EPL 2/1/2008 - Newcastle vs Manchester City

If Newcastle cannot beat the worst away team in the English Premier League next to Derby, Big Sam should get the sack and the team should be relegated. Yes, Liverpool didn't beat Manchester City either, but they had Elano in the team and they were at home. The Blues are dreadful away and their influential playmaker might be benched for a rest (Sven seems to be looking for his lost England touch), while world-class striker Emile Mpenza could be slated for a return?

Newcastle needs enfant terrible Joey Barton back in the team for an injection of hooligan heat - without him they can huff and puff all they want but even three little pigs could blow a house down faster than a crocked Michael Owen and bumbling Martins.

Big Sam has been exposed - it's a good thing he would never be considered for the England post. There are too many English managers like him - excel with average, budget-constrained teams because there are no high expectations, and then flop disastrously when they get all the money they want once hired by a larger and higher profile club. The reason is obvious - they are not good judges of quality players.

Anyway, that said, looks for Newcastle to come out storming for the first half and take a comfortable lead before getting rocked by Manchester City. Still, I can see the Magpies squeaking out a home win.