Newcastle go into our final game of an extremely strange season this afternoon at home to champions-elect Liverpool.
And after picking up 8 points from our first four games after the restart of the Premier League, we have sagged with only a single point from the last four games.
But we suppose 9 points from 8 games is what we would have taken before the restart because we became safe fairly quickly from relegation.
And that was the only target this season.
It’s been only a mild season on the nerves – so we are thankful for that.
đ
Liverpool will perhaps be in a celebratory mood this afternoon and top manager Klopp could give some fringe players a game this afternoon, and we think the best we can do is probably a draw,
This is what Mark Lawrenson (shown above) has written in his BBC Sport’s column about today’s game::
“Newcastle have not won for a while now and have taken only two points from their past five games.”
“I don’t see their fortunes changing here, although it will help them if Reds boss Jurgen Klopp makes some changes.”
“Klopp is entitled to play whoever he wants in this one because his side’s work is done and the outcome does not affect any issues at the top or bottom of the table.”
“He picked his regulars when they beat Chelsea before collecting the Premier League trophy on Wednesday, so I would not be surprised if he rests a few at St James’ Park.”
“Klopp gets my manager of the year award, not just because he has won the league, but because of the way he won it after what happened last season.”
“That’s when they lost out by a point – to now win the title with seven games to go was a fabulous achievement.”
Prediction: Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool
2-0 wouldn’t be too bad of a result for us, and goal difference will not matter given where we are in the league.
We are 13th in the league and 2 points above Crystal Palace.
So a Palace win at home to Spurs and a Newcastle draw is the only occurrence when goal difference will matter.
If Crystal Palace cannot win at home today we will finish in 13th place – the same position as last season.
And if we draw we will also have the same number of points as last season – 45.
We would have taken that last July.
[table â84â not found /]3 in 4 fans think we will lose the game today.
Comments welcome.
15 comments so far
simon376
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:41 AM
Comment #1Lesh
Thanks, didnt know anything about that, going to have to try and get hold of that. Lets just hope the lads can at least try and entertain us today and hope for an announcement very soon to ensure this is the last game under Ashley
Jib
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:42 AM
Comment #2It would be truly remarkable it the takeover was announced today
Nearly 3 years ago on Sun 1st Oct 2017- 4.30pm Amanda turned
up for NUFC vs LPool and started tongues wagging.
1 – 1 then – Joselu for us Coutinho for them
Northumbrian
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:44 AM
Comment #3Morning all.
I’ve just read this and its pretty sobering.
https://www.themag.co.uk/2020/07/newcastle-united-takeover-china-concentration-camps-and-where-the-premier-league-went-wrong/
Jail for Ashley
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:48 AM
Comment #4Today is quite a pivotal day in our history. It’s either Ashley’s last game in charge or not. If it’s not we are finished as a PL club for a long time yet.
The mighty wyn
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:48 AM
Comment #5Agree totally jail
Jail for Ashley
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:51 AM
Comment #6Just entered my bus team for the FPL this afternoon.
geordietom
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:56 AM
Comment #7The Prince’s Mate
Jul 25, 2020 at 10:17 PM
Comment #7
Some genius on here recently mentioned watching a docu about Laurel Canyon which Iâm just catching up on nowâŚ. Wow, thank you, it does take me back 50odd years.. thank youâŚ.
after reading the comments thru the night i came across this , i put it on about Laurel Canyon dunno whether to take it as a piss take or a compliment , but i’ll take the latter …
Shoulders knees
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:59 AM
Comment #8Northumbrian
But we are talking about Newcastle here!
Doesnât matter who they let in or will in future they donât like us.
geordietom
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:59 AM
Comment #9forgot …
morning all everyone looking forward to the match ? …
Jib
Jul 26, 2020 at 9:59 AM
Comment #10Steve Bruce says NU\fc must raise the bar next season saying that 13th place won’t be acceptable in 12 months time – regardless of who owns the club.
“Now going forward we can’t just accept that.
It’s not about finishing above six or seven teams.
We have to improve and get better.
We must improve the squad and improve where we finish.
We can’t be happy with 13th.
It’s my job to make sure we try to be higher.
Let’s not beat about the bush here it’s our third year back in the Premier League but now it’s important we keep adding that bit of quality to the squad which makes you better.”
Northumbrian
Jul 26, 2020 at 10:02 AM
Comment #11Shoulders knees.
You’ve hit the nail on the head there.
đ
Munster Mag
Jul 26, 2020 at 10:02 AM
Comment #12Morning all.
Hard to disagree with that Jail. Whilst some of our recent main signings have worked out well ( maxi miggy) and we don’t really flip players for quick bucks as some say, it’s just that feeling that Ashley is even more disenfranchised now and Bruce wont be able to raise us above 13th and we will probably slip enough to be caught.
The only positive is that 2-3 decent players would make a difference to the team and it could be pretty effective if Bruce can get the balance between defence and attack right as he and the team have certainly shown in patches that we can attack
Jail for Ashley
Jul 26, 2020 at 10:03 AM
Comment #13People are saying that with a decent goal scorer we could be this or that. Our biggest strength was that solid defence, if the injuries carry on in a similar vein next season then he’s going to have to be some forward. After Munster’s outrageous claim yesterday that a list of players had improved under Bruce I compared the stats of Dubravka, Almiron and Hayden, the way in which they regressed is alarming contrary to Munsters claims. If that is to carry on we are in big trouble.
DaveD1000
Jul 26, 2020 at 10:04 AM
Comment #14That is why we need to keep Steve. None of us saw that. He knows stuff.
Nicky the ball tosser
Jul 26, 2020 at 10:56 AM
Comment #15A top centre forward will definitely help this side, more than any other position, because we have added the extra man in attack, exposing the defence, but we’ve lacked the quality to turn the extra possession we’ve gained into meaningful attacks that really stretch defences and also to score the extra goals needed to take more points.
We need a target up top, who also finishes effectively and also contributes for us in possession outside the box.
Basically we need a top centre forward, to make us more effective in attack, and that will also take a lot of pressure of our weakened defence.
The only game where our attack really functioned was Bournemouth away, and it’s no coincidence our defence was solid in that one too.