Probably not. The win last week was excellent. Not expected yet hugely welcome we now have to do it all over again this time against an in form Tottenham Hotspur which leaves me with the same feeling I had prior to the match last weekend. Hopefully the outcome is the same but I just can’t see it.
So where do we stand in the table? Well picking up at least a point is essential yet unlikely, especially after Bournemouth picked up three points against Manchester United yesterday, but it won’t be enough to climb out of the bottom three. An unlikely win by the odd goal would see us climb to 15th temporarily while an even more unlikely victory with a four goal margin would see us jump to 14th. Yeah…. I thought that too so I’ll pass the drugs around. All the same you can check what the bookmakers say and enhance your odds using this promotion.
A premature outline of the early team news and injury updates can be found in the match preview which went up last night. It also features a look at the history of the fixture, some stats and facts ahead of the game and some random thoughts from myself dotted throughout.
For actual team news you can consult the bottom of the article. I will try to get it published as soon as it becomes available but I’ve been to work all morning so you may have to bear with while I start cooking the roast and so on. If you really can’t wait have a look in the ‘comments’ section below and I’m sure one of our regulars will have it up in seconds.
Likewise if it is a stream you are looking for you are best served turning towards our regulars who will often post links throughout the comments section which is especially useful for those who aren’t at the game or don’t have Sky Sports or who aren’t in a pub watching the match.
Other than all of that there isn’t really much to add apart from a bit of wishful thinking and blind faith. Well sort of faith anyway. As much faith as you can have in a team that has won like five games in a year.
Howay the lads!
Tottenham: Hugo Lloris (c); Kyle Walker, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose; Tom Carroll, Eric Dier; Erik Lamela, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen; Harry Kane
Subs: Michel Vorm, Ben Davies, Kieran Trippier, Nabil Bentaleb, Nacer Chadli, Josh Onomah, Heung-Min Son
Newcastle: Rob Elliot; Daryl Janmaat, Chancel Mbemba, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Paul Dummett; Moussa Sissoko, Vurnon Anita, Jack Colback, Georginio Wijnaldum; Siem de Jong; Papiss Cisse
Subs: Karl Darlow, Jamie Sterry, Kevin Mbabu, Yoan Gouffran, Florian Thauvin, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ayoze Perez
Deserved it after this half.
Stuart79(Quote)
Am sorry kids but get the fook in ya little hunt ya little flicking beauty
Ice pup(Quote)
I did say the second half looked better!! I also said Mitrovic and a deeper lying attack minded player should be on to work with him. But then we all know that don’t we?!?!
Doesn’t take a genius…just not sure why we don’t do it more often!
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Come on ref! Blow ya whistle
Stuart79(Quote)
Woke the Bairn and got in trouble… Worth it tho
Ice pup(Quote)
RESULT 😀
kimtoon(Quote)
**** knows what the keeper was doing but who cares! Reckon taking it early caught him off guard.
Get in!
Football eh – bloody hell!
Stuart79(Quote)
Wow. Great result.
Shamrock(Quote)
Pup, you in the dog house mate 🙁
kimtoon(Quote)
Watch us lose to Villa now 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
She’s in the bedroom trying to settle her lol it ain’t my fault
Ice pup(Quote)
Liverpool 9 mins stoppage time what the hell
Ice pup(Quote)
Pup. Lew thinks I’ve lost it, running around like a looney when Perez scored
kimtoon(Quote)
That’s too notch parenting showing them passion is a good thing not a bad thing Kim ????
Ice pup(Quote)
Pup, he won’t be happy in half hours time when I clip his hair 😆 bloody hates it being done.
kimtoon(Quote)
MOTM Elliot for me
kimtoon(Quote)
Simple stuff! Keep the obvious effort but add crisp passing, clever movement and pace. Don’t see SDJ and Cisse combining really well at all. I think we’d have been better with SDJ and Mitrovic in the first half based on the way we were playing.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Think we deserved it in the end.
