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
The Last Jedi
Jul 30, 2022 at 10:52 PM
Comment #41Raspadori to Napoli
toon22
Jul 30, 2022 at 10:52 PM
Comment #42I also think Elliot will play in the first team, he seems to have forced his way in
Great init
cleveleysbob
Jul 30, 2022 at 11:18 PM
Comment #43Is young Elliot good enough to not need us to splurge nearly £60M on Maddison? – that is the question.
If he is, we can Chuck whatever’s left in kitty @ Werner or similar striker deal.
Is he good enough for us to risk not buying another midfielder, could he be the extra creator we need? Important issues for Eddie and team to sort out.
cleveleysbob
Jul 30, 2022 at 11:20 PM
Comment #44A couple of overnight questions for the night shift to ponder while I head off to kip.
Night all. 🙂
Romford mag
Jul 30, 2022 at 11:21 PM
Comment #455 subs this season isn’t it?
Romford mag
Jul 30, 2022 at 11:21 PM
Comment #46Bob
Goodnight mate, take care
magicmac54
Jul 30, 2022 at 11:38 PM
Comment #47Martoon
Final League Position = 8th
No of Points = 57
Goals Scored =59
League Cup Entry 6 Semi Final
FA Cup Entry 5 = 5th Round
Player of the Season = Matt Targett
Top Goal Scorer = Wilson
Number of Goals scored by TGS = 18
The overrated Frenchman
Jul 30, 2022 at 11:40 PM
Comment #48Eddie Howe likes Shelvey. It’s just the simple folk on this blog who don’t
Munster Mag
Jul 30, 2022 at 11:54 PM
Comment #49It’s amazing how Paqueta has been dropped from discussions now that Maddison is in the conversation!
The litmus test has arrived. Do we keep it cheap and go for a Cornet? Or does Mandy lob a grenade, and get a Maddison and a Cornet?
I’ve a feeling we will go big although I wish it had happened by now to get Eddie coaching all newbies early.
Romford mag
Jul 30, 2022 at 11:55 PM
Comment #50https://www.nufc.co.uk/nufc-tv/latest-videos/botman-speaks-after-home-debut-ends-with-victory/
Moonraker15
Jul 30, 2022 at 11:56 PM
Comment #51I think we will get Timo Verner on loan, with an option to buy; they’re probably negotiating how much of his wages we pay.
I think we will also get an attacking midfielder; possibly Maddison who is pure quality like!
geordie157
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:01 AM
Comment #52Werner would be a quality addition, loan with an option to buy ideally.
He’s not scored enough for Chelsea but part of that has been the style of football they play.
I see us playing more like Leipzig do, which should suit him more.
His goal ratio for the national team is good too.
I would actually be happy if we got Werner and that was it for the window.
Was also thinking with the 5 subs being allowed, if Anderson does stay then he should in theory get more opportunities.
Romford mag
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:03 AM
Comment #53https://www.nufc.co.uk/nufc-tv/
magicmac54
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:20 AM
Comment #54https://youtu.be/4JuMcMk51Xs
Assassins Inc
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:35 AM
Comment #55Final League Position 1st, because no one else probably said this.
No of points 97
Goals Scored 88
League Cup Final
F A CUP Semi Finals
P O S Bruno
Top goal scorer Wilson
No of goals scored 18
Essex Geordie Bill
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:16 AM
Comment #56Martoon
Final League Position 4th
No of points 70
Goals Scored 66
League Cup 6 QF
F A CUP Winners
P O S St Maximun
Top goal scorer Almiron
No of goals scored 18
Essex Geordie Bill
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:18 AM
Comment #57Would have gone for Jonjo but have a horrible feeling he might now be too accident prone.
ShaytoStay
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:57 AM
Comment #58Adam_92 I mentioned about Werner earlier who would suit us and someone joked about messi. I think Werner is likely if Chelsea pay a portion of his wages, suits our style
ROSHAN MAGPIE
Jul 31, 2022 at 4:52 AM
Comment #59Martoon here are my predictions.
