Here is the team Steve Bruce has selected for this afternoon’s match against Sheffield United at an empty St James Park. It features just one change from our last game, a win against Southampton, those many months ago.
Subs: K. Darlow, F. Schär, A. Carroll, D. Gayle. Y. Muto, E. Krafth, D. Yedlin, V. Lazaro, N. Bentaleb.#NUFC | #NEWSHU
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) June 21, 2020
Steve Bruce has kept the side that won against Southampton intact. The only change is Joelinton in for the hobbled Dwight Gayle, who has recovered enough for a place on the expanded bench. Matt Ritchie has overcome his knock and gets a start on the right-wing.
John Fleck returns ?
John Fleck has recovered from the contact injury which ruled him out at Villa Park, with the Scottish international replacing John Lundstram in midfield.#NEWSHU.
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) June 21, 2020
Here is the team that Sheffield manager Chris Wilder has picked.
The results so far in the Premier League’s return have been mixed from a Newcastle perspective. We’ve dropped one place due to Southampton picking up a massive win for them over Norwich.
However, other than Brighton winning, the damage hasn’t been too severe. No matter what the outcome today, we’ll maintain our 8 point cushion over the bottom three.
Sheffield were a bit unlucky on Wednesday, only managing a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa. But the surprise team of the season have proven they are Premier League quality and will be a tough opponent today.
Hopefully, Bruce’s team selection works out well, and we can get a result against the Blades. Three points would be absolutely brilliant and put is in an excellent position for a run up the table.
Howay The Lads!
274 comments so far
archaeomag
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:09 PM
Comment #1@ED
Good work this has Flesch Reading Ease score: 74.1 : (fairly easy to read)
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:11 PM
Comment #2https://mobile.twitter.com/EPL4ARABS/status/1274661625598001154
AncientC
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:11 PM
Comment #3Seems like a 4-2-3-1.
How great is it to see the return of football (it’s not football until Newcastle are playing). A thankful break from “clickbait” and “he said/she said takeover is/isn’t happening”. What a relief.
Mister Tuff
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:11 PM
Comment #4Not sure about Ritchie – works hard and covers but has a reluctance to go forward – usually it’s sideways and backwards balls.
geordietom
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:13 PM
Comment #5Arabic
English
??????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ??? ??????? ??? ???????? ????
aistihwadh almamlakat alearabiat alsaeudiat ealaa niukasil tamat almuafaqat ealayh
Saudi Arabia’s acquisition of approved Newcastle
whot Goth put on …
Northumbrian
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:14 PM
Comment #6GP, you confident that’s for real??.
The ledge
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:14 PM
Comment #7Would love to see big joe knock one in today.
JP...from The Rock
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:14 PM
Comment #8Gothmog- how legit is that tweeter though? We’ve heard that it’s done before.
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:16 PM
Comment #9No idea guys, coud be a total muppet. Just posted it as it may interest some people.
Mister Tuff
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:16 PM
Comment #10Hope we see a lesser amount of the big boot up to Joelinton. Does not really work. Centre half comes over the top and beats him on most occasions -thus losing the ball again.
barkel
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:17 PM
Comment #11AC I hope it’s a 4-3-3, really want to see us attacking a game
Northumbrian
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:17 PM
Comment #12I’m having a can anyway real or not.
JP...from The Rock
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:17 PM
Comment #13The ledge- would love to see anyone knock one in as long as we grab the points.
Really wanted the takeover to be finalised before the footie was back but hey it does seem it’s going to happen especially now that KSA are making strides to rid piracy over there.
dog
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:17 PM
Comment #14Mister Tuff,
I think the inclusion of Matt Ritchie over Valentin Lazaro is less about his ability and form and more about keeping the other players fully focused. Without the fans they will be depending on themselves and each other to maintain their enthusiasm and positivity. Ritchie could make a difference there.
Anglo Saxon
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:19 PM
Comment #15Like most games so far won’t start until the second half.
JP...from The Rock
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:19 PM
Comment #16Dog- I think its got more to do with fitness as Ricthie is naturally a fit bloke and a real professional that looks after himself and his diet. I think he just ahead of Lazaro on that front. Would like to see Lazaro feature in the second half.
