A positive end to pre-season in front of 20,139 fans at St James’ Park, with a Matt Ritchie opener and Dwight Gayle brace handing us a 3-0 win over newly promoted Norwich.
The Canaries were the better side in a first 45 lacking in any real spark, passing the ball around well and looking sharper in all departments, however we were a totally different threat in the second half as Allan Saint-Maximin, Ryan Fraser and Jonjo Shelvey changed the game.
Matt Ritchie opened the scoring just before the half hour mark, before a bright Dwight Gayle bagged twice following some great work from Fraser and Manquillo.
Allan Saint-Maximin had some electric moments after coming on from the bench, while Callum Wilson also came through unscathed after returning from a minor hamstring issue.
STARTING 11: (5-3-2) – Woodman – Murphy, Krafth, Fernandez (c), Clark, Ritchie – Hayden, S Longstaff, Almiron – Joelinton, Wilson.
SUBS: Gillespie, M Longstaff, Schar, Lascelles, Shelvey, Saint-Maximin, Gayle, Lewis, Hendrick, Manquillo, Fraser, Langley, Watts.
It was a huge boost to see Callum Wilson start, suggesting his hamstring is OK, with Miguel Almiron also straight into the starting XI after only returning from his extended pre-season break earlier this week.
Allan Saint-Maximin’s return to the bench was also a positive sign after the Frenchman sat out of our last three pre-season friendlies through illness.
Missing was Karl Darlow and Martin Dubravka – meaning Woodman looks highly likely to start against West Ham next weekend – while U23 talents Elliot Anderson (injury) and Joe White failed to make the matchday squad.
Norwich saw plenty of the ball early on and tested Woodman with the first shot of the game. We were pressing high and trying to unsettle the visiting side’s back three. Joelinton and Hayden nicked it back a couple of times, but the final ball that followed was often lacking.
Woodman then did well again at the other end to parry clear a fierce volley from summer signing Pierre Lees-Melou – the former Nice midfielder who was chatting at length to Saint-Maximin before kick off.
Norwich were on top, with a tame effort from Callum Wilson the only effort we managed as we approached the 20 minute mark.
Things did improve from a NUFC perspective – Almiron was a lively outlet and Murphy energetic down the right – however we were struggling to enjoy sustained periods of possession and looked pedestrian when we did against a Norwich side who looked brighter on the ball.
Almiron aside, our engine room looked slow and static, reminding us all how badly we needed Joe Willock back. In a midfield three that had a five-man defence behind them, Hayden and Sean Longstaff were sitting too deep.
We were also trying to play out from the back, but it was a struggled based on the lack of ball-playing defenders at our disposal.
The half-time whistle went and it’s fair to say Norwich had been the better side, looking sharper in all departments across the first 45.
The players returned to the field and Bruce – who visited the NUFC Foodbank before the game – had made three changes, as Allan Saint-Maximin, Ryan Fraser and Jonjo Shelvey replaced Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Sean Longstaff.
As expected, it was ASM who immediately got Newcastle fans on their feet, with the Frenchman bursting past a few bright orange shirts to inject some much needed spark to the game.
Ryan Fraser then broke free down the line and almost played Wilson in, only for his cross to be too close to Tim Krul.
The former Bournemouth star was then involved again moments later, as his ball over the top put Saint-Maximin in behind. Krul came out to meet him, got nowhere near it and was forced to retreat, with Fraser’s creativity, Shelvey’s searching balls in behind and ASM’s sheer pace and trickery helping us unsettle a previously comfortable Norwich side.
After a much improved start to the 2nd half, we then found the breakthrough on 55 minutes.
Norwich lost the ball in a bad area, Wilson held up the ball well after latching onto a deflected shot and Ritchie arrived in the midst of a goal-mouth scramble to prod home. 1-0 Newcastle!
The three subs were making a huge difference, with us also benefiting from a slight tweak in midfield. After a double pivot behind Miguel Almiron left attackers looking isolated in the first 45, Fraser and Hayden were now breaking forward in front of a sitting Jonjo Shelvey.
Teemu Pukki entered the field on the 60th minute mark – the man who bagged a hat-trick against us in Bruce’s first away game as NUFC manager – and that substitution was quickly followed by FIVE changes by Steve Bruce.
Jamal Lewis came on against his former club, replacing goal scorer Matt Ritchie, while Dwight Gayle, Jeff Hendrick, Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles replaced Callum Wilson, Isaac Hayden, Emil Krafth and Federico Fernandez.