So we beat Liverpool last weekend because they were ****. Did we win today because Tottenham are also ****?
toonsy(Quote)
Mine was the same Hun I got him to do it .. Then I’d say let me finish it and go like the clappers 5 mins
Ice pup(Quote)
Oh Graeme turn the frown upside down…Bitter auld ****
CC(Quote)
Great result. Didn’t expect that. Woke the neighbours. Oops! Elliot looking more and more like a class goal keeper. Sissoko very frustrating. Hope we keep hold of Perez. Total class. Like the beginnings of an Aguero type player.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Toonsy we are poor tactically we ALL know what needs changed he does it and u see thr difference.. So why not build around Perez and mitro why keep playing defensive Anita colback n giving no service . . We are either using the best of a bad bunch or we are stupid
Ice pup(Quote)
Well that’s two games I never thought we’d get owt from so it’s all gravy.
kimtoon(Quote)
https://youtu.be/Ekr05T9Iaio victory dance the order of the day 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Woooohooo what a cracking result
For the 2nd game running we’ve shown what it’s about playing for the toon
Just think if we had of listened to troy, we’d have Nigel Pearson managing us 🙂
TOON TOON
Gashley(Quote)
Over the moon with that. Totally unexpected. Not felt like this for a long long time after watching the Toon.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Counts for nowt unless we take at least 4 points from the next two
CC(Quote)
David Moyes doesn’t look too happy… Reckon he was banking on NUFC being his next job.
Stuart79(Quote)
A good combination of improved performances and playing tired midweek teams. Cisse is like a different player. Mitro and Perez chomping at the bit. Good competion for forward roles. A winnable game against Villa next, fingers crossed. 90% wanted Macca out a few weeks ago. Ye of little faith. 😀
DJG(Quote)
DJG – Yes Cisse is like a different player – to the one we saw in his first 12 games that is! He is **** now.
Stuart79(Quote)
When was the last time we got a last minute winner? Apart from today obviously.
Stuart79(Quote)
Schteve deserved the chop a couple of weeks ago. It’s nice to see he has listened to our concerns and got the team playing for eachother for a change. Continue sending g them out with that desire and he can stay!
Shamrock(Quote)
David Moyes never looks happy…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Spurs bosses the first half and played well, we tried hard but were just not doing the basics in my opinion. Everything seemed to go out wide but we didn’t do much with it.
In the second half, we continues to try hard but we were passing with triangles and causing problems. I think Spurs looked like they tired too. Then the power of Mitrovic and pace of Perez seemed to scare Spurs and created the opportunities.
That’s my view anyway. I don’t think we beat Spurs because they were ****, I think we could easily have been 2-0 down at half time, but I think our second half was very good.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Pup – But we last played Mitrovic and Perez on a dire run. They got dropped. Granted others should have been dropped ahead of them bit at least a change was made.
I’d like to see de Jong and Perez behind mitro.
toonsy(Quote)
Elliott made a couple of excellent saves. Poor defending for their goal, and Anita on the post!! REALLY – even when he jumps there’s still 3ft above him to aim for!! 😆
Credit where it’s due though, the team didn’t buckle as we’ve seen before. They stuck to the task – without really creating any chance. Further credit to McClaren as he saw that and made the changes – which produced immediate rewards. We weren’t happy with sitting back and defending a draw and continued to make chances – all subs being offensive ones.
I don’t know what’s been said or by who, but it’s certainly worked in the last 2 games. 2 well earned wins against 2 very good sides.
Let’s keep going!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Lord Sugar Verified account
@Lord_Sugar That’s it 1-2 well deserved Newcastle
kimtoon(Quote)
Well, nback from the game, nice glow all about. I like going to Spurs, seen a few wins there.
Toonsy, been scanning this chat since after the game – I reckon we’ll end up with that triangle playing together, but for now Perez and Mitro got the benefit of the team’s hard work for the first hour and the space that created towards the end of the game.
I still reckomn it’ll be Cisse out and a new striker in in Jan. Mitro looks like he might take a year to show consistently.
GTE(Quote)
Good win today. Im going for a defeat against villa but hope im wrong
terry(Quote)
Whey , i predicted a hammering just like i did before the game against the Bin dippers and we have won both games . I am bottom of the fantasy football league so basically i know nowt aboot footbal , but hey a divvent give a fook . We have turned a corner and iTS starting too look good for us , a happy xmas is looking posssible .
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
My mom Elliott …..krul is going too find it hard too get back in next season
Axel(Quote)
Once we got a proper centre forward on the pitch we became a serious threat
Toby Le Rhone(Quote)
Dummett and Janmaat are not the best fullbacks in the league but they both run themselves into the ground. I think when it was said the players don’t care, Janmaat in particular looks to have taken that to heart. He is like captain material. We need players like that who care. Sissoko looks more committed. What a player Wijnaldum is, I think he could play in any outfield position and still be above average. Walker is quick but he couldn’t get passed Wijnaldum.
DJG(Quote)
Terry
Villa are one of the worst Premier League teams I have ever seen this season. But I know what you mean, it’s a potential banana skin. I really don’t think they’ll beat us though.
