Newcastle United have announced that our postponed fixture at Aston Villa, originally scheduled for December 4th, has been rescheduled for 8pm on Saturday the 23rd of January. The original match was postponed due to the Covid outbreak at Newcastle’s training ground.
Here are our next six matches as currently scheduled which will take place in a span of just three weeks. This hectic schedule will put further stress on Newcastle’s spiraling season.
[table “96” not found /]Due to the ongoing Covid crisis, another Premier League fixture has had to be postponed. This one too involves Aston Villa, whose first-team squad went into isolation last week with 9 players and 5 members of staff testing positive for Covid. Their Wednesday night match against Tottenham was postponed earlier this week.
Now Villa’s fixture against Everton, already pushed back a day to this Sunday from Saturday, has been indefinitely postponed. Their next scheduled match is for next Wednesday at Manchester City before they invite Newcastle to Villa Park the following Saturday.
122 comments so far
Adamn_92
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:29 AM
Comment #1If January comes and goes with no new manager or significant signings, that tells me the takeover isn’t close. If it was close, there is no way the consortium would be sitting there watching things deteriorate before them, there would be some form of agreement with Ashley to change manager or spend some money. I still believe the takeover will happen, but certainly not imminently unless we get a dramatic change in manager or purchases in the next couple of weeks.
Tsunki
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:32 AM
Comment #2My cynical take on Fraser’s sending off is he realised this team was not getting anywhere, thought “here we go again” and threw the towel in to get himself a three game rest. He won’t do it again, too costly. I reckon he won’t be fit and have a “bit of a knock” or a “little niggle” when his ban ends. Meanwhile his agent will be hard at work scouring his contact list.
Moonraker15
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:37 AM
Comment #3Tsunki
Bit far fetched imo
sing in the corner
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:39 AM
Comment #4Missed the boat a bit on the Shearer article but..
He must have agonised over that and edited it a hundred times, fretting over wording.
The sad fact is that this goes further back much farther than the Bruce issue. I loved Shearer the player but there have been countless opportunities to use his profile and the mic he has had.
During the protests and the boycotts and the anti Ashley effort he made very little attempt to get right behind the fans to contribute and say something required. He had, and has the mic.
Lukewarm then, and lukewarm now.
geordie157
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:40 AM
Comment #5Struggling to see us getting any points from those games.
Something needs to change quick, unfortunately it won’t be a change of manager.
Give 433 a go or 532 or 4231 we’ve got players who can fit those systems and the 433 might stop us being overrun in central midfield.
433
Darlow
Manquillo, Lascelles, Fernandez, Dummett/Lewis
Shelvey, Hayden, M.Longstaff
Murphy/Almiron, Wilson, Fraser/Joelinton
532
Darlow
Yedlin, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett, Lewis/Ritchie
Shelvey, Hayden, M.Longstaff
Wilson, Gayle/Carroll
4231
Darlow
Manquillo/Kraft, Lascelles, Fernandez, Dummett
Hayden, M.Longstaff
Murphy/Fraser, Almiron/Anderson, Joelinton/Ritchie
Wilson
Plenty of options there, Yedlin, Lewis and Schar can’t really play in a 4. Shelvey not suited to 2 in centre mid.
Saint-Max to come back in at some point.
Hendrick shouldn’t even make the bench and S.Longstaff sub at best and needs to play further up the pitch.
Anderson has a part to play too I think.
sing in the corner
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:41 AM
Comment #6Tsunki @ 2
Something in that, I’d say.
onmeedsun
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:46 AM
Comment #7Shearer is just not a true pundit as he cannot be objective. If he was objective he would have called out Bruce, friend or no friend. It’s the problem with all pundits, they have too many personal ties in the game. Journos are much better at being objective, well some of them.
DubaiMicky
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:47 AM
Comment #8I don’t think Shearer will cut off his nose to spite his face and is doing just enough to get away with. He’ll never come out with “I think Bruce should resign”, it just won’t happen.
