It certainly feels like a more hopeful mood around Newcastle after the last couple of results, regardless of the fact that we did not manage to make any first team signings in January.
The win away at Villa felt like the most consequential one of the season so far, even if we do not know what the consequences are quite yet. Intensity was back and so was our cutting edge – especially from set pieces.
While some have said the season was a “write-off” when it became clear that we were unable to sign anyone in January, there is still a good possibility that we can qualify for Europe next season and we are still in the FA Cup (and for once have a favourable draw away to Championship strugglers Blackburn).
Although we lost in the reverse fixture against Luton, the mood around the club has changed dramatically. The Toon have won three of their last four in all competitions as a turnaround in fortunes seems to be heading our way.
Luton are going through somewhat of a purple patch too coming off the back of an impressive 4-0 thrashing of Brighton in their last game. This is not going to be an easy match with both teams having something to lose. Newcastle know that failure to qualify for Europe will see some players depart the project early, while Luton know another season in the top flight will bright vital funding for the club’s infrastructure and raise their stature in the game.
Eddie Howe was unwell and unable to do the press conference before the game, but Jason Tindall expects he will be in the dugout at St James’ come Saturday afternoon and said that the side have taken a lot of “confidence” from their recent results.
“We have come off the back of a difficult schedule, the last two results have given us a lot of confidence and hopefully we can build on that. The mood has been great,” Tindall said.
“You have to give Luton a lot of credit. They have been on a really good run, they have shown they are a hard team to play against, they are a dangerous team.”
Team news
Eddie Howe is “under the weather” but expected to be in the dugout tomorrow after missing today’s press conference.
Isak has trained well following his premature withdrawal at Villa Park and has a “chance” of involvement against the Hatters. Meanwhile Barnes, Wilson and Willock are “pretty close” to fitness – Barnes may be within an outside shot of making the bench. The winger has not featured for Newcastle since the 8-0 demolition of Sheffield United back in September.
Teden Mengi and Jacob Brown are back from injury for Luton and Issa Kabore has returned from AFCON duty after Burkina Faso were knocked out.
Predicted XI – Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Miley – Murphy, Gordon, Almiron.
With no concrete sign that Isak will be fully fit to start, the front three that played the majority of the Villa game keep their spots in the lineup. Almiron looked quite dangerous on the left and whipped a delicious ball in for Murphy’s shot that resulted in Moreno’s own goal.
After a solid defensive performance last time out, expect no changes to the back line.
Prediction Newcastle 2 – 0 Luton
It is hard to look past our quality when comparing the two teams, but football is not played on paper and Luton are in good form themselves.
That being said, with the added help of 50,000 Geordies at St James’ and the high intensity football we know and love coming back in full force against Villa, we should be able to push through any threat from the Hatters. I expect Isak to come on from the bench with 25 minutes to go and the possibility of a cameo for Barnes in the dying moments.
Keeping a clean sheet would be a great way to build on the confidence we are growing into.
I just hope Andros Townsend doesn’t come back to Tyneside to haunt us again!
anyone posting or are there problems withe website??
It was Groundhog Day here yesterday and there was no shadow which I think means spring is soon.
Anyways, important game today.
if the result against villa is to mean anything nufc have to win and should have enough to do so.
Hopefully they can retain the energy to press and be aggressive to get control early.
itll be interesting to see if the hints on players coming back from from injury is true.
Almiron did well when he came on midweek, but looked a little sad. Hope the fans in the ground give him some love today
HTL
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Well, for all the good we did v Villa it means nowt if we come unstuck v Luton today. No Isak or Wilson is a concern obviously so hopefully Schar has his striking boots on again.
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
Wilson and Barnes are on the Bench. Gordon starts as central striker. Same team we finished with vs Villa. 2-0 win for us today.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Ah the original format is back 👍
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Good to see some decent attacking options on the bench. I know fitness might be an issue but even if they get 20mins to ease back in.
I hope Almiron is on the left again. He looked a lot better on that flank putting balls into the box with his left foot.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yes Miggy on the left and Murphy on the right would be ideal with Gordon up the middle.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Miley to Longstaff
Goalllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
kimtoon(Quote)
Longstaffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff
2.1
kimtoon(Quote)
ffs
kimtoon(Quote)
Awful stream, unwatchable so having to listen… wtf is going on with our defence. Shocking
Gilly Toon(Quote)
We will get beat here 😡😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Absolutely frantic first half.
Luton forcing the chaos very well. Nufc need to get control coz Luton are aggressive, quick and powerful and the nufc mf are not good good today
trippier has been excellent
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
What’s going on man????
They’re making hard work of this like!!! 😡😡😡
Sharpy17(Quote)
We should be burying this lot. Sloppy in defence… need to sort our sh.it out for the second half 😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Oh dear
kimtoon(Quote)
OH retake
kimtoon(Quote)
😡😡😡😡😡😡😡🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Un fucking believable 🤬🤬🤬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Hmmm.. foul started outside and he went over inside. Burn had his hand on him and ir was def a foul but I thought rule was where the fouls started. Has that changed??
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
That said the lad out there has burn on toast
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Oh ffs, what the hell man, WHAT are we doing.
kimtoon(Quote)
4-2 we are getting beat 4 fucking 2 by LUTON, 😳🤬🤬🤬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Burns having a nightmare today.
kimtoon(Quote)
Only where Newcastle are concerned
Gilly Toon(Quote)
LUTON, bl oody LUTON
kimtoon(Quote)
Won’t get two back now, no way.
kimtoon(Quote)
Tripppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppps
Game on , let’s have another
kimtoon(Quote)
Crowd are nice and vocal
kimtoon(Quote)
Barnessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
4.4
What do I know 😁
Now put it to bed lads ffs
kimtoon(Quote)
omdays Barnes Wilson nearly
kimtoon(Quote)
😳
Gilly Toon(Quote)
4-4. O..M..g can we go on to win it ?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
jesus we should be ahead
kimtoon(Quote)
Swear to god if we lose this I will combust
kimtoon(Quote)
They are timewasting and trying to disrupt our flo here, much shithousery
kimtoon(Quote)
Don’t like that toon missed good chances .. Luton’ll get another chance yet. Toon have to score after this chaos
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
10 mins extra time !
kimtoon(Quote)
10 mins added on
Gilly Toon(Quote)
C’mon lads
kimtoon(Quote)
no silly free kicks please
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh god this is so tense
kimtoon(Quote)
finished
1 point
Oh well at 2.4 it looked over so a point isn’t so bad.
kimtoon(Quote)
Everton back in bottom 3
kimtoon(Quote)
That’s atrocious!!.
Credit to Luton, they didn’t fear SJP at all & were brave in their play – they deserved something out of the game so can’t complain about the result.
But I can complain about the performance & particularly of our defending – after some good defensive displays in recent games that was shocking today.
Pleased for Barnesy today – that must have felt good after such a long lay off.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Not happy with that. Shocking defending. Wasn’t their pen outside the area? I didn’t see it. down to 9th and likely 10th after the weekend.
Gilly Toon(Quote)