Final League Position 7
Final no. of points 60
Goals Scored (Premiership) 62
League Cup WINNERS
FA Cup round SEMI FINAL
Player of the Season (Blog) ALLAN SAINT MAXIMIN
Top goal scorer (TGS) WILSON
No. of goals scored by TGS 15
Zhongguo Geordie
Jul 31, 2022 at 5:16 AM
Comment #60Werner would be a great signing on loan, although does anybody know the buying fee at the end of the loan or his wages? I think 100k for Tripps and Wood are our highest now, but he has a far higher international rep and is quite a bit younger so should get more than those two. He’s on 270k now so even if we pay 150k (which is a lot for someone coming off a mediocre season or two) Chelsea would be paying 6m a year towards his wages, unless he takes a mammoth cut which I doubt. I suspect he’ll sacrifice a small cut. Also his fee must be greater than the 25m we paid Wood, as He’s got another few years left in him at 26 plus He’s got 20-30 goals for Germany so is on another level.
I’m guessing 40m (10m loan fee) plus 150k wages with Chelsea paying 80k and him taking a 40k drop.
Zhongguo Geordie
Jul 31, 2022 at 5:30 AM
Comment #61Maddison would be a phenonemal signing at 50m. Like Werner It’s a statement of intent and famous players in their Prime will boost squad Morale provided they aren’t primadonnas coming purely for money which neither are. Maddison gets a lot of free-kick goals so it will be interesting to see who takes free-kicks with Trippier also being an expert.
To be honest, I can’t see us getting Maddison. He’s a player Ive always liked. I remember saying he was the next while he played with Adam Armstrong and Murphy at Coventry, then saying he should be England’s main midfielder while at Norwich in the Championships. It’s strange he never gets called up, but England has better midfielders than it did then.
Zhongguo Geordie
Jul 31, 2022 at 5:32 AM
Comment #62Speaking of Leicester, they have Vardy, Iheaneacho and Daka vying for one striker spot, with the others often played out if position. Why not bid for one, or loan one until next year when Vardy will presumably be playing less?
Tyran21
Jul 31, 2022 at 7:10 AM
Comment #63Can’t see Leicester selling Maddison at this stage, totally disrupts the club’s plan going into new season. Surely Leicester is build around Maddison. Werner depends on if Juventus or RB Leipzig can afford his wages. Both club can offer CL football. Cornet is the most likely transfer target.
Wor B
Jul 31, 2022 at 7:52 AM
Comment #64Martoon:
Final League Position – 8th
Final no. of points – 56
Goals Scored (Premiership) – 59
League Cup round – 4
FA Cup round – 6
Player of the Season (Blog) – Bruno
Top goal scorer (TGS) – Wilson
No. of goals scored by TGS – 19
Zele
Jul 31, 2022 at 8:10 AM
Comment #65If Maddison is rated by his club at £60M and if a buying compromise is reached at (say) £50M why was Paqueta not considered (as many fans believe) as both have about the same value unless the Brazilian doesn’t tick all the boxes.
Or is the Maddison bid an attempt to get Lyon to lower their price ?
Munster Mag
Jul 31, 2022 at 8:13 AM
Comment #66Zhon, Maddison or Werner would be off the charts, just incredible. Cornet or maybe Dennis, wouldn’t carry the price tag but either would be fantastic additions for us.
Away from transfers, it’s just great to see the pressing game we are building. Although it seems like every team does it now, our last few managers were not of that philosophy and its going to hurt teams at St James’ when the crowd starts to up the ante and defenders feel the heat 🙂
Dubai Micky
Jul 31, 2022 at 8:19 AM
Comment #67Martoon here we go.
Final League Position 5
Final no. of points 69
Goals Scored (Premiership) 61
League Cup round (2 = Entry, 7 = Final) 7/F
FA Cup round (6 = QF, 7 = SF, 8 = F) 6/QF
Player of the Season (Blog) Bruno
Top goal scorer (TGS) Wilson
No. of goals scored by TGS 19
lochinvar
Jul 31, 2022 at 8:41 AM
Comment #68Looks like we’re trying to buy up Leicester City. Teliemans or Maddison both seem to be mentioned but looks like we’ve bid for Maddison.
