-2-3-1 formation was torn apart in the first half against Arsenal, though with Arsene Wenger’s side imploding in the second forty-five, it remains to be seen how successful a ploy this will prove to be in the upcoming games.
There is another, possibly significant factor to consider; Newcastle are one of three sides who follow their double fixture with a home clash in Gameweek 28 when they face Bolton at St James’ Park. That’s in stark contrast to Arsenal, Tottenham and Birmingham who all follow their double fixtures with a blank.
Likely Lads
He may have spent the vast majority of this season in Andy Carroll’s shadow, but Kevin Nolan is the fourth joint-top scorer in the top flight, level with the likes of Didier Drogba, Rafael Van der Vaart and Darren Bent on ten goals. Newcastle’s forward line is decimated by injury and at present only Nile Ranger is fit and available. Peter Lovenkrands was used wide right in the Arsenal game, suggesting Pardew sees him more of a winger than centre forward. With that in mind, Nolan’s keen eye for goal makes him the more reliable source.
At £4.8m in Fantasy Premier League, Joey Barton is proving to be one of the bargains of the season. Spot-kick and set-piece duties mean he’s got a better chance than most of being involved in any Newcastle goals and his 16 Bonus Points show he’s caught the judges eye more than any Newcastle player.
Cheeky Punt
If you are a member, it’s worth checking out the OPTA stats from this week; Jonás Gutiérrez, in particular, was in fantastic form. Compared to his previous performances this season, his contribution to the cause improved significantly in the Arsenal match, which suggests the Argentine winger could benefit more than most if Pardew deems the new formation as the way forward for Newcastle in light of so many injuries up front.
