Newcastle have another massive match on the horizon with Burnley coming to St. James’ Park this weekend. The Clarets are currently just three points ahead of us in the table but have two matches in hand.
Since our takeover was completed in early October, Burnley defender James Tarkowski has been touted as a top winter target. The 29-year-old’s contract runs out in the summer with little chance he’ll extend at Turf Moor.
Reports have differed on Newcastle’s chances of landing the England international in January. Some claim Burnley boss Sean Dyche sees the defender as off-limits despite his tenuous contract situation.
Other reports maintain that Newcastle remain confident Burnley can be enticed into parting with their prized defender. A lot may depend on how both Newcastle and Burnley progress over the next five weeks.
Dyche will not want to weaken his team during another battle against relegation. Tarkowski has played every minute in the league this season and Burnley have little chance of finding an adequate replacement.
It seems a very good possibility that Burnley will reject any offers for Tarkowski next month. The Northern Echo is reporting that Dyche is adamant that Tarkowski remains a Claret for the remainder of the season.
The Burnley brass may heed their manager’s wishes despite the likelihood they’ll lose Tarkowski next summer for nothing. However, it is expected that Newcastle will make offers for Tarkowski in an attempt to shore up the fragile backline.
Newcastle face an uphill battle, especially with both clubs likely to still be in or around the drop zone when the window opens. Even if Burnley soften their stance, they may think twice about selling to a relegation rival.
43 comments so far
Raj of Hailsley
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:21 PM
Comment #1First 😀
Raj of Hailsley
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:21 PM
Comment #2I’ll spare my repost.
Raj of Hailsley
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:22 PM
Comment #3dazzler,
I thought him and Lewis worked well together. Lewis might come good with a bit of confidence.
Mund
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:29 PM
Comment #4dazzler
I think he is lacking with a bit of confidence but what is assuring is his work ethic which hasn’t wavered. We all know he has the quality to get in the final third and get a few goals and I’m sure when that first goal of the season comes and working with Howe we will see a different player in the near future.
Worked excellently with Lewis who himself had a brilliant game. Disappointing result but a lot of positives to work off.
Jp Mayor
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:31 PM
Comment #5De jong and Adamn_92 I agree and would switch joe and willock in the same formation. Willock further up where is running can be more effective. Almirion should always be on the last shoulder when shelvey gets the ball, never with his back to goal in possession
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:39 PM
Comment #6I think Tarkowski is a non starter for us unless we can get some wins together
But if the pathway to him was clear we could offer them Clark and Hendrick and 5 million 🙂
Zhongguo Geordie
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:39 PM
Comment #7Anyone complaining Bruce would have got abused for that Norwich game is completely failing to take account of position and direction.
This is Howe’s first game in the home dug out, 3rd in total of which he’s drawn 2. During those games he’s had a sending off, and shpuld’ve had a penalty against Arsenal so hasn’t been blessed with luck. Bruce was not abused in his first three games either despite not winning any.
If this was Howe’s 90th game and he’d only won 7 from the last 38 and not won in ten games, then he’d be getting rightly booed out the stadium same as Bruce would have had he been in charge the last three games.
Also Howe’s team are showing signs of improvement, the direction seems to be up. We are playing as a team both defensively and with our passing and off the ball running. Possesion as a result has improved. We’d have probably beat Norwich with 11 men, probably beat Brentford without Darlow’s horrorshow, and had a chance of sneaking a flukey Brucesque draw had we got that pen vs Arsenal. Half (or all) Bruce’s wins pre-Jones came after getting absolutely battered, but Darlow saving 10 good shots.
Toon Tang
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:44 PM
Comment #8From a Burnley perspective It’d be absolute madness to reinforce a rivals defence going into the business end of the season. Regardless of whether he walks for free at the end of the season or not, It’s gonna cost them a lot more in the long run.
I cant see it happening even if offered stupid money tbh.
Zhongguo Geordie
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:44 PM
Comment #9I can see how Joelinton was compared to Firminio. He’s ideal for the gegenpress system, harassing and quickly closing down defenders using his strength to bully the ball quickly back into our possesion, then using his link up skills to get an attack going. If he keeps this up, Liverpool will come calling. We have to remember Wijnaldum and Sissoko looked useless when our dinosaur managers were playing them out of position, but quickly looked the part under good managers.
Wor B
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:47 PM
Comment #10Jp Mayor
Another tweak / permutation to introduce Miggy’s pace…
…………………………..Wilson……………
……………….Willock………………………
Almiron…….Shelvey……Joel.…….Murphy
Lewis…….Fede…….Schar…….Manquillo
……………………….Dubs…………………
Zhongguo Geordie
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:50 PM
Comment #11Toontang
I agree, but if we offer 30m Dyche is a canny operator especially at finding cheap unfancied defenders who can suit his parked bus system. For 15m he could find a good replacement from Championship, plus have 15m to strengthen a weak area. The benefit would be those two signings would increase their chances of coming up massively should they go down, compared to losing one of their few valuable players on a free.
