After three home games in a row, this marks out first trip away from St James’ Park since that 0-1 win at Southampton way back in March!
Our opponents Bournemouth are in desperate need of a win, slipping from a talented side capable of pushing the top 10 to a toothless bunch in serious danger of going down over the past year.
As for us, our Premier League status is all but secure for another season after 4 points in our first two league games back sent us 12 clear of the drop zone, however we’ll be hoping to see a reaction from the players after that abysmal attempt to beat Man City on Sunday.
Thankfully, Bruce will switch back to four-man defence and his ‘favoured’ 4-2-3-1 system, although his pre-match comments suggest rotation will be essential – not that this should be seen as a negative given how leggy we’ve looked since that 3-0 win over Sheffield United.
After all, it would be unrealistic and irresponsible for Bruce to play the same group of player 4 times in 11 days so soon after three months out.
Predicted XI
(4-2-3-1): Dubravka – Manquillo, Lascelles, Fernandez, Rose – Bentaleb, Shelvey – Lazaro, Almiron, Joelinton – Gayle.
Bruce’s decision to not rotate against Villa backfired, with us flat that day and looking leggy on Sunday, however he’s hinted at big changes here.
In goal, Dubravka will almost certainly return between the sticks after Darlow’s rare start on Sunday (not that he did much wrong against City!)
Schar had a chance to show Bruce what he’s capable of in our cup quarter final, but failed miserably, giving away a stupid penalty and looking too casual throughout. As a result, we can expect to see Lascelles and Fernandez continue in a four-man defence should both be fit enough to play again.
At the back, the reliable Manquillo has played every minute since football returned and was run ragged by Sterling over the weekend, so I see Yedlin behind given a chance at right-back. Down the other side, Bruce may like to give Rose a rest, but with Dummett ineligible, Clark not yet fit and Willems back at Frankfurt, he’s our only option and has been improving after a slow start.
In midfield, Bruce dropped a big hint in his presser that Shelvey and Bentaleb could return, with both well rested after sitting out of Sunday’s game. Hayden is a key part of our engine room but surely won’t play twice in 4 days after only just being passed fit for the City game, while Sean Longstaff is in a similar boat – not to mention the fact he looked very rusty over the weekend, with that being his first start since February.
In attack, I don’t think Saint-Maximin should start based on Bruce’s comments, which revealed how he was struggling with fatigue after 3 starts in a week. With that in mind, I can see Joelinton starting on the left, Almiron continuing in the no.10 role – although he needs to up his game after two abject displays – and Lazaro playing wide right, with him due a chance to show what he can do and seeming a no-brainer to avoid risking Ritchie.
Up top, Carroll won’t be playing twice in 4 days, so I think Bruce will give Gayle a big chance to make up for that costly miss against Man City.
He’s getting into good positions, but his finishing must improve, with him fluffing several big openings either side of that substitute goal against Villa (remember how many he missed in that 0-1 win at Southampton before the break in play!?).
The Opposition
Here’s ‘ones to watch’ in Eddie Howe’s struggling Cherries side:
Dominic Solanke – The striker Howe looks set to call upon if Josh King fails to pass a late fitness test. He was tipped for big things a few years back, but has made very little impact since making the move from Liverpool. Let’s hope things stay that way here!
Nathan Ake – Bournemouth’s best player for me. A mobile centre-back who is surprisingly strong in the air for a player so slight.
David Brooks – The attacking midfielder has an eye for goal and has been badly missed during a recent long-term spell on the sidelines. With Fraser and Wilson ruled out, he could be the man they hope can unlock the door.
Phillip Billing – The giant midfielder gives the Cherries a physical presence in midfield but also loves a long range shot. A talented player who’ll look to get forward alongside the more defensive Jefferson Lerma.
Team news
Matt Ritchie has been deemed ‘touch and go’ for this one, while Bruce revealed his his pre-match presser that Allan Saint-Maximin was “extremely tired” the day after our 0-2 defeat to Man City.
Florian Lejeune will miss out once again, and could be missing for the season according to Bruce, while the game is expected to come too for Ciaran Clark.
Phillip Billing is expected to return, but the look set to be without two of their star attackers, with Callum Wilson suspended and Josh King a major doubt with an ankle injury.
Ryan Fraser will also miss out, with him refusing to sign an extension and all set to leave on a free this summer.
Prediction
As far as their fight for survival is concerned, this should be Bournemouth’s cup final, with them facing Man Utd, Spurs, Leicester and Man City in four of their last six games after this one.
