Newcastle players on brink of suspension
A number of Newcastle players are at risk of suspension as we head to the business end of the Championship season.
The next five games will see a one match ban if any player reaches 10 yellow cards.
Players have to go beyond Sunday 12 March for the 10 yellow trigger to pass and Newcastle face Bristol City (H), Brighton (A), Huddersfield (A), Reading (A) and Fulham (H) in that period.
The three away games against promotion rivals are sure to be feisty affairs and bookings for some looks nailed on.
At most risk for NUFC is Matt Ritchie, the winger was ok in the last two matches but picked up three bookings in a row against QPR, Derby and Wolves, to put him on nine for the season.
Next highest are Jack Colback and Isaac Hayden, both with eight yellows so far.
Hayden looks set to pass the deadline without further incident as he is out injured but Colback is doing his best t pick up yet another suspension.
Despite only starting 15 Championship matches the midfielder has picked up eight in those games and with Isaac Hayden out injured, Colback looks assured of games. Wolves and Derby saw the former Sunderland player accelerate from six to eight.
With 23 yellows in 63 league starts in his first two Newcastle seasons, Jack Colback has taken on Cheick Tiote’s mantle for picking up daft bookings, with four suspensions already for United.
Altogether Newcastle’s players have picked up 71 yellows in all competitions, as well as Vurnon Anita’s red in the home match with Wolves. Both Dummett and Shelvey were of course also sent off due to Henri Lansbury’s cheating but later had their red cards rescinded.
Opposition clubs have accumulated 74 yellows and four reds when playing Newcastle throughout this season.
Bookings for Newcastle players in 2016/17 season:
9 Matt Ritchie
8 Jack Colback, Isaac Hayden
7 Paul Dummett
5 Yoan Gouffran, Jonjo Shelvey
4 Aleksandar Mitrovic
3 Karl Darlow, Dwight Gayle
2 Mohamed Diame, Grant Hanley, Ayoze Perez, DeAndre Yedlin
1 Vurnon Anita, Christian Atsu, Ciaran Clark, Daryl Janmaat, Matz Sels, Cheick Tiote
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