Newcastle have soldiered on without three of their stars over the past few weeks. Callum Wilson, Bruno Guimaraes, and Allan Saint-Maximin have been out of action with hamstring injuries, all reported to be minor.
Guimaraes and Saint-Maximin should be nearing a return. Eddie Howe revealed the pair faced late fitness tests for the Crystal Palace match on Saturday. Both ultimately were kept out of the squad in the 0-0 draw.
Callum Wilson’s situation is more precarious. The striker injured his hamstring in the 3-3 draw against Manchester City over two weeks ago. His layoff was reported to be a couple of weeks but he doesn’t appear to be closing in on a return at West Ham on Sunday.
The addition of Alexander Isak has softened the blow from Callum’s absence. The 22-year-old has played very well in his two starts, which included a brilliant goal on his debut at Liverpool.
Sean Longstaff has played well in Bruno’s absence while Ryan Fraser has gotten the call on the left for Saint-Maximin. Fraser has not been able to replicate the impact of his enigmatic teammate.
If Allan cannot go on Sunday, an option Howe could entertain is handing Elliot Anderson his full Premier League debut. Anderson came in for Fraser on Saturday and had an immediate impact. In 20 minutes, he had 23 touches compared to Fraser’s 28 in 70 minutes.
After the match, Howe spoke about Elliot’s cameo on the left. Here is what the head coach said as published in The Northern Echo
“I thought he was very bright. I brought him on on the left – I thought our midfield three were doing well at that moment in the game, I didn’t want to disrupt their rhythm. I thought we had control of the game.
“Sometimes, if you make a change to an area that’s functioning well, you have a negative effect, so we put him wide. It’s an area that he can play and play very well, and certainly his chopping and turning in the box was very impressive.
“He put a couple of lovely balls in with his left foot, which we probably should have done better with, so I’m very pleased with Elliot. Again, he comes on, home game, pressure on him, and he wants the ball in every moment, and that’s a big positive to take.”
The hope is both Allan and Bruno are ready to start at West Ham. We should find out more as the week progresses. If Allan can’t start, Anderson deserves a chance to show what he can do in a full Premier League debut.
187 comments so far
Mister Tuff
Sep 5, 2022 at 5:39 PM
Comment #41Somebody earlier suggesting Lesh should post some footballing posts. Nice idea but I do not think he knows a lot about the game and probably has never played football himself.
I do my best to help him out with my jargon buster posts but it is very difficult.
Plus at the present time the UK News on the telly is all about the Conservatives – Lesh will be running around his lefty loon hovel shouting and screaming.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 5, 2022 at 5:44 PM
Comment #42They’ve dropped Lee Mason as VAR ref this weekend. Good.
Scorer1971
Sep 5, 2022 at 5:45 PM
Comment #43ToonDarnSarf
OK you are another from the same brotherhood making and throwing the very same accusations about me being some sort of imposter, so I will answer the below bullet points that you have stated in your post @21;
– very similar writing style (you write just like ToonDownSouth, but i believe you are not him, I know you are not him, so what is the difference?)
– turned up on the blog in a 24 period along with Mund’s return and Sarge (who I believe is OP) – ( that is you jumping to conclusions and very wrong, I came on here as soon as we signed Isac I thought why not, why shouldn’t I, hopefullyMund and Sarge will backme up on that one that your accusationis well off point and simply wild paranoia?)
– fitted in with the blog very comfortably and quickly, like you’ve been here for a long time (I have read this blog a very very very long time, when you do you sort of get to know the posters, and make conclusions of them, strange but true)
– very quickly matey with Mund (Fenham and Mund are friends) – (again I read here a long time and I used to like Munds and funnyily enough Fenhams positivity, just like I’ve posted and responded to many other like minded positive folk on here, I love positive posts as this club is on a crest of a wave and we hav3 so much to ne positive about, why shouldn’t we?)
– made a beeline and started some arguments with exactly the same people that Fenham did (maybe those same people who you are referring too made a beeline for me like I posted on Sunday (yesterday) to that ZHONGGUO Geordie check it out if you have time, since i came on here ive been targetted by the very same people not the other way round, listen i dont stand for shite and dont suffer fools gladly so of course i will defend mesel.)
