After a hectic but near-perfect week for Newcastle United, we follow Sunday’s 8-0 mauling of Sheffield United with a Carabao Cup clash with Man City.
We reached the final last season and will be dreaming of going one better this time around, yet we’ll have to do it the hard way this time!
It’s the start of another three straight home games at St James’ Park, where we face Burnley on Saturday and PSG next Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League. We play SEVEN games over the next month and with that must decide whether to rotate heavily or hit Man City with everything we’ve got. It’s a balancing act and one Howe is desperate to get right, saying it’s his “ultimate ambition” to bring silverware back to Tyneside.
Pep Guardiola has refused to spend even “1% of energy” on the cup, claiming upcoming games against Wolves and RB Leipzig are more important, but Howe was having none of it in Tuesday morning’s press conference. Whether it was reverse phycology from Pep, partly true or a load of nonsense, this is going to be a tough game no matter what City side lines up on Wednesday night.
Team news
Harvey Barnes (toe) has been ruled out for ‘months not weeks’, Joe Willock (Achilles) and Emil Krafth (ACL) remains out, but Joelinton is nearing a comeback after being spotted in training on Tuesday.
For the visitors, Rodri is suspended and Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) remains out, along with Bernardo Silva and John Stones. Guardiola has confirmed his plans to rest Kyle Walker and Ruben Dias, but Mateo Kovacic and Jack Grealish could return to their XI.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Livramento, Lascelles, Botman, Targett – Longstaff, Tonali, Hall – Murphy, Isak, Anderson.
I’m torn here. Will Howe attack what could be a weakened City side with his strongest possible XI in a bid to keep the momentum going or save several key players for upcoming games with Burnley and PSG?
He hinted at “utilising his squad” in Tuesday’s press conference, so I think we’ll see more of the latter. However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, allowing a host of fresh and hungry players to come into the side and take their chance.
I think Dubravka could get the nod over Pope – if he’s not playing cup games, I don’t know when he’ll get the minutes Howe promises over the summer – and expect Livramento to start his first game at right-back.
In the middle, I think Jamaal Lascelles will be handed a rare start alongside Sven Botman, giving Fabian Schar a rest. At left-back, Matt Targett could come in, allowing the versatile Lewis Hall to play on the left of a midfield three alongside Sandro Tonali and Sean Longstaff; who is less likely to be rested than Bruno, in my opinion.
Lewis Miley could well be handed a big chance to impress. If so, I’d expect Hall to come in at left-back. In attack, I think we’ll see Anthony Gordon finally given a rest, as Elliot Anderson is more than capable of playing down the left. Jacob Murphy down the right feels more than likely, as he’s started just once all season, with Alexander Isak up top after Wilson was preferred to the Swede on Sunday.
Predicted Man City XI: Ortega – Lewis, Akanji, Ake, Gomez – Phillips, Kovacic, Nunes – Doku, Alvarez, Grealish.
Ones to watch: Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku – The former is back from injury and is expected to start down Man City’s right. Whether he’s up against Kieran Trippier or Tino Livramento, it promises to be an intriguing battle. On the other flank could be Jeremy Doku; the electric Belgian who has an incredible turn of pace.
Prediction
If we rotate heavily, I fear we’ll come up just short against the treble winners; who’ll be able to field a top class side even if they make wholesale changes.
You never know with this Newcastle team, especially under the lights and on the back of an 8-0 win. My heart says a big win and Howe’s first against Pep, but my head think we’ll be edged out against a City side who are experts in playing three games each week.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Man City
HWTL!
Just watched the Sheffield game and a couple of points no-one else has picked up on occurred to me
Replacing a PL starter in Barnes with MOTM Gordon and then 6 goals to the good and on come isak, tonali and livramento to see out a game. What a ******’ bench.😁
Anyone still think the the 2023 winter / summer transfer business was poor? 🤣🤣
Elliot Anderson .. what a star nufc are developing .. add him to EH player development roll of honour.
That links to the LWF comments on last thread. With Anderson/isak/ Gordon as options for wide players either side of Wilson, nufc are a long way better than needing to employ an almiron /Murphy wide player combination as anything other than a game closer
Onto the manc game. Howe’s comments on lack of priorities between competitions this season should see a strong team. Then it’s who guardiola wants to play. Whatever .. a win will be a very good result against that lot and hopefully nufc go after them from the start
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
A win tonight would be great, but I think Pep is playing mind games again and will still play a strong side. They have enough players to field two strong 11s. I fear we may lose this one. I think Olly may be right at 2-1 to City, but always I hope for a win.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I know he’s still very young & inexperienced at the moment, but with the right development Minteh looks like he could be some player too!! RWF/CF – perfect for what we need.
We need a young goal machine coming through as well next, but I’m sure our scouts are all over it.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY their manger has rubbished him saying he has no vision of things around him and plays with no idea,so let’s see then
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – 6 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist isn’t a terrible return for a 19 year old loanee.
I’m sure the manager is right – what 19yr old is the finished article?! I mean the lad was playing in the Danish league last season – now he’s competing for the Dutch title & playing champions league football – that’s a hell of a step up to be fair.
The whole point of the loan move is for him to develop – the Feyenoord manager & coaches to improve his game.
Even then though, I wouldn’t expect him to come to us a finished article playing Dutch football.
If he can finish this season with double figure goals & 5 to 10 assists – I think that would be an excellent season based on where he’s come from.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just seen the team … I very much doubt we will get anything tonight. Early cup exit I guess. Dummett and Lascelles in defence. City have a strong team. Their second team is stronger than most first teams. 🤷🏻♂️
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Dreadful! Absolutely dreadful performance in that first half. Surely with those players we should be ble to do better than that. Tonali is made of rubber, everything bounces off. Cannot believe it’s still 0-0.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Well, that was a very different second half. Wow! Amazing result. Livramento definitely MotM… Gordon made a huge difference when he came on too. Superb!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Get in. Sweet result that like.
Is that another clean sheet I note and this time with a whole new defence. On we go
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Talk about a kick in the nuts … Man United away at Old Trafford in the next round. 🤬🤬🤬🤬
Gilly Toon(Quote)