'D' Day for NUFC

I could have used many cliches or anecdotes to introduce this piece but D-Day sounds about right. 'D' for Demba.

In amongst this period of internationals that don't really muster the interest anymore for us, we have a game that goes a bit towards determining our chances as a club in January and maybe February. In other words, it's Cheick Tiote v The double Demba's. All great players but to lose all three for a period was unthinkable, it's lucky that we only lose one or the other two.The draw itself was probably the only real luck we've had in such a long time as the permutation of this fixture happening to start with was rather high.

Analyzing the players individually is pointless as it's a straight forward case of which position can we manage without. We're light up front as it is and will definitely have to buy an extra striker on top of what's needed if Senegal win over the two legs. If the Ivory coast succeed, then Tiote's presence will be a major miss but not necessarily one that will loosen the purse strings as we have a few options in midfield.
Personally, im rooting for the Ivory Coast for obvious reasons but all this could be academical if Demba Ba moves to one of those clubs that have been speculated to want to sign him with his transfer clause apparently active again on January 1st.

What is it they say about life on Tyneside?

Im not gonna grab the usual cliche out of the bag but just admire that life up here is never stale and you know what?

I wouldn't change a thing.

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