What a week it’s been. The past three or four days have just summed up the black and white nature of life as a Newcastle United supporter.
My last preview – which looked ahead to our home clash with City – saw me struggling for positives and fearing a hammering, yet a few days later and not only did we come from behind to beat the champions, we smashed our 14-year old club transfer record after signing Almiron – Rafa’s ‘top target’ by all accounts.
Almiron won’t be available for this one, but the combination of a massive midweek win and the deadline day arrivals of both he and Barreca send us to Wembley with the wind well and truly in our sails.
The fact Spurs are set to be without both Kane AND Alli is another real boost to our chances, with their lack of spending and poor recent results meaning just 29,000 turned up to watch them at Wembley in midweek..
Predicted XI
With Diame, Shelvey, Dummett and Ki all ‘close’ to returning but set to miss out again and Almiron unable to play as he finalises a work permit, I can’t see us making any changes from the above side that beat Man City – and rightly so!
Barreca is ‘available’ but hasn’t trained fully. Either way, there’s no way Rafa will rush him in.
Predicted NUFC XI – (5-4–1) – Dubravka– Yedlin, Schar, Lascelles, Lejeune, Ritchie – Perez, Longstaff, Hayden, Atsu – Rondon.
The Opposition
With Kane & Alli both out, here’s some ‘ones to watch’ in the Spurs side:
Christian Eriksen – With Kane and Alli out, the emphasis is firmly placed on him to perform. Keep him quiet and we could stop the service up to Son.
Son Heung-min: The South Korean is devastating and one of the most underrated players in the Premier League for me. He is direct and needs no invitation to shoot.
Moussa Sissoko: He’s actually been MUCH better for Spurs of late. He’s obviously still very limited in the final third, but his power, energy and marauding runs could be difficult to handle without Mo Diame.
Predicted Tottenham XI – (3-5-2) – Lloris – Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen – Aurier, Sissoko, Winks, Eriksen, Rose – Son, Llorente.
Team news
Shelvey, Diame, Ki and Dummett have all been ruled out once again by Rafa, although it sounds like all four are close to returning – with Rafa tipping them to be back for Wolves a week on Monday.
Joselu could return to the squad after recovering from an ankle problem.
For Spura, Son is back from the Asian Cup (unfortunately for us!), but Kane and Alli are BOTH out injured.
Match Prediction
Spurs have lost 3 of their last 4 and we’re pretty uninspiring in their 2-1 win over Watford a few days ago by all accounts.
I think we’ll make a game of it and wouldn’t be surprised if we scraped a draw, however I fear the return of Son could give them the edge in this one.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Newcastle
Howay the lads!
Kimtoon: this is about as cold as I have known it in Chicago. There has been a warmup today and it is minus 26 celcius. Minus 34 yesterday, and on Wednesday with the windchill it was minus 45.
Supposed to get above freezing tomorrow and Sunday when I will check my car because the doors are frozen shut.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
29k for Spurs is shameful. They have the whole of North London to draw on. Levy will suck the soul out of that club. Most season tickets have gone up by about half and he seems more interested in the corporate money than the true fans who have stuck by them for years. That ground just does not fit that area, it looks like a spaceship landed on the set of EastEnders (I know it is Norf London not East).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Looks like Rafa is washing his hands of his transfer mistakes. As I said on the last thread, I do not expect to see either Lazaar or Murphy in NUFC colours again. We can probably get most of what we paid for Murphy back.
The only mistake left is Joselu.
All in all you would have to say Rafa has done very well considering we have been shopping in the bargain basement for the most part. The only big mistake is probably Mitro because unlike Gini, Sissoko and Andros he was not forced to sell. They must have had a falling out because I have watched a lot of Fulham games and he has been Man of the Match in quite a few, absolutely bossing a few defenses and scoring goals.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And… if Fulham stay up it will be down to Mitro and his goals.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Watched the Bournemouth-Chelsea game and the commentators were aghast at how well Bournemouth were doing and su(king Eddie Howe’s d!ck for building their team on a shoestring. That is actually not true. Bournemouth are like number 11 in net spend for Europe (not just England) in the last 3 years. Off the top of my head they have bought Ibe, Solanke and Ake for about 20 million apiece. It took us until yesterday to spend that.
If a team like Bournemouth can do that with a 14,000 capacity, what the hell have we been doing for the last 11 years.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Manquillo?
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Manquillo is still a squad player which is about what you would expect for the price. Same with Clark. And Kenedy helped keep us up last year and is a loan anyway.
Chelsea have 42 players out on loan now.
We must have about 10.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Exactly, which is why you have to ask, where’s the money gone.
Eric, re your earlier post , don’t know how you stand that weather mate. Far too cold for me like.
kimtoon(Quote)
This is roughly where I thought we would be – a point a game – but I didn’t think we would get here by beating City. With so few injuries now and the addition of a number 10 I think I will revise my finishing position from 16th to 15th and I think we will finish on about 40 points. Lejeune has made a big difference as well.
Now what do the Magpie Group do? Will Rafa talk about an extension? Bobby Robson was on a rolling 1 year deal. Would that suit Rafa and Fatty if Fatty still wants to sell. There are so many questions in addition to whether Almiron will adapt.