As to the argument it will strengthen us, odds are with money we will find someone of similar quality anyway. Nat Phillips for example. Not quite as good, but there’d be others.
SholaShow
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:50 PM
Comment #12Willock’s had a nice little run in the team and done little, hasn’t taken his chance. He was brought into the team because we wanted more attacking impetus throughout, but he hasn’t provided it. Seems sluggish compared to last season and far too casual.
Hayden was dropped after a MOTM performance at Brighton, getting a goal and being all over the pitch winning the ball back. Even last night, he came on and immediately had a more dangerous moment breaking into the box than Willock’s had in all this playing time.
Sure, his passing wasn’t great last night, trying to force it instead of being his usual patient self and playing the simple ball, but it’s generally not an issue, especially if we have an on form Shelvey and Schar in the team.
Vs Burnley
___________________Dubs__________________
Manquillo_____Schar_______Fernandez___Lewis
Joelinton______Shelvey_____Hayden____ASM
_____________Wilson______Almiron
Not another deJong
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:50 PM
Comment #13It was only Norwich, but with a full eleven made up of the current squad, this may be the way forward:
Maximin——–Wilson———Almiron
—–Willock—-Shelvey—-Joelinton
Lewis–Fernandez–Schar–Manquillo
——————Dubravka
SholaShow
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:51 PM
Comment #14Why are people putting Joe central?
He’s clearly playing his best as the widest man on the right. Just so happened last night that was a little tucked inside because of being down to 10.
Zhongguo Geordie
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:52 PM
Comment #15I think we’d all like to see Almiron in, but for the time being it looks like Fraser is being given the chance to show he still has a career at this level.
Jp Mayor
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:53 PM
Comment #16Wor B I like that line up much more than the last 3 games. Although we know Howe will choose Fraser over Murph on the right 9 times out of 10. Also I have concerns that Richie and Lacelles may get back into the team on Saturday. They shouldn’t, and it would be harsh on the back 4 that finished last night, I just have a feeling one or both may come back in.
Zhongguo Geordie
Dec 1, 2021 at 12:59 PM
Comment #17If not for his goals Willock wouldn’t have broke into our first 11 last season, and he wouldn’t have been bought, least not for 25m. It seems strange that after choosing him over say Gallagher, Kajuste or Kamara we are now playing him as a deep lying midfielder. Not criticising, just saying it’s not what we’d expect as nobody would pay 25m to use him as a holding midfielder.
Wor B
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:01 PM
Comment #18Shola
Joelinton seems to thrive with more involvement in the middle of the park, last night his win it and give it rate was excellent. We may have stumbled on a great CMF partner option.
Not another deJong
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:02 PM
Comment #19SholaShow
For some reason we have always tended towards playing it backwards and the GK hoofing the ball, to the opposition. Joelinton appears to me like he can actually control a long pass from the keeper / defender and his stature is of benefit in the midfield defensive line. Whilst last night was the first opportunity to see him play this position, I was never convinced he was a winger in as much I wasn’t convinced he was a striker.
Toon Tang
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:03 PM
Comment #20Zhongo, as long as Dyche has a direct replacement lined up I see where you’re coming from. Lets just hope then chat of Burnley not entertaining any offers put to them is all breeze to drive the price up.
I think we can find better than tarkoffski elsewhere but its a gamble when we need prem proven players already well rehearsed in a relegation scrap. I suppose this lad is ready made for this type of situation having been involved in them repeatedly throughout his career.
Zhongguo Geordie
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:04 PM
Comment #21I think Ritchie will move on to the wing in place of Fraser. Perhaps 433 with same players. I’d personally prefer Almiron.
..,…………….Dubravka
Manquillo Lascelles Schar Lewis
Goalinton Shelvey Willock Ritchie
………………ASM
…………………Wilson
SholaShow
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:06 PM
Comment #22Wor B
His heat map tells a different story, and like I said this was in odd circumstances where he was required to tuck inside a bit, and still his heat map is predominantly right wing -https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/1465994583138054144
Against Brentford he did the same job, only with 11 on the pitch, so was more obviously starting from the right, winning the ball there.
I said we’ve found our Jonas replacement because it’s exactly the job he used to on the LW.
Win the ball, lock his wing down with the fullback, graft his arse off, strong running to launch attacks and occasionally pop up with a goal, often solos in his case.
Think that’s exactly what Joe can do on the RW with hopefully a little more goal contributions.
Toon Tang
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:06 PM
Comment #23Just had a little chuckle to myself replaying Shelves running alongside that lad next to the dugouts and eventually winning a free kick. He looked absolutely peppered after that run.
