Newcastle were again unable to solve Crystal Palace and for the third time this season, the two clubs have battled to a scoreless draw. Newcastle were the far better team this evening as they thoroughly controlled the match for 90 minutes.
The lack of cutting edge in the final third mean Newcastle come away from Selhurst Park with a solitary point. In the grand scheme, it’s a decent result against a well-coached team that defended very well.
Newcastle are missing a creative spark at the top of the pitch to break stubborn defenses down. That is one of the areas the club may address as the January window enters its final ten days.
Chris Wood’s sudden departure to Nottingham Forest could spur the Magpies into action. Howe stated on Friday that he did not want to lose Wood without a replacement. So hopefully, a new arrival is on the horizon.
Howe was asked about the window after tonight’s draw. The Northern Echo has published his response as follows:
“As a manager, you always want more. You always want more options. I’ve got no issue with the squad strength or size, but I think the point I’ve been making is that if we got injuries, we’d be very light, and we’re keen to do business.
“We’re keen to bring a player in that can help us, but, as we know in this window, and I’ve said many times, there’s no guarantee that will happen.
“We want to sign a player, for sure, but I’ve been preparing for this game, so I don’t have any fresh information to give you.”
Ideally, Howe would like to welcome a versatile forward, a midfielder, and a right-back. There will have to be more outgoings before Newcastle can think of adding three new faces.
Hopefully, Newcastle are ready to move for some targets. It remains very unlikely anyone arrives before Tuesday’s semi-final at Southampton. Though Newcastle can move quickly if needed.
Unfortunately, Arsenal have made their move for Real Valladolid’s Ivan Fresneda with the two clubs engaging in talks today. The young Spaniard would be a perfect young signing to work under Kieran Trippier.
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213 comments so far
Munster Mag
Jan 21, 2023 at 11:03 PM
Comment #81Lee I cany understand why Eddie doesn’t swap wings here and there with the maxi and miggy. It’s a strange tactical stubbornness.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jan 21, 2023 at 11:09 PM
Comment #82@Munster
Don’t get me wrong I think we have done brilliant but just some little things like that putting someone on their strong foot on the wing
A lot of momentum gets lost watching our wingers switch onto their dominant foot and opposition defenders know what will happen and block it easier
That run and cross from Murphy was excellent at the end sometimes a simple cross on the run would result In goals
I also think changing it up with a different corner taker at times would make a good chance like Almiron or Bruno to try something new as its went stale
jimiley
Jan 21, 2023 at 11:12 PM
Comment #83Miggy has stopped scoring as defences are wise to him skipping along the edge of box and curling one into the top corner.
Isak scores but that’s it.
Willock does not even get a shot off anymore and Longstaff cannot shoot.
Wilson looks a different player.
We do not look like scoring goals. Lots of posssession and pressure but no real cutting edge, we need to buy or we will drift out of top 4.
DKillers
Jan 21, 2023 at 11:12 PM
Comment #84FtC, from the previous post, my main issue with Miggy was his reliance on his left foot while playing on the right. Always wanted him switched to the left, not out of the team entirely. He came through in a huge way, and I always said I’d give him credit.
I’m not sure what that has to do with our lack of goal scoring. Are you saying stick with Wilson and he’ll come through?
Again, I’m thrilled with everything that is happening these days. Just disappointed that our dominance hasn’t translated to 3 points a few times recently. And disappointed that Isak is being used as a bit player.
jimiley
Jan 21, 2023 at 11:14 PM
Comment #85One goal in the last 4 games. We never tested their keeper. Palace should have won the game. They had two great chances . We had none. They were the lucky team
Davas
Jan 21, 2023 at 11:17 PM
Comment #86Sorry, I know it’s not NUFC but it’s another 0-0 draw today:
‘When referee Michael Oliver sounded his final whistle, Anfield’s near-silence was a brutal reflection of the fact this match was nowhere near as entertaining as the 0-0 scoreline might suggest.’
