It wasn’t pretty and we’ve picked up plenty of knocks in the process, but Newcastle are into the third round of the Carabao Cup – where we will face Crystal Palace at St James’ Park – after coming from behind to beat Tranmere.
Elliot Nevitt opened the scoring out of nowhere on the 20 minute mark, but an equaliser from Jamaal Lascelles just before the break and second half header from Chris Wood got us over the line on a night where Emil Krafth was stretchered off.
With Wilson, Fraser, Burn and Shelvey all ruled out, Eddie Howe made 10 changes from the side that drew 3-3 with Manchester City on Sunday, seeing Darlow, Targett, Dummett, Lascelles, Krafth, S Longstaff, Anderson, Murphy, Wood and Ritchie replace Pope, Burn, Botman, Schar, Trippier, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Almiron, Wilson and Saint-Maximin.
It was great to see Elliot Anderson make his first competitive start for the club, coming up against a Tranmere side he actually scored against during his loan spell at Bristol Rovers last season.
Our first chance fell to Murphy after he was picked out nicely by Longstaff, but the winger’s poor first touch was followed by a tame toe-poke straight at the goalkeeper. He was also wasteful moments later, curling an effort high and wide when he had to pick out Targett; who’d made a great overlapping run.
Anderson was looking bright, taking the ball on the half turn and attempting to drive us forward, but he too dragged a shot wide after doing well to find space on the edge of the box.
Against the run of play, Tranmere then opened the scoring. Dummett and Targett got sucked out and a simple ball over the top was then squared for Elliot Nevitt, who fired in off the onrushing Karl Darlow.
A poor goal to concede and an early wake up call, only for things to go from bad to worse as Emil Krafth was then stretchered off with what looks like a potentially serious knee injury.
Kieran Trippier replaced the Swede but we also had Jamaal Lascelles in the wars, as he was trying to manage a broken and bleeding nose after being caught by Nevitt’s flailing arm moments earlier.
The skipper then got revenge five minutes before the break, latching into a Trippier corner and scoring at the second attempt after his initial back post header was cleared off the line. 1-1.
Tranmere should’ve gone down to 10 in first half stoppage time, as an under hit pass back from Paul Dummett – who had been sloppy on the ball all half – allowed Kane Hemmings to go in for an awkward 50/50 with Karl Darlow, leaving the goalkeeper in a heap after a high and full blooded lunge into his knee.
Howe made one change at the break, bringing Jamal Lewis on for Matt Targett and it didn’t take long for us to go in front after the restart, as another quality corner from Kieran Trippier was smashed home via the head of Chris Wood. 2-1!
Other chances then came our way thanks to more classy passing from Trippier, who played two lovely balls in behind for Willock and Wood. Neither were able to capitalise, but we’d taken full control of the game at this point and looked far more likely to score than the tiring Tranmere.
Two more changes then came as Botman replaced a blood-soaked Lascelles and big Joe came on for Joe Willock; who was clearly being managed starting two games in four days.
After long periods of possession, sloppiness set in and we allowed Tranmere to come back into it, as loose touches, poor passing and a failure to win those second balls gave the hosts and home crowd something to cling onto as we approached the final 20 minutes.
We survived that mini blip and got back on the front foot over the final 10 minutes, with Sven Botman’s powerful header almost making it 3-1 after yet another Trippier cross.
Bruno came on for the final five minutes, replacing the eye-catching Elliot Anderson, however there were more in navy and yellow shirts going to ground soon after, as Paul Dummett, Sean Longstaff and Karl Darlow all received treatment in the six minutes of added time.
Trippier showed his quality and creativity – he was by far the best player on the pitch – Lascelles stood strong after breaking his nose and Anderson enjoyed glimpses of class, but Dummett, Ritchie and Murphy failed to take their chance, reminding us of the gap between our new wave of first-team stars and fringe men.
