Leicester and Newcastle are both showing the opposite of what is expected. After everybody saw some great performances and a fabulous return from an injury, Papiss Cisse will be Alan Pardew’s
superhero for this match. But let’s look a bit deeper into this clash of two teams with a very unexpected start.
Newcastle is still seeking for their first Premier League win this season, and this time they are playing against Leicester. At first look, this should be as difficult game for Newcastle as any other untill now, but I don’t see it that way. Pardew had just missed the perfect squad this season. Almost as if some other coach was leading them in the pre-season matches.
The crucial duo for Newcastle are two very hard-working players, Gouffran and Obertan. Tireless players with great pace and sharp crossing. They are even more dangerous now when Cisse is back in the starting lineup. They will still miss Santon and De Jong as replacement or even backup for Cisse, but having in mind the team that they are playing against now, I think they have great chance to prove everyone wrong and to show their quality.
Others might bring up Leicester’s win over Manchester United as contra argument, but really that was more like a moment of pure luck. It is true that Vardy was shining that afternoon, Cambiasso was playing at his best and even the fortune was on their side, but they were playing against an injured monster and they somehow took advantage of it and grabbed the win.
Looking at their squad, they can be stable with experienced player like Cambiasso but that is not the kind of player you need against fighters like Tiote, Sissoko or Obertan. This is their weak point and to make things even worse, that is the point where Newcastle has wonderful players. Although Leicester has strong forward with Vardy and Ulloa, I am convinced that this is not a type of game where you can get away with good pair of strikers. They still need the support from the midfield and that is where Newcastle has big advantage.
Overall, this is great opportunity for Pardew and his squad. The chance is here to increase their self-confidence and build up the team spirit, which I think will happen. I believe we will see Newcastle in the future fighting for the 7-10th spot on the table.
Overall, this is great opportunity for Pardew and his squad. The chance is here to increase their self-confidence and build up the team spirit, which I think will happen. I believe we will see Newcastle in the future fighting for the 7-10th spot on the table.
NostradamusTip: Home Win