When
Newcastle United took on
Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League a month ago at St James' Park and beat them comfortably 3-1, the North East club must have felt like they were in a different league to their opponents. Rovers were completley outclassed that day and if Newcastle had shown more composure in front of goal, could have won by several more. United currently lie joint third in the league, a whopping 14 points ahead of bottom placed Blackburn but the Carling Cup is always a great equaliser, and Newcastle will know that all too well having needed extra time to beat both Nottingham Forest and Scunthorpe in previous rounds, who actually are in different leagues. With many changes expected on both sides, tonight's game is expected to feature players with something to prove and a tight affair is predicted. For Blackburn, under fire boss
Steve Kean may see winning this trophy as being his one saviour in a season where fan protests are calling for his head and many at Ewood Park are starting to get that sinking feeling. So there will be a fan expectation for them to go all out tonight against Newcastle and field a strong 11, whilst
Alan Pardew has mostly played strong sides in the cup so far this season and knows that in the position The Magpies are in right now, there is a good chance for them to reach their first quarter final in years with half a dozen previous managers revolving through the door since the 2005 FA Cup run where they made the semi-finals under Graeme Souness. The winners of tonight's game might just fancy their chances to go all the way...
Team News
Newcastle striker
Shola Ameobi, who was almost certainly going to start this game having fought his way back to full fitness, pulled his hamstring in his cameo against Wigan on Saturday and is now ruled out for six weeks. Midfield dynamo
Cheik Tiote won't play having been ruled out with a knee injury (though Pardew won't risk him in these cup ties anyway) with
Steven Taylor a huge doubt with a broken nose. There was some talk this week he may wear a mask to play in the game but Pardew must surely see that getting him fit for Monday night's game against Stoke at the Brittania must be seen as priority.
Mike Williamson is still some weeks away from being available for selection, so that will probably force
James Perch into a centre back position alongside Captain
Coloccini having played there against Forest and Pardew recently stating he is the current CB back-up. But of course Pardew I don't think trusts Perch (and for good reason) and with Hungarian defender
Tamas Kadar (who is fit and has played in reserves) clearly not in Pardew's mind despite him always playing well under Chris Hughton, I just hope they don't rush back Taylor too quickly.
Davide Santon will be hoping to make his first start for the club on either the left or the right and it will be interesting to see who out of
Danny Simpson or
Ryan Taylor is removed to accommodate him. Having been itching to start French playmakers
Hatem Ben Arfa and
Sylvain Marveaux in the league but being unwilling to drop either, they must been seen as big contenders for some pitch time tonight. Pardew will also need to decide whether he wants to give reserve keeper
Rob Elliott some pitch time but having him leak four goals against Forest, there's definitely a case for just keeping in
Tim Krul. The likes of
Dan Gosling, Danny Guthrie, Alan Smith, Shane Ferguson, Peter Lovenkrands and
Mehdi Abeid will be hoping for a starting birth with players like
Jonas Guttierez, Yohan Cabaye, Gabriel Obertan, Leon Best and
Demba Ba potentially rested. At least one or two of those I expect to be. For Blackburn,
Steven Nzonzi is suspended and
Jordan Siew is cup-tied.
David Dunn, Ryan Nelsen are both injured.
Scott Dann and
Michael Salgado are huge doubts. Prediction: 0-1 - Tight, tight game and I can imagine it going as late as extra time but I think Newcastle might just knick it and continue their good run into the Quarter finals.