Following our best performance of the season on Saturday, where we more than held our own against Champions Manchester City, we come into this with a spring in our step and the chance to build momentum.
Flooding and pitch issues meant our planned trip to Wimbledon was pushed back a week and moved to St James’ Park, where it’s a sell out, a big chance for some of our fringe men to impress and a massive opportunity to move into the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.
A home tie with Chelsea awaits in the fourth round if we can overcome the Wombles, but recent form suggests they won’t be pushovers. They sit 6th in League Two, have kept clean sheets in five of their last six games and knocked out Ipswich in the previous round, winning on penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal time.
Eddie Howe has urged his players to arrive with the same attitude that saw us match Man City on Saturday, vowing to “attack the game” and not overlook a Wimbledon side desperate to prove their worth against Premier League opposition.
Eddie Howe’s pre-match comments
“We set objectives early in our season – in terms of where we want the squad to be. And I think where I want the squad to be is regardless of our opposition, regardless of the competition, the attitude is the same.
“We attack the game, we show we want to win. We should have to deliver all the fundamentals towards that objective. I’m not the type of manager that will sort of prioritise games. Every game is hugely important. I don’t think you can prioritise games. Of course we want to get through. We want to win and we want to play well.”
On potential rotation, Howe added: “I think we will see it as an opportunity to get game time for those that maybe haven’t played. But in saying that we’ll still pick a a very strong team. And ultimately, of course, we need to pick a team that we think can take us through to the next round.
“This is a vitally important game, so our preparation will be the same as it would be for a Premier League game. We’ll take it absolutely seriously.”
Team news
Alexander Isak (toe) has been ruled out again, while Kieran Trippier and Sandro Tonali will be assessed after coming off on Saturday with niggles. Callum Wilson (back/hamstring), Lewis Miley (foot), Sven Botman (ACL), Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) and Matt Targett (eczema) remain out.
Predicted XI: Pope – Livramento, Krafth, Schar, Kelly – Longstaff, Bruno, Willock – Almiron, Osula, Barnes.
With Isak already ruled out and Howe hinting at game time for those who’ve had limited minutes so far, I’m expecting to see Will Osula, Miguel Almiron, Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff, Tino Livramento, Lloyd Kelly and Emil Krafth start.
It would be Osula’s first competitive start since a £10m move from Sheffield United this summer and it feels likely with Isak out, Callum Wilson still injured and Anthony Gordon likely to be saved for Saturday’s return to Goodison Park. Howe praised him in Monday’s press conference, revealing how well he’s settled in as he works on his game in training. It would be great to see the 6ft 4′ Dane in action given his unique blend of power, pace and quick feet.
Almiron hasn’t seen many minutes this season and may be keen to prove a point, while Willock and Longstaff look set for recalls in midfield after neither started against Man City. Tonali looked tired as he came off with cramp on Saturday, so he’ll surely be saved for Everton.
At the back, Livramento will come in at right-back after losing his spot to Trippier in our last two league games, with Krafth also deserving of a start after very little wrong while Fabian Schar served his three-match ban after his opening day red.
Kelly is yet to find his best form since arriving on a free from Bournemouth, but this could be an ideal time for him to find his feet; whether that’s at left-back or alongside Krafth in the middle. I also think Burn is more likely to be rested than Schar, with the Swiss given three games off recently for his straight red on the opening day.
As for youngsters who could feature, Irish talent Alex Murphy may be one to watch, while exciting winger Trevan Sanusi will be pushing for a place in the squad after an impressive pre-season and lively start to the U21 season.
Match prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Wimbledon
Wimbledon must be credited for their strong start to the season, but even a much-changed Newcastle side should have too much for the Wombles.
Those who come into the side will be fresh and eager to impress Howe, with a sell out St James’ Park hoping to see us kick on from Saturday and keep the momentum going; not only for our cup hopes but heading into a tricky trip to Everton this weekend.
Hopefully no injuries, a big night for some of our fringe players and another front-foot display that sets up a last 16 tie with Chelsea later this month.
HWTL!
Looking forward to the game primarily because I hope to see osula start and I haven’t seen a live game for three weeks.
With energy, discipline and some key positions retained , You’d hope even (primarily) the 2nd string would have enough to overcome AFC Wimbledon at home.
Not sure I’d start schar before burn tomorrow and agree it’s a good game for krafth to start
I guess we’ll see tomorrow how much of a kick start ( or not ) the improved performance against manc was
Jonesy(Quote)
Everton have been poor for three seasons now yet games against them are always described as “tricky”. That applies to when other teams play them too. Why?
The Panther(Quote)
Hope Osula has a good game. Would be nice to get him off the mark early in his NUFC career even if it isn’t PL opposition.
Strong team & bench – but I would have liked to have seen a few young uns at least on the bench – we may not need them just now, but a few injuries & we could be turning to some of them so getting them in and around the first team in games like this would be beneficial imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Thought we were supposed to be on sky sports + according to football on tv but it’s norwich !
kimtoon(Quote)
We are very very poor
There’s lots of sky+ channels Kim, I’m on my modified fire stick on Sky +31
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Yeah i have done the red button on sports + but our game is not listed. I’m with virgin but have full sky sports package. NOT HAPPY
kimtoon(Quote)
Just lots of efl games
kimtoon(Quote)
Did you check +31?
Not happy with that first half. The penalty was taken very lethargically by Schar too, lucky he scored. Need to be better in the second half
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I have sky too via BT but I only saw the one + channel too, also pi.ssed off so that’s why I’m using my fire stick!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I’m really annoyed that Schar didn’t hand the ball to Osula – surely as a senior pro he knows how important it is to get the young lad off the mark.
Feel for him coz there was no balls going into him from Miggy – who can’t cross & Barnes who just looks to shoot 🙄.
Barnes off at HT – hope he’s being rested. But Bruno on – despite Tonali needing game time. Also though, perfect 45 mins for Sanusi if he’d been on the bench 😡.
We aren’t playing with any energy or aggression at all here like!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Gilly , i’m with Virgin with the full sky sports package and TNT sports too. I went to sky sports + and pressed the red button went into info but the choice is just a list of efl games. Yet Gillett soccer is showing clips and saying live on sky sports + now !
I pressed red button but we are not one of the choices listed.
ringing virgin tomorrow as not happy at all.
kimtoon(Quote)
Hmmm .. training game with no I zip. Anyone else think Wimbledon will get a chance at some point .. probably in off a toon ‘rs
Jonesy(Quote)
Awful game. I’m in full agreement with Sharpy. Osula should’ve been given the chance with the penalty. Especially the way Schar took it. Could easily have been saved. Luckily he scored it. We had no energy or desire. Credit to Wimbledon who defended well but really we should’ve put 5 or 6 past a league 2 side with that team we put out. Also, as Sharpy says, where was Sanusi? Perfect opportunity for him instead of bringing Gordon on.
Hey ho. We won. Chelsea next and that will be us out the cup again.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Can’t quite decide if nufc were deliberately low key / low energy to protect themselves or a bit clueless.
Whatever .. it felt like a practice game from the off
I Dont envy olly having to mark the players performance or write an article about that
Thank goodness no-one was injured
Jonesy(Quote)