After match week twelve, Newcastle sit at the bottom of the league table. Though our distance to safety remains at five points with Tottenham’s come from behind win against Leeds this afternoon.
Unfortunately, that was the only match to go Newcastle’s way this weekend as Norwich and Aston Villa picked up massive wins on Saturday, which also happened to be in debuts for Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard.
Newcastle, while looking renewed with the ball at their feet, were only able to pick up a point due to some untimely errors at the back. The 3-3 draw against Brentford has to go down as two points lost.
Here is a look at the league table as it stands tonight.
| Club | Matches | Goal Difference | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Brighton | 38 | -2 | 51 |
| 10 | Wolves | 38 | -5 | 51 |
| 11 | Newcastle | 38 | -18 | 49 |
| 12 | Palace | 38 | 4 | 48 |
| 13 | Brentford | 38 | -8 | 46 |
| 14 | Villa | 38 | -2 | 45 |
| 15 | Southampton | 38 | -24 | 40 |
| 16 | Everton | 38 | -23 | 39 |
| 17 | Leeds | 38 | -37 | 38 |
| 18 | Burnley | 38 | -19 | 35 |
The work continues tomorrow with a trip to Arsenal on the docket next weekend. It’s then a quick turnaround with Norwich coming to St. James’ Park just three days later followed by Burnley to start a brutal December.
Newcastle just must pick up a couple of wins in our next three matches and then hope to scavenge some points to close out the year. Here is what is remaining before the winter window opens.
| Date | Opponent | Location | KO | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 27 Nov | Arsenal | Away | 12:30pm | Lost 2-0 |
| Tues 20 Nov | Norwich | Home | 7:30 pm | Drew 1-1 |
| Sat 4 Dec | Burnley | Home | 3:00pm | Won 1-0 |
| Sun 12 Dec | Leicester | Away | 2:00pm | Lost 4-0 |
| Thurs 16 Dec | Liverpool | Away | 8:00pm | Lost 3-1 |
| Sun 19 Dec | Man City | Home | 2:15pm | Drew 1-1 |
| Mon 27 Dec | Man United | Home | 8:00pm | |
| Thurs 30 Dec | Everton | Away | 7:30pm | |
Newcastle will likely remain without Eddie Howe for much of this week’s preparations. The head coach tested positive for Covid on the Friday before the Brentford match.
Hopefully, Howe can return in time for Arsenal on Saturday. We should find out more about Howe’s progress in the next few days.
It appears that Joelinton will take the poll as Newcastle’s best player in the Brentford match. The 25-year-old was outstanding and has a sizeable lead over Allan Saint-Maximin.
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174 comments so far
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2021 at 1:49 AM
Comment #81Nope scythe,
There’s an indication of gas on the rig and all the poor souls on day shift have been summoned to the muster point with sleep filled eyes, where as us nightshifters can sit here and chew the fat with you 😀
Scythe
Nov 22, 2021 at 1:53 AM
Comment #82Jail
Poor bar stewards. It appears I’ve reaped the soul of the nightshift on this occasion.
ottawageordie2
Nov 22, 2021 at 2:00 AM
Comment #83Captain Marvel
Born at Queen Mary’s Hospital, if my memory serves me well. Came to Canada when I was 12.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2021 at 2:04 AM
Comment #84Scythe,
Those lingering souls have departed back to their cabins, alas the gas was spurious and nobody came to harm.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2021 at 2:05 AM
Comment #85ottawageordie2,
76, will you get back here for a game one time.
Scythe
Nov 22, 2021 at 2:09 AM
Comment #86I’m certainly going to try and catch a game, but it definitely won’t be this season. If I do make it over next year then it’ll be during the summer, so it’ll be a game in the back end of the 21/22 season if anything.
ottawageordie2
Nov 22, 2021 at 2:10 AM
Comment #87Jail
I’d love to get back for a game but it’s so expensive to travel. The wife would rather we spent the money on Cuba or the Dominican. Our winters are long and cold. 🙂
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2021 at 2:17 AM
Comment #88Scythe,
We must meet up for a pint if you do come over, I think you can always get tickets in the Magpie club but they’re £160 a pop.
ottawageordie2,
Have you still got much family here.
Assassins Inc
Nov 22, 2021 at 2:39 AM
Comment #89The only shining light right now is it’s only five points from safety.
Genesis 7:4, And it will rain for forty days and forty nights and after 40 days and nights Genesis will be the start of a new life / day for Newcastle United.
