This is the team I predict Steve Bruce will name for this afternoon’s match against Arsenal at St. James’ Park. It has just one change from the draw at Liverpool with Callum Wilson reclaiming his spot in the starting eleven over Joelinton.
This is another match where Bruce will likely make few changes. It would be a surprise if Bruce changed the shape so I expect much the same team as last weekend.
Bruce admitted during his press conference on Friday that it was the right time for Wilson to start. If he does, it’ll be his first in almost three months and would likely end a 9-match starting streak for Joelinton.
Matt Ritchie has a slight problem with his calf but did train on Friday so he’ll hopefully be able to go this afternoon. We could also see Fabian Schar back in the matchday squad. He was injured in the win against Southampton in February, which was also when Wilson suffered his hamstring injury.
Newcastle Injuries
Jamaal Lascelles (foot), Isaac Hayden (knee), Ryan Fraser (groin), Karl Darlow (knee), Joe Willock (ineligible against parent club), Fabian Schar (knee – late fitness test), Matt Ritchie (calf- late fitness test)
Arsenal Injuries
Kieran Tierney (knee – late fitness test), Alexandre Lacazette (hamstring – late fitness test)
Our poll reveals a fanbase that remains confident from our four-match unbeaten run. Over 50% expect Newcastle to pick up a win which would practically guarantee safety with Fulham losing 2-0 at Chelsea yesterday.
Only 16% think the lads will get beaten today. It’s a prime time to pick up a result against the Gunners whose thoughts may be on Thursday’s Europa League semi-final. Villareal won the first leg in Spain 2-1.
The lads need to remain focused despite survival seemingly all wrapped up now. Fulham are 9 back with just for games remaining. The results yesterday dropped us to 17th for the time being but a win would propel us to 13th.
A run of consistency to close this campaign could see us with a decent finish. That has to be the aim after this rollercoaster of a season. A win today would put us in a position to mount a charge on last season’s total of 44 points. However, we are going to have to do it without the late-game heroics of Joe Willock.
153 comments so far
DONK
May 2, 2021 at 9:59 AM
Comment #1I feel a bus parking exercise coming on.
jane
May 2, 2021 at 10:01 AM
Comment #2gloves are off.
cleveleysbob
May 2, 2021 at 10:01 AM
Comment #3Ooh I hope you’re wrong Donk.
Want to see some intent, at least try to win – please HWTL
WLtoon
May 2, 2021 at 10:08 AM
Comment #4I think most of us looking at that team would say `yep, lets go for it` but will Bruce.
I hope he doesn`t sit back thinking a draw will do us because Fulham lost.
Put this relegation to bed ffs so we can breathe easily.
Taking of breakfast, i had crumpet. 🙂
Optimistic prime
May 2, 2021 at 10:09 AM
Comment #5I’m sure he’s put the gloves back on.
Have a look, see if one of the gloves is smaller than the other 😉
JohnJ
May 2, 2021 at 10:09 AM
Comment #6This is a game I feel Newcastle United can win but whilst I’d be disappointed if we didn’t win a draw and a point would be another step in the right direction.
The more points we pick up the harder it will be for Fulham to catch us – it’s vital that we take something from this game!
🙂
Optimistic prime
May 2, 2021 at 10:10 AM
Comment #7I still hate the formation.
Luck not judgement has brought this mini run to fruition.
DONK
May 2, 2021 at 10:11 AM
Comment #8Sadly we all know how Brucie thinks, keep it tight, try and nick a point.
Moonraker15
May 2, 2021 at 10:17 AM
Comment #9Bruce says “support from the owner” (didn’t want to pay out £4 million and brought in Bonna), and my “experience” has brought us back from the brink of relegation.
Well he’s right about the brink as we sit a disgraceful 17th in the table this morning!
He’s bungled his way to 36 points only because 3 teams were not PL standard and are going back where they belong. Bruce is lucky at least one of them didn’t have a goal scorer otherwise he’d be singing a different story!