DJG(Quote)
I thought De Jong looked good on the ball again today, but didn’t seem to link up as well with Cisse. If Cisse is switched on he’s a real dangerous player but his seems to be more instinct over intelligence – I think that’s why he’s always struggled to form a partnership with anyone.
I’m not suggesting we go for him, but I think De Jong would be far better paired with someone like Vardy – a player who is always looking to get in behind and has intelligence to make those runs for De Jong to find the passes.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – Do Jong will be ok if we had more of the ball and he had more time ie just behind the strikers instead of having to go into midfield for the ball. As I said previously, we should try him behind Mitro and Perez. De Jong would certainly be a good option at home when we do look like we struggle to create things when the onus is on us to attack and not counter.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – yeah he’s defo a player for when we have the ball, coz without it he doesn’t do the chasing and running that Perez does. I know he’s still working on his match fitness and getting up to speed with the PL.
If we had 2 real quality CBs and a quality DCM then I’d defo go for that diamond formation. I think Gini & Sissoko, De Jong, Perez & Mitrovic would be well suited to it.
Hell I think even Riviere might even find a goal or two in that formation 😯
Sharpy17(Quote)
Steady!
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – 😆 I still haven’t given up on him like!!. He has to be better than what we have seen so far and that support & supply has to increase his chances. …. It’s a start at least until we can widen the goals and play a team without a keeper 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
What a win, watched the second half in the pub so caught all the good bits
Can I just say, it’s no coincidence that when Perez comes on we score our goals. Siem has done a good job, but Perez has class above most of the rest of our side as some of us have been saying for a while now – the goal he took with the control and first time shot from his chest down was absolute class.
Newkie(Quote)
Mitrovics mentality and temperament has been called into question since he signed for us, but anyone who saw him in the post match interview where he was asked to give Elliott his MOTM award – he’s a really decent kid. I think he’s a big team player, and seems to get seriously frustrated if he’s not contributing – not a bad thing if he channels that frustration in the right direction. That fact that he celebrated his goal with our fitness coach today suggests to me he’s focused on doing the right thing.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just going to put it out there but I will be staggered if Perez is still a Toon player this time next year.
Stuart79(Quote)
Newkie – we HAVE to keep hold of Ayoze Perez!!!!. Gini is a top top player, but I my opinion that lad is outrageously good.
**** money – we build a team around Memba, Gini, Sissoko, Mitrovic and the jewel in our crown Perez.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – totally agree mate, the lad is utter class. Personally I think he is good enough to be starting every game, but given the results of the last two weeks then perhaps schteve is on to something? No coincidence we only scored after he came on against Liverpool as well though IMO, I hope he is happy with the game time though because I do think people will come sniffing in January if they have sense 😕
Newkie(Quote)
Not to sound over confidence. But If we do well in the next two Home games, one being on Live TV and win both matches….
Aston Villa(H), Everton(H/Live), WBA(A)
We might potentially win all December matches. 😯 😯
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
Another fabulous result. They did well to limit Spurs. Anita and Colo did good and there seemed to be some great team spirit. Played a much better 2nd half and effective subs made. Obviousy McClaren couldn’t have made that happen because he’s lost the dressing room, so whoever did the work should get a promotion.
Brisvegas(Quote)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< thinks the villa game is live on sky sports not sure about the everton game being live
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Opps…
Is both Home games are live~ 😆 😆
Villa game is live on sky sports, Everton live on BT Sports.
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
It did seem that McClaren had lost the dressing room and everybody was bemoaning a total lack of effort against Palace. Steve had to take Sissoko aside and have a private chat. It is great that things seem to have turned around and that there is hope again, but that does not mean there weren’t big problems only 2 matches ago. McClaren even dropped 2 of the summers signings and our best player in order to get more experience in the side. If you think he wasn’t worried then you were watching a different manager on the sideline than I was.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
No doubt many still want to give up before a ball has been kicked in a game and take relegation now so we can enjoy the rest of the season.
Brisvegas(Quote)
AOD – in terms of your initial point though mate. Even if we can pick up 4 points from those 3 games, we’ll be on 20pts – half way to that 40pt make by the 1st of Jan. I didn’t think that too likely afew weeks ago at all.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric @208 – maybe those hour long Blackie meetings are finally paying off 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yeah we don’t seem to have much luck with Everton but we should definitely hammer Villa, they are utter *****, and we really owe them one, I’d quite like to blast them into oblivion, not sure about anyone else like 😉 I’ll take 4 points from that!
