Norwich v Newcastle - Match Preview
Newcastle go to Carrow Road on Saturday in a huge bottom of the table clash against fellow strugglers Norwich City.
After a daunting first game away at league leaders Leicester within three days of being appointed, and the ‘form goes out of the window’ derby against Sunderland, you could say that this is the first real opportunity to see the changes Rafael Benitez has made to Newcastle United.
The term ‘six-pointer’ is often overused, but for this weekend’s game, it is extremely apt. I would not go as far as to say that a win is a must for the Magpies, but a defeat is unthinkable. If Newcastle were to lose then suddenly the gap is a massive six points between their current position and safety. Yes, Newcastle will still have a game in hand, but considering that is against Manchester City, you would not bet your mortgage on them taking advantage of it.
However, with the hullabaloo around Benitez’s arrival beginning to subside, and having more time with his players – except those away on international duty – this weekend will, hopefully, highlight the impact the Spanish manager has had on the team.
The importance of this game, as I wrote earlier, cannot be underestimated. Time is most definitely running out. Following this game, Newcastle have two tough away games at Southampton and Liverpool, with another crunch home game with Swansea sandwiched in between.
With their away form being so poor, it is hard to see the team ever winning outside of the city walls again. This, however, is where Rafa may make the difference. If he can make us stingier at the back, then we could always nick a goal on the break. This is vital at places like Norwich, and Aston Villa in a few weeks, as managing to sneak a lead against teams near the bottom brings nerves and tension to the home fans, and has a knock on effect to the players.
Of course, the survival hopes have not been helped by Rob Elliot’s unfortunate injury while playing for Ireland this week. It is typical of Newcastle’s luck that Elliot’s big chance came after Tim Krul was injured while playing an international game for Holland, and somewhat ironic that, had Krul remained fit and Elliot still considered a back-up keeper, that he may not have even been playing in Ireland’s fixture.
However, one player’s misfortune is another’s opportunity. It is now time for Karl Darlow to fulfil the potential that Newcastle saw in him when they signed him from Nottingham Forest. His previous Premier League start resulted in a 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion.
If Newcastle are to remain in the Premier League, then clean sheets are going to be extremely vital. It must be hoped that the young stopper can deal with the extra pressure that will be placed upon his shoulders between now and the end of the season.
Of course, it also falls to the defenders in front of him to give him the protection he needs – a defence that naturally looks stronger just by having Chancel Mbemba back in it. However, it is left back that is the major concern. With Paul Dummett still injured for the foreseeable future, and Massadio Haidara also out following a recurrence of a knee injury, the situation is compounded this weekend and next, with stand-in left back, Jack Colback, being suspended.
It remains to be seen whether Benitez drops in Vurnon Anita to cover, opts for three centre backs and using a more attacking wing-back formation, or reverts to playing Daryl Janmaat (if fit) at left back, while switching Steven Taylor to right back and pairing Mbemba and Jamaal Lascelles in the middle. He may, of course, have another trick up his sleeve, but whatever he decides upon, it has to work.
Three points in this relegation encounter would be so important to our survival chances, but defeat, I suspect, may well hammer the final nail into our Championship destined coffin.
Referee: Mike Dean
Radio Coverage: Local Commentary on BBC Radio Newcastle, National Commentary on BBC Radio Five Live
