Record signing Alexander Isak has started all three matches he’s been eligible for. His timely arrival came while both Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson were nursing hamstring injuries, which were initially thought to be minor.
Wilson is on the mend and likely to feature at Fulham in two weeks. For Saint-Maximin, it’s a more dicey proposition as a setback has Eddie Howe sweating his availability for Craven Cottage.
Once Howe has all of his weapons available, Newcastle should be a force in the final third. Over the past three matches, Isak’s shoulders have carried the brunt of attacking expectations.
The new signing has, for the most part, acquitted himself well. It’s early days for the young Swede and 2 goals in three matches, even if one was a penalty, is not a shabby return for a Premier League newcomer.
Stand-in skipper Kieran Trippier has been very impressed with his new teammate, who has only been in the ranks for 25 days. This is what the England international said about Isak as published in The Mirror:
“He’s slotted in straight away and, in training and games, it’s like he’s been here for ages, but it’s more about developing as a team and finding his strengths. Everyone has seen what he’s all about.
“I’ve played against him in La Liga. When Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson come back, we’ll be an even bigger threat.
“He plays off the shoulder, he’s quick, he’s good in the air. We’ve got an all-round striker, at such a young age. He’ll keep growing and will keep scoring goals for us, that’s for sure.
“But we need goals from all over the pitch, not just him. We’ve created so many opportunities the last couple of games. we just need to start putting them in.”
Isak turns 23 on Wednesday when he’ll be off with the Swedish squad for Nations League matches against Serbia and Slovenia. The young striker has shown his qualities in glimpses and once the kinks in attack are smoothed out and other stars return, Newcastle will be much more lethal in front of the net.
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90 comments so far
The Taco Taker
Sep 19, 2022 at 2:52 PM
Comment #41I can’t remember (or be bothered to scroll all the weekends chats to find) the names but there were a small number of people suggesting the owners may sack Howe on here and others stating they read similar rubbish on twitter etc.
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 19, 2022 at 2:56 PM
Comment #42valle,
Yes, I was being a bit cheeky with the ‘offside’ goal lol. There was a few suggesting that the owners might sack him if he doesn’t do better with their £200M, unfortunately social media is full of over reactions to situations.
Assassins Inc
Sep 19, 2022 at 3:17 PM
Comment #43I don’t think most fans want Eddie fired, twitter is just a stir shitter, I think the concern is more to do with the investors, like all clubs that have re-built if the results don’t match the investment then some top managers after a few seasons have been fired.
I for one feel that they understand we are not at full strength and I’m sure Eddie knows he has to move some players out that are just not good enough for this level and he has informed the owners this.
God we miss Maxi, Jonjo and Wilson so bad.
But let’s just put this to bed with this fact.
Last year at the same time we were in 19th place, so improvement there and without our top team on the field.
.
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 19, 2022 at 3:34 PM
Comment #44Assassins Inc,
Not sure if you seen Dan Burns comments earlier, it doesn’t sound like the players are thinking of Europe and I’m sure the owners expectations will be in line with the players.
NY Mag
Sep 19, 2022 at 3:39 PM
Comment #45It’s too early to tell where we’ll end up…….remember Rodney, this time last year we were already relegated 🙂
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 19, 2022 at 3:43 PM
Comment #46NY Mag,
Way too early but looking at the table, the teams above us in Brighton, Brentford and Fulham, I think we’ll finish above those, so seventh or eighth. Tenth would e disappointing but no shame.
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 19, 2022 at 3:50 PM
Comment #47From Nufc.com
Premier League:
Wilson boost
The Times report that Callum Wilson is on track to return from injury when Newcastle face Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday week.
The 30 year-old striker scored twice in the opening three games of the season but was forced off during the Manchester City home game with hamstring problems.
Wilson was seen sprinting at the club’s Darsley Park training ground late last week and after missing four games, he’s expected to feature at Craven Cottage.
