http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/02/01/fulham-v-newcastle-preview-andy-carrolls-exit-stunned-alan-par/Fulham v Newcastle Preview: Andy Carroll's Exit Stunned Alan Pardew
01/2/2011 10:17 AM GMT By Ben Hunt
PREMIER LEAGUE: CRAVEN COTTAGE, WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2011. KICK-OFF: 2000 GMT
When the January transfer window closed on Monday, it is fair to assume these two sides would have been left with polarising emotions.
Fulham were able to add three useful players to their ranks in Steve Sidwell, Gael Kakuta and Eidur Gudjohnsen, they were also able to retain the services of defender Brede Hangeland.
They can be pleased with the outcome, but Newcastle will be feeling somewhat shell-shocked, despite managing to sign Stephen Ireland on loan from Aston Villa.
United were stunned by the departure of Andy Carroll to Liverpool for £35 million, an astonishing amount of money for an inexperienced striker.
Even manager Alan Pardew admitted it was an "extraordinary" figure for a 21-year-old who has played for only six months in the Premier League. "The fact it's so huge is because of the timing of it," he said. "We did not want to lose Andy. If Andy had really wanted to stay, he could have stayed, but he is not here."
Some will argue that fee was simply too good to refuse. Yet while Carroll was rubber-stamping his deal at Anfield, the reality of what was left at Newcastle was finally setting in.
A late attempt to re-sign Charles N'Zogbia from Wigan - reportedly for double the £6 million sum they sold him for just two seasons ago - showed Newcastle were aware of their lack of firepower.
Pardew will start life without his striker at Craven Cottage while the backlash against Mike Ashley's ownership will no doubt resurface.
Key Match-up: Steve Sidwell v Joey Barton Sidwell is beginning to find his feet again at Fulham after warming the bench at Chelsea and Villa Park. The midfielder is a talented passer of the ball and gives Fulham an attacking presence in the middle of the pitch, while he is also not afraid to make tackles. Newcastle's very own midfield enforcer Barton will be looking to keep Sidwell's involvement to a minimum. Barton will need no more incentive than the arrival of Stephen Ireland on loan to prove to his manager that he should retain his place in the starting line up.
Form Guide: Fulham have been progressing nicely in the Premier League and can consider themselves unlucky not to have earned a point against Liverpool but for John Pantsil's unfortunate own goal. The 4-0 victory over Tottenham in the FA Cup last weekend will have given Fulham renewed confidence, while adding to their impressive home record. Newcastle's form has also been good. Wins over West Ham and Wigan have been matched by draws against Tottenham and Sunderland.
Odds: Fulham 11/10, Newcastle 13/5, Draw 23/10
Tweeter Facebook FourSquare iPhoneFULHAM:
Aaron Hughes is pleased with how Fulham have climbed away from the relegation zone, largely thanks to their home form.
The Northern Ireland international is now confident they can repeat their performance against Spurs when they face Newcastle in the Premier League.
He told the club's website: "From Christmas onwards we've had some really good performances and really good results.
"Even in the couple of games where we haven't got anything - we feel as though we deserved more out of them.
"When teams come to the Cottage we want to make sure we give them a tough game, we want them to know that when they come here they're in for a hard time.
"The Spurs game was all about getting through; you'd take a one-nil with the ball bouncing in off someone's knee. But to come away with a four-nil win is a good result.
"It was a great win, we got off to a great start it was important after getting a couple of goals not to give anything away at the back.
"We saw the game out really well; we scored some good goals and passed the ball around well -- which is obviously going to be a little bit easier against ten men.
"The one thing we wanted to make sure of was getting a clean sheet and not letting them back in the game. It was also good for David Stockdale to get a clean sheet because his form since he's come in has been fantastic."
Strategy: Manager Mark Hughes will be reluctant to make changes from the side that beat Spurs, so loan signings Gudjohnsen and Kakuta may have to settle for a place on the bench. Andrew Johnson looks set to keep his place in attack despite coming off against Tottenham.
Injury Update: Dickson Etuhu (hamstring) is poised to miss out along with goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer who has just returned from the Asian Cup with Australia. Philippe Senderos (Achilles) and Bobby Zamora (broken leg) remain absent.
NEWCASTLE UNITED:
Pardew's team have adapted to life without Carroll during his recent absence because of a thigh injury. But this is different.
Now they go into a match knowing that the goalscoring responsibilities lie with Leon Best, Peter Lovenkrands and Shola Ameobi for the rest of the season.
Despite Best's hat-trick against West Ham last month, the trio cannot guarantee to stretch Premier League defences on a regular basis until the end of the season.
The loss of Carroll may also have an effect on the morale of a team, who appreciated his qualities and will detect a lack of ambition at any club prepared to sell a young talent who was prepared to stay.
Pardew accepts that his departure will damage the squad. "We are going to miss Andy Carroll in the dressing room as a player and a character," he said.
"I think, in some of the things he said, he's slightly misguided. We certainly didn't twist his arm to put in the request or get on the helicopter.
"He had a five-year contract, a contract we said we would renew in the summer. He wanted to renew it straightaway. He made it clear he wanted to renew it now, and wanted to speak to Liverpool. That was when the power shifted."
Pardew added:"It does not feel good. It is difficult because I have to prepare a team for Fulham.
"The players feel the same, and of course the fans too. Their big icon has left the club. What we are going to do? It is a question we have to ask as a group, and answer it emphatically, first and foremost at Fulham. That has to be spot on. The players have been terrific without Andy and we have to carry that on."
This game will give an important clue to what lies ahead for United this season. They should be safe, but they are in a league where three successive setbacks can leave a team back in trouble.
Ireland has been the only recruit during the transfer window, but a hamstring injury will rule him out for the next two weeks.
Pardew said:"Stephen has shown over the past few seasons that he's a top player, so we're really pleased to have got him until the end of the season.
"As a creative midfielder he can create chances for others and score goals himself, and we think he can be a big factor for us in the second part of this season.
"I think Stephen feels he can deliver more than he's shown at Villa so far, so he's got a point to prove and I believe we can reap the benefits of that."
Strategy: Carroll's departure will not change Pardew's approach dramatically. He has been prepared to play two strikers while the £35 million man has been injured in recent weeks and will continue to be positive, although Ireland's presence may prompt Pardew to employ one front man, with the new signing and Kevin Nolan given a licence to break forward whenever possible.
Injury Update: Steven Taylor is close to a return after hamstring trouble, but is unlikely to be risked here. Ireland's hamstring problem rules him out, while Ryan Taylor, Hatem Ben Arfa, Dan Gosling and Alan Smith are still out. Cheik Tiote is suspended.
