Newcastle climbed out of the bottom six into 14th place in the league table with a resounding 2-0 win at Brentford. While Josh Dasilva’s early exit helped matters, the lads put in a very professional performance to earn the three points.
The other results around the league went Newcastle’s way as Watford and Burnley only managed draws with other clubs around us suffering defeats. Here is a look at the league table as it currently stands.
| 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 focus again shifts to our next opponent. On Saturday Brighton, who have lost three on the trot, come to St. James’ Park. The Seagulls were beaten by Aston Villa, the only club in the lower half of the table other than Newcastle to win today.
It’s easy to get carried away with this recent surge. Newcastle are in a very good place at the moment but a bad couple of matches can easily spoil things. So the focus has to be to keep this terrific run going.
Eddie Howe was quick to emphasize that the job is far from done. There are still 13 matches to play and the lads need to continue to pick up points to steer clear from the bottom three.
Here is the head coach’s words of warning as published in The Mail:
“The relegation picture for me goes right to the wire. We don’t want to be involved but our next run of games dictates what happens. We have to be focused, not be carried away with results.”
Newcastle are only 4 points from the drop zone with Burnley inviting Leicester to Turf Moor on Tuesday. The gap could be even less should The Clarets keep their unbeaten run alive.
The next few weeks could determine how nervy the final stretch of this season is. There are five matches to play before the March international break. It’s imperative Newcastle keep this momentum going.
Things can change very quickly in this league. Brentford were flying high to start this season but are now in the thick of a relegation battle. Their drop mirrors that of Leeds who have collapsed in recent weeks.
In a season of coaching changes, there could be yet another casualty. The Athletic’s David Ornstein is reporting that Leeds could part ways with Marcelo Bielsa after a run of four straight losses.
? Growing expectation that Marcelo Bielsa will be leaving position as Leeds United head coach. Final discussion yet to take place but his exit now increasingly likely. Jesse Marsch firm favourite to be named as successor. W/ @PhilHay_ @TheAthleticUK #LUFC https://t.co/9ewRbHidyL
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) February 26, 2022
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220 comments so far
jane
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:18 PM
Comment #1jaf;kasdhtgihadipghadighdi;ashg;dskhg
TheDrewid
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:19 PM
Comment #2Well said, Jane
jane
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:19 PM
Comment #3you cracked the code huh
Vask
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:22 PM
Comment #4Niafron
I agree with you about targeting top 4 next season but more covertly.
They way we are playing under Howe at the minute I don’t think we really have to much to fear outside of man city, liverpool and Chelsea. We’ve seen in recent years with Leicester and this season with West ham that that 4th spot isn’t really nailed on.
But, as Howe says we have to guard against complacency we are not safe yet, we have to keep on improving. With a few astute signings in the summer and continual improvement and good coaching we could have an outside at 4th spot. At the very least we should be pushing for an eighth to 5th spot.
I think trying to establish ourselves in mid-table next season would be a bit old regimey. Especially if we keep up our good run of form through until the end of the season.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:23 PM
Comment #5@mund
I have always thought our players were capable of more but jeez it’s like we have signed a whole new team at times!
Every player knows their job when to press when to back off the opposition we leave traps all over so the ball comes into the middle and then boom both Jo’s are on it to win it very clever tactics
I actually think we are performing better as a team without ASM he does give us something special but the way we are passing and moving I hope he can get on board with it being more of a team game
Vask
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:25 PM
Comment #6ROM
I have been really impressed with Target. I warmed to him when I watched his introduction video. He came across as a nice guy and his performances on the pitch have been solid. I think we should definitely add him to our squad permanently. He can help form the base as we build a winning team.
carltoon
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:26 PM
Comment #7Vask! I’m going for winning the league, with the best players we can buy,
I’m not waiting any longer. I’ll be well satisfied. In fact I’ll die happy.
carltoon
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:29 PM
Comment #8That’s if we stay up the season of course 😉
carltoon
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:29 PM
Comment #9This season
jane
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:29 PM
Comment #10do you really want to be a club a billion pound in debt even though it never has to be repaid? it is possible to be successful without buying it which i think is the way our owners intend to do it.
Mund
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:30 PM
Comment #11Lee
Like you said mate i was also one who knew there was a lot more in the lads but again like you say, my word it does feel like a complete new team 😆
I thought the same with Maxi as I feel and I also feel this is the same with most Mavericks that when they are our you play better a unit, as a team than you do when they are in the side.
Murphy or Fraser on the left add so much more defensively than Maxi but can also be effective in attack. Fraser today and for the last good few has been a warrior, I love that lad! He has totally won me other but I did expect alot more from him with Howe coming in but not as good as he has been.
Vask
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:30 PM
Comment #12Fair play Carltoon.
My inner child wholeheartedly agrees with you. Except all the players he wants to buy hit their peak in the 90’s and early 00’s.
But it would be interesting to get neymar mbappe Kane in the front line. De gea in goal etc.
Would you keep Shelvey though? Sounds like quite the dilemma. 🙂
carltoon
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:31 PM
Comment #13Yes I’d love it win everything couldn’t care about the money, I’ve spent a bloody billion on the club, bring it on.
Mund
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:31 PM
Comment #14Our owners will pay big money, they will pay little money.
They will do whatever it takes to put us on top of the football pyramid
Mund
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:32 PM
Comment #15😆 I’ve spent a billion on the club!
I love it!
