Dunno about you lot, but I'm buzzin' for Saturday. Mebbes summat to do with receiving the video of the away match yesterday, but I'm really up for this one. I hope the players are as well.

As was stated elsewhere (on Dougal's Lolo thread I think), this could be a big grudge match. No time for the faint-hearted. Leeds are smarting. A poor run of form at home and dumped unceremoniously out the cup by Cardiff. Not to mention all the -ve press they've been getting over the Bowyer-Gate affair. This could work two ways on them. Let's hope they bow to the pressure.

YBR has a job to do this week. We know we have the beating of Leeds - if our attitude is right. I dunno what the injury status is, but assuming all are fit, I'd start with the same team that played at Elland Road. Whether it be Dabizas or Distin at CB is the only choice to make. I just wonder (as mentioned on Lolo's thread) if Dabs would be a bit too psyched up for it and looking for retribution? Distin is certainly a much cooler fellow. French laissez faire vs hot Mediterranean temparament?

I also think we as supporters (or at least those of us fortunate enough to be there) have our parts to play. I'm in total agreement with the Palace supporters on Saturday. Our support was sh!te. But at Elland Road, it was as good as I can ever remember. That's what we need on Saturday too. IMHO, Didi's dad went OTT against Leeds on Saturday but it sure unsettled Leeds. If 20-odd thousand sheep-sh@99ers can upset them, then just think what 50 thousand Geordies can do. I wanna hear SJP as loud as it has ever been.

Win this one, and we can go for a top 3 place. Lose it and it could start us on a slippery slope. Three points against Leeds willl set us up nicely for a visit to Leicester. Nil points would have us doubting our ability to sustain things and make the trip to Filbert St much more difficult.

Howay Me Bonnie Lads!!

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Answers

I'm worried, I have to say. This is a VERY BIG TEST

Let's take away the bollox and set out the facts. At SJP the only 'notable' scalp we've taken is Man U, and they were starting a miserable run anyway. We've lost against all the 'bigger' teams, such as Liverpool, Chelsea, even Spurs. Not even a draw remember, but three losses, and only one goal under the 'for' column.

Who have we beaten other than the big one against Man U? Leicester (just), Villa, Derby (just), Blackburn (just) and Boro. Well feck me we're masters of the universe, ain't we? One-goal wins against the shite of the league?

No, this, like Chelsea, will give me personally a good steer as to how big our ambition is this season. All this Champions League aspirations will be rubbish if we can't beat the big teams at home

And before anyone gets on my back, I'm looking at just the facts ma'am. My love for the Toon is as concrete as ever, my support unwavering, but I refuse to put blinkers on.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Mind you away from home I'd fancy us against just about anyone....

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Nick, the thing is, we've already beaten Leeds and know we can do it. We did it twice last season as well. This is not to mean we should be complacent about things. Far from it. But we know we can do it. To a certain extent, it depends on what game Leeds want to play. The teams you mentioned ('pool, Spurs and to a certain extent Chelsea) came to spoil. ManUre came to win. Boro, Leicester, Derby and the rest came to, well, I dunno - spoil I guess.

If it's an open game, we have every chance of winning. If Leeds frustrate, then it could be very hard. I hope Harte plays. We showed his lack of pace up as a major weekness which we can exploit. They won't have Ferdinand - I dunno whether Woodgate and/or Duberry are as quick as our lads. Mills will likely play right and give Robert (or Bernard) a hard time. Can Kelly play LB or is Harte their main man on that flank??

We also have to watch them up front. They have so many choices. Verucca will play, but will it be with Keane (I hope not), Fowler or perhaps Smith (as well??).

Above all, we must remember they are vulnerable - especially to late pressure. We musn't let up. We can win this one. No mistake.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

As ever Screach, you talk sense. I agree with most everything you say, but I stand by my point. We have NOT, since Man U, won an important match (ie vs opposition around us in the league)at SJP. As you rightly say, we KNOW we can beat Leeds. But will we?

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Who is going to make the Strawberry for a pre-match drink ?

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Our home form in the past two seasons has been poor (although succumbing to Liverpool, no matter how depressing, isn't as bad as losing at home to Man City with Goater scoring the winner) which is why, if we get into Europe, we are going to have to invest heavily to get players who can break down teams who come to SJP to defend.

Leeds won't take us lightly as we have beaten them three times in the last three games and they'll have the right hump about being knocked out of the Cup. Personally, a 2-2 draw is my current prediction.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

If we do one of those player comparison's, it shows we have, as said above, every chance:

Martyn - Given. At the moment I would say Given's showing the better form
Mills/Woodgate/Duberry/Harte against Hughes/Distin (Dabizas)/O'Brien/Elliot. Harte is slower than Elliot and a definite weak point. Mills and Hughes similarly reliable without being match winners. Woodgate and Duberry - well we've been going on about communication so we should have a real chance to test how cohesive these two are when put under pressure.
Batty v Speed - If Speed can maintain recent form, again we should have the edge here.
Bowyer/Smith/Kelly v Dyer/Solano/Robert(Bernard) - they perhaps have the edge physically if they choose to disrupt things, but if we win the midfield battle and pass our way out of trouble, we have the better attacking options
Fowler/Viduka v Shearer/Bellamy - not much in it. They have two deadly finishers but don't have the pace of a Bellamy

Teams like Chelsea and ManU have defended deep to try and counteract the pace we have in the side. Leeds could try the same, but aren't so quicksilver on the break. If they sit back we might fair better in midfield, and it'd be up to Solano/Robert and Dyer to carve them open. If they push forward themselves, it plays to our strengths with the pace we have. I agree, we have every chance in this game and should look at it very positively. Fowler and Viduka do worry me, though, as they only need a sniff of a chance.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

I would hope our players are more concerned with their own attitude and approach to the game than what Leeds can or cannot do. As long as we play as well as we can, we shouldn't have too much to worry about. Leeds have a habit this season of falling apart late in a match, so as long as we don't let them have more than a 1 goal advantage over us going into the final 20min or so, we should have no problem getting the extra goal for a draw or 2 for a win.