Nevertheless, we got the job done – despite not creating enough in open play and conceding a poor goal – and will face Crystal Palace on home turf in the third round, with Wolves up next in the Premier League on Sunday!
STARTING XI: Darlow – Krafth, Lascelles, Dummett, Targett – Willock, S Longstaff, Anderson – Ritchie, Wood, Murphy.
SUBS: Gillespie Trippier, Botman, Joelinton, Lewis, Fernandez, Manquillo, Almiron, Guimaraes.
That was hard fought. Ref was dreadful. Absolutely dreadful. So we’re our team. Some awful performances there.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I think I’d rather play another PL team in these cup fixtures you know.
These lower league teams have nowt to lose & when they are at home & it’s on TV, you just know it’s going to be an ugly, scrappy game.
You also know that the manager will pick fringe players to rest first teamers. I wasn’t expecting as many as 10 to be honest – but now we are through maybe it was a good thing. It showed the gulf in quality of the squad – we see it all the time with subs that come on and arguably weaken the team, but that was a slap round the chops.
That said, I thought Anderson played really well tonight. I hope we keep hold of him & he doesn’t go out on loan this season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Home to Palace in the third round then
kimtoon(Quote)
Newcastle v Palace in the next leg.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So Manure want to loan Dubs. I hope we put a clause in the agreement that if they stay up they pay an extra £4m
kimtoon(Quote)
If Everton are serious about Miggy, and we ca sl a couple of squad players then we would have the funds for Isak, Pedro and Paqueta. Then all we need is Pulisic on loan to buy
PremAndUp(Quote)
can sell a couple of squad players
PremAndUp(Quote)
@eric .. just the messenger in reference to Webb 🤣🤣 but I misread it too .. he’s heading up the refs association not reffing. Hands up it was my bad
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
How about a 17 million loan fee like they wanted for JLingz 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Wasn’t Man Utd’s Howard Webb the one that missed the kung fu kick by Nigel De Jong in the WC final? Not sure if I would be wanting him to head up a pub league.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So… if we get Pedro for 35 mil and Isak for 60 mil that will take us to 150 million in total spending which is what I have said all along. Gullible fools like Luke Edwards swallowing the line of 60 mil total are just foolishly gullible. Even if we dont spend the full amount, the intention was always there and we will probably splash the cash on deadline day.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Not sure about Isak… looks like 6’3″ version of Carlton from the Fresh Price of Bel Air.. I can’t seem to get past it 🤣
Aussie(Quote)
Jokes aside, we are looking at two young players with a combined total of 9 goals between them last season. And we are ready to fork out 90m for them. Am I missing something here? That is a large wedge of cash for player “potential”. I am not overly excited about wither player to be honest.
Aussie(Quote)
14 actually, but true neither is as good as a fit Wilson, Yet
PremAndUp(Quote)
I am talking home and away games in the leagues they play in..
Joao Pedro – 3 goals in the PL last season..
Isak – 6 Goals in La Liga last season.
Not quite 14 goals
Aussie(Quote)
If we get Joao Pedro does that mean we have to stop calling Peter Beardsley Pedro?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I dont see the Isak and Carlton resemblance.
I am not getting some of these valuations. Isak, but also Anthony Gordon. They are being valued at more than Raheem Sterling. I dont get Casimiro at 80 mil either. Are Man U THAT desperate? Perhaps, Frenke de Jong turned them down and all they have is McFred.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I was talking all competitions, CL and CdelR
no probs
agree not earth shattering
PremAndUp(Quote)
The people moaning about Maxi should have a look at this:
https://www.football365.com/news/liverpool-manchester-city-dominate-top-11-creative-premier-league-players
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I understand Aussies point and it is a valid one if we are looking to replace Wilson’s goals if he’s injured.
I don’t think we achieve that though unfortunately – look at how long Spurs have tried to get the replacement for Kane.
An obvious replacement would be someone like Toney – but why would he leave Brentford where he’s the main man playing regularly and scoring goals, to come play second fiddle to Wilson.
