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
Transfer Sage
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:33 AM
Comment #121Jail
We may listen to the same podcast as I remember hearing that. It was a true purple patch and not a sustainable change.
I agree, more goals from the middle is needed and we seem to be well aware of that with the type of player we’re linked with.
Part of it also will be a change in style. We have created a fair few chances that we’ve wasted, but we aren’t really performing below our xg across the season, so we need to create more and finish better.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:36 AM
Comment #122TPM,
Again, why write it in such a manner that sounds critical and suggesting they’re not already pulling ‘their fingers’ out. I sense impatience starting to spill over in a few different posts.
Wor B
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:37 AM
Comment #123TPM
If the right player isn’t available then stick with what we’ve got until summer. The last thing we need is knee-jerk signings that turn out to be duds or bad attitudes. Of course we’d all like a couple of game changers coming in, but if not this window, so be it. Keep calm and carry on!
Bambams
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:40 AM
Comment #124I always thought yesterday’s game would be tight.
Previous games were the same.
But to continue climbing the league is always good, and I will take the point all day.
We are not going to win them all, just need Big Joe to learn when to smash them when in front of goal.
Still happy, sore head though!
Fenham to Chalfont
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:42 AM
Comment #125Morning all,
Some cracking posts above lads, that make loads of sense…
I am in total agreement with Transfer Sage, Raj, theartfuldodger posts above that do make sense.
We drew yesterday and for some posters yesterday it was if we got slaughtered. We played a very high tempo, high press game against a very resilient and dangerous opponent in Palace yesterday. Palace were defending for their lives at times, but because of some bad finishing from Wilson, Big Joe, Isak who had stand out chances just were not clinical enough. On another day they’d have burst the net. Wilson’s movement and peeling away from his marker was top notch however he didn’t have his shooting boots on the same can be said for Miggy also. Unfortunately these things happen in football, it’s a game of very fine margins because if one of those sitters goes in then the players play with more freedom and relax, meaning they don’t snatch at chances. The longer a game stays 0-0 the more the players try harder and snatch at opportunities.
theartfuldodger Post #113 is interesting as if you are going to get a 0-0 ensure it’s in the transfer window.
I think we all agree we need to freshen things up again and as Raj rightly pointed out above. The powers that be will fully understand and appreciate exactly what needs done. However they will only act when it is the right player. It’s refreshing that they do their due diligence on players mentalities, character and ability to fit into Eddies style and culture. That is critical as we done what a player to come in and disrupt the harmony of the dressing room, however slide in like a hand and glove and make us better.
I do personally believe that they will have them said players already picked, I also believe they will strike this transfer window (which is notoriously difficult one to navigate) I also believe we will bring in 2 top with huge potential youngsters and a purple player in the mould of say a Maddison.
The team a playing very well IMO and as mentioned it is a game of fine margins and on another day we could have easily blew Palace out the water yesterday. Our quick interchanging snappy pass and move switching play from right to left was a pleasure to watch. But admittedly too many chances spurned and I felt the frustration from many yesterday because of this.
Wor B
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:43 AM
Comment #126Watched the match in the Irish club after a tour of hostelries of varying quality, bit of a heed thing going on this morning so no shouting please!
The Prince's Mate
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:47 AM
Comment #127Jail, you can sense all you,want as its my opinion….that’s the point of any blog…right??
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:50 AM
Comment #128TPM,
Why get so ar$ey, you stated your opinion and I questioned it, that’s the whole point of a blog is it not.
The Prince's Mate
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:52 AM
Comment #129WorB@123, good point, its just that I’m worried all the past year’s hard work by EH and co may be, affected?if we cant get someone to knock the ball into the net
The Prince's Mate
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:54 AM
Comment #130Jail, not getting arsey, never have been on this blog and bever will
sparky55
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:55 AM
Comment #131Being a left back and back in the day when I played, I rarely found myself in the rarified atmosphere of the oppositions box and only having scored 2 competitve goals (both worldies may I add) I think is due to the advice of a coach when I was but a young ‘un…he said “if you ever find yourself shooting at goal, aim for keeper cos you’ll always miss him!”
Maybe the toon coaches are teaching from the same coaching book???
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 22, 2023 at 8:55 AM
Comment #132We need more goals from outside of our strikers, Wilson’s goals per minute is up there with the best in the PL and Isak’s too. We’re not buying another striker so need a goal scoring winger and a CM like Tielemans who can crack a shot from outside the box.
Fenham to Chalfont
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:01 AM
Comment #133We can’t win them all in a nutshell re yesterday we’ll fought out draw…
But NUFC will do what’s right for the club in this transfer window only with the right player(s). We won’t wait to the last hours of the transfer window and get players on the cheap like Choudhury et al. We are simply not that club anymore which we will all agree on.
