This is the lineup we have predicted for today’s match against Wolves. It has just one forced change from last weekend with Federico Fernandez replacing the injured Fabian Schar.
Despite the murmurs that Dwight Gayle may get a start this afternoon, we still think Bruce will go with a front three of Joelinton, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Miguel Almiron. We also don’t see him playing around with the formation after the disaster at Leicester City.
On the injury front, it’s another setback with both Andy Carroll and Fabian Schar ruled out with recent knocks. They join Matt Ritchie, Florian Lejeune, and Isaac Hayden (suspension) as being unavailable for selection.
Wolves suffered a massive misfortune as their best defender Willy Boly broke his ankle in training. He will be out indefinitely. They could also be without center-back Ryan Bennett today as well. He will be assessed for fitness before the match.
Newcastle Injuries
Florian Lejeune – knee, Matt Ritchie – ankle, Andy Carroll – groin, Fabian Schar – knee
Wolves Injuries
Willy Boly – ankle, Pedro Neto – Heel, Bruno Jordao – ankle, Meritan Shabani – knee, Ryan Bennett – hip (late fitness test)
The results of the poll show that 43% of voters think that Newcastle will get all three points while 35% are predicting a Wolves win. A win could see us climb a couple of places in the table, depending on what happens with Manchester United at Norwich City.
This a golden opportunity to get three points and also get more than one goal in a game for the first time this season. We think the boys can do just that.
Howay The Lads!
What Will Be The Result Against Wolves At St James Park?
- Win (43%, 494 )
- Loss (35%, 410 )
- Draw (22%, 255 )
Total Voters: 1,159
121 comments so far
Nufc-83
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:09 AM
Comment #41OP I know it’s a struggle sometimes it really is especially when people like you speak such rubbish.
Jail for Ashley
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:11 AM
Comment #42martoon,
How about Fantasy Football 😀
Jib
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:11 AM
Comment #43Brilliant comment on twitter
“You’d have got some seriously good odds on Leicester City outscoring the All Blacks this weekend”
Nicky the ball tosser
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:11 AM
Comment #44I’d play Muto rather than Gayle if I’m honest, because I think Muto the better footballer and hasn’t yet been given a fair crack at it.
martoon
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:12 AM
Comment #45A lot of your line-ups seem to drop Almiron – I really can’t see Bruce being brave enough to do that!
Nufc-83
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:12 AM
Comment #46Martoon that would be nice Wouldn’t it as if it was a football only discussion a few trolls would drop out.
Nufc-83
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:14 AM
Comment #47Nicky I think Gayle is the most natural finisher at the club although Muto has not been given enough minutes to show what he can do. I think Gayle will get goals but I think Joelinton will as well. It’s all about creating chances!
Munster Mag
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:14 AM
Comment #4883 its a nice comparison and you do this tactical analysis well. But the player quality is miles off. I dont think Bruce has fully put a stamp on this team and I dont know what it will look like once he has! Possibly our most critical issue is Joelinton and his lack of goald but also and vitally his lack of workrate. Today might tell us a lot about SB and his tactics into the future and players that fit his model of football. I still dont know what that is but its not the lump it long 442 that some of the geniuses on here said it was, and would be.
martoon
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:17 AM
Comment #49Jail – Yes I’m getting wapped this week. I think you’re 4 top scoring players will beat my whole team 🙁
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:18 AM
Comment #50The Carrol transfer worked out excellent, FOR LIVERPOOL.
Look where they are, look like we are.
Shame Ashley and the idiots who defend him cant learn from their mistakes like Liverpool have
Munster Mag
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:18 AM
Comment #51Jib I had england down to beat the all blacks. Sadly I never got to the bookies! Well done. Amazing how hansen was credited with bringing in the new kids when in reality it was guys like ben smith who were needed. All the journos has had to suck it up.
toon22
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:19 AM
Comment #52Munster
Just what is the traitors model of football?