ToonDarnSarf there are a certain click on here who really do believe their own shite doesn’t stink and you’re one of them. If I were you, just like I’ve advised Zhongguo Geordie, Adamn_92, Ashingtoon62 and now Lesh. I’d back off and leave me alone. Your conspiracy theories are strange and how ironic that the same ones with this conspiracy of me being someone else are the very same ones shooting down the very real conspiracy that NUFC could be potentially getting stitched up by those in power of the Premier league football to protect the slimy 6 cartel. You could not make it up. Strange bunch you lot are mind. Now fook off and play a round of crazy golf 😉
Raj of Hailsley
Sep 5, 2022 at 5:50 PM
Comment #44”so we put him wide. It’s an area that he can play and play very well, and certainly his chopping and turning in the box was very impressive”
Well that statement there tells me that EA can play anywhere in the MF, on the wing, centrally in an attacking role where he could easily replace Willock albeit opposite footed or as a ten. I know there is a clamour for him to start just as there was Bruno ”Oh noooo, Bruno isn’t starting, we’re going to lose this game” some people going as far as to say the manager didn’t know what he was doing when leaving the Brazilian on the bench. I think Eddie H is playing a blinder with him and I think W Ham might be just a game too early, Bmouth at home on the other hand…….
jane
Sep 5, 2022 at 5:50 PM
Comment #45“3 decisions have been overturned by VAR in our favour and 1 decision has been overturned by VAR against us.”
overturned by VAR? who is VAR? overturned but not reversed?
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 5, 2022 at 5:52 PM
Comment #46Scorer1971 – the lady doth protest too much, methinks…
I explained why people think you’re Fenham. You decided to call me paranoid, in a clique (not a click – by the way, Fenham made similar spelling mistakes), made multiple typos (just like Fenham), came up with a weird conspiracy theory conspiracy theory, and somehow thought I’d give a flying f*ck what Mund or OP say about whether you’re Fenham or not.
Read my post #23 again. Read how I’ve worded it, read that it’s not an attack, and understand why I wrote it. Then you’ll realise you’ve overreacted a bit with your reply. Or maybe not…if you’re Fenham…
jane
Sep 5, 2022 at 5:53 PM
Comment #47“They’ve dropped Lee Mason as VAR ref this weekend. Good.”
where does it say that?
Mister Tuff
Sep 5, 2022 at 5:53 PM
Comment #48We need a blog competition to ease the tensions. So here is a “guess who” competition.
Kudos to the winner.
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/04/08/10544738-0-image-a-5_1551688140026.jpg
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 5, 2022 at 5:53 PM
Comment #49Jane – look up “overturned” in a dictionary. I think it will help you…
Raj of Hailsley
Sep 5, 2022 at 5:54 PM
Comment #50Scorer71,
If you have appointed yourself as chief WUM spotter and silencer then I believe you are seriously abusing the powers you have awarded yourself. You have done nothing but attack fellow posters in a very aggressive manner since you started posting and your behaviour on Saturday night was nothing short of disgraceful.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 5, 2022 at 5:55 PM
Comment #51Jane – while I’m informing you about what dictionaries are, I’ll also let you know about this wonderful thing called Google. Go to https://www.google.co.uk/, type in “Lee Mason VAR” and voila! I know, you can thank me later.
Ashingtoon62
Sep 5, 2022 at 5:55 PM
Comment #52I find it laughable that some say that Anderson can only play left wing/forward..
He’s 19 ffs!! I’m sure that even he, isn’t certain of his finished position.
That’s why we have coaches and managers…
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 5, 2022 at 5:57 PM
Comment #53Ash – I thought Anderson’s best position was as a number 10?
Anyway…for the sake of his career, he should be helped to find (and play in) his best position. I’m sure he could play in multiple positions but for him to truly thrive, I hope he gets to play in his best position as often as possible.
Scorer1971
Sep 5, 2022 at 5:59 PM
Comment #54Oh dear me 😆 😆 😆
jane
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:00 PM
Comment #55“Jane – look up “overturned” in a dictionary. I think it will help you…”
is it just ESPN’s view or is it official?
magicmac54
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:00 PM
Comment #56Just started folks
https://youtu.be/Hp5uY4wSqKc
Scorer1971
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:00 PM
Comment #57Mister Tuffn@47 is it Jane ?
jane
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:03 PM
Comment #58ok i googled it. sorry i am short of time.
“Lee Mason has reportedly been stood down from Premier League action this weekend following a number of errors.”
reportedly
https://talksport.com/football/832048/lee-mason-stood-down-premier-league-var/
jane
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:04 PM
Comment #59“i am short of time”
i’ve got to go and see the queen.
Ronway
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:04 PM
Comment #60Jane #45 – TDS #48
The VAR Referee doesn’t overturn the decision, it’s down to the on-field Referee.
Does the VAR make the final decision?
No, this will always be taken by the match referee. The VAR will advise the referee of a possible wrong decision, but the final call must always be the referee’s.
For factual decisions such as offside or where an offence occurs, the referee will take the advice of the VAR but always has the right to view pitch-side.
