Match Day Thread Newcastle United FC vs Southampton FC Premier League 15:00 Saturday 17th August 2024

vs
So here it is everybody, it's matchday number one.
Back in the Premier league, we're going to have some fun.

A visit to St James' Park for the Saints traveling faithfull who will be in good voice as ever with OWTS ringing out in reply to the Magpies Blaydon Races. Plenty to do in and around Newcastle for those making a weekend or longer break of it. Going to the Bigg market for a night out an experience not to be missed. Safe journey for all those making the trip.

To say we're the underdogs is a bit of an understatement with 72% home win, 16% the draw and a massive 12% for us to leave with three points. Stranger things have happened at sea some might say, that may well be the case but this game is being played on a football pitch.
Head to head since a 1- 0 Saints win in the FA cup 12th Feb. 1898
Games won: 38, Games drawn: 24, Games lost: 46 . Stats from:- https://www.11v11.com/teams/southampton/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Newcastle United/

"Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst" and "as long as the team show some spirit" are just two of the football clichés that make me sick as a parrot.

Line up, never one to predict myself, I'm sure there's plenty with an opinion.

Officials, thanks Tom.
Ref: Craig Pawson.
Linos: Marc Perry, Mark Scholes.
Fourth off: Dean Whitestone.
VAR: Chris Kavanagh.
Ass. VAR: James Mainwaring.

 

**** VAR

 

Bit torn on how this one will go.

Most of me thinks Howe will be pragmatic and let us have the ball, knowing if they pick their moments to press we'll give up chance after chance leading to a 4/5 goal win with them barely breaking sweat.

But there's a small part of me that thinks that the typical Saints thing to do would be to suffer a narrow and 'heroic' defeat, which would increase optimism amongst fans, before getting dicked at home by Forest next week.

 

I cannot see us getting any points from this game.

5-0 Saints.

 

Ah, I've not missed those 'heroic' defeats against the bigger clubs. Defeats a defeat as far as I'm concerned.

"Yes, we lost. We got 0 points, but didn't we play well? If we play like that all season, we'll be fine ..." only to proceed to not play well when it matters. City/Wigan after the last promotion is a good example of that.

 

Easy home win….4-0……Tino to score.

 

1-2 away win.

Arma scores early. They reply.

Then Dibling comes on and smashes one top bins in the 87th to win it

 

0-4 and the meltdown will begin

 

I’ll take 0-4 seeing as we’re the away team!

 

It’s going to happen.

 

I imagine the side is probably going to look identical to the one lining up against Getafe.

Unless we bring in better player to start.

 

Absofuckinglutely.

 

Winning 4-0 would be an ok start, though I would hope for a few more goals.

 

We always lose at Newcastle so good to get this game out of the way first game of the season when we haven't completed our transfer business. Can only see a Newcastle win here so this is a total free hit for me.

 

Have Newcastle ever scored 4 own goals?Thats the only way can Saints win.

 

Mccarthy
Sugawara THB bednarek KWP
Downes
Smallbone Aribo
Armstrong BBD Edozie

Have I missed anyone?

 

Subs and timing of the changes? Who's coming on for a game winning cameo?

 

Head says we’ll get thrashed. Heart says we may be slightly surprised in some shape or form.

 

The Vicar

 

First game of season is often weird. We need to go out with a point to prove, they need to have an off day after a bit of a turbulent pre-season away from the field.