It’s been a tough old week for Newcastle United, who followed heavy back-to-back defeats to Everton and Spurs with a devastating 2-1 loss to AC Milan on Wednesday, where we went from closing in on the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League to crashing out of Europe altogether.
We’re left licking our wounds and in desperate need of a win to lift the low mood across Tyneside, yet face a Fulham side who have enjoyed a sudden upturn in form just as we’ve struggled.
While we’ve shipped nine goals in our last three, losing all of them, Marco Silva’s side have delivered back-to-back 5-0 wins at home against Nottingham Forest and Fulham, with their last away day an unfortunate 4-3 defeat at Anfield.
Speaking ahead of the game, Eddie Howe delivered this message, urging his players to override the ‘negative narrative’, show resilience and respond:
“The mood is good, there is some pain and anguish, but that can’t stay around in professional football.
“The turnaround is so quick and now focus is on Fulham. It is going to be a big test of our resilience.
“I think there will be a negative narrative externally and we have to override that. Exiting Europe is a disappointment, but it doesn’t have to have an effect on us afterwards. That’s down to us, we need to respond.”
Team news
Trippier is suspended, Gordon faces a late fitness test, Botman could make the bench, Barnes and Willock won’t be back until January and Burn could return to league action after his cameo in midweek.
For Fulham, Willian will be checked after a hamstring issue, but Adama Traore and Tim Ream have both been ruled out.
Predicted XI: Dubravka – Livramento, Lascelles, Schar, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Fulham
This one won’t be easy against a Fulham side who’ve scored 13 goals in their last three league games, but I back us to bounce back with a hard-fought win. HWTL!
I think it’s more important to give Gordon & Isak a rest.
I would start Miley in midfield and play big Joe wide left with Wilson up front – Gordon & Isak on the bench.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I do think a mjor issue in this game will be trippier missing. Despite his indifferent form over the last week his presence alone is a huge influence to how nufc play and I do think the panicky play on Wednesday and his absence are linked.
Coupled with dubravka not convincing, I can see goals conceded today and a knacked front three brings pressure too
Got to find a win from somewhere to stay in touch with top teams
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Trippier undoubtedly made mistakes against Everton but I think some of the criticism he’s had overlooks the really issue in our side – Miggy not having a right foot!!.
All too often Trips is in an advanced position to be able to put a cross in coz Miggy can’t.
I think teams have cottoned on to it & are targeting that space in behind.
Miggy runs hard & can have decent games now & again but he’s a weak link on the right wing.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Since shearer, trippier looks the most complete player I can recall at nufc and I hope he stays first team ready for a good while yet.
Without longstaff included any conversation about the right sided strengths and weaknesses feels a bit incomplete . Like so much of the team trippier, longstaff and almiron work better together than the sum of their parts.
I’ve suggested before that Almiron’s future feels like a regular sub.
The injuries have delayed that this season
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Go west , Agree with all that.
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
bloody hell Schar now
kimtoon(Quote)
We have no luck
kimtoon(Quote)
Playing 10 men now, we must win
kimtoon(Quote)
How many chances are we going to waste against 10 men. Two more major injuries. This is becoming a nightmare season.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
It’s going to be our kids playing the Mackems and the rest of the season. 🤬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Sending off was right. He seemed to lose his head coz of the elbow he got earlier( which was accidental)
Nufc ( almiron, Gordon, longstaff, guimaraes) wasteful in front of goal again.
Think of those playing, krafth has done very well and miley has such a smart football brain
Can only assume it’s matter of time till we see isak if it stays level and I’d hook almiron and leave Gordon right
Real shame if joelinton is anything other than protecting him for the 1/4 final
Schar out May be a blessing as he looked like he was keen to go wandering again and expose the back line
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Ooooohhhhhhhh Miley! Get innnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Getinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Miley
well done lad, chuffed for him.
kimtoon(Quote)
Is it too much to hope? Site seems to be working well today! 🤞🤞🤞
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Oops isak not on bench
Looooeeyyyy!
Im proper emotional at that.
Kudos to guimaraes for his contribution
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Miggyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
kimtoon(Quote)
Worrying scenes re Lutons Tom Lockyer😟
kimtoon(Quote)
Site is workiiiiiiinnnnnnnnggggggggggggggg
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Burnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
kimtoon(Quote)
Bournemouth match now called off. But apparently Lockyer is alert and awake.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
That’s better albeit 10 men
kimtoon(Quote)
Gilly, yeah he’s awake and responsive thank goodness.
kimtoon(Quote)