The fact that Almiron was paid for via an overdraft shows that Ashley has taken quite a bit of money from the club. I don’t know if everyone knows this but the repayments to Barclays goes directly from the PL/TV to the bank without passing through NUFCs accounts. Obviously, they didn’t want to go chasing after the Fat Man if we get relegated.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I put £100 on us to beat City on Tuesday and I think I will put £50 on us tomorrow. We’re on a roll… 😀
Stuart79(Quote)
What did you get? I saw 16-1. Betting is not legal except at Casinos and Horse Tracks in Illinois but I wouldn’t have put money on us on Tuesday anyway 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The ridiculous thing is at the match Coral we’re giving 11/1 so I got 16/1 on William
Hill on line.
I’m really surprised that gambling is illegal in Illinois – in fact I’m staggered! Especially as it’s legal in casinos and horse tracks. I’m
Pretty sure more money is lost and more lives are ruined via casinos and horses than on line footie betting…
Stuart79(Quote)
It is all changing because of those Amrican Football sites like Fanduel which found a loophole and are gambling but the States couldn’t tax them. There has always been a puritanical element in the Midwest and even New York about gambling and booze (think prohibition and the Salvation Army). The States are skint though and they need the gambling revenue so there is a push to legalize.
If I wanted to bet on NUFC I would have to open an account in the UK. I’m blocked from doing it directly from here although I am not a big gambler anyway. Especially on NUFC.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Oh FFS, The Mail are saying Wilshere could be done for the season. They say an optimistic schedule is 6-8 weeks but they are monitoring him to see if he needs more surgery. A mole with a white cane could have seen this one coming. And some idiots were touting him for NUFC.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I hope West Ham were smart enough to put in appearance clauses. That’s why he left Arsenal, they wanted a lower basic wage (although still substantial) topped up with appearance money.
Possibly the most overrated footballer in the history of the PL. He started having his ankle problems when he was 20, lost any of the pace he had and yet his Pundit Pals still touted him for England and said he was our most talented midfielder. This is why I get riled up over these clowns.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I find it outrageous that you couldn’t gamble on line in the US…. The land of Las Vegas!!! In fact it’s all a bit China
Stuart79(Quote)
Barreca on the bench
kimtoon(Quote)
@lee_ryder
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Dubravka; Yedlin, Schar, Lascelles, Lejeune, Ritchie; Perez, Longstaff, Hayden, Atsu; Rondon #nufc
Lee Ryder
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New boy on bench
Subs: Woodman, Manquillo, Fernandez, Clark, Barreca, Kenedy, Josel
kimtoon(Quote)
Would like to think we get a point today from a game i originally thought we’d get thumped in.
No better chance with their injuries, i know Son is back and makes a big difference but even so. These are the gifts you must not turn down.
Let’s hope it’s not after the lord mayors show kinda thing today.
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
Also they came back from 2.0 down on wednesday so no resting on our laurels if we do go ahead.
kimtoon(Quote)
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Here’s how Spurs line up: Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Winks, Sissoko, Eriksen, Lamela, Lucas, Son
Still a tough 11 to face, Son and Trippier a handful
kimtoon(Quote)
Came back from 1-0 down and were lucky. They have turned into a bit Jekyll and Hyde recently but are still picking up league points.
I am going to be watching Hayden today as he has never shown me much in the past but people are saying he is playing OK now. Rafa said he is happy and some misinterpreted this as he wants to stay. He had an interview only a week ago reiterating the fact that he wants to leave FFS. He couldn’t be more clear so people, as usual, read into comments what is not there. Good luck today though but as soon as Ki or Diame are fit I would have them in the team.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kimtoon: they just showed Wembley Way and the Stadium. No snow. Not even a dusting.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
They just showed some Almiron stats here in the US:
2 Paragyan titles
1 Argentinian title
1 MLS title
And he is only 24. Who knows if he will adapt to the PL but saying he is coming from an inferior league doesn’t tell the whole story, especially since it is widely accepted was the best player in MLS.
MLS have had a few decent players come over to the PL as well. Dempsey, McBride and Freidel. Donovan was probably the best, but only had a few months at Everton but did OK.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Can someone please shoot Keys and Grey ….
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Yedlin gonna have to be at his best today, no brain farts
kimtoon(Quote)
We look very laboured early on.
Stuart79(Quote)
Aye but big sliver/sheets of ice falling onto the pitch !
kimtoon(Quote)
If only, mind you the way keys is expanding he’s heading for a Heart attack i reckon.
kimtoon(Quote)
Yeah, not hopeful right now
kimtoon(Quote)
Good tackle lascelles
kimtoon(Quote)
This could be a long game…
Stuart79(Quote)
Well that’s a let off right there, free header and misses !
kimtoon(Quote)
If we are gonna just let them come at us all game it is indeed gonna be a long afternoon.