Yes 40 days until Jan transfer window.
Rain will hopefully stop and the sun will once again shine on the park they call St James.
Amen, I said Amen.
Unused Substitute
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:16 AM
Comment #90The problem with our defense can be fixed. Many, who used to be solid defensively under Rafa, are still around. Probably they just need a good shake up.
Our main problem is midfield. How many goals we concede result from unchallenged run of our opponents right through the entire length of the pitch is just amazing. We needed a physical presence there, that’s sorely missing for quite some time. I hope we can run as fast as other teams with that handicap until Jan.
ottawageordie2
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:39 AM
Comment #91Jail
No family left. A second cousin that I have never met. Fond memories though. Playing around St. James’s. Watched Bishop Auckland win the championship (can’t remember for what). Didn’t even have to pay. All the fun stuff along the quays. Getting on the trains to Tynemouth, Cullercoates and Whitley Bay.
Went back for a visit in 77. Smashing time but it was July. No football.
Scythe
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:41 AM
Comment #92Assassins Inc
Oh, how I’d love to agree with your words, but being an agnostic I’m finding it hard to see anything in it. Without knowing who we’re going to sign in January or how Eddie is going to improve our current defenders, I’m not feeling overly optimistic right now.
That’s not to say we won’t stay up. It’s definitely possible, but I’m fearing the worst in our current situation. Fingers crossed that situation changes! 🙂
Nicky the ball tosser
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:42 AM
Comment #93We can fix the defence, but the problem is doing it without compromising our attacking edge, and there’s your short blanket conundrum right there.
Rafa solved it by playing on the counter, with Schar and Lejeune either side of Lascelles/Fede, Hayden and Sean two dogs of war in the centre of the park, Manquillo and Ritchie bombing on collecting sweeping crossfield balls, Perez and Miggy countering at pace and with a good deal of precision, and Rondon leading the line and press expertly.
Brilliant really, and certainly not easy.
Scythe
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:45 AM
Comment #94Unused Substitute
We have the same defenders that Rafa had, except they’re all a few years older now. And not in their prime either it would seem.
Someone online (who shall remain nameless) said Howe was a defender so he should know how to sort us out at the back, yet his Bournemouth team wasn’t exactly great defensively. Plus Bruce was a defender too and he couldn’t get them defending competently either, so that doesn’t seem to be a great argument.
Scythe
Nov 22, 2021 at 3:47 AM
Comment #95Nicky
You can’t be calling Rafa brilliant around these parts mate. They’ll set the dogs on you! I’ll throw them a bone and give you a head start…
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2021 at 5:37 AM
Comment #96Rafa was getting a bit of grief from Jamie Radknep yesterday, I don’t think he likes us to be honest.
Jarra
Nov 22, 2021 at 6:00 AM
Comment #97Living abroad I watch Bein Sports great Premier league coverage alas it’s also the Gray and Keys show. His disrespect for Rafa borders on hatred not sure the history between them as he was making comment of the Man City; Everton match. He focused on the dive Sterling made trying to get a penalty and kept going on about cheating and I though yep that’s one subject Keys is an expert in that being cheating. I appreciate he is a journalist but, the more I see his sly remarks I don’t think he comes across as a very nice man.
Unused Substitute
Nov 22, 2021 at 6:12 AM
Comment #98Scythe: Although the players are older, Lascelles should be at his prime at his age. He has continuously regressed since 2018/19. Schär is not that old either. For his country he is reasonable but for us he is all over the place. Ritchie as a wing back is another problem. He always try moving inward leaving the wing unguarded. Without a solid cover such as that Dummett used to provide, Ritchie wouldn’t be of help as a wing back. Unfortunately, Dummett’s last cameo appearance was unconvincing. Ritchie has slowed down as well although he makes it up with his work rate. Should Howe then move to back four as many of us think logical?
Overall our back line is missing tactical preparations for quite a while now. Howe apparently is tactically sound. He should then be able to prep his back line like he did with our attack to give us a chance come January.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2021 at 6:14 AM
Comment #99Jarra,
Maybe he snubbed him at an awards or something or refused to be interviewed by him, look at the way Puke Edwards turned on him, I don’t know this as any kind of itk but I think Ryder went like that because Rafa preferred to deal with Caulkin.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2021 at 6:14 AM
Comment #100Ryder 😮 Edwards!!
