Following last weekend’s cup final heartbreak, it doesn’t get much easier as Eddie Howe’s wounded Mags face a trip to Man City in Saturday’s early kick-off.
It’s perhaps the most difficult game in the Premier League calendar, yet I’m expecting us to be raring to go and motivated to put things right in our bid for a top four finish.
Howe is building a winning mentality and has urged his players to use Sunday’s pain to fuel them over the coming months, believing the experience will only benefit us moving forward.
Man City pose a huge test – Haaland is unstoppable at his best, Mahrez has what it takes to cause Burn huge problems and De Bruyne is one of the best creative midfielders on the planet – but they’ve conceded in six of their last seven games and leave gaps at the back if we can strike quickly in transition.
This game won’t define our season, but with us struggling to score goals since the turn of the year, falling four points behind Spurs (4th) and seeing Liverpool (6th) close the gap to just two points, it’s time for us to get our European push back on track ASAP.
Speaking ahead of the game following Sunday’s cup final defeat, Eddie Howe had this to say:
“I felt bruised on Sunday…and Monday. But very quickly, for me, on Monday afternoon it turned to Man City and returned to work. I didn’t feel that the passion and the motivation could increase within me, but it has….
“We experienced a great occasion. The passion and love the supporters showed to the team in all moments will stay with me and we want to return that and give them future successes. That burns deeply inside of me.
“I don’t think our principles ever change. We’re going to need to be very good defensively and very good with the ball. We’re going to need to pose a threat in the game – I believe we can do that. Certainly we’ll need to get our foundations strong.”
Team news
Bruno Guimaraes has been passed fit to play after hobbling off last weekend, while Eddie Howe has talked up Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak’s performances in training.
Joe Willock didn’t start at Wembley after a hamstring issue but could come back into contention alongside Matt Targett; who appears to have trained all week after overcoming a heel issue.
For Pep Guardiola’s side, John Stones (thigh) and Aymeric Laporte (illness) “feel better” and may return to the side after training this week.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Willock, Bruno, Joelinton – Gordon, Isak, Saint-Maximin.
I can see Howe making four changes from Wembley, giving us fresh legs and added pace in attack.
Nick Pope is back from suspension and will replace Loris Karius in goal. There’s calls for Matt Targett to come in for Dan Burn at left-back, but Man City away on your first start since November would be throwing the former in at the deep end; something Howe rarely does.
After training all week, I can see Joe Willock replacing Sean Longstaff in midfield. His ability to break at pace could be key down that right-hand side, with Joelinton likely to be covering that left flank to protect Burn and make similar bursts forward while Bruno sits.
In attack, I’d be shocked if Alexander Isak doesn’t start. His pace and ability to carry the ball at speed could hurt City on the counter, not to mention Callum Wilson looked sluggish (once again) last weekend. Anthony Gordon is well rested and raring to go. The question is, does he replace Allan Saint-Maximin – who could leave Burn too exposed down our left – or an out of form Miguel Almiron who looks in need of a rest? Tough to say, but I’d favour ASM when Miggy looks out of ideas and in need of a week off.
Prediction
I think we’ll give a good account of ourselves here and have a real go, but that doesn’t always equate to points away to the reigning Champions.
Isak to score, Gordon to cause havoc and Newcastle to respond with a positive performance and narrow defeat at the Etihad.
Prediction: Man City 2-1 Newcastle
So Houssem Aouar has told Lyon he’s leaving in the summer on a free.
He’s a player we should absolutely be in for. He and Bruno linked up so well at Lyon – maybe that’s the plan 🤞🏼.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Really tough game tomorrow. I’m not expecting much if I’m honest.
I just want to see another competitive performance from the boys & if that results in a win then brilliant – but get the graft in 💪🏻
Sharpy17(Quote)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64821422
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I went on to there website .. the first thing you find is them asking for donations:
Give to Amnesty International UK Section Charitable Trust to stand up against injustice and help defend human rights for all.
Stand up to injustice & help defend human rights for all 🤔.
It must be a quiet time if the best they have is to chase NUFC consistently.
Where have I heard human rights before – oh yes – Quatar.
Where have I heard Quatar before – oh yes – they are trying to buy Man Utd aren’t they?!?!?!! – I’m sure Amnesty are all over that attempt to are they????.
I’d like to thing the PL are busy enough righting all their wrongs around Man City breaching FFP for nearly a decade.
Move on Amnesty – there has to be bigger injustices & breaches of human rights going on for you to crack on with 👍🏻
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy totally agree mate, gets on my nerves that there is still all this **** going on when Qatar are trying to buy Manure and there is solid evidence of Qatar wrong doing in gaining the World cup.
As for today’s game I think it’s gonna be very difficult especially away from home, defense is going to be key and we must take our chances better. Would like to see Isak and Gordon start, feels like we need to freshen up somewhat as we have looked a tad stale, especially up front.
kimtoon(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh gawd
gonna be a long game now
kimtoon(Quote)
We really gone off the boil
kimtoon(Quote)
Burn not coping well v Foden
kimtoon(Quote)
Feel for Lascelles having to deal with Haaland
Oh my Calum what a chance
kimtoon(Quote)
Frustrating first half, though I don’t think we are doing much wrong.
Phil Foden is just one of the best footballers to watch in a long time – what a talent.
I annoyed at how much more physical they are than us though – we need to stop getting knocker off the ball as easy in the 2nd half.
Need to make a change at HT for me as well. I agree with the pundits that’s there’s no other out ball than Wilson who is losing that physical battle with their CBs.
Take either Longstaff or Miggy off for Isak or Maxi for me & tell them to stay up with Wilson.
We need to start trying to run in behind and either of those 2 could do that.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Why is Maxi not playing, and why does everyone hate him? Gordon tripped over himself and if Maxi had done the same they’d be out to crucify him.
Newkie(Quote)
That’s no Joelinton for net couple of games then
kimtoon(Quote)
joelinton needs to calm down
kimtoon(Quote)
Just as we seem to get some momentum, up pops Silva ffs
kimtoon(Quote)
Haaland has pushed and 2 or 3 times there, is that not a red ? He has gone in aggressively
kimtoon(Quote)
God they are dirty *******
kimtoon(Quote)
ha ha death stare for Lascelles from Haaland, well he did say in his interview with Shearer that he likes the rough stuff. 🙂
kimtoon(Quote)
I’m not saying Murphy is a better player than Miggy – but having a right footed player putting early balls into the box has definitely cause City more problems.
It’s just a shame we took Wilson off at the same time coz I think he would have enjoyed the chances it’s created.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree on Murphy not on Wilson, Wilson just doesn’t look right at the mo, Isak should start next game imo.
kimtoon(Quote)
Lascelles did well today
kimtoon(Quote)
Targett has to start as well net game
kimtoon(Quote)