Not another deJong
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:07 PM
Comment #24Buying Willock was an easy win for them in charge at the time, he has quality and it is returning to him with more matches under his belt. The starting 11 will never remain the same from week to week and it is upto the players to grab the opportunity when is presented. Willock may find his playing time dwindling, without a few goals and/or assists.
coming home
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:07 PM
Comment #25WorB
Don’t knock it tell you’ve tried it, it turns a bog standard custard cream into a top mouth watering buscuit
Just don’t try it on your first couple 😉
SholaShow
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:08 PM
Comment #26There’s more roles than just winger for a wide man.
He played and made his name there for Hoffenheim, coming inside from the right wing.
He played his best match for us there against Brentford doing exactly that.
Zhongguo Geordie
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:08 PM
Comment #27I like Tarkowski but he’s played in the parked bus system, and Bruce has drove off in our bus. What would he be like in a possesion based footballing system? Is he Howe’s type?
Adamn_92
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:10 PM
Comment #28Shola
That’s actually a very common mistake, he played the majority of his games as center forward for Hoffenheim, not out wide.
https://www.themag.co.uk/2020/01/2000-words-analysis-putting-right-the-joelinton-role-at-hoffenheim-and-why-newcastle-getting-it-wrong-newcastle-united/#:~:text=Used%20primarily%20as%20a%20Centre,create%20space%20for%20team%2Dmates.
That’s what got him the Firmino comparisons as he would drop to receive it and link up with the wide attacking players well.
Toon Tang
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:12 PM
Comment #29Is Lascelles available again for Sat? was it only a one match ban?
He makes too many basic errors in the centre of defence and panics, eventually just hacking the ball anywhere. Schar has composure and can play out from the back and Fed next to him has a cool head and positional sense which works for me.
Clark can carry magic sponge bucket from now on. Dont want to see him in the centre over Fed ever again.
Adamn_92
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:12 PM
Comment #30Also backed up by transfermarkt with his last season there where he played 36 times and 29 of them were from center forward.
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joelinton/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/333241/verein/533
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:13 PM
Comment #31@Zhongguo
I think Tarkowski is alright on the ball better than Lascalles and Clark but yeah he isn’t a playmaker from the back by any means
I suppose if Howe is looking to team him up with a faster and very technical centre half to start our attacks then its a combo that would work well
It wouldn’t surprise me if Howe didn’t go back in for Kelly at Bournemouth he is now 23 and looks the real deal at centre half now but can also play left back could pair him with Tarkowski and it could be a really solid combo
Zhongguo Geordie
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:15 PM
Comment #32Who’d have guessed Joelinton would end up doing well once played in the position he made his name and attracted a 40m offer.
Toon Tang
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:15 PM
Comment #33Check us lot out talking about football.
Madness
Zhongguo Geordie
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:17 PM
Comment #34There’s a few at Bournemouth, but he won’t want to ruin their promotion chances. Saying that we’ll likely be paying twice the going rate so a huge bid might increase their chances as long as they have a good manager or scout who can re-invest. I think they’ve got Parker.
Not another deJong
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:18 PM
Comment #35Joelinton – a pox on the pitch
https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/1465994583138054144/photo/1
Ron Knee
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:19 PM
Comment #36At times during the late games of the Steve Bruce era it felt as though someone had wheeled a worn, brown, slightly sagging Chesterfield armchair out on to the touchline and left it there to manage a football team. Howe has a fierceness about him, a modernising zeal. This is basically who Newcastle should have had in charge all along. (Barney Ronay)
Raj of Hailsley
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:19 PM
Comment #37ch,
I bought some whisky ham from Lidl yesterday, just tried it for my lunch today and quite possibly the most minging thing I’ve ever tasted in my life 😕
Swablr
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:19 PM
Comment #38Thanks Wor B, your are a man of unique and enduring wisdom.
jimiley
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:21 PM
Comment #39We need to buy Howe a defence because he cannot organise one. His Bournemouth team were always one of the leakiest in the league.
Mandy knows we have a crap defence and brings in Howe to sort it out?????
Gerrard would have snapped her hands off. But apparently we wanted a manager with Prem league experience. One who got the club relegated. Unless they are foreign then that’s ok. Go figure. It’s all a bit of a mess as ever.
Norwich and Toon are bankers to go down. Save your money on mercenaries in January Mandy and rebuild in the summer.
I am still predicting a Toon title in 2027. 100 years since Gallagher and co last won it. What a centenary that would be
SholaShow
Dec 1, 2021 at 1:21 PM
Comment #40Adamn
Well we’ve worked out he’s not a CF in a team that’s been trained to see him as a target man. We saw the return of that against Arsenal, defenders and GK taking the easy yet fruitless option of launching it to him, and might have last night if it were not for events pulling him back on to the right side of midfield.
He’s linked play best for us starting from the right and coming inside, also done his best work defensively there and seems happiest there.
He’ll probably start as intended, up front, at weekend though. Let’s hope he puts in a performance to confound me and tactically we don’t resort to the lump it to Joe.