Game on! Newcastle v Tottenham.

It's game on as Newcastle take on Tottenham at St James' Park this afternoon in a match that could prove vital for the aspirations of both sides.

A win for Tottenham and Harry Redknapp and co will be talking of a title charge for the remainder of the season, whereas a win for Newcastle could perhaps signal a late season charge towards a top-half finish in the table, and dare I say it, maybe even aim for an outside shot at European qualification?

It may sound deluded, but if results go our way today we could be sitting in 7th place in the table, with a half decent run of games coming up. Don't get me wrong, 17th will still do for me, but given that we find ourselves in the top half of the table why shouldn't we go for it?

Alan Pardew has said that Newcastle United have to be aiming to win games at home, and that he will set his side up accordingly. Call me fickle, but I like that a lot, and agree that we should be looking to try and force the issue at home whoever we are playing against.

He will have to try and get a win with a squad that is down to the bare bones due to injury and suspension, as pointed out in my match preview that you can read by clicking this link. You can also view some handy match stats and fun facts in that review aswell.

I've had a quick look and there seems to be a few streams knocking around, but if you manage to find a particularly good one, or one that just works, then please feel free to leave a link to it in the comments box below.

This will be a tough game, but Newcastle are quite capable of springing a surprise, even with a load of injuries. Hopefully they can spring a surprise today and leave Tottenham's odious manager fuming. Is it just me, or does Redknapp have a face like a Camel's labia? It's almost identical to what I imagine one to look like anyway.

I see Rafael van der Vaart has been opening his gob and said that Newcastle play a lot of long-balls. The Dutchman, who usually oartners 6ft 7in Peter Crouch and feeds off his knock-down's, needs to look at his own side. I'm guessing that 'Van the man' is a little bitter because he is being outscored in the league by our own Transit van in the shape of Kevin Nolan.

An honourable mention must go to superstar Argie defender, Fabricio Coloccini, as he celebrates his 29th birthday today. A nice song from the crowd would be good, and three points would be an ideal gift for the curly-haired maestro.

Howay the lads!

Team news is as follows...

Newcastle: Steve Harper, Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Joey Barton, Danny Guthrie, Kevin Nolan, Jonas Gutierrez, Shola Ameobi, Leon Best.

Subs: Tim Krul, Sol Campbell, James Perch, Shane Ferguson, Peter Lovenkrands, Xisco, Nile Ranger.

Tottenham: Carlo Cudicini, Alan Hutton, Michael Dawson, William Gallas, Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon, Luka Modric, Jermaine Jenas, Steven Pienaar, Rafael van der Vaaart, Jermain Defoe.

Subs: Stipe Pletikosa, Vedran Corluka, Younes Kaboul, Sebastien Bassong, Niko Kranjcar, Sandro, Peter Crouch.