You most probably have carltoon and some
carltoon
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:32 PM
Comment #16In reletive terme, all my hard earned money did without holidays, cried every season, been made a fool of
Romford mag
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:33 PM
Comment #17Vask
Definitely mate !
Makes such a difference to the team and defence having a proper left back (and right back when Tripps is in the side !) I know some will want an upgrade , but me personally would be happy if we signed him on a permanent deal 🙂
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:35 PM
Comment #18@Mund
Fraser is now playing like he does for Scotland he’s got his fitness , form and confidence back his crosses today on either foot were immense
Players know that a cross or a pass is coming with the wide players we had today so you can make runs when you know its on I feel players don’t know what ASM is going to do so hesitate when he is on the ball
Vask
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:35 PM
Comment #19Carltoon
To be fair I would love it if they just ploughed that billion into grassroots football in Newcastle. Then we could win everything with a team of Geordies.
Imagine we go from mining coal to mining football talent. Every top team in the world needs a Geordie talisman. Let’s make them!
Romford mag
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:35 PM
Comment #203rd on motd !
carltoon
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:35 PM
Comment #21Ha ha I’m thinking of others who have waited all their lives, broken by a mindless bloke who thought it was fun to make fools of us.
Now some think it would be rewarding to just compete.
No way.
Spend spend spend
carltoon
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:39 PM
Comment #22Vask that as well, but i haven’t got the time to see the results of that.
And gone are the days of been reasonable and fair minded. I’ll have success at any cost now. Well maybe not at any cost but you know what I mean.
Vask
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:40 PM
Comment #23Rom
I think we need players like target as a foundation. He’s still only 26 and you could argue that as he is coming into his prime he can still improve.
What I like about our new fullbacks is their judgement as to when to get their foot in. I’ve seen both of them react to a slightly heavy touch by opposing players. It features quite heavily in one of trips welcome to Newcastle skills videos on YouTube. Target is very good at it too. I think working with Howe long term could up his attacking productivity as well.
Mund
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:42 PM
Comment #24Lee
Spot on with that assessment mate. It’s the same with all Mavericks as you often hear the likes of Shearer say how frustrating the likes of Ginola and Robert were as they as a striker want the ball in the box and as we know with those kind of players it’s normal wise the case. Fraser is a proper winger who has great deliveries and a work ethic second to none. Amazing to see the whole group together and fighting. Nothing beats that
Munster Mag
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:43 PM
Comment #25T Rex did well today, in fairness
Munster Mag
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:45 PM
Comment #26I’d love Mahrez on the right..
Romford mag
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:45 PM
Comment #27Vask
Tbh mate , I’m surprised villa let him go out on loan in the first place ! Wasn’t he their player of the season or something like that ?
I don’t think he missed a game last season !
Munster Mag
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:46 PM
Comment #28How did city get away with the peno
carltoon
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:49 PM
Comment #29Penalty, but I’m pleased Everton lost because it brings them into the fight.
Munster Mag
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:50 PM
Comment #30Everton will be OK.
Re the non peno, if that was Norwich playing at, say, Anfield, I wonder what the outcome is?!
TheJimBelow
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:50 PM
Comment #31“Frank Lampard was unlucky against City today”
I’m sure he was exhausted playing 11v1 !!!!
TheJimBelow
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:55 PM
Comment #32There’s really no option or choice other than to give Howe manager of the month for February now. That will be a fantastic moment and a great feeling and honestly would really boost the players even further.
Joelinton player of the month too???
Sideways eyes emoticon…
Romford mag
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:57 PM
Comment #33I’m just chuffed to bits at the minute with the owners , EH , all the players , the backroom staff , the fans , home and away ! everyone involved !
Everyone is united !
I know we’re not quite out of the woods just yet ! But all the players have brought into Howes way of playing the game , and the confidence must be off the scale with the results we’ve had !
We are on a roll !
There’s real hope now and I’m absolutely loving it 😀
JP...from The Rock
Feb 26, 2022 at 10:58 PM
Comment #34Still buzzing after that magnificent result. The performance was a solid one again with Fraser edging my MotM award over Big Joe this time.
Eddie Howe must deserve a Manager of the Month award surely!
HWTL!
Mund
Feb 26, 2022 at 11:00 PM
Comment #35Jim
Mate that would be unreal! A double swoop of awards for Howe abs Big Joe with MOTM and POTM. Id love that
Mund
Feb 26, 2022 at 11:00 PM
Comment #36and*
Mund
Feb 26, 2022 at 11:05 PM
Comment #37Joelinton’s game by numbers vs. Brentford:
62 touches
21 passes in the final third
19 duels attempted (most)
11 duels won (most)
5 possessions won
2 possessions won in the final third (most)
3 aerial duels won
1 chance created
1 goal
Another massive performance.
Romford mag
Feb 26, 2022 at 11:07 PM
Comment #38Lucky targett didn’t end up with a broken leg after that challenge on him !
Romford mag
Feb 26, 2022 at 11:08 PM
Comment #39Mund
He’s a monster 😀
cleveleysbob
Feb 26, 2022 at 11:08 PM
Comment #40Loving the ever improving quality and style of play.
Now let’s beat Brighton cause it’s about bloody time we did. 🙂
Then let’s go and give Southampton a game to remember us by.
4 points would be acceptable, 6 would be bloody marvellous 😀
Personally don’t give a toss about the whatsits of the Month awards, means nowt, Pardue won the bloody thing and we hated him 😉