The oldest and youngest managers in the Barclaycard Premiership pit their wits against one another for the second time as Sir Bobby Robson welcomes Chris Coleman and his Fulham side to St. James' Park on Monday evening.
If this game is anything like their first meeting, we're in for a cracker!
Despite losing the first game 3-2 and dropping down a couple of places since then, Chris Coleman's side returned to the top six with their 2-1 win over Everton last weekend. The Londoners are now one place and one point above Newcastle in the table after 21 games.
In a season in which, it would seem, any team is capable of beating any other on the day - perhaps with the exception of the top three - both Fulham and Newcastle have benefited from the fact that those around them have dropped points they would not have expected to. Whether either side can capitalise on that fortune in the second half of the season remains to be seen.
Fulham are not being considered as serious challengers for a Champions League place, but Coleman has already proved many doubters wrong and they should certainly not be written off yet - particularly if they get a result against Newcastle.
The Cottagers' away form has not matched that at home while The Magpies are always strongest in front of the Toon Army, suggesting that an upset may be unlikely on Tyneside.
But Fulham stunned Old Trafford with a 3-1 raid days after their defeat to Newcastle and having also won at White Hart Lane and Ewood Park, they have shown that they can be dangerous on their travels.
Fulham midfielder Sean Davis is returning to form after taking time to get back up to speed following his injury layoff. The 24-year-old - who nearly joined Everton earlier in the season - was at the heart of a determined display from his side, showing the Merseysiders what they were missing and silencing disparaging chants from visiting fans with an imperious 90 minutes in the 2-1 win.
His manager was certainly impressed by his effort, describing it as his finest performance for the club, and Davis admitted: "It was about time I put in a good game to be fair. Nobody's had a go at me, not the Gaffer nor the players, but I know myself that I haven't played all that well since I've been back.
"I thought I had a half decent game at Leeds, but I was a lot sharper against Everton, winning tackles and getting some passes in. But really it's just good to be involved in the team. I'm playing in a different role - I'm not playing in front of the back four anymore - and I think I'm adjusting to it now. But I'll play anywhere - right-back, up front, I don't
mind
Newcastle emerged victorious from a five-goal thriller at Loftus Road back in October as Alan Shearer's second-half double capped an incredible comeback from The Magpies.
At that time Newcastle had just got into gear after their dismal start to the season, while The Cottagers were still flying high following a surprisingly impressive first few months of the campaign.
Newcastle have certainly made their ambition clear as they battle to finish in the top four for the third year running.
Newcastle were pleased to take something from Old Trafford last Sunday, when they held Manchester United to a 0-0 draw.
After shipping 11 goals in two games against the champions last season, Sir Bobby Robson was pleased not to have conceded anything this time.
Right-back Aaron Hughes, who has been an important part of the Magpies backline this season, believes they are forming a good understanding with Shay Given behind them, and he believes the defensive qualities of the side are beginning to come through.
Newcastle have lost only two of their last 15 Premiership games, have conceded only four goals in their last 11 matches in all competitions and have not let in more than one in any fixture since they were thrashed 5-0 at Chelsea on November 9th.
Hughes said: "Everyone talks about the back four. But when you defend as a team, when everyone gets around the ball and everyone is working hard it makes a huge difference.
"We've just got ourselves into a little run - the back four as a unit and Shay. He's helped us out a few times. At Charlton, he pulled off all sorts of saves and kept us in it. That's a big point for us, really, because Chelsea went there the next week and got turned over. I think people didn't realise how big a point that was at the time.
"We've got ourselves into a little groove. It's like everything, once you're in a little bit of a run it's hard to get out of that run - and it's a nice thing when you're doing well."
Jonathan Woodgate's return has certainly helped, while Andy O'Brien's performance in helping to shutout Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes on Sunday - receiving some unwanted knocks on the nose in the process - may convince his manager to stick with him over Titus Bramble.
