Stadium: Liberty Stadium
Kick off: 15:00
Referee: Mike Jones (or that one that Moussa sparked)
Greetings fellow travellers,Kick off: 15:00
Referee: Mike Jones (or that one that Moussa sparked)
Newcastle come into this game off the back of an encouraging performance and what could prove to be a very good result as the season progresses. Southampton have been consistently impressive since their promotion and have been a bit of a bogey team for Newcastle as of late, handing out some severe drubbings in the past couple of seasons. Under Steve McClaren's guidance the players look like different men, there's a confidence and fluidity that was sorely lacking under Pardew and his gang of chuckleheads and that was made obvious last weekend. The fact that new boys Wijnaldum and Mbemba look to have slotted in almost seamlessly has helped as well. Of course this is early doors so there's no point in making firm statements about the season ahead but the signs seem positive.
The Liberty Stadium hasn't exactly been a happy hunting ground for the Magpies since Swansea gained promotion, with only 1 win in the last 4 attempts. That solitary victory was courtesy of two goals from a s***-hot Papiss Cisse, one of which was nothing less than a truly inspired finish over the head of Michel Vorm. Since then things have changed significantly for the Swans. Brendan Rodgers, whose perceived sense of tactical nous, intelligence and insight fit perfectly with Liverpool's perceived sense of superiority, lustre and overall quality, moved on to the Scouse club and Garry Monk was handed the reins after Michael Laudrup failed to inspire. To the shock and horror of pundits across the land, a man with no Premier League experience managed to mould Swansea into an extremely competent team and the siren's call of Europa League football now beckons them.
This will be a stern test for Newcastle away from home and also a chance for McClaren to exhibit exactly how he wants his Newcastle team to play when they're not favourites.
<schteve> says:
(On Obertan)
(Injury update)"It wasn't a big call. He had done well in pre-season and it was tactical. We played Gaby in a wide position and he was effective there. He nullified the Southampton right-back, (Cedric) Soares, getting forward, so he did a job last week, not just defensively but in attack, too. He created the second goal and that's what he is capable of. When I see him in training and the games in pre-season at times, he is a terrific talent - so quick and so strong, and a Premier League player."
(It seems that McClaren clicked "Send your assistant to the press conference", Paul Simpson had this to say:)"Vurnon has trained this morning (Friday), so he's okay, Manu has had a small operation on his cartilage in France and is back here on Monday. Cabella is back in training and Dummett should be back in training on Monday, so hopefully that's a couple of plusses for Monday."
Monk says:"Garry Monk has done a tremendous job in his first managerial role. He seems to have taken to it like a duck to water and seems to be enjoying the responsibility. They're a footballing side and we want to be a footballing side as well so it'll be a good test of our patience and discipline."
Team news"I wanted us to set a standard of performance [against Chelsea] that we could take into the rest of the season, and I think we achieved that. There were plenty of positives to take from the game and it's about trying to replicate that now. We've done well against Newcastle in the past but it's a new team there now, with a new manager, and we have to be ready and focused because we're expecting a really tough game on Saturday."
Swansea:
Ki Sung-Yeung is Swansea's only major injury doubt
Newcastle:
Newcastle appear to be bucking the trend of abusing their medical staff, Paul Simpson has in fact congratulated them for their part in Vurnon Anita's "miraculous" recovery. The midfielder could start Saturday's match.
Cabella, Dummett and Riviere however will not play a part as hinted at earlier by the manager.
Potential line-up
<krul>
<janmaat> <mbemba> <colo> <haidara>
<anita> <colback>
<ober> <wij> <ayoze>
<cisse>
Prediction<janmaat> <mbemba> <colo> <haidara>
<anita> <colback>
<ober> <wij> <ayoze>
<cisse>
I think there's going to be a lot of goals in this one, I'll go 4-3 to Swansea.
Coverage
UK Radio: None
NE Radio: Live commentary on BBC Newcastle
UK TV: None
Overseas TV:
beIN Sports 1
C+ Sport (France) +HD
C+ Sport (Poland) +HD
Fox Sports 2 HD (Nederland)
Fox Sports 5 (Australia)
GO Sports 1 +HD
NBC Sports Live Extra (USA)
PP Live (China)
PremierLeaguePass (NZ)
Setanta Sports 1 / HD (ROI)
Sky Mexico
SportKlub 6 (Serbia/Slovenia)
Sports+ 2 (Cyprus)
Star Sports 1 (Asia)
Stod 2 Sport 2 +HD
SuperSport 3 (Za) +HD
SuperSport 5 Africa
SuperSport MaXimo 1
TSN2 (Canada) +HD
