I couldn’t be more proud of these players. The 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa could’ve caused panic, yet our response has been emphatic.
Not only did we hit Spurs for six in a five-star display at St James’ Park, smashing another top-four rival out of our path, we showed our mettle on Merseyside by seeing off Everton 4-1. We struggled in the first half at Goodison and faced a hostile atmosphere, but we went through the gears when we needed to and delivered a masterclass in finishing, making it six points in five days and 10 goals in our last two.
This Sunday, we can’t take Southampton for granted. They may have lost 1-0 to Bournemouth in midweek – a result that leaves them six from safety and the favourites to go down – but only last week they scored three at the Emirates. The good news is, it feels like complacency no longer exists at Newcastle United. We look highly motivated, brimming with confidence and hellbent on bringing Champions League football back to Tyneside. I just can’t see us taking our foot off the gas.
On a weekend where Spurs play Liverpool and Man Utd face tough games against Villa and Brighton, it’s another chance to move another step closer to our European dream. Here’s what Howe has had to say ahead of the game, praising the unity
“Winning is everything. I am so proud of everything connected to the club this year with what we’ve given – players, staff, board – everyone.
“We feel really united at the moment. Things are going well, but we aren’t taking that for granted as we know how quickly that can change. We’re enjoying the feeling that we’re having and long may that continue.”
Team news
Allan Saint-Maximin (hamstring) has been ruled out once again and could also miss next week’s clash with Arsenal. Dan Burn (illness) could return to Howe’s XI, but Sean Longstaff and Joelinton are ones to watch. The former was forced off at Everton after a heavy challenge from Tarkowski, while big Joe complained about ‘tiredness’ in his hamstring prior to the game.
For the Saints, James Ward-Prowse faces a late fitness test after he came off due to illness on Thursday night and Romain Perraud will also be assessed after he was also forced off.
Centre-back Armel Bella-Kotchap could return, but Mohamed Salisu and Valentino Livramento are expected to miss out again.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Willock – Murphy, Isak, Joelinton.
It may seem harsh on Callum Wilson, but I can see us reverting to the same side that smashed Spurs 6-1 last Sunday.
The busy schedule and Dan Burn feeling unwell before kick-off was probably the only reason Howe made three changes at Everton. With that in mind, I can see Jacob Murphy coming back in for Miguel Almiron – who was loose in possession at Goodison – Alexander Isak replacing Wilson and Burn returning to the side in Matt Targett’s place.
Longstaff did come off with a knock on Thursday night and Joelinton complained about ‘tiredness’ in his hamstring before the game, so I do wonder if we’ll see Wilson AND Isak start should either midfielder miss out. Isak could play down the left in a 4-3-3 or just behind our No 9 in more of a 4-4-1-1 (where Willock plays down the left), but I imagine both Longstaff and big Joe will be OK.
Anthony Gordon will be pushing for more minutes, as will Elliot Anderson, but I think they’ll be made to wait while the stakes remain so high. If we are leading comfortably midway through the second half, it would be nice to see both come on for confidence-boosting cameos.
Prediction
As stated earlier in the piece, it feels like complacency no longer exists within Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United. He simply won’t allow for it.
Southampton must be pretty dejected after losing 1-0 to Bournemouth a few days ago, so an early goal could kill off any hopes they may have of an upset and see heads drop.
I’m going for another comfortable win at St James’ Park – a much-needed clean sheet for Pope, the unplayable Isak to feast and Willock to also get in on the act!
Prediction: Newcastle 3-0 Southampton
HWTL!
I’m well pissed off that it’s not on TV! Was expecting it to be at that time on a Sunday.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
It’s. on. Bein sports mate
Icedog(Quote)
I know, but I don’t have access to it in the UK.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly , same here mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
Must be happy days in Toon Olly as I agree with almost everything you wrote. 3-0 HTL
georgio(Quote)
i live in the uk and i get it nee probs,you have to get the right box wink wink i can get any game in the world
icedog(Quote)
Cool
kimtoon(Quote)
Still no Eric I see.
kimtoon(Quote)
Heady days at the toon.
