Newcastle Utd 4 - 1 Northampton Town – 25/08/15

[Al-Calo]

Tuesday evening sees Steve McClaren's Newcastle side make their first foray into cup competition under his supervision. This League Cup clash against League Two's Northampton Town must be settled on the night, going to extra time and penalties as required.

Sandwiched between matches against Manchester United and Arsenal, it would be no surprise to see a weakened side on display for this one.

Daryl Janmaat is back from suspension for his idiotic double yellow against Swansea. Emmanuel Rivière is definitely are out of contention, while Paul Dummett and Moussa Sissoko are also expected to miss out.

Predicted Line-up

<darlow>
<janmaat> <williamson> <lascelles> <haidara>
<tiote> <colback>
<thauvin> <dejong> <aarons>
<cisse>

Given that we now appear to have some depth to the squad, defence aside, I'm expecting an almost full rotation from the eleven that started against Manchester United on Saturday. Janmaat had a red card aided rest at the weekend, so will likely be thrown straight back in, although whether he makes the squad against Arsenal following the clean sheet in his absence is another matter.

As we have a lack of fit options in central midfield and left-back, I expect Colback and Haïdara to retain their roles from the weekend, rather than turning to youth or the reportedly transfer-listed Bigirimana.

It would be tempting to start Mitrović, in the hopes of him getting his first goal(s) for the club, or Ayoze Pérez, so that he can have a chance to find his form from last season, but I suspect Cissé, who only came on with two minutes to go last time out, is probably freshest.

Please don't play Gouffran.

Prediction
What should be a comfortable win will be made less so by some terrible defensive errors, but ultimately our fearsome front four or so will be too much for Northampton. 3-1.

Where to Watch/Listen
The matchday box office is open from 10am until kick-off and will be selling tickets at £15 for adults and £5 for concessions. The following cash turnstiles will be in operation from 18:15:

Gallowgate East Corner - 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53
Gallowgate Upper - 60, 61, 62, 63, 66
Gallowgate West Corner - 70, 71, 72, 73, 74
Leazes Middle - 25, 26

The match does not appear to be televised live anywhere. Local commentary, as always, is on BBC Newcastle.

[el héroe]

Miles off !! It will be first team with maybe Aarons, De Jong, Possibly Lascelles and Perez

[Seagull]

Am I right in thinking that radio commentary is unavailable online?

[Jaiston]

Williamson & Lascelles as a partnership in defence.

That would be some interesting s*** right there

[Colly]

Am I right in thinking that radio commentary is unavailable online?

That's usually the case. Very annoying.

[LONDONTOON]

Nah I reckon it's going to be pretty 'strong' strong as in a lot of the first team,something like this. Nice to have some actual depth, aside from DM areas.

Darlow
Janmatt Taylor Mbemba Haidara
Tiote Colback
Thauvin De Jong Aarons
Mitrovic

With players coming off the bench relatively early if were in a comfortable position.

[blackandwhite]

Would like to see Mitrovic play, all in all obvious comfortable game

[Southern fairy]

Willo Lascelles would be a nightmare. But with McClaren actively trying to get rid of WIllo, I can't see him playing, thank god.

[beatski]

You just have to manage it right because the way the boys put the effort in [at Old Trafford], it takes a lot out of you," he said.

"You just have to manage it right because if we want to do the same on Saturday... And I think the manager will know -- a few of the boys in there are absolutely knackered. And that is what it is all about. But we definitely are pushing for a good cup run, yes."

resting players for the cup

but we've actually got enough depth to put out a strong line up still

[Over The Line]

I really hope Aaron's, De Jong, Thauvin and Tiote get games. Could do with them catching up. Dummet as well if he's back from injury.

[beatski]

Would be nice to see ayoze get some playing time in AM

[Chappy]

Can see Willo starting

[Goat]

I'd go with:

--------------------Krul-------------------
Janmaat -- Mbemba -- Willo -- Haidara
--------------Tiote -- Colback------------
------Thauvin -- De Jong -- Aarons-----
--------------------Cisse------------------

Willo is about league one level so he should be just about okay for a game like this.

[ScottishGeordie43]

If we truly are trying to get rid of Willo, he probably won't play..I also would like to see De Jong and Aarons start along with Thauvin and Mitro to get their confidence up.

[Over The Line]

Steve McClaren has warned his Newcastle United side they have to have the right mentality for Tuesday's Capital One Cup tie against Northampton Town - or else risk being on the wrong end of an upset.

The Cobblers come to St. James' Park in the second round of the competiton (7.45pm kick-off), and United's head coach is refusing to underestimate their lower-league opponents.

McClaren insists he will name a strong Magpies side for the fixture and wants to be in the draw for the next stage of the competition.

"(The cups) can be a great boost for you," he said.

"It's another game and nobody in football wants to lose a football match.

"We will put our strongest possible team out, taking into account what happened on Saturday, taking into account the game this weekend and taking into account that we have a very good squad.

"Tuesday's team will be strong enough and good enough to win the game. Our attitude has to be right, though."

Northampton are just a point outside the League Two play-off places, after two wins from their opening four games of the 2015/16 campaign.

Add to that a 3-0 victory over Blackpool in the previous round of the cup, and McClaren knows it will be no easy evening for his troops on Tyneside.

"Northampton are a good team," continued the head coach.

"We've been watching them, and they are physical, strong, and put in lots of crosses.

"Any team on their day can beat anybody, no matter what division. And if we are not right, or don't do it right, Northampton are a team who can hurt us.

"They can play with freedom, relaxation, and every minute they get by and every tackle they win will be a boost to them. We must make sure we don't give them that.

"In the first round of the Capital One Cup, you have to make sure you do a professional job."

and put in lots of crosses

lots of crosses

[Southern fairy]

Get Janhack back in to stop them even getting a chance to cross!

[Ibra]

Got to have Willo defending those crosses.

[bodacious benny]

I don't mind Willo playing this one. League Two is his level so he'll be fine.

Tiote, de Jong, Thuavin and Aarons to get decent time too.

[Holystone...]

Latest betting odds here.

http://www.betvictor.com/sports/en/foot ... d=90124084" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Heisen]

There's absolutely no chance of getting a stream for this is there?