Ask any Villa fan for the answer
😉
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:19 AM
Comment #53Nufc83
Your entire repertoire of posts over the last 2 days have been total shite, only a mackem or a complete idiot would agree with you.
Nicky the ball tosser
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:22 AM
Comment #54I like Gayle, but he is essentially a finisher, with modest goals per minutes at this level and who doesn’t give us a whole lot more. He does run around, run in behind and press quite well, but there is no great hold up play or link up play to speak of. I think we do need more from our front man, given we are a side that really must strive to be more than the sum of its parts, but then again what better options do we have for this one, as I said I’d go for Muto, but there’s little between them all told I suppose.
The likelihood is it’ll be Almirón, Joelinton, St Max and Gayle off the bench.
Nufc-83
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:23 AM
Comment #55OP post one (Apart from when I’m taking the mick out of toon as that’s just for fun)?
Mad Frog Boom 22
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:24 AM
Comment #56Former Ashley Hole, i was frogged when T22 told truth. #supporttoon22 #ashleyout “frogtheblog
Nufc-83
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:25 AM
Comment #57Whatever the line up today’s is the start of the run of games which will define the season. If we lose today I won’t hold much hope for the rest of the season.
Nicky the ball tosser
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:28 AM
Comment #58If we are gonna play Gayle, he should be used to drag defenders out of position and create space for others, much as Leicester use Vardy. Don’t really want him on the ball unless its in and around the 6 yard box tucking it away.
geordie157
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:28 AM
Comment #59Would be tempted to start Gayle and drop Almiron to the bench.
Possibly go 433 with Fernandez staying on the bench and shelvey starting. Try and actually dictate things from midfield and have more possession.
Jib
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:28 AM
Comment #60Nicky the ball tosser
I’d play Muto rather than Gayle if I’m honest
That sounds very Pardewish
You got something to tell us Nicky ?
😛
Lindisfarne
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:34 AM
Comment #61I’m Sparticus
Nicky the ball tosser
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:34 AM
Comment #62Yeah, that’s a proper Pardewism isn’t it?
I think I picked up the expression from an old coach of mine called Peter Brine, former pro at Boro, and also a cockney.
I agree though. There’s no need for it. I’ll cut it out. 🙂
Jib
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:42 AM
Comment #63Nicky
Tell us how the Longstaff’s are going to rape the Wolves midfield
Everyone hide their bacon butties from Nicky
😀
Jib
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:44 AM
Comment #64I think I’d prefer Wales in the final of the RWC
It would be a more open game
martoon
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:48 AM
Comment #65Also I have say we know we have a crap owner and Bruce was not top of our list but he’s here now and will get my support. So calling our manager names like traitor is a disgrace if you call yourself a toon supporter!
Mindshaft
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:48 AM
Comment #66Think Gayle is the only striker we have that could get double figures but we’re going to need to counter attack with more than just asm and Linton , whole team needs to move up 5 meters
Nufc-83
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:49 AM
Comment #67Mindshaft agree with that the full team need to press higher.
yogz69
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:55 AM
Comment #68Let’s just face it we’re f**ked!!
MagpieRanger
Oct 27, 2019 at 8:58 AM
Comment #69Jib, if anyone is a mackem here it’s you. Celebrating and gloating to Toon22 that Sports Direct managed to hire an auditor just about sums up how pathetic and childish you are. You’d rather get one up on other posters than to see Newcastle do well, you’re pathetic.
Bleatin' n Bruced
Oct 27, 2019 at 9:00 AM
Comment #70I appreciate many of you think it best to concentrate on talking “footy” but for some of you perhaps you’d be best off not because it’s just not your thing. ?
Talking about improving the defence and upgrading players or changing systems is as useful as talking about bin emptying rotas. Our defensive record is actually not that shocking, at home we have one of the best shut out records, away not so good but nowhere near the worst, and it’s essentially the same unit that became so solid the last half of last season.
