This is the team we think Steve Bruce will name for tomorrow’s match at St James Park against Chelsea. It has four changes from the defeat at Southampton.
Hopefully, Bruce will play it safe and not risk Callum Wilson, Jonjo Shelvey, or Matt Ritchie. Our team is predicated on that assumption. There’s also a good probability that he stays with three men at the back with wingbacks.
There’s a good chance both Ciaran Clark and Matty Longstaff come into Bruce’s thinking for this one. Clark was a late call up for the Republic of Ireland but did not feature.
He was outstanding when fit last season on the left side of the back three. Fabian Schar gets dropped to make way for the 31-year-old. The other defenders keep their place with Jamal Lewis and Jacob Murphy returning to the flanks.
The midfield sees two changes with Bruce bringing Isaac Hayden back into the defensive midfield role and Matty Longstaff replacing his brother Sean in midfield. Bruce has to drop Jeff Hendrick at some point as he’s just not produced the goods of late. It’s a tough call on Sean but Matty is really desperate for game time.
We could see Miguel Almiron left out with him only returning to Newcastle late Thursday. However, he didn’t play for Paraguay against Bolivia on Tuesday so we’re edging toward him getting another start.
Upfront, Allan Saint-Maximin stays as the number 10, though he really hasn’t impressed there over the past three matches. Joelinton gets the call over Andy Carroll as he is more versatile if changes need to be made on the fly.
169 comments so far
Romford mag
Nov 20, 2020 at 1:15 PM
Comment #1https://www.themag.co.uk/2020/11/when-heard-steve-bruce-talking-about-a-two-bob-amateur-i-thought-it-was-a-confession-newcastle-united/
hibbit
Nov 20, 2020 at 1:18 PM
Comment #2https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2020/11/20/agbonlahor-blasts-deluded-newcastle-fans-in-the-most-outrageous-steve-bruce-defence-yet/
JohnReese
Nov 20, 2020 at 1:25 PM
Comment #3Never cared much for Agbonlahor anyway, he was a sprinter not a footballer but these lazy stereotypes that we’re deluded fans really drive me mad. Unless you’ve watched our games and had to put up with the turgid style of play, the lack of attacking intent and the inability to complete more than 2 passes in succession like 99% of our fans do every week. You shouldn’t have an opinion, yes if you just looked at the table you’d probably say we’re doing fine. For someone who is payed to give fair, unbiased opinion, that is not good enough.
IrishRob
Nov 20, 2020 at 1:26 PM
Comment #4He will only play Almiron if hes forced to, I.e if Wilson plays I guarantee you Miggy wont. Knowing bruce there is every chance Wilson plays. BruceOut!!!!!!!!!
lesh
Nov 20, 2020 at 1:27 PM
Comment #5Hibbit
Talksport really has it in for NUFC and I wonder why. I can’t think of any reason why they should be unless it’s one or both of:
Conditioning a negative public opinion on NUFC’s potential to challenge the so called big six
Or
Manufacturing controversy to boost its audience ratings
Jail for Ashley
Nov 20, 2020 at 1:30 PM
Comment #6So that’s who it was on TS last night.
Did anyone listen to the Rafa interview, did he say anything juicy.
Novocastrian66
Nov 20, 2020 at 1:41 PM
Comment #7I like the way these football talk shows always get people, who know feck all about Newcastle United, to give their opinion of Newcastle United. Amazing.
Swlabr
Nov 20, 2020 at 1:46 PM
Comment #8Novo…and haven’t a clue what “deluded” really means. Just heard other cranks call us that, and jumped on the bandwagon.
Not another deJong
Nov 20, 2020 at 1:46 PM
Comment #9Rafa said that you have to be honest and realistic with NUFC fans. He indirectly said that he would come back if there was a take over and no longer under contract in China.
geordietom
Nov 20, 2020 at 1:47 PM
Comment #10lads wasn’t gonna say owt got all excited last night so i decided to have a couple of Vodka’s with fresh orange juice , any way i went in the freezer to get some ice didnt have any i looked all thru the freezer came across some ice Lollie’s , so i snapped a couple up made a drink popped the smashed up ice lollie’s into my drink and may i add i enjoyed it so much i made another , the ice Lolli’s were cider flavour , worked out quite good . might have a couple more tonight 😉
RobLeenio
Nov 20, 2020 at 1:48 PM
Comment #11Agbonlahor – bullied as a child because he had a girl’s name and been looking to dish it out to others ever since.
