Newcastle’s recent lack of prowess in front of goal is a point of intrigue heading into Tuesday’s first-leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Southampton. The Magpies have created plenty of chances but just haven’t had their finishing boots on in recent weeks.
That could lead Eddie Howe to alter his team tomorrow. Conventional wisdom is Howe will go with his preferred eleven. However, tweaking the lineup could spark the desired result of more goals.
I suspect Howe will make a bold change by dropping Callum Wilson and handing a start to Alexander Isak. It would be harsh on Wilson but giving him a break may benefit the 30-year-old in the long run.
This is the team I am predicting Howe will select with just the one change at the top of the pitch. It would be Isak’s first league start since the 1-1 draw against Bournemouth in September.
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217 comments so far
Transfer Sage
Jan 24, 2023 at 9:45 AM
Comment #161Hit submit a little soon.
This is what I always think of under the current FFP model. The teams which happened to be big when football as a business took off are rewarded for this. They began to generate huge revenue and therefore have the influential positions within their league, UEFA and FIFA, so they influence these rules to keep things “fair”.
It’s entirely about keeping the wealthy, wealthy and at the top of the game. They hate clubs challenging them who are perceived to be lesser.
bettyswallocks
Jan 24, 2023 at 9:47 AM
Comment #162Reports now emerging that we’re planning a double swoop on Everton… Apparently favourable reports have come back on Gordon so a bid has been given the green light…
Also we are interested in Onana who looks like a young Patrick Viera , an absolute beast of a midfielder…
Whether Everton will play ball during their turmoil remains to be seen…
Transfer Sage
Jan 24, 2023 at 9:48 AM
Comment #163Adamn
For me any big change like that would need to be introduced over time, allowing contracts to run down or be renegotiated if that player wished to remain at that club. I don’t think there will be any appetite for that though.
Adamn_92
Jan 24, 2023 at 9:52 AM
Comment #164Betty
It’d almost be smart for Everton to try and offload some of their higher earners now and get some good transfer fees in. Gordon could likely demand ÂŁ30m as he’s young and English. Onana probably close to the same as he’s young and shown real potential.
Imagine Onana at least is on a decent wage, not sure about Gordon. But they’re almost certain to get relegated at this stage. So may as well try and balance the books a bit and prepare for a Championship season.
Adamn_92
Jan 24, 2023 at 9:53 AM
Comment #165TS
Yeah that’s the issue I suppose, don’t think it’d be met with much acceptance by a number of clubs and players would be furious their that they have to take pay cuts over time. They’d still be paid more than enough obviously, but a pay cut is a pay cut to them still I suppose, so can’t imagine they’d be thrilled with the idea.
Flurzinho
Jan 24, 2023 at 9:59 AM
Comment #166I would take Onana in a heartbeat.
Gordon no.
Toonarmy of Frogs
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:03 AM
Comment #167Definite No to Gordon.
Transfer Sage
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:05 AM
Comment #168Adamn
Everton need to recoup money but they paid 33 million for Onana in the summer, so I’d guess they’d be hoping for 40mil plus, given he’s done well for them so far.
They are in a difficult position. They need to get the right manager in soon if they are to stay up this season. They do have the squad to stay up so losing Gordon might not be something they want, same for Onana as they should still get decent fees in the summer whether relegated or not.
They actually have a sporting director with a good reputation. Kenwright and Moshiri need to trust him to get on with things and deliver his vision. Given their circumstances it will take time to rebuild but they need to accept they are what most clubs are not and that they are their to feed bigger clubs. The sooner they do that and base their strategy on that, they will be able to invest properly in a progressive manager and move forward, improving season by season.
We’re the same to an extent. Until we are a champions league regular (which might not be a thing in England as there are more than four top clubs but only four spaces) and competing for titles, then we could easily lose top players to the current elite clubs. Nobody would be able to convince me that Bruno’s head wouldn’t be turned by Man City or Madrid at this time.
Toon_Barmy
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:06 AM
Comment #169As if Everton are selling Onana. There would be riots. They aren’t going to be resigned to relegation. They will want to strengthen and fight their way out of bother
Adamn_92
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:08 AM
Comment #170I’m actually more sold on Gordon than ever before. His breakthrough season had a bit of everything. Worked hard, pressed well, tracked back, had rapid pace, got good crosses in, had an eye for pass, took players on, got into good positions, had good finishing and caused defences issues for the whole match.
Think being linked with a big money move turned his head and he got carried away, then got stuck in a rut by being stuck in an Everton side that are in complete shambles. Someone like Howe could get his focus and head back into the game and turn him into a really dangerous player. Look beyond his little shite kind of demeanor and there’s a real player there who Howe could take to a new level.
Transfer Sage
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:08 AM
Comment #171I don’t think we’ll get Gordon but I’d take him.
He’s full of energy, has good quality, works hard on the pitch (everton aren’t a pressing team so can’t expect him to press as our lads do currently), has a bit of fire about him and wins plenty of free kicks. This suits us when we have the likes of Trippier in the team.
He’s also got that edge where he pressures refs and winds up players. I know many don’t like that but it’s part of the game currently and all top teams do it, anything to get an extra 1%. Like it or not, it’s really needed… you don’t get points for being nice and players like Trippier and Bruno are showing us how that’s done.
Rob
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:09 AM
Comment #172I am going for a cheeky 2-0 to the toon, almiron goal, isak goal with almiron assist.
4-2-3-1 isak in behind wilson with almiron and st maxi either side. Joelinton and bruno in the middle. Drop willock and longstaff, give them a break.
