Sky Sports expert Paul Merson looks ahead to this weekend's live offerings.....
Merse on Blackburn v Chelsea
Merse on Fulham v Newcastle
Blackburn v Chelsea
I covered Chelsea's game against Roma in midweek for Soccer Special and it was unbelievable to see them lose the way they did.
Chelsea: wounded pride
The first half was like a testimonial game for Chelsea, it was that easy, and then Roma scored out of nothing from a free-kick and went on to win comfortably. You don't normally see Chelsea lose like that. When you play in Europe you want to make a statement and send a message to teams across the continent - like Juventus did by beating Real Madrid away. People will be talking about Chelsea losing 3-1 to Roma for some time and that will hurt their players.
People will be talking about Chelsea losing 3-1 to Roma for some time and that will hurt their players. So put it this way, it's bad news for Blackburn.
Paul Merson
Quotes of the week
1.00pm, Sun, Sky Sports 1&HD1
Fulham v Newcastle
3.30pm, Sun, Sky Sports 1&HD1
So put it this way, it's bad news for Blackburn.
What Roma did show is that you can get some joy if you are patient against Chelsea. They played the first 25 minutes with hardly anybody up front and with hardly any possession of the ball even they were at home. They are used to playing like that in Italian football and the fans don't get on their backs.
Rovers resistance
Can Blackburn do that or will the fans want them to push forwards and have a go at Chelsea? If they go end to end and try to open the game up they're going to get smashed so a lot will depend on how disciplined the Blackburn players are. The crowd may want them to attack, attack, attack but if they do that they could end up shipping four or five.
Paul Ince needs to find a happy medium. Roque Santa Cruz could cause Chelsea major problems and make a massive difference if he's fit. If not I can't see anything other than a Chelsea win on that big open pitch.
Blackburn haven't won in five games but I think they've been unlucky in some of those matches. I don't think Ince is far away from producing a winning team with a little bit more luck and a little bit more experience. He's done well so far, he's got some decent players and I'm sure they'll finish around the middle of the table. Unfortunately they are bumping into a very good team with something to prove on Sunday.
PAUL'S PREDICTION
Away win - This will be 3-0 or 4-0 to Chelsea. They are too good and can open it up on a big pitch.They're hurting from the other night and will really want to put on a show.
MERSON'S MAGIC MAN
Didier Drogba - I've a feeling he could play in this game because it would be the perfect match to give him a run-out. His movement and his strength will allow him to hold the ball up, so people like Frank Lampard can make their runs off him.
Fulham v Newcastle
Joe Kinnear has done a great job at Newcastle. He's got them in shape, they're all working hard and they all know what they're doing.
Don't get me wrong, they've had to ride their luck at times. They could have been dead and buried at half time against Villa and if that game had been at the start of the season they probably would have been. But when you have a bit of luck you've got to take advantage of it - and they did that in the second half when they could have won by more than two.
Under Kinnear they've definitely turned the corner. If he wants to get back into football he's not doing himself any harm at all and I'm sure there will be jobs for him at other clubs because he's done brilliantly. It seems his experience has been priceless for them.
Luck's out
Unlike Newcastle, Fulham aren't getting those slices of luck at the moment, we saw that against Everton. They don't seem to be much of a threat away from home, but it's a different story at Craven Cottage. They've won three games there this season and it's becoming a hard place to go.
I am a little bit worried about them because everybody else down the bottom is winning games and Fulham have got it in their locker to lose five on the trot. This is a massive game for both teams, but more so for Fulham because they'll have earmarked home games such as these as must-win matches.
Roy Hodgson needs to tell them to play with confidence. Jimmy Bullard is a good player in the engine room, Danny Murphy can open any defence up on his day and I like the front two of Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora. So they're always a threat but sometimes they play well and lose and they need to start taking their breaks when they come along. It's a thin line and I'm sure they will be absolutely determined to win this game.
PAUL'S PREDICTION
Home win - When it comes down to it, home advantage is absolutely massive in these games at the bottom of the table. Newcastle will see a draw as a good result, but Fulham are thinking they have to win. That mentality will give Fulham the advantage. I'll go for a 2-1 home win.
