Newcastle are back at it tomorrow evening with a tough match at Crystal Palace. Eddie Howe will likely alter his preferred eleven despite the revelation Bruno will be available.
Craig Hope is reporting on Twitter that the influential midfielder has recovered enough to make the trip to Selhurst Park which is outstanding news. Though Howe will most likely proceed with caution and save him as an impact sub.
Joelinton will likely slot into the midfield three with Sean Longstaff sitting deep. Howe’s decision could be down to starting either Allan Saint-Maximin or Alexander Isak with a potential change of shape.
I suspect Howe will go with Saint-Maximin in the familiar 4-3-3. The Frenchman was an automatic starter prior to his hamstring injury in August. Howe initially went with Saint-Maximin after Bruno’s removal against Fulham.
This is the team I am predicting Howe will name tomorrow with the lone, somewhat forced change. Isak and Guimaraes can potentially get a lengthy cameo depending on how the night unfolds.
Howe did throw out a scenario during his press conference this morning which alluded to Isak playing on the left. Howe stated Alex’s versatility was a primary factor in his capture and that he can play on the left; though he admitted it wasn’t his best position.
Returning Saint-Maximin back to the starting eleven could reignite the Frenchman, who hasn’t had much of an impact since returning from his injury. A league start could be just what he needs to rediscover his form, which would be a timely boost for the second half of the season.
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306 comments so far
lochinvar
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:26 PM
Comment #81Taco
Klopp really is not looking too well, certainly very stressed as you can tell from his ramblings and noticeable twitching, not good signs.
His employers need to give him some sick leave and time off.
Perhaps get an interim manager in to help out. Bruce lives nearby.
Might be a good solution for everyone.
The Prince's Mate
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:31 PM
Comment #82WBA 1-0 up at Burnley and defending really well…who’s their manager now?
Regan
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:32 PM
Comment #83Let’s be honest..
Chris wood could of sat on his contract..
But.. he made a footballing decision..and the right one in my eyes..
To further his career he needs to be playing and I think forest will do him good..
Was Newcastle united too big for him..
Who knows..
But I’d like to wish him all the best at forest where the pressure may not be as great as at our club..
Will we ever have two forwards with the same initials again……?
lochinvar
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:33 PM
Comment #84Prince’s Mate
Eddie just bedding in Isak as he did with Bruno and Botman.Let him see the start of games, get revved up and come on hungry and fired up.
And manage his fitness levels.
His time to lead the line from the start will come, sooner rather than later.
Short term Woods gone as a late sub option, so expect Callum and Isak to share game time depending on how games pan out
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:37 PM
Comment #85Even the way Eddie H skirted the question of saying we’ve moved on from needing a player like Wood without discrediting him in anyway, he’s just pure class. I see that bloke that nearly got WBA relegated has had to watch his former team go from third bottom when he got booted out, to sitting in third top as we speak.
The Prince's Mate
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:38 PM
Comment #86Burnley 1 WBA 1
The Prince's Mate
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:40 PM
Comment #87Been a really good game this
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:40 PM
Comment #88Ha, they must have just conceded 😳
The Prince's Mate
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:42 PM
Comment #89Kompany and his assistant Bellers, ha, talk about little and large
lochinvar
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:45 PM
Comment #90If Burnley, SheffieldUtd and The Boro get promoted that’s good for the away fans next season, all northern based.
Good swap for Southampton, maybe Leicester and Everton (just a plain dangerous war zone to visit)
Novocastrian66
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:48 PM
Comment #91I’ve watched Burnley a few times this season and the quality of their football is a stark contrast from their agricultural approach preferred by Dyche.
While being in a lower division has to be considered it is still a drastic transition.
Regan
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:50 PM
Comment #92Nice free kick..
2..1 Burnley..
The Prince's Mate
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:50 PM
Comment #93Burnley 2-1up, what a game…what a free kick
Novocastrian66
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:52 PM
Comment #94Loch: Those 3 would be canny but I’m firmly in the anyone but the makems camp.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:52 PM
Comment #95@Taco
The hypocrisy of Klopp and Liverpool moaning about net spend and how they have spent nothing
But when Ashley did it for 14 years spending nothing (our net spend was ridiculous overall) we were constantly told to be grateful because Mike was putting his money in and to just accept it
Liverpool should be light years ahead of us on the pitch with the money spent over the last few years but we have managed to bridge the gap to be competitive with 200 million and I think Klopp is bricking it because of how much we have progressed already
Add in the likes of Brighton pumping them and he’s unhinged
WLtoon
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:53 PM
Comment #96We all knew it, but further proof of how shite Bruce was at his job as `Head Coach` is , is staring us in the face right now if you are watching the Burnley v West Brom game.