What a clown he is!
hibbit
May 2, 2021 at 10:23 AM
Comment #10morning all,
i’ve gone for a win but in all honest i’d take a draw now and keep opening that gap, mind the thought of Bruce and Ashley still in control next season fills me with trepidation, 😥 😥 😥
Blaydon-Toon
May 2, 2021 at 10:23 AM
Comment #11Whatever happens safety is in our own hands so today is surely a free hit to just go for it get the 3 points which would end any faint hope of Fulham pulling off a miracle escape
WLtoon
May 2, 2021 at 10:23 AM
Comment #12Over 50% voted for a win in the poll, i don`t think iv`e seen that high a % in years unless we have been playing a lower lge team.
I wonder how much luck we will get today,, there`s me thinking Bruce`s luck had ran out.
It will be the same old excuses if we lose but if we win its good old lady luck.
Nothing to do with St Max taking the piss out of opposing defenders or Wilson being a handful all shift, or Miggy covering every blade of grass and being a total headache for Luiz and co.
DrGloom
May 2, 2021 at 10:25 AM
Comment #13I think.the ‘support’ from the owner , i.e telling players Bruce was staying focused the players and made them pull together rather than Bruce’s experience having anything to do with upturn in results. That and a lot of luck )
Shelvey
May 2, 2021 at 10:27 AM
Comment #14I dont think it will be a park the bus performance. The boys will go for it, trying to beat a relatively weak Arsenal side who has their mind on the EL. The relegation battle is over, there is absolutely no reason to sit back and nick a point
The Prince's Mate
May 2, 2021 at 10:31 AM
Comment #15Clinton Morrison speaking to Sky Sports:
“I have worked with Steve Bruce and Newcastle fans can shout at me as much as they want [but] I like him as a man manager.
“I think he is brilliant.
“I think he is spot on.
“I will get criticised but the job he is doing at Newcastle at the moment is superb.
“If you can add two or three [players], Newcastle won’t be fighting relegation, they will be looking up the table.
“I hope Steve Bruce does keep his job because he’s doing a really good job.”
The guy can hardly talk properly…..I reckon his brain (whats remaining of it) is in lockdown mode
Optimistic prime
May 2, 2021 at 10:33 AM
Comment #16I’d like to think the lads are a bit more relaxed and confident now.
Not expecting Barca to turn up, I’d do expect to see a bit more freedom and positivity.
It’s done bar the shouting, it would take a major collapse from us and a miracle from Fulham.
No way we should turn out today nervous and defensive, if we do Bruce should be sacked on the spot.
jane
May 2, 2021 at 10:34 AM
Comment #17reasons for the upturn in form and results imo
best players returning from injury
Jones and Willock coming on board
change of formation to 352
Murphy and Ritchie starting
Dubravka back in goal not that Darlow did bad
Longstaff and Joelinton improved
Munster Mag
May 2, 2021 at 10:35 AM
Comment #18Why does Clinton get gigs on sky etc? He’s awful.
Optimistic prime
May 2, 2021 at 10:35 AM
Comment #19The same best players that were involved for the 20 game run with 2 wins.
Dear o dear
The Prince's Mate
May 2, 2021 at 10:36 AM
Comment #20WLtoon, yes Bruce has rode his luck which reminded me of when we finished 5th under Pards…that has to be one of the over achievements in football history
WLtoon
May 2, 2021 at 10:37 AM
Comment #21He should of been sacked after Sheff U
Munster Mag
May 2, 2021 at 10:37 AM
Comment #22That’s more accurate Jane for sure.
The Prince's Mate
May 2, 2021 at 10:38 AM
Comment #23OP, I think your spot on regarding us staying up but if we are relegated phatt boy will probably extend his contract by 5 yrs
WLtoon
May 2, 2021 at 10:39 AM
Comment #24TPM
I remember that season well mate, and luck had nothing to do with it in my opinion.
We played some fantastic football and deserved our 5th place
Munster Mag
May 2, 2021 at 10:41 AM
Comment #25WL, agree. I missed the West brom game but I think sheff utd was about the worst effort in years as a club. Two bad memories of this season are that game and the time we had a throw in on the edge of the oppositions box and we had it back with our goalie in a few seconds. Unreal.