With that, and the fact they are currently in the bottom three, in mind, this is a HUGE game for them – yet they’re set to come into it without their three best attackers.
Our season is in danger of fizzling out and we don’t have much to fight for in comparison, but that could work in our favour, with Bournemouth in awful form, without key players and under huge pressure to win.
I think some of our fringe men will arrive fresh and with a point to prove here, so I fancy us to come away with a narrow win via goals from Dwight Gayle and big Jo!
After the disappointment of Sunday, let’s hope I’m right!
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 Newcastle
HWTL!
If Josh King is out the Bmth are as toothless as us up front. I’m pretty sure Solanke has a WORSE scoring record than Joelinton!!.
Brooks is a tricky little player. But the biggest threat from Bmth will be from set pieces. Their CBs can score from them.
I fear this one could be a really cr@p watch …. (nowt new).
Sharpy17(Quote)
Olly – the site is STILL knackered mate. We’re getting more updates about this takeover than we are about this fix ?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stu in reply to your post to me on last thread
Please see my previous post where i wrote i feel more sorry for people who have lost their jobs due to covid than a couple of racist. You are trying to make me out to be some heartless cow who doesn’t care about anyone who lost their job due to covid.
Wrong on the twitter issue too, stop putting words in my mouth and twisting one subject round to another that suits your agenda better.
I clearly stated that we can discuss upsetting/bad tweets on twitter on a base by base issue if you like.
To get back to the case i originally posted about ( racist tweets ) as i said she was offered racial awareness course but turned it down. No remorse by either of them.
As for eugenics, are you suggesting i’m part of this bleeding heart liberal lot just because i support BLM ?don’t even go there Stu, seriously mate, the likes of my boy wouldn’t be here if we lived under that ideology. To even suggest i would be linked to some group supporting that is just disgusting. That’s what your mate Cummings believes in.
I’m not engaging with you anymore for a while as the eugenics thing has really upset me.
goodnight.
kimtoon(Quote)
Well I won’t be apologising, Kim, as it wasn’t my intention to offend you. It’s almost a career these days for a few people. You can only take offence you can’t give it so if you’re offended that’s your issue.
It’s unfortunate that you’ve assumed I was referring to you even though I thought I was making it pretty clear I was starting another topic after ending the original one with a new paragraph.
Stuart79(Quote)
Bleeding heart liberals? I suppose that’s meant to be a put-down. Yet it acknowledges they have a heart, and have blood in their veins, and have compassion for their fellow human. That all seems very sensible and desirable to me.
I guess, though, it’s something fascistic types would see as a weakness. We can’t let human emotions get in the way of the steady march of the oligarchy. Profit before people, mein herr. And don’t you ever forget that.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Thank God the PL and it’s footballers are considering distancing themselves from the hideous BLM movement. This ridiculous group have hijacked a noble cause for their own gain and done nothing for equal rights or the fight against racism.
Unbelievably they want to do away with the police, have an issue with Zionism and recently called Kier Starmer a cop in an expensive suit? All because he didn’t agree with their absurd views. I understand Bris and the likes probably believe most of the what they say and agree with their sentiments, which is their right. Just wonder if Kim believes they should all lose their jobs due to anti Israel Tweets?
As I said weeks ago, this movement is so extreme it’s having the opposite effect. How these celebrities have allowed themselves to be used so easily is beyond me. The desperation to sure their woke qualifications is about to bite them on their bums.
Stuart79(Quote)
You are getting yourself a bit worked up now Stuart.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Would someone(Andy) please get this comments business fixed. Gone on as long as the takeover. Just do it!
Stuart your views have gone all over the place recently. Particularly lately. Not very attractive mate!
georgio(Quote)
I’m not here to be attractive, georgio. But I am very interested in what comments you think are “ all over the place” and “not very attractive”. I’ve been nothing but balanced. I’m pretty sure what you perceive my comments to mean is a fantastic reason why were in this mess.
So, I’m waiting for your explanation. Maybe my comments aren’t comfortable for you as they show the hypocrisy and double standards that’s so prevalent today.
Stuart79(Quote)
My views are particularly shaped by the hypocrisy in the media and the left leaning people in the world, the double standards which see white people much more harshly judged than black people and the absolute nonsensical position that political correctness has got us. I rail against Political corrections as I think it’s doing vast amount of damage to communities and society.
