Newcastle v Norwich - Match Preview

After a couple of weeks that have seen St James’ Park look resplendent, with no trace of the gaudy-looking Sports Direct logos anywhere to be seen, and the stands rammed full with enthusiastic, effervescent rugby fans from around the world, normality returns with Newcastle United hosting newly promoted Norwich City in the Barclays Premier League this weekend.

The fervent, celebratory atmosphere that the Rugby World Cup games brought with them will be replaced by a more nervous, trepidatious one on Sunday.

Newcastle will be looking to (finally) turn a corner this weekend, and, frankly, nothing short of three points against a plucky Norwich side will suffice.

Having started the season with a daunting set of fixtures, this weekend sees the start of what many perceive to be a softer run of games, and it is games like these that the Magpies must be taking maximum points from.

Steve McClaren took the opportunity this week to insist that many of Newcastle’s problems go back to last season, and this may well be true. However, the time for excuses and finger-pointing to last season is over.

Since arriving in the summer, and an influx of new players, McClaren has had plenty of time to iron out many of the wrinkles of John Carver’s disastrous spell, and stamp his own authority on the players. Granted, change takes time, and I also accept that you cannot turn rocks into gems overnight, but at what point does it stop being someone else’s fault?

The problems, ultimately need to be addressed on the pitch, by players that should bear an awful lot of the blame too.

Tim Krul’s injury is a blow, without a doubt, but I always try to look at things in a positive light, and for me, the Dutchman’s misfortune is an opportunity for Rob Elliott, Newcastle’s forgotten man.He may not cement a place in the starting line-up for years to come, but can at least showcase his skills to enhance his chances of playing for Ireland, or prior to a possible move to pastures new in the future.

Jack Colback should also return this weekend, and while his form may not have been setting the world alight this season, it should spare us the unfathomable sight of Yoan Gouffran masquerading as a holding midfielder (my mind still boggles at that selection).

Colback does need to watch his step though, as a booking this weekend will see him suspended for the derby next weekend.

I am hopeful that we will continue to see Ayoze Perez accompany Aleksander Mitrovic up front. Mitrovic looks a much happier player when there is someone alongside him to lay the ball off to.

Norwich should not be taken lightly though, as they have put in some good performances so far this season and, in fact, their performance have arguably warranted a better return of points than the 9 they currently have.

Sitting 13th in the table, the Norfolk side would probably have snapped your hands off had they been offered their return so far, prior to the start of the season. However, I fully expect them to be one of the teams struggling for survival by the time May comes around, and as a result, with the position we find ourselves in at the moment, games like these become more crucial to get results in.

The key to success this weekend for Newcastle is to focus on ourselves, and let the opposition worry about us, as oppose to us trying to constantly counteract their tactics.

Should this weekend and the derby at Sunderland next weekend come and go with Newcastle still without a victory, then things will suddenly be looking very bleak for the new management team, and the club as a whole.

That said, I fully expect us to put in a performance this weekend, and hopefully, in a few weeks’ time, we will be looking back on this ‘crisis’ with a smirk and a host of points in the bag.

Prediction: 2-0