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The last time these two squads met, Monaco put Newcastle out of the UEFA Cup at the Quarterfinal round in 1997. Jean Tigana was leading a squad that had parts acquired by a younger Arsene Wenger including names you might recognize such as Fabien Barthez, Manu Petit and Thierry Henry. It's high time for revenge. Or to not exceed the low of losing to a third division German side.
My schedule has shifted a bit, so I'm going to drop the links after the jump - feel free to discuss them and life thread at the same time-- we're about 2 hours from kick off (ESPN in Britain)... I should be back, but just in case!
Magpies hope to land Carroll on the cheap (From The Northern Echo)
If a deal can be concluded for Carroll with Newcastle then it would seem difficult to imagine Carroll, Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba and Shola Ameobi all being retained in the same squad. And with the £7m clause in Ba's contract due to expire at the end of the month then the Senegalese striker remains the most likely candidate to depart Newcastle.
Captain Coloccini set to start for Newcastle - Newcastle United - Shields Gazette
Pardew says he will name a stronger side to face Claudio Ranieri’s team, with Coloccini keen to hit the ground running ahead of what promises to be a demanding campaign at home and abroad. "We have a harder game coming up, so we’ll play a more experienced side," Pardew told the Gazette. "We played a young side (against Chemnitzer), but nobody did themselves anything but favours."
Newcastle youngster James Tavernier is ready for his chance - Newcastle United - Shields Gazette
"My main aim is to play in a black and white shirt this season, but if I have to go out on loan again, I’d be happy to do that," Tavernier told the Gazette. "If the manager thinks that would take me in the right direction, and make me a better player, I’d do that. "Obviously, my main aim’s to be in the first team at Newcastle."
Newcastle’s offer was also understood to be minimal, paying only a small portion of his wages, and was laughed off by Liverpool’s owners – but is unlikely to be the final offer made by Ashley in this transfer window. Newcastle are expected to return with a cut-price bid towards the end of the window, in the hope of forcing Liverpool’s hand and tempting Carroll into making an emotional return to his hometown. Carroll, who is on holiday after being granted extra leave by Rodgers after appearing at Euro 2012, is said to have been surprised by the tone of the Ulsterman’s comments last week but sources close to him insist he still believes he can salvage his career on Merseyside.