Spurs (h)

Wednesday evening and it’s Carling Cup time at St James’ Park. This year’s 3rd round guests are every Newcastle board members favourite team Tottenham Hotspur. At present both Newcastle and Spurs are battling it out to become bottom of the Premier League so this game will give the Sky Sports vultures plenty to sink their teeth into in what should be seen as a welcome distraction, but is more likely to end with more misery for the Toon faithful.

Looking more on the bright side, our recent form against Spurs has been exceptional and two of our best results came against this lot last season. There is also the unlikely chance of us ending the reign of another Spurs boss, fast in the footsteps of Martin Jol, with talk of Jande Ramos’ being unsettled in North London. Unfortunately that’s where the positives end. At present we are a club in complete disarray from top to bottom. Is Ashley really trying to sell? Are the board even looking for a new manager? Will any of the players actually want to stay longer than they have to? How many fans will turn up on Wednesday? Are all questions which require answers.

Habib Beye is again unlikely to figure so there is again question marks as to who is best suited to the right back role. Edgar’s performance was questioned on Saturday, Geremi would be the obvious choice for us, but Taylor could also fill in if necessary. Bassong could be a candidate for left back too to allow N’Zogbia to play in a more attacking role.

A good result for Spurs could ignite their season; however the same cannot be said for us as off the pitch problems loom heavily above us. There have been positives from our last couple of games which suggest a result is more than achievable, but the overwhelming low feeling around the place won’t subside until the Club is moving forward again and that could take some time.

Beyewatch prediction 2-1 (aet)