Pedro for example is only 20, so could afford that time. I know his fee seems big for potential, but I think he at least holds his value. It’s also entirely possible it goes up as much as double when you look at what Anthony is valued at for Man Utd.
Sharpy17(Quote)
For me Isak has a strong whiff of young Ameobi!
Nice to see young Anderson holding his own, unlike the pathetic Murphy and past it Ritchie.
georgio(Quote)
Sharpy, mate. I am not getting these valuations at all. 50 mil for Gabriel Jesus and the same for Isak! ? I think it takes us over the 100 million mark which I have been saying all along 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I can’t say I’d be impressed if we LOAN Dubz to Man Utd either by the way!!.
Eric is dead right to highlight just how ready they were to help us out with loans in January.
Firstly, Darlow is not good enough and poor cover for Pope – who has already had a couple of niggles. WE need Dubz for that cover.
Why loan him to a rival for those top 6 spots?????.
Secondly, what would be the point??. Henderson has left on loan coz he doesn’t get enough game time for Man Utd – so why would Dubz think he’ll play on a season long loan?!.
At 33 I assume he has a young family – why either be apart from them or up route them for a season of sitting on the bench???.
Seems a stupid move to me.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We have just been reminded yet again that we cannot rely on Callum Wilson’s fitness. I would buy Ivan Toney and have Wilson as backup. They are basically the same player except Toney is not as fragile as a champagne glass wrapped in a rose petal.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Fair enough mate. All good. Pretty low numbers imo and I hope Wilson is not out for long.
Aussie(Quote)
Well, Isak will be swapping San Sebastian for the Quay Side. San S is supposedly foodie paradise. I have been and it was great but the bars were packed, overflowing into the street. I wanted pintxos but couldnt get in for the throngs of people. I reckon Isak will have to be satisfied with Greggs 🙂
That is actually the first thing I do whenever I get back to Newcastle, go to Greggs at the airport and get a couple of sausage rolls. And a steak bake for me Mam’s dog.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Couldn’t agree more. Hope we are wrong though
Aussie(Quote)
Make up your minds people! Is he Ameobi or Carlton from Fresh Prince. And which Ameobi?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I reckon Isak has heard about Beamish 😂.
So we’ve got a skinny Carlton & a Shola … should be fun to watch this one out then.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m trying to think of how many forward player hit top form at 22 or younger – Mbappe springs to mind, but few others.
We talk about Toney and Mitrovic as ones that got away but they are 26 and 27 respectively now – neither were really talked about when they were Isak or Pedros age .. mind you, neither were £35m or £58m either to be fair.
The only think I can be sure of is the likes of Murphy and Wood aren’t good enough & if these players come in and are better, then that’s what we needed.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Looks like Carlton, plays like Ameobi (take your pick) .. sorted.
Aussie(Quote)
Looks like we have Isak now. I have never seen him play so really cannot offer any comment on his skills. I could look him up on YouTube but they all look good on there when you only show the best bits. Albert Luque was fantastic on youtube, shyte for NUFC.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
must be a medical going on as i cannot get in touch with my mate
icedog(Quote)
Alexander Isak
made his international debut for Sweden aged 17yrs 3 months
Played 17 scored 9, 4 assists 1.31g/involvement
For Real Sociedad
played 132 scored 44, 8 assists 2.54g/i
Previous Clubs (3)
played 70 scored 28, 9 assists 1.89g/i
Looks like he needs good players round him
PremAndUp(Quote)
Would rather see Dubs on our bench than Manures but if he has to go then why not to Leicester as part of deal for Maddison.
kimtoon(Quote)
good thinking mate
icedog(Quote)
I live 4,000 miles away from Newcastle but can apply logic to what the Saudis are doing. They didnt get into the sportswashing business to finish 10th or only spend 60 mil (Luke Edwards). I have said all along we would spend more than 100 mil this window and Isak will get us there. But there will be more. They took out a huge loan and the money is not just going to sit there doing nothing. I predicted 150 mil plus on transfers and I stick to that, but we may even get a loan to buy for someone like Gallagher to boost it to 200 mil.