Pffft!
geordietom
Nov 20, 2020 at 1:48 PM
Comment #12Not long now lads and we’ll be the darlings of the PL again …
peter5199
Nov 20, 2020 at 1:57 PM
Comment #13How long has Milo Harrison been on the blog? Fist time I have noticed him!
Romford mag
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:04 PM
Comment #14https://www.themag.co.uk/2020/11/new-report-shows-overwhelming-reliance-on-allan-saint-maximin-even-when-hes-poor-newcastle-united/
Northumbrian
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:06 PM
Comment #15I’ve just pre-ordered this, should be a corker.
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/watch-must-see-trailer-brilliant-19316123
Optimistic prime
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:06 PM
Comment #16Gobby Agbonlahor
Optimistic prime
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:08 PM
Comment #17Is that the Xmas tree formation Bruce will play?
Very seasonal
Optimistic prime
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:11 PM
Comment #18“Bruce has to drop Jeff Hendrick at some point as he’s just not produced the goods of late.”
Neil
Wanna bet?
First on the team sheet for some bizarre reason.
geordietom
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:14 PM
Comment #19NORTH , brilliant mate it brought a tear or two to my eye’s ….
Romford mag
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:16 PM
Comment #20https://twitter.com/raisbeck10/status/1329759336084754434?s=19
Northumbrian
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:20 PM
Comment #21Tom, mine too mate oh how I miss that atmosphere.
I wonder if it gets as much airtime as spurs or them lot down the road did on talk sport.
Davas28
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:20 PM
Comment #22I think we’ll be in for a surprise win this week as I’ve reluctantly swapped out Wilson for Vardy in my FF team so he’s bound to play and get a hat-trick now 🙂
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:25 PM
Comment #23Wouldn’t mind betting that if he was playing for us now he’d be thinking differently about the great master tactician!
geordietom
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:26 PM
Comment #24North ..
im gonna order it show my grandsons here in Derby , show them what it means to support a real. /proper team …
that disabled lad when he broke down mate it broke my heart …
and i hope it gets tons of AIRTIME …
Wor Bairle
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:27 PM
Comment #25All right Rom, that’s enough footy talk, what you having for tea?
😀
hibbit
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:27 PM
Comment #26quote from Bruce
“Jeff’s come in and done very well for us. He’ll be disappointed with his performance at Southampton – but he wasn’t alone… He’s now understanding what it’s like to play in Newcastle.”
If that’s doing very well for us god help us if he’d been poor.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:29 PM
Comment #27I’ve voted win and I think we will, despite the GMT, I think the lads will want to do it for themselves.
geordietom
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:30 PM
Comment #28North are you on twitter mate bang the vid on , or is it ok with if i do ?…
geordietom
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:31 PM
Comment #29foot it i’ll put it on 😀
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:32 PM
Comment #30Wor Bairle
Don’t know about any one else but we’re having home made fish pie, mmmmh, salivating just thinking about it!
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:33 PM
Comment #31I reckon that Rombo aint human, he never sleeps! 🙂
geordietom
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:35 PM
Comment #32Rombo …
takes non sleeping pills …
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:35 PM
Comment #33I reckon that Brucies Xmas tree formation is where he hangs the players by the Baubles from it! 🙂
onmeedsun
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:38 PM
Comment #34Film looks like it will be good. Title should have been ‘we are mental we are mad’
Romford mag
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:38 PM
Comment #35Wor
Alright mate 🙂
How you doing ?
yeah don’t wanna over do it now do I 😉
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:39 PM
Comment #36geordietom
Don’t suppose that’ll work quite so well with a Magnum! 🙂
Although A pint of Guinness with a mint flavoured Magnum!
Swlabr
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:40 PM
Comment #37Bill….creepy, we’re having home made fish pie too!
Romford mag
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:40 PM
Comment #38EGB
Haha try not to have to much sleep mate 😉
geordietom
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:44 PM
Comment #39EGB …
Last time i had a MAGNUM , i was running around saying , HEY PUNK HAVE I USED MY LAST BULLET …
Wor Bairle
Nov 20, 2020 at 2:44 PM
Comment #40Rom
All good here mate.
Yes time rein it in a bit, folk were starting to think you’re here for the footy, think you got away with it though.