On Sunday, when Newcastle invite Tottenham to St. James’ Park, this dismal and disappointing season will resume after a two-week international break. While you generally don’t want to stew for too long after a performance like the one Newcastle put in at Brighton, the 15 days between matches did provide some advantages.
First and foremost, it allowed our injured stars some extra recovery time. While Callum Wilson is still another week away, all signs point to Allan Saint-Maximin at least returning to the bench on Sunday. Miguel Almiron, who was rushed back for Brighton, should be fully fit for Spurs.
After the Brighton defeat, Newcastle were quick to throw their support behind embattled head coach Steve Bruce. It seems the two weeks since the awful 3-0 thrashing at the Amex has only served to strengthen Ashley’s resolve.
Recent reports have suggested that no replacement has been identified despite claims that Chris Wilder, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and Eddie Howe would be interested should the position become available.
However, the ever-stubborn Ashley remains committed to the head coach he selected to replace Rafa Benitez two summers ago. According to a report in The Telegraph, that will remain the case beyond this season if Bruce manages to keep Newcastle up.
Luke Edwards also suggests that Bruce could be offered an extension this summer as his contract runs out after next season. Edwards theorizes that Ashley could even offer improved terms though with a much less compensation package.
Newcastle’s tenuous league position has hampered planning for next season. An empty St. James’ Park for this entire campaign has also severely cut any transfer budget this summer. Though Bruce has been involved in the minimal recruitment plans that have taken place.
Edwards says the current plan is for Bruce to see out the rest of this season. Though that is not etched in stone as another performance like the one at Brighton could produce a change of heart from Ashley.
However, while Bruce boasted of a top ten push before this season, his remit has been to keep Newcastle in the Premier League. Despite flirting with disaster, if Bruce keeps Newcastle safe for a second season, he will have satisfied his boss’s extremely low expectations.
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359 comments so far
toon22
Apr 3, 2021 at 10:38 AM
Comment #41Rotonda heights
Those 3 are defo the worst in world footy
Its near vandalism their actions or lack of
toon22
Apr 3, 2021 at 10:39 AM
Comment #42Penfold basically exists so the turd can have him as running the 30/40 ish comapnies hes split us into
We just about dont exist as a club anymore
Nicky the ball tosser
Apr 3, 2021 at 10:39 AM
Comment #43Well he can still terrify centre backs. No point in playing Carroll though unless you get plenty of crosses coming in, and Almiron or Gayle playing off his shoulder and running on to his flick ons, and that’s not how we’ve been set up to play since “the gloves came off”.
Deary me. 🙄
toon22
Apr 3, 2021 at 10:40 AM
Comment #44Fraser and Murphy need to play if yer going to play Carrol
toon22
Apr 3, 2021 at 10:41 AM
Comment #45Almerion needs for pace and picking up the scraps
Replace with Galye if needed
Not both at the same time unless were desperate
Playing both leaves a big hole in CM
Rotonda heights
Apr 3, 2021 at 10:45 AM
Comment #46Sing
It’s a horrible choice isn’t it. The idiot Bruce either plays strikers with no wingers or wingers with no strikers.
Even with murphy and fraser either side it’s hard to see carroll scoring though and usually even with wingers playing it usually means hoofball when carroll plays and lots of elbows and free kicks given away.
Gayle just looks totally like he couldn’t give a rats.
Obviously have to shield Wilson and ASM a bit before Bruce inevitably injures them again so I’d like to see one of Toure, Allan or Anderon get a shot.
Munster Mag
Apr 3, 2021 at 10:46 AM
Comment #4722, stick to the football posts that you are posting above, it’s better for all of us that way. I agree with you, we have to get Carroll involved.
Munster Mag
Apr 3, 2021 at 10:47 AM
Comment #48Rotonda, it’s all about the accumulation of points.
Just some Saturday wisdom for you there fella 🙂
Munster Mag
Apr 3, 2021 at 10:49 AM
Comment #49Agree, don’t bother with Gayle, useless right now. Carroll us seething at not getting a chance. Let him at them but ffs don’t isolate him by playing 541 with a 40 yard gap.
Mund
Apr 3, 2021 at 10:52 AM
Comment #50Got to agree better posts from Mr Froggy
Munster Mag
Apr 3, 2021 at 10:54 AM
Comment #51Mund I saw what u wrote Re Brighton. I was 1000% certain we would lose that and asked guys here for a show of hands re staying up or going down, partly because I knew we would lose, so was factoring that defeat in. In fact I would go so dar as tó say That we had practically no chance going into that game. I’d be more optimistic for spurs though. Either way, assuming Bruce stays imo we’re gonners.
I was listening to the podcast and Mitch was saying there is a huge split in the dressing room now. Dear oh dear.
Mund
Apr 3, 2021 at 10:56 AM
Comment #52Munster
I said that on the blog also mate there is major unrest and the media and NUFC are playing it down. It’s not pretty mate.
What I got told isn’t great like.
Just a fan
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:00 AM
Comment #53There is more to the frog than meets the eye.
He knows quite a lot about football and is quite informative in other areas.
I say long may he spawn.
WLtoon
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:00 AM
Comment #54Good morning all, i hope my fellow bloggers are enjoying their Easter break and a win tomorrow will top it off nicely for me.
I won`t be happy with a point , i want a win, and if the team are on it then i think they are more than capable.
