How things have changed over the past month and a half.
We signed brilliantly well last week, bringing in players with proven quality at Premier League level, and followed that up with back to back wins in league and cup against West Ham and Blackburn respectively.
Our performance in the latter was awful – albeit it via wholesale changes and a side full of right-backs, fringe men or new signings building back to full fitness – however we were brilliant at West Ham and things couldn’t have gone better so far for our five new signings, with Wilson, Hendrick and Fraser all scoring on their debuts and Gillsepie and Lewis banking clean sheets.
Next up, a Brighton side who’ve tended to frustrate us in recent years.
Believe it or not, we’ve scored ONCE in our six meetings with Brighton since we were both promoted back to the Premier League in the summer of 2017.
I remember them coming to Tyneside last season and having about 70% of the ball. They played us off the park in just about every single department, but couldn’t apply that killer touch in the final third.
Hopefully it’s a very different game this time around and it’s our new-look attack that can do damage this time around to end our streak of not scoring against the stubborn Seagulls at St James’ Park!
Team news
Thankfully, Bruce has confirmed that Saint-Maximin is ‘fine’ despite limping off in midweek after twisting his knee late on against Blackburn.
That said, the gaffer has named FIVE others who’ll remain sidelined for Sunday’s visit of Brighton, with this one set to come too soon for Paul Dummett, Matty Longstaff, Fabian Schar, Martin Dubravka and Dwight Gayle.
Predicted line up
Predicted NUFC XI (4-4-2): Darlow – Manquillo, Lascelles, Fernandez, Lewis – Hendrick, Hayden, Shelvey, Saint-Maximin – Carroll, Wilson.
With Bruce confirming that we’ve picked up no new injuries, I struggle to see us making any changes from the side that won so well at West Ham.
We looked strong at the back, won the midfield battle via solid displays from Hayden and Shelvey and a constant threat in attack, with Saint-Maximin and Hendrick both elusive, Carroll a constant handful and Wilson’s movement causing all sorts of problems.
Ryan Fraser will be in our best 11 before long, but with him still building up his match fitness and tiring early on Tuesday, it’s fair to say he’s still a week or two away from starting.
Joelinton didn’t impress on Tuesday and looked leggy after next to no pre-season, however Miguel Almiron was one of the highlights in an otherwise dull affair and will be pushing for a start after two assists in two and a sublime ball to set up Fraser’s winner.
That said, I Bruce sticking with Carroll and Wilson, meaning the electric Paraguayan may have to settle for another cameo appearance from the bench.
Ciaran Clark was arguably our best player in midweek and barely put a foot wrong, however I don’t see Lascelles and Fernandez’s partnership being broken up anytime soon.
The opposition
Here’s a few ones to watch in Graham Potters’ Seagulls side:
Tariq Lamptey – The former Chelsea right-back burst onto the season after lockdown and looks a serious talent. Has bags of pace and energy, bombs forward and isn’t shy in the tackle. It’ll be VERY interesting to see who wins the battle between him and Saint-Maximin on Sunday!
Ben White – Another new name in this Brighton side, but a big talent who looked like a Rolls Royce of a centre-back during his outstanding loan spell at Leeds last season. Carries the ball out of defence well, can pick a pass and reads the game very well too. How he copes with Wilson’s movement and Carroll’s aerial prowess will be one to watch!
Adam Lallana – A shrewd free agent signing from Liverpool who should start here if he passes a late fitness test. He’ll bring that experience and quality in the final third that Brighton have often lacked in recent seasons.
Yves Bissouma – He’s not talked about much, but he looks a player with real potential. A holding midfielder and breaker up of play, however he’s also quite explosive, possessing the ability to dribble past a man and fire a stinging shot on goal from range.
Predicted Brighton XI (3-5-2): Ryan – White, Webster, Dunk (c) – Lamptey, Lallana, Bissouma, Alzate, March – Trossard, Maupay.
Prediction
I’ve seen quite a few back Brighton to go down this season, however they’re a good footballing side who we’ve struggled to get to grips with in recent meetings – and the emergence of Lamptey and White combined with Lallana’s arrival should only improve them.
That said, we arrive into this one full of confidence and on the back of two wins, so there’s no reason why we can’t make it three is ASM is on song, Wilson has his shooting boots on and Carroll can repeat the dominant display he put in at West Ham!
