This Manchester City side are likely to beat the record points total for one season in the Premier League by next May.
They are halfway through the season and have 55 points – just 2 points short of perfect.
The record points total for the Premier League is 95 by the Jose Mourinho managed Chelsea side of 2004–2005 – only 19 points dropped in 38 games.
City will need only 41 points in their final 19 games to beat that total.
Newcastle fans are not sure what to think about tonight although about one in four fans in our poll think we can win this game – if that happens some of us will launch ourselves into orbit.
Rafa Benitez – what will his game plan be?
So it’s a strange mixture of excitement and terror from Newcastle fans as Graham Crosby has aptly tweeted.
Strange mixture of excitement and terror as this game gets closer. Work hard, stay together & stay with them, lads. #nufc
— Kind of a big deal (@grahamcrosby) December 27, 2017
What Andy?
Can’t see enything other than a #NUFC win tonight.
— Andrew Colwell (@Colly1892) December 27, 2017
I know i am dreaming, but i have done a scorecast…. Joselu to score first and Toon to win 2-1…… cant understand why it is 220/1? #NUFC
— Joe Swanson (@chinboyjoe) December 27, 2017
No way will it be an easy ride against Manchester City tonight but with the buzz from Westham win i feel pretty positive??#NUFC
— Lauren!? (@laurenRichard56) December 27, 2017
It’s a free hit tonight, expecting a walloping but could get something if we give it a go. #NUFC
— Archie (@gazzaarchie1987) December 27, 2017
Liam’s just kidding isn’t he??
Bookies believe we have the same chance of winning 1-0 as Man City have of winning 6-0, both at 40/1.
Tough game for us like, they’re one of the best teams in Europe on current form.
Buttttt, I think we’ll just edge it 4-0.
Joselu, he might score 1, he might score 2. #NUFC— Liam McRoy (@liam_mcroy) December 27, 2017
Had a funny feeling for weeks about tonight’s match. Laugh all you want, HOWAY. #NUFC
— Dale Phair (@Dalephair) December 27, 2017
For what it’s worth, I’d go 4-1-4-1 tonight with Mbemba coming in for Joselu in a DM role to screen the back four and break up City’s possession around the box #nufc
— Toonarmist (@NUFC_Scotty) December 27, 2017
Excitement and terror – explained below.
It’ll either be 0-6 or a miraculous home win tonight…#nufc
— Rob Gooding (@RGooding92) December 27, 2017
Morning Rich morning all, well I’m sober enough to start tweeting again. Hope all the toonies are fit & well. Tough match tonight? But I think we can stop the city, so it’s a 2-1 for me. ? #NUFC #HWTL ? ?
— Jason H White?? (@jason17jhw) December 27, 2017
i have a good feeling about tonight’s match. #NUFC
— Esther ?? NUFC (@NUFC_fan) December 27, 2017
Fear the lack of pace on the left be it Manquillo or Dummett will be exploited tonight. Looking forward to testing ourselves against the best #nufc
— Daniel (@Stewy_90) December 27, 2017
A great Christmas with the family. Now all that’s needed is for #NUFC to beat Man City…. how hard can it be… #NEWMCI
— Sam Marrion (@SamMarrion) December 27, 2017
Tonight's match is a freebie. Let's just keep it respectable, avoid injuries and have a good time. Because it's not just Man City, it's THIS Man City.#NUFC
— Marc Jobling (@MarcJobling) December 27, 2017
Howay The Lads!!
83 comments so far
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 27, 2017 at 2:58 PM
Comment #14 Hours 46 Minutes to KO
Legolas
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:00 PM
Comment #2Geordiemark/moonraker,
Given says that basically, they were in a bar in Ireland and Gillespie had thrown a full table of drinks around. Shearer said he was being a d**k and to apologise. Which he did but did the same thing again 10 minutes later and squared up to Shearer and offered him outside. They were both walking out and he smacked Shearer from behind. Al turned around and punched him he feel over hitting a plant pot and was knocked out. Lol
DubaiMicky
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:02 PM
Comment #3Much as I would love it (love it) if we get anything at all out of tonight, I’m enjoying being a delusional drunk who really believes we can.
catchy in norway
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:02 PM
Comment #4oh Hibbit Frey i’m loving this one. you are just making yourself look very silly.