MERSON'S MAGIC MEN
Joey Barton and Jimmy Bullard - The two men I'm looking to in this game is Joey Barton and Jimmy Bullard. Whoever wins the battle between those two will win the game. Jimmy will try to get under Joey's skin - but will Joey fall for it and laugh or will he bite? If he bites then it's advantage Fulham.
Comments (29)
Adam Clark (Fulham fan) says...
Michael Moron, you look like a fool now don't you. Jack Parker and Jimmy McVeigh also deserve special mention for the part they played in some laughable replies. We rode our luck at times but we showed we are no walkover, as some of you were expecting. We have a far better defence than yours, Hangeland at the heart of it would walk into the Newcastle back line. At the end of the day it was the defence that ultimately was the difference, that and we have Johnson and not Ameobi upfront. As for the Villa fan, Mark, I don't think even he knows what he's on about, Fulham played Newcastle, not Chelsea.
Posted 10:44 11th November 2008
Tristan Smith (Fulham fan) says...
Yeah, you lot really know your football don't you. Exactly as Merson says, tight game, 2-1 to the home side. Maybe if you actually watched a few games before passing judgement on Fulham you'd actually have a clue. Bullard our only good player? Hmm, yes, okay.....
Posted 11:27 10th November 2008
Rob Gleeson (Chelsea fan) says...
Doesn't look so silly now my friend!
Posted 09:38 10th November 2008
Tom Buckland (Fulham fan) says...
I am actually quite amused by some of the arrogant/flippant/derisory comments made about the quality of the Fulham team by some of the Newcastle (Mr Moody and the last two in particular). You live in a dreamworld! Look where your team is in the table and actually WATCH some football other than your own teams and then you might know what you were talking about people. Hangeland is by far better than any of the Newcastle centre backs - fact. Bullard obviously would get in your side, and while you have some great strikers AJ id rather have AJ than Ameobi any day of the week. Danny Murphy over Nicky Butt.... And as for Mooneys comment on us playing ugly football youre confusing Hodgons team with Sanchez's one of a whole year ago. It just shows you dont have a clue mate and shouldnt be let anywhere near a keyboard as all you do is embarass yourself! Anyway, actually saying all that you are by some way not the worst team ive seen this season and have some very good players going forward. Jonas looks a fantastic player and i was glad when he went off. Duffs still very dangerous on occasion and Oba is a fantastic striker, a real joy to watch. In fact the post left by Lee Sibbald summed your team up perfectly today. Id also like to say in general Newcastle fans are fantastic and i hope your team does well this season (1 place lower than us!).
Posted 22:19 9th November 2008
Bob James (Fulham fan) says...
Oh dear Michael Moody, if you honestly think that none of the Fulham XI would get into your 'big club' XI after today's comfortable 3 points , you are seriously deluded and clearly another Geordie who can't face the fact that you 1) STILL have an absolutely shocking defence 2) on that showing you will be another 'big club' casualty of the premier league. That Argentinian who was subbed might come in for Gera on his current form but I'm scratching my head to find any more replacements........
Posted 21:47 9th November 2008
M F (Liverpool fan) says...
Mark Hailstone - Fulham have no chance of beating Chelsea eh?Good job they're playing Newcastle today then isn't it...... As for Merson's predicitons, they've been utter rubbish recently. He had Liverpool with no chance against Chelsea at the bridge, and yesterday he didn't give Arsenal a hope in hell on beating Utd.
Posted 13:01 9th November 2008
Alex Churn (Newcastle United fan) says...
Aside from Bullard, I can't think of one member of the Fulham team I want at Newcastle, let alone one who would walk into our first team. The result though, is not a forgone conclusion. The Jekyll & Hyde nature of the Magies football, and the Cottagers home advantages sees to that. However, with so many match winners in the squad, and recent form taken into account, my money would be on an away win, if any.
Posted 12:53 9th November 2008
Nick Bylund (Fulham fan) says...
