This game is more important than Barcelona tbh... Newcastle are still capable of making the next phase of the champions league, but we don't really want to be losing much more ground in the top 6 race. It's been a difficult run of games and we've come up short in the main, but hopefully they can win this one. Bournemouth away is now one of the most difficult games of the season and I'm not feeling particularly confident about it.
Lose this game and it’s been a poor start to the season. Cant argue with that fact. Win and it’s an ok start to the season. I don’t want to see Gordon up front ever again. It’s pointless. Literally.
Predictions for my acca bet: Start with same 11 as against Barca 5-0 defeat Bruno gets a red card - 3 match ban Tonali gets injured - out for 3 months Woltemade injured - out for 4 weeks Schar gets a head injury - out for 3 weeks Gordon to miss 3 open goal chances Barnes to not get a single shot or pass on target Trippier to hit 7 corners straight to their first defender Just setting expectations low, so that even negative folk can hopefully feel better on the actual day. Toon, Toon.
Really tough game. Stick with my comments, we have a strongest XI for this game as follows: Pope Tino, Thiaw, Burn, Hall Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton Elanga, Woltemade, Willock/Murphy. Barnes needs to be made an example of, that you can’t just keep being **** and get picked, Trippier and Schar need to be phased out (again, in the case of Trips).
Barcelona game is a nice little interlude but I cba with CL this year, I don't think we are in position to be competing there rn Would rather have another good year in the PL
Scrap the Barcelona (done) and PSG (last) games and we have 6 matches to really try and get through to the knockouts. 3 wins and 2 draws should be enough to get through, 16 points (5 wins and a draw) was enough last season for the top 8 positions - still loads to play for and we just need to make sure we make this a mini league between now and the PSG game and make sure we are qualified by the time we go to Paris.
I mean yeh but I'm talking about winning the ****ing thing not finishing mid table with Bodø/glimt and Prague
One step at a time, qualify for the knockouts by hook or by crook and then you are 4/5 games from the final. That’s the great thing about the cups is if you’re in it, you can win it.
I'm sure some would have thought that last year about the league cup, especially when we came up against Liverpool in the final but you never know. Getting to the final is harder than winning it.
For me something feels a bit off this season. Pre season was awful, and the way we’ve started this season, with the likes of Gordon, Joelinton and Bruno playing uncharacteristically poorly not to mention a strange reliance on veterans from the manager and a very flat play style, it just doesn’t feel like we’re in a good place. Hard to specifically put a finger on it, anyone else feel like that? We feel….stale, maybe disinterested, dunno.
I think the Isak nonsense has been a cloud over the club and contributed to the players and staff not really knowing how the start of the season was supposed to look. Now, with 6 new players, I think we are coming out the other side of a difficult summer and can kick on. Eddie always takes time to introduce new players so that they can build up the physicality and understand his tactical plan. The exception being Wissa, him being out is a blow to the start of the season as I was expecting him to be straight into the team. I think it just needs to click with all the new faces, and it will (hopefully on Sunday!)