74 minutes on the clock and it was 2-0 Newcastle thanks to some lovely link up play between Fraser and Gayle.
We won the ball high up the field once again, Fraser put Gayle in behind with a perfectly weighted through ball and the NUFC striker finished superbly, curling past Krul with the outside of his boost.
Minutes later, it was very nearly 3-0 as Allan Saint-Maximin burst through on goal after being played through brilliantly by Ciaran Clark. The Frenchman probably took too long to get a shot off, however it was a superb last ditch challenge from Omobamidele.
A fit-again Javier Manquillo then came on for his first appearance of pre-season, with he and local lad Kell Watts replacing Jacob Murphy and a cautioned Ciaran Clark for the final 10 minutes.
The Spaniard was involved soon after and played a key part in our third, with his superb cross being converted at close range by Dwight Gayle. Two goals for him and 3-0 Newcastle!
3-0 Newcastle, an impressive second half display – making up for what was a flat first 45 minutes – a good run out for returning duo Saint-Maximin and Shelvey and also great to see Wilson come through unscathed.
Next up, West Ham at home a week on Sunday in our opening game of the 2021/22 Premier League season.
Now for a few new signings…
I know I am ranting but I have some optimism now:
I think we are adding a very good player in Willock and we start with few injuries.
There is also the addition by subtraction. Jones may not be the best coach in the world but I am sure that the puppies that have followed Bruce around for 10 years (The Steves) are some of the worst. As I have said before, putting out the cones and mending the nets is their peak capability. They cannot even coach a decent corner or throw-in. I know I said this before, but it bears repeating.
Eric(Quote)
Eric – it’s similar to when Pardew was here. He wasn’t doing too great, then sort of stumbled across the 4-3-3 formation and it was like the team had a new lease of life – we obviously went on to finish 5th.
I think we got it at the back end of last season switching back to the 3 CBs. It wasn’t all rosy – but then we didn’t have Wilson and ASM for large periods either.
WHU had a good season last season, but Lingard played a big part in the second half of the season & where we are getting Willock back – it doesn’t look like they will get Lingard. They are arguably worse off than they were finishing last season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The normal sell on clause is about 20%. But mostly there is NO clause.
NUFC put in a 40% clause in Armstrong’s contact.
They knew they were selling him on the cheap.
Why?
Eric(Quote)
Some people are just so negative, it is always glass half empty. There are now conspiracy theories on twitter and certain blogs that Willock has been hijacked by West Ham. No evidence, it is just that he hasnt been seen in Newcastle yet and nothing has been said for 24 hrs.
They said they were discussing personal terms with NUFC FFS. That might take a couple of days or it might be done in an hour. His Agent will want to get as much as he can but he also must know that if Joe is successful then the Fat Man will offer him new terms within a year. It happened with many others – Sissoko and Cabaye to name just 2. I think ASM was offered a 6 year deal after 6 months.
I have no worries on this one. Just dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. He must be a bit p!ssed off at Arsenal as well. Hasnt he been there since he was 6 or summink. He went out on loan to prove himself and couldnt have done more and they just ignore him.
Come to NUFC Joe lad. There are 52,000 Geordies who will adore you every other week if you just get into double figures in goals.
Eric(Quote)
Kell Watts has gone to Wigan. This is make or break now. There will be slots open next year, because:
Bruce is not sold on Clark
Schar only has a year left
If Dummett carries on with his injury record I think we will let him go
Fernandez is getting on a bit
Is Krafth a centre back?
This could be why Bruce is looking at Central defenders, for next year as much as this?
Eric(Quote)
The population of Newcastle Upon Tyne is 451,000. In the last 8 days in the US there have been 1 million confirmed Covid cases. This is when vaccinations are free and available without appointments. The people that are getting Covid are the unvaccinated. I do not get these people. Why are they putting themselves at risk when there have been 320 million of doses of this vaccine already put into peoples arms with almost no side affects. They are putting kids at risk who cannot get the vaccine.
People bring up seat belts as an example of people following laws and a mandate. It is worse than that because that only harms yourself. It is much more akin to drunk driving which harms yourself and potentially others. Does anybody object to drink driving rules?
These people are crazy.
Twice the poulation of Newcastle getting Covid in 8 days. This is madness.
I am flying to New Mexico in a month. By then I will probably have to prove I have been vaccinated. I have no problem with that. I dont think that is impacting on my individual rights. I believe these vaccine deniers are the ones impacting MY right to not get Covid, even though I have been vaccinated.
If the US is not on the UK Covid red list it should be.
