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GOONERS GUIDE : NEWCASTLE UTD VS
BIRMINGHAM CITY
30.08.03
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Ouch! Even I'm feeling sorry for my Geordie mates after a
bumpy start to the season !!
Newcastle fans had great hopes for this season, and a 1-0 win at Partizan
Belgrade looked to be a good omen but since then it's all gone downhill with a
draw at Leeds and losses at St James's to both Manchester Utd and Belgrade to go
out of the Champions League.
This may seem like sacrilege but I'm going to say it anyway - Newcastle will not
be competitive at the top level until they replace Alan Shearer up front.
It's not that I'm knocking Shearer, he's been great but he is getting old, and
Newcastle are playing too much long ball into Shearer now that they're becoming
one dimensional and easy for teams to stop.
I'm saying this from experience. Arsenal suffered with Ian Wright up front in
his final years, despite Wrighty being a Highbury legend, the Gunners were just
too obviously reliant upon him. When Wright finished it was hard for a season -
but look at the options now. It's the same with Alan Shearer. Newcastle
have scored three league goals this season and Alan Shearer has them all.
Guess who Birmingham will be tightly marking this Saturday? :)
So can Birmingham City make it worse this Saturday?
Possibly .. but probably not.
Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has created a side in his own image. Hard working
- tough to beat - but too defensive. Birminngham beat Tottenham 1-0 on opening
day - and grabbed a point in a scoreless draw with Southampton.
But I just fancy the Geordie crowd to turn up in droves on Saturday and shout
the house down in a display of support for their side. They'll be like a 12th
(and possibly 13th) player for the home side and I expect the team to respond.
Newcastle beat Birmingham 1-0 here last year and a similar scoreline on Saturday
wouldn't surprise me.
And Alan Shearer will probably score the winner too, to make me look like an
idiot, but I'm right about this you know. :)
THE FIXED ODDS PICK :
Confidence 68% : I'll have a bit on NEWCASTLE to get
back to winning ways.
THE ASIAN HANDICAP PICK :
Confidence 68% : Take NEWCASTLE at -3/4 handicap if you
can find it.
THE SPECIAL PICK :
Confidence 55% : Well, it has to be ALAN SHEARER to
score first doesn't - just to prove me wrong !!
GOONERSGUIDE BETTING NOTES : ( 68%-18%-14% )
KEY FACTORS :
HOME SUPPORT The fans at St James's Park can yell
their side to victory.
The Gooners
Guide
http://goonersguide.com/picks~2i.htm
Kopitalks
I have utmost respect for the analysis of The Gooners Guide.
I always thought The Gooner is insightful and spot on with his analysis on the
EPL matches. Interest stuffs!
Soaring Magpies
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