🙂
Not another deJong
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:06 PM
Comment #61I hadn’t though of it but the decision of the linesman for the dissallowed goal at Liverpool would not have been changed by VAR if it was given offside, or not. As there was no clear and obvious error to change the onfiled decision.
jane
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:07 PM
Comment #62thanks Ronway i thought TDS was saying the decisions have been overturned since the match. i get it now. i was confused 🙂
Vask
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:10 PM
Comment #63On Anderson’s best position:
I think currently in the premier League his best position is the left forward position. As he is still young I think his skill and pace suits him there.
As he gains more experience I think he has the attributes to play more centrally. His reading of the game is good for his age. He also has good battle in him. Just at the minute I think the intensity in central positions could make him or break him. I would therefore only play him centrally in cup games this season.
I don’t think we’ve seen much in range of passing from him yet. I see predominantly short passes and crossed balls. I don’t recall seeing much of his mid to Hollywood passes but I shall be looking out for them in future.
Toon fans bad
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:11 PM
Comment #64TDS,
Nice finished 5th last year, 5 points adrift of 2nd place. Languishing in 16th atm. I feel a sneaky fiver on favre to get the ECL qualification!
Asi Fish
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:14 PM
Comment #65I was also confused when Dave rode into town on Wednesday, stayed two days and rode out of town on Tuesday………..?
Ronway
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:15 PM
Comment #66NadJ – #60
The “rules” for the use of VAR are all documented but they have to be understood and applied by the VAR Referee correctly.
When does the VAR check an incident?
Every moment is watched for an infringement or missed incident and all goals are checked.
What is the difference between a check and a review?
Check: The VAR watches the replay of an incident before allowing play to continue. Most checks are completed so quickly that players and fans are not aware they have happened.
Review: The referee might delay the restart of play — signalled by placing his finger to his ear — while the VAR investigates a possible offence. If the VAR believes an incorrect decision has been made by the referee on a subjective incident, the referee will watch the incident on a pitch-side monitor to confirm that he will change his decision. A review will only be instigated by the VAR if he believes the decision is wrong.
I’m sure it will all come good eventually, it probably needs some money throwing at it; plenty of money around in the Premier League.
Scorer1971
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:17 PM
Comment #67With all these blog bullies very unnecessarily having a go at me from all different angles and of course over their little keyboards. Its just caused me to have an out of body experience, I was beside myself.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:24 PM
Comment #68Not another deJong – I think offsides are factual when VAR looks at them. So if Isak had been inches onside rather than inches offside, then the on-field decision (offside) would have been reversed. As it was, the evidence shows that the assistant referee got it right, albeit by inches.
lesh
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:24 PM
Comment #69Tuff
Your attempts at humour are becoming more and more desperate. It wouldn’t be a surprise if those you’re trying to align yourself with are embarrassed by it.
🙄
Asi Fish
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:25 PM
Comment #70VAR – with power comes corruption……….
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:25 PM
Comment #71TfB – quite a lot of gambles in that squad with players like Ramsey, Barkley, and Pepe. They could have signed Alli too if they’d wanted another player of that ilk…
Davas
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:26 PM
Comment #72Its a pity the ref in the Brighton game didn’t set a precedent on the disallowed goal that reportedly took 4.5 mins to review. He could have just said, after a minute or 2, that it’s taking so long it’s not a clear and obvious error and stuck with his decision.
Scorer1971
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:31 PM
Comment #73Mister Tuff@47 it looks like Lesh won the day as he took such offence to your guess who game so therefore it must be him. Was that gorgeous lady in your link @47 clearly was Lesh. -So Kudos to Lesh 😉
Raj of Hailsley
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:31 PM
Comment #74Davas,
I don’t get why the ref goes to look at it himself, vert very rarely does one stick to his original decision and by the time he’s run over a decision could have already been made.
Davas
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:33 PM
Comment #75It’ll be interesting to see the semi automated offside system used in the CL this week although I’m not sure why they need to track hands and elbows.
Mund
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:35 PM
Comment #76Lee Mason the VAR at the centre of the controversy against Palace last weekend has not been selected for a Premier League fixture this coming weekend. #NUFC
CLINT FLICK
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:35 PM
Comment #77Scorer
Mate, I don’t think you have to defend/explain yourself. You are who you say you are. Period.
That should be good enough for anyone.
We all, almost all, have monikers/handles/alter egos…so, it’s up to you what you call yourself.
You seem a knowledgeable, engaged type, with opinions about the Toon and football in general. Just keep doing ya thing, man.
You’ll get sucked into stuff occasionally, but hey, the way of the world.
Toon Toon.
CLINT FLICK
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:37 PM
Comment #78Mund
But has he been singled out for a kicking?
😀
Davas
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:37 PM
Comment #79Raj
I guess they still want the on field ref to make the final decision on certain things although only one has now gone against the VAR
Ronway
Sep 5, 2022 at 6:37 PM
Comment #80Raj – #73
The final decision stays with the referee, who can change his decision or stick with the original call. after he has checked the pitch-side monitor.