Until we've had the summer games out of the way nothing is certain but first off Alain Pardieu has said he'll tinker with formation and strategy over the summer and that he wants to control games more than we did last season and believes, we have the players now to do that with ben Arfa and Gosling returning but more pricisely with Cabaye in the side. He wants us to hold onto the ball more.
GK - krul may start ahead of harper this season although pardew has said the keeper spot is undecided I think krul will edge it. Especially as he's stopped sounding off about leaving if he doesn't get the Number 1 spot.
RB - Simpson although Gosling may pinch it off him.
CB - Colo is captain and nailed on starter and hero for the Toon.
CB - One of S Taylor or Williamson, I think (my own thoughts on this) that we'll start with S Taylor. No evidence to back that up though.
LB - nailed on Enrique unless he does leave, we have a backup plan to sign someone if he does. Ferguson is our only real option as back up and he looks more of a LW.
LW - looks like Marveaux will challenge Jonas for that spot.
DM - Tiote all day long although you can guarantee he'll get suspended at some point, Class player though.
AM - Cabaye should start with Ben Arfa more likely to be a 2nd striker but I expect both to start every game.
RW - Barton should start ........Striker - Ba all day long as long as he stays fit, we will sign another striker though.

A second post that will need to be on the 11/12 thread when started:

Joey Barton has been barred from entering the US fo rthe team's pre-season tour so is going on the reserves tour to Holland instead. Hmm, youngsters, Amsterdam, influence of Barton....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-14134851

I'll kick things off in here.

In my opinion we'll be playing 1 of 2 formations. 4-4-1-1 or 4-5-1

-------------------------Krul/Harper/Forster

Simpson----Coloccini----S.Taylor/Williamson---Enrique/New Signing

-------------------------------Tiote

-------------------Barton---------------Cabaye

Ben Arfa------------------------------------------Gutierrez/Marveaux

---------------------------Ba/New Signing



Goalkeeper: Totally up for grabs. Pardew has hinted one of the 3 will be sold. My money is on Forster leaving and Krul taking 1st choice. Will have more idea following friendlies.

Defence: Simpson and Colo no contest. S.Taylor is likely to start alongside Colo, however Williamson will push him close. Regarding Enrique, he's the only left back at the club. If he stays, he plays. If he goes, we sign somebody.

Midfield: Tiote will always hold. Will either play in a central 2 or 3. Barton will play most games, either in a mid 3, or pushed wide right if playing a flat 4 with Cabaye in the middle. Gosling 1st reserve.

Wings: If it's a flat 4 Barton wide right, otherwise Ben Arfa. Gutierrez's experience will probably give him the nod over Marveaux on the left to begin with. Could be lots of rotation in this position with Lovenkrands also able to do a job.

Strikers: Ba will be first choice barring any signings. He'll either be on his own or supported by Ben Arfa as a second striker. Might shift to 4-4-2 if a new signing comes in. Erding has been a long term target. Ameobi and Best backup.

that'll be the same USA he just spent 2 weeks in Vegas and LA then on holiday.... must be down to the type of visa you're applying for.

Injured Ben Arfa to quit tour

They won 4-0

http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20110727 ... 70_2402645

3-0

For what it's worth Gosling had a great game at AMC against Columbus. HBA will almost certainly not play on the right, Pardue has said many times he intends to play him off the striker in a 451 this season. However, if we play 442 he might get pushed to a wing, in which case it would definitely be the left.

I have a feeling harper may still edge the goalkeeper battle, certainly in the first few difficult big games. But Krul will get many games towards the latter end of the season.

My bet for a full strength team (assuming JE stays) at the moment would be:

------------------Harper/Krul-------------------

Simpson----Coloccini----STaylor----Enrique

Barton-------Tiote-------Cabaye----Marveaux/Jonas

---------------------HBA-----------------------

----------------------Ba-------------------------

It gets a bit hazy when the new striker comes in as the competition in midfield becomes incredibly fierce upon going 442 and it's anyone's guess who starts (except I would say Barton and Tiote are nailed on).

