A few months ago, I remember looking at this fixture and thinking it’ll be an absolute must-win if we want to stay up, knowing full well we had Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal to come after.
A few months on, Newcastle go into the trip to Norwich knowing we’ll move into the top 10 with a win. If that doesn’t sum up what an incredible turnaround this has been, I don’t know what does!
Only Liverpool have picked up more points than Eddie Howe’s Mags in 2022, we’ve won six on the bounce at home for the first time since the Sir Bobby and, in the 15 games we’ve played since the turn of the year, we’ve only conceded more than once on one occasion.
One thing the manager has mentioned as an area in need of improvement is our ability to control games and express ourselves that bit more, so this trip to bottom of the table Norwich could be the ideal opportunity to work on exactly that.
They have picked up lately, being unlucky to lose at Old Trafford after beating Burnley in their last home match, however this is a game where I’d love to see us score a few goals and play with an air of confidence and freedom now we’ve reached the 40 point mark.
Team news
Howe has hinted at changes for this one, believing it’s vital we field a side of fully fit players able to give 100% as we go into our third game in less than a week.
Ryan Fraser (hamstring) is facing a “race against time” to play again this season following another scan on his hamstring, meaning he’s been ruled out of this one alongside Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson.
For the Canaries, Kenny McLean has been passed fit despite a small fracture in his toe and Brandon Williams could return after being ineligible to face Man Utd last weekend, but Lukas Rupp and Josh Sargent have been ruled out.
Predicted line ups
(3-5-2): Dubravka – Schar, Lascelles, Burn – Murphy, Guimaraes, S Longstaff, Willock, Targett – Saint-Maximin, Wood.
Four changes and a switch in formation may seem a bit bold – I could be way off here – however I think Howe will spring a few surprises in this one.
Shelvey and Joelinton looked shattered at the end of Wednesday night’s win, paving the way for Willock and Longstaff, while Lascelles has been talked up by Howe for some time without getting starts.
Murphy is someone who will be fresh and eager to impress against his former club and the change in shape could be something Howe considers when our last good away performance came when playing three at the back in that unfortunate defeat to Chelsea last month.
I was very tempted to put Gayle in my predicted XI given how leggy Wood has looked lately, but it’s difficult to go with a player who has managed just NINE minutes of football all season!
Predicted Norwich XI (4-2-3-1): Krul – Byram, Gibson, Hanley, Giannoulis – McLean, Normann, Dowell, Lees-Melou, Rashica – Pukki.
Match prediction
Maybe I’m getting caught up in Eddie Howe fever, but I think we’ll make a few changes, play with the shackles off and score a few goals against a Norwich side who simply need to win.
Because of that, Dean Smith’s side could overcommit and leave space in behind that we could exploit with the Canaries very unlikely to keep a clean sheet according to NetBet Casino.
Joe Willock to score in a game of goals at Carrow Road!
Prediction: Norwich 1-3 Newcastle
Bold line up. He may fit Murphy in but I doubt as a wing back anymore. Manquillo is waiting in the wings.
I think Lascelles, Longstaff, Willock and Gayle will play at the expense of Schar, shelvey, Joelinton, and Wood. With maybe Murphy playing instead of ASM.
Alex(Quote)
Olly, I think the 3 at the back against Chelsea was a tactical switch to combat them. I highly doubt we need to do that against Norwich. Plus I dont think Schar and Lascelles play well together.
I think we will keep the same team and only swap Willock for Joelinton. And possibly Gayle for Wood.
Sorry mate, we are usually pretty much aligned on team predictions, but not today 🙂
This is our best chance of a win in the next 4 so I think we play our strongest team. I am saying rest Big Joe because he is definitely carrying an injury and was knocked around a bit against Palace. He gave as good as he got but it must take a toll.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Is it bad that as a fan I have my flip flops on?!?!!. I was so worried about relegation at one stage of the season that now we are safe I’ve hit the beach.
I’d like us to finish with as many points as possible – but I don’t care about the title or relegation race ??♂️.
If Howe wants to look at fringe players or any of the youth players then use the games to benefit us.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I have watched a few videos of the usual suspects – Merse, Simon Jordon, Agbonlahor – talking about the job Eddie has done. They give him faint praise but follow this up with their assertion that he will be sacked next year. I find this very bizarre. They are usually overexuberant when it comes to any British Manager doing even moderately well – see Bruce, Moyes, Mr. Roy, BFS. What do they have against Eddie?
Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist sort of ambushed Agbonlahor playing back what he had said when Eddie was first hired which was that we were still certs for relegation and that players wouldnt come to Newcastle. He wouldnt budge and the other 2 just laughed at him. I think he is only on TalkSport for them to take the p!ss out of.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I would definitely playing the likes of Lascelles, Longstaff, Manquillo & Murphy – players who I think are 50/50 do we keep or let go.
I’d also consider using players like Ritchie & Gayle who I think definitely go in the summer.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I still think we should play as near the team that started against Palace as we can. With Liverpool and City after this, Norwich is our best chance for points. We also have a week before Liverpool.
Eddie and his coaches do a lot of analysis. They cannot have failed to see the pattern that we are good in the 1st half and tail off in the second in a lot of games. If that happens today he has to consider bringing the subs on earlier, maybe 65 mins.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Strange formation. Is it 4-6-0 ? Not sure who will play on the wing and who will play in the middle. Looks like Eddie has been watching Man City!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I wasn’t far off!
Said Lascelles, Longstaff, Willock and Murphy would all start 😉
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Hmm interesting. Sky sports have Joelinton up front but I think it will be Maxi centre and Joelinton and Murphy either side. Longstaff starts and will need to work today to impress! Lascelles too is in and will need to prove himself.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I think it’s still 4-3-3
Gilly Toon(Quote)
And, and…. Manure getting slapped again. 3-1 by Arsenal ??
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Btw, this is a great site for the match. I use Bingsport.com.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Bit of a change up then, some players have a lot to prove today.
HWTL
KIMTOON(Quote)
I would like Murphy to get a goal against his old club.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
So, it is Big Joe in the Wood role and looks like Willock as a 10.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
3 boyhood NUFC fans on the pitch – Burn, Murphy and Krul. Didnt Timmy join us when he was 17, so still a boy!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Why did Rafa let Tim Krul go? It is almost as baffling as him selling Toney and Armstrong for peanuts and also Mitro although that was for decent money.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Very scrappy play so far
KIMTOON(Quote)
Joeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelinton
get in
good time to score
Christ VAR checking it
KIMTOON(Quote)
goal
no offside
KIMTOON(Quote)
Joeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelinton Again, blimey what’s Eddie put in his tea !
0.2
KIMTOON(Quote)
I think my TV is broken. Just had chance to check the scores and it reckons Joelinton has scored … TWICE?!?!?!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Oh Sean, deary me
KIMTOON(Quote)
***, 2 goals for Joelinton! And Murphy involved in both. Murphy playing really well today and could’ve had a goal of his own too! I’d love to see big Joelinton get his hat trick today! ???
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Brucie and the players always said Joelinton was a good finisher in training. Maybe this bit of confidence will see a few more from now on.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Let’s hope we don’t sit back in the second half! Maxi needs to be careful now too as he’s on a yellow! Almost got himself sent off just before half time!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Brunoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
great stuff
KIMTOON(Quote)
Oh my nearly a 4th there
KIMTOON(Quote)
Watford getting spanked by City
KIMTOON(Quote)
Does this take us 9th if Leicester dont win?
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
yep
KIMTOON(Quote)
game over
good result, we are 9th, amazing.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Fantastic result. We could’ve had at least three more. Excellent! Happy ?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I know we would have been expected to beat Norwich today, but that was a really comprehensive win!!.
I’m going early on this one – Joelinton for player of the season for me.
Brilliant that Bruno was on the score sheet again too. Lucas must be watching his Brazilian mates from France itching to get to the party I reckon.
I said before kick off, use fringe players to look at – Lascelles (still undecided), Murphy (I’d keep as a squad player for now) but Longstaff HAS to be replaced for me. He’s just not good enough imo.
I think Boro have shown an interest – I think that would be a good move for him. I’d take Djed Spence from them in return.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I know teams have games on us, but the fact we are 9th at the moment is amazing considering where we were when Howe came in – the bloke really has done an amazing job!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Meanwhile Baggies down to 13th after starting 5th when Brucie arrived.
Played 15, won 4, drew 4, lost 7.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Krul made 1 mistake but also made some good saves. They also created a few chances but they havent been able to take them all season, which is why they are bottom.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)