Keep the faith and trust in our club. We are not the same club we once were that run it into the ground so wilfully, we now have new owners who have a vision for wor club to be the best in world club football. Let the professionals plug away and do their jobs and let us see who we unearth. Apart from Wood who was brought in to do a specific job at the time when we were absolutely desperate. We’ve made some fantastic signings and the deals were exceptional such as Bruno, Trippier, Botman, Pope, BDB, Isak. We will add to this in a steady well thought out and executed manner. Still 9 days left in this window where we will hopefully see some movement in this transfer window very soon.
I am confident we will not be let down, I’m also confident that they will be the right players to take us forwards as part of our continuous improvement plan they will have in place as do all top major organisations do.
Wor B
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:01 AM
Comment #134TPM
The direction of travel is right, probably won’t always be at the pace everyone wants, but hey, we’ll get there! Have faith. 🙂
sparky55
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:03 AM
Comment #135Dont agree Jail…long range goals are not the answer…putting in just 50% the shots from 6 -10 yards is the answer and we’d win handsomely
IMO
Fenham to Chalfont
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:07 AM
Comment #136I also think we have the right strikers already. We will sign a Maddison, Tielemans type. Also a goal scoring winger and a couple of youngsters with huge potential that can back up players such as Bruno and Trippier who can still make the bench and come on and make a difference. Eddie will mould them as he wants. But youngsters with the right skills, mindset, hunger and attitude to make it big.
That’s the way we will go. IMO of course and Eddie or Dan get sparky signed up at LB BDB needs a spark in there with him 😉
Transfer Sage
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:09 AM
Comment #137Sparky
I’m inclined to agree. Since football introduced a lot more data, shots outside the box have dramatically dropped due to the low chance of a goal.
I would say though, it’s nice to have somebody in there who gives it a higher chance of success as at times longer shots will be taken.
They key for me is either changing wide players or system/intent (not sure which is needed), so that we get more goals from those areas.
The best in the business for me on that is Man City. Excellent quality of delivery but there is a always a man at the back post for the tap in. Take Sterling as an example, I don’t think he’s a great player, good but not great. His goal record at city was superb because in that system he knew if the ball was on the opposite side, he had to make a certain run and most games he’d get a chance to put it away.
That’s the next level for us. It will likely take a slight change to approach and a bit more quality to go with the hard work, but that’s where I see this team improving next.
sparky55
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:13 AM
Comment #138We’re not playing badly so there shouldnt really be hurry to change what we’re doing…we just need to be better at converting our chances as the stats confirm we’re creating loads but converting very few.
sparky55
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:18 AM
Comment #139Ftc.. you’ve gone right up in my estimation! 😉
Wor B
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:22 AM
Comment #140In a galaxy, far, far away…
An alien spaceship receives Sky Sport’s transmission from Selhirst Park.
The captain of the spaceship turns to the first officer…. “Kqwarrknnbraud grrrommmbttd!”
Translation: I didn’t know we had one of ours on planet earth!
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:25 AM
Comment #141sparky55,
I know what you mean but those long range goals are needed to unlock games sometimes, we have two clinical finishers in Isak and Wilson, maybe a tactical change to ensure they get more shots then.
Fenham to Chalfont
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:26 AM
Comment #142Cheers Sparky lol 😉
Fenham to Chalfont
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:29 AM
Comment #143Munster Mag
Jan 22, 2023 at 1:50 AM
Comment #109
Was wondering why I’m so awake…went for a lovely burger with wife and daughter and had a Coke. Ping! Baaad move.
Munster what coke was it to keep you up to the wee hours. Was it coca-cola, Pepsi, or Pepsi Max? Scratchingheademoji
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:29 AM
Comment #144Seeing this a lot lately. “Am I not entitled to an opinion” when someone disagrees with said opinion. Just because someone disagrees with you it doesn’t mean that they are questioning your right to say it in the first place. sparky55 doesn’t agree with me that a player like Tielemans is the answer to our goal shortage of late, he did not at all question my right to that opinion. People claiming it stifles debate by being disagreed with, surely it’s the contrary and should encourage it if done in a respectful manner.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:33 AM
Comment #145My opinion but I don’t think Wood can be classed as anything but a good signing given the circumstances, in fact seeing as it looks like getting a lot of our money back, I’d say an excellent signing.
Fenham to Chalfont
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:34 AM
Comment #146If we had a choice between Tielemans or Maddison. I’d take Maddison all day long. Set piece specialist to assist Trippier and Schar.
