If Newcastle are going to keep their run going, it’s going to have to be done without the late-game heroics of Joe Willock. The on-loan midfielder has nabbed Newcastle an extra 4 points with late goals in his three substitute appearances over our four-game unbeaten streak.
His parent club Arsenal come to St. James’ Park on Sunday so Willock will be ineligible. However, even without the 21-year-old’s exploits, confidence should be high to keep this streak alive.
Arsenal are in the midst of another disappointing campaign for their usual lofty standards. While they have beaten Newcastle twice this season, at the Emirates both times, it was during our dreadful run earlier this year.
The lads are on a high right now and Arsenal are just trudging along in 10th in the table with little hope of a finish in the European places. However, this match is sandwiched in between their Europa League semifinal against Villereal with the away leg tomorrow evening in Spain.
This could be an excellent time to enact some revenge on Arsenal and pick up still needed points. Newcastle are very close to safety but until it’s reached, there’s always room for fear in the heart of a Newcastle fan.
Steve Bruce again likely won’t make many changes, especially without Willock. However, Callum Wilson looked like he was shot out of a cannon a couple of times at Liverpool. Any lingering doubts over his hamstring should have dissipated after seeing his bursts of pace last Saturday.
While Bruce may be hesitant to drop Joelinton, a front two of Wilson and Saint-Maximin would be a handful for any defense. So that could be the lone change at St. James’ Park this weekend in a match that many will be confident Newcastle can win.
284 comments so far
Not another deJong
Apr 28, 2021 at 12:16 PM
Comment #121How will we win without Willock?!!!
cleveleysbob
Apr 28, 2021 at 12:18 PM
Comment #122Re: the match on Saturday, I know, a long way off, it’s only Mittwoch as the Germans call it.
However, pressing on regardless, Normally I’d expect us to win this because (a) we’re on a good run, (b) Arsenal have other more important games to worry about, (c) we’re at home, (d) Arsenal’s form isn’t brilliant this season.
So, it all points to a comfortable win, but (a) this is NUFC (b) Mike Read is ref. (c) Bruce is still in charge and (d) VAR still exists.
So basically, anything can happen, looks like a draw, strap yourselves in and get ready for another roller coaster game of stretched emotions, I mean this is US, isn’t it?
lochinvar
Apr 28, 2021 at 12:19 PM
Comment #123All this debate over poetry, surely we need to show the world that this blog is a cut above the rest. For your edification one of our own finest, Wilfred Wilson Gibson.
He must have been a United supporter as he even mentions our strip colours !
Let’s go highbrow.
Northumberland
Heatherland and bentland,
Black land and white,
God bring me to Northumberland,
The land of my delight.
Land of singing waters,
And words from off the sea,
God bring me to Northumberland,
The land where I would be.
Heatherland and bentland,
And valley rich with corn,
God bring me to Northumberland,
The land where I was born.
By Wilfrid Wilson Gibson (1878-1962)
cleveleysbob
Apr 28, 2021 at 12:20 PM
Comment #124Lesh I did my BoF session, very enjoyable, remember to come back tomorrow for another one, mustn’t slack! 😉
cleveleysbob
Apr 28, 2021 at 12:21 PM
Comment #125Fab, Loch, warms the cockles. 🙂
Chewingtoon
Apr 28, 2021 at 12:37 PM
Comment #126Simon Jordan really doesn’t like Newcastle. Listening to him earlier it’s almost as he’s mocking us for wanting a change at the top.
Mister Tuff
Apr 28, 2021 at 12:44 PM
Comment #127Woah – another disgraceful piece of poetry – clearly insulting to Toon supporters.
Reference is made to a word ” valley”.
Ahaa a cunning insertion of the name of Charltons ground.
A post obviously to the cockney eel pie brigade.
Disgraceful.