Any preferences?
Think Cornet may be heading our way. Isn’t he left sided like Max? Or is to fill the RW position?
Wor B
Jul 31, 2022 at 8:41 AM
Comment #69Ahh the great outdoors (camping and caravanning), the great indoors (country pubs), the great British weather (four seasons in one day).
The waft of Sunday morning bacon stirs the appetite, a distant kettle whistles, while the young couple across the way struggle to control their three young children and dog.
The familiar patter of rain on the roof stops and thoughts turn to the new telescopic ladders and cleaning brush attachment for the hose.
How many pages will she read before her thoughts turn to the walking boots before lunch?
😳
Oops! Wrong blog again.
lochinvar
Jul 31, 2022 at 8:50 AM
Comment #70Martoon
Final League Position = 6th
No of Points = 65
Goals Scored = 63
League Cup Entry Final Winner
FA Cup Entry = 6/QF
Player of the Season = Bruno
Top Goal Scorer = Wilson
Number of Goals scored by TGS = 17
Great White Hunter
Jul 31, 2022 at 8:54 AM
Comment #71Martoon, My predictions,
League POS. 6
No Points. 69
Goals scored 66
League Cup. Final
FA cup 6th round
Player of season. Botman
Top Goal scorer. Wilson
Number Goals. 17
Thanks GWH
lochinvar
Jul 31, 2022 at 8:56 AM
Comment #72Dear Marjorie.
It’s difficult to know where to start.
I think I’m in love again and dream of walking up the steps in the Cathedral to get married only to find I’m looking out onto a football pitch surrounded by 52,000 crazy tribesmen and women chanting in strange tongues.
Is this normal?
A friend has told me there’s no cure.
Oops, right blog.
Great White Hunter
Jul 31, 2022 at 8:56 AM
Comment #73Lochinvar. I wrote my prediction same time as you, quite similar results…….scary. Cheers. GWH
Wor B
Jul 31, 2022 at 8:57 AM
Comment #74Loch
😆
Lascelles sells sea shells by the sea shore
Jul 31, 2022 at 9:01 AM
Comment #75Martoon
Final league position: 8
No of points: 56
Goals Scored: 60
League Cup: winners
FA Cup: 4th round
POTS: Bruno
Top scorer: Wilson
Number of goals: 13
lochinvar
Jul 31, 2022 at 9:02 AM
Comment #76GWR
Well. Great minds think alike..
Tinos Vino
Jul 31, 2022 at 9:03 AM
Comment #77Morning all! Re Maddison or anyone else from Leicester I can actually see it happening. Seems to have been a shift in the ownerships attitude there. Completely understandable given the tragedy a few years ago. I for one wouldn’t want to be reminded on a regular basis of where my father died.
Werner is a yes from me too. He works at pace and that is what we have been moving towards pre season. Not wood bashing but I think the pace game just isn’t for him and why we are all slightly frustrated with him.
The last three friendlies have given me confidence that we are heading in the right direction
HWTL
JohnJ
Jul 31, 2022 at 9:10 AM
Comment #78Martoon.
Here’s my offering.
Final League Position = 7th
No of Points = 61
Goals Scored = 64
League Cup Entry 6 Semi Final
FA Cup Entry 6 = 6th Round
Player of the Season = Bruno
Top Goal Scorer = Wilson
Number of Goals scored by TGS = 15
Bills Son Is Back
Jul 31, 2022 at 9:12 AM
Comment #79martoon
On TGS, what happens if we sign a CF or goal scoring winger?
Can we change TGS?
The mighty wyn
Jul 31, 2022 at 9:15 AM
Comment #80Martoon
League position 7th
Points 59
Goals scored 59
League Cup 6
Fa cup 5
Pos Bruno
Top scorer Wilson
Goals 20