Erm. How? They’re second bottom with the worst goal difference in the league. We need to be winning this match but it depends if we are too one dimensional again. And I mean “again” because we’ve gotten really ploddy and predictable recently.
Well they're a different team since the window closed. I don't see Newcastle reaching the pre Xmas heights again this season... been poor all year in the main , but grinding out draws.
Typical promoted team below Prem standard that could just about stay up if they played really well, but more likely to go down. Ie more like West Brom or Watford who get the odd good result and battle, than Norwich who are useless dogshit ever time they get in the Prem.
You didn't see us finishing in the top 7 at the start of the year either. Isak and Gordon to get integrated into the starting team and Bruno back after the next 2 games.
I still have my doubts there's a long way to go, but 6th or 7th seems likely now I'll agree . I'm just not impressed with Newcastle the last month and doubt they'll reach the heights they hit before Xmas.
Think we have defo gone backwards since the World Cup - probably only players to really come though with credit are Joelinton and Pope, maybe Longstaff but the defence have looked shakier to a man, Willock seems knackered, Bruno still quality but a bit volatile - maybe having a baby has left his nerves a frazzled, Almiron completely off the boil after amazing form in the first half of the season and Wilson was struggling up top. Positives are we've conceded one set piece goal since the world cup in the league, Wilson looks like he is coming back in to form - last two games have been a massive improvement, we've strengthened the wing's with Gordon and once the Cup Final is out the way we have 15 games to try and get/hold a European place. Despite the "poor form" since the world cup if you'd offered anyone in the fan base 10 wins 10 draws and 1 loss, with the best defence by nearly 50% after 21 games we'd have snatched your hand off.
Brighton and Fulham are just as good which is why I'm not counting chickens like many are slightly too soon. Bournemouth away is a tricky little number, all games in the Premier League are difficult, newcastle are not the same side without Guimareas, they've not played well for over a month and Bournemouth are an unknown force which means preparing for them isn't easy.
No one is impressed with the form since Xmas excepting the league cup progress. But there are still huge positives to take - undefeated in the league with only one goal conceded, and this is apparently a bad run of form. Even the best teams have dips in form, and this isn't going to continue for ever.
Then you agree with what I'm saying . The entire situation is nothing but positive even if the clubs finishes 10th.. there's an assumption there that this is a dip and before Christmas wasn't just a good run .. we don't know which way that will go yet, but right now things have been on the slide.
I see isak is actually available..... I doubt he'll start? I find it strange a player newcastle paid 60 million pounds for cannot get in a fwd line up that is still 100% Mike Ashleys newcastle. Nevertheless I would bet he'll get injured within a month of tomorrow again anyway.
Wasn't just before Christmas though, was ever since January last year so it's now the norm rather than a run of form. Would rather play Liverpool than Bournemouth tomorrow cos at least we know Lpool are ****, but I'd be surprised if we don't see an improved performance tomorrow.
Different seasons stuck together isn't the same thing we don't know if they can do a full season without burning out. I'd rather beat Bournemouth then bring Liverpool to St James and find out a little more about whether top 4 is on.
It's the same thing in this case as the transition was immediate from January, and this is a team from then, rather than one which was created over the summer. You could even class the start of the season as something of a blip, remember the first 8 games, ie P8 W1 D6 L1.
Yea, these people saying we had an amazing start to the season are wrong, it was an average at best start, then we went on the crazy run from Fulham away.
