“We couldn’t be more together at the moment. There’s a feeling of us internally knowing we’re against everyone else & that’s healthy and I’d embrace that.”
After Wednesday’s farce at Anfield, these words from Eddie Howe are music to the ears of Newcastle fans as we return to home turf, hoping to take our frustrations out on Crystal Palace in the best way possible – three points.
There’ll be a lot of tired legs in the camp, but the players will arrive with the bit between their teeth after what happened in midweek, with a sold out St James’ Park ready to roar on the lads who did us proud – once again – a few nights ago.
Palace look a good side this season and are always improving under Patrick Vieira. Wilfried Zaha is a huge threat down the left and they have several brilliant athletes in their side who are equally trick with the ball at their feet in Ebere Eze and Michael Olise. Andersen and Guehi are one of the Premier League’s underrated centre-back pairings too, so this will be another tough test – especially when they’ve had an extra days rest.
It would be a huge boost if either Bruno Guimaraes or Allan Saint-Maximin can pass a late fitness test, as the pair have been our difference makers in our opening two home games this season. However, we now have another match-winner in Alexander Isak, who’s poised to make his first appearance at St James’ Park after an electric display at Anfield.
Team news
Alexander Isak has shrugged off a ‘dead leg’, but Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin are doubts – even if their hamstring issues are “nothing serious”, says Howe.
Callum Wilson remains out with a hamstring injury, being a little behind ASM and Bruno in his recovery, while Jonjo Shelvey (hamstring) and Emil Krafth (ACL) remain out.
For the visitors, Tyrick Mitchell could return at left-back and Will Hughes is fit again, but James Tomkins, Jack Butland, James McArthur and Nathan Ferguson are still missing.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett – Joelinton, Longstaff, Anderson – Almiron, Isak, Fraser.
At the back, Burn and Lascelles put in big displays against the Reds and don’t deserve to be ‘dropped’, but Schar and Botman got a rest in midweek, performed well in our last home game and help get us on the front foot with their ability to play out from the back.
In midfield, we haven’t got the luxury of making many changes, with no one signed, Shelvey out and Bruno unlikely to be risked, but Longstaff, Joelinton and Willock all looked knackered in the final stages at Anfield – especially the latter.
He’d have been useful against an athletic Palace side, but I see Willock getting a much-needed rest and Elliot Anderson coming in for his first Premier League start. I could be wrong, but he looks ready to play and hasn’t looked out of his depth in each of his cameos so far this season.
In attack, the same front three that caused problems against Liverpool look set to start, as Saint-Maximin seems likely to be protected given his history with hamstring issues.
OUT: Lascelles, Burn, Willock? IN: Schar, Botman, Anderson?
Predicted Palace XI: Guaita – Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell – Schlupp, Doucoure, Eze – Ayew, Edouard, Zaha.
One to watch: – Ebere Eze. Wilfied Zaha is their star man and top scorer, but Eze is a superb player who has been hugely creative for Palace so far this season, pulling the strings and delivering assists in recent away days at Liverpool and Man City. He carries the ball so well, is a brilliant dribbler and has good delivery from set pieces.
Prediction
Wednesday night would’ve been physically and mentally draining for the players, so it’ll take a huge effort here to overcome a Palace side who’ve been very good on the road so far this season, taking a point at Liverpool before going toe to toe with Man City in a game where they were 0-2 up at one stage.
However, our lads will be looking to bounce back from that midweek and will have 52,000 proud Geordies behind them, giving us every chance if we can replicate the intensity shown in previous home games against Nottingham Forest and Man City.
Isak to double his tally and the Toon to edge out the Eagles in a narrow win on Tyneside!
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Crystal Palace
Olly: I agree with most of your team EXCEPT I think it will be Willock over Anderson.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Red Bindippers or Blue Bindippers? They play before we kickoff. Mo Salah or Anthony Gordon?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
In the bindipper derby it is like asking who would you prefer? Stan Boardman or Tarby. I think I would rather slit my wrists than make that choice.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It was something like choosing your favourite Spice Girl. That was obvious – none of them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am hoping for a draw in the bindipper derby. I really dont have anything against Liverpool but I am still annoyed by Wednesday. It wasnt their fault the Ref couldn’t see his watch but it is still annoying.
Looks like the 2 young lads on both sides are competing for stupidest haircut – Harvey Elliot and Anthony Gordon. I will be keeping a close eye on young Anthony. I want to see what the pundits see in him. I know he is a fast runner, but there has to be more to it than that?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Half time and Gordon is the worst player on the pitch. All he has done is misplace passes and foul players. We supposedly put in a 40 mil bid in for this lad which is why I am interested to see if he can play. The Ref is giving him a lot of leeway and he should have had a yellow.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’ve counted 3 times already today where the ref has blown his whistle to tell a Liverpool player to hurry up
with a throw in or goal kick – and it’s only 55 mins in …. Wonder if Klopp will have a moan about his own players????.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Is it too cocky to not be concerned about our game today?.
The way we have been playing lately & our home form and atmosphere – I only see the win.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I dont know Sharpy. Eze and Zaha are pretty good players.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Quite like to see Elliot get a start
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric – I’m not saying they won’t have their moments in the game.