For once, I think there’ll be more than one goal in this one, however I can see it ending all square.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Brighton
HWTL!
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Olly: do you predict a draw for every game apart from Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool? Sitting on the fence.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I was just about to write that the big arsed, short armed Mackem looked like he had a mistake in him today when WBrom scored.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Most likely a draw tomorrow, we’ve drawn against them quite a few times. They are a good side and have made some good signings so expect a tough game .
kimtoon(Quote)
We’ve drawn 4 times and lost twice in our six games vs Brighton since promotion.
Not sitting on the fence, just predicting the scoreline!
I don’t think we’ll win tomorrow. Not going to just put a win because that’s what I’d like to happen.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Mitro levels for Fulham
kimtoon(Quote)
Another pen
leeds lead 2.1
kimtoon(Quote)
nice goal
3.1
kimtoon(Quote)
Not insulting you Olly mate. You know I like your writing.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
4.1 wow Leeds killing Fulham here
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: did you watch the earlier game? Mike Dean being Mike Dean and sending Bilic off was pretty funny.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
WBrom, Fulham and 1 other going down Kimtoon. I still think it will be Burnley or Palace.
Would love it to be WHam but they might just survive.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
4.2
Blimey, are all Leeds games gonna see lots of goals, last weeks v Pool was good too.
kimtoon(Quote)
No was feeding Lew mate, but was listening to Merson & co talking about it like.
kimtoon(Quote)
Or Villa.
So many bad teams means that we will stay up – even with Bruce.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, agree re Fulham, not seeing much here to shout about.
Leeds great going forward but leaky at the back.
kimtoon(Quote)
It was pretty funny. It was almost like a no-look Mike Dean red card for a player. Didnt listen to Bilic and just sent him off.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
wow lovely Mitro header
4.3
kimtoon(Quote)
Dean really is one sad fooker Eric .
kimtoon(Quote)
Why did we sell Mitro?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What a cracking game this is
Fulham nearly get the equaliser .
kimtoon(Quote)
Why indeed mate
He was a nutter but he was our nutter.
Leeds finding him a handful
kimtoon(Quote)
Fulham looking much better now, may be hope for them yet
kimtoon(Quote)
I never got what Rafa’s problem was with Mitro, To be sure he is a nutter, but he will get you 10-15 goals unlike Joelinton. Tino and Bellamy were nutters as well.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Fulham and Leeds fans will be going through it here, end to end stuff, very entertaining
kimtoon(Quote)
Is every Leeds game going to be 5 – 3 or summink? 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So was Ketsbia
kimtoon(Quote)
Bielsa looks like he has ants in his pants, can’t keep still 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
So Happy to have Leeds back. Much better than like Boro or Brighton. Real team. Real fans.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Great game at Elland Road…. just a shame that fans couldn’t enjoy their first home game and first win back in the premiership…
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Yep, you gotta feel for them, mind you if all their games are like their first two, their poor fans will be nervous wrecks by the end of the season. Reminds me of us when we were the entertainers a bit.
kimtoon(Quote)
So that is 2 losses for West Ham. Another 5 to go (at least).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Good that they have that 70 million pound midfielder to save them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
My guess is 2 points for WHam from the 1st 7 games, That means we will at least not be bottom!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Expectations are high today following last weeks win. That probably means we will lose.
Haven’t been on for a while I’ve had a busy few weeks. Hope everyone is well.
I see that lockdown we had earlier in the year worked… Who knew as soon as they lifted the lockdown cases would rise again. It basically achieved nothing. Sweden still going strong and haven’t missed thousands of cancer cases, heart disease cases, mental heath cases and lost education for their children.