Hopefully EH keeps the team focussed to get a good start with goals to keep this winning streak going and maintain league position.
At home against a struggling team and going well hasn’t always ended as it should for nufc so let’s hope this team continue to show they’re not those teams of the past
HWTL
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Same approach as the Spurs game for me – and by that I don’t mean I expect to be 5-0 after 20mins.
I just mean go after them from kick off. Look for that high press, look for the early goal & get the fans going.
I expect Saints to park the bus a bit more after all the goals we’ve got in the last 3 or 4 games.
But if we can find a way through in the first 15-20 mins then I only see 3 points from this one.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Anyone picking up any gossip about longstaff out for the season with a broken foot??
That’ll be a real shame for him if true and I wonder who’ll start if so, as it may see joelinton revert to midfield.
Isak / Wilson up top or Gordon left side maybe the most likely options but I’d like to see Anderson start left side with Isak central
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Aah just seen the team .. Gordon in for longstaff .. direct replacement
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Gordon starts then!
@ice, where did you get your “box” mate!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Bruno misses a sitter, god please not one of those days.
kimtoon(Quote)
If Longstaff does have a broken foot I wonder if that was when he was down injured and Pickford tried hauling him off the ground ?
kimtoon(Quote)
ffs, what is it with the Saints, proper bogey team
kimtoon(Quote)
Well that not totally unexpected as Southampton have played ok and Newcastle low key so far AND missing chances. Dare we speculate they’re missing longstaff again
Guimaraes very sloppy first half and prime cause of that goal
Last thing needed was to have Southampton with something to play for
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Tarkowskis Tackle looked nasty .. proper ankle Snapper
I’m not sure Pickford is to blame .. even tho he’s a worthy pantomime villain
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Very poor first half – really sloppy play.
Saints have so decent young players to be fair, but we are defo helping them out here!!.
May be unfair to single him out but not sold on Gordon at all.
He twists when he doesn’t get to play but does nowt to show Howe he’s wrong to leave him out.
Howe has been good at making changes for the second half to swing the game, so let’s see what he does here 🤞🏼.
Need to be better – HWTLs!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Wilsonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
getinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
kimtoon(Quote)
not to blame, but wrong in any case to try and drag him up like that.
kimtoon(Quote)
Looks like Howe agrees with you Sharpy
Ooh aah Callum Wilson GTFI
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Sharpy, agree on Gordon , so want him to come good but I’m not sold so far.
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh yeah def yellow card and for the other two who tried it later
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Wilsonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
get in lad
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh hang on var
kimtoon(Quote)
no goal ffs
kimtoon(Quote)
Took for ever to do that check that as well.
kimtoon(Quote)
Botman GETINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh it’s Bruno’s !
kimtoon(Quote)
Wilsonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn3.1
kimtoon(Quote)
Well fought win after nufc came out after a Howe rocket at half time.
Wilson wanted that match ball today 😁
Mobtown is rockin right now as we’ve got the toon in the USA event 🖤🤍🇺🇸
Slight aside it was awesome to see the Hebburn mags .. my hometown .. flag at SJP today
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Missed the whole match, but just saw we won 3-1. Excellent results again.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Another half time master stroke by Howe – I know it’s obvious that you increase your chances to score with Wilson on the pitch, but Howe didn’t hang round.
He didn’t like what he saw so changed it at half time.
Had he waited & give Gordon 10 mins of the 2nd half then it might have took longer to adapt & who knows what impact that has.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It’s 60quid a yr mate not bad eh had it four yrs now,there’s a couple of lads on Facebook do just ask on there,mines from abroad my son got it for me but the lads on face book put it on your tv if you have a smart tv and give you a couple of days free trial they do it from their end somehow
Icedog(Quote)
Thanks Ice
Gilly Toon(Quote)