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
NY Mag
Jan 21, 2023 at 1:28 AM
Comment #201Mr t,
Is that the Merovingians? Or are we onto something else?
niafron
Jan 21, 2023 at 5:55 AM
Comment #202@NY Mag
Ahahahah!
I guess you are joking. For the others, the Gypsy kings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qbEt_lSib4
There’s a big gypsy community in the Montpellier area.
The Merovingians for their part were the first dynasty of french kings from the end of the 5th to the 8th century ( a powerfull frankish familly who claimed to descend from the trojans and a brother of Aeneas… well, can’t see how he ended up in a german forest but… why not?).
Clovis, first of them is generally considered as the founder of the kingdom of France.
Wor B
Jan 21, 2023 at 6:02 AM
Comment #203Yay, match day!
(and a school day when niafron is here) 🙂
Wor B
Jan 21, 2023 at 6:10 AM
Comment #204Don’t forget to sort your FPL team folks, deadline is 11:00 UK time today.
Wor B
Jan 21, 2023 at 6:15 AM
Comment #205If Jail has slept in I could go on a record run here.
Probably not ethical or within the rules at this time of day.
Wor B
Jan 21, 2023 at 6:18 AM
Comment #206If Bruno plays today we might get an insight to Eddie’s preferred starting 11.
Wor B
Jan 21, 2023 at 6:25 AM
Comment #207Palace have been running hot and cold this season…
when they’re good they’re very very good, when they’re bad they’re horrid.
Longfellow (no relation to Longstaff)
Wor B
Jan 21, 2023 at 6:29 AM
Comment #208I didn’t think we’d let Wood go without new backup. Does Eddie have an iron in the fire or is he happy that we have enough options?
niafron
Jan 21, 2023 at 6:33 AM
Comment #209@Wor B
Perhaps he think Miggy or Joe could play striker if both Wilson and Isak are unavaillables?
About Bruno, hope we will not risk him today, don’t see the point.
Even if it cost us today, i prefer him to recover one more week.
catchy in norway
Jan 21, 2023 at 6:37 AM
Comment #210It’s all phycological, of Bruno plays, it gives us a lift, because he is one of our better players, but more importantly it will give palace a lift if he doesn’t play, because they think we are a one man team.
Which i don’t think they understand that we are more of a unit, and moving big Joe into MF probably makes us harder to beat, where we loose on a more complete player we gain on a more defensive player when in that role, which is probably better when playing a team like palace away from home.
I also think not having Bruno in the team would be great, mainly to give him a propper rest, but also it throws the possibility of what damage could either of maxi or Isak do from that front left position. I do like the idea of Isak starting there, he is naturally more of a team player.
Wor B
Jan 21, 2023 at 6:50 AM
Comment #211Niafron
Losing Wilson and Isak would seriously weaken us. We could still put a decent 11 out but at what cost to the balance of the team and a much weaker bench.
I’m happy for Bruno to start, he’s our magic in the middle. If he’s recovered, play him.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 21, 2023 at 6:59 AM
Comment #212Never sleep in Wor B, your run was checked 🙂
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 21, 2023 at 7:02 AM
Comment #213Wor B,
It might be that £15M was just too good an offer for a player that would have otherwise ran his contract down and we’re going to take our chances, it sounds like we’re definitely trying for someone but I don’t think it’s a given.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 21, 2023 at 7:04 AM
Comment #214catchy,
I can’t spell physiological either 😕
Wor B
Jan 21, 2023 at 7:30 AM
Comment #215Jail
I don’t think either you or catchy will pass the entry exam for the blog grammar police. Any progress on your new reading material? I’ve seen the TV series but never read any of Pepper’s books. 🙂
Wor B
Jan 21, 2023 at 7:33 AM
Comment #216Maybe I should, it’s Peppa, not Pepper. 😆
Not another deJong
Jan 21, 2023 at 7:53 AM
Comment #217Crystal Palace 0 – 1 Shithouse United
The pattern of play that led to the goal against Fulham is getting some attention, but there are plenty more like it all over the pitch. The uplift in results since Eddie walked through the door has a multitude of reasons, there has been so much development that the media analysis has still not caught up.
