The defeat to Everton was a funny one. We’ve played worse and won this season, yet there’s been a lingering feeling that a result like this was coming. After all, injuries, a thin squad and getting away with some poor performances can only keep you winning for so long?
Bruce is doing a good job, however, and this will be a game he must pick his players up for, with a ruthless Leicester City likely to be rampant if we’re anywhere below our best.
Everton inflicted our first loss at St James’ since the opening day of the season, but hopefully we can stay organised and look much more ‘at it’ in all areas against a Leicester side who’ll be confident and well rested after several key players sat out their 1-2 win at West Ham on Saturday.
Predicted XI
One area we’re struggling in (for once) coming into this one is at centre-back. Lascelles, Clark and Dummett look set to miss out, and Florian Lejeune looked out on his feet over the weekend, struggling badly after 2 games in 48 hours.
I see the Frenchman being rested, meaning Bruce may only have Fernandez and Schar fit for this one – and even the latter is a slight concern after limping off against Everton. With that in mind, might we have to return to a back four here?
That would allow us to at least have a few more bodies in forward areas. I can see Atsu playing with Bruce likely to rotate again. He and Almiron could play out wide, meaning Joelinton would then play off the striker; which could be Gayle if Carroll isn’t deemed ready to start two games in 5 days.
Preferred NUFC XI – (5-2-1-2) – Dubravka – Manquillo, Schar, Fernandez, Clark, Willems – Hayden, Shelvey – Almiron – Joelinton, Carroll.
The Opposition
Here’s ‘ones to watch’ in Brendan Rodgers’ side:
Jamie Vardy – With him currently the league’s top scorer on 17 goals, it’s fair to say this one goes without saying. Everton hurt us with smart runs in behind and in the channels over the weekend, so we’ll need to improve in that area if we’re to keep him quiet. A constant threat on the shoulder and devastating in front of goal when he gets half a chance.
James Maddison – The Foxes’ midfield maestro and a brilliant technician, being capable of creating from corners or scoring from free kicks. Has 5 goals and 5 assists this season and will be pulling the strings alongside Youri Tielemans in a bid to release Vardy.
Caglar Soyuncu – Leicester fans (and most football fans) wondered how they’d cope after ‘failing to replace’ Harry Maguire over the summer, but they look to have found their ‘Turkish Puyol’ in Soyuncu. He’s been outstanding, reading the game brilliantly, aggressive off the ball and cool as a cucumber on it.
Ricardo Perreira – The Portuguese right-back looks a top player and is only getting better. He and Ben Chilwell act as wingers at times, giving them real energy and quality in wide areas.
Predicted Leicester XI – (4-1-4-1) Schmeichel – Perreira, Evans, Soyuncu, Chilwell – Ndidi – Perez, Tielemans, Maddison, Barnes – Vardy.
Team news
It sounds like most of the recently injured players won’t return for this one based on Bruce’s pre-match comments, meaning Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett could miss out once again.
Florian Lejeune also looked shattered on Saturday, so I expect him to be rested, meaning we may be struggling to stick with our usual formation and field three centre-backs.
Schar and Joelinton limped off over the weekend, but Bruce’s latest comments suggest they may be ok.
Once again, the game will come too soon for Allan Saint-Maximin (hamstring), Jamaal Lascelles (knee) and Matt Ritchie (ankle).
For the visitors, big guns Vardy, Maddison, Soyuncu, Perreira and Chilwell all look set to return after being rested at West Ham over the weekend.
Prediction
We’re already up against it playing the league’s second best side on current standings, but the fact we’ll be missing a few key players and they’ll be welcoming several back after full rests over the weekend leaves me feeling pretty fearful ahead of this one.
I think we’ll have our moments, but with they move the ball quickly, don’t give much away at the back and can be devastating up top with Maddison’s creativity and Vardy’s pace and lethal finishing in front of goal.
I reckon they’ll have too much for us, but what a great start to 2020 it would be if Bruce and the boys proved me wrong!
