The international break is over and Premier League football is back this weekend, where Newcastle United begin a run of away games with a trip to Wolves.
So far, results have been positive. Two wins from three, seven points from a possible nine and a big win over Spurs a fortnight ago. However, it’s fair to say performances haven’t been particularly convincing, with themes being a lack of control and periods of sloppiness.
Points matter more than ‘playing well’ – this has been out best start to a season for 13 years – but there is a feeling that our performance levels have to improve to sustain that.
The international break has been a positive one with so many of our players scoring, assisting, winning and/or returning on a high and Joe Willock’s injury isn’t serious, but the fallout from a bad summer still lingers after Paul Mitchell’s big interview last week that seems to have ruffled a few feathers.
Hopefully all of that can be put behind us soon and we do our talking on the pitch on Sunday.
Eddie Howe’s pre-match comments
“It [the international break] has been productive for us, some good training, I have been pleased. We gave the lads a rest and then started our preparation towards Wolves.”
On our start to the season, Howe added: “Very good results, really pleased with the start we have made in what is a difficult league. Performance wise, we haven’t hit top gear. We have done well in different passages of play but not consistently throughout the game. We are going into a spell where we have difficult games away from home now so we will look to improve.”
Howe then discusses Sunday’s opponents: “A very tough start for Wolves. They played very well in their last game against Nottingham Forest. Always tough opponents, I have a lot of respect for Gary O’Neil and the job he has done. He is very tactically astute so we will be prepared for a tough game.”
Team news
Fabian Schar is back from a ban, Joe Willock (thigh) has done light training, Emil Krafth has trained after missing Sweden’s games, Callum Wilson still isn’t fit and Lewis Miley (foot), Sven Botman (ACL) and Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) remain out.
Bruno Guimaraes came off at half-time in Brazil’s 1-0 loss to Paraguay earlier this week, but Howe seems to think there’s no problems there:
“We hope Bruno is OK. Joe [Willock] is improving; he has been training with the group this week albeit not full training. Positive signs for him. Callum [Wilson] is a little bit behind where we want him to be, we envisaged he might be training for the games coming up, but he is not there yet. Emil [Krafth] has been nursing a problem. We have seen him in training, he’s joined in the last couple of days, so we are hoping he will be fine.”
Predicted line-up: (4-3-3) Pope – Livramento, Schar, Burn, Kelly – Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton – Gordon, Isak, Barnes.
At the back, Trippier may be pushing Livramento after the former has spent all of the international break training on Tyneside with Howe, but I think Tino keeps his place after no minutes for England and a superb display in our 2-1 win over Spurs.
I think we’ll see Schar replace Krafth at centre-back. He’s back from a ban and is the superior player when fit, especially for his ball-playing qualities. However, the fact Krafth has had an injury niggle over the break could make Howe’s mind up, despite filling in brilliantly alongside Burn.
At left-back I think Howe will hand Kelly another start despite calls for Hall, who bagged two assists for England’s U21s over the break. In midfield, I’d love to see Tonali come back in but I think Howe might just stick with Longstaff, for now.
In attack I’d expect to see the same front three of Gordon, Isak and Barnes, as all three should come into this one confident and ready to kick on. Gordon and Isak performed well for their country and Barnes has a goal and an assist in his last two Premier League appearances.
Prediction: Wolves 0-2 Newcastle
Five of our last six trips to Molineux have ended in a draw – four of which have been 1-1 – but I think we’ll get the better of them this time.
Wolves have lost some key players over the summer in Max Kilman and Pedro Neto, they shipped six in their last home game against Chelsea and they’ve won just one of their last 13 Premier League games. I think we are playing them at a good time and am expecting an improved display and solid win after a positive international break for many of our players.
HWTL!
It’s good to be talking about nufc playing football again instead of relationships and back room staff.
On a canny run of away results right now ( 5th in tableover last 6 away games) admittedly against lower half teams .. which wolves are right now.
Need to maintain that this weekend to get the away form esp against wolves off their back and continue it next week against Fulham with a tough set of home games to December.
Time for Howe to be brave and trust his stars, so tonali starts. The only question for me is livramento ( future ) and tripier( experience) as I would start schar and Kelly.
Get on the front foot, control the game through better possession and go after a win
HTL
Jonesy(Quote)
I feel a little bit for Wolves. I know we were unhappy with our summer, but they sold off a number of the main players & didn’t really spend the money. They feel like the next club on the verge of slipping down the league & at risk.
I still think they are a threat though – especially at their place.
Krafth has played really well at RCB – do we put Schar straight back in or does Krafth get his reward & keep his place?!. I think Krafth picked up a knock on international duties, so that probably puts Schar back in to be fair.
Burn has been a mountain at LCB and goes nowhere for me.
Howe has good options at LB now – Kelly offers a more defensive option with Hall more offensive. I think depending on who we play they could rotate.