😀
jimiley
Jan 21, 2023 at 11:21 PM
Comment #87A few Everton fans I know cannot believe we are interested in Gordon. I hope it’s paper talk
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jan 21, 2023 at 11:55 PM
Comment #88@Jmiley
It just feels like agents trying to punt their client
I would be astounded if we were actually looking to sign him
ottawageordie2
Jan 21, 2023 at 11:59 PM
Comment #89Ap Why don’t you go play in the jungle. You probably will find a friend,
sparky55
Jan 22, 2023 at 12:05 AM
Comment #90I know this wont be popular but I quite like Gordon…he fast as fcuk, he’s agressive, got loads of skill, he’s young, he knows where the goal is, he takes people on and I think Howe can coach him to another level.
IMO
The overrated Frenchman
Jan 22, 2023 at 12:09 AM
Comment #91Howe needs to be more creative in the way he uses ASM. Munster makes a good point – try swapping him and Miggy on the wings.
Fenham to Chalfont
Jan 22, 2023 at 12:14 AM
Comment #92DKillers
Jan 21, 2023 at 11:12 PM
Comment #84
I think as to what Miggy has achieved of late means this cannot be debated much further and makes your questioning of Miggy on the left a non starter because; Eddie keeps Miggy on the right wing as he is the one that sets the team up, trains them meticulously on a day to day basis (who are we to question Eddies tactics as to where we find ourselves in at present?) to get the results which we are now seeing come to fruition. None of us are waxy privy to what goes on on training ground behind closed doors, however what we are privy to is the results that we are seeing right now. I appreciate that Miggy is very left footed and has to check back onto his left leg which he has done many times with amazing results.
How can you have an opinion that Miggy is being played out of position when he is the clubs top scorer. Eddie has set up a system that works which is that Miggy has a connection with Bruno and Trippier from that side. Trippier gets forward a lot and Miggy covers him very well with his running and work ethic. Bruno at times has a telepathic tendency to know exactly where Miggy will make his run from that side and brings a great balance and cohesion to the set up.
To move Miggy to the right and Maxi to the left will upset the teams balance and understanding. The team set up has not failed because we only drew this evening, it has worked because if had of failed we would have not witnessed Miggy with all the GOTM awards and player of the month award and again being top scorer in the team which is testament to how he plays from that right wing. I don’t see where your argument is coming from apart from the very odd time Miggy looses the ball because at times he has to check back into his left and the defender reads it. It cannot be perfect all the time but Eddie has came up with a formula to make it work and Miggy, Trippier and Bruno all have a huge understanding of each others roles and it is working. I also like how now we are seeing us start to dominate down the left as Big Joe and Willock are swapping/rotating positions to get down that left flank. It’s great tactics that the opposition find hard to read.
We are continuously on the front foot switching flank to flank spraying the ball from each side of the pitch with quick movement and passing. It’s a pleasure to watch.
We were not clinical tonight. That’s what the root cause was to why we drew and didn’t win which seems to have really caused you distress by your persistent negative posts throughout the game this evening (not the first time, it’s mainly every game we play?). Nothing to do with Miggy why we didn’t win and If it becomes a problem and other teams cotton onto the tactics Eddie has deployed this is when we will see changes in the set up, however it is working a year so we won’t see any changes any time soon IMO. Miggy has had a barnstorming preseason which has went into this season. His movement on the left wing is top notch. It is one of the reasons why most teams are in the back foot as we chop and change and have many dimensions to our game. Miggy, Trippier and Bruno down that left flank is critical to it and provides a great balance. Like I said it’s good to see us playing more down the right now with Willock and big Joe combining.
I appreciate your opinion that’s what this blog is for. I also appreciate you seem a very passionate fan too.
Enjoy the ride mate and try and take more of a positive attitude and outlook of proceedings.
