Derby Lineups: Captain's Remarkable Recovery?

As a Newcastle fan, it's hard not to get excited about tomorrow's derby. Sunderland looks as non-threatening as a Premier League opponent can possibly look. When matched up against a team this poor, anything but a win is a failure. Yet this club has a way of falling flat at the most inopportune moments. Last year's derby loss, of course, is a prime example. But Alan Pardew should be confident in his team selection and approach tomorrow. With plenty of questions in the back line, keeping the ball in Sunderland's end of the field could be the best form of defense.

As always, I will choose the starting XI I would select for tomorrow's match, then finish the post by predicting Pardew's actual lineup.

Keeper and back four: Tim Krul; Mathieu Debuchy, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Davide Santon

Maybe it's wishful thinking, but a shocking return for Coloccini is definitely a possibility, and it couldn't come at a better time. His steady partnership with Williamson would be a welcome sight in an emotional match. If the captain's groin injury hasn't quite healed, the spotlight will again fall on local hero Paul Dummett. Though Dummett scored a fabulous go-ahead goal against Liverpool last week, he looked a bit unconvincing defensively. Thankfully, Sunderland's attacking players are just a little bit worse than the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suárez.

Midfield: Cheick Tioté, Moussa Sissoko, Yohan Cabaye

No need for changes after a solid showing from this trio last week. One of the burgeoning storylines of the season is Tioté's return to form and increased maturity. Whatever the snarky English commentators may think, Tioté hasn't really been a reckless tackler since his early days in the Premier League. His "guaranteed yellow cards" are now the product of reputation more than dangerous play. And his sending off at the Stadium of Light last season was a terrible decision, not a reflection of Tioté's challenge on Steven Fletcher.

In his appearances this season, Tioté has tried to play it simple more, and hasn't lingered on the ball nearly as much. In my opinion, he was trying to do too much last season because Cabaye was struggling with injuries and inconsistency. But now that Cabaye is back to his best form, it's allowed Tioté to revert to a more basic game, instead of trying to turn himself into a creative midfielder.

Forwards: Hatem Ben Arfa, Yoan Gouffran, Loïc Rémy

I will beat this drum until I'm on my deathbed: the proper alignment of these three players is Gouffran through the middle, Rémy on the left, and Ben Arfa on the right. Pardew's curious experiment with Ben Arfa as a striker on Saturday fell a bit flat. He just doesn't have the right instincts off the ball to play that role, which makes sense as he's used to having the ball at his feet. On the other hand, Gouffran's off-the-ball movement is superb, and Rémy is an absolute terror when coming in from the left.

Pardew likely chose to start Gouffran on the right because of the defensive support he offers compared to Ben Arfa. Maybe that's an understandable decision against Liverpool, but Sunderland doesn't merit that kind of respect. Hopefully the manager will see that and play his forwards in their best attacking positions.

Who Pardew will choose: Krul; Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon; Tioté, Sissoko, Cabaye; Gouffran, Rémy, Ben Arfa

Comments

[rob]

Making Barry, Phil, and myself look foolish for unanimously putting Anita in the midfield over Sissoko tomorrow!

[ShotShy]

I don't think you will find anyone other than AP arguing against the correct positions of the front three as you have chosen, it's the archetypal no brainer. I'd have cisse back in but that's just me, he's scored in his last Newcastle and Senegal game hasn't he? Seems nuts to stick with him til he scores, then drop him.

Anyway, I digress. Form, lineups, all of this means nothing in a derby. It's about heart, soul, desire and bravery. Who wants it more? Do our lads care enough to walk through walls for the fans? Or will the Makems, with the pressure completely off them and nothing to lose click on the day?

It's win or suffer for Alan, a difficult situation. He wins, it's as expected, he loses, it's a disaster. A draw is a near disaster he will limp away from. So I'm predicting a draw.

[Devin]

If the mackems do manage to score, it best be Jose Altidore.