Scout Scribbles – Ba Helps Magpies See Off Monaco

Newcastle put the talk of an Andy Carroll return to one side by chalking up their first win of the pre-season courtesy of a 1-0 win over AS Monaco. Jonny Evans looks unlikely to make the start of the season for United, though Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling seem certain to be ready, while Roberto Martinez’s faith in the talent up north sees Wigan acquire yet another prospect from the Scottish Premier League, as the Latics snap up 19-year-old Fraser Fyvie from Aberdeen:

Monaco 0 Newcastle 1
Alan Pardew’s side bounced back from their 1-0 friendly defeat by Chemnitzer last week to see off French outfit Monaco. The Newcastle boss is still without those players who participated in the recent Euro 2012 tournament but still rolled out a strong looking side in a 4-4-2 formation. Davide Santon started at right-back, with Ryan Taylor his second half replacement, while Jonas Gutierrez began the game at left-back.

Summer signings Romain Amalfitano and Gael Bigirimana were handed starts in midfield; the former was afforded his fair share of set-piece duties and almost helped his side take the lead within a minute, with Shola Ameobi hitting the woodwork following a corner from the new boy. Demba Ba partnered Ameobi up top and grabbed the game’s only goal just after the half-hour mark, highlighting his efficiency when played as part of a front pairing; Ba was ineffectual when shifted out to the flank in the latter part of last season following the purchase of Papiss Cisse but served a reminder of his potency in a more central position.

The Magpies boss made a trio of alterations at half time, allowing Santon to move to the left and Gutierrez to shift forward into a more natural midfield role. Ryan Taylor’s introduction saw him handed corner kick duties and he almost made an instant impact, teeing Ba up to nod just wide. Pardew’s side missed further chances to put the game beyond doubt, with Gabriel Obertan particularly culpable late on but the Magpies held on for a comfortable win.

Newcastle Starting XI: Harper; Santon (R Taylor 56), Simpson, Williamson (Perch 46), Gutierrez; Amalfitano (Obertan 63), Abeid (Vuckic 46), Bigirimana (Tiote 63), Sammy Ameobi (Tavernier 46); Shola Ameobi ( Gosling 63), Ba (Marveaux 79)

In Other News…

Jonny Evans could miss the start of the season for Man United, Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed. The defender was a strong cut-price favourite last season following Nemanja Vidic’s cruciate ligament injury in December but he is still recovering from an ankle operation and may miss out on the opening day trip to Goodison Park, according to his manager. Ferguson had some good news on the injury front, though, and expects Vidic – along with Chris Smalling – to be raring to go for the start of the upcoming campaign:

Jonny has had an operation. I am not sure he will start the season but he won’t be far away. Chris Smalling has done a bit of training. The ruptured groin muscle he had certainly needed a lot of attention. He is gradually progressing and I expect him to start the season. Vidic will start the season, I am sure of that.

Roberto Martinez has made his first signing of the summer transfer window by snapping up Scottish youngster Fraser Fyvie. The Wigan boss already has a couple of first-team regulars from north of the border in the shape of James McCarthy and James McArthur and returned once again to sign the highly-rated youngster from Aberdeen. The afore-mentioned pair were integral in the Latics’ storming run of form at the end of the previous season and were fielded in the double-pivot in Martinez’s change to 3-4-2-1 and according to the manager, Fyvie could well provide strong competition for places in the upcoming campaign:

Technically he’s very gifted, enjoys playing in the midfield where he can cover large areas, he’s very powerful off the ball and in possession is someone who can read the tempo of the game very well.