no i cannot tell you what the problem that Rafa appears to have with Mitro, not can i tell you why he seems to have a problem with Mbemba or Saviet or Gamez or ginger pirlo, and i’m not the only one to speculate this either,
and why i say Rafa has the problem is because Rafa has the power to select them to play, by he chooses not to, and yes they could have a problem with him, but it would appear that the players seem to be acting more professional about it, as when any one them have appeared on the pitch they seem to me to give 100% and going of what fans think in Ed’s Polls they seem to get a good amount of points. so again i’m not the only one who thinks this.
what i find very strange about the whole thing is, most on here point the finger at Ashley after every loss, lack of investment the no one thing said, then with a weaker team we beat west ham and Rafa gets the credit. it’s a head scratcher.
why do we not win often when a rafa has a full squad of “his better” players to pick from.
answers on a post card
c-dog
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:07 PM
Comment #5City are a class side. If we defend for our lives we might nick something.
ilovetoon8788
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:08 PM
Comment #6I’m going for a shock Newcastle 3 Man city 2.
catchy in norway
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:08 PM
Comment #7Sir braveheart
why are 23% still drunk?
we are in a prime position for both results tonight.
no1 a real tonking, simply because they are that much better in every department.
or
no2 big teams on winning streaks more often than not come crashing down to earth because they have already won the game in their heads and underestimate their opposition on match day because of a low position in the league.
either way should be an exciting game with nothing to lose.
TyneMouth
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:11 PM
Comment #8Catchy,
This is a football blog, I case you’ve forgotten!
Posting your comments, regarding the working relationship between a manager and a staff member, (Rafa and Mitro,) based simply on your fanciful assumptions, or relating this relationship to your own experience with your own line manager, ( because you were more ‘popular’ than your manager!) beggars belief.
Stick to factual evidence, stop posting your amateur phycologist theories. If you are personally concerned about your popularity status in your work-place, you can request counselling, it may help you in other relationships, (social media for example.)
Rotonda heights
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:14 PM
Comment #9I actually feel a tad sorry for Catchy. It’s as if the phrase pot – kettle – black was made for him. Insufferably relentless, self righteous, close minded, ”I know better than anyone else” attitude.
Fray Bentos take a bow, you summed it brilliantly below and with a lot more patience than many would have shown.
” You really are the epitome of the modern football fan, massively delusional, believes everything they hear in the papers, believes they can do a better job than trained experienced professionals and is unbelievable fickle with no ability to reason or see the larger picture”
Rotonda heights
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:17 PM
Comment #10the ego has well and truly landed with catchy. ”i was more popular ” Hilarious, yet quite sadly deluded little man.
fray bentos
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:22 PM
Comment #11Catchy
Why does Rafa have to an have a personal problem with these players? just because he’s not picking them doesn’t mean he has a personal issue but that is what you are suggesting despite no evidence, this is the problem with fans like you, you make stuff up to fit with your narrative.
Rafa is an experienced tactical manager, the reason he doesn’t pick players is likely due to their efforts and performance in training, their attitude towards the rest of their teammates and their ability to fit into his style of play, it’s likely that some managers will sometimes dislike certain players but I doubt it would stop them from playing when there is so much on the line, after all Im sure Rafa would pick Mitro if he thought it would get him a win, everyone in his situation would. But the key point to take from this is that nobody really knows any of this apart from the Manager, the coaches and probably the players, you don’t
Stop making stuff up to fit your narrative, you already look stupid enough
hibbit
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:28 PM
Comment #12i’ll leave you all in Catchy’s capable hands preaching his bile i’m sure one or two of his assistants will be along soon to help ramp the anti Rafa rhetoric up to a crescendo
Munster i never realised you were one of the lynch mob where did i say Rafa was beyond reproach or is that you just doing a bit shit stirring ??
good luck toon army i’m off to the toon…….. Enjoy
GeordieTwo
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:28 PM
Comment #13Decided to switch to my Thong of Grim Determination for today’s match. Would love to get something from it. Hoping for a draw.
geordiemark
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:30 PM
Comment #14Legolas
little bit of a sneaky punch aye, should never punch geordies behind there back I am surprised he didn’t have any broken bones over that 🙂
fray bentos
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:31 PM
Comment #15Only way to deal with the match is to assume we lose 4-0 which is almost the average of their last 3 games, then anything smaller in deficit is a result
catchy in norway
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:44 PM
Comment #16oh the irony of it.
these same fools come out and say Mitro isn’t being picked because he didn’t follow instructions
Jonjo has been sent of twice this season for stupidity, will these same fools say he shouldn’t play for us again ?. arguably our best footballer at the club? certainly our best passer.
go on keep digging your holes.
just remember you cannot use the argument about a poor squad not winning against poor teams at home when we beat west ham comfortably away with a weak team and in london too
sing in the corner
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:44 PM
Comment #17I have no idea who is feeling the effects of Saturday’s game really,who has little niggles etc
But if everyone is fit I would still be tempted to give Saivet another start. Diame lasted the entire game which I didn’t expect but surely he is a bit tired from that, so I would think he could be on the bench. I would play Merino ahead of Shelvey,no question.
