Plymouth v Newcastle – Match Preview

The 2010 FA Cup campaign rewards Newcastle with the longest trip in senior football, a visit to Plymouth. This was the venue for the start of their last FA Cup winning season. Can we do it again?

Once again, Newcastle face a side with a new manager. This time, it is a protégé of Sir Bobby Robson, Paul Mariner. Alongside him will be coach John Carver, a face well known to the visiting supporters.

Mariner will be remembered as a cultured target man, who played for Robson both at Ipswich and for England. He has returned to the club where he started his senior career, before joining up with Sir Bobby at Ipswich where he won the FA Cup against Supermac’s Arsenal, as well as the UEFA Cup in the same year that Hughton picked up an FA Cup winner’s medal at Spurs.

Mariner later moved to Arsenal, near neighbours to Hughton’s Spurs, where of course the Newcastle boss won all of his trophies, two FA Cups and 1 UEFA Cup, under another former Toon coach, Keith Burkinshaw. Although Hughton has the edge on trophies, honours were even when the two played for the North London rivals with 2 wins apiece and 1 draw.

Both managers have their own history in this competition and will fully appreciate the value of this competition. It remains to be seen, however, how seriously each will value progress this year, with team changes highly likely for both sides. Newcastle are focused on promotion, whilst Plymouth have crept away from bottom place and still have a relegation battle on their hands.

Form, going into this match, counts for little. Newcastle are seeking to improve on traditionally one of their worst periods, after Christmas, having picked up 2 points from the last 2 games, the best post-Christmas haul since 2002. The Pilgrims on the other hand picked up a maximum 6 points in Cardiff and at home to Reading, to end a run of five scoreless defeats.

Larrieu should continue in goal, with defensive options limited in front of him. The back line up could include Duguid, scorer at St James’ earlier in the season, with Johnson one of two squad members on African Nations Cup duty. Hungarian international, Timar will be missing on loan, with Blake in turn on loan from Cardiff eligible to play. Sawyer could also figure.

Midfield boast an array of options, with one of the several Icelandic internationals in this league, Arneson becoming a pivotal player although he could drop back to defence. Captain, Welsh international Carl Fletcher, should lead, with Alan Judge making a two goal impact against Reading. Clark and Summerfield battle for the last slots.

Up front, the expected threat is from Kiwi striker, Rory Fallon, who could be accompanied by the returning Bradley Wright-Phillips, although Jamie Mackie could continue in a more forward role. Ashley Barnes is also knocking on the door.

For the visitors, it seems a reasonable bet that Krul will start in goal, to give Harper a break and allow the dutch youngster to gain match sharpness. In front of him, Kadar should slip into central defence whilst Ryan Taylor would appreciate match practice at right back and Tozer a possibility on the left side.

In midfield, options include giving Pancrate a start as well as Kazenga Lua Lua. Ryan Donaldson has also been knocking on the door, whilst Butt is fairly sure to help Alan Smith postpone another booking and suspension. Newcastle supporters would welcome Guthrie haing a chance to deputise for Nolan in the middle.

Ordinarily, Carroll would appear the striker most suited to start away games, but Ameobi is the most prolific starter this season, and would dearly love to add to his FA Cup tally. Ranger surely deserves a start whilst Danqah could be a surprise inclusion on the bench.

Referee for the occasion is Alan Wiley, under who Newcastle have only won 5 out of 21 away from home, most of those against Leeds. The home record is not much better, winning 8 out of 17. Plymouth have fared better under him at home, with 3 wins and 2 draws, although without a win away in 3 attempts.

The wintery conditions are a reminder of Newcastle’s last visit to Plymouth, when Ardiles’ youthful side played attractive football but came out the 2-0 losers on the day. A repeat of the same scoreline would please the home crowd, but would be a more significant achievement given the resilience that another former Spur, Hughton, has brought to this team.

A more likely outcome is that the Toon will bring forward a return trip to the North East for John Carver, with plenty of experience on the bench to reverse any good start that the Pilgrims might make.

For visiting supporters, on street parking in the Peverell area is relatively easy, and allows for the consumption of a nice warm pasty whilst having a scenic walk to the ground across Home Park. The ground has been much renovated since the last match in 1991 with an uncovered terrace, and the acoustics should genereate a great atmosphere.

Newcastle in Plymouth

P17 W8 D4 L5 F25 A19

FA Cup

P3 W2 D1 L0 F8 A2

Article by RexN