If last week’s capitulation at Spurs wasn’t enough of a warning, Burnley’s big win over Everton on Wednesday night was another reminder that we aren’t out of this relegation battle just yet.
Eddie Howe made a point of driving home this message in his press conference on Thursday morning, believing our clash with Wolves on Friday night is the perfect chance to regain momentum and respond after that horror-show at Spurs.
After three straight defeats and a rarely-seen run of four away games on the trot, our return to St James’ Park probably comes right when we need it, with our clash with Wolves the first of four winnable April fixtures.
Despite losing just one game less than Newcastle all season, Wolves arrive knowing a win would take them up to 6th, giving them plenty incentive heading into a fixtures that’s ended 1-1 in our last two meetings on Tyneside.
Some may feel another point edges us towards safety and stops the rot, but this feels like a chance to bounce back from recent defeats and take another huge step towards Premier League survival with a win under the lights at St James’ Park.
Team news
Joe Willock is facing a late fitness test after picking up a “slight knee problem”, while Eddie Howe has admitted there’s still some illness within the camp that could impact his team selection.
Bruno Guimaraes is pushing for his first start at St James’ Park and Miguel Almiron is back available after missing out at Spurs, however we’ll be without Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson once again.
For Wolves, Raul Jimenez is suspended and Ruben Neves will miss out with a knee injury, however right-back Nelson Semedo could return after resuming training this week.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett – Guimaraes, Shelvey, Joelinton – Fraser, Wood, Saint-Maximin.
Martin Dubravka – Will hopefully receive more protection than he got in our last game! We’ve been solid at home since Howe came in and the Slovakian has been a calming figure between the sticks.
Emil Krafth – The Swede seems likely to come back in given how poor Manquillo was at Tottenham. He’s limited and lacks quality at this level, however Krafth always gives 110% and has rarely let Howe down in recent months.
Fabian Schar – Scored last weekend but it went downhill from there. It would not surprise me if Lascelles returned to the side for this one after we shipped five at Spurs, but the return of a back three may be needed to make that happen as Schar has only failed to start one of Howe’s 19 games in charge.
Dan Burn – Is facing the first early test of his NUFC career after he’s been at fault for goals in each of our last three. Let’s hope he can respond with a commanding display here!
Matt Targett – Had his worst game in a Newcastle shirt last weekend so will be looking to put that right here in his bid to secure a permanent move this summer.
Bruno Guimaraes – Regardless of Willock’s knee issue, the Brazilian looks nailed on to come into Howe’s starting XI here. His quality on the ball and steely determination off it could be needed against a tough Wolves midfield.
Jonjo Shelvey – Looked off the pace last weekend but has generally been much improved under Howe and one of the first names on the team sheet.
Joelinton – Came off at Spurs feeling unwell, but will surely keep his place if he’s recovered from illness. Hopefully the big man is back to his disruptive best in the middle of the park!
Ryan Fraser – Was anonymous at Spurs, offering so little down the right. However, his energy and creativity was a huge part of our nine-game unbeaten run so I’d expect him to start again.
Allan Saint-Maximin – Tried to make things happen last weekend but so little came off. Howe has rubbished claims he could leave this summer, so hopefully we see the ASM we all know and love put in a match-winning display under the lights!
Chris Wood – Endured a busy and long international break over in New Zealand and it showed at Tottenham. Could do with a goal at SJP, but he’s proven in the past how effective he can be by working hard, occupying men and bringing others into play.
Predicted Wolves XI (3-4-2-1): Sa – Boly, Coady, Kilman – Jonny, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Marcal – Trincao, Podence – Silva.
Match prediction
This fixture has ended 1-1 in each of our last two meetings at St James’ Park, but I think we’ll go one better here and come away with a hard fought win.
Wolves may have won three of their last four games, but they were fortunate to beat Aston Villa last weekend and could come up against a Newcastle side desperate to respond to recent defeats in front of a sold out crowd.
Wood to score his first goal at St James’ Park, Guimaraes to run the show and Saint-Maximin to wreak havoc in a 2-1 victory for Howe’s mighty mags!
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Wolves
Watching the game on Sunday got me wondering whether Dan Burn is the worst Newcastle centre back since Kevin Scott
Big Mal(Quote)
I think you have the team right there Olly. We cannot let one half of football against Spurs get us too low. We were reffed out of a draw at least against Chelsea and really should have been 2 up against Everton by half time.