These journos are morons and believe anything. Eddie plays them like a fiddle.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
AND, and…
Everybody keeps going on about Financial Fair Play but where has it ever been applied. Chelsea got a 1 year transfer ban. Whoop-de-do. Man City got away scot-free. Everton! They just swept their shenanigans under the Covid carpet. Barca? They are still buying players even though they are skint.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And there’s more. We will get a new sponsorship deal because they are forcing out the betting companies. My guess is Aramco for 50 mil a year. That will let us spend this money however we want because you are allowed to lose 105 mil over 3 years and the PL have already shown with Everton that they will allow clubs to cheat.
We already got a Saudi Company as the sleeve sponsor – Noon. Does anybody really believe that the Saudis are in this as a little plaything? They are here for the PL and CL and when the revenue gets boosted we will be in for even more high profile players.
They only paid 300 mil for the club at a time when Chelsea cost 2 billion and Man U are valued at 3 billion. We have stacks of cash, and will spend it. If Man City can be one of the top 5 clubs in the world then why not us!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So, Isak signs. I said along 150-200 mil. We are at 120 mil now!!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I will go on and on about this because the pundits and journos were just so wrong and I was right. Eddie led them down the garden path, fibbed them, lied to them even and they just accepted it when it was obviously not true. We were always going to go for top 6 this year and to spend what was needed, even if it turns out it was not enough. We were always going to back Eddie. The fans love him, the ownership loves him. We have to give him all of the resources to succeed and if he doesn’t then we hire Simeone.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ben Foster on Talksport about our interest in Pedro:
“This is the problem with having a team like Newcastle that have unlimited funds to splash about. They make bids for absolutely everybody and it ruins teams.
“And it will ruin Watford, it will because it would have turned their heads. It would have turned Joao Pedro’s head. It was turned Sarr’s head for Aston Villa. They will want to get that move and straight back to a Premier League club. Their wages will go up. Established Premier League teams. It’s a genuine problem for the smaller teams when a massive monster of a team with unlimited funds comes knocking.”
Is this lad for real???. No mention of the fact Forest bought Denis and skims over Villa nearly buying Sarr.
This from a lad who played at Man Utd – who were famous for doing just what he’s talking about!!.
Firstly – buying those players keeps the smaller clubs in business – Pedro for example cost Watford very little & they’ll get £35m for him.
Secondly – if Watford stopped changing managers every 5 minutes they might actually be able to stay in the PL for more than a season.
The fact these players don’t know who’s coaching them from one month to the next is what has them looking for a move anyway I’d imagine.
Talksport has become a hive of ex footballers talking absolute nonsense recently.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I am not really that bothered about the Carabao Cup. I have no idea what a carabao is. A grass eating elk-like creature and why name a cup after it?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So it looks like Wilson is out for up to 4 weeks.
1. Gutted for him as he can’t get a run of games going.
2. They were aware of him struggling with it at half time & still sent him out for 15-20mins – bad decision!!.
3. I’m really not looking to kick him while he’s down, but it’s truly frustrating & his injury record is bad enough that he shouldn’t be our main striker to hang our hopes on imo. Love the lad & he always works his socks off when playing but it’s like when we had Woodgate!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
hes a good player mate but like his record hes a right sick note
icedog(Quote)
I think Luke Edwards has some connections at SJP but I dont trust his judgement. I really dont think we are done with buying yet and would snatch Chelsea’s hand off if we could get Gallagher for say 50 million. Edwards is a gullible fool who is more interested in putting out copy than the truth. The sad thing is that he probably has the best connections at NUFC of all of the journos out there, but wants to further his own name/career more than tell us the truth.
