The final day of the 2021/22 season is upon us, with this rollercoaster of a year set to end at Turf Moor after Monday night’s magical night on Tyneside.
Newcastle United could yet sneak a top 10 finish if results go our way – we’d need Brentford (11th) and Brighton (10th) to slip up while also beating Burnley – but we’ll definitely play a big role in the fight for survival.
Essentially, Burnley (17th) know they’ll survive if they match or better Leeds’ (18th) result at Brentford on Sunday. But if we beat the Clarets, it could be us who send them down.
Our 2-0 win over Arsenal was, for me, our most complete performance under Eddie Howe and proof that we are anything but on the beach now a long, hard season is almost over.
Yes, we’ve beaten the drop in some style, making Premier League history along the way. However, the carrot of an incredible top 10 finish is still dangling within reach, Callum Wilson is fit again, the club is riding on a wave of sheer positivity and we also have a few players who are playing for their futures ahead of a big summer at St James’ Park.
Let’s hope we can end the season with another impressive win, sending us into the summer and the upcoming 2022/23 campaign with added momentum and a taste of what’s (hopefully) to come!
Team news
A late decision will be made on Fabian Schar as the club follows concussion protocols, while Ryan Fraser “might be out” with a slight hamstring injury.
Chris Wood only returned to training on Friday ahead of a potential meeting with his former club, meaning Wilson could remain up top, but Kieran Trippier could well make his first start since February.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Trippier, Lascelles, Burn, Targett – Guimaraes, S Longstaff, Joelinton – Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin.
OUT: Emil Krafth and Fabian Schar – IN: Kieran Trippier and Jamaal Lascelles.
Schar may not be risked when this could be a game that’s tailor made for Lascelles – who was rock solid in the second half against Arsenal – while this could be an ideal time to give Trippier his first start since February against his former club, giving him some much needed minutes before the summer break.
Predicted Burnley XI (5-3-2): Pope – Roberts, Tarkowski, Long, Collins, Taylor – Cork, Brownhill, McNeil – Cornet, Barnes.
Match prediction
After watching him bully Arsenal’s two first choice centre-backs on Monday, I’m convinced Callum Wilson will get on the scoresheet here.
He was outstanding and unlucky not to score, while Allan Saint-Maximin was also much improved – a positive sign ahead of a fixture he’s often done well in since he signed.
Burnley will throw everything at us, knowing a win keeps them up, but I don’t see them dealing with Wilson or ASM, expect us to outclass them in midfield and also fancy the likes of Burn and Lascelles to handle the physical threat they’ll pose up top.
Prediction: Burnley 1-2 Newcastle
Is there a place in the squad for Lascelles? I don’t know, we havent seen him much under Eddie but when he has played he hasnt let us down. Judging him is very difficult because he is not a ball playing centre back and he was having to play Bruce-ball for 2 and half years. Lascelles would like to lay the ball off to a creative player but he was being constantly pressed, resulting in a hoof or a pass back to the keeper. If we are the ones dictating play then maybe there is a place for him. Not against Man City but perhaps Burnley as Olly says.
Most teams like to play the high press now, but if we have better players than most, which looks very likely, then we will be the team doing the press and removing pressure from Jamaal. He is a threat at set pieces and can be intimidating when he cleans a player out (fairly) like Tony Adams used to do.
During the latter stages of Bruce I was sure that Lascelles should leave, now I wonder if Eddie can fit him into his system. Depends on whether he can cut out his mistakes as well but a lot of that was perhaps because he had no time on the ball.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We can create places in the squad and keep Lascelles and Miggy for a year. Their value wont decrease I dont think and we dont HAVE to sell them. Because FFP is over a 3 year period it doesnt really have an effect on that number if we sell them this year or next. Is it worth keeping them and will they want to stay if they are backups?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Burnley are favourites according to the bookies:
Win 6/5
Draw 5/2
Loss 11/5
I think I am going with a draw. The performance against Arsenal was incredible but it would be so un-Newcastle to do that for 2 games in a row. I think Eddie has the team drilled but I have watched NUFC for so many years it is ingrained in me that there will be a bit of a letdown.
If it tight, I think the Burnley fans will spend as much time checking their phones for the Leeds game as watching their game.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Oh, and there is also the Paul Merson factor. He has us down for a 2-0 win when he has slagged us off all year and made mostly wrong predictions. It is because we tore apart his beloved Arsenal. But, he makes me nervous when he picks us to win and it is all about what we did to Arsenal and not so much the game at hand.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric I can see Burnley winning today, think Leeds are gone .
2.1 to Burnley
kimtoon(Quote)
Just like to thank Olly and all the contributors to the blog for yet another seasons hard work. Must of been tough when we looked so awful up to christmas to keep bothering, but then seems we always keep going us Newcastle fans,no matter what.
There were times under the fat controller when I felt like ‘what’s the point, there’s no ambition’ but I always thought about KK’s words that one day we’d get our club back and boy was he right.
Next season I will be happy to not be in a relegation fight at any stage, anything better than that is all gravy. Oh and a cup,any cup would be lovely .
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – ???? Class missus, and I second that. I’d love to say you beat me to it, but I’m probably guilty of taking Olly & his team for granted a bit at times.
Win, lose or draw I’ll come on here to share my thoughts and there’s always a new article there to post on.
Great work ?? and I’m sure a summer of transfer rumours & actual signings will keep you all busy.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I can’t say I like Burnley or Leeds, so
I don’t really care about how results go today. But a win would give Howe 49 points and our highest points tally in 9 yrs.
My biggest hope for the day is that fans behave themselves.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Lookin at the list of Nine Substitutes I think only Krafth and Schar will be in the matchday squad next season.
Even if we bring in 3 of the under 23s, Anderson, Watt and de Bolle that still leaves at least four new players
PremAndUp(Quote)
Mike Dean’s last game as a Ref Chelsea/Watford.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
I just hope that, if we relegate Burnley, our fans show them some respect, and don’t act like Villa or Everton…
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Yes mate, I hope so too.
kimtoon(Quote)
gutted for Joelinton
kimtoon(Quote)
So £15.5 m to club if we finish 14th or just over £24m if we got 10th
kimtoon(Quote)
VAR
poss pen handball
kimtoon(Quote)
Leeds score
kimtoon(Quote)
pen
WILSONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNYES
kimtoon(Quote)
var chalk off Leeds goal, oh dear
kimtoon(Quote)
Everton losing
kimtoon(Quote)
This is getting tense. Brentford score and the top is not done yet.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Man City 3-2 up
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Leeds have a second
kimtoon(Quote)
leeds get a second
kimtoon(Quote)
Man City win pl, bad luck pool
kimtoon(Quote)
Bad luck Burnley
kimtoon(Quote)
Feel for all those Burnley fans, it’s rotten isn’t it.
kimtoon(Quote)
Should of been Everton who were ***** again today, they had two games where t rex played out of his skin to keep em up.
Then there is the matter of ffp and their ridiculous claim of £170m losses due to covid .
kimtoon(Quote)
What a final day ??? Great win. Sorry Burnley.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Does that make Eddie Manager of the Season? Only 10% of the vote is from the public the rest are from a 30+ panel of pundits and journalists.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Leeds survive. So pleased we were not part of that relegation scrap. Thanks Eddie. What a job he’s done! Onwards and upwards. Really looking forward to next season now.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I don’t really want Tarkowski either. There’s better out there.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
So “the Manager who relegated Bournmouth” as Steve Bruce so pettily remarked might be Manager of the Season. Now I want apologies from Merson and Simon Jordan.
Eric Sykes(Quote)