Poetry…………………………………..OOT
Not another deJong
Apr 28, 2021 at 12:45 PM
Comment #128No wonder Shelvey does not want Willock in the side……he is too busy.
https://twitter.com/octavian10i/status/1387054931832569864
Toon Tang
Apr 28, 2021 at 12:45 PM
Comment #129So no willock against gunners means no late goal to dig us out the shit.
I’m going defeat on the pole but only to appease the winbar gods.
Thank me after the game people..
Toon Tang
Apr 28, 2021 at 12:47 PM
Comment #130Oi Tuffers, back to the netball blog for you sonny jim
Wor B
Apr 28, 2021 at 12:50 PM
Comment #131Toon Tang
I’ve neutralised you running a white flag up the pole by voting for the win!
🙂
Mister Tuff
Apr 28, 2021 at 12:52 PM
Comment #132Toon Tang – maybe a return to the Ladies Wrestling blog for you – big boy.
Romford mag
Apr 28, 2021 at 12:55 PM
Comment #133Talking of meds !
Chewingtoon
Apr 28, 2021 at 12:55 PM
Comment #134I have a good feeling about the Arsenal game, even without wilock being available. As brilliant as he has been in scoring us late goals we can’t depend on him, especially if he won’t be here next season. Hopefully he’s performances have inspired the others to hit the target
cleveleysbob
Apr 28, 2021 at 12:59 PM
Comment #135Romford 😀
lesh
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:02 PM
Comment #136Cleveleys
You know as well as I do that it’s not only Mittwoch…… the Germans also call it Wodenstag (Wodin’s day).
Glad to see you’ve started your BoF wellness regime. Don’t over-stretch yourself.
-)
lesh
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:04 PM
Comment #137Wor B
You done today’s BoF wellness session yet?
Romford mag
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:08 PM
Comment #138Bob
😉
Wor B
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:14 PM
Comment #139Lesh
Think I may have over done it today. 🙁
I’ve built in some aerobic exercise into my work station. Been moving a pile of papers from one side of my desk to the other, on the hour every hour.
Don’t think I’ll make the night shift tonight.
JohnJ
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:16 PM
Comment #140Well I can’t say I’ve enjoyed catching up with the blog today!
Where’s all the football talk gone eh?
magscar
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:19 PM
Comment #141Lesh
Back from my late jaunt -usually between 6-7 in morning to avoid as many dog walkers joggers , cyclists on footpaths, kids waiting for school bus and mums gathering near schools for a gossip as is possible.
Might be able to squeeze a BoF session in tomorrow but it does sound a bit exhausting apart from cuppa 🙂
Wor B
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:21 PM
Comment #142JohnJ
Didn’t you get the memo?
Football talk is OOT!!!
Fighting and crap banter is IN!!!
lesh
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:32 PM
Comment #143Magscar
Try the Wor B approach to BoF, start by thinking about it, then gradually move up the exertion scale. But, moving paper around your desk might be too much too soon.
Wor B
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:33 PM
Comment #144OK JohnJ
Seeing as you weren’t in the know I’ll throw this in.
How will Brucie cope with the loss of Willock and is cannon ball Wilson a sure fire starter?
lesh
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:34 PM
Comment #145JohnJ
Football’s been relegated by wellness and the arts.
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:34 PM
Comment #146What’s the world coming to with all this poetry. Outrageous stuff. When I was a lad it was all gangster rap and violence. None of this dangerous poetry mallarky.
clinath@ed
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:36 PM
Comment #147There was a young man from Wallsend,
Who got tired of listening to b3llends.
So he decided to write a poem,
But realised he was really cr@p at it
So went back to watching snooker on the tele.
Mister Tuff
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:36 PM
Comment #148I think Arsenals golden period is over and will not be re-kindled through Arteta.
Big difference in being a decent number two at City and the numero uno at Arsenal. I do not think he will last all that long at Arsenal.
He will not replicate the golden years led by Wenger.