WLtoon
May 2, 2021 at 10:45 AM
Comment #26Munster,
The only reason why Bruce is still in a job is the crowd issue, how long do you think he could of coped with 30k giving him dogs abuse every game, and i don`t mean soft porn either. He would of had to walk for health reasons
Optimistic prime
May 2, 2021 at 10:47 AM
Comment #27Almiron couldn’t get a game for first 10 matches, nearly everyone on here commented.
Frazer the same, whilst he supposedly gained fitness.
Must have started 2 games and 20 from the bench.
This talk of injuries is pie in the sky to cover Bruces failings.
The only injury that has effected us is Asm.
The reason I say this is because we have no tactics or style of play, it’s get the ball to Asm and hope for the best.
That’s why he’s played even when obviously injured, comes out dressed as a mummy for Halloween.
Our best players injured?
Bruces only player injured more like, he has no idea how to use a squad.
WLtoon
May 2, 2021 at 10:47 AM
Comment #28The two goals scored by Cisse at Stamford Bridge in that particular season have been voted the best 2 goals scored by an individual since the PL started.
Zele
May 2, 2021 at 10:48 AM
Comment #29I’m a bit concerned that so many people, including the professional pundits, believe a Newcastle win is a foregone conclusion.
If we don’t win it’s not a disaster as I don’t see Fulham winning all their remaining games that is needed to overhaul us.
A win for us today will be fantastic but a draw would do nicely.
Mund
May 2, 2021 at 10:50 AM
Comment #30WL
Cisse’s second IMO is the best goal ever in the PL era.
WLtoon
May 2, 2021 at 10:50 AM
Comment #31I like the look of Smith-Rowe for them, could be a future England player
Optimistic prime
May 2, 2021 at 10:51 AM
Comment #32Zele
Cpl decent results and people get carried away.
carltoon
May 2, 2021 at 10:52 AM
Comment #33WHY! Do these pundits have the audacity to tell us fan that we’re wrong, they bring these has-beens irrelevant know nowts, telling supporters that watch the team week in week out. They do it to goad the fans. I just hope he’s not here next season.
jane
May 2, 2021 at 10:53 AM
Comment #34“best players returning from injury
Jones and Willock coming on board
change of formation to 352
Murphy and Ritchie starting
Dubravka back in goal not that Darlow did bad
Longstaff and Joelinton improved”
should add the return of Dummett.
also Dummett
Optimistic prime
May 2, 2021 at 10:55 AM
Comment #35How many clean sheets has Dubs had?
WLtoon
May 2, 2021 at 10:56 AM
Comment #36Mund,
It was unbelievable really when you think about it mate.
I watched a match vlog the following day which had been sent in by a Chelsea fan and their comments after for both goals were unrepeatable lol
One of the comments went down the lines of `How the F did he do that, jeez it`s the same F,,,er who scored the first one.
Good viewing that.
WLtoon
May 2, 2021 at 10:58 AM
Comment #37Got to say Dummett has been outstanding since he returned, Mr Reliable every time he plays.
WLtoon
May 2, 2021 at 10:59 AM
Comment #38Quick, strap my hand to the floor it`s running out of control
Optimistic prime
May 2, 2021 at 10:59 AM
Comment #39How do you decide the best individual goal.
Obviously I like the Cisse goals, however the one Bergkamp scored against us when he turned Dabizas was a bit special too.
Not sure I could choose 1 or even a top 5 if I had too.
Andy Coles against Chelsea was similar to Cisse if memory serves.
Mund
May 2, 2021 at 11:00 AM
Comment #40WL
That angle just above looks crazy the way the ball travelled and I’ve never saw a goal like it in my life and that’s the simple reason why it’s the best goal I’ve ever saw. Good job he was knackered and went for it or we might never of saw it.
Infuriates me with Cisse as we never saw that player again. Thought we had a worldie on our hands.