😉
Fenham to Chalfont
Jan 22, 2023 at 12:18 AM
Comment #93Apologies it’s late
Got my lefts and tights mixed up
“ To move Miggy to the right and Maxi to the left will upset the teams balance and understanding” 🙄
But you get my understanding 😉
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 22, 2023 at 12:19 AM
Comment #94Disappointed, hell yes, how do we fail to convert so many corners must be getting close to a season record.
I’d possibly be moaning if we had put only three past them.
It’s not even as Guaita was having a worldy today every shot went straight to him.
More shooting practice needed.
lochinvar
Jan 22, 2023 at 12:22 AM
Comment #95Everton fans chased after Gordon last week and a baying mob attacked what looked like his armour plated Hummer or Range Rover driving away from Goodison Park.
He won’t want to stay at Everton but that’s no reason for us to buy him.
Wilson and Isak both had headers from static positions so they lacked power. Shearer used to attack the ball so I guess we need more powerful crosses that attackers can move onto at pace.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 22, 2023 at 12:23 AM
Comment #96Fenham
Long post but I disagree, switching flanks is an obvious tactic and we should use it, if only for short periods of the game.
Anything to upset a stubborn defence.
lochinvar
Jan 22, 2023 at 12:24 AM
Comment #97If other teams have worked out our final third methods then have we become predictable ?
Easy sorted, just mix things up and try some different tactics.
Eddie can sort that .
DKillers
Jan 22, 2023 at 12:41 AM
Comment #98FtC @ 92, you did see my comments about Miggy were in the past tense. I was speaking of my past criticism. I have no current criticism of Miggy.
Fenham to Chalfont
Jan 22, 2023 at 12:44 AM
Comment #99lochinvar
Jan 22, 2023 at 12:24 AM
Comment #97
IMO we are already in transitional mode as we are starting to attack more down the left wing with Willock and Big Joe swapping positions. We were mostly dominating down the right now it’s balanced as we are threat from both flanks. If we were more clinical in front of goal (as in the last few games) we’d have had a hatful of goals more. We’ve squandered far too many chances. As we are creating them the issue lies with our finishing in front of goal. That’s been the frustration for me. Eddie will work on that and we will see Isak take a more prominent role to counteract this issue.
We need to also work on set pieces into the box. We’ve misssd so many glaring opportunities with header’s going astray. But our build up play is perfect IMO. I don’t think any team has sussed our tactics out as we move and pass the ball around so quickly. I’d love a good proven goal scorer to be brought in to replace the departed Woods.
I think our shape and balance is spot on and not an issue. We need to be more clinical and I hope that gets remedied this window.
Good night all
Fenham to Chalfont
Jan 22, 2023 at 12:49 AM
Comment #100In Eddie I trust and at this stage I’d never question his tactics. Just saying 😉
I’ll come back with another chapter and verse tomorrow 😆
Not as good as Essex Bills epic books. They are worth a read after seeing a snippet. Definitely good night all.
Onwards and upwards
HWTLL’s
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 22, 2023 at 12:59 AM
Comment #101Fenham
Thanks for the good feedback, much appreciated!
The Prince's Mate
Jan 22, 2023 at 1:18 AM
Comment #102For the millionth time…we should have won today….screw ffp…like all the others do and let’s get on with it…we need a hard nosed forward….we should have won today ffs….cmon Eddie…
The Prince's Mate
Jan 22, 2023 at 1:20 AM
Comment #103Cmon NUFC….love ove my life.. rules are made to be broken….stop being nice and get on with it ffs
ChicoUSA
Jan 22, 2023 at 1:24 AM
Comment #104We have some proven goal scorers. There is no savior! To break down teams that defend well and do not make defensive mistakes, like today against Palace, Leeds a few weeks ago, etc, will take the team working as an attacking unit.
That said we could use a lock picker who can help integrate that attacking unit. His name is Maddison! 😉
ChicoUSA
Jan 22, 2023 at 1:26 AM
Comment #105…and as EGB basically said above “practice shooting and not right at the keeper!”
Mister Tuff
Jan 22, 2023 at 1:30 AM
Comment #106How many days/weeks before Everton sack Lampard. His days are numbered.