Looked like Cabaye had taken responsibility for corners at Leeds today, which could impact Barton's scores this season.

He also seemed to be finding Stevie Taylor's head with every one he took.

Steven Taylor a nailed on starter?

That's an interesting development

Barton listed as a free transfer

We are now thinner than crisps:

Krul

Simpson----Coloccini----S.Taylor---Enrique/New Signing

-------------------------------Tiote

-------------------Abeid/gosling---------------Cabaye

Gutierrez------------------------------------------/Marveaux

---------------------------Ba/New Signing

Like I said before we are very thin outside the first xi. we could end up anywhere from 8th to 20th at this rate. Barton a huge loss as was nolan and carroll. If enrique goes we'll be using the juniors at this rate.

I've also got my eye on S. Taylor, and echo the comments on the thin squad.

I read today they were trying to get Tranquilo Barnetta from Leverkusen http://bit.ly/rnCaqK but he wants none of it, and who can blame him!

Saw that earlier, loved the line:

“Why on earth would Tranquilo move to Newcastle for less money? No offence to Newcastle, he would possibly consider going to Arsenal, Liverpool even Tottenham for less – but not Newcastle."

Any thoughts on whether Vuckic may get one of the midfield berths now that Barton is out of the picture and HBA is injured? He looks to have done well in pre-season.

Probably not if Obertan arrives today as reported and Tiote gets back into the country.

Cabaye on set pieces now then? He took penalties at Lille as well it seems, with Barton/Nolan not there and Ameobi on the bench do you think Cabaye will get them? Any indication in pre-season, I didn't see any info about penalties in match reports.

Newcastle have confirmed the signing of Obertan. http://bit.ly/qmOo9m He never really got a chance at United and at just 5.0m in FPL he could become a decent Fantasy option.

this post is 9 days old - any alternative views or tweaks to thoughts during that time?

(Yes, I had the misfortune of drawing Newcastle as my team in the FISO TFF Block Defence league and I have to enter early).

It's still probably as close as you could guess. Obertan/Gutierrez/Marveaux will be battling for two wide berths (Note that Guteirrez has usually played on the left for us). If Noone comes in for Barton it's likley he'll be draughted back into the first team squad and will take Gosling's spot. Rumours however that Stoke are closing in on Barton. If Barton does leave there's also the possibility that we will revert to 4-4-2 at times with the Abeid/Gosling position dropped and Ameobi coming in alongside Ba. If Ameobi plays he will be on penalties. If he doesn't expect them to go to Cabaye, who is now on corners and free kicks.

Thanks RF.

Deal now agreed to sell Enrique to Liverpool (subject to personal terms / medical etc).

I presume Ashley and his yes man do have a contingency plan for left back

Most likely against Arsenal imo

--------------------Krul
Simpson---S.Taylor---Colo---Gutierrez

Barton-----Tiote------Cabaye---Marveaux

---------------Ba-------Ameobi


As for the season....

--------------------Krul
Simpson---S.Taylor---Colo---New Signing

Obertan-----Tiote------Cabaye---Marveaux/Gutierrez

---------------Ba-------Ben Arfa (Bit deeper)


Current options for left back. Gutierrez, Shane Ferguson (Built like an Ethiopian marathon runner), R.Taylor (played there before but very right footed)

Think I'll play 3 at the back cheers!

Think I'll play 3 at the back cheers!

Decent start then murf!? long may it continue

Don't think I got much else but I'll take the 4 CSs!

Don't think I got much else but I'll take the 4 CSs!

Shola Ameobi will be given the opportunity to add to his Tyne-Wear derby goal tally on Saturday as Newcastle travel to the Stadium of Light.....Pardew spouts some rubbish , finishing with "That bodes well, and he will start on Saturday, I make no bones about that. He will be in the starting line-up."

http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20110818 ... 70_2424728

So Ryan Taylor is getting the Left back slot with Enrique gone I'm guessing. Is this likely to continue for long? Toying with bringing in him or Simpson in place of Wes Brown at Sunderland...