Newcastle have come through two back-to-back pre-season fixtures unscathed. After last night’s 1-0 win over Atalanta, an entirely different eleven dispatched Athletic Club 2-1. The pre-season preparations come to a close with the bulk of the squad getting 90 minutes under their belt.
The season kicks off in one week against Nottingham Forest. The squad got a taste of what the atmosphere will be like as well over 40,000 packed St. James’ Park for the two friendlies against stout European competition.
Both matches were similar with Newcastle trying to control the ball while making life difficult for their opponents with a persistent high press. The quality in the final third was a significant improvement on Saturday.
Eddie Howe had star trio Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Bruno Guimaraes in tow on Saturday. The three will almost certainly be in the starting eleven against Nottingham Forest next weekend.
The presence of Wilson makes such a difference as we witnessed in May when he returned from a four-month spell on the sidelines. Wilson has survived this pre-season without incident which softens some of the frustration with the lack of attacking incomings.
Howe said the following about Wilson pre-season as published in The Northern Echo:
“It’s been a massively important period for Callum. I think the few games at the back end of last season did him the world of good, but this body of work will hopefully give him a great platform to be robust and withstand the rigors of Premier League football.
“Hopefully, it will also give him the sharpness that he needs to be able to score goals at the very highest level. He took his goal very well today, and that will have done him the world of good.”
There are still over four weeks remaining in the window. The club are working hard to improve options in attack. It seems that Maxwel Cornet has become a prime target as he ticks a lot of boxes with his versatility and reasonable price tag.
Newcastle will find it difficult to find a target this summer that can fill Callum’s boots. Hopefully, Howe’s instincts are accurate as a full season from the 30-year-old would alleviate a lot of the issues in the final third.
121 comments so far
carltoon
Jul 30, 2022 at 8:36 PM
Comment #1Well done George Russell. Pole position.
Verstappen. Tenth.
catchy in norway
Jul 30, 2022 at 8:50 PM
Comment #2Out of the 2 last games.
I was impressed with big Dan, and S Longstaff yesterday, some of the tackles and passing were outstanding.
Special mention to you Elliott, he didn’t look out of place, has quick feet.
Today, Wilson and max took their goals well, Bruno and big Joe, clever passing and lots of running.
If i had to pick one downer, it would be Lacelles will still be captain, i don’t think he can pass the ball, i actually don’t think he has learned to kick a ball, his decision making is also very suspect, and it’s even more apparent when playing along side Botman, or watching both Scharr and Burn yesterday, he is miles behind them.
Richard
Jul 30, 2022 at 8:55 PM
Comment #3Strongest XI imo
———————-Pope———————–
Trippier—Schar—Botman—Targett
—————Bruno—–Joe——————
Almiron——–Willock——–Maximin
——————–Wilson———————–
The Mighty Quinn
Jul 30, 2022 at 8:55 PM
Comment #4Martoon
Final League Position 12th
No of points 51
Goals Scored 50
League Cup 6 QF
F A CUP 6 QF
P O S Botman
Top goal scorer Bruno
No of goals scored 12
Adamn_92
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:00 PM
Comment #5Martoon
Final league position: 9
No of points: 58
Goals Scored: 62
League Cup: 6 SF
FA Cup: 6 QF
POTS: Almiron
Top scorer: Wilson
Number of goals: 16
simon376
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:00 PM
Comment #6Martoon, here we go for what it’s worth coming from me
Final League Position 7
Final no. of points 61
Goals Scored (Premiership) 57
League Cup round (2 = Entry, 7 = Final) 6
FA Cup round (6 = QF, 7 = SF, 8 = F) 8
Player of the Season (Blog) Bruno
Top goal scorer (TGS) Wilson
No. of goals scored by TGS 18
Ronway
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:01 PM
Comment #7Martoon:
Final League Position – 8th
Final no. of points – 55
Goals Scored (Premiership) – 56
League Cup round (2 = Entry, 7 = Final) – 7
FA Cup round (6 = QF, 7 = SF, 8 = F) – 6
Player of the Season (Blog) – Botman
Top goal scorer (TGS) – Wilson
No. of goals scored by TGS – 16
Adamn_92
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:01 PM
Comment #8The mirror are claiming we’re in advanced talks to sign Werner on loan. With obligation to buy at end of season, between us and Leipzig.