Prediction:Newcastle 1-3 Leicester
We only lost on penalties in the League Cup so Leicester are not invincible.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And we were not too bad at Leicester before going a man down. Only 1 nil to them and then we sort of gave up. But that was not the 1st time a team minus a man got a hammering.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
5 things I learnt from the weekend:
1. If Man U show any signs of life the press will have a collective w@nk and **** on each others’ legs, saying OGS deserves 3 more transfer windows and Martial is really George Best in disguise.
2-5 – same as number 1.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We’ll get hammered. We will have about 20% possession at home and their keeper will be unlucky if he needs to put his cigar down and actually make a save. Against Everton we played pretty much like we have all season and I don’t see any miracles happening for us to all of a sudden start playing really well, creating lots of chances and scoring lots of goals.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart man, I know you think you are being realistic but try to get behind the team a little bit. You are sounding like you should be on The Mag.
I am getting behind Brucie because I think we have enough to stay up. That doesn’t mean I agree with his appointment in the first place or continued employment beyond this season. As I have said a couple of times now I think we should sack him in the summer as he will eventually take us down unless we somehow find the next Sergio Aguero.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I get behind the team when I see them play, Eric.
I see no reason why I should make stupid and quite frankly ridiculous statements on here saying we are playing well, scoring goals, taking the game to the opposition and deserving to win games we played. To be honest that would be odd.
We aren’t very good, Eric. Should I say the opposite?
Stuart79(Quote)
I am with Stuart on this one.
I took a score of 0-2 to Leicester on sky super 6 but I would not really be surprised if our goals against column gets a boost on Wednesday.
sidekick(Quote)
Sidekick: I know I am being a bit have my cake and eat it too by saying support Bruce and sack him in the summer. But I never said I wasn’t a hypocrite when it comes to NUFC.
Leicester are good, but not that good. Not 2nd place good. So we have a chance.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’ve never gone to a game and not supported them or Bruce. I just happen to think we’re ***** and was saying the same thing when we were winning.
Stuart79(Quote)
Is that one directed at me by any chance ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
I know we are struggling on the fitness of some of our CBs which may see us forced into a change of formation as above.
But if that is the case I’d opt for one of the Longstaff boys as a 3rd midfielder over Atsu & a 4-3-3.
I’d go with Matty I think. He seems more able to get forward and support the front players, but would track back and give that extra cover in midfield.
Joelinton and Almiron could play off Carroll up front in the wider areas with Matty getting forward through the middle.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Pogba’s latest hairdo looks like a seagull **** on his head.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I was also thinking about our defense which has been cobbled together for about 20 million quid, or half a Joelinton. They haven’t been that bad. Man U and Leicester aside. Remember we had Williamson, Taylor and a 34 year old Coloccini not so long ago.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Any NUFC New Year’s Resolutions?
And Stewie, you are not allowed to say “I am not watching any more of that shyte” as a resolution. Because I know you will anyway 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
No, Sharpy. Just making the point that you have to say it as you see it. Saying the complete opposite just to be positive is nonsense.
Stuart79(Quote)
I see Dubravka is top of the saves table.
Stuart79(Quote)
Another stat attck stewie.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
On VAR again. Isn’t the whole point only to correct clear and obvious mistakes? Marginal off sides aren’t clear and obvious.
As for new year resolutions. I’m doing dry January. Also plan on losing a couple of stone.
Stuart79(Quote)
Listening to Beethoven No 9.
“O Freuende, nichte diese Tone”
with Gendula Janaowitz
Possibly the best 18 minute Christmas song ever.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Didn’t see Carroll in the pictures of yesterday’s training session. Personally, I wouldn’t play Carroll because it just encourages the big boot upfield. I do prefer passing and moving. It is better to watch and the big boot upfield is the opposite of good watchable football.
Groucho(Quote)
That’s our style, Groucho.