ChicoUSA
Jan 22, 2023 at 1:36 AM
Comment #107Tuff,
I’d say about one more week….then it will be fat Sam to the rescue.
Munster Mag
Jan 22, 2023 at 1:48 AM
Comment #108Fenners miggy is a top man and all was brilliant but we’ve stuttered a lot and not switching the wingers is tactically strange. To say that just because the right wing works, that it wouldn’t work with Maxi there, for a change anyway, is limited thinking in my books.
Miggy is superbly marshalled now,and we need to pose different questions.
We also need to invest whilst we are so high up the league because I have no doubt that next year Chelsea and Man U will be all over the top of the league and we need to push the ticket a bit now
Dan, get Maddison. Pay the money required and the sooner the better.
That team needs a lift, and soon.
Munster Mag
Jan 22, 2023 at 1:50 AM
Comment #109Was wondering why I’m so awake…went for a lovely burger with wife and daughter and had a Coke. Ping! Baaad move.
Dean0
Jan 22, 2023 at 3:34 AM
Comment #110Of the current crop of players we have this is what I come up with who we need to move on and whos good.
Goalkeepers- We have too many taking up wages and squad places.
Pope- outstanding goalkeeper good enough for any team.
Darlow- sell, done his time with this club and needs to be sold.
Gillespie- sell, why is he even at this club? not good enough for league 1 never mind Newcastle.
Dubravka- sell, was a solid keeper for us for a number of years but showed his true colours of us when he went to man united, need to take him off the wage bill as he’s on 70k a week.
Karius- our second best keeper by far- I would keep him and pope.
Defenders- We have a solid backline but once one or two get injured we have championship standard players to replace. we need a proper leftback that can play rightback and another quality centre back.
Tripper- excellent right back and a true leader
Botman- world class defender
Schar- solid centre back
Burn- solid centre back – he isn’t a left back as he’s too slow.
Lascelles- sell, done his time at this club but just isn’t good enough for where we want to be he was barely good enough under Bruce.
Dummett- why is he still here?
Richie- why is he still here?
Krath- I would keep him as a 3rd choice.
Manquillo- sell, has never impressed me since the day he signed for us. Useless player. bang average all-over him.
Midfield- this is where we lack any real quality or cutting edge, realistically we need 2 players in this position of premier league quality.
Bruno- our best player by far.
Shelvey, sell been here far too long and simply isn’t good enough. he’s better than Longstaff though.
Longstaff- he needs to replaced with a quality midfielder as he simply isn’t good enough to be starting week in week out. makes way too many mistakes, has poor finishing and is slow.
Willock- good squad player and can have a good game every once in a while.
Joelinton- solid player who has improved massively since Eddie took over.
Anderson- could be a good player in a few years time but isn’t premier league standard, he proved that in the few games he’s started for us. needs to be loaned out.
Hayden- on loan but needs to be sold or kept as a squad player
Hendrick- on loan but needs to be sold. will never be good enough.
Attack- we have some good options upfront but outside of our starters, we are extremely weak here, needs serious reinforcement and investment.
Wilson- good player on his day- been poor form lately and needs to be dropped for Isak
Isak- world class defender that should be starting every game as our first choice striker, he is miles above Wilson IMO
Murphy- sell, he has been with us since 2016 and has never improved. bang average player.
Fraser- sell, not good enough.
Saint maximin- Great player and kept us up last season almost single handily- he doesn’t seem to fit in eddies plans as he too often does not track back and gets disposed quite often I wouldn’t sell him but keep him as he will improve.
Almiron- massively improved player under Eddie howe but his form has dropped off since his purple patch, he needs someone to compete with him for that RW spot and Diaby would be that man.