Glad to see Mitro making such an impact too, goal and an assist in 20 mins at WHL ain’t bad for someone who was getting a lot of stick earlier! He offers something totally different to Cisse, which is nice.
Solid game from Sissoko as well, I’m not particularly fond of him as a person and he has his flaws, but if we do sell him as a lot of people seem to want to do, I do wonder where our goals/breaks will come from..
Newkie(Quote)
Funny old game this year more than in the past,normally if you sit above Chelsea you have won the leg look where they are now,I think we will keepPerez another yyear imo
icedog(Quote)
Newkie, Newkie, Newkie. Do you ever learn?
The Villa game will be very different. They won’t be as adventurous as Spurs and Liverpool, so it’ll be up to us to make things happen rather than contain the opposition. Can Steve the wonder coach come up with a plan – like the harrassment of Liverpool or the over-the-top ball to push Spurs back?
I haven’t seen Villa play but I would imagine they’ll try and play it defesively and hope for a break. I rather think that De Jong might have to step up for this one, and Thauvin might get a run off the bench if nothing is happening.
In this league – and especially this season – nothing is ever a cert. Villa could do a Watford on us, or the ref could do a Sunderland/Arsenal on us, or it might be Bournemouth type game in reverse.
Anything can happen. Every game is different. And Newcastle aren’t even predictable when they are on a much more even keel.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Sharpy: whatever it is, let’s keep it going next week. For the people saying anyone was harsh on McClaren after Palace, please remember he was 2nd favourite for the sack after Monk and there were rumours that he had 2 games to save his job. It was not just this site that was frustrated with results and the way we were playing. McClaren was openly questioning the players’ heart. Shearer was really critical if you remember.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I watched a bit of the Villa game and they had 18 shots to Arsenals 8 but still didn’t really look likely to score. If we beat them then players will be more likely to come in January, but will it make Fatty less likely to buy. If we can get the likes of Austin and Townsend at a perceived discount the Fat Man might pull the trigger. On the other hand, I think there is a perfect fit for Austin at Palace or Spurs.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Steve came out in the press after the Palace game and said he’d considered dropping the whole team, so he wasn’t happy with any of them. We know harsh words were exchanged on the training ground too because the players said so along with coaches. To imagine that dressing room hasn’t been in turmoil is plain daft imo. Let’s hope things are on the up, winning breeds confidence and we have been fragile for so long, even prior to Steve’s arrival. We must beat Villa or the last two wins are for nothing, and anyway I hate those muppets and want them gone .
kimtoon(Quote)
Apparently McClaren had a meeting with the players and the said they wanted to stop training that was so focused on keeping the ball, so they decided to be more direct…
As for Villa, it will be a harder game as they will sit back and we struggle to break teams down who play like that. I hope McClaren picks the team for that game, rather than what has happened over the last two games.
Stuart79(Quote)
Are we expected to forget that this is the 1st time since Nov 2014 that we have won 2 games in a row. Before Liverpool, it was 5 wins in the whole of 2015. Before Spurs, it was 8 away points in 2015. Great, we have had 2 good results but I cannot see how anyone could possibly think that anyone on here was being harsh about our 2015 form until recently. I hope Steve succeeds, I really do, but he looked a bit lost for a while there.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I feel Mitro and Perez work well together and need to be utilized more. If we sit De Jong behind the two of them he can thread passes through for Perez. Then at more advanced central mid roles Gini on the left and sissoko on the right with either Colback or Tiote holding up the centre. It puts a lot of pressure on Dummet and Janmaat but they should be able to cope as Moussa and Gini can track back and go forward and vice versa. So we’re looking at
——————————–Elliot———————————-
Janmaat——–Mbemba——Colocinni———-Dummet-
——————————-Tiote———————————-
—————-Sissoko—————-Wijnaldum—————
—————————–De Jong——————————-
——————Perez—————–Mitrovic——————-
Andymag(Quote)
And then you have McClaren himself and his recent record of resignations and sackings. Are we really supposed to have blind faith in the man chosen by The Secretary? Should he not prove himself?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yes, Andy I agree. Perfect formation for us I believe at this stage.
Stuart79(Quote)
Eric – I am with you. I personally don’t think he’s the answer but I would love to be proved wrong.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart: it just surprises me when people have such selective memories.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yeah Stu, seems the best way to use the creative and impactful players that we have.
I’ve been out of the UK the last three months so have been viewing our season from afar, arguably the best thing given how we’ve been playing, still wake at ridiculous O’clock to watch us play each weekend. Will try and see if I can catch a game when back in the UK over the christmas break.
Andymag(Quote)