I think that’s the best we’ll get off him.
geordietom
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:48 AM
Comment #9just hurry up and get a couple of C/M in never mind fullbacks , does bruce even know what he’s doing ffs …
DrGloom
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:52 AM
Comment #10Shearer basically said any manager under Ashley past, present and future will have no chance thereby exonerating his chums, we all know that on paper we have a half decent squad, certainly better than Sheff Utd, West Brom, Crystal Palace and Burnley and as good as Fulham , Brighton – the life has been sucked out of the players due to the coaching and tactics of the head coach who simply getting enough out the players
Adamn_92
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:54 AM
Comment #11Shearer doesn’t have to throw Bruce under the bus, or say he should resign or any of that. Literally just some acknowledgement that besides the owner of the club, the players not playing great and the unrest around the club, just maybe Bruce isn’t doing all that well. All he’d have to say is ‘Unfortunately, I don’t think Steve is getting the best out of these players and is struggling to find a formation that works with a settled starting 11’. That’s it. Nothing nasty, not telling him to leave. Just a justified criticism of a manager not doing their best.
JohnJ
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:06 PM
Comment #12As much as Alan Shearer will be unhappy and yes he’ll be most unhappy with the situation of Newcastle United I believe he’s between a rock and a hard place!
If he were to suggest that Steve Bruce be sacked I think the phrase that comes to mind……..
Et Tu Bruti or in present day terminology You as well Alan Shearer!
I just can’t see that happening other that to say……… well yes of course as a Newcastle fan (and that’s what he is now) I want to see NUFC gaining wins and moving upwards of course I don’t like the place that the club is in at this time!
Bills Son Is Back
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:08 PM
Comment #13Tsunki
You need to brush up on the rules before spouting conspiracy therories.
Two yellows is a one match ban not three.
Rotonda heights
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:13 PM
Comment #14just a fan
wolves were flying till their top scorer got nobbled and may not play again !!! Plus they are in Europe. Imagine a bruce team in Europe….yeah good one.
If 2 teams results are both bad but one’s NOT permanently putting 11 men behind the ball and hoofing it while looking totally unfit with no passing and moving, I’d rather watch them.
JohnJ
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:25 PM
Comment #15An interesting item on Shearers take on things from “The Mag”
https://www.themag.co.uk/2021/01/alan-shearer-admits-he-has-no-option-but-to-criticise-his-friend-steve-bruce-newcastle-united/
Just a fan
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:29 PM
Comment #16Rotunda
I stand corrected.
I shall join the mob and burn big bad brucies house down.
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:31 PM
Comment #17Why doesn’t Bruce just play his attacking players in their positions? No wonder theyre not happy. Fraser has already played as a false number 10 and a central midfielder. ASM has played as a real number 10. And Almiron has played just about everywhere bar attack. Even Joelinton spent a year as CF.
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:33 PM
Comment #18Wolves are missing Jota and are in transition bringing through sone exciting young talent. They started badly last two seasons but finished 5th. Their fans are happy, even this season, and they trust Nuno.
JohnJ
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:34 PM
Comment #19Exactly what I mentioned on here the other day!
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/19010916.mike-ashley-repeating-steve-mcclaren-mistakes-steve-bruce/
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:35 PM
Comment #20If Maximin had seriously bad covid, how did he get up out his bed, get to the airport, pass all the intense security and fly to France?
Would they let you on a plane if you were riddled with covid?
JohnJ
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:36 PM
Comment #21Can someone explain to me what a “False No Ten” is?
It seems we had two of them the other night!!!
magicmac54
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:37 PM
Comment #22Adamn @ 11
I can see where your coming from Adam in reference to Shearer not being strong enough in condemning Bruce and his part in the shambles and mess we are in at the moment, in many ways i think he did have a go at Bruce also when he mentioned the negativity and style of football, he was never going to come out and throw Bruce under the bus, as he is a pundit, and thats a huge part of the problem, he has a vested interest, a lot of these pundits are all mates, so they will never be honest and tell it like it really is unfortunately Adam.
JohnJ
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:38 PM
Comment #23Just a Fat Dave Bassett
I must admit there seems to be a rabbit away there!
Hard to understand!
Rotonda heights
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:39 PM
Comment #24Munster,
Like all the pundits who worship Bruce you’ve had your pants pulled down and been made to look very foolish haven’t you. I’ve never seen anyone jump ship so cringeingly fast as you.
I do understand you get very defensive when you’re proved to be wrong time and again, hence your having to always resort to base foul language and obnoxious comments. Well I guess it’s understandably a bit humiliating for you when it gets pointed out the number of factually incorrect and ill informed statements you make with such unerring regularity.
Tell you what, I may be a know it all t- -t as you delightfully called me but that’s a good thing because I would say most people on here get it and just view you as the contradictory and fickle gift that keeps on giving.