To be honest I have just about had it with Jonjo. We have to move away from trying to play everything through him and wait for the one off pin-point pass to find its mark. We simply can’t afford to slow down the game this way, and keep turning over possession to quality opposition when it (usually) doesn’t come off anyway.
This petulant, lone wolf thing he brings isn’t helping him or us and he is not really showing signs of growing out of it.
Toonces
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:46 PM
Comment #18Maybe Pep will want to heavily rotate his squad today and put out his cup side. It is still stronger than ours but struggled in wins against wolves and others. You never know! My head says 1-3, but, when it comes to Newcastle United, I always vote with my heart. It says 2-1 to the Toon today! HWTL!
Nufc 4ever
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:47 PM
Comment #19Well getting ready to travel to the game. Under no illusions we will see little of the ball and need every player to do there jobs 100% even that probably not good enough. What i have welcomed this season is the spirit and effort to the end. Rafa as done a great job with the tools he was given. Change managers and put Pep in charge of us he could not do any better. I have watched many a toon team better than we have at present and if they were as united as this bunch would have done better. Thanks Rafa even if we are relegated i know you have done your best
catchy in norway
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:49 PM
Comment #20rotonda
you used to have a brain, everything you said negative about pardew is happening right now,
what has blinded you.
or has your account been hacked.
remember you did say you didn’t know how much more you could continue to back Rafa when he refuses to drop certain players. that’s not the remark of a man very happy with the current situation.
you know the truth, but you also know you would look stupid to actually say what you really think, so you tend to just have a go at me.
ohh truth hurts don’t it
Geordie-john
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:51 PM
Comment #21Some team will pull off a shock win against Man City sometime you never know it could be our lucky day ! There’s no harm in wish full thinking before anyone slates me lol.
lesh
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:53 PM
Comment #22Catchy
For goodness sake, you’re still banging your drum, still churning out the same mantra to the point of boredom. Give it a rest man.
Of course you have the right to question Rafa but you fail to realise that Rafa’s not on here to provide any answers. So, rather than waste your time on here, why not contact the club, arrange an appointment with Rafa and put your questions to him. At least you might get some answers which’ll not suit you but at least you’ll have had ’em from the man himself. You could even record your interview and post the video on here.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 27, 2017 at 3:59 PM
Comment #23Bloody FREEEEEEEEEEEEZING in the TOOOOOOOOON TOOOOOONIGHT – BRRRRRRR
Hopefully owa cald for the Man City toonight
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 27, 2017 at 4:04 PM
Comment #24Charlie
Aye let’s hope those soft Southerners suffer in our Northern Clime.
3 Hours 40 Minutes to KO
Munster Mag
Dec 27, 2017 at 4:14 PM
Comment #25Hibbitt I’m not part of any lynching mob. I just feel that this site has turned evangelical. If rafa is criticised or questioned, people are attacked for their opinions and are decreed as permanently anti rafa. Bonkers stuff.
Mindshaft
Dec 27, 2017 at 4:15 PM
Comment #26Hard to see anything other than a defeat, if we can keep the goals against to 2 I would be happy , saying that I’m going for a delusional 1-0 win with citeh hitting bar, post , goal line clearances , poor penalty decisions and a slowmitiin sickness affecting there players
Rotonda heights
Dec 27, 2017 at 4:23 PM
Comment #27Catchy
Ah…the insults are flowing again I see and there you are, presumably the victim again. Oh dear, hypocrisy beyond belief. I think if 1 person disagrees with you, or maybe 2 or 3 even, you can ignore it. However, when a seemingly large majority suggest you’re wrong then maybe it’s time to change the habit of a lifetime, stfu and listen for a change.
Comparing Rafa and Pardew in the same sentence tells us us everything about you. Since when was Pardew a triple European trophy winning manager with a championhip squad? AP had tiote, cabaye, cisse, ba, hba, krul etc all in their prime and has won one johnson painter trophy in over 20 years of mismanagement. Also rafa has got involved with the community and stood up to ashley and never been a compliant yes man.