I actually thought most Newcastle fans were more realistic. Some of the comments on here shows the same lack of respect one would suspect from The top four clubs fans. Hangeland, Schwarzer, Bullard (when in form) would all start for Newcastle. Look at Fulhams defensive performances this season and compare them to Newcastle. That is an area where I claim Fulhams superiority. Attacking wise, Newcastle is really good, hands down and so much better than us. Although I have to say JK has done a good job turning primadonnas into fighters I can't see it last for long. He's just not good enough for a "sleeping gigant" like NUFC in the long run. I hope for a good game, and obviously a Fulham win. Please spare us from a game like the one last year which was utterly boring to watch. Regarding the comment that nobody wants to see our football based on the number of televised games. That's ridiculous, ever heard of supply and demand? The more fans a club has globally will be more of an indicator as to weather the games are shown.
Posted 12:18 9th November 2008
Al Spence (Newcastle United fan) says...
Newcastle have had a strong squad since Keegans first spell in the 90s. The fact is they have not performed anywhere near their potential since Bobby Robson. Look at their squad now. Given, Coloccini, Barton, Butt, Owen, Martins, Ameobi (at last) Duff and Guitterez. In addition they have had probably the worst injury list over the past 6 seasons of any premiership club. The way we are playing right now is still only about 80% of our potential but it is enough to beat Fulham comfortably, and even at 80% we surpass the mackems as usual even though we lost recently at the stadium of darkness. We will finish above them in the league as always.
Posted 12:05 9th November 2008
Andy Pymont (Newcastle United fan) says...
I agree with Michael Considine that it's silly to say no Fulham player would improve our squad, but who exactly does he think Hangeland would be able to displace in our defence? Knowing my luck this comment will ensure that Hangeland plays a blinder tomorrow, but I'm not sure he's good enough for NUFC or generally for the sort of top-half side we are trying to be. Is Hangeland not a centre-back? If so, who will he replace? Coloccini is gradually adapting to life in England, and once he cracks it he clearly has more naturally ability and will be our top centre back. Taylor is getting better every season, and by playing him wherever possible we are developing him to the point where he will be amazing in his late 20s - think of Carragher, who noone rated for years as the homegrown player playing out of position in Liverpool's defence and then suddenly matured into one of the best defenders in the world. Given that I wouldn't replace Taylor or Coloccini with Hangeland, that means to get in our team he'd have to play out of position at one of the full back positions. We've really struggled when we've had to do that in recent seasons, and the return of a specialist left full back in the shape of Jose Enrique was one of the factors that won the game on Monday night. "Newcaste's defence is shocking" is an easy comment to make, but it isn't really true. The current unit is the best we've had in quite a while, although they still struggle for the same reason the previous teams have - they don't always get the right support from the rest of the team. We got that right on Monday night, let's hope we do it again at Craven Cottage.
Posted 04:03 9th November 2008
I'm Not that moody (Fulham fan) says...
And Newcastle fans show they're the most blinkered in the country. "you cannot name one Fulham player that could get a game if he were at Newcastle", "Fulham will have to dig deep to stop the rot from five successive defeats", "Fulham lacks any real quality apart from Bullard", they don't know their chalk from their chickens. 2-1 to Fulham.
Posted 22:45 8th November 2008
Kieran Broyd (Fulham fan) says...
i think the prediction is right becuase fulham have the home advantage and the fact that in the last 4 games they have been better we survived 80 mins at everton we beat wigan and draw with sunderland i think roy should play dempsey and not gera dempsey cares bout the fans and the football
Posted 22:08 8th November 2008
Patrick Curotte (Fulham fan) says...
Wow Michael, thans for that in depth analysis of our playing style. The fact that we're not on tv often definitely proves that we play ugly football. Had you done any research you'd know that Roy Hodgson has implemented a very stylish brand of football, pundits were calling as "gorgeous" as we out passed Arsenal to win at home. All year we've played a decent style of football based on running and passing, all year we've had a great back four (4th best in the league), our problem has been scoring, especially away from home. Bullard's great on his day but inconsistent and has had dome bad games since his call up. Johnson looks to be coming in to form (brace against pompey 10 days ago, should have been 3), Hangeland is a brilliant defender whose lanky appearence betrays his class and strength, at home we are a very hard team to beat and you lot will find it hard to score. I suggest all of you start looking to the table rather than your over inflated egos, I look forward to reading your whining on the newcastle forums once you struggle to get any shots on target and we carefully, and systematically defeat you as we have Bolton,Arsenal and Wigan at home.
