Wolves' Points Could Come Across Against Newcastle

On the surface, Newcastle United's home date against Wolverhampton on Saturday has the makings of a mismatch. Both clubs are coming off the wrong end of five goals in their previous outings, but Newcastle's embarrassment came with a decimated midfield in an away match against Champions-bound Tottenham, while Wolves were clocked at home against a bottom-half club and have landed in the hands of a caretaker manager. And Newcastle is about to field the closest thing in weeks to a preferred XI, with Yohan Cabaye back from suspension and Cheick Tiote back from Africa.

However, in his pre-match comments, Alan Pardew opened by stressing the need for his Magpies to "make sure the back door is firmly closed." Which may be more important and less simple than it sounds.

Wolves look every bit like a club in the relegation zone except for one area: crossing. On Saturday Newcastle will be facing the best crossing club in the league, fourth in attempts and first in completions. Wolves are the only club with two players among the league's top crossers: Jamie O'Hara and Matt Jarvis. 

Granted, being great at crossing is a bit like having the best seafood in Nebraska. Crosses can be seen as a second choice, the last resort of an offense forced too deep; clubs who cross less, relative to their total passing, tend to score more. But accurate crossing is still a weapon, and the back corners have been soft at stretches for Newcastle this season. Danny Simpson, who will be on Jarvis' side, has been Dracula-like in his vulnerability to crosses.

So Pardew knows whereof he speaks. Expect a good showing from a hungry Newcastle club at full strength. But if opportunity knocks for Wolves, it will likely be at the back door.