5 Decisions Newcastle Manager Alan Pardew Must Make for the Derby vs. Sunderland
The first Tyne-Wear derby of the season is upon us at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, and for fans of Newcastle United and Sunderland, the tension is mounting.
The Black Cats find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Premier League going into the fixture, with just one point from a possible 24 on the board after their opening eight games.
The Geordies, however, have enjoyed a more productive start to the 2013-'14 campaign and currently sit in 10th place after a well-earned draw with Liverpool last weekend.
Toon boss Alan Pardew and his players will have revenge in mind following last season’s 3-0 defeat at St. James’ Park, and here we look at just some of the decisions facing the Magpies’ manager.
Who Partners Mike Williamson in the Centre of Defence?
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At the start of the season, Mike Williamson was Newcastle United’s fourth-choice centre-back and didn’t even make the substitutes bench for their opening five fixtures.
Going in to the Tyne-Wear clash with Sunderland, however, the 29-year-old is certain to start at the Stadium of Light following Fabricio Coloccini’s groin injury and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa’s suspension.
The big question for Alan Pardew is who to play alongside the former Watford and Wycombe Wanderers man, with his choices limited to local boys Paul Dummett and Steven Taylor.
Dummett made a huge impression against Liverpool last weekend, capping a fine defensive performance with his first goal for the club.
And with question marks surrounding Taylor’s match fitness after a nine-game lay-off, don’t be surprised to see Alan Pardew give the youngster his first Premier League start.
Does Papiss Cisse Start Up Front or on the Bench?
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Starved of a chance to break his 1066-minute goal drought against Liverpool, Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse will be hoping his opportunity comes at Sunderland.
But given the Senegalese striker didn’t even make it off the bench last weekend, he may be made to wait a bit longer to register his first Premier League goal in 13 games.
Manager Alan Pardew has shuffled his front three in recent weeks, with Frenchman Yoan Gouffran becoming a regular feature alongside Hatem Ben Arfa and Loic Remy.
And the dilemma facing the 52-year-old is whether to give his No. 9 a chance in the starting XI at the Stadium of Light or name him among his substitutes once more.
Moussa Sissoko: Stick or Twist?
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Moussa Sissoko has been something of a Jekyll and Hyde figure for Newcastle United so far this season—though he is certainly not the only one to have faced this accusation.
On his day, the powerful Frenchman poses a real threat, and his pace and direct running get him into some promising positions from midfield.
But on more than one occasion, the former Toulouse man has become bogged down by the hurly-burly of the Premier League and has been known to go missing at crucial times.
With Cheick Tiote putting in a man-of-the-match performance against Liverpool and Yohan Cabaye in excellent form for the Magpies, the pair are certain to start at Sunderland.
And with the impressive Vurnon Anita waiting in the wings, Sissoko should be looking over his shoulder as the big game draws near.
Where to Play Hatem Ben Arfa?
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Having been dropped for the trip to Cardiff City at the beginning of the month, Hatem Ben Arfa was handed a central role against Liverpool but failed to make an impact.
Usually housed out wide in Newcastle United’s starting XI, the Frenchman lacked the space to run at the opposition and make the most of his dazzling footwork and trickery.
Whether cutting in from the left or the right, the former Marseille star looks far more comfortable either side of a central striker.
And for the short trip to Wearside to face Sunderland, Alan Pardew must determine how the 26-year-old can exploit the Premier League’s leakiest defence.
Getting His Starting Formation Right
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Given the nature of the fixture, Sunderland will be encouraged to attack their opponents from the start of Sunday’s derby—and Newcastle United will need to come prepared.
There is no doubt that if the Magpies repeat the kind of performance that saw them hold Liverpool to a draw, then there’s every chance they’ll leave the Stadium of Light with a good result.
Despite the home side’s lowly league position, this edgy fixture has a habit of serving up the unexpected, and Alan Pardew and his players must keep their concentration if they are to get the job done.
The Toon boss may well be tempted to test the Black Cats’ defence early, and a quick United goal would increase the tension on the terraces.
But Gus Poyet will be eager to make a good impression in what is his first home game in charge of the Wearsiders, and Newcastle would be unwise to take anything for granted.
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