If you’re anything like me, you will have spent the Easter weekend watching and rewatching the highlights of the West Ham game over and over again to the point that John Anderson’s jubilant shouts of “ohhhhh yes!” have become the sound of your own inner monologue.
It was certainly our season in a nutshell, injuries, disappointment, rage, hope, elation and astonishment. It felt huge. Season defining almost. And it kick started our run in ‘mini-season’ in the most perfect way confidence-wise.
Now we welcome Everton who have not won in the Premier League since their victory over Chelsea on 10 December. It’s not just on the pitch where the Toffees have problems either.
Recent financial accounts show Everton making a loss of over £80m last season, a larger loss than the season before. Having already been docked six points for breaching financial rules this season, the blue half of Merseyside look to be in deep trouble.
But Howe has been realistic about the challenges facing Newcastle ahead of the run in, saying it may be better long term to have Anthony Gordon miss this game through suspension. He also was vocal on the issues Everton could cause.
“Having two home games is really important, but we won’t underestimate the challenge that is in front of us,” Howe said. “It will be a really difficult game. Whenever you play one of Sean Dyche’s teams it is always a very tough game.”
Team news
Kieran Trippier may return to the line-up after missing the last few games through injury, but Howe has urged caution on rushing the England fullback back into the team saying that he needs to be “careful” with how many minutes he plays.
A seemingly never-ending list of players pulled up injured in the West Ham game and it remains to be seen whether they will make the squad on Tuesday night. Jamaal Lascelles will be out for up to nine months with after rupturing his ACL.
Tino Livramento picked up an ankle injury and Miggy Almiron pulled up with a muscle problem. It could mean a start for Lewis Hall and Harvey Barnes who both impressed against the Hammers.
Anthony Gordon can’t play against his former club after seeing red at the weekend. He is serving a one-match suspension. Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Joelinton and Callum Wilson miss out through injury. Sandro Tonali remains banned.
For the Toffees, Arnaut Danjuma and Lewis Dobbin are doubts through injury and Vitalii Mykolenko could return from illness.
Predicted line-up: Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall; Bruno, Longstaff, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Barnes
In light of there being no definitive answer on Trippier’s fitness we could see him returning to the XI. With Livramento’s ankle injury, Jacob Murphy is the likely deputy if we need another right back (Emil Krafth was unfancied against West Ham and was subbed off after being subbed on).
There is also an argument to start Anderson instead of Willock, but I think Howe will want to play the strongest team that he can.
Harvey Barnes has earned a start in his own right, but also profits from Gordon’s suspension.
Prediction: Newcastle 1 – 0 Everton
It will not be pretty, it will be a game of attrition. We will need to be sturdy between our midfield and defensive lines and not lose our cool in possession. Despite Everton’s poor record of late, they have been a dangerous team at times this season and drastically underperform their xG. They will create chances so we will need to match them.
Ultimately, our quality – even if light in numbers – should see us through. But the warnings of what this Everton team can do are all there in our trip to Goodison Park in December.
Come on you Maggies!
I’d take no risks with Trippier, put him on the bench by all means, but start Krafth for this one.
I think we win this one a bit more comfortably than WH – 2-0 for me … and I’m working with a Toffee tomorrow night so we better bloody win!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy.. were going to have a budget not to sure what that is to start. Then we have all the commercial ie sela and adidas. Plus the players wages we saving who will be leaving for free. Then players sold. I havent got a clue what we will spend but a think its be a good window. Eufa cup or that conference league will help for sure. A can see owa transfer record being broken again. Am excited to say the least
Coutts86(Quote)
On the game the night
A expect us to win. Wont be easy, ravaged with injuries so bench be poor again. 6 points in 4 days be massive
Coutts86(Quote)
Coutts – I’m going that low because I don’t think we’ll have a budget mate, I just think we have to continue to build wisely.
Strengthen the areas that need strengthening, but offer opportunities to those already in our squad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Coutts – sorry that should read I do think we’ll have the budget, I just think we need to be wise with it.
I’d look to pick off fringe players from our rivals but who I think could improve our squad & first team – whilst at the same time keep scouting for the young gems to fill our development squad with.
Sharpy17(Quote)
An example of what I mean mate.
Connor Gallagher is valued at say £40m – I think he’s better than Longstaff (whether he’s your first choice is a different matter, I use him as an example only).
So he’s valued at £40m – but Spurs also want him.
I’d rather get Hojberg from Spurs for say £15m – who would free Bruno up to play further forward. At the same time give the Mackems £5m for Rigg for our development squad.
We’ve spent half the amount but get 2 players that make a big difference to our current squad & future.
There are other/better players but you get my thinking I hope 🤷🏼♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
Anderson, Hall, Barnes and Krafth all start. Willock on the bench. Decent side, but kids on the bench. Not much in the way of a game changer or injury back up.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
God I love Isak … WE CAN NOT LET HIM GO IN THE SUMMER!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Amazing goal. He’s a real talent. Anderson Barnes and Murph doing well too. We were getting a tad sloppy after the goal. Need to sort that. One more goal will sort it but need to score again I think. The little Mackem has done well to be fair.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Had to come on here via twitter as keep getting page error when clicking on site as normal.
kimtoon(Quote)
Great goal from Isak but hope we don’t regret those missed chances.
kimtoon(Quote)
Fucking fuming 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Shocking second half. Fuming at that. Needless penalty.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
That’s points dropped there like & it’s on us!!.
That’s was a penalty for me, no issues with that – but that’s 2 games in a row now that Isak has missed a chance from 5 yards & dead centre of the goal!!.
I know he took his goal well tonight & scored 2 good penalties at the weekend – but to miss 2 sitters with his ability is poor to say the least.
Our final third play overall was poor tonight imo.
Disappointing – and yet another feckin injury 😡😡
Sharpy17(Quote)
Bet Dummett feels ****, proper rugby tackle. No doubt it was a pen but really annoying to gift them a point when we were so dominant .
Pickford very good sadly.
kimtoon(Quote)
It was a clear penalty… but Dummet was very stupid to give it away. Shouldn’t have come on. Could’ve dropped Murphy back for Hall and brought on a young attacker. Gutted.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Yeah I think Dummett just rusty & made a stupid rash challenge. What’s annoying is had he not made it, Young was getting nowhere near the ball imo – but the challenge he made was a foul regardless where the ball was.
Howe probably opted for Dummett thinking he’d have more composure than one of the young uns to see the game out was well I reckon 🤦🏼♂️.
Results went OK tonight though & I still like our run in.
I realistically see another 10-12 points from our remaining games – who knows where that leaves us 🤷🏼♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)