Please god no lacelles. If he starts, we will be 1-0 down before half time
Rob
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:11 AM
Comment #173Chelsea allegedly in for gordon now, wouldnt surprise me if nufc are leaking public targets, let the likes of chelsea spunk cash hoovering them up whilst we plead poverty and ffp then the last few days of the window, pull a rabbit out the hat that no-one suspected
niafron
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:15 AM
Comment #174Bonjour Mesdames et Messieurs!
Think we will carry on with 4-3-3 but with Joe in the middle and either Isak or Maxi on the left.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:19 AM
Comment #175TDS…. Tonne not Ton? I suspect a 5th column in action. 🙂
Tinos Vino
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:20 AM
Comment #176toon barmy but its Ashley type tactics from the Everton board. no manager so how are they going to strengthen in less than a week? we tried to get a few over the line etc etc. if there is no manager by Friday then …
They need to sell as i think when their books get looked at they will be fined and points deducted anyway if they don’t. They don’t have Covid to cook them this time.
i’m with Rob i am expecting a complete left field player from Italy, France or Spain
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:23 AM
Comment #177TV, I take it we will play him on the right!
i’m with Rob i am expecting a complete left field player from Italy, France or Spain
🙂
Tinos Vino
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:24 AM
Comment #178@ Pug i knew as soon as i clicked the submit button you would be on that comment 🙂
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:25 AM
Comment #179Admit no ” ” but I will point out that Jail did post the same statement in a few minutes, on the same bus this morning. 🙂 Surprised no one pulled him up.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:25 AM
Comment #180TV, apologies.
bettyswallocks
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:25 AM
Comment #181Adam…. You might be right… If Everton have resigned themselves to going down … it would make sense to sell a few players whilst they’re still deemed PL players…
I’d love Onana… Only twenty and a real commanding presence in midfield..
lochinvar
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:26 AM
Comment #18226,000 in the queue for cup tickets at SJP
That’s after ST confirmations and any extra ST holder purchasers.
Better get the Gallowgate corners and East Stand/Leazes corner extensions down to the Planners pdq
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:28 AM
Comment #183By “same statement”, not TV’s just a repetition of (Jail’s) 1st post 🙂
Sorry Jail, just poking fun.
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:28 AM
Comment #184Pug – imperial measurements should go the way of the dinosaurs in my opinion. It’s ridiculous that we still use them.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:29 AM
Comment #185Everton are 3 points from 14th!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:32 AM
Comment #186TDS, I disagree. Imperial measurements made you use your brain to work things out and it became second nature. Today, look at USA. still use 1/4, 1/2…….1/32 etc and just do it.
Metric is more streamlined, can make more sense, but it dumbs down the population (in mathematical terms).
niafron
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:32 AM
Comment #187Five goals for MbappĂ© yesterday… are we sure we don’t have 300 or 400 millions somewhere?
bettyswallocks
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:33 AM
Comment #188Captain Pugwash…… They still need to sell to balance their books and provide funds for the new manager to sign a few players of his choice..
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:34 AM
Comment #189Niafron, just looked underneath my sofa. Only ÂŁ250M. Sorry.
Adamn_92
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:34 AM
Comment #190Betty
Aye Onana would be great but like TS (I think!) said though, paid ÂŁ40m for him not long ago so would probably demand a big fee for him. Would be ideal though for us.
Rob
I did wonder that at one stage, would be amazing shitehousery if we were leaking targets to make Chelsea spend more money on them and we snap up a youngster from South America on the cheap instead haha
Pug
Aye Everton can obviously save their season, I just think everything points towards implosion there though. Fans on players back and cornering them in car parks, horrible atmosphere at home games, board making mistakes, need a new manager to now come and have an instant impact and the players themselves look defeated already. We had a wave of euphoria thanks to a takeover and Howe to turn us around when it all seemed bleak. Everton will have a new manager and that’s it. Don’t trust their board to get the right man in either to be honest.
Tinos Vino
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:36 AM
Comment #191i think the next loophole will be that you can pay up players contracts and get shot off the wage bill and it will be treated as a one off “special” payment. there will always be ways to flex the rules if wage spending against your T/O come in
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:37 AM
Comment #192Betts, In their position, no one out and, if no money, no one in. New Manager, get us the extra 3 points.
I heard today (taking in account temp managers) Toffees have had 12 managers in 7 years.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:38 AM
Comment #193Mind you, ref Toffees. New manager has a 2 week break. Next 2 matches, LiVARpool and Arsenal. I think I would say ” I can start in 3 weeks” 🙂
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:39 AM
Comment #194Adamn, ref.comment to me. I cannot disagree.
Tinos Vino
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:42 AM
Comment #195I think Everton are gone. i listened to 5 live last night and I cant remember who said it but it was an Everton ex player.
You can flirt with relegation only so many times and when teams come up who are well run it makes it harder if you are not well run yourself. We know from History that this is true.
If Southampton ( after the next two games with us ) get their act together then defo Everton are gone.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:43 AM
Comment #196TV, I know, but EUFA have been very proactive on Chelsea trying to push the boundaries. Bringing in new 5 year max contracts for next season.
One question. If a player was offered an 8 year contract and EUFA said no, is that not a restraint of trade?
Tinos Vino
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:44 AM
Comment #197Pug re managers tat Everton the same guy said at the weekend before they had players from 5 previous managers playing and the game before they had players from the previous 6 managers playing. utter madness
Tinos Vino
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:45 AM
Comment #198pug dont think they cant offer 8 years just can only amortise on their P/L over 5 years
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:46 AM
Comment #199Pug – nah. Plenty of maths that people can do without imperial measurements. If something is ÂŁ4.36 per 100g, you’