Spurs don`t score a lot of goals because of Jose`s negative set up, so i think if we give Carroll a start with 2 good crossers ,Murphy and Fraser, with Miggy playing off the big fells, i actually do think we have a chance.
Quite a few have mentioned the same set up up front and i too agree.
Carroll will be like a man possessed tomorrow if he starts, if he can keep his elbows in check i think he could own both the Spuds CB`s, no question of that.
WLtoon
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:08 AM
Comment #55I`m off to Scarborough in a short while to pick a small boat launching dolly up.
These dollies are £260 new, the fella is selling it for £30 as he just wants rid to save space.
If there is a bargain to be had i am there.
Optimistic prime
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:11 AM
Comment #56It’s hilarious reading people complain about Toon22.
He must be getting in the way of discussing what they had for lunch or posting their latest favourite song.
Toon22 is one poster, not several taking over the blog with irrelevant shite 24/7.
Atleast his posts are relevant to the club and blog, unlike the lonely hearts desert island disc brigade.
simon376
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:13 AM
Comment #57Rom
We playing each other today? Think its all yours this week
WLtoon
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:15 AM
Comment #58I wouldn`t mind having a pint with the Frog tbh, underneath that repetitive Ashley drone i reckon he would be good croak.
Mund
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:16 AM
Comment #59It’s the constant PR calling that’s annoying and plenty said that throughout last night.
I’d rather listen to a good tune or read a funny joke than have repetitive posts that have no end
Romford mag
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:17 AM
Comment #60Simon
Yes bud , we play eachother this game week mate 🙂
Good luck 🙂
Optimistic prime
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:19 AM
Comment #61Put Top of the pops on or find a comedy on Netflix then.
Football and Nufc are rapidly becoming the least discussed subject on this blog!
That’s not good!
simon376
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:20 AM
Comment #62You too Rom mate
Romford mag
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:21 AM
Comment #63Simon
Thanks bud 😉
Mund
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:21 AM
Comment #64How is telling people they are PR and going on about the turd football related? It’s all repetitive crap.
Tackle from behind
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:21 AM
Comment #65Mund
“What I got told isn’t great like”.
What did you get told?
Mund
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:23 AM
Comment #66I’m just a daft lad from Middlesbrough tackle I don’t know nothing…. 😉
Optimistic prime
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:23 AM
Comment #67I’m not saying other things shouldn’t be mentioned but this is a blog to discuss Nufc and all things related.
Seems a lot don’t want to discuss the club atm, understandable.
It is a miserable situation and posters can come across negative, burying our heads in the sand and not discussing it doesn’t make things better or positive.
Not sure if the non football talk is to avoid arguments but it’s not making the blog a better place.
I beleive posters stop posting as the football talk is rare and when it is its perceived as negative!
I’d rather we rowed or debated football than waffled shite about nowt!
Mund
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:27 AM
Comment #68I wonder why NUFC is not a relevant topic on the blog hmmm
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work that out. There isn’t anything to talk about it concerning our club right now as nothing as changed! It’s the same crap week and week out and until something changes it will be the same depressing feeling.
If you want to talk NUFC why don’t you throw something in there that’s worth a debate?
Maybe do some polls? Best players etc etc spice it up. But don’t complain about the content and not put effort into change it
Tackle from behind
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:27 AM
Comment #69Mund
So you didn’t get told anything significant or you’re just not prepared to tell what it was?
Mund
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:28 AM
Comment #70Waffle shite about nowt? How rude! Who are you to say a conversation between posters is waffling shite? If you don’t like it skip past said posts and contribute more to the blog rather than moan about it
toon22
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:29 AM
Comment #71Mund
Is that why your so positive about things ?
Mund
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:30 AM
Comment #72Tackle
Believe me or not but I have shared this information with plenty and they are involved on the blog. I just won’t share it on the blog.
You wanted to take the piss a bit last night but now you want me to share what I know?
Nufc 4ever
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:31 AM
Comment #73Toon 22
Please enlighten myself on how joelinton is good on the wing.
Cant trap a ball cant beat a man and has very if any assists. He is dire it’s like being down to 10 men from the start
He has nothing to bring to the table
hibbit
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:31 AM
Comment #74Guys it’s OK to discuss anything you want on the blog as long as Mund approves 😆
Optimistic prime
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:31 AM
Comment #75Mund
I see Toon22 calling people PR no different to when others call someone “negative” or “happy clappers” “Ashley obsessed” etc, just different sides to the same coin..
I’m not agreeing with what he says, I admire his commitment though!
Hes one bloke, its easy to skip one poster, GREEN MEANS GO 😉
Mund
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:32 AM
Comment #76Haha Errrm OP is complaining of the content not me 😎
Tackle from behind
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:32 AM
Comment #77Mund
You can’t have it all ways – everyone takes the pi$$ with some stuff – livens it up a bit (you were all for that a couple of posts back)
And you would be the first to jump if someone left a crumb like “I’ve been told”
Debating NUFC includes sharing what you might know surely?
Mund
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:33 AM
Comment #78OP the craic is tho I think he can contribute well when he puts all that a side
HpoolMag
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:33 AM
Comment #79Never a truer word said #66 & as for boring and repetitive posts go how is the takeover coming along
Mund
Apr 3, 2021 at 11:35 AM
Comment #80Tackle there’s ribbing and that’s fair game you know I’m all for that but last night was different.
I’ve always had respect for you and had some unreal craic with you over the last couple of years and just felt that was kind of a dig