source=4thegame
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St James' Park in Newcastle
Premiership 22 -
19 Jan 04
|
Pos |
Newcastle |
Fulham |
Pos |
| Games Played |
7 |
21 |
21 |
6 |
| GOALS |
| Goals |
10 |
27 |
33 |
4 |
| Ave Goals Per Game |
|
1.29 |
1.57 |
|
| % Goals To Shots |
9 |
12% |
14% |
5 |
| Shots |
8 |
223 |
228 |
7 |
| Shots On Target |
10 |
95 |
110 |
6 |
| Ave Shots Per Game |
|
10.6 |
10.9 |
|
| Ave Shots On Target Per Game |
|
4.5 |
5.2 |
|
| % Shots On Target |
12 |
43% |
48% |
3 |
| PASSING |
| Short Passes |
|
5423 |
5526 |
|
| Long Passes |
|
2860 |
2272 |
|
| Total Passes |
5 |
8283 |
7798 |
7 |
| Ave Passes Per Game |
|
394 |
371 |
|
| % Overall Pass Completion |
|
74% |
71% |
|
| Ave passes completed per game |
|
292 |
264 |
|
| CROSSING |
| Total Crosses Made |
6 |
544 |
379 |
20 |
| Ave Crosses Per Game |
|
26 |
18 |
|
| DEFENDING |
| Goals Conceded |
6 |
22 |
29 |
12 |
| Ave Goals Conceded Per Game |
|
1.05 |
1.38 |
|
| Tackles |
20 |
471 |
723 |
1 |
| Tackles Won |
20 |
339 |
536 |
1 |
| % Tackles Won |
12 |
72% |
74% |
3 |
| Ave Tackles Won Per Game |
|
16 |
25 |
|
| Clean Sheets |
5 |
9 |
7 |
8 |
| DISCIPLINE |
| Fouls |
16 |
282 |
307 |
8 |
| Average fouls per game |
|
13 |
15 |
|
| Yellow Cards |
15 |
28 |
34 |
7 |
| Fouls per Yellows |
5 |
10.1 |
9.0 |
10 |
| Red Cards |
|
2 |
2 |
|
| Figures in the Pos columns indicate position in Premiership |
 |
|
Cipher stat flash
Fulham's visit to Newcastle is not made easier by the fuss caused by the transfer of want away striker Louis Saha.
- Newcastle are average as far as goal scoring is concerned having potted 6 less goals than The Cottagers. The difference between the two squads is in terms of accuracy with Fulham being one of the top 3 Premiership hotshots. It will soon become clear as to how much Fulham's goal scoring feats owe to tactics or Saha.
- In the middle of the park Newcastle's squad make more overall passes than Fulham and also complete more of them. The Magpies prefer long passes to the short type making some 25% more than Fulham. Newcastle make some 50% more crosses than Fulham who continue to make less crosses than any team in the Premiership.
- In defensive terms Newcastle have achieved better results than Fulham conceding 7 less goals, 6th best performance in the Premiership, and achieving 2 more clean sheets. Newcastle's defensive efforts are despite making and winning the least tackles of any Premiership squad. Fulham remain the top tackling team in the Premiership.
- As far as fouls and cards are concerned Fulham have received more than Newcastle.
With all the fun and games going on off the pitch at Fulham it is hard to know what team will turn up for the game. On form Fulham should have a hard job getting even a point but with a win at Man U and a draw at Arsenal who knows.
FULHAM
*The Cottagers have lost their last three on the road and are without an away maximum since the shock victory at Old Trafford just under two months ago. Their failure to win points on the road is partly the reason for forfeiting the fourth place they gained at the end of November.
* Lost four of the last six Premiership matches.
* Seeking a first win in five away matches.
* Scored in 17 of the 21 Premiership matches.
* Gone 14 Premiership matches since recording back-to-back victories.
The total of 29 top division goals have been scored by nine different players.
* The Cottagers have one more point than they did at this identical stage in the season before last when they finished a Premiership best 13th.
* The Londoners last won on Tyneside 24 years ago. Their 1-4 victory on 16 October 1982 in the old Second Division was Fulham's only win in 11 League visits to St James' Park. Fulham's last top flight victory at the North East club was 0-1 on 29 September 1951.
Newcastle
* Manager Bobby Robson, a one time Fulham player and manager, is hoping to guide his side to a first ever League 'double' over the Cottagers.
* Lost five home Premiership games in total this season.
* Conceded only six times in the Premiership at St James' Park.
* Kept six clean sheets in home League games.
* Come from behind seven times in top flight matches this season.
* Drawn four League games when the lead has been lost.
* Going into this round of matches, been awarded more penalties than any other club in Premiership games. Six of their seven spot kicks have been converted.
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