The ledge
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:20 PM
Comment #17Jp too true .
I think it would do the lads confidence the world of good .
Maybe with no fans there the pressure will be off as long as we win doest really matter .
ilovetoon8788
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:20 PM
Comment #18shef utd looked impressive against villa and should have gotten 3 points.
we have been very fluky this season and football has been appalling as usual. don’t see anything changing.
shef would be out for revenge and i can see them getting it.
Prediction : Newcastle 0 Shef Utd 3.
fairscup
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:20 PM
Comment #19Dog – I agree, great motivator.
davetoon
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:20 PM
Comment #20Finally football is back. Was hoping for Ashley to be gone also but new it would never be that easy to get rid of the FCB
IrishRob
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:20 PM
Comment #21He/she has over 1M followers though. Jesus it’s hardly real is it. Cant see anyone exce6those involved anouncing it after all this tbh.
Australian Pie
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:21 PM
Comment #22Forget the takeover for next 2 hours guys and enjoy the football!
Would much rather Lazaro but Ritchie will do a job and will be great to bring him on second half for a change
Anglo Saxon
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:23 PM
Comment #23https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/listen-live-for-free/
AncientC
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:26 PM
Comment #24I am unsure why Ritchie wouldn’t play, he’s the most likely to deliver a goal or assist. And it’s not like Ritchie slacks off or has a poor mentality.
It’s sheer mythology that Ritchie is too slow, cannot cross, or isn’t able to get past players. If Ritchie can be the team’s most potent attacking source playing from LWB, he should do quite fine with a run of games playing RW.
Northumbrian
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:28 PM
Comment #25Liverpool Everton on pick later as well.
Mister Tuff
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:28 PM
Comment #26Dog – fair point Ritchie will have a shout at teammates who maybe make an arse of things.
If it all clicks today could be a really good game.
The ledge
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:29 PM
Comment #27#18 .. …nah 2-1 to the toon
IrishRob
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:29 PM
Comment #28Australian Lazaro will almost certainly play the full second half so I think it might work out better Richie is starting.
Shoulders knees
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:30 PM
Comment #29My fear is we concede often on restarts, there will be 3 today :-0
IrishRob
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:31 PM
Comment #30I’m thinking 3-1 or 3-0 to the toon! Either a good win or we loose 1 nil.
Uri Geller
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:32 PM
Comment #31Ritchie is going to score today. I’ve been training with him, showing him how to “bend one” into the net.
beermonkey
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:33 PM
Comment #32are there less sd signs in the stadium or is it wishful thinking
Mister Tuff
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:33 PM
Comment #33Lesh – whilst most of us will be watching the match – no need for you to do a half time post on here as to whether Miss Marples has caught the murderer.
Enjoy you Murder Mystery afternoon.
JP...from The Rock
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:36 PM
Comment #34Beermonkey- the same amount
Thump
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:37 PM
Comment #35Bless you, Uri.
toonbrother
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:38 PM
Comment #36“am unsure why Ritchie wouldn’t play, he’s the most likely to deliver a goal or assist”
Ritchie has not attacking qualities besides (usually wayward) crossing
He cannot beat his man, has no pace and is not a clinical finisher.
Even his penalty kicks are mediocre
He often hides away from attacking moves because he lacks the ability to contribute effectively
The only reason he is playing is Bruce’s bad judgement
Lazarro would be a far better choice
Essex Geordie Bill
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:38 PM
Comment #37Full line up
Newcastle United: Martin Dúbravka, Javier Manquillo, Federico Fernández, Jamaal Lascelles, Danny Rose, Matt Ritchie, Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey, Miguel Almirón, Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton.
Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Emil Krafth, DeAndre Yedlin, Fabian Schär, Nabil Bentaleb, Valentino Lazaro, Yoshinori Muto, Dwight Gayle, Andy Carroll.
And 20 minutes to KO
jane
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:38 PM
Comment #38the 5 teams below us have all played now (all at home). only 1 won and the gap is still 8 points.
archaeomag
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:38 PM
Comment #39@ uri
it’s sorted
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GOURANGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Andymax
Jun 21, 2020 at 1:39 PM
Comment #40https://mobile.twitter.com/WASNAPPER/status/1274666238199955456