Newcastle vs Man City

So it wasn't the great Howe?

 

Howe's record up to January 2022:

P11 W1 D5 L5

Things only really started happening when we got Burn and Wood into the team, and got rid of Clark and moved Joelinton into midfield.

 

Exactly so it's all been about spending money rather than some amazing guy coming in with new cones.

 

So why will Everton have got tougher just cos of the takeover then?

 

The mood around the supporters had been rock bottom and they'll get a big lift especially at home.

Was the same here.. ££££ and an uplift in the mood around the club.

It was never a manager turning water into wine that's for sure

 

The uplift in fans has naff all to do with bad players - it doesn't make them magically good. we were getting hammered repeatedly after the take over cos the squad sucked. Took significant time for the players that did stay to up their game.

Plus Everton are massively constrained by spending rules now, so they won't be able to splash the cash in January.

 

It definitely does make a difference... home games in particular.

 

Goodison Park was never Galatasaray, it's the home of bitterness, despair and misery.

 

And this is the City match thread btw

 

It has been so was St James for a long time... that will change now and the team will bounce off it.

 

Everton are next mate

 

We already have another thread devoted to Everton, use that one then.

SJP was never home of despair, fans are always loud. Didn't automatically make us win though.

 

The atmosphere was crap for ages mate... unless it's a big game it's crap again now.

It was a combination of money and a change in the mood around the club.

 

No it wasn't and no it isn't.

It ain't Arsenal or Chelsea.

 

I went to a few games before and after the difference was huge... now it appears to have settled back to pretty dull levels.

 

In terms of this match, I imagine it'll be an attempt to try not lose the game. I'd like to see us adapt how we play, but I'm not so sure we can.

You'd think lining up with Gordon, Isak, Tonali, Bruno G, Joelinton and even Barnes on current form, we could/should really give teams a game but we seem meek and weak. My line-up:

3-4-3

Pope (sadly)

Schar Burn Kelly

Livramento Tonali Bruno Hall

Gordon Isak Barnes

Subs: A terrible GK, Trippier, Krafth, Willock, Joelinton, Murphy, Almiron, Osula.

Idea being we can go 5-4-1 out of possession, and spring to 3-4-3 when in position. Barnes/Gordon can play narrow as Tino/Hall have good engines and are attack minded. I'd now consider Joelinton as a good option up front and in CM from the bench, where we could shift to 3-5-2 if we needed a change. CB's are all bang average but I don't think a pairing works, as they're so bad, and Bruno's not a real CDM so they don't get protection. Kelly offers a bit of pace, Burn height, Schar can roam a little and we can still cover.

As has been said, it's something of a free hit, so why not try something less predictable than the way we always play.

 

We are not dropping Joelinton, and we can finally now play Joe, Tonali and Bruno in midfield.

 

Appreciated - Howe's line up:

4-3-3

Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Kelly, Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton, Barnes, Isak, Gordon.

 

Either line up gets soundly beaten.

 

No, Hall at LB and Kelly on bench.