The most important thing is that we fight for it right from the beginning and don't let up til the final whistle blows.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

We'll get whipped, but I'm hopeful of a decent game anyway :)

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

I've just shelled out 84 quid for 2 tickets (Club 1892) so we damned well better win! Anyway my lad's coming along and so far we've won every match he's been to (about half a dozen or so). See yous in the Strawberry if they'll let Ben in - maybe afterwards if not before.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

I've just read my post again and realised how bloody miserably pessimistic it sounds. We have a chance alright, but a narrow defeat just seems likely to me.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Don't worry, Paul: I can NEVER bring myself to predict better than a draw in case I jinx us. I see your point, though. Our record at home against decent sides is crap this season in strak contrast to last season where we never lost to a top six side at home...

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Pete, it's interesting how everyone's views have changed. Before the game at Elland Road (and the one at Highbury to be fair), someone did a player - player comparison and judged Leeds as being better in nearly every area.

I have to say I agree with your comparisons but it's amazing how opinions have changed since then.

-- Anonymous, January 09, 2002

I'm working in London this weekend so won't be able to use my Leeds ticket. Anyone want it? You would have to pick it up in South Shields before Saturday

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

The early betting appears to favour an away win...

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

You forgot that they are bigger cheats in every area of the pitch...

I am intending to get mildly inebriated in the Strawberry and then come back with a serious thirst after a thumping 3-1 victory with all those silly dreams glittering away and the fixed grin of a believer.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

were in for a 4-0 mauling , unless we play supa shola

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

..... either at CB or in goal presumably?

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

I fancy a draw - I haven't seen one at SJP this season so I'm due. (Wasn't at the S'land game, before you start typing furiously!)

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

I'd be happy with a draw, I must say. They must have the right hump about us. Last four games:

Newcastle go 2-0 down only to draw 2-2 Newcastle go 1-0 down only to win 2-1 Newcastle go 1-0 down only to win 3-1 Newcastle go 3-1 down only to win 4-3

This isn't the sort of record they'll be over-the-moon about.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

As long as Bobby doesn't err on the side of caution. We absolutely must have as many attacking options as possible, and play to a 'one more goal than them' plan.

If we don't, we'll lose by default, or at best, have to scrap like the clappers to manage even just a draw.

SO JUST BLIDDY GO FOR IT.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

It's billed as the main match on The Premiership, so that's at least seven minutes of highlights.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

On the basis that recently we ALWAYS seem to go one down before getting into the game, I'm considering putting a few quid on F****r as the first scorer.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Pit Bill, I couldn't agree more!

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

as per an earlier thread from our Northern Scotland correspondent, how will Leeds win ?

They know that even when they are two goals ahead they don't have the defensive capabilities to cope with us in full flow. They also know that when we are away from home, and nominally being slightly more defensive minded Leeds could still score 3 against us.

They also have injury concerns around Ferdinand and Harte I believe, so their defence isn't what it should be. So. If I I'll be looking to flood midfield to stop NUFC playing, but giving the midfield a free rein to get forward as fast as possible. Leeds lost because they couldn't cope with the pace and skill of Dyer, need to take him out early, failing that need to keep Batty as tight as possible to him maybe.

Left back is clearly a problem area particualrly if Robert and Speed are fit. Solano isn't a big threat but if Dyer is released from any need to go left then the passing/understanding between Dyer and Solano IS a problem. If Newcastle start to feed Robert he may also be a problem. Again further evidence to play 5 in midfield, stifle any play.

Up front I'd be telling Viduka to hit Dabizas early. The ref won't know of their history and will let Mark get away with a yellow card for the rashest of tackles. Dabizas is sure to over react and maybe we'll be 11 on 10.

I know the crowd will be up for it, they always are when Leeds are in town, our job is to queiten them and then sneak a win late on.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

The fact of the matter is that when we are live on a Satda morning (chicago time) we've won every game. Manure, Villa, Leeds and soon to be leeds again. We will win, of that I have no doubt.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

I'm really up for this game.

Still think we'll get beat though.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

I haven't really thought much about it yet. Just thought about it - home win!

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

If we don't make our home form more convincing soon, whether we get into Europe or not, we may struggle to sell STs next season. It's one thing for 5000 to see a rousing win at Elland Road - it's quite another for 52000 to see a miserable home defeat yet again.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Good on yer Clarky! Dougal, if we continue with our impressive away form, I suspect the ST sales will look after themselves. Of course, I could be wrong :-(

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

I'm not sure they will sell, Screach - it's not like having an ST guarantees away tix and we may not draw Barcelona or Real Madrid in the Champion's League ;)

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

I would think that if we qualified for a CL place SJP would probably be sold out again next season - especially when we sign "Quicksilver" in the close season! After he's played in the WC, that is.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Jesus, clarky, remember willing Guivarc'h to do something in the last one? Desperately hoping against hope that Kenny hadn't carefully selected another bloody lemon. Deffo buy after the cup, it's worth the extra pennies and competition to be sure they have the right number of legs etc.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002