Stuart79(Quote)
well all the best to fellow bloggers hope you all have a healthy new year a pray for a better show from the toon i know thats a big ask but heres hoping
icedog(Quote)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/12/31/exclusive-steve-bruce-wants-three-new-players-newcastle-united/?fbclid=IwAR0f5tbqFs3kTUN7pOMIyYoxw4dfplXh8ntdZ_muE4nY4hAyA-5c3tzSqAE
This is bizarre! Bruce is focusing on centre midfield! It’s almost like we don’t need a striker who’s capable of scoring… Also says the club don’t believe anybody can afford to pay £15m for Gayle. That would indicate he’s over priced… The irony!
Stuart79(Quote)
Table of the PL this last decade has us 10th below West Ham and Stoke!
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart: you didn’t look like you need to slim down that much when I saw you. Your goal of a couple of stone will be good when you reach half that and that will be fine.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Aye balls to football tonight.
Best of health, wealth and happiness to you all for 2020 ????
Sharpy17(Quote)
Thanks, Eric. There’s been a fair bit of “good living” since then! ? I have been drinking far too much recently, eating all the wrong things and need to start getting it together now I’ve hit 40. ?
Stuart79(Quote)
I quit smoking about 17 years ago. It wasn’t to save money but doing a quick calculation is pretty eye opening. I smoked a pack a day and 20 tabs cost $12 now. So that is $4,380 dollars a year. I went to Yellowstone 3 months ago for a few days, then back to Newcastle and Scotland for 2 weeks and now the The Grand Canyon for 4 days. All of this including the 9 hotel nights and plane tickets has cost me roughly 1 year of buying tabs!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think that when I quit smoking cigarettes were about $6. So let’s assume an average price of $9 for 17 years. That is literally $55,845 that would have gone up in smoke.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart: if you are serious about weight loss I would consider hypnosis. That’s how I quit smoking. I was totally skeptical about it but I went in and had one 45 minute session, threw my tabs in the bin and haven’t had one in 17 years.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The hypnotist told me that smoking is one of the most successful hypnotherapy cures. I was a bit shocked by that as I had tried myself and lasted about half a day several times. If anybody is giving up smoking for New Year and needs a boost I would highly recommend hypnosis.
I am not the type to criticize others for smoking. My 77 year old mother smokes and I never give her any grief and the smoke doesn’t bother me when I stay with her. Just saying if anybody wants to quit there is a way that worked for me.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Toon for Change”
“Supporting the Club by Staying Away” since, erm… 2019
Complaining about ticket prices going up 25%. Didn’t the Fat Man freeze season ticket prices for 10 years. Have any of you lot been to a concert recently and seen what they charge? Been to a pub and compare the price of a pint to 2010?
Just continual moaning and trying to shame other fans into not going.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And I still don’t get why these so-called fan groups never say a word about boycotting away games. Some pathetic reason about their actions at home hitting the Fat Man in his pocket. Like he cares about an extra 10k when he is in Miami on his yacht.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I mean, if you are going to have a protest then why wouldn’t it be ALL games. If you are making a statement then why not away games as well? You cannot be so stupid as to think that Fatty cares about his latest million. An empty away end would make a bigger statement than a few empty seats that the PR team can fill up in 24 hours with free tickets.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think I am the only NUFC supporter who disagrees with this boycott nonsense.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Happy New Year everyone.
I am hoping for another 25 points from the second half of the season and finding a top striker in the Summer window.
sidekick(Quote)
Happy new year all from warm and sunny Dubai. I’d love us to beat Leicester but in reality I think we may lose this one… ☹️??
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Happy New Year from cold a snowy Chicago.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And Mid Cheshire
PremAndUp(Quote)
never thought Rogers was such a small guy,looks like five foot nowt
icedog(Quote)
Been stuck on previous thread for over a day !
New thread heads up would be a nice idea.
Happy new year all
kimtoon(Quote)
Villa winning. That’s 6 points from relegation now.
Stuart79(Quote)
Let’s see if Big Andy Carroll shakes Little Bren’s hand?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
No Vardy.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Muto for Carroll. Interesting. When was the last time he played?