A bad 2nd half against a pretty good Spurs team under one of the world’s best Managers should not make us all doom and gloom and Brucey.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Mal – no doubt he lost his head in that second half. But you’ve obviously missed the games he’s played before that. Our defence has been transformed since he’s came in – he’s been rock solid.
I’m sure when he watched that half back, he’d have been gutted.
I’ve got no issue with criticism, but I’m a big fan of perspective too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
After that 2nd half against Spurs it wouldn’t surprise me if Howe has had them running defensive drills all week.
I’m not saying we will sit in or park the bus – not at all. But I do expect a greater emphasis on staying solid at the back – something Wolves have been very good at all season so far.
They have found that balance really effectively under Lage.
As daft as it might sound, I’d take a clean sheet over a win tonight. But I predict a draw.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It will not be an easy game tonight. Wolves are a decent side these days and aren’t top half for no reason. I think we will shade it 2-1.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Depends if we turn up or not, play like the second half last v spurs and we’ve had it.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Bruno starts. No Willock! Krafth for Manquillo, otherwise unchanged. Need some effort tonight.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Fraser is a grafter but he doesn’t have much of an output..shame he’s injured though, we are not really blessed in his position
Shamrock(Quote)
Better from Max so far
Shamrock(Quote)
Boom!
Shamrock(Quote)
Hmm. Great.
Shamrock(Quote)
Not a very good first half. Joelinton a bit quiet tonight. Maxi falling over ?
Need much better in the second half.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Wolves sh.it too luckily. Gutted the goal was ruled offside. It was a tight call
Gilly Toon(Quote)
We should be ahead here.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Bruno has been best player by far in first half.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Well, it was a tight decision and can’t help but think if we were Pool Manure or City it would of been given.
Eric you are right we should be ahead and if we had Wilson up front we would be.
Burnley fans main gripe about Wood was him always being offside too much.
Wolves will doubtless be far better second half and we needed to take those chances .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Almiron has been a better offensive threat than Fraser & is linking up well with Bruno who has been outstanding in the first half.
Brilliant first half – exactly what I was hoping to see. But the 2nd half has to be the same now!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So officially no wolves player touches ball in nufc box in 1st half.
we’re not that good in tight games recently so no high expectations this will go well
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
A horse walks into a bar and barman says “why the long face”?
Bruno Lage walks into a bar and the barman says “why the long face”?
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Not a single touch in Wolves box in 1st half for Wood. Quite often we were moving forward and ai could not even see him in the camera shot
Shamrock(Quote)
That was better
Shamrock(Quote)
And that should of gone in, big big chance gone
KIMTOON(Quote)
Ffs Max
Shamrock(Quote)
Max is starting to do my head in. Such a talent but needs to switch his brain on
Shamrock(Quote)
Penalty please
Shamrock(Quote)
Got to admit I did not think he’d score that
Phew
KIMTOON(Quote)
totes agree
KIMTOON(Quote)
1-0!
Shamrock(Quote)
Well done Dubs
KIMTOON(Quote)
frustrates the hell outta me does Maxi
KIMTOON(Quote)
Good attempt joe
KIMTOON(Quote)
Well done again Dubs
KIMTOON(Quote)
get in
massive 3 points that given the last games result.
Bruno my MOTM
KIMTOON(Quote)
That’s a brilliant performance against a very tough team you know.
Bruno ran the show in midfield – he was outstanding.
The back 4 were solid again & special mention for Krafth – thought he played really well tonight.
That’s the performance you want from Wood week in week out.
I was a bit frustrated with Maxi but I’ll leave that for another day.
3 points, safety guaranteed (imo) and an atmosphere back at SJP that makes it the best ground in the Country when it’s like that like.
PS well done Howe. Must have been a tricky week with the players after that Spurs game – but he got the reaction & the changes he made to the team were without doubt the right ones ??????.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – what a player Bruno is, and I think Howe has done absolutely the right thing easing him into the team.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Safe now 🙂 🙂 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Yup. I’m gonna enjoy tonight mate, but I couldn’t agree more.
Thought Almiron was brilliant when he came on too to be fair.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: I agree on Krafth. I thought he did really well.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
A fantastic 3 points. Well deserved. Could’ve had more goals if Maxi learned how to pass a football. I think we’re safe now. This was a big win as wolves are a good side. Not beaten them in a long time. Bruno definitely the MotM.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
We deserved that! Should have beat Chelsea and Everton and had 1 **** half against Spurs.
Did you all see the directors box celebrating. They seem pretty into this.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
When Eddie came in we were 5 points from safety. Now we are 10 points above the drop.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)