This is the team we are predicting Steve Bruce will name for this afternoon’s match against Tottenham. It has two changes from the defeat to Brighton two weeks ago.
Bruce may not want to make any changes to the formation with Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson so close to returning. While Saint-Maximin may play a part today, Wilson will hopefully be back next Sunday at Burnley.
I suspect it’ll be Jeff Hendrick to come in for the injured Isaac Hayden. Bruce could also bring Federico Fernandez back into the team after not featuring in the last 12 matches.
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho has almost a full squad at his disposal with just the two fullbacks injured on international duty ruled out for this match.
Newcastle Injuries
Callum Wilson (hamstring), Fabian Schar (knee), Isaac Hayden (knee), Allan Saint-Maximin (groin – late fitness test), Martin Dubravka (illness – late fitness test)
Tottenham Injuries
Ben Davies (muscle), Matt Doherty (muscle)
Our poll for this match has fans not expecting much once again. Almost 80% think Newcastle will lose this afternoon. Based on recent results, that is a fair assumption.
Fulham travel to face Aston Villa just after today’s match. So if Newcastle lose and Fulham win, we’ll be in the bottom three tonight.
Hopefully, that won’t be the case but in order to make it a certainty, Newcastle need to pick up an unlikely three points at St. James’ Park today.
116 comments so far
simon376
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:06 PM
Comment #81Now that is a more positive team, Richie & S Longstaff and a forward in Gayle with 5 at the back
Toon67
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:06 PM
Comment #82Sean Longstaff!!!!!
About bloody time!
simon376
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:06 PM
Comment #83Need to get Carol on for Joelinton 2nd half and crosses into him
IrishRob
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:07 PM
Comment #84Ooh Jesus I didn’t notice its back to 5-3-2 🙁
Ron Knee
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:07 PM
Comment #85“Son Heung-Min is on the bench.”
lochinvar
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:08 PM
Comment #86Irish
But which Longstaff?
simon376
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:08 PM
Comment #87Rob
Really today, think the 5 makes more sense, but when you see Richie & Murphy at wing back, is it not really a back 3 more than a 5?
AncientC
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:08 PM
Comment #88Playing with 1 recognised CB, and Joelinton. Deary me.
One positive is Ritchie back.
IrishRob
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:09 PM
Comment #89Longstaff has apparently been the best plsyer at the whole club in training the past month but Bruce wouldn’t start him.
Any advantages we had are gone now with 5 at the back and playing Krapt as a cb, which I don’t disagree with because he’s too slow for a wb but Manquillo should be playing and Murphy should be rw not rwb.
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:09 PM
Comment #90Tackle
It’s a real horrible prospect either way, win and we probably keep TFG, lose and we are near certs to go down.
I’m just veering towards hoping we win and stay up and something good happens before next season comes.
But another season of Ashlie and TFG!!!!!!!!!!! 🙁
lochinvar
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:09 PM
Comment #91Three in midfield means that Spurs can get closer to our goal more quickly
Full team?
simon376
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:10 PM
Comment #92Though I’m wrong, cant bring Carol on when not on the bench, want to St Max and Willock on, lets face it, Willock an Arsenal lad will fo all out to get Spurs. Feel for Clark mind
Ron Knee
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:10 PM
Comment #93Lee Ryder@lee_ryder
Saint-Maximin on the bench along with Anderson #nufc
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:11 PM
Comment #94team
Newcastle United: Martin Dúbravka; Jacob Murphy, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie; Sean Longstaff, Jonjo Shelvey; Miguel Almirón, Dwight Gayle, Joelinton.
Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Javier Manquillo, Ciaran Clark, Jamal Lewis, Matty Longstaff, Jeff Hendrick, Elliot Anderson, Joe Willock, Allan Saint-Maximin.
IrishRob
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:11 PM
Comment #95Sean, Loch!
Simon, i don’t think 5 at the back is ever the answer. Especially not for Spurs. Even 3 at the back and load the midfield is a better option than that imo.