Who knows if that has any truth in it but I’d be very happy to see Werner signed.
carltoon
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:02 PM
Comment #9Adam! I was just going to post that.
valle
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:03 PM
Comment #10Cathy from earlier
That wasn’t young people though was it?. That would surprise me as I said, we get English early in the schools. But that only happened 30 years or so ago, and it went from starting at 10 or 11 to starting at 8 during that time. My father doesn’t speak any English at all though… Or rather, he tries, but its funny as ****. My son speaks it no problems at 16 and I myself have read and spoken English since i was 10.
carltoon
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:04 PM
Comment #11Express running with the story too.
Adamn_92
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:04 PM
Comment #12Haha sorry Carltoon! I’ll let you have the next one 🙂
Ace50
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:04 PM
Comment #13Martoon….my predictions on previous post
Adamn_92
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:06 PM
Comment #14Yeah d be over the moon with Werner. Could play wide in a front 3 meaning we could potentially have Werner one side, ASM the other side and Wilson down the middle. That trio would cause any defence so many problems and be a nightmare to deal with on counter attacks.
His movement would create space for both Wilson and ASM too and with someone like Bruno in midfield, he’ll pick him out all day. Could be a very good move for us as I feel Howe can get the best out of him. Just needs some confidence.
carltoon
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:08 PM
Comment #15I know Werner has struggled, but how many goals did he get last season?
Adamn_92
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:13 PM
Comment #16Carltoon
In the league last season 4 in 21 games I think.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:17 PM
Comment #17There is also an argument to say Tuchel hasn’t got the best out of Werner particularly last season the season before he was instrumental in getting them to the champs League final
Chelsea at times under him are quite negative and sloooowwww play with teams also playing a low block
Under Eddie Werner would be high pressing every week with Bruno and Shelvey slipping nice little passes for him to run onto
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:18 PM
Comment #18Werner and Maddison would be an unbelievable window
clinath@ed
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:21 PM
Comment #19Martoon
Final League Position 7th
No of points 70
Goals Scored 66
League Cup 6 QF
F A CUP 6 QF
P O S Bruno
Top goal scorer Wilson
No of goals scored 16
Mund
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:21 PM
Comment #20Athletic Club
@AthleticCl
FOR WOR FRIENDS!
Iker Muniain, on behalf of Athletic Club, presents the
@NUFC
fans with a commemorative flag that celebrates the unique connection between athleticzales and ‘magpies’ since that unforgettable UEFA tie in 1994.
Aupa Athletic, Howay the Lads!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FY61_2pXwAE4Hhh?format=jpg&name=large
Mund
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:24 PM
Comment #21Werner on loan is a no brainer and with Eddie’s guidance and magical touch it could turn out to be a master stroke
Toon_Barmy
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:28 PM
Comment #22Werner and Maddison would be absolute quality. Just a pipe dream at the moment but who knows
Munster Mag
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:32 PM
Comment #23Werner and maddison. Stop the fkin lights. Unreal like, as we’d say in Limerick.
SholaShow
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:34 PM
Comment #24If they got Werner and Maddison then top 6 is on.
Maddison knows exactly how to play with STs in behind and we already have Bruno who provides that danger in abundance to find a man and break the lines.
Those two along with a combination of Wilson, Werner, ASM and Almiron ahead of them would be lethal.
Don’t understand Chelsea fans being down on Werner. Yeah he missed chances last season, but all STs go through periods like that.
Still got 11 goals and 6 assists in the equivalent of 25 full matches across all comps. 4 in 13 in the PL in a bad season.
SholaShow
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:38 PM
Comment #25With those two we would then have quality options, wouldn’t be so easy to predict our line-up, players now guaranteed to start would be vying for their place like everybody else, and the bench would be a lot stronger.
Shelvey
Jul 30, 2022 at 9:42 PM
Comment #26Martoon
Final League Position 7th
No of points 61
Goals Scored 69
League Cup 8 F
F A CUP 6 QF
P O S Bruno
Top goal scorer Wilson
No of goals scored 19
Nicky the ball tosser
Jul 30, 2022 at 10:03 PM
Comment #27If we signed Maddison and let’s say Werner, which would be just fantastic, we’d need to switch from the 4123 we’ve been working with to a 4231, which would be a little disruptive I guess, but what a team we’d have.
