The dreaded international break is over and Premier League football is back, giving Newcastle United the chance to finally put things right after that dismal defeat to Brighton two weeks ago.
Our opponents this weekend are Brentford. A good team who are actually 11 games unbeaten under the impressive Thomas Frank, but a side I back us to beat if we can return to our usual selves.
This feels big. It won’t define our season, yet it has the potential to kickstart our Premier League season, bring positivity back to St James’ Park and send us into next Tuesday’s trip to the San Siro full of confidence.
Between tomorrow’s game and the next international break in early October, we have seven games in 23 days, featuring four winnable league games against Brentford, Sheffield United, Burnley and West Ham, Champions League ties with AC Milan and PSG, along with a Carabao Cup clash with Man City. It’ll test the squad and our ability to cope on three fronts, so it feels all the more important we kick off this hectic spell with a big performance and win this weekend.
We often bounce back to disappointment. Look at our response to losing at Liverpool last season, the cup final defeat and that 3-0 battering at Aston Villa, where we smashed Spurs 6-1 at St James’ Park the following weekend. Hopefully that theme continues tomorrow.
Team news
Sven Botman is expected to return after resuming training this week, but a late decision will be made on Sandro Tonali (thigh).
Elliot Anderson should be fine after withdrawing from the Scotland squad with a ‘knock’. Joe Willock (Achilles) remains absent and Emil Krafth is easing his way back from an ACL injury.
For the Bees, Ivan Toney remains out as he completes an eight month ban for gambling. Josh Dasilva and Shandon Baptiste remain out, Mikkel Damsgaard has a ‘slim chance’ of featuring after pulling out of the Danish squad and summer signing Neal Maupay is expected to make their squad.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton – Gordon, Wilson, Barnes.
I think we’ll see a few changes for this one, keeping in mind that dismal display at Brighton, the international break and next Tuesday’s trip to AC Milan. It feels like the right time to mix things up a little.
Botman should come back in, seeing Targett drop out and Burn move to left-back. Lewis Hall will get his chance soon enough, I just don’t see him being thrown into the starting 11 just yet when he’s still not 100% match fit.
I can’t see Tonali being risked when Longstaff has spent the international break working with Howe, meaning he could slot in alongside Bruno and Joelinton. The latter is one to watch, mind. He didn’t look fit at Brighton, so a lot will depend on his condition following a few cameo appearances for Brazil. If he misses out, expect Anderson to come in as our left-sided number eight.
Out wide, I’m expecting Harvey Barnes to start. Like Longstaff, he’s spent the entire break on the training ground on Tyneside and is a proven Premier League operator who could be the difference against an organised Brentford. On the other flank, it’s a coin toss between Almiron, Gordon and Murphy. The former often gets the nod, but after 174 minutes for Paraguay and bad cramp in their 0-0 draw with Peru, I think we’ll see Gordon moved to the right – though it may come down to who has trained better over the break between him and Murphy.
Up top, I’m almost certain Callum Wilson starts. He’s scored twice from the bench this season, has just signed a new deal and was the only player to leave that 3-1 loss to Brighton with any credit. Isak is our star man in attack, yet he started both games for Sweden over the break and may be saved for Milan?
Predicted Brentford XI: Flekken – Hickey, Pinnock, Mee, Henry – Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt – Mbeumo, Wissa, Schade.
One to watch: Bryan Mbeumo – With four goals in four games this season, the right winger has stepped up in Ivan Toney’s absence. Only Erling Haaland (six goals) has scored more than the Frenchman so far.
Prediction
I think we’ll bounce back with a big win. Brentford are no pushovers and are coping very well without Ivan Toney so far this season. However, I believe we’ll see a response from the lads, who could be fresh and fired up to put things right after three straight defeats.
Wilson to score a brace and Bruno to bag his first of the season in a 3-1 win at St James’ Park!
Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Brentford
HWTL!
I sort of agree with you Olly but apprehensive after Brentford’s 11 match unbeaten run. They’re no mugs.
georgio(Quote)
I don’t want our boys to be worried by the start but equally not to be dismissive of it.
What you want is a bit of a siege mentality – have you seen what people have been saying and writing about us?! 😡.
Get out there and play with a bit of fire in their bellies.
I think 3-1 is a little optimistic. It’s not out of the question, but they would have to have a bit of an off day too I reckon.
I’d settle for a convincing win today, whether that be 1-0 or whatever score line. Good performance & 3 points because our league fixtures this month are favourable if we are going into them with confidence.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We need a win today to restore confidence and get rid of the naysayers… I think we can do it, but not easy. Brentford have become a good strong side under Thomas Franck
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Im really looking forward to seeing Gordon and Barnes out wide, if that’s what howe goes with.
I do think those two with isak represent the best attacking three, tho I get why Wilson could start today
Also it’ll be great if Anderson starts
A little surprising if Howe has chosen to make the number of changes predicted rather than being forced to do so through injuries
Maybe the narrative around window incomings was a little more credible than many critics have suggested
Anyhow, a win required today and nufc should be good enough to bring it
HTL
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Badly need a win today
kimtoon(Quote)
So as predicted, Barnes, Wilson and Gordon up front, Anderson, Bruno and Longstaff in midfield. Tonali is on the bench.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Manure getting stuffed at OT by Brighton! 😳. 1-3 😂😂😂😂
Gilly Toon(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
Not much from us so far, Brentford look better
kimtoon(Quote)
We need to wake the f up
kimtoon(Quote)
Pawsons a joke as well, get nowt from him today, not that we should need help.
That should of been a card
kimtoon(Quote)
can’t believe we didn’t score there
kimtoon(Quote)
Was that not an elbow to the face ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Poor first half. Not impressed so far. Brentford started very strongly and look dangerous. Need to buck up in the second half.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
And the site is still broken
Gilly Toon(Quote)
That pen is justice man, first goal shouldn’t of been ruled out imo
kimtoon(Quote)
Well done lads good win
kimtoon(Quote)
That first goal should definitely have stood. Good penalty from Wilson. I think that handball could easily have been given too, in fact would’ve been for another team.
Good win though, despite it being a very nervy game.
Gilly Toon(Quote)