Our problem is also put down to attack, yes we have a pretty dire forward choice and that’s not helped by some remarkably suspicious transactions of late, but it’s the same old problem I’m afraid – the midfield. It’s absolutely desperate. Hayden is being lauded as some kind of returning hero but his industry can’t hide his nullifying effect going forward. Longstaff only worked when he had support on his sides and it really tells with Ritchie down he withdraws and becomes closed in. Now we are relying on players like Matty Longstaff coming in, a player currently basking in a goal against a shocking Man Utd but in truth would probably never have got near under Benitez. The assist rate from midfield is almost non existent. It’s a shambles and that’s why we don’t get service up front and why our defence can’t hold up for 90 minutes of onslaught and we concede later in games. Go have a look for pass rate in midfield ha ha you’ll laugh I know I did.
And some are talking about Gayle and Muto coming into contention. What on earth is going on? We are being converted into a championship squad right under our noses, won’t be long before some more of the outcasts start becoming regulars in this team, can’t wait to see the next raft of sideways passers and circle-cutters being drafted in. What a clip.
Just a fan
Oct 27, 2019 at 9:01 AM
Comment #71If you want a top top scout get Carr back.
Not a wind up.
I’m being serious.
Bleatin' n Bruced
Oct 27, 2019 at 9:06 AM
Comment #72And the reason Bruce won’t get my support is because he knows he’s a second rate manage who can’t believe he got here, knows he’s propping up Ashley’s selfish promotional model which excludes progress and knowing this he holds on to the job while incompetently fumbling through games hoping his bluff works and with the future of this club a distant secondary concern. I’ll support the players thanks. It’s not their fault they’ve been disabled by these lardy clots.
Bleatin' n Bruced
Oct 27, 2019 at 9:09 AM
Comment #73It seems it’s harder for folk to discern what a bad manager is than a good one. You can tell a bad manager when he can turn game changers like shelvey and almiron into shot has-beens or never-was’s in short order, and put a set of comes in midfield and call it a backbone.
danmuamua
Oct 27, 2019 at 9:13 AM
Comment #74Let’s hope Joelinton is on the bench. The bloke is an absolute donkey. He’s a cross between Emmanuel Riviere and Xisco, utter dross. Slow, poor touch, poor link up play, poor positioning, easily pushed off the wall, can’t take a man on, poor work rate. The biggest waste of 40mill in premier league history.
Nufc-83
Oct 27, 2019 at 9:18 AM
Comment #75Bleatin ye because Shelvey has been world class for years haha
Nufc-83
Oct 27, 2019 at 9:19 AM
Comment #76But I get the overall point and can see the impact on Almiron.
Just a fan
Oct 27, 2019 at 9:20 AM
Comment #77I think Joe is far from a donkey but 40 million for him is a tad suspicious.
Nufc-83
Oct 27, 2019 at 9:25 AM
Comment #78Paid for his potential and he will come good given the service.
Trent1211
Oct 27, 2019 at 9:31 AM
Comment #79Craig Hope is not a Mackem Jib you absolute weapon. He’s born and bred a Geordie raised in Chapel Park in the west end of Newcastle. Hardly a breeding ground for Sunderland supporters is it? As ever you embarrass yourself. You know nowt.
Bleatin' n Bruced
Oct 27, 2019 at 9:33 AM
Comment #80I get that many folk would like shelvey to be pushed out the bus door but in good midfields with a high pass rate and speedy wing men and a half decent anticipatory forward or two, he’s an absolute game dictator. In a midfield that panics on the ball, spins round in circles, gets easily pressed and passes sideways or back he ends up dropping deeper to try and retrieve something that isn’t there and his passes become more desperate and speculative. He then makes people think he’s lost the plot and needs to be sold. He only really regressed under benitez when said manager had midfield changes made to cater for injuries etc, and of course Shelvey’s own unfortunate timing in that regard. Under Bruce I see he has very little chance because Bruce, you see, is a clueless championship lard barrel – unless shelvey somehow makes the show his own, a tall ask in the current midfield setup I think because they are so slack and timid they will hem him in and push him back.