PS: The news is less positive on fellow injury victim Allan Saint-Maximin, with claims that his return to fitness will be delayed for longer than anticipated.
Toon fans bad
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:06 PM
Comment #482 in 2 out is the way ahead for me, slow and steady Eddie wins the race. FFP to take into account also.
Maybe 3 or 4 in summer depending on size of sponsorship deal.
Agree on Maddison, if Leicester are in the brown stuff in January we might get him away from there. Doesn’t look like Tielemans is going to renew with them. Tis a shame for them, but it looks like the writing is on the wall there.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:14 PM
Comment #49All game but especially second half Isak was gesturing with his hands by his side where he wanted the ball – in to his feet – but instead of trying to get the ball into his feet we went sideways across their back – partly to to our lack of guile and their stout defence he was starved of service
Going to find a few more games like that – will be better and get chances in more open games
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:14 PM
Comment #50Toon fans bad,
That’s probably more realistic.
Mund
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:15 PM
Comment #51Assassins
No proper fans will want Eddie sacked as he has been nothing short of miraculous since coming in with his team. You will have tho the chicken littles of the world who will be talking utter nonsense, creating drama when there is none and sadly they do exist but a very small minority. It will be the same ones who booed SBR what is still to this day utterly shocking.
NY Mag
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:16 PM
Comment #52TFB,
Totally agree on everything…..apart from I’m using the outside grill for the chicken wings 🙂
Have you ever watched food review club on social media? That lad knows his onions 🙂
The Taco Taker
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:18 PM
Comment #53Yeah 2 in 2 out + 2-4 youngsters in per window sounds sensible.
Mund
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:19 PM
Comment #54All we are short of is creativity. We need to be able to unlock defences and become more ruthless in the final third. We just don’t have that imagination other than from Maxi.
Trippier is right when he says we need to do better for our front line for the likes of Isak.
A winger and a number 10 will do it but we desperately need better squad depth
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:19 PM
Comment #55The Taco Taker,
In youngsters, do you mean like the lads we got from Ireland and Scotland?
NY Mag
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:20 PM
Comment #56Mund,
The history of football suggests that Eddie won’t be our long term manager.
That’s no me suggesting BTW…
The Taco Taker
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:22 PM
Comment #57Yes, exactly Nijmegen
Mund
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:24 PM
Comment #58NY
That’s exactly what me and Quinn were saying and also Assassins. It means nothing what we think but everything what the majority share holders of PIF think.
Sadly it’s been shown many times over the years within football
Ronway
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:28 PM
Comment #59NY Mag – #56
I’m not sure that statement, regarding the history of football, is necessarily correct when applied to a similar situation to ours.
For instance, Pep Guardiola at Man City was in a “similar” situation to Eddie Howe and is, most definitely, still there.
After three years at Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola joined Man City in 2016. He signed an initial three-year contract, that would see him through to 2019. After an initial adjustment period, he found domestic success in 2017/18, with his team racking up over 100 points as they won the league.
I hope the same outcome will apply to us!
HWTL
lochinvar
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:30 PM
Comment #60The top three are already pulling ahead of the rest of the League and City are unlikely to slow down so maybe there’s three slots up for grabs.
ManU and Liverpool are going to pull every trick in the book to be part of that party.
To compete at this level we need at least 4 signings of calibre.
To not sign such players leaves us midtable which is Not in the PIF business plan. Sign here please.
Mund
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:31 PM
Comment #61Kieran Trippier on Alexander Isak “He plays off the shoulder, he’s quick, good in the air.
“He will score a lot for us, but we need goals from all over the pitch, not just him.”
#NUFC |
So true Kieran. We need 3/4 players who can create and score goals for the team than just relying on the likes of Wilson and Isak. Wilson will work like a bull up top and not only score but help create them but he can’t do it on his own.
Mund
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:35 PM
Comment #62Ronway
How many managers did City go through before Peo…? It’s most definitely not the same situation.
