The Match
Newcastle can't buy a goal for love nor money, and the Toon Army are growing increasingly frustrated. Four losses on the bounce without scoring means they'll be praying Loic Remy returns to the starting lineup against opponents they've traditionally not done too well against in recent times. Having lose to the Swans on the last three outings, and seen their midfield significantly weakened by the departure of Yohan Cabaye, it's likely Pardew will once again go with three at the back - a system which only saw them lose away at Stoke to a deflected winner. Whether that'll be enough to stop a Swansea side looking to turn a corner and secure PL safety remains to be seen.
Swansea once again had to endure stories of unrest in the camp this week, but the performance against Chelsea coupled with the club's statement that it was simply tempers flaring in a full-scale practice match mean most fans don't really seem that bothered. With the squad continuing to enjoy a relatively charmed life in terms of injuries (unlike this weekend's opponents), it's likely Monk will retain the same team which started against Chelsea - though perhaps De Guzman will return at the expense of Shelvey with Amat certain to start for the suspended Chico. With at least one win needed for safety Monk will be absolutely desperate to claim the three points and with Bony still in fine form the Magpies defence will have to guard closely lest they once again find themselves trailing at half time - something that's happened in their last four matches.
Prior Form (Most recent at top)
| Premier League | 0-4 | Manchester Utd | |
| Premier League | Southampton | 4-0 | Newcastle |
| Premier League | 0-3 | Everton | |
| Premier League | 1-0 | ||
| Premier League | Swansea | 1-0 | Chelsea |
| Premier League | Hull | 1-0 | Swansea |
| Premier League | Swansea | 3-0 | Norwich |
| Premier League | Arsenal | 2-2 | Swansea |
| Premier League | Everton | 3-2 | Swansea |
Team News
Provided by resident fitness guru @BenDinnery - make sure to follow him on Twitter for the latest injury news and views
The Jacks travel to St James’ Park on Saturday with the home side hoping to avoid their fifth straight defeat while Swansea will be buoyed by an improved performance against Chelsea despite their unfortunate loss. Newcastle could welcome the return of influential French duo Loic Remy (calf) and Mathieu Debuchy (groin) back into the match-day squad; both players returned to training on Thursday and will be available providing neither show any reaction to their recent muscular injuries. The pair have been sidelined since March and their inclusion will provide a timely boost for the under pressure Alan Pardew. Hatem Ben Arfa (dead leg) is a doubt although a place on the bench is most likely if fit while Steven Taylor will be available, Moussa Sissoko (thigh) has started running but the game will come a week too soon.
Just the one major concern for Swansea, Spanish playmaker Michu continues to struggle with an ongoing ankle problem; the forward had been receiving pain-killing injections but his latest setback could end his season. A late fitness test, but considered very doubtful. Jordi Amat looks set to start on Tyneside replacing the suspended Chico Flores.
Completely guessed lineups
Statistics & Trivia
- Newcastle have been losing at half time, and have gone on to lose the match, in their last four Premier League outings.
- Swansea have won their last three matches against Newcastle, conceding only one goal in the process.
- Newcastle have failed to score in six of their last eight PL home matches.
- In 2014 Sunderland have scored more goals (3) at St James' Park than Newcastle have (2).
- Swansea haven't won in eleven games away from home in the league.
- Swansea have conceded at least one goal in each of their last fourteen away matches.
- Newcastle haven't drawn a game at home in eight games, a run which stretches to eleven games if you include away fixtures.
- Almost a third (13/45) of Swansea's goals this season have come in the last fifteen minutes.
- That could bode well, as Newcastle concede a higher percentage of goals in the last 15 minutes than in any other 15-minute period (12/51 - 23%)
Straight from the horse's mouth
Garry Monk is feeling the relegation pressure, and knows a sterling performance away from home is long overdue:
“We’ve been looking over our shoulders for a while now. It’s a serious situation, we know that, and we need to get some points on the board as soon as possible. It’s crunch time now and I want us to get wins and finish with as many as possible. Newcastle is a chance to get three points and that’s what we’ll be aiming for.
“We’ve done well there in recent years. I played there the last time we won, and we need another performance on Saturday. It’s going to be a difficult game for us, and I expect a reaction from them. Their fans will be demanding a performance so we’re expecting a tough game.”
“We’ve been far too inconsistent. At times we can be unplayable, but at the other end of it, when we do perform badly we’re very bad. That is what has put us in the situation we’re in but we’ve got enough quality, spirit and togetherness in the squad to make sure we’re safe. Talk is cheap, and we need to make sure we do it in these next four games.”
Alan Pardew, weirdly, decided to have what seems to be a bit of a pop at his players, saying they're "not in the right frame of mind". Not bad for someone who's still banned from his office for headbutting someone! As for the match itself, he's fairly obviously looking to his us on the counterattack:
“It’s important we play well, but we’re playing against a team which controls the ball - they have the highest percentage rate of possession of any team in the league – Liverpool, Arsenal, name who you like.
“They’re going to have the ball. That’s what they’re good at. Hopefully, they won’t hurt us, and when we have it, we’ll hurt them.”
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/newcastle-boss-pardew-urges-patience-against-pass-masters-swansea-1-6568841
Analysis
Newcastle, as well as seemingly constantly being in turmoil are also wracked by injuries, with up to nine players potentially missing out this weekend. With four fit centre-backs, Pardew switched to a 3-5-2/5-3-2 system last weekend and it almost got them a point - that being said though, they still didn't score and the difference Loic Remy makes to the team is remarkable.
Not scoring in four and losing those games to boot really is a poor run, so I'd imagine Remy will start even if Pardew isn't sure he's 100% fit. With that in mind it'll fall to Jordi Amat & Ashley Williams to keep guard at the back for the Swans, and I'm pretty confident we'll see a solid defensive showing. Amat was excellent when he came on against Chelsea and every time I've seen him of late he seems to have improved, so against a misfiring side you'd expect Swansea fans to be confident of a win - especially considering we've won our last three games against the Magpies.
That being said, it says something about how unpredictable (and poor) our form has been that I'm not very confident of a result. I know that on paper we'd probably expect a result but the reality is it's an away trip against a side who have some dangerous players. Underperform and we're likely to get punished, as Newcastle's poor run can't continue forever. I fancy Bony to give their defence problems and as long as go with a standard Swansea midfield system I'd also be confident we can retain control of the centre of the park. From Pardew's comments he seems to see that as a foregone conclusion, so we need to take advantage of that and make possession count early on.
Do that, and we should secure the win. Newcastle are poor in terms of coming from behind, and we're actually pretty good when we get in front. Early goals will be key here, and if we can get two up before half time there'll be no coming back for Pardew's men.
I've given up on score predictions, but the optimist in me has no problem believing we'll get a win here - just give the ball to Bony and let him make magic happen.