Stuart79(Quote)
Can’t see Muto doing much
Gonna be hard work , Vardy or no Vardy, i’ll be happy with a point especially with Brighton picking up a point and Villa winning today.
kimtoon(Quote)
Pattern of the game already set
Stuart79(Quote)
Just the 77% possession to Leicester so far then. Unbelievable. Even free tickets don’t seem like good value watching that.
Stuart79(Quote)
Still see lots of empty seats. Even people with freebies can’t watch it… ?
Stuart79(Quote)
Brilliant goal by Ings. That’s who we should have bought.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
£40m ?
Stuart79(Quote)
Too old, Eric. Jabba would rather have us spend £40m on a under 27 as he thinks he will make a quick profit. Hilarious
Stuart79(Quote)
Darn it, should be 1 up
kimtoon(Quote)
VAR getting more and more on my nerves now
kimtoon(Quote)
Had to be Perez didn’t it
👿
kimtoon(Quote)
Lejuene at fault
kimtoon(Quote)
Looking forward to Rochdale where we might break the 35% possession barrier.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Where’s Sharpy? Are we playing well? This is the level we’ve been at almost every game.
Stuart79(Quote)
***** me, can we just stop making school boy errors
0.2 game over cause we won’t score 1 let alone 2
kimtoon(Quote)
I wouldn’t bank on it, Eric.
Stuart79(Quote)
2 down now. Luckily we have S’ton Spurs so I am not watching our game.
I said earlier in the week that what ever happens we should sack Brucie in the summer. I think we can stay up but we are going nowhere with him as Manager. Let him have his year at his “boyhood”club and then kiss him goodbye.
Hire Gerrard, although I am not sure if I could ever listen to a press conference again. Imagine him, Carra and McManamanamanamanan in the same room? I’ll buy a gun to shoot myself rather than them, I don’t think there is even a waiting period in Illinois.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Lejeune wants shot with the brown stuff!!. At fault for both.
He didn’t look right against Everton and looks worse today!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yedlin on Willems injured, that’s gonna help us defensively 🙄 😳
Lejune having a mare for both their goals
kimtoon(Quote)
And I don’t even mind Bruce, I just don’t think he is good enough. As I have said, he will eventually take us down. And by eventually, I mean probably next year. He doesn’t annoy me though in the way that Pards and Ugly John did.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Krafth on Manquillo off now
What a **** disjointed half that was, just awful, especially from Lejuene
kimtoon(Quote)
Well, I am feeling pretty lucky at the moment. My cable TV company isn’t showing the NUFC game so I am left with who can do the worst rendition of “when the Saints/Spurs go marching in”.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Football of the 80’s. Still struggling to grasp why we can’t play pass and move football like Brighton, Southampton, Watford (now) and Sheff Utd
Stuart79(Quote)
Yet another sub! Bruce will bore everybody with moaning about the fixture list. He will conveniently forget it’s the same for every team.
Stuart79(Quote)
Yep, Stuart, that elusive and almost mythical 35% possession barrier will be hard to cross. Maybe work up to it in stages. 30% against Rochdale and 31% against Wolves. We might just about make it by March.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Now Schar injured and have to come off. Down to ten men. Is that training? 4 injuries in one match even after a lot of Christmas games. Hasn’t happened anywhere else has it?
Stuart79(Quote)
Schar’s hammy gone now 🙁 gonna be 10 men now cause just swapped s. longstaff for Shelvey
kimtoon(Quote)
What a disaster of a new year we are looking at.
Fat man is gonna have to spend some cash.
kimtoon(Quote)
Just take him off ffs he’s injured
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric you think Bruce will take us down eventually but it could well be this season. How can a team who’s attackers score so few goals stay up? Defenders can’t and won’t keep baling us out.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart: I think it would take an epic slump from here for us to go down, Ugly John Carver didn’t even manage it from a similar position.
Looked like we were overstocked for centre halfs and full backs and now they are dropping like flies. Do you think Joelinton can play centre half? Maybe he would score then 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)