Take a lovely in swinging corners from the left with his right peg.
We need a creative spark such as him and wor team would secure 3rd 4th place this season.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:35 AM
Comment #147I’m also not suggesting that 50% of shots should be the way, just having a player that can hit the target in a congested box the way Palace did can unlock the game.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:36 AM
Comment #148*from outside the box.
Wor B
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:45 AM
Comment #149Wonder if Gareth has now pencilled in Seany, little Joe and BDB into his back up plans, along with the Popester, Trips and Wor Callum already in the England squad?
Fenham to Chalfont
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:51 AM
Comment #150Need Lord Scattercash to do the right thing and sign the following:
– goal scoring winger
– An attacking midfielder who can unlock a defence (a Maddison, Tielemans type)
– 4x young up and coming youngsters who have the potential to be world class give time and the right coaching. Who can rotate and get on the pitch as understudies to Trippier, BDB, Bruno, Isak/Wilson. NUFC have scouted them we know who they are now get that cheque book out please
Cheers 🙂
cyprus
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:51 AM
Comment #151Jail
In fairness, a “proven goalscorer” (somebody find the official definition before we start on this one) scores goals, lots of them. Say, like 15 a season.
Though Wilson can do that, he’s plagued by injury and Isak is just beginning.
So, I get that comment.
Priorities? Eddie and his team know best and all that. Who are we to… etc.
Nah, scratch the previous paragraph, they’re human like you and me (no sxxt!). They need help too.
So, priority n.1, a David Silva, De bruyne type. N.2?
Let me think 🙂
Fenham to Chalfont
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:55 AM
Comment #152Wor B
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:45 AM
Comment #149
Good shout as they all played a great part last night. I thought Willock was outstanding again when he was swapping positions with Big Joe and attacking down the left. Lobby played very well also and has some engine on him, he covered so much ground and swept up all over the pitch, BDB had a good game also. Unlucky not to score with that shot.
Good point Wor B
jane
Jan 22, 2023 at 9:55 AM
Comment #153“Translation: I didn’t know we had one of ours on planet earth!”
Elon Musk?
Fenham to Chalfont
Jan 22, 2023 at 10:02 AM
Comment #154Sorry not forgotten one of the best saves I have seen in a long time from wor Pope.
What a sucker punch that would have been if he didn’t pull of such a worldie save.
Dear me could you imagine the horror and outrage on here from the few that post match days with negativity throughout the game(s) it would have been carnage and unreadable if Pope didn’t pull that save off under the watchful eye of Southgate. Nothing to do all game and made a reaction save like that. We have a top top GK in Pope. He adds to the reason why we have the stingiest defence in Europe.
Wor B
Jan 22, 2023 at 10:07 AM
Comment #155FtC
Cheers
Your charm offensive is working wonders, keep it up and maybe even Jail will grow to like you. 😆
Munster Mag
Jan 22, 2023 at 10:07 AM
Comment #156Fenners, it wasn’t the columbian stuff anyway :). Just a Coca Cola. Bad idea though, didn’t get to sleep till about 2.30 🙁
Wor B
Jan 22, 2023 at 10:09 AM
Comment #157Jane
No, the thing perched on Zaha’s heed!
Fenham to Chalfont
Jan 22, 2023 at 10:13 AM
Comment #158I like the look of that Piero Hincapie from Leverkusen. He is just turned 21 and can play alongside Botman. Them 2 would form a formidable partnership at the back as Schar is not getting any younger. Schar has done unbelievably well but I feel we will need cover that side of defence as BDB can cover Botman.
Apparently we’ve met up with Hincapie‘s representatives to discuss a possible move. I’d love the lad here. He is another beast and can score with his head from set pieces. 6ft 2” so another big lad for 21.
simon376
Jan 22, 2023 at 10:14 AM
Comment #159Should be no upset after the draw yesterday. Of course I want us to win every single game we play, but its never going to happen. Yeah so many shots but just couldnt finish, sometimes the other keeper has a blinder. If we think about it though, a point away is always a good result. Yes some teams want more than a point, but if we can mostly get a point away and a win at home, easily going to finish top 4.
Lets just hope we can improve the squad over the next couple of windows with some quality players and we will know be able to turn a few more of these away points into three and few more home wins. What has been done in past year is just amazing, its going to happen, its already started
Fenham to Chalfont
Jan 22, 2023 at 10:15 AM
Comment #160Wor B
Jan 22, 2023 at 10:07 AM
Comment #155
FtC
Cheers
Your charm offensive is working wonders, keep it up and maybe even Jail will grow to like you.
Haha I’d have thought Hell has a better chance of freezing over than that happening mate. But with climate change you never know 😉