Something like…..
——————Dubravka———————–
Trippier—Schar—Botman—Targett
—————Bruno—–Joe——————
Werner——–Maddison——–Maximin
——————–Wilson————
…..really looks highly competitive and very very dangerous.
cyprus
Jul 30, 2022 at 10:07 PM
Comment #28So, what have we learnt?
We can play pretty well. And pretty crap.
ASM can score, dribble AND pass. He can dither too.
We can compete against the likes of Athletic. As, I suspect, most PL teams can.
We have not 11 but 22 battle ready good players. But we need to bring in more outstanding ones.
We can finish top 10! But bottom 10 too.
Nicky the ball tosser
Jul 30, 2022 at 10:09 PM
Comment #29Martoon, I’ll make a prediction with all fingers and toes crossed that we end up with a side like above.
Final League Position 6th
No of points 65
Goals Scored 72
League Cup QF
F A CUP Winners
P O S Bruno
Top goal scorer Wilson
No of goals scored 21
toonluvva
Jul 30, 2022 at 10:12 PM
Comment #30Martoon here are my predictions.
Final League Position 7
Final no. of points 62
Goals Scored (Premiership) 59
League Cup round (2 = Entry, 7 = Final) 6
FA Cup round (6 = QF, 7 = SF, 8 = F) 7
Player of the Season (Blog) Bruno
Top goal scorer (TGS) Wilson
No. of goals scored by TGS 14
HWTL !!!
cyprus
Jul 30, 2022 at 10:14 PM
Comment #31Mattoon,
I appreciate your poll but you know I don’t do that as I feel it’s a bit like throwing dice, so ignore this post. I’ll only make one prediction.
Werner top scorer 🙂
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jul 30, 2022 at 10:18 PM
Comment #32Wilson
Took his goal well but looked like he had lost a yard of pace – desperately needs help up front – no one gets near him to help.
Most impressed by their no 9 and 7
Defence fine
Midfield – need another
Forwards need 2 to be comprtitive in all games
Wor B
Jul 30, 2022 at 10:22 PM
Comment #33FPL
Just sent Neil the list of names for H2H Division 3 and requested he send out the code to join.
1..ESPO United
2..Albert albert
3..Naptoon
4..JohnJ
5..Local Hero
6..Jack Charnley
7..Shelvey
8..Novocastrian
9..Catchy in Norway
10..Mund
11..Ronway
12..IrishRob
13..check the toastie
14..Magnificent Mr TEA
15..chancel be a fine thing
16..Herts in the toon
17..kangatoon
18..Ruddy Marveaux-lous
martoon
Jul 30, 2022 at 10:22 PM
Comment #34cyprus @31 – No bother – it’s only a bit of fun but entirely up you if you want to do it or not!
Wor B
Jul 30, 2022 at 10:28 PM
Comment #35Better numbers than expected!
Thanks to Scythe, martoon and IrishRob for generating the codes, also Mund and Ronway who volunteered when it looked like we had stalled with the numbers!
Cheers also to AncientC for driving up support.
martoon
Jul 30, 2022 at 10:30 PM
Comment #36Charlie @32 – I love your match assessments and points scoring BUT I think you’re being a little harsh for a pre-season friendly with a split squad. However I completely agree that we’re desperate for at least 2 forwards – preferably a striker and a winger (however I’m sure Eddie knows this).
martoon
Jul 30, 2022 at 10:34 PM
Comment #37Wor B @35 and a big thanks to you for your tireless work recruiting and cajoling people to join the leagues and helping set them up!
Romford mag
Jul 30, 2022 at 10:35 PM
Comment #38Wor
And thanks to you too mate 🙂
much appreciation to all involved , thanks lads
Wor B
Jul 30, 2022 at 10:47 PM
Comment #39Scythe
Before the season starts, was there a decision made on the number of promotions and relegation between H2H divisions?
The number 5 sticks in my mind but I could be wrong!
toon22
Jul 30, 2022 at 10:49 PM
Comment #40Id guess they plan to replace Shelvey
Ive no idea if his injury is real or not
But imho they 100% want to replace him
I also think we will see a new striker before the window closes