Eric(Quote)
Sorry for my Covid “letter from America”. Just pointing out that if you thought politicans and people were dumb in the UK you should try living here.
Eric(Quote)
Looks like where’s Wally has turned into where’s Joe. Folk losing their s*** on twitter cause he hasn’t been seen in Toon yet .
All his signing does is keep us at the level we were at end of season anyway. We need more than Joe returning. I am still worried about injuries to Wilson and ASM and Gayle for that matter. Fraser needs to also stay fit.
KIMTOON(Quote)
I’m amazed Abraham is going to Roma for as little as £34m.
I know there is obviously the Jose connection – but still.
Ings went for £30m – £34m for Abraham is a bloody steal based on that I reckon.
Villa, Arsenal, Spurs, Everton, WHU – how have none of these clubs gone for him???.
Him moving to Italy isn’t going to do his England chance much good either I’d think. I’m not sold on Calvert Lewin, and Tammy would have a good chance of the World Cup playing & scoring regular for any of those teams.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m very surprised we let Watts go to a league 1 side. Thought we would keep him, he seems decent. I pray we don’t get Phil Jones. That would be a disaster.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – I’d rather have Jones over Tuanzebe or Rob Holding.
I think he’d be good in our back 3 formation & he can play holding midfield if needed.
But, I’d rather take Nat Phillips from Liverpool if we could get him. He had great PL experience with Lpool last season & could go straight into the first time with much concern.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ok, but I think Jones has hardly kicked a ball over the last few seasons… agree on Philips but cannot see us getting him. Let’s see.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Jones plays 5 games and gets injured. Him and Barkley seem far fetched as they must be on 100k a week. Berkley always seems like he flatters to deceive. I didnt watch him much at Villa, but why didnt they want to keep him? Was he injured a lot?
Eric(Quote)
West Ham finished 6th last year which was a totally false position. Jesse Lingard really helped them out, probably as much as Willock did us. There is no way they will have him for our game and very little chance they will get him at all. They gave Mark Noble a 1 year extension which about sums up how **** their squad really is.
They are the bookies favourites, which I dont really understand. If we can get Willock done and on the bench I think we should win this one. Even if the deal is done too late I still dont see us losing.
I am sure that rumours abound on twitter about Willock but I cannot remember a deal falling through on personal terms at NUFC when a fee is agreed. The only thing that could kill this is if he doesnt want to come.
Eric(Quote)
My prediction for West Ham this year – 11th or 12th. Somewhere around us, Everton and Wolves. Maybe even Arsenal. I just dont see any of these teams being anything other than mid-table and around the 50 point mark. West Ham got 65 points last year. I have no idea how with that squad. Moyes should probably have been Manager of the Year.
All the doom and gloom at NUFC is forgetting that there are some really **** or mediocre teams in the PL. There are the promoted teams who usually struggle. Then there are Burnley, Southampton, Palace and Brighton. Palace have had an overhaul but that rarely works in the first season. I put West Ham in this group.
Wolves, Everton, and Arsenal are no threat to the top 6. With a Kane-less or disaffected Kane Spurs arent either.
For the 1st time in a long time I am not worried about playing any teams apart from the top 4 of Man U, Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool. And of course Brighton 🙂
Even Leicester who have been our bogey team we showed we can beat.
I reckon there will be a big gap between the top 4 and the rest with one surprise team such as Leeds or Leicester doing better than expected to get 5th.
Eric(Quote)
I mean, Arsenal’s marquee signing so far is Ben White, a centre half. They definately need a centre half but would that set the pulses racing in North London? In a normal quality year their current squad would get maybe 7th or 8th. This is not a normal quality year though. This is a very mediocre PL except for the top 4. Bielsa and Brendan may get their teams an extra 10 points.
I fear for Rafa. If they are just letting him have the dregs he will be on a hiding to nothing. Everton have spent 500 million under Moshiri and have virtually nothing to show for it. They may get desparate towards the end of the transfer window. Maybe a bid for ASM?
Eric(Quote)
So Arma confirmed at Southampton . Gutted at that to be honest. We should’ve brought him back at that price. No brainer… but then our team management have no brains.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Spot on Gilly. I think we’ve missed out there – I’m sure we’ll find out by how much in the coming season – but he should be holding up a toon shirt for sure.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Messis wages at PSG – net £1m per week .. PER WEEK!!! … those tears dried pretty quickly didnt they ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
For all we know Arma might not of wanted back to Toon anyway .
KIMTOON(Quote)
crazy stupid money, obscene really.