Posted 22:07 8th November 2008
Jimmy Mcveigh (Newcastle United fan) says...
I have to agree, the Fulham team really lacks any quality bar Jimmy Bullard. However, the toon can be unpredictable and like some I didnt expect anything against Villa. I think this will be a tight one but we have the quality if the right team turns up, 2-1 Newcastle
Posted 15:56 8th November 2008
Jack Parker (Newcastle United fan) says...
i agree with Michael Moody the newcasle fan as fulham would happily have most of the newcastle first xi as there's. when it comes down to it we are and have been better than fulham for as long as i can remeber. if we draw it is a dissapiontment let alone loose!
Posted 13:33 8th November 2008
Lee Sibbald (Newcastle United fan) says...
I agree with a previous poster - Jimmy Bullard is an excellent player, and always a threat at set pieces. I think the toon would have him, as would a lot of other teams I'm sure. AJ is another matter, far-too inconsistant to be considered good enough although when he's on his game he's always a threat. Newcastle have played - at times - some excellent football in recent games. At other times, however, we've been dreadful - the first hald against Villa being a prime example of how much we tend to rely on luck and JFK's half-time rallying calls before finding our way. That said, Martins was on fire against Villa right from the start, and Shola has been such an improved player since JFK's arrival that I'm begginning to suspect it's someone else in disguise! Jonas is always a threat down the wing and with the improving Duff making a difference, we have a lot of quality going forward. The midfield is suspect in my opinion, with Butt being too slow and Barton too much of a liability (although his passing is generally excellent). The defence is as always a bit suspect, but it's much improved than in recent seasons and some people might be surprised how decent the defence can be at times. I usually don't agree with Merson when it comes to North-Eastern teams, as he appears to have a North/South chip on his shoulder (an opinion formed from watching him every weekend on SSN), however he does have a point about home advantage. The toon are also horrible travellers but, if it's scoreless at half-time, I fully expect the toon to come out a different team and really take it to Fulham. Prediction: score-draw
Posted 12:28 8th November 2008
Andrew Donohue (Newcastle United fan) says...
Got to agree with the Fulham fans, that kind of attitude is one that will get us beaten. Bullard is a fantastic player and Paul is right, whoever wins the midfield battle will have the advantage. Having said that I do see Newcastle having the advantage in this game because of their last two results. Agreed, they were nervous victories, but victories nonetheless. Fulham will have to dig deep to stop the rot from five successive defeats. Hand on heart I hope they do stop the rot - just not in this game! Away win by one goal.
Posted 11:50 8th November 2008
Lee Brown (Newcastle United fan) says...
Although Fulham is a "difficult" place to go, im fairly confident that Newcastle will win. We have more quality than Fulham and although they have beaten us a few times in the past, the last 2 wins in a row will give the Toon Army a Massive boost. We need the Board to sort out their situation and get a permanent Manager in whether it be Kinnear, or someone else, we need some extra stability at the club to ensure the last 2 wins were not luck. Owen needs to sign a new contract, if he doent, i really dont know who will come in to replace him although Oba Martins is one for the near future!! COME ON NEWCASTLE!!!
Posted 11:20 8th November 2008
Michael Considine (Manchester United fan) says...
I think it is ridiculous to say that not one fulham player would make it into the newcastle team, hanglehand would easily improve the newcastle dfence, bullard and davies would go into midfield and AJ wouldnt be far from making it either
Posted 09:15 8th November 2008
Arpit Mehrotra (Newcastle United fan) says...
Time for NUFC to get some points in the bag, think Joe has done wonders to the confidence and I thik the problem which Joe will have is to pick the correct Midfeild and correct strikers, I think we should go with 4-3-3, I mean how can u drop Shola he has scored offlate, Owen & Martins are wonderful strikers. Newcastle have to dominate the midfeild and have to get some crosses to Owen and martins, my pick would be Jonas on left, Mr Jail Barton (beware of Bullard) and Duff on right, would still play Nzgobia cus he brings on creativity. I think a Owen would like to prove a point before Jan window and game against fulham is a great opportunity, but my pick would be Jonas I thik he will score.. 1-3 will be the final score..cus we cant keep clean sheet away from home.
Posted 07:50 8th November 2008
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