Few more smart counters please lads, before we have to chase the game.
kimtoon(Quote)
Am bored now. It’s like a training ground game
Stuart79(Quote)
indeed, we look like we are the ones who played wednesday not them. Still they have 2nd place to aim for and a far superior squad even with injuries.
kimtoon(Quote)
If only we’d bought in Almiron earlier , he’d likely be playing now and giving us some pace on the counter.
kimtoon(Quote)
****** perez and Rondon both fluffing their lines there
kimtoon(Quote)
Slow start but a couple of corners.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Much more like it
Stuart79(Quote)
only a matter of time before spurs score i think
kimtoon(Quote)
What are Keys and Gray up to now? Don’t get Bein anymore. Andy needs a new suit because he has kept the old ones as his girth has expanded and keeps pulling on his jacket to cover his belly.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
**** off Sissoko you tw at
kimtoon(Quote)
Anyone but that sulky p rick please
kimtoon(Quote)
They really look poor at the back Spurs like. Blimey.
Stuart79(Quote)
Sitting a bit deep and need to push up more second half. Hayden doing OK.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Agree Stu, we need to get at them a bit more quicker really, defo a goal in this for us.
kimtoon(Quote)
Well, I’ll take 0-0 at half time. Not impressed so far like.. hope second half is better
Keys going on again about how Rafa has had over £180 million and Spurs spent £150 million, but spurs 3rd and we struggling, therefore all Rafa’s fault… what they fail to take into account is that most of the money Rafa spent was to buy Championship players to get us out of the Championship which the fat Twa.t put us into through bad managers and lack of decent players… what kind of players do these twa.ts think we will get in the championship?? They also don’t take into consideration that we were not allowed to spend more the £10-15 million on any 1 player… ???? these f.uckers boil my blood.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Bloody post, unlucky
kimtoon(Quote)
Ohhh
Stuart79(Quote)
I think it will be a big ask to keep a clean sheet to be honest
Stuart79(Quote)
Atsu off – he’s been a passenger today – contributed nowt.
Sharpy17(Quote)
never crossed the line. Clearence by Schar
kimtoon(Quote)
We’ve had some let offs today mind
kimtoon(Quote)
Keys had to write an essay on his website this week to defend himself. Smacks of protesting too much. He definitely has something against Rafa.
Need to push out more otherwise the pressure will tell in the end.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It’s at this stage now where if we don’t get at least a point we’ll be gutted.
Stuart79(Quote)
Deserve a point for our defensive work alone, can we concentrate for long enough that’s the question.
Got to stop Llorente from scoring
kimtoon(Quote)
Yedlin has to do better stopping them Vertonghen crosses imo
kimtoon(Quote)
another goal line clearance by us
kimtoon(Quote)
Bloody Dubravka. Makes some good saves but he makes some real ricks
Stuart79(Quote)
FFS, Dubs what ya doing man 👿
kimtoon(Quote)
proper p issed off now
kimtoon(Quote)
need a hero in black and white now
kimtoon(Quote)
What can you say. Agree with Stuart that Dubravka has made a couple of needless mistakes this year. That one was a howler.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
now you hear spurs, only sing when they’re winning
kimtoon(Quote)
Spurs have not drawn in the last 28 games. 29 if this holds which would be a PL record.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Furious really, all that hard work for nowt. How many times have conceded late goals, lack of concentration .
Absolute howler
kimtoon(Quote)
game over
gutted, worked hard but no cutting edge, can’t wait for Miggy’s pace.
Dubs will have nightmares over that
kimtoon(Quote)
He’s still a good keeper though, saved our arses many a time so not gonna go too hard on him.
only 1 goal on the GD too
kimtoon(Quote)
Me too.
georgio(Quote)
Gutted…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Gutted with that. Thought we were defensively solid enough for a draw there – offensively we didn’t offer much – but then neither did they really.
We had 10 men today coz Atsu was a passenger!! Kennedy touched the ball more in his 10mins than Atsu did all game – very poor!!.
Sadly none of our players stood out for being really good today – but Dubravka obviously did for that mistake. He’s usually very good and other than that one mistake I thought he was excellent today as well – a real shame that one mistake was so costly.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – I would go the same team as today but Atsu out and Miggy in. I think he may well make Perez a better player too. I do think Perez is capable of a lot more and he stepped up last season when Kenedy came in – he was making runs he wouldn’t normally and trying things he had before.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Pity about the goal keeping slip. That’s twice this season where Dubravka has let a ball slide under his body. The lads all worked hard but perhaps we should have sent Atsu on loan and kept Roberts. Atsu looked like a little boy lost. As for Kenedy was he playing to instructions. Given the fact we were losing with little time left I thought he would get forward more instead he played like a defensive midfielder. Spurs good movement going forward but looked shaky at the back. Not good enough to leave Rondon on his own up front.
Groucho(Quote)
It was definitely Dubravkas fault – not doubt.
But watching it back, it’s also annoying that there are SIX Newcastle defenders who haven’t dealt with a simple ball into the box – one CF knock down to the only other player there to get the second ball. Son should really have been even able to get that shot off with the number of defenders in there ?.
On another note. Patrick Kluivert looks in better shape now sat in the Sky studio than he did with us!! ??
Sharpy17(Quote)