Sandro starts for me. Him, Bruno & Joe could become a real force.
Ahead of them, it’s Gordon on the right for me (for the time being), with Barnes left & Isak.
Our defence has been unsettled so far with Schar out, and I’m not sure Howe has settled on his full backs yet … but once it clicks, this could be a very fun season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Whoever is responsible for us not signing Guehi needs a pay rise & whoever suggested pursuing him at £70m needs shifting!!.
Just watched at 37yr old Jamie Vardy whip him for pace & score for Leicester.
I’d argue the only thing that could have made this summers window worse would have been shelling out £70m on an overhyped player. He’d be overpriced at half that price imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Same goes for whoever decided DCL was a player we wanted in the summer. Just watched him miss some really sitters against Villa today – absolutely useless!!.
Not buying Guehi & DCL = outstanding transfer window
Sharpy17(Quote)
This site is truly dead on its @r$e.
Can’t believe the lack of posts.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Doh! I meant schar, BURN and Kelly 🤔
Jonesy(Quote)
Mixed set of results today and it would’ve been nice to see Everton hang on. Ipswich and especially forest did very well. I’m struggling to understand why non-forest fans are so down on them as I think they look a pretty competent team.
Still nufc have a chance to go 2nd tomorrow (although I don’t see arsenal dropping points to spurs) and an aggressive win will do nicely although. Come on Howe .. be brave.
Should I have butterflies about them this early in the season
Jonesy(Quote)
I wonder if Eddie might bench Bruno today and start Tonali. Bruno played (poorly by all accounts), for Brazil and long travel getting back. We may see Joelinton, Tonali and Longstaff but let’s see. Need a win today. No more of these draws with wolves
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Anyone watching Arsenal and Spurs? A draw here would be perfect. A bit feisty too. Spurs have 5 yellows in the first half.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Nope . Save my energy for nufc not London self licking lollipops
Yup a scoreless draw is ideal only bettered if they crock a couple of theirs players a each
Jonesy(Quote)
Yes me, lots of cards racking up mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
Well a similar start to other games. Control without too much intent altho murphy should’ve scored .. now can they retain the controll coz it’s about know where they’ve let it slip in other games
Joelinton noticeably dropping to allow guimaraes to roam forward
Jonesy(Quote)
Aaah flash .. brilliant and soooounlucky
Jonesy(Quote)
Brilliant defence from giimaraes after some sloppy passing from others
Jonesy(Quote)
So the answer is no they can’t retain control. Much more even now.
Jonesy(Quote)
Kinda feels like they only have themselves to blame for that .. quick transition after not taking care of the ball.
Beautiful sunny by the attacker to commit schar
Jonesy(Quote)
This game feels familiar .. wolves doing what nufc did to them last season at sjp
Jonesy(Quote)
Bit gutted, thought we were in control and unlucky not to score.
Time to make amends
kimtoon(Quote)
Howe acknowledging he got it wrong with those subs. Is isak injured??
Jonesy(Quote)
Went off just before half time wit a nose bleed due to taking ball in the face. I understand
PremAndUp(Quote)
Get innnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Schar
kimtoon(Quote)
Wolves have very nicely drawn the sting from those nufc subs. This is a bit unimpressive. .. but hold on .. schar you beautiful bar steward
Jonesy(Quote)
I’m calling it. .. I was cheering before Harvey hit that ball. Just gorgeous
Jonesy(Quote)
Very Shearer like, reminded me of his volley v Everton
kimtoon(Quote)
Gotta be careful with holding in their box
kimtoon(Quote)
Job done.
kimtoon(Quote)
O.. M … g. We make things difficult for ourselves don’t we? A good win but that was stressful
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Great goals from Both Schar and Barnes. Those 3 subs at half time need to start next game.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Schar MotM for me.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Strangely I loved every minute but I am a bit giddy today as first day of 2-week holiday.
Away win and 3rd in the league with a a two week holiday to my favourite place in the world . Only Sandro scoring could’ve topped it in that match
Jonesy(Quote)
Well it’s another 3 points in the bag & that’s all that counts really.
But I think he got the team wrong from the start. For me you play your best players – especially with no CL to think about.
I think he’s playing Murphy because Barnes doesn’t give Hall as much cover as Gordon maybe.
Didn’t like the change at the end either – 5 at the back invited Wolves onto us & Osula should have come on imo.
But ultimately another 3 points on the board, that’s all that matters.
Hopefully Isak is ok 🤞🏼
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think he started Murphy so that Gordon could play on his stronger left side. But Barnes must start the next game. Absolutely agree that we have to start with our strongest team.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
agreed, but best team is not always 11 best players
PremAndUp(Quote)
Indeed. Strongest team rather than best 11.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
New thread
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2024/09/15/wolves-1-2-newcastle-two-moments-of-magic-send-toon-up-to-3rd/
Gilly Toon(Quote)