KIMTOON(Quote)
I have watched a bit of Arsenal Fan TV and they are angry. They are angry about their squad and angry about their (non) signings. What they are not angry about is Joe Willock which is very strange to me. Before he came to NUFC he had played a total of 245 mins for them in 20/21. Did they watch any of our games? He came as a 21 year old kid and really couldnt have done much better. Their theory seems to be that 20 mil is good money because nobody is interested in their other players like Bellerin and Texiera. I think they will ive to regret this. It could be another Chelsea/Lukaku situation where they sell him for 28 million to Everton and then buy him back for 100 mil.
Also, it looks like Pogba will run down his contract. A fitting end for the most selfish player the game has ever seen.
Eric(Quote)
The Harrisons are saying that Everton really are interested in Sean Longstaff. They also say that he only played 8 games for Rafa in his “breakthrough” season before being injured. That’s it!!! And he has done nothing since. I would sell him in a heartbeat for whatever we can get for him. I am sick of hearing about him and sick of seeing his name on the teamsheet or even on the bench. This is one player I do not blame Bruce for messing around. He has shown absolutely nothing to say he deserves a place. Bruce would have to go back to those 8 games to see anything and that was 3 years ago.
He is slow. He mistimes his tackles and even though he has a decent shot they usually go wide or over the bar. How many goals and assists does he have? Above all else he gives the ball away in dangerous positions. He is a total liability to our team, but if Rafa thinks he can get something out of him then good luck and send us the cheque.
Eric(Quote)
And since I am on a rant about 1 Longstaff we may as well talk about both. They do not fit Bruce’s current plans. Doubtfire has made his decision to play Shelvey and you cannot play either of the Longstaffs with Jonjo because that would make us the slowest midfield in the league.
I also think we will have a hard time shuffling Hayden, Jonjo and Willock in there because that means we have to leave out players where we have strength which is pace up front. If we play 5 at the back and 3 in midfield it means we have to leave out Miggy and Fraser because ASM and Wilson are bankers if fit.
I suppose they are good options from the bench but do you think they will be happy in that role? I think against weaker teams Bruce has to figure out a 4-3-3.
Matty Longstaff needs 6 months in The Championship on loan to see if he is any good. I havent seen enough of him to know. Maybe he could be backup to Shelvey?
Eric(Quote)
Ryder has just written an aricle on the Longstaffs. Total coincidence, my thoughts were before his. He says Transfermkt value Sean at 13 mil. Not a hope in hell of getting that. I would say 5 mil tops.
Eric(Quote)
Since Ryder also wrote about Sean Longstaff today , I will continue…
Time for the debunking of the Sean Longstaff myth.
Ryder quotes him as saying:
“I have played a lot of games now”
“I dont think it gets as much respect as it should”.
OK then Sean. You turn 24 in October and have played in 54 games for NUFC, a lot as sub. In those 54 games you have scored 2 goals. How mush respect does that deserve? You cannot hit the target and give the ball away on the edge of our box at least twice a game. You are the new Jack Colback. Giving the opposition an opportunity to attack by giving the ball away. At least when Ginger Jack did it we had time to set up a wall to defend against his fouls/mistakes.
#totally overrated even now
#take 5 mil from Rafa
Eric(Quote)
See new Tweets
Conversation
Loïc Tanzi
@Tanziloic
Newcastle a fait une offre de 14 millions d’euros + 2 millions de Bonus à Midtjylland pour Jens Cajuste. Rennes n’a pas encore fait de quatrième offre mais la concurrence s’intensifie désormais #Mercato #RMCLive
11:02 PM · Aug 10, 2021·
KIMTOON(Quote)
My guess is that we are arguing about a relegation/release clause for Willock. We have a history of puttng these in contracts – Demba Ba, Townsend – and getting burned. We probably had no choice though. We also have come out well on another occasion – 30 mil release clause for Perez.
Eric(Quote)
Olly: I reckon that if Fraser gets in the team it will be hard to get him out. He will have opportunities, first as a sub but also through the inevitable injuries. I expect Wilson to play maybe 25 games because he is prone to hamstring pulls. ASM will get injured because the tactics of a lot of teams are to put 2 or 3 men on him and just hack him before he can get into a dangerous position. West Ham were the prime example of this last year.
I think it will be a fight between Miggy and Fraser to see who starts in place of our main attackers when they are injured. I doubt Bruce will go like for like and play Gayle. I think Dwight’s role will be impact sub.
