Just as Newcastle looked to be gaining some momentum, our bubble was burst at Brighton thanks to another poor away performance and late defeat.
Our league form must improve, we need more from our wingers, not just Elanga, and our away form is a genuine concern, but this next week offers three big opportunities to get back on track.
A Tuesday night clash with Benfica in the Champions League, followed by Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday and Spurs in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup next Wednesday; three different competitions, all three at St James’ Park and three games that could go a long way towards defining our season.
First up, ‘little Magpie’ Jose Mourinho and his Benfica side arrive under pressure to win after defeat in their opening two UCL games, losing 3-2 to Qarabag and 1-0 at Chelsea so far.
For Newcastle, we lost our opener to Barcelona before beating Union SG 4-0, leaving us 11th in the league table heading into remaining games against Benfica, Athletic Bilbao, Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV and PSG.
Team news
Sandro Tonali has missed training on Monday with a bug, leaving him facing a race against time to be fit for Tuesday night’s game.
Joelinton is a booking away from a one-game ban in the Champions League, while Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento and Yoane Wissa will be absent once again.
Predicted XI
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.
We are sorely lacking energy and athleticism at full-back, with our patterns of play also lacking without Hall and Livramento. However, while they remain out, it looks likely to be Trippier and Burn either side of Thiaw and Botman.
Thiaw at right-back could make room for Schar’s return, with Trippier able to play down the left, but that seems unlikely and would break up what’s been a centre-back pairing.
Further up the pitch, Joelinton and Elanga’s places in the side are two of the pre-match talking points, with both hooked at half time after a bad opening 45 minutes at Brighton.
Personally, I think big Joe will start against a potentially rough Benfica side, saving Ramsey for Fulham on Saturday, with Murphy replacing Elanga down our right after contrasting displays at Brighton.
Should Tonali miss out, I’d expect to see Miley in that deep midfield role after his positive cameo on Saturday, helping us keep the ball and set up our only goal.
Match prediction
I wouldn’t be surprised if Mourinho sets up to frustrate us, although I also wonder if Benfica can afford to be so cautious after losing their opening two games. They need to win, really, not hope to sit in and nick a point.
Our away struggles are clear, we have a few too many players misfiring and our Premier League form is an ongoing concern as Saturday’s defeat left us 13th, but we have a knack of delivering when the pressure is on under the lights at St James’ Park.
In a battle of two sides in need of a win for different reasons, I think we’ll find a way!
Prediction: Newcastle 2-0 Benfica
Howay the lads!
Jose has a pretty woeful return from visits to SJP as a manager Chelsea league cup wins aside.
kimtoon(Quote)
And the Spurs win obvs.
kimtoon(Quote)
Although I like Miley he is no Tonali regards a holding midfielder, would rather have Miley or Ramsey than the clumsy and slow Joelinton as they actually know how to play football.
Our lack of quality fullbacks is finding us out, Trippier’s lack of foraging runs and crosses has dried up compared to a couple of seasons ago where he created a lot of chances, he is of course getting older and it shows.
Burn is the unlucky one being forced into a position he is too slow for.
Krafth ? wonder what’s happened to him.
.
Joseph(Quote)
What’s happening with Ashby?
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon:-
Apparently he’s injured.
Joseph(Quote)
I don’t pay a lot of interest to Portuguese football so haven’t seen Benfica play really – but on paper they have some very good young players.
They are generally technically gifted players so for me it needs to be a case of smothering them – closing them down quickly and being physically more aggressive than them – bully them.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ah right thanks
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy, me neither mate but they are apparently very physical.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – their CBs are quality – I’m amazed they are still there to be honest. I can only thing the fees are huge.
You can imagine Jose is working with the young squad to make them nasty – us against the world mentality like he had at Chelsea.
Home advantage is good tonight but I don’t see it being a easy or nailed on win – it’s a big test this one.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Guimaraes to drop into CM with Ramsey and miley either side which should should help plasticJosie be less miserable. Could do with schars creative distribution to try and mitigate the lack of attacking presence from hall / livramento absences.
Krafth was .. maybe still is .. carrying a knock
GR(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
thaiw on a tightrope now
kimtoon(Quote)
Gordonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
kimtoon(Quote)
Get innnnnn. Gordon
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Good first half and several missed chances. Mind you, Pope has made some great saves too. We will need another goal. Miley has been excellent as has Murph and Gordon.
Need another goal though.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Disappointed to see Murphy go off
kimtoon(Quote)
How is that not a pen ffs
kimtoon(Quote)
Barnessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Justice
kimtoon(Quote)
Get innnnnnnnnn what a pass from pope
Gilly Toon(Quote)
That was difficult to score too
kimtoon(Quote)
Still fuming about that pen decision
kimtoon(Quote)
Another pen not given and we score anyway, get in Barnes
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh yessssssss Harvey
Gilly Toon(Quote)
What do we need to do to get a pen from this sh.ite ref 😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Osula and Elanga about to come on, Gordon off and the BFG
kimtoon(Quote)
Joke mate isn’t it.
kimtoon(Quote)
Gordon motm
kimtoon(Quote)