Chelsea v Newcastle tonight!
September 22nd 2010 10:27
Link: twitter.com/mattsaltmer
In the third round of the League Cup tonight, my team Newcastle United travel to Stamford Bridge, to face the already run away leaders of the Premier League Chelsea. Given that the Blues have won five out of five so far this campaign, and scored 21 goals, you'd be a fool to expect to even get close to them, especially on their own turf. However, I do feel Newcastle have a chance of causing an upset tonight ... just a chance.
The fact is that the League Cup, or Carling Cup, is a chance for Premier League sides to give their youngsters, and fringe players a run out. The likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and particularly Arsenal, rarely risk any senior players until the semi-final at the earliest. Chelsea's line up tonight is likely to feature fantastic young talents such as Daniel Sturridge (pictured above), Gael Kakuta, Patrick Van Aanholt and Jeffrey Bruma. While all of these have huge futures ahead, the question is, are they good enough now to beat Hughton's team.
Newcastle will not be at full strength either. Chris Hughton likes to give opportunities to players like Ameobi, Ranger, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor and Tamas Kadar in this competition. These are good, Premiership quality players, but not quite good enough for the first team. There may also be starts tonight for Alan Smith, and a possible debut for Sol Campbell. While Chelsea have great prospects on the pitch, these players are currently better.
The rest of the team will be made up of our own talented crop of young players, like Ryan Donaldson, Haris Vukcic, Shane Ferguson and James Tavernier. Given the injury to Steve Harper at the weekend, Tim Krul now looks set for an extended run in the side, but would have been likely to start at Stamford Bridge tonight anyway.
It is devastating for Steve Harper, that after waiting 15 years to be our number 1 keeper in the Premier League, he looks like he will miss a huge chunk of the season. But I am delighted that this gives the hugely talented, 22 year old Dutchman Krul his chance. All Toon fans know, that the two best young players at our club are both goalkeepers, Krul, and Fraser Forster, currently on loan at Celtic. Having impressed in his limited first team opportunities so far, the next few monthes give Krul his chance to cement his place in the side, and that starts tonight.
Having not won a trophy in 41 years, and a domestic trophy in 55 years, Newcastle United would love a run in this years cup competitions, to go with Premier League safety. While on the face of it Chelsea away may seem the worst possible draw, it may be kinder than drawing a mid table side, as they will rest their stars. With more Premier League sides eliminated last night, it would be brilliant if Newcastle could progress to the next round, and I do feel we have a chance.
Tonight's League Cup Third Round Fixtures;
Aston Villa v Blackburn
Chelsea v Newcastle
Liverpool v Northampton
Scunthorpe v Manchester United
West Brom v Manchester City
Wigan v Preston
Last night's League Cup Third Round Results;
Birmingham 3-1 MK Dons
Brentford 1-1 Everton (Brentford won 4-3 on penalties)
Burnley 1-0 Bolton
Millwall 1-2 Ipswich
Peterborough 1-3 Swansea
Portsmouth 1-2 Leicester
Stoke 2-0 Fulham
Sunderland 1-2 West Ham
Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal (AET)
Wolves 4-2 Notts County (AET)
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