Adamn_92
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:41 PM
Comment #25magicmac
I completely agree with you there, pundits unfortunately have ties with managers and players etc so always have vested interests. I’m not suggesting Shearer needs to throw him under the bus though, I feel like he can criticise his friends for not doing too well in a way that is constructive and not nasty in the slightest. At the end of the day he’s a football pundit and analyst, he should give a fair view on the current plight of the team which includes bad management from the head coach., friend or not. If I was doing terribly at my job and my friend just said ‘hey i don’t think you’re doing very well i’m afraid mate’ I wouldn’t suddenly cut them off and think they were horrible and no longer a friend. Especially if it was their job to say if I was doing good or bad!
Tsunki
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:41 PM
Comment #26Quite right Bills Son I typed that without thinking – he obviously hadn’t played enough games to pick up the requisite cards for a three match ban. Not likely to without some effort.
However it doesn’t hold back my posit
Btw you need to brush up on what you think is a “conspiracy theory” versus “cynical take” before spouting off on your corrections 😉
Rotonda heights
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:42 PM
Comment #27Just a fan,
Don’t really see any mob wanting to burn bruce’s house down.
Think we just would like him to leave is all.
Tsunki
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:44 PM
Comment #28Shearer doesn’t have to throw Bruce under the wheels though does he? After all what would be more pointless than losing a good mate for the futile purpose of suggesting he is sacked? Simply launching him to the jobcentre is not the solution to this problem – we all know that the likelihood the next custodian will be an obscure and risible name further down the list Bruce was picked from. I really don’t think that person would be one capable of turning this tank around.
Rotonda heights
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:47 PM
Comment #29Catchy
I will give you this. Fair play to OGS. He has done far better than I expected and seems quite a pleasant character too.
Adamn_92
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:47 PM
Comment #30If people think Shearer would lose Bruce as a friend for justifiably saying he isn’t doing great right now, that says a lot about Bruce. How fragile must a friendship be that one of them would happily end the friendship if the other one dares to say they aren’t doing something well lol
Tackle from behind
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:50 PM
Comment #31John J
Did you not receive your False 10 viewing glasses.
Every fan was sent a pair so we could watch and marvel at this new phenomenon.
They are a bit like those 3D glasses they used to hand out years back, except these new ones have no lenses – sort of false glasses if you like.
Tsunki
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:50 PM
Comment #32The writing was on the wall once the steady back line team of interchangeable defenders was dismantled through injury, covid and even loaning out a decent CB. That unit was well schooled by the time Bruce took it on, and it served him well covering up the incompetent juggling of the midfield to sh!£house our way through wins and draws coupled with a degree of fortunate decisions.
However the total dissaray of the midfield has been compounded by masking the creeping inadequacy of the backline as it drew further back to cover for it. Now even that doesn’t work, and any player forward of the centre circle is basically on his own.
No, we don’t have a good defence any more, we have a pretty shaky one consisting of about nine players now.
Tsunki
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:53 PM
Comment #33What’s a “False 10” btw? Is that like Bella Emberg?
Adamn_92
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:55 PM
Comment #34I think a false 10 is when you start to sober up and realise you had your beer goggles on in the club
Tsunki
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:55 PM
Comment #35Wanted –
False #10 required to act as an attacking midfielder but really be a False Centre Half.
Must be able to defend constantly in own penalty area for 90 minutes as a Real CB
Must have own bus.
Tsunki
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:56 PM
Comment #36Adam that’s what i thought, for all those that don’t remember Bella 😀
Pottsclock
Jan 14, 2021 at 1:00 PM
Comment #37Maybe he left his falsies on the team bus and that’s why he’s looking for more
lesh
Jan 14, 2021 at 1:05 PM
Comment #38It doesn’t seem so long ago that Brucie was saying that players were playing a defensive game because Rafa had trained them to play that way.
Now, a season and a half later, the players are still being set up to play a defensive, counter-attacking game – however, it appears they’re unable to play such a game as well as they could under Bruce’s predecessor.
So, who’s responsible for our position – Rafa or Brucie boy?
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Jan 14, 2021 at 1:05 PM
Comment #39Surely Shearer can find someone more interesting to play golf with than a cabbage heed that talks in cliches. All that money and he still has to hang around with an idiot like Bruce. If I was Shearer I’d ditch Bruce and start hanging around with Vic and Bob, or even Ant and Dec.
lesh
Jan 14, 2021 at 1:07 PM
Comment #40Adamn_92
Have you been off work of late or is the NHS not as stretched as we’re told?