But I only see us winning today – usually I’m cautiously optimistic but for whatever reason I feel really confident today – hope the boys prove me right.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Mackem T-Rex was by far Everton’s best player. Anthony Gordon the worst. I don’t see a there there. All he has is a bit of pace and he is a nasty little shyte. Chelsea are welcome to him because I dont want him at NUFC.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have sort of changed my mind on the Mackem T-Rex. He is a very good keeper. I always thought he had a mistake in him, but they all do. Look at De Gea or Allisson. Pickford’s toddler on a sugar rush antics are still annoying though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
Longstaff gets early yellow
good chance for Isak
kimtoon(Quote)
God Almiron is so frustrating
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – he’s doing my nut in!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
double save, we should be ahead, gonna be one of them days
kimtoon(Quote)
off the effin post, *** defo one of them days
kimtoon(Quote)
Well we should be in front by arguably 2 goals, just hope it’s not one of them days when we get chances but don’t convert. Hope we are as good second half but with a better end product.
Eze is a threat.
kimtoon(Quote)
I have no idea how we are not ahead. Steve Bruce must have used all of our luck up.
I am still annoyed about Wednesday. Where did they possibly get 8 mins of added time? Today at Goodison they added 6 mins and the Ref blew his whistle at 6 mins. He didnt add another 3 on for no reason like Wed.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well I’m not sure how we aren’t going in at least 1 goal up there 🤔🤔🤔?!?!?!!!
I think it could have been greater dominance if Miggy had a right foot!!! 😡😡😡
The amount of attacks that have been slowed down or broken up coz he can only kick a ball with his left foot is beyond frustrating man.
He’s working hard & seem alot of the ball – but should have been far more effective imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I would have Miggy constantly using his right foot in training, I’m sure he doesn’t know he has one.
kimtoon(Quote)
I wasnt really that mad on the night but have had 3 days to sulk about it. If it had happened the other way Klopp would have had a stroke.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, Klopp will have one anyway the way he’s goin on on the touchline so far this season. He’s feeling the pressure for sure.
kimtoon(Quote)
Goal but VAR says foul in build up fk given Willock injured
kimtoon(Quote)
I’m steaming about that – HOW THE **** HAVE VAR LOOKED AT THAT AND DISALLOWED THAT MAN????
AND THE REF LOOKED AT IT!!!
THATS THE WORST DECISION IVE EVER SEEN!!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy it’s crazy isn’t it, he was pushed , our goal chalked off because they foul us ! wtaf
kimtoon(Quote)
Need to hurry up and score cause you just know they will get a freak goal
kimtoon(Quote)
Lee Mason on VAR today
kimtoon(Quote)
Isnt VAR only supposed to overturn stuff for “clear and obvious errors”? Willock was pushed into the goalie FFS. A mole with a white stick could have seen that but 2 Refs couldnt!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Anderson on , c’mon lad
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – they should have looked at it & booked the kid that scored end OG for fouling Willock.
It’s an absolutely disgraceful decision and I hope Howe isn’t mister nice guy about it – that needs calling out for what it was!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
They’re gonna nick it aren’t they
kimtoon(Quote)
And now Zaha is diving again
kimtoon(Quote)
ffs Willock goes wide
How are we not ahead man
kimtoon(Quote)
Isak goes off, not really the home debut he would of liked.
kimtoon(Quote)
one crappy point, if I was cross on wednesday with VAR then I’m furious today, that was a goal end of . Robbed of 2 more points.
kimtoon(Quote)
How was that nil nil. Cheating Refs is one reason.
Ivan Toney gets a hattrick. Thanks Rafa.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Absolutely steaming fury at that. Criminal officials, just criminal. VAR is meant to stop bad decisions not enforce them. Furious. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬. Blatant cheating from VAR
Gilly is fucking steaming angry(Quote)
I want to say I can’t understand how we didn’t score in that game – but we DID!! – a perfectly legitimate goal chalked off by really poor officiating. Disgraceful!!.
Instead I could say I don’t know how we didn’t score more – but I do – stalwart defending by Palace and p!SS poor finishing by our forwards.
We knew we lacked quality in depth in the final third & for whatever reason we did not address it.
Almiron on the right is s big problem in our attacking imo. He lacks quality and can only play on his left foot.
We have a CF desperate for balls into the box & Miggy is cutting infield.
Howe should have swapped him & Fraser – who has a right foot so they could get the ball into Isak quicker & more effectively.
All that said, we should have got at least 1 goal today and I thought we were solid at the back – snuffed all of their attacks out & Pope looked comfortable the whole game.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Jesus H. Christ. It was not just us that VAR screwed today. West Ham had a perfectly good goal ruled out because the Chelsea keeper play acted and VAR ignored it. Moyes was livid.
When are going to get better Refs? Remember the VAR officials are the same as Ref the games. It really is beyond a joke and to the point where you might need an ex-player in the VAR booth along with the incompetent Refs.
These decisions aren’t even close and they keep getting them wrong.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am trying not to get upset. So…
Pope looks quality and I think we might have a player in Elliot Anderson. Perhaps as the season goes on he might replace Miggy.
Mitro scores again. Thanks Rafa.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hat trick from Toney and Mitro scores yet again. Well Rafa really screwed us there didn’t he
Gilly is fucking steaming angry(Quote)
Even without Maxi, Bruno and Wilson we still played better than Palace and should have won if it werent for cr@p refereeing.
Eric Sykes(Quote)