Think we might get beat on Sunday but with the current form of Arsenal being up and down you never know and we might get a point.
toonluvva
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:40 PM
Comment #149Just on the Ruebens contacting the PM on the takeover.
Can you imagine the ructions if the PM had not listened to to them. There would be some who post on this blog having a go at the PM for NOT getting involved.
I also can’t remember any criticism being levelled at the PM for taking an anti-ESL stance a week or so ago. Is that different and if so how?
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:45 PM
Comment #150A draw would be great against Arsenal, but we’ve been riding our luck a little lately. Seem to have went back to either relying on ASM having a blinder as he does every now and again (Burnley), Dubravka keeping us in game (Liverpool), or being lucky (West Ham). Although their was that Spurs game we went on the front foot and played brilliantly. Other three games we seemed to be creeping from front-foot, modern high-press back in the direction of park the bus via reasonable counter attack (which is we are for the time being). Just waiting for Ritchie and Murphy to have a bad game and get replaced by out and out fullbacks.
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:49 PM
Comment #151I’m surprised the papers are complaining about party donors to the Tories. Almost the whole system is built on this and almost every rich and powerful person is at it, both here and USA, including the Newspaper owners. Normally they don’t want to delve to deep into this system because they’ll a) make powerful enemies, and b) expose their rich friends and c) will be exposed themselves.
DrGloom
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:53 PM
Comment #152Linton is a lazy player, puts effort in one game in ten, fair enough if he could actually score goals but sadly he’s finding EPL defenders a bit too quick and hard tackling for him … A bit like Werner at Chelsea and that guy West Ham bought ( and sold)
Not blaming Linton, just not cut out for this league …he isn’t going to change after 2 seasons in it
cleveleysbob
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:54 PM
Comment #153Toonluvva, I think that’s the job description- damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Modern politics, pretty crappy all round. 😉
DrGloom
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:55 PM
Comment #154I’m thinking we can get a result against arsenal ( no doubt I’ve jinxed us now), need to get at them though , if we sit back and let them play we’ll lose
Mister Tuff
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:56 PM
Comment #155Ya blog loons seem to have drifted off. Might just be a post lunch nap or they have just taken their meds.
Much better when they are not causing aggro or arguing.
Decent argument/debate is ok but when the usual suspects start arguing about arguing you know all sanity is lost.
toonluvva
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:56 PM
Comment #156JaFDB
I voted for a draw. But there again I always plump for a draw in case I put a jinx on the team.
In this case I went for a draw because I expect Bruceless to revert to his flat back 10 and hit them on the break mentality. To my mind Bruceless is inching us toward safety point by point and thereby extending our agony.
Ashley, Barnes and Bishop out!!!
HTWL!!!!
cleveleysbob
Apr 28, 2021 at 1:59 PM
Comment #157JaFDB, Lesh and others who may have an interest.
There is a £30k /year allowance to spend on the flat @ No11 out of government funds.
TB whilst PM spent £350k on renovation (just under the allowance over 13years).
Is it better to take tax payers money to refurb, or to take donations, or like the rest of us mortals, pay for your own?
Mountains/molehills springs to mind, just shit stirring for the hell of it. – Sorry Lesh, just wanted to add some FACTS to the opinions. 😀
Mund
Apr 28, 2021 at 2:02 PM
Comment #158Chewingtoon
Welcome to the blog mate 🙂 HWTL
magscar
Apr 28, 2021 at 2:03 PM
Comment #159Lesh
Sound advice on building up to BoF – just doing my typing exercises on proper keyboard instead of virtual one on a tablet – sweating buckets and think i’ll need rest before can lift that cuppa – may need straw
cleveleysbob
Apr 28, 2021 at 2:03 PM
Comment #160I don’t vote in the blog lottery, because I don’t want to jinx anything.
When I do the Super6, if Newcastle are playing I hate it, because whenever I put them down to win, they lose, which makes me doubly sad. 🙁
It’s better I don’t choose! 😮