I’m off out the door to begin my journey to the game in a moment, but I thought I’d stick an open thread up for those of you who will be following the game from home, work or abroad. Feel free to drop any links, news articles, team news streams or discussion points from the game in the comments and get a conversation going.
You will be able to hear Gentleman Jim on the Fulham official site from just before kick off.
COYW!
Thanks Dan. Enjoy the game. Wonder if anyone else will be along later?
Here’s a few bits and bobs that have caught my eye this morning.
Roy’s worried about the Shearer effect
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/05/15/SOCCER_Fulham_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=soccer
Jimmy Hill features in the Guardian’s Seven Deadly Sins of Football pullout:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/may/16/seven-deadly-sins-greed-part-three
Roy and other contenders on Europe
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article6293075.ece
Wonder who Roy will play up front. My head says he’ll go with the returning pair, but I hope he chooses ETG and Joe again.
Personally, I wouldn’t leave Johnson out if he’s fully fit. He’s a goal poacher and we need him in the side. It will be interesting to see the team because up front’s the only place you can expect any changes. I think we’ve really reaped the rewards of having a settled side this year.
Quite confident about this one – as long as we can start strongly in central midfield.
I’m not so sure about people’s confidence here. Newcastle are going to be really up for this and the fans will be right behind them. Can see us having to do a lot of defending today and trying to hit them on the break. Anybody know of any streams yet as I’m going to be stuck indoors?
Don’t know about any streams yet Frank. The game’s definitely on overseas and on Setanta Ireland live so I’m hopeful of a few links. Might be worth checking back later.
What a difference a year makes. When we went to Newcastle last season and folded, it looked all over. Now we are challenging for a European spot. Take a bow, Roy.
Any idea what the weather’s like in Geordie land? Some people were predicting driving run and I’ve heard other reports of sunshine.
On the centre forward issue, I wouldn’t be surprised if Zamora and Johnson started.
Well, quite a few commenters in today. Getting a little nervous ahead of kick off in about an hour.
I see that Newcastle are missing Enrique, which obviously means Duff will start at left back. Also the game’s sold out. Let’s hope the travelling fans can get behind the boys.
I meant rain in my last comment by the way.
Anyway here are the line-ups.
NEWCASTLE: Harper, Beye, Duff, Bassong, S. Taylor, Nolan, Butt, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Viduka, Martins. Subs: Krul, R. Taylor, Coloccini, Smith, Lovenkrands, Ameobi, Carroll.
FULHAM: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Konchesky, Hughes, Hangeland, Etuhu, Murphy, Gera, Dempsey, Kamara, Nevland. Subs: Zuberbuhler, Kallio, Baird, Dacourt, Gray, Johnson, Zamora.
http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=447660
Roy goes with the same time as last week. Interesting.
Some streams nicked from TIFF:
Live Footy: http://livefooty.doctor-serv.com/sat16.5/Newcastle_Fulham2.html
Iraq Goals: http://www.iraqgoals.net/ch3.html
Decent start, no real chances.
Just as I type that, Martins hits the post. A little too close for comfort.
Nice bit of interplay between Dempsey and Gera there. Hopefully, we can have a bit more of the ball in the Newcastle half.
Bit concerned that it’s a bit one-way traffic at the moment. We need to be a bit stronger in midfield and less hurried on the ball.
So close from Nevland. Lovely touches in the build up too.
What a lovely goal. Great vision by Nevland to square it for Dio.
Half time, 1-0 and we look remarkably composed. Playing some nice, neat stuff when we are on the ball.
Surprised at how quiet the Geordies are. Must be a sign that we’re doing well.
Brilliant clearance from Etuhu. What a player, what a signing – and I never thought I’d say that.
Looks like we got a bit lucky there too. Didn’t look a lot wrong with Viduka’s header.
Bassong sent off for a tug on Kamara. Can’t see what the commentators are making a big deal of – it was as clear as day.
Maybe it’ll open up as the game goes on, but Newcastle are still pressing us. Demps was a bit unlucky there when he was taken down, but we have to hold firm at the back.
Another flowing passing move and a good try from Nevland. We might just nick one on the break here.
Brilliant save by Schwarzer. AJ on and his fresh legs might pose a few problems for Newcastle.
We are having good spells of possession now. Just hope there isn’t a fairytale turnaround for the Geordies. The boy Carrol’s always looked good when I’ve seen him before.
Thanks for the streams guys. Really enjoying this. Just hope we can hold on. The commentator just described it as ‘the perfect away performance’ – and he’s probably right. Hard working and took our chance. The defence has been immense again.
What a save from Schwarzer. So close now, boys.
Dempsey’s missed a sitter at the end. But it doesn’t matter. Brilliant performance from the boys.
All over. Massive win – could set up the European clinching result at home to Everton next week. Huge performances from the men in yellow.