Optimistic prime
Nov 22, 2021 at 6:15 AM
Comment #101I don’t mind people trying to ridicule what I’m saying, especially when they’re being ridiculous.
They’re consistent at least!.
5 points behind with 26 games to go, GET TO YOUR PANIC STATIONS lol.
Howe has had 1 game here and posters are SHOUTING “he needs a defensive coach”
Amazing, it took over 18 months for some to realise Bruce was out of his depth, but here they are claiming Howe is out of his depth after 1 game.
We had plenty of players in position to stop all 3 goals at the weekend and had multiple opportunities to do so.
After we scored the first, they kicked off and gave us the ball ffs!
We screwed that right up as they scored ten seconds later, a defensive coach isn’t going to prevent stupid mistakes and giving the ball away cheaply, they’re individual errors.
Howe plays a attacking brand of front foot football, bringing a defensive coach in would detract from his philosophy and would be massively counter productive.
Keep ridiculing me you ridiculous people 🙄
Tyran21
Nov 22, 2021 at 6:27 AM
Comment #102kept posting in old thread.
I’ll start to be disappointed only when Newcastle is mathematically confirm relegated. Even so, I’m still have faith Newcastle will bounce back up. Amanda Staveley’s interviews, passion and determination to buy Newcastle convinced me that. What she have done during this short period have exceed some former directors.
lochinvar
Nov 22, 2021 at 6:27 AM
Comment #103Where have all the managers gone?
Poisoned chalice at Olde Trapdoor
Bruce it is then
One of their own
Manchester United have approached Zinedine Zidane about becoming their manager but, according to sources close to the former Real Madrid boss, he is not interested in going to Old Trafford at this point.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2021 at 6:38 AM
Comment #104Op,
I think the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard is that were not in a relegation battle, if you can think of anything more ridiculous write it down on the back of a Bolivian stamp 😀
sparky55
Nov 22, 2021 at 6:44 AM
Comment #105OP…I don’t recall anyone saying Howe is out of his depth already.
I think it’s fair to say the defence is currently one of the worst in the premiership (and the goals against tally reflects that) but it also reflects 19 games of Bruce’s influence, using people out of position, relying on people who are obviously out of form, and literally being scared sh1tless of passing out from the back.
Once the Howe ideology is in full flow, and once he’s settled on his favoured first 11, playing people on form, and their ability to follow the plan, then the midfield will protect the back four better, and we’ll improve defensively as a result.
Shelvey was quietly very efficient on Saturday and I think Howe see’s him as being pivotal going forward for the next two years at least because he can pass and he sees passes very few can see never mind execute like he can, we’ve got Miggy to come back in, we’ve got Willock yet to hit any form, and Murphy can be coached to improve, so from my perspective a defensive midfield general is key from a acquisition perspective, and two new centre halves.
None of our current crop are good enough…I know Lascelles is club captain and everything, but he’s slow, he has the responsiveness on a tanker in stormy waters, and he can’t organise the defence…so that’s where the investment is needed because no amount of coaching is going to get us where we need to be inn the Premiership with our current centre halves.
Dummet at left back isn’t the answer either…very good going back, but lousy going forward. If he has any future at this club going forward it’s as the left handed centre half…and if not there he needs to be sold as well. IMO
Onwards and upwards
Sheikh rattle and roll 🙂 🙂
Not another deJong
Nov 22, 2021 at 6:50 AM
Comment #106OP
To reduce individual errors is to practice repeatedly, to ingrain method and limit decision making. A defensive coach would do that and I said that to assist EH, not because I believe he is deficient. In my early posts yesterday I too declared that our defence would naturally improve given more time with our new coach and we would eventually win our first game if we continue to score three goals each game.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Nov 22, 2021 at 7:12 AM
Comment #107A couple of goals we conceded were also us losing possession cheaply the first goal was a shocker
A bit more composure and the ball would never have made it to Toney to finish in the first place
I don’t think anyone is quite comfortable being pressed and you can still see panic in Lascalles and Clark when that happens it’s not in their game to be able to do it
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Nov 22, 2021 at 7:13 AM
Comment #108Toney also said in his post match interview that they studied Darlow before the game so knew if he shot it low and into the corner he would struggle to save it!!
