For the first time in what seems like forever, Newcastle United travels to Old Trafford with a legitimate chance of beating Manchester United.
Newcastle certainly won't - and shouldn't - be favored in the match, but the thought of a first win at Old Trafford since 1972 feels somewhat realistic. Man U looks vulnerable - or at least as vulnerable as a team with one loss on the season can look - despite responding to its thrashing by Man City with a six-game unbeaten run. More importantly, though, Newcastle finally has a team capable of controlling matches, even ones away from home. That's down to this summer's retooling of the midfield.
Which brings us to Yohan Cabaye, the player who, for me, is the key to Newcastle's hopes of emerging from Old Trafford with three points. We all know Cabaye's combination of passing, vision and ball-winning ability has given Newcastle a major upgrade in the center of the midfield this season.
But Cabaye's presence is especially significant in light of Man U's issues in the center of the midfield. With Tom Cleverley and Anderson both injured, Sir Alex Ferguson doesn't have much in the way of inspiring replacements. Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick don't offer a whole lot going forward (they're great to watch if you enjoy sideways passes, though). Ryan Giggs and Park Ji-Sung can play in the middle, but it's not their natural position. Ferguson has even resorted to using Wayne Rooney, his most dynamic forward, in the midfield. Rooney has always liked to play as a deep-lying forward; deploying him as an out-and-out midfielder shows the severity of Man U's problems. Various reports have also credited Ferguson with an interest in Cabaye (it should be noted that none of those reports has looked particularly credible).
Yet, for all the positives Cabaye has brought to Newcastle this season, he's still waiting for the sort of dominant performance that would announce his arrival as one of the Premier League's best central midfielders. What better time than Saturday?
His performances so far have never really been as good as the hype he keeps getting. Can't remember him being outstanding for many games now.
Posted by: Dave | 11/26/2011 at 06:00 PM
RIP Gary Speed who was a fantastic servant to Newcastle United and football as a whole
Posted by: Chris in Newcastle | 11/27/2011 at 06:39 AM