After a messy three months and rare feelings of unease over a chaotic summer at St James’ Park, the transfer window ended disappointingly last night with the arrival of no centre-back, right-winger or major first-team signing.
We must learn from our mistakes and up our game off the pitch from this point onwards, but we have a game to play on the grass this weekend as Spurs come to Tyneside for Sunday’s 1.30pm kick-off.
Performances this season have been a bit iffy – we were poor with 11 men against Southampton, we were lucky not to lose at Bournemouth and didn’t control a game we should have won comfortably at Forest on Wednesday – yet we’re unbeaten so far, have taken four points from a possible six and are into the next round of the cup after a morale-boosting shootout win at the City Ground.
Eddie Howe’s pre-match comments
“There are no easy games. We have done well to get four points so far as we have not been at our absolute best. Against Tottenham, we are going to have to be at our very best to get something from the game.
“Tottenham have been very good – they continue to be a team I like to watch, a very attractive style, fluid. They have recruited well and signed some really talented players.
“They were good last year, but I think they will be even better this year. I think we always have entertaining games against them. For us, we need to make sure we get on top of the details.”
Team news
Joe Willock’s thigh injury is not thought to be serious based on initial scans, but he looks set to miss this one along with Fabian Schar – who sits out again as he completes his three-match ban – Callum Wilson (back), Lewis Miley (foot), Sven Botman (ACL) and Jamaal Lascelles (ACL).
In better news, this is the first time in 10 months that Sandro Tonali will be eligible in the Premier League and the Italian handed given Howe a selection dilemma after looking razor sharp on his return in midweek.
For Spurs, £65m signing Dominic Solanke looks set to miss out along with Richarlison, but Rodrigo Bentancur has been passed fit along with left-back Destiny Udogie and Micky van de Ven; the speedy centre-back who got toppled by Isak the last time they met.
Predicted line-up: (4-3-3) Pope – Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Kelly – Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton – Barnes, Isak, Gordon.
I think Kelly could continue at left-back to help offer that extra bit of defensive protection against a dangerous Spurs side. Normally, I’d expect Howe to ease Tonali back in and keep faith in Longstaff for now, but the Italian looked too sharp at Forest to ignore.
Out wide, I feel Barnes deserves a start after his game-changing cameo at Bournemouth and strong end to our cup win at Forest. We know Gordon will play, so that leaves me wondering if Barnes could start down the right after impressing in that role a few nights ago?
Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Spurs
We’ve beaten this lot by an aggregate scoreline of 10-1 over our last two meetings at St James’ Park. That offers encouragement, but our performances have not so far this season, even if our results have been positive.
If we’re back to our best and arrive boosted from Wednesday’s win and bang up for it, I think we’ll blow them away again. I just get the feeling it’ll be a high-scoring draw that keeps both sides unbeaten for the season.
HWTL!
I would drop Joelinton the way he has played in the last two games, has lost possession far too easily and a no confidence penalty.
Players are only as good as their last game no matter who you are, that’s what competition is about and is designed to keep players on their toes.
Eddie should be using those players he seems to have so much confidence in🤔
Joseph(Quote)
Sorry Olly – totally forgot we had a game tomorrow 😂.
I’d play Trips ahead of Tino personally. I think he makes our right side tick.
He could help Murphy coz I think Gordon is a better option on the left to help Hall – I’m not sure Barnes does as much.
He can come on later in the game but obviously
Sharpy17(Quote)
It’s not an easy game this, Spurs are looking pretty good, hopefully home advantage counts today.
kimtoon(Quote)
We need to start playing like we can. Good attacking football that we saw a few seasons ago.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
HWTL
off to lunch, hopefully I won’t choke on lunch watching us today.
kimtoon(Quote)
Knew that injury break would benefit Spurs
kimtoon(Quote)
Goooaaaaaalllll Barnes get in
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Getinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Harvey lad, lovely .
kimtoon(Quote)
The break definitely swung the momentum in their favour – not sure why?!. – we looked good before that.
For all they have had the bulk of possession we’ve looked pretty solid defensively. We just need to figure out a way of getting Barnes & Gordon into the game more 😡.
Cracking finish from Barnes & great play by Kelly to react to the quick throw – been really impressed with Kelly.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We seems to switch off after the break for injury. Good goal though against the run of play and pleased for Barnes. Need another 4 of those in the second half.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Isak still seems well away from what he was last season.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Sorry but that was a pen on Isak
kimtoon(Quote)
ffs
og
At least the commentators happy
kimtoon(Quote)
Fuuuuuuuuuuck
Gilly Toon(Quote)
We are so ******* poor.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
This is ******* pathetic!!!.
Poor has been **** today!! Poor kicking & can’t catch a ball!!
Gordon has been really poor. His passing has been useless & his workrate way down.
Just sitting & letting Spurs come at us all the time – total **** show this like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – it was no pen but Isak should have got his head up & played in Barnes for sure!!.
Can’t believe he’s taken Barnes – Gordon has been awful imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We could lose this 😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Can we get out our half please
kimtoon(Quote)
This is some of the worse football I’ve seen!!.
We are so far off the pace it’s embarrassing.
Spurs should have destroyed us by now!!.
I have a theory but now’s not the time
Sharpy17(Quote)
Alexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
***
kimtoon(Quote)
Get iiiinnnnnnnnnnn Isak
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I’ll take it but boy oh boy we need work
kimtoon(Quote)
How on earth did we manage that????
Sharpy17(Quote)
A great win, but boy we made hard work of that. The team are just not there right now. Something is not right.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Murphy a bit sloppy but excellent for the second goal
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I have to give huge credit to Burn & Krafth.
In a week where it’s been all about bringing in a CB – I thought they were rock solid today. Burn in particular got to everything.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So my theory is that since Bunce has come in – his job is to ensure the players avoid injury as much as possible.
I suspect his influence has changed our training & our aggression in games.
I have no proof of this other than what I’m seeing with my own eyes.
We are playing at a much slower speed than last season.
It feels like there is a new plan that is taking time to implement.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Not sure it’s that simple Sharpy.
kimtoon(Quote)
What a shame that Chelsea were not able to get enough new signings to beat Palace 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Kim – I’m not insisting I’m right, but why can’t it be that simple?.
I keep reading that we are falling apart at the seems & it’s all Eales fault – but why can’t it be we are trying to adopt a new style of play to avoid as many injuries?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Given the total absence of conclusive evidence Sharpy. it’s as good as any other theory
PremAndUp(Quote)
Not saying your’e not right Sharpy just that it seems too simplistic. We look terrible at times and we are still getting injured.
kimtoon(Quote)
I would rather we play our previous style, if we get injuries so be it .
kimtoon(Quote)
Given the adjustment it’s taking at board level to have an effect it’s a reasonable call that there will adjustments for the team too. They appear to be consciously moving from a front foot team to a containing/transitional team. That’ll take time to adjust.
Also Howe’s teams are slow starters so you get what we’re watching. Unconvincing wins.
Some pros are the quality up front and the resolve of the team are both apparent.
I don’t buy the “Howe is too loyal” narrative anyway ( he’s too smart imo) but one thing his nurturing of the players brings is the will to compete as a unit beyond its component parts.
7 from 9 and next round of the carabao is a good return.
Putting aside the inability to recruit a RCB and RWF, concerns for me are Gordon’s poor form and inability to control a game when in containment mode. Gordon can only solve the former and tonali should help with the latter.
Jonesy(Quote)
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2024/09/01/newcastle-2-1-spurs-massive-win-as-battling-mags-find-a-wayagain/comment-page-1/#comment-866292
New thread
Gilly Toon(Quote)