Just a thought for the day…
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu, an interesting piece on the Swedish approach to covid.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2251615-is-swedens-coronavirus-strategy-a-cautionary-tale-or-a-success-story/
kimtoon(Quote)
Watched the prematch interview with Jose and reading between the lines he has fallen out with Deli Alli.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Jose is complaining about having TOO MANY players. The guy could be walking trough a cherry orchard on a spring day with a 20 year old Bridget Bardot on one arm and a bottle of Champagne in the other hand and he would still find something to moan about.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sweden also has a total population of 10 million, around that of London! I guess that helps in social distancing! ?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Somebody good should sign Ings. Us after the takeover 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And… they should get rid of the offside rule. It was invented to stop sunday league attackers standing on the goaliine. With all of this technology now they should just award a free kick for a player standing in the opposition goal mouth and place the ball in the centre circle. Offside has outgrown its usefulness.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And what the hell did Spurs see in Ndombele? He is their Joelinton and cost more. I think he was 70 million or summink.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So, that was the easiest starting 11 to pick ever. I think Ed Harrison even got it right.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Is it 4-4-2? Hayden on the right?
Stuart79(Quote)
Interesting comment. But nobody mentioned that back in April they just said Sweden were bonkers. It’s also worth noting that taking into account populations they have had a similar case rate as us.
Stuart79(Quote)
Told you Spurs werent as bad as the press made out last week.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Like last week,
Hendrick on the right.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
ffs pen
kimtoon(Quote)
**** start
kimtoon(Quote)
Well, we’ll have to get hold of the ball and attack now.
kimtoon(Quote)
Saved by the flag, ffs get a grip lads this is poor
kimtoon(Quote)
That wasnt a penalty. The commentators here are saying it was. Was it Shyte, like. You fcking c2nts.
They are also saying Bruce “won the fans over” last year.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
no offside says VAR
0.2 down already !
kimtoon(Quote)
Pete Posthleswaite is the ugliest Ref in the history of Refs.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The offside rule is so confusing now. The goalscorer was deemed to be not interfering with play. I think it might have been Roy Keene who said that if a player is not interfering with play then why is he on the pitch?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Maxi hobbling and Shelvey losing it , looking like a bad day at the office
And nearly an og 🙄 😳
Foot me, gonna hide behind the sofa, this is a horror show .
kimtoon(Quote)
The tortoise and the hare here. Guess which we are.
Groucho(Quote)
Lamptey has great movement off the ball, he’s not just pace, good player, big clubs will want him soon if he continues like this. Can’t believe Chelsea let him go.
kimtoon(Quote)
What we on now 3 yellows is it
kimtoon(Quote)
Fraser coming on for Maxi who is injured
kimtoon(Quote)
You would think Ryan is better protective cover
kimtoon(Quote)
Ashley is there with a NUFC mask on.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Cannot get a foothold in this game
kimtoon(Quote)
So, that’s normal service resumed then! Total sh.ite first half… St. Max was clearly not properly fit either… ??
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Commentator here said Bruce is a big NUFC fan having been born on the coast in Corbridge. Obviously didnt get his giant Google book of facts. The commentator is British. They just spew out rubbish now #TooManyUselessFacts.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Agree
Eric Sykes(Quote)
we are making them look like Barca ffs. Definitely not a penalty.. terrible decision. We need a midfielder that actually likes getting their foot on the ball. Centrally we have two ghosts.
Aussie(Quote)
I didn’t think that was a pen, maxi got the ball … cannot see us getting anything now from this. Wouldn’t be surprised if we end with 10 men too the way things are going… ?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Hendrick wasted on the wing, he isn’t a winger, should be more central imo. I’d bring off Shelvey who looks like a red card waiting to happen, bring on Almiron and bring Hendrick inside perhaps?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Shelvey needs to be deagged. Hayden is pretty much an extra defender. I am not seeing anyone actually presenting for the ball. Very stagnant.
Aussie(Quote)
Maybe I have my B&W glasses on but I still dont think that was a penalty. ST Max went for the ball and got the ball. I dont even know what the rules are anymore. Same with offside. Last year a penalty would have been given for the ball hitting the Brighton player’s arm. Now? Who knows anymore?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Gilly , i agree, can see a couple of our players out there who are red cards waiting to happen. Both Shelvey and Lascelles who has been sloppy today could see red.
So Steve , what you gonna do ?
Carrol off Miggy on
kimtoon(Quote)
Miggy on for Andy. Injury ? 🙂 Doubt it. A tactical change by Bruce. Must be a first 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, It looked a pen to me, you just can’t make a tackle like that there, ASM isn’t a defender and was never gonna be the defensive cover needed there.
Steve should be more than aware of the way they get forward with pace, he even said he expected them to have the bulk of possession .
kimtoon(Quote)