Edwards is also The Telegraph’s “Northern Football Correspondent” now so he covers the likes of Man City, Liverpool and Man U. He used to be the NE correspondent so probably had his finger on the pulse of NUFC more than he does now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The more I look at Isak, the more I think that he needs good players around him. I’m not saying that he creates nothing and relies on service, but he needs people like ASM to get the best out of him. Therefore we need more creativity. Pulisic and Paqueta would provide that. I’m really not bothered by replacing Shelvey til xmas, a 6 month loan is OK but I’d rather have creativity ATM
PremAndUp(Quote)
Can someone explain what is happening with this club…? We have just splashed £60m on a player and have spent £200m in 8 months! We have Eddie Howe as manager, Dan Ashworth as DOF and Darren Eales as CEO and he has just done an interview with the website and he’s a very impressive guy.
Personally I think Eddie Howe will be the main reason we are challenging for the top 4 within the next 3 years
Stuart79(Quote)
Edwards was the one who said we would spend 60 mil this window and we have already spent double that. He wanted a “story” and was more than happy to pass on NUFC fibs about our budget. I will say it again, NUFC played him like a fiddle and I do not believe he knows what our budget is. We took out a loan to finance transfers, so the money is there and we could also just call up the PIF if the right player became available. Jack Harrison or Christian Pulisic would be my choices.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stu – completely agree mate. Darren came across really well in that interview – intelligent, humble & switched on to what our club is all about. The fact he’s taken the time to visit and watch the matches tells me he’s more than just a businessman.
I think he’ll grow the club commercial, Dan will improve training facilities, the ground, the academy for young players coming through & the womens team.
Eddie and his coaches have already improved the team beyond recognition from what we were before they came in. With improvements to our forward players who knows what he achieves???.
It makes me annoyed when I hear the pundits kissing up to Gerrard and Lampard – imo Howe and Potter are the best young English managers in the league by a Country mile!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well said mate
kimtoon(Quote)
looks like we missed the 12 o’clock deadline
PremAndUp(Quote)
Not necessarily. Just because the announcement hasn’t gone public by 12pm doesn’t mean it hasn’t been tied up behind the scenes.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
It may seem obvious, but we have to look at Wilson as a backup striker from now on. Every NUFC fan said it was a matter of time before he got injured and it only took 2 and a half games. If Eddie wants like for like it is Ivan Toney. You guarantee him playing time and have Callum as backup.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Paqueta off to WHU then. I don’t think he was ever actually a target for NUFC – not in the way the fans & media wrote about him – but he probably should have been.
I think I’d rather have gone Pedro & Paqueta for the money we have spent on Isak – BUT if Howe preferred Isak then I have faith in him.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sorted
PremAndUp(Quote)
I have been a broken record on here saying it was BS that we would only spend 60 mil this window. I have been proved right though. I still think we will get 1 more “over the line”. Not sure who? But there is money there so why not spend it !!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sky report ok for squad against Wolves
StanHardy(Quote)
I pray it will not be Anthony Gordon. I don’t really see the there, there! Not much there at all. He has pace and that’s about it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’ve just realised the reported fee for Paqueta is €60m – we were never going to pay that much for the lad.
Funny I’ve heard a lot of people talking about how much we’ve spent – particularly on Talksport – not heard much about how much WHU have spent though 🤔.
They must be close to £150m this window now I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree Sharpy, lets hope this lad is the real deal.
kimtoon(Quote)
So we have Isak confirmed then. Pleased with that, but I agree with others here he’s a risk. I’d have rather had Toney as he’s proven and not a sick note. However we must trust the guys! I hope we get two more attackers. I don’t care if they are loans or buys.
Gutted about Paqueta going to Spam though.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
This site is completely fuc.ked. Still getting others sign on details. I make one comment and get an error saying I’m posting too quickly! 😳😂😂😂
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Now comments missing and I’m Stan Hardy again! 🤬🤬🤬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
My pet peeve about the site is that every time I change or refresh a page on Android I get the cookie screen.