Even before Pep it was Mancini who took them to the very top of the football pyramid and set that bar. Then they had Pelligrini. So different
They had the likes of Aguero, Kompany, Silva, KDB and many others. We don’t have that kind of spine yet.
Mund
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:35 PM
Comment #63Pep*
The Taco Taker
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:36 PM
Comment #64While it is true we don’t know what the owners are thinking we can make some educated guess based on their statements and their actions. So what do we know:
1. They are on record as saying this is a project and will take time.
2. They already gave Howe an extended contract, which they did not have to do. At that time they were quoted as saying: “We are excited to have secured Eddie’s long-term future. He is a young, dynamic and ambitious coach who fits Newcastle United well; we look forward to working with him and supporting him as we strive towards achieving long-term success.”
These do not smell like trigger happy owners to me, sure a disastrous run of results can always change that but unless we did go on a horrible run I would expect Howe to here next season.
NY Mag
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:36 PM
Comment #65Ronway,
I haven’t counted them, but pep might be 8 or 9 managers from the new owners taking over???
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:38 PM
Comment #66Howe will be given targets once he has his squad together. If he meets the targets he will be kept on and given extended contracts if he fails to deliver them he’ll be replaced. It’s way too early to even be thinking about that though.
NY Mag
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:41 PM
Comment #67Taco,
I expect (hope) eddie will be here, but it’s not guaranteed.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:41 PM
Comment #68Bloody hell fabs want Eddie sacked (me thinks lot that want him sacked is because we didn’t sign Pacquta) club have got to crawl before they can walk.
Yes patience is hard but we are slowly building yes frustrating like Saturday – going to have many more games like that.
Any way Got a bloody special midfield player anyway in Anderson
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:44 PM
Comment #69Mark Hughes was manager when their latest TO happened, then Peligrini, Mancini and Pep.
NY Mag
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:45 PM
Comment #70Charlie,
I don’t think any one on this blog wants Eddie sacked…that’s just not true.
DrGloom
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:46 PM
Comment #71Nice video of EH keeping Bournemouth in the EFL https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5wov49A2R04&feature=youtu.be
DrGloom
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:47 PM
Comment #72Don’t think any sane person would want EH sacked
NY Mag
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:48 PM
Comment #73Nijmegen,
I guess I exaggerated at 8 or 9….my bad, sorry for that
Ronway
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:48 PM
Comment #74Mund – #62
I agree with your comment but I was really referring to Pep taking over Man City in comparison with Eddie H taking over NUFC rather than the team they inherited.
I think Taco’s (#64) points cover everything from my point of view, especially his No. 2.
Tyran21
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:50 PM
Comment #75“But we need goals from all over the pitch, not just him. We’ve created so many opportunities the last couple of games. we just need to start putting them in.”
This is what Howe can coach, the rest is up to the players to finish the chances created. As I said, if you don’t take the chances and don’t get the 3points, things looks much much uglier than it actually is. I’m still ok with how the team is playing. Not top gear yet but hit the post twice and 2-3 clear cut chances, why not? Just need to keep knocking, goals will come.
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:53 PM
Comment #76NY Mag,
They did have a previous TO though which muddies the water a bit. Even their TO can’t be compared to ours as they’d previously had big investment from Shinawatra, so players like Kompany were already there.
Mund
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:56 PM
Comment #77Pelligrini came after Mancini not before
Mund
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:57 PM
Comment #78Ronway
But surely you must see that coming in with a ready made team of superstars is a lot different to Eddie coming in and basically starting from scratch.
Mund
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:59 PM
Comment #79I don’t know were a few get this narrative that fans want Eddie sacked.
Mund
Sep 19, 2022 at 4:59 PM
Comment #80As good as Pep is and I think he is one of the best, he has been very fortunate to have the jobs he has. From Barcelona to Bayern to Man City.