I’m also a massive advocate of equality and fighting real racism. Not fake racism and faux outrage which does more harm than good and pushes back the noble and correct movements to actually do away with genuine issues in society.
One more example of the above is the ridiculous report from a Danish company that showed football commentators criticised black players 60% of the time compared to white players. Just what on Earth is that about? Are commentators black now? Why was this report even commissioned? Just madness.
Stuart79(Quote)
* Are commentators racism now not black
Stuart79(Quote)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8478341/Michael-Palin-backs-calls-redesign-Order-St-Michael-St-George-medal-petition.html
More absolute fucking mental nonsense. Where does this stop?
A career criminal’s death (brutal and disgusting as it was), is now being treated a saint and is having influence on knighthoods ffs!!!
Stuart79(Quote)
What next? WWF to be binned because it has people with a knee in someone’s neck… Judo out of the Olympics?
Stuart79(Quote)
Whilst I’m on my soap box we need to give Hong Kong citizens every opportunity to come and live in this country to have a safe and enjoyable live. The Chinese are just vicious bullies. It’s time the world stopped relying on them by buying everything from them. They’ve brought the whole world to a standstill and now they’re punishing the Citizens of which we have a responsibility to.
Stuart79(Quote)
WWF should be binned because it is fake and stupid and they make those moronic speeches before they pretend to fight.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And because they hit each other with folding chairs.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Could be right, Eric.
As for tonight it could be a bore draw this. Bournemouth have everything to play for and we don’t, however they’re really not very good and neither are we.
1-1
Stuart79(Quote)
Good finish. A game too late but good finish.
Stuart79(Quote)
Always liked Gayle.
Groucho(Quote)
It’s not such an outrageous idea but we’re only 3 points off 8th as things stand and that could be enough for Europa League. It’s unlikely and it would be a tad embarrassing for the PL but it’s not beyond all hope we could get there.
Stuart79(Quote)
This site is still fcking up.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Watching the match and I dont know if is the lack of a crowd or lack of fake crowd noise but it seems really dull.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Only a bit of commentary from Ando could make it worse.
At least we are ahead though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Btw the way that’s a great goal created by Saint
Stuart79(Quote)
Not trying to tempt faith but Bournemouth are pretty ****, arent they.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
He’s a magician.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Lerma cost 28 million euros. Is he even on the pitch? Billings was 20 million. Anonymous. Solanke 19 million.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It is pretty stiff competition with Jon Moss to contend with but Keven (Pete Postheslwaite) Friend has definitely been hit with the ugly stick.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
fate
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Got no idea what is happening with leicester. They seem to have a decent team. They have beaten us 8-0 in the 2 games we played anyway. Looks like man U will overtake them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Canny first half… good goals. I do think Bournemouth could still score so I’d like us to keep pushing and improving our goal difference… let’s see how things go in the second half…
Toon Toon(Quote)
That’s the Miggy I saw watching Atlanta Utd.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Bournemouth have now played 3 games since the lockdown and have had 1 shot on target. They are down.
We scored some really good goals today. No deflected headers from a corner etc.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
C’mon Chelsea, C’mon Chelsea. C’mon Chelsea.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well that’s the best we’ve played all season – don’t think I’ll ever get bored of saying ASM was MOTM again for me – 3 assists ??.
Gayle was a genuine goal threat up front for a change.
Liked the 3 in midfield look and thought Bentalab commanded the midfield tonight – looked very solid.
Also thought Lazaro came on with intend tonight. Usually feels like he just come on to see the game out.
Shame we lost the clean sheet at the end, but the performance and win certainly makes up for it ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
If Declan Rice is a 70 million pound player then I am a packet of cheese and onion crisps.
He is captain tonight.
#MostOverrratedPlayerEver
Eric Sykes(Quote)
West Ham also have the 2nd most overrated player ever on the bench – Jack Wilshere.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I would so like us to beat Wham at the weekend like 9 nil.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The Sith (Dour David Moyes) is only 57. He looks older than my mother who is 78. Ugly John Carver seems like a schoolboy in comparison.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Great game that was actually enjoyable for a change. Pity we didn’t put that 5th in and gave away that last goal to them.. happy with the result though. Onwards and upwards! ??
Toon Toon(Quote)
NEW THREAD
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2020/07/01/watch-gayle-longstaff-almiron-lazaro-goals-here-as-nufc-put-4-past-bournemouth-video/
Brilliant performance 😀
Olly Hawkins(Quote)