PremAndup(Quote)
I cannot really say I am shocked that Paul Merson’s Giant Balloon heed is speaking like a giant balloon heed.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It is like obvious. Merse being an idiot, he is almost the court jester coz everybody knows he is a clown. Clowns were normally smart enough to know their role Maybe Merson is as well. He probably gets well paid for his buffoonery, There are certainly others who get paid for talkin out of their @rses::
Mikey Owen is boring.
Lawro thinks he is funny when he really isnt.
Phil Tommo has a big nose.
Simon Jordon doesnt shut up and could talk us all into the grave.
Gabby Agbonlahor doesnt like NUFC for a reason I dont know.
Should I go on … 🙂
The Dannys (Mills and Murphy) dont like us either,
Sounnes and Keane… The list goes on.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Most of us know very little about Isak but shoudnt that be the job of journos and analysts to inform us. If I wanted to, I could easily get some information on him. Bein Sports show La Liga live, I am sure I could figure out a way of getting into their archive if that was my job and I was paid to do it. You could go to the Sociadad website or how about Football Sweden to have a look at the lad?
The Guardian actually have a full time La Liga correspondent. How hard would it be to give him a call and ask about Isak. It costs me 1 cent per minute to call Spain! These journos are being lazy and not doing their jobs. In times of 24 hr news and instant communication it is a dereliction of duty to not use the resources at hand and do a bit of research to inform the people who are paying their salaries.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Transposed a figure in my stats earlier, reviewed, and I expect 14 goal involvements this season. 11 goals and 3 assists.
PremAndUp(Quote)
I am looking at the Man U team today and they have like 300 million on the bench. I am not saying they are worth 300 million but that is what they paid, McGuire 80 mil, Wan Bassaka 50 mil, Shaw 35 mil, Cassamiro 70 mil, Fred 50 mil, Van de Beek 40 mil
Plus Ronaldo!!!
And they still complain about the Glazers not spending. They have spent, they just havent spent well..
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Their argument I think is the club is toxic and the culture comes from the top.
They have world class players
They have had world class managers
and get mid table results.
If that was us the pundits would blame the fans
At MUFC the fans blame the owners
PremAndUp(Quote)
Spot on there Eric
Icedog(Quote)
I have been thinking of how we can raise revenue at NUFC. I think it is pretty easy. When Ashley was in charge the fanbase was up in arms when he renamed the ground to Sports Direct @ SJP. That is because we all knew it was for his benefit only and NUFC would never see any money from it. But the Saudis could…
1. Rename the Gallowgate as the Aramco Gallowgate.
2. Rename the Leazes as the Saudi Telecom Leazes.
3. Get rid of Castore and get a real global brand like Adidas or Nike to sponsor us. I think Man U or Liverpool got like a 600 mil 10 year deal from one of the kit giants.
4. Get a real shirt sponsor and not some nobodies like Fun88 or Wonga who dont even exist anymore.
5. Monetize the TV channel and not let a bunch of chancers on Youtube make money off the brand – yes I mean you Toon Review!!! The opportunity is there, I just dont think NUFC have employed the right people.
6. Insist that Lee Ryder leaves The Chronic and get someone in who knows what they are doing so again they can monitize the NUFC brand.
This might sound like PR speak but it needs to be done to get our revenue up and avoid FFP probs.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I mean, it is as obvious as the nose on Phil Thompsons face that we will be in the top four within 3 years because the Saudis got into this for Sportswashing just like the Oligarchs and Nations did at Chelsea and PSG. We are not going to be messing around so a shirt deal with Nike for 30 mil a year should be easy. That’s nowt to them and they know we will be worth double our current worth in 3 years and be in the CL.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
SHARPY… 🙂 McTom just got another yellow. I hope you put a bet on it mate 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)