Meaning it's the same line up as last game except Almiron for Fraser? Then I think a draw, but possible a win due to the all round work rate. I could see us keeping a clean sheet and still nicking it. Either 1-1 or 0-1 to us.
I don’t think he is. And yes Murphy isn’t the best. However Howe doesn’t seem to like Miggy does he? Wonder why?
For me, GD is one of the main indicators as to who is going to struggle. Now, the difference with NUFC is we had a tonne of investment in January that no other club had in our position. Norwich, Leeds, Brentford, Everton, Watford didn't strengthen in Jan. In fact, Everton got worse thanks to Rafa. Since Howe has come in we're averaging enough to finish on 50+ points across a season. The rest have been stagnant, some getting progressively worse through Jan and into Feb. This indicates a manager bounce or ability to turn it around is unlikely. Norwich are all but down. For all the promise of Dean Smith, he's still really a Champ level manager with a Champ squad. Bottom place is, for me, sealed. Watford have just as many issues - team of mercenaries thrown together, no cohesion, 2nd bottom also looks nailed on. Even if we're included in the scrap for 18th, Leeds, Brentford, Burnley and even Everton have all been poor of late. The lack of heart or desire for a scrap at Everton (Lampard included), the lack of sense from Bielsa at Leeds and the sheer lack of quality at Brentford and Burnley indicate to me that we're not going to be in a relegation scrap. I think we should be aiming for 11th. "Winning" the bottom half of the division should be both the aim and what we achieve.
Final relegation spot is between us, Burnley, Leeds and Brentford. I think Everton will find a way out, somehow. My prediction Everton Newcastle Burnley Brentford ------------------- Leeds Watford Norwich
You'll all sharp change you tune if we lose tomorrow. We're currently 2 points ahead of Burnley having played a game more We're still in serious **** if we lose tomorrow and I'll assess after that rather than starting to talk about how high we'll finish tonight.
I'm not sure Everton will. I think they're in worse trouble than you think, just because they're Everton. Lampard is pretty poor. He's never been in a scrap. His players are a bit heartless, Digne left a sinking ship and they've got a serious lack of talent. How over-rated are the likes of Pickford or Richarlison? Leeds is a big question mark - surely Bielsa is done, then it's a case of who they can get in? Maybe they're favourites - if you're relying on Patrick Bamford, something's wrong somewhere. Burnley I'd say were safer than both. They scrap and fight, Dyche has been there so many times. Eventually of course it'll fail, aiming for 17th each season will eventually lead to relegation. Brentford are most likely for me. Their squad is really bang average and relies on confidence, which is shot at the minute. Tomorrow's game is absolutely huge - another win for Newcastle and we'll start to feel invincible, whereas Brentford will have any hope shattered. I believe we can finish 12th or even 11th. If we can pickup draws and wins the next few matches, then get Wilson and then Trippier back, the squad will be absolutely flying.
I have a strong feeling Trippier will be out for the season, maybe even Wilson. Best we can hope for is ASM and Manq which is strong enough IMO. Howe is a genius. Our defence looks miles better all round. Our midfield looks far more energised and benefits from our new formation. Our wingers looks far more dangerous also. The only place we look dog **** in is CF. West Ham result was the best result of the season, proven that we aren't just being carried by our best players and our team as a whole have improved and up for it.
If we'd signed almost anyone but Chris Wood, we'd have beaten West Ham. Honestly think he's unfathomably bad. Howe got us into a decent 4-3-3, started picking the right players and all his training ground work has had a huge impact.
