NUFC v Coventry – Match Preview

Newcastle welcome Coventry to St James’ Park, with the home team looking for the double to return to the top of the table. Since the Ricoh Arena fixture, Coventry have been one of the form teams with 21 points from 11 games.

Those 21 points put the Sky Blues just behind Forest and West Brom on the form guide, and indeed are unbeaten in their last 5. Despite the impressive run, Coventry have only one away win since September, against lowly Plymouth just before Christmas.

Newcastle’s own form has stuttered, albeit against some of the top teams in the Championship. Although unbeaten at home this season, 2 wins in the last 8, with 5 draws, is hardly the form of Champions.

As well as being a return to one of hiss clubs as a player, Chairman Ray Ranson will be backing his manager, Chris Coleman, to make his mark. As manager of Fulham, Coleman managed 2 wins and a draw out of 4 games at St James’.

An almost certain starter is keeper, Kieron Westwood, once thought to be a target for Newcastle after performing well at Carlisle. Captain, Stephen Wright is expected to lead the defiance. Alongside should be Cranie Wood Barnett. Barnett is on loan from West Brom and will want to do his parent club a favour tonight.

Holding midfielder, Irishman Sammy Clingan makes his first star treck to St James’, and could be joined by Scottish journeyman, Michael McIndoe as well as window signing, Gary Deegan and Carl Baker. Young Iceland international, Aron Gunnarsson, is pushing for a recall.

A familiar face up front could be Irish international, Clinton Morrison, who has yet to be on the wining side against Newcastle. Romany traveller, Freddy Eastwood, could also feature. He will be remembered as a scoring sensation for Southend, where he recorded the fastest ever debut goal after 7.7 seconds.

Other striking options include recent signings, Freddie Sears, who will be remembered as the Greg Louganis of West Ham during his earlier career against Newcastle. Also on loan and hoping for a debut will be John Stead, fondly remembered for his two goals in 35 appearances for Sunderland.

As Hughton looks to start back on the winning trail and pick up at home where he left off against Cardiff. He has a range of options throughout the team but is certain to stick with Harper in goal.

Simpson is the preferred right back, with Coloccini hoping for a return to the heart of defence. Either Williamson or Hall will be his companion, whilst van Aanholt, previously on loan at Coventry, is set to fill the left back berth.

Midfield presents choices for Hughton, with Smith available to hold, but having had success with Nolan and Guthrie in the middle against Cardiff. Supporters would probably favour the Guthrie Smith axis on current form.

Jonas should be fit to provide the width that was lacking against Swansea, with Routledge having looked the part in his last outing at SJP.

Up front there are more choices, with Carroll always a handful. Leon Best’s set up for him at Swansea gives the chance for Best to press his case. He will clearly be eager to start against his old club after a less than rapturous send off. Lovenkrands, however, boasts 6 goals in 3 home starts and a sub appearance.

Making the journey from Somerset will be referee, Steve Tanner, whose only other visit to SJP gave the Toon a rare penalty in a 2-1 defeat against Blackburn last season. Amazingly, Coloccini is the only player available who played in that game.

Coventry have only lost in one of the last 4 away games under Tanner, who has sometimes appeared under pressure with a large crowd, and has lost his place on the International List this year.

Coventry’s visits to Newcastle have often been high scoring affairs, with the last 10 SJP games between these 2 featuring 9 home wins and a scoreless draw. The aggregate score over those 10 has been 29-3 to the home team. It seems a reasonable bet that Newcastle will score the 50^th league goal of the season.

Although form points to a draw, and Coleman having a good record at SJP, the competition for places should draw out extra effort from the home team, and a win will be expected from the home crowd.

Newcastle v Coventry at SJP:

P33 W22 D5 L6 F78 A32

2^nd tier

P7 W4 D1 L2 F10 A9