I particularly like the pattern of play where Longstaff goes beyond Almiron, as the latter has dropped deep taking the FB with him. Then the person on the ball, usually Trippier, but also Bruno & Schar, have the option of playing it long or short and the ball gets worked up the field with space always being created by movement.
Not another deJong
Jan 21, 2023 at 7:54 AM
Comment #218[snort]
Not another deJong
Jan 21, 2023 at 7:57 AM
Comment #219This was an ear worm back in my day
https://youtu.be/DP1pQkm9Op0
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:01 AM
Comment #220No Wor B,
I’m still on basic entry level, your and you’re is about my level. Physiological is officer level entry and I’m afraid I just don’t cut the mustard old chap. What!!!
Wor B
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:06 AM
Comment #221Noticed Miggy has taken to long diagonal cross field runs from the halfway line, don’t think it’s produced anything significant yet but it certainly puts the opposition defence on the back foot trying to cover.
Wor B
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:16 AM
Comment #222Good post NadJ
Quite liked the footie one as well. 🙂
Not another deJong
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:19 AM
Comment #223Whilst not a priority in my eyes, but I hope the links with Chelsea players (and even Gordon) is more about establishing a price for Gallagher. There is no doubt Chelsea will need to sell and will be picked apart. Plus the owners have a special relationship don’t they?
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:25 AM
Comment #224Palace are a right physical side I would be protecting Bruno as much as I could to he honest
Putting Joelinton into the middle will allow to us to fight back efficiently
If ASM starts it’s a big opportunity for him to produce the goods against Clyne
Bambams
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:26 AM
Comment #225Oh I’m in trouble….
It’s my birthday tomorrow, we are out today from 2pm with family and friends down Tynemouth….The other half/daughters are obs getting dressed.
I have said I’m wearing my lucky away top (White and Green one, unbeaten in PL)
“It’s your birthday and your wearing a football top”
Damn right !
Actually I better go find it, would not put it past other half hiding it….
Speak later chaps
Not another deJong
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:34 AM
Comment #226Physical or Psychological side?
…..they imagine that they are better than us.
sparky55
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:39 AM
Comment #227Banbans…Have you tried the washing basket? 🙂
sparky55
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:43 AM
Comment #228Bambams…So long as either I have a match day breakfast or you wear your top then weve got it covered mate…so dont worry if your lass is hiding it… Im making my match day breakfast as we speak
cyprus
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:43 AM
Comment #229Testing something , ignore 🙂
cyprus
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:43 AM
Comment #230Hey it worked!
Not another deJong
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:46 AM
Comment #231Bold move Cyprus
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:47 AM
Comment #232Psychological. Ahh, that’s how you do it 😀
sparky55
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:48 AM
Comment #233Nadj…when you’re as good as we are you pay less attention as to what the opposition are doing and more attention to bettering the system and being more destructive and finishing better.
We just need to keep on doing what we’re doing and we can beat anyone
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:52 AM
Comment #234I’ve unfortunately got work to do and won’t be on much today 😥
Not another deJong
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:52 AM
Comment #235Joselu smashing in a barn door
https://mobile.twitter.com/LaLiga/status/1616397756196593671?cxt=HHwWjoCxnb_MzO4sAAAA
Wor B
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:55 AM
Comment #236Had a quick mooch around some Palace blogs, don’t want to steal Taco’s thunder, so I’ll just leave this little gem I found…
“Kids, tired of being bothered by your pesky parents?
Then leave home, get a job & pay your own bills, while you still know everything.”
Bambams
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:55 AM
Comment #237Sparky55
I’ve got it mate, top floor in the office !
Bit of a panic initially 😉
Make sure that breakfast is done mate
Right off to the gym, laters chaps
Not another deJong
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:56 AM
Comment #238I have had a few physiological problems, but I had best not share
Wor B
Jan 21, 2023 at 8:58 AM
Comment #239cyprus got hold of jane’s book!
HTML for dummies 😆
Not another deJong
Jan 21, 2023 at 9:03 AM
Comment #240sparky55
I have never looked back since your avo stone removing tip, thanks