Mund
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:11 PM
Comment #96Tinman
You said before you barely read all on the blog and skip a lot so could you please explain how I’m the argumentative one here?
Another person thinking they know what’s going on but not a scooby doo.
Anyone else feel the need to share an opinion about me?
None of you know me but you seem to have all the answers.
Tinman copy and paste this argumentative attitude I have had since my return
WLtoon
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:11 PM
Comment #97Good news as far as the starting line up , lets hope Longstaff puts in at least half decent display for a change, he has been woeful , but is a better bet than Hendrick, says a lot.
lochinvar
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:11 PM
Comment #98Do you think that Bruce might mention the high wind having a bearing on the result whatever it might be in his post match comments.
Mund
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:12 PM
Comment #99It’s Easter Sunday and match day do you not have better things to do?
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:13 PM
Comment #100AC not even on bench, something definitely up there, wonder if he chinned TFG in training.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:13 PM
Comment #101Better bench than starting team except for Hendrick
toon22
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:14 PM
Comment #102Ohh dear
Joes starting
Ohh well
lochinvar
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:14 PM
Comment #103No sign of Fraser
Is he injured?
Must be match fit after scoring for Scotland
IrishRob
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:14 PM
Comment #104When will he ever learn, midfield is our problem always has been, if they can’t get through the midfield then Spurs can’t score. Load the midfield play to keep the ball and give ur backs a chance while makes the midfield twice as strong in the process.
This is a huge call, are we gonna get lucky today? I’ve a feeling we will fluke a draw but 5 at the back just isn’t the answer, EVER!!!
kimbo
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:15 PM
Comment #105Prediction… Kane out muscles Kraft at backpost to score his hatrick.
5 – 0 to Spurs.
Well you know Spurs are a great team and we tried to compete on our 18 yard box but Big Joe was man of match as he won a tackle.
simon376
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:15 PM
Comment #106Rob
Know where you are coming from, but if we go back to Rafa and 5 at the back, as much as the football wasnt the most entertaining, we picked up some good results. Right now all we need are good results, for once I dont care how we play as long as we pick up points, anything to be safe. Then let just hope for new manager and new setup ASAP
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:16 PM
Comment #107After playing nearly a full game yesterday it’s surprising to see Anderson on the bench, just hope he gets some game time regardless of how we are doing.
Tackle from behind
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:16 PM
Comment #108Strange team pick this is.
Fraser and Carroll don’t even make the squad.
He promised changes, but this looks like change for it’s own sake – not plan there, just OK, lets see if this works.
Clueless.
Tackle from behind
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:19 PM
Comment #109If it’s 3 or 5 at the back, why Krafth over Clark or Fernandez?
If it’s 4 at the back, why Krafth over Manquillo?
Or as someone alluded to earlier – That’s just how they were drawn out of his welly.
Mister Tuff
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:19 PM
Comment #110Official site says it is a 4-2-3-1.
https://www.nufc.co.uk/matches/first-team/2020-21/newcastle-united-v-tottenham-hotspur/?tab=lineup
On paper we will/should get beat. But you never know.
At least when the game starts the argument brigade will fade away as they know nowt about football.
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:19 PM
Comment #111Can’t help feeling he used the method I suggested yesterday for picking the team, ie putting names in his wellie and drawing them out at random.
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:20 PM
Comment #112Tackle, snap! 🙂
toon22
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:20 PM
Comment #113Joes hopeless
Does anyone have any hope of him scoring today ?
toon22
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:21 PM
Comment #114Essex
I doubt the wellie theory
It’s far too complicated for him
Mister Tuff
Apr 4, 2021 at 1:23 PM
Comment #115Krafth is poor – joe is poor, Gayle is weak and a short arse.
On paper it is a tonking I’ll go for 2 -1 to Spurs – hope I’m wrong.
The Prince's Mate
Apr 4, 2021 at 2:49 PM
Comment #116Did the commentator just call Gayle, Dwight York?