With the same squad of players , Carlos Corberan has transformed them from a team in the bottom 3, looking like they were heading to lge one, into a team that sit in the play off places.
Whether they lose tonight or not, they are a team totally transformed by a coach who actually seems to know what the fook he is doing.
Bruce, just stay away from football from now on fella, and stop embarrassing yourself.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:54 PM
Comment #97LCBP,
Apparently they’re protesting tomorrow against FSG.
Ap
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:54 PM
Comment #98Only the trouble makers have a problem with a genuine question
The Taco Taker
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:55 PM
Comment #99Interesting posts…
Regan..Spot on!
Loch – Everton have been circling the drain for some time now. I suspect this season could be the one. There is no unity on any level there. If they do drop it is possible they fall harder than the Mackems.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:55 PM
Comment #100WLtoon,
If Norwich had of hired him, and I like Norwich as a City and a football club, they would have deserved everything they got.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:56 PM
Comment #101Was calling him Queen Eddie a genuine statement?
The Taco Taker
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:56 PM
Comment #102LCBP – Exactly. Well put
magicmac54
Jan 20, 2023 at 9:59 PM
Comment #103Some real intelligent and quality posts from everyone the last few days , in fact it`s been that good i find myself doing a lot of lurking, but what`s been particularly impressive is the amount of bloggers who had misgivings about Chris Wood but still acknowledged the roll the big lad played in maintaining our premier league status, and took the time to wish the big lad all the very best at forest. HWTL
The Prince's Mate
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:01 PM
Comment #104TWINE scored their winner as he BRANCHED out with a superb free kick whilst their gk stood ROOTED to the spot, Burnley seem to be turning over a new LEAF.
ENOUGH!!!
Regan
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:01 PM
Comment #105Delia smith would never of hired Bruce..
She knows her onions..
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:03 PM
Comment #106@Jail
This is why I can’t stand them and their entitled fans
We got called deluded they nearly won it all last season but have had a bad one and now they are trying to force the owners out its a joke
I hope we smash them in a couple of weeks with a full house singing cheer up Jurgen Klopp oh what it can it be haha
WLtoon
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:07 PM
Comment #107Raj,
Totally agree, but like Regan says, Delia is far too football savvy to hire Bruce
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:08 PM
Comment #108Regan,
Aye, she certainly knows onions, does she know a true cabbage when she sees one though 😀
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:09 PM
Comment #109WLtoon,
Aye, lazy journalism maybe because he once played there.
Regan
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:10 PM
Comment #110Could imagine him turning up for his interview in a tractor thinking he’s the new Bernard Mathews..
😆
magicmac54
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:10 PM
Comment #111Neil is usually very good at selecting our starting line-up every week, i agree with 10 of his team this week, but i have a feeling we will start with Isak instead of ASM tomorrow evening.
Ap
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:10 PM
Comment #112Someone loves their queen i see
WLtoon
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:10 PM
Comment #113Burnley have a manager with a winning mentality, i had a feeling Kompany would do a good job, and he is doing exactly that.
Burnley probably up as champions, proof once again that the gulf in class between the PL and the championship is absolutely massive
The Taco Taker
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:13 PM
Comment #114Delia would never hire Bruce, she would have to spend all day and night cooking!
Regan
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:14 PM
Comment #115And Bruce was never any good turning the spuds over..
I’ll get me coat..
Novocastrian66
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:16 PM
Comment #116Both sides of the Liverpool divide have an air of entitlement about them. Neither have had to put up with the shit we have had to endure under Ashley.
Liverpool have an extensive injury list which may be unfortunate, however it could be a consequence of intensive training.
We have often criticised the training regime when we experienced a high degree of injuries.
catchy in norway
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:18 PM
Comment #117LiVARpool is not hard to figure out, it’s quite simple really, Southampton are doing poor because they don’t have any good players which means LiVARpool don’t have a feeder club right now.
Romford mag
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:19 PM
Comment #118Don’t forget ya scarf and hat! It’s quite nippy out
😉
magicmac54
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:20 PM
Comment #119The Taco Taker
I agree Everton are a bit of a basket case at the moment and look like they a certs for the drop, but i have a feeling they will just about escape mate, they usually seem to turn it round when all seems lost. I noticed you were missing in action last week, but put it down to you watching the Masters.
Regan
Jan 20, 2023 at 10:22 PM
Comment #120Rom..
If I wore a scarf where I live..
I’d get laughed at mate..
Bet ya life the ice cream man will be knocking about tomorrow..
😆