On Miggy. He has to show more end product. He has all the energy in the world but needs more goals and assists. When he was at Atlanta he did have end product so he has it in him.
Not sure where Donkey fints into any of this.
Eric(Quote)
Also, the most interesting thing about the Fraser interview is that we know for certain now how Bruce/Jones will set up. It is a 5-3-1-1. The team picks itself with the only questions being which 3 of the 6 CBs he plays. They are all much of a muchness so I really dont care. The other question is Ritchie or Lewis. Ritchie will get the shirt to start with but a couple of defensive lapses and that could change.
The midfield is Hayden, Shelvey, Willock.
So, bye bye Sean Longstaff.
Eric(Quote)
Willock seen back down at the Gunners,hope theres no problem ❓ ❓
icedog(Quote)
hes back at the training ground at the Gunners 😯 😯
icedog(Quote)
Cleaning out his closet, as M&M would say.
Eric(Quote)
looks like jabba wont pay him more than 500 quid a wk
icedog(Quote)
Ice – not so long ago we only had £10m to spend, then we agree a fee of over £20m with Arsenal.
Ive stopped believing anything that I’m reading right now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Pete Graves
@PeteGravesTV
·
4h
Work to do on Willock. Personal terms are slowing the deal. Going to be a nervy few days for #nufc supporters who are desperate to see the young man return to St James Park. Deal between Arsenal and Newcastle remains agreed. Steve Bruce wanted Willock signed in time for Sunday.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim – they never report on the hold up of the Varane deal to Man Utd though do they?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy I’m actually pretty laid back about it all for the first season ever, so much going on on the home front that Toon figure pretty low on the list of stress at present.
Be nice to have him back but if it doesn’t happen then we go with what we have and hope for the best.
KIMTOON(Quote)
So Sky Sports saying personal terms still to be agreed and the telegraph saying they’ve been agreed and Willock should be available for Sunday.
I have to say if I was Willock I would definitely want a reasonable minimum release clause and relegation clause in the contract because we are pretty likely to be in relegation battles for most years and mid table mediocrity at best.
Stuart79(Quote)
Looks like he’s on his way for a Medical.
Stuart79(Quote)
I love that less than 24hr ago Sky Sports are saying we were ‘some distance’ from agreeing personal terms with Willock – now they announce they are agreed in principle – that distance shortened pretty quickly didnt it!!.
We are a club that the media love to report negatively about – and some fans feed off it!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Willock walked away to train with Arsenal again, then finally the Toon got serious and upped their offer. Medical booked for tomorrow.
georgio(Quote)
We now have 3 really good players.
Willock, ASM, Wilson.
2 more as well. Fraser and Miggy.
Eric(Quote)
As I have mentioned before, we will be playing 5-3-1-1. But Willock will not start on Sunday.
We pretty much know the 5 and we know it will be ASM and Wilson as the 1-1. But who will be the 3rd of the 3 after Shelvey and Hayden?
Donkey?
That would be crazy as Miggy and Fraser are much better, but I woudnt rule it out.
Eric(Quote)
How will Bruce get Wilson, ASM, Joelinton, Miggy and Willock in the team? Or will he sacrifice someone?
Stuart79(Quote)
Stewie: I think he will play Donkey as part of the midfield 3 and Fraser and Miggy will miss out. Willock will be 1st sub – FOR ASM. Donkey will be on for at least 70 mins.
Eric(Quote)
I am looking forward to the games this weekend. I think we will win but the fixture guros have thrown a couple of intriguing games our way.
Man U – Leeds: I dont know if it is a red rose/white rose thing but they really dont like each other.
Spurs – Man City – its a Harry Kane thing.
I am off to the pub at 8am Sunday and have to decide whether I want to stay for Spur/City. It will probably depend on how many of their annoying fans show up. Liverpool are the worst BTW. So pushy.
Eric(Quote)
The papers are doing their predictions. They all agree on the top 4, but not the order. I am going with:
Man U
Man City
Chelsea
Liverpool
NUFC after Willock and before I see any loans?
11th
Bottom 3:
Southampton
Burnley
Watford
I just have a feeling that this year it will only be 1 of the promoted teams who go down. Burnley and S’ton are **** but they have good Managers so you could easily see Brentford or Norwich replacing them in the relegation stakes.
Biggest fall from grace will undoubtedly be West Ham. Bottom half for sure. There is just no way they will get 65 points and 6th. I am going like 48 points and 13th at best. Moyes performed a miracle last year.
Sunday? 3-1 to the Toon.