As you can see there is a hell of a lot of players who just simply good enough.
terencelim
Jan 22, 2023 at 4:05 AM
Comment #111The transfer team (including Dan Ashworth) and physio team are areas where club should replace if they want to progress.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 22, 2023 at 6:25 AM
Comment #112I understand people urging us to kick on. What I don’t get is when it’s written in such a manner that suggest the owners and manager aren’t aware of the fact. It’s blindingly obvious that they want success as much as we do. Some people are talking like we’ve got Ashley’s mentality of “we’re safe now, no need to spend”. They’ll be doing everything they can to bring in the right player. We’re such a team at the moment where we need not only to bring in the right skills so as not to upset the balance but the right character as well. I just don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t have complete faith in Amanda and Co to get it right.
theartfuldodger
Jan 22, 2023 at 6:36 AM
Comment #113Dissapointing result..
Regarding transfers…I would let the management manage this…
Good timing to get these 0-0s with the transfer window still open.
Transfer Sage
Jan 22, 2023 at 6:53 AM
Comment #114Jail
Completely agree with you. I think everyone at the club is keen to kick on. I don’t think anything here is due to a lack of ambition, it’s about finding the right player at the right price.
We don’t want a reputation for overpaying as it impacts all future transfers. As much as Man City pay a lot for some, they generally walk away from deals before being taken for mugs.
Chelsea might be spending big but they also have more revenue to utilise and stick within FFP. They are also a more attractive prospect currently as they have recent history and current European football.
I imagine a fair few players are still looking at us and asking if they believe we will be challenging within a couple of years and if this isn’t a flash in the pan and the owners are in it for the long hall like those at Man City and PSG.
Patience is the key.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 22, 2023 at 7:53 AM
Comment #115I’m not having a pop at Investinyouthtoon as I enjoy reading his posts. Yesterday he suggested we need a proven striker. The only two consistently top notch strikers in the PL at the moment are Haaland and Kane, the latter is nearly 30 and has a price tag of £100M. As I said yesterday, we have a current England International and one of the most highly rated young strikers in the world, I’m really not sure how you can get much more proven than that.
Transfer Sage
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:03 AM
Comment #116Jail
Totally agree on others sharing an opinion, always good for the blog to have varied opinions and chat.
Very true, not many teams have proven strikers. I think what we do need is players capable of scoring more, whether proven or not. Ideally from midfield and out wide.
Almiron had a good spell and has improved a lot but we currently don’t have a player on the other side chipping in with enough and we really lack goals in midfield. But I’m sure the club are planning to bring in more quality in those areas in time.
I think this second half of the season will be a big test for us and Howe. Up until the winter break, I think we weren’t properly seen as a top team in the league by others, but because of our form, teams now fear us a little. Howe will have to get this team able to break down teams keeping it tight whilst maintaining our defensive solidity.
It’s not easy changing that but he’ll have ti take a couple more risks by using more attacking players. I’m sure he’s capable of that, but it’s the next test to pass in our progression and will show if he’s the manager for the longer term.
I’m sure he is the right man long term by the way, just highlighting what I think the next steps are.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:21 AM
Comment #117TS,
They’ve been talking about it a lot on the FPL pods, Alniron’s streak wasn’t sustainable as his Xg was really low and you can’t score worldies every week. We need more goals from the likes of Willock, Lobby, Bruno and Jo, another DM would allow Bruno to get further forward as he does have a mixture of goals in him.
The Prince's Mate
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:25 AM
Comment #118Good performance last night considering the squad we have but shyte result.
If sporting directors etc don’t pull their fingers out this week, all NUFC’S hard work this season will have been wasted
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:29 AM
Comment #119“but it’s the next test to pass in our progression and will show if he’s the manager for the longer term”
Touchy subject TS but one I’ve mentioned a couple of times. I really do hope he is the man to take us to the heights but it’s a different ball game dealing with both European and PL football, that’s what the top managers do. He’s taken to managing a perennial relegation battle team in Bournemouth to fighting at the top end seamlessly, let’s hope he does the same next season. However, he won’t be immune from criticism forever.
The Prince's Mate
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:32 AM
Comment #120Carltoon, if we rest on our laurels ,that would be quite Hardy…..coat