Sure Rafa is human and makes mistakes. No one, but no one is saying otherwise, amongst all this rafa can do no wrong rubbish, but a lot of your hate spewed bile seems to stem from a belief in a slow, misfiring, red card waiting to happen, not getting played, as if Mitro’s absense is the only thing stopping us being more successful.
Jib
Dec 27, 2017 at 4:24 PM
Comment #28I saw this headline and thought
“here we go”
Massive News Filtering Through As Manchester City
Gear Up To Face Newcastle United
David Silva is out
– what a let down
Tramp
Dec 27, 2017 at 4:31 PM
Comment #29Evening, children.
Nice to see the petty infighting still going strong. Do us all a favour and knock it on the head would you. Here’s how I see it happening, but it’s going to take a couple of you to stand up and be the bigger person… How about, you ignore any comment from any post that isn’t football related? Let it wash over your head and concentrate on the football.
Then, when the usual suspects start getting cheesed off by each others opinion and start to veer completely off topic and get personal they can quickly ignore each other and get back to discussing what actually matters… Newcastle United Football Club.
No? Worth a try!
He said, she said, he has multiple accounts, he’s deluded, wah wahhh wahhhhh. As you were kids.
2-1 win! Gayle brace. 🙂
Jib
Dec 27, 2017 at 4:37 PM
Comment #30Tramp
That’s your first post for ages
Not a word about tonights game
😀
Jib
Dec 27, 2017 at 4:38 PM
Comment #31Oops sorry the last 4 words were
Tsunki
Dec 27, 2017 at 4:40 PM
Comment #32Well unfortunately we aren’t allowed to just hear the last of the repetitive and unconstructive pointless complaints about Benitez. We will receive due recompense for our error of not being able to comprehend that Benitez is dragging us into the pit despite Mr Ashley’s full support.
Apparently according to Munster it’s my “Ilk” that make life so difficult for sensible folk who just want everyone to plainly see how deluded they are in entrusting the team to this Spanish charlatan. And it’s my sort that disrupt their reasonable debate because my people are the ones ruining the blog and wouldn’t it be nicer if my KIND could be despatched forthwith to leave those that want to incessantly complain in peace?
Munster Mag
Dec 27, 2017 at 4:41 PM
Comment #33I’m going for an optimistic 2-2, Gayle and merino. Best of luck to those going, hope it’s a white hot atmosphere and a great sales pitch to the men with money.
Tsunki
Dec 27, 2017 at 4:42 PM
Comment #34Aye jib get it right yer knacker 😀
Tsunki
Dec 27, 2017 at 4:44 PM
Comment #35Not one soul outside the training facilities knows the deal with Mitro and Benitez. So it beggars belief where this feud has been discovered.
Geremi's Prosthetic Leg Fund
Dec 27, 2017 at 4:56 PM
Comment #36Mitrovic has just been quoted in Serbian media saying he will have to leave Newcastle, despite loving the club, because Rafa won’t give him a chance.
Doesn’t mention anything about a breakdown in relationship. Probably safe to assume he’s frustrated with him however as that is simply human nature.
Munster Mag
Dec 27, 2017 at 4:57 PM
Comment #37Tsunki, you’re making a fool of yourself now. Definitely justifying the low hanging fruit descriptor. If you can’t accept that a fan can see a managers ability and also question his logic on something, you need to find yourself another sport and ideally a blog where you can talk to yourself. You must be a great man for a debate in the pub pre game.
Jib
Dec 27, 2017 at 5:01 PM
Comment #38Anybody ever tried Morland’s
Hen’s Tooth ?
By gum it’s strong
😀
hic
JackBall
Dec 27, 2017 at 5:05 PM
Comment #39Can’t speak for anyone else, but I am Happy that Rafa is here, not because he is infallible, bur the totality of his actions and his positive and class demeanor far outweigh the mistakes we perceive. Mistakes that are easy to say caused us points when you can never replay the game with the squad “you” would have chosen. I would have liked to see more Mitro and more Mbemba and I could easily say after a loss that those two would have made a difference, but honestly, there is little to no certainty in that. I prefer the positive posts and the hopeful fan, but enjoy the intellectual criticism, speculation and what ifs. But too often, the critique is extreme and unbalanced. A point can be made without absolutes, but are not and instead are more intended to inflame than to be constructive.
And now more the least intellectual/most drunk post – Newcastle 3 City 2. Someone above had that score and I liked it, so what.
Oh, and welcome back BobbyB, although it may be a single reprisal.
jimiley
Dec 27, 2017 at 5:08 PM
Comment #40A miracle will happen.
4 1 to toon. Joselu hattrick.