Eric(Quote)
I know I am a broken record but WHam gave Mark Noble a contract extention. There is just no way that that plodder should be in the PL. They got lucky last year but this year Noble will be their downfall.
And I still think Declan Rice is overrated.
100 mil. Yer ‘avin a larf!
Eric(Quote)
So Willock finally signed. All that time we’ve had and yet we could not get it done in time for him to play the first game. Our club really are moronic…
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – to be fair we don’t know what held the deal up – it could have been Arsenal or Willock himself.
What we do know is most thought it would be a loan deal at best & we only had £10m to spend.
But the lad is ours now – an adopted Geordie & whilst we haven’t got him for the first game, we have him for 6yrs ??.
I give the club real credit on this one. They decided Willock was the main target this season & for a change they made it happen – they didn’t balls it up, or go for a cheaper option – they stayed the course and got the lad in ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: we were TOLD by the journos that is was only a loan or nothing for Willock and that we only had 10 mil for everything else. I didnt believe Arsenal would ever loan Willock again. I couldnt predict Fatty would come up with the cash but I knew the gunners wouldnt loan him.
With Lacazette and Aubamayang out perhaps Arsenal could do with a goalscoring midfielder 🙂
1 nil down on 57 mins.
I think Arsenal will finish 7th or 8th. They have some good young players and it depends on if Aubamayang can be arsed after getting his massive contract.
Eric(Quote)
Good that Willock has signed , just hope he shows the same form as he did on his loan spell.
We have sold Lejeune , probably for a couple of £m and got a few players off the payroll. So a good window so far.
I would take a decent fee for Sean Longstaff and try to get Joelinton a loan deal back in Germany.
At the same time we should be looking to bring in a new striker so we have options up front if Wilson is injured.
Sidekick(Quote)
2 nil to Brentford. I am listening to Arsenal Fan TV and they have gone into meltdown.
Eric(Quote)
This is pretty funny. Brentford are doing a lap of honour.
Eric(Quote)
Fantastic win for Brentford. Arsenal need a striker. We could sell them Joelinton for £50 mill. ???
On another point, when Brentford scored their second, from a long throw, did you see one of their players grab the Arsenal goalie in a surreptitious arm lock so he couldn’t move? Nobody mentioned it and goal was allowed. Seems a dodgy tactic to me. They did it again later in the game. We need to watch for that when we play them.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Oh I wonder how long it takes Brucey to mention that result tonight in his interviews.
He took a hammering for our cup exit to Brentford last season – and rightly so – we were as bad as Arsenal were tonight.
Brentford had a great night tonight – but they celebrated like it was a quarter final. Hate to say it for them but I think they will shine bright to begin with, but fizzle out before Christmas.
Always good to see Arsenal get smashed though ?.
Good decision Geordie Joe ???
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just watched the Willock signing interview. He said he had been at Arsenal since he was 4 and a half. No wonder it took him so long to decide on a move.
Eric(Quote)
I am pretty certain that Willock will be taking Miggy’s place. Their games are similar but Willock has more end product. We will definately play 5-3-1-1. The front 5 are set and are Shelvey, Hayden, Willock, ASM, Wilson.
Miggy and Fraser are the attacking subs now. I think they are good players so that is not necessarily a bad thing as long as Bruce will give them 20 mins or more when the other team is tiring.
I still expect them to get plenty of gametime because of injuries.
I have no clue who our loan(s) will be.
I am still optimistic about Sunday even though Willock will not be available. WHam punched seriously above their weight last year and will come back down to earth. There is always one team. Remember Sheffield United? Burnley even qualified for Europe. ****, Pardew’s Toon finished 5th FFS.
Eric(Quote)
I am pleased and delighted that Joe Willock has signed for NUFC. Joe has also said that he is delightfully pleased and that Mikel Arteta is a d!ck and will regret this. I would delightedly like to thank our dear leader for coming up with the money for once. Even I knew we needed a delightful box to box midfielder and I promise he wont be on the bench much. I am also pleased to announce that I am asking the Steves to stay as far away from him as possible and am delighted to announce their new roles at the the club. Agnew will now be the valet parker for the Bentleys and Ferraris and Clemence will be doing twice daily Greggs’ runs to get sausage rolls and steak bakes for me a Lee. Of course this will change to hourly if our dear leader drops in on his helecopter.
So, that’s about it. A fantastic new signing and a staff reshuffle – yours delightedly, Steve Bruce.
Eric(Quote)
New thread up folks!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Same pub as last time, Mr Sykes?
Stuart79(Quote)