I really think the lads will needed one when they arrive for Saturday’s game at Stamford Bridge – a ground where we have never won from previously 14 visits in the Premier League. After that United’s next four away League games are against the Top team Manchester United, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool, with an optional “easy one” in the third round of the FA Cup at Stoke City on January 6th.

Those games are when we will be without Oba Martins, Geremi, Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye as they will be heading to the African Nations Cup. To anticipate the departures, Allardyce has confirmed that Alan Smith will took the duty to skippering Newcastle United.

“It’s a permanent decision for now because obviously Geremi is going away to the African Nations,” said Allardyce. “We need to establish for a while somebody who can captain the side on a regular basis with the attitude, desire and commitment that Alan shows.”

Smudger will lead the United team again when they take on Chelsea tomorrow. Newcastle will try to break their solid home records where they are having a run of 72 matches unbeaten in the Premier League. Duff admits at the official site, that it won’t be easy going to former club Chelsea on the back of the Boxing Day defeat at Wigan, but says that the Magpies have to come out fighting at Stamford Bridge.

“With all due respect to Derby and Wigan, we should be beating teams like that.” Damien said as quoted from the official site, “We’re gutted and surprised because we thought we’d turned the corner with some good results. But that’s been the story of our season, we turn things around then suffer a poor result like Wigan.”

Damien said the Chelsea match can be United next turning point into something more positive result following the recent two disappointments at home and JJB Stadium. Newcastle should displays another performance just like what they did against Arsenal to win the Toon Army hearts back again.

“It’ll be nice to go back but, to be honest, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing this weekend – we have to come out fighting and give it a good go for ourselves and the fans.” Said Duff.

Tomorrow, Chelsea are without injured pair John Terry and Didier Drogba, while Ashley Cole and Ricardo Carvalho were sent off in Wednesday’s thrilling 4-4 draw with Aston Villa and face suspensions.

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Geremi hasn’t give the exact time he will packed and leave Tyneside. The other United’s African player are have send their flight schedules to Sam Allardyce.

Nigerian Obafemi Martins will leave as soon as after the end of the fixture on January 3. While the Senegalese duo Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye both will leave after United’s FA Cup tie with the Potters on January 11 or 12.

Big Sam having problem to pick Geremi’s deputy as he believes giving the task to someone else as his skipper means that the player should have the ability to handle plenty of authority on the field. He gives the example of Kevin Nolan thrived on the responsibility when Allardyce gave him the armband at Bolton Wanderers.

“But I have to say that deciding on just who was going to be my captain is probably one of the most difficult, and now I will have to decide again.” Allardyce said as quoted from the Chronicle, “Obviously, we are losing Geremi at the turn of the year and I will give a lot of thought as to who will replace him as captain of Newcastle United.”

Recently, Alan Smith has taken the responsibility when Big Sam has to taken off his skipper during United’s match. Beside him, Newcastle still have more options to be the skipper’s caretaker.

Nicky Butt has the size of enough experience and I believe he can be a good deputy for Geremi.

The same experience is also be found in United’s long serving goalkeeper Shay Given. I thought at the start of the season campaign Given will take the legacy from Shearer.

We also have Mark Viduka, who is skippering the socceroos team during the last World Cup in Germany.

So I think the duty of being United’s skipper is actually everyone’s job at St. James’ Park. Using the armband or not, Newcastle players should have the ability to authorized the game and to lead the team into victory.

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