Spoiled For Choice Against Metalist And Southampton

When Newcastle was drawn against Metalist Kharkiv back in December, these two weeks had the potential to be a squad-busting nightmare. Four matches in 10 days, including a round trip to the Ukraine, may have meant another start for Nile Ranger. Maybe Xisco would have even made the bench.

Of course, the early FA cup exit and influx of talented Frenchmen made the schedule much less daunting. While wins tomorrow and Sunday aren't guaranteed, Alan Pardew has enough good players at his disposal to make it happen. But who should he select to earn a trip to the Europa League's sweet 16 - and push the club three points closer to Premier League safety?

Metalist Kharkiv: If Pardew wanted to be incredibly cautious, he could give Rob Elliot, who has not done much wrong this season, the start in goal tomorrow. But most likely, it'll be Tim Krul between the posts, protected by the same back four that helped him earn a clean sheet last week. Davide Santon has been slightly wobbly of late, however, and it wouldn't hurt to see new signing Massadio Haïdara in action for the first time. Though Santon appears to have an unlimited amount of energy in his 22-year-old legs, a break may help him reflect on his defensive lapses. 

New signings and returning players present all sorts of options in the central midfield triangle Pardew now prefers. Vurnon Anita deserves a chance to start in his preferred holding role, and this match provides the perfect chance for him to do so. The same goes for Sylvain Marveaux in his own favored role, behind a lone striker with two players behind him to clean up on defense. If Pardew wants to go for it against Metalist, expect Yohan Cabaye to play alongside Anita; if he's holding back a bit for Sunday, James Perch or Gaël Bigirimana would be fine choices.

Up front, I'd let Papiss Cissé try to get the confidence-building goal he was denied by a terrible officiating decision last week at St. James' Park. Whether Santon or Haïdara starts at left back, Jonás Gutiérrez would make sense as a covering defender at left wing. He's shown flashes of being as creative as he ever has been at Newcastle, but anything he produces offensively is a bonus. With Yoan Gouffran ineligible, his former Bordeaux teammate Gabriel Obertan should get the nod on the right, with the two occasionally swapping sides. If the attack appears a bit flat, the likes of Cabaye and Moussa Sissoko would be formidable bench options on Thursday night.

Southampton: Everyone is available and the possibilities are downright mouth-watering. Were I in Pardew's shoes, I'd give Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa the start at center back alongside Fabricio Coloccini, flanked by Europa-ineligible Mathieu Debuchy and Santon. The risk-averse manager will probably prefer Steven Taylor both Thursday and Sunday. He's not a bad player, but Yanga-Mbiwa is an incredible talent, as we saw when he was played out of position last week. Sooner or later, he has to become an every-week starter.

In midfield, the tested pairing of Cabaye and Cheick Tioté should start together in the Premier League for the first time since the derby in October. (Yes, you read that right.) With Sissoko playing in front of them, it's difficult to think of a more formidable midfield, in virtually every aspect, in the entire league. 

Up front, things are less clear. Were everyone fully rested, it seems apparent that Pardew intends to start Cissé as a lone striker, flanked by the constantly switching Yoan Gouffran and Hatem Ben Arfa. That's probably what will happen anyway on Sunday. But depending on who plays Thursday, and how much, Gouffran might be worth a look in Cissé's place, with Ben Arfa and Gutiérrez (backed up by Marveaux) on the wings. For an even crazier option, picture the spry Gouffran and Ben Arfa in orbit around Shola Ameobi. Southampton does wear red and white stripes, after all...well, not quite.

My team suggestions - Alan, if you're reading this, jot them down:

vs. Metalist Kharkiv (4-2-3-1): Krul; Yanga-Mbiwa, Taylor, Coloccini, Haïdara; Perch, Anita; Obertan, Marveaux, Gutiérrez; Cissé.

vs. Southampton (4-2-3-1): Krul; Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Santon; Tioté, Cabaye; Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Gouffran; Cissé.

Comments

[Matthew Wheeler]

If we want to progress in the Europa League, I think we'll need to field a stronger team than the one you're suggesting. To be honest, I just can't see that team being able to impose itself on Metalist. Really, you need at least one of Cabaye, Sissoko and Tiote in that midfield. I'd plum for Cabaye as we'll need that extra bit of creativity if you're playing Jonas and Obertans on the wings. Hopefully Haïdara, Anita and Marveaux should play. It appears that Haïdara is the only left back who has travelled, although no doubt Pardew thinks Jonas is an option there..

[Jaeger]

i would say anita-cabaye-sissoko (subbed off in 2nd half) would be the 3 middle... sissoko's strength and energy helped create the first goal last week against metalist.

really hope we rout southampton as that lineup looks amazing. best we've had all year.

[Matt]

Definitely understand the criticism you guys have about not starting Cabaye or Sissoko tomorrow. I'd throw them both on at halftime if we're down 1-0. But I do think Anita and Marveaux in those specific positions (in other words, not Anita as an attacking midfielder and/or Marveaux on the wing) will be able to trouble Metalist enough to go through.

Despite all the travel, I think losing tomorrow is a failure. And if we make it through, Europa should be the priority for the rest of the year. That listed team for Southampton is capable of winning the whole thing.

[Dave in Newcastle]

I would definitely like to see a push to win tomorrow as well- actually, just a push to get a goal as that could be enough. I like the idea of play Shola a bit tomorrow as his physicality could lead to a breakdown for the defense.

Should they get through Anzi will be a huge challenge. Eto'o against the back line- will need more than 1 goal to win that tie.

[Peter]

You've definitely chosen good teams - balanced & dangerous - I feel though they are a little limited - perfectly fine for the Southhampton game, but the EL offers the chance for more - I've always been saying NUFC should consider playing with three CBs and use attacking WBs instead of FBs. True, the ideal pairing would be Santon & Debuchy, who aren't available this game, though Haidara & Jonas would make adequate deputies in those positions - it enables the delightful option of playing a DM (Anita) and a lone ST (Cisse) giving space to play three AMs - Sissoko, Cabaye & Marveau.

[Mathew]

Marveau looked horrible today and capped off with his swing and a miss clearance attempt today. Newcastle has to find a way to be more attacking and dangerous in the final third, today was an example of Shola being out of his depth. Granted he scored the pen' to take us through but I'd rather have a lone striker and drop HBA just behind Cissee!

[rob]

A win Sunday over Saints would cap a very successful month. 6 points from 3 league matches and advance to the final 16 in Europa? Yes please!

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