NUFC v Bristol City – Match Preview

Newcastle entertain Bristol City at home for the 13^th time in all competitions. At the top of the table with a +13 goal difference, can the Toon return to winning ways?

As it was announced that Keegan had won his case for constructive dismissal, albeit £23m light of his claim, it could be worth remembering that the last visit of Bristol City in the league resulted in a 5-0 win for the club that Keegan loves. The tribunal case actually finished 17 years, almost to the day, after that win.

City have only ever achieved one win at St James’ Park in 12 encounters, that being almost 100 years ago in 1910. The 4 draws between then and 1992 led to City being unbeaten at SJP for almost 82 years, before losing the next 3. In fact, the Toon have won the last 5 on the trot both home and away.

Back in 1992, that 5-0 home win was Newcastle’s 5^th home win of the season, leaving the Toon in the top spot where we ended the season. Ironically, the same result today could leave City in the 12^th spot that they were in after that game, with Newcastle still on top. The Bristol side finished the season in 15^th, with the Toon on their way to the Premier League as champions.

For the home supporters, the Robins will always be with 2 former Newcastle players. After leaving the Toon, City were home to Brian Tinnion as a player and later manager, a more than modest full back come midfielder, as well as being where Keegan had spotted Andy Cole.

The man charged with City’s fortunes this season is Gary Johnson, a lesser known manager, who has so far plied his tried as boss of a variety of lesser known clubs. His achievements include being assistant at Cambridge, in a run that saw them within a whisker of becoming the first team to go from 4^th to top flight in successive seasons. He also had a spell as an international manager, in charge of Latvia.

The Robins come into this match on the back of a victory against the only team to beat the Toon this season. As such, Johnson will be looking to field a relatively unchanged side. This starts in goal, with one of the few overseas players in the squad, Brazilian Adriano Basso.

The main selection problem is in defence, with Liam Fontain back from injury, and giant Yorkshireman, 6ft5 Jamie McCombe back from suspension. Captian Louis Carey should be safe, but it would be harsh if Welshman, Lewin Nyatanga, were to miss out after an impressive clean sheet.

At right back, we welcome another Newcastle old boy, scouse born Bradley Orr who was released under Sir Bobby before going to Bristol. Like other former and current scouse players, Bradley has experienced some time at Her Majesty’s pleasure, after an evening fracas, also experiencing a sending off for head butting his current captain.

Midfield should consist of tall trio, dutch international, on loan from Ajax, Evander Sno, local lad Skuse, and former Millwall player, Marvin Elliott. Lee Johnson, the more diminutive dynamo, once throttled by former Newcastle defender Peter Jackson when manager of Huddersfield, completes the quartet.

Likely starters are Costa Rican Alvaro Saborio, who came to Britol via Switzerland. Nicky Maynard, with 6 goals in 9 league starts this season, should be his partner, despite the form of Danny Haynes who impressed in scoring from the bench last time out.

Trying to return to keeping clean sheets, Harper will once again start in goal, an ever present in the league. In front should be an unchanged defence of Simpson, S Taylor, Zurag and Enrique, with Coloccini still injured.

Midfield could see changes, with a more aggressive line up than was seen in midweek. Gutierrez adds width on the left, with Smith and Nolan certain first choices at opposite ends of the midfield diamond. Ryan Taylor could resume on the right, with Guthrie also hoping to continue.

Andy Carroll continues to establish himself as a front target, with Harewood having the unique record of one goal from no starts. Ranger will want to continue, as Lovenkrands will also want to gain match fitness, either on the wing or up front.

Referee for the afternoon is Graham Salisbury, another first timer at SJP for a senior league fixture despirte refereeing a home win against Barnsley in the Carling Cup in 2006. His record for City is fairly even, with a mixture of 3 wins, 3 defeats and a draw, evenly split between home and away.

Without a post WW1 Win at SJP, and without an away win this season for the Robins, it seems certain that Newcastle will still be top at the end of the weekend, with a point being enough to repel all pretenders. If Hughton turns his back on the negative midfield pairing of Smith and Butt together, there should be a good attacking game for the home supporters.

City have only conceded 7 away all season, so would seem vulnerable, the 5-0 scoreline at Ashton gate in the Leagu Cup and for the last home league game being a realistic prospect. In any event, a good home win will be welcome, to focus the chat on the football, rather than the outcomes of the courtroom this week.

Newcastle v Bristol City at SJP

Overall

P12 W7 D4 L1 F22 A5

2^nd tier

P4 W2 D2 L0 F8 A0

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