Can’t wait for our team to have that level of detail every week
Zhongguo Geordie
Nov 22, 2021 at 7:29 AM
Comment #109Looking at those fixtures realistically/ optimistically we’ll be on 14 pts approx after 20 games. Two wins against the strugglers will see 12 and even though we have tough games, it’s rare you lose them all. There’s always surprise wins to be had. I seem to remember Bournemouth beating a lot of the big teams so perhaps we will get to about 16 pts which isn’t the end of the world.
Unused Substitute
Nov 22, 2021 at 7:32 AM
Comment #110OP: I try to be respectful of all views especially those you articulate. Still, I am not buying into the view of talking up whatever happened since the takeover.
Defensive deficiencies of Howe’s teams is nothing new. Against Brentford all three goals we leaked were indeed due to individual errors. But pressure forced two of those errors, which developed when opposing players sliced us through unchallenged. A stat that from the match that I found interesting was so few tackle we managed to throw in against Brentford. I am only hoping Howe took a lesson from all that and next time around we will be tighter.
Zhongguo Geordie
Nov 22, 2021 at 7:34 AM
Comment #111Assuming Howe wants to keep this formation, I’d drop the Ritchie/ Clark combo for Lewis which would allow Fede to come in on LCD. I’d bring in Longstaff for Willock as he’s better at defending, and Manquillo for Murphy for the same reason.
Willock, Almiron and Fraser or Murphy can be super subs. Plenty of attacking options.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Nov 22, 2021 at 7:40 AM
Comment #112@zhungguo
Yeah I feel once Lewis gets that first game against Richie he will take his chance it’s make or break time for him
As if he can’t force his way past Richie you would imagine we are looking to sign a left back as he would be deemed not good enough
I think currently we need Lewis athletic ability on the flanks more than anything Richie still tries to come inside like he is playing in midfield happened a lot at the weekend
Mund
Nov 22, 2021 at 7:47 AM
Comment #113We know who thinks we are in a relegation battle and we know who thinks we are not.
Do we have to go on and on Daily about it?
I think that’s the point here as a lot would rather at this point in the season or any point tbh, have a more positive attitude.
Plenty were negative about the takeover ever happening and last season with the chance of going down when we were in free fall. Many, many times people who will of felt this way will of spent days and days feeling like crap and really low. The takeover saga took its toll on a lot of fans and it really effected them mentally.
In the end tho all those feelings were unwarranted as we are now born into this new era. All those times we have felt emotionally drained or our backs up with anger, didn’t need to be as like I said in the end it al bore fruition.
Last season when a lot of people on here were telling others to accept we will be relegated and that worry with the current owner we would never return, it was the end of the club all together. That is such a horrible place to put ourselves in as stress is a killer that is a fact. But that didn’t happen and now he has gone, so has Bruce and Charnley and we have the best owners any club or fanbase could want.
We cannot worry about things that are out of our control and we should never worry when so much can change. It’s better to to try and stay positive and just take each game as it comes and believe in the club and the process, get behind Howe and the team and whatever will be, will be.
Optimistic prime
Nov 22, 2021 at 7:56 AM
Comment #114Tyndall after the match
“We attack as a team and we defend as a team”
Wonder who that was directed at 😉
cyprus
Nov 22, 2021 at 7:58 AM
Comment #115Positivity is the theme I see.
It’s the only way. We’re only 5 points adrift, a couple wins, combined with their losses and we’re in the mix!
Joel like a new signing!
Entertaining football!
We may have our coach on the bench soon!
Ok, that’s it for now 🙂
Mund
Nov 22, 2021 at 8:03 AM
Comment #116‘I think you saw the first steps of a team that wanted to play a bit more.’
Thomas Frank’s verdict on Newcastle’s new direction under Eddie Howe. #nufc
Mund
Nov 22, 2021 at 8:08 AM
Comment #117Madness in Wisconsin
Wtf man!
DubaiMicky
Nov 22, 2021 at 8:10 AM
Comment #118Jarra,
Mate of mine lived in Qatar until recently, said Andy Grey was always a decent guy, would often be seen out and about and always had time to chat with footy fans, whereas Keys used to go out, all he ever got was grief so now he’s never out, pretty much a hermit.
Says a lot about the two of them that.
niafron
Nov 22, 2021 at 8:14 AM
Comment #119Bonjour messieurs!
niafron
Nov 22, 2021 at 8:15 AM
Comment #120@Mund
So, we watched the game and we have a discussion to finish.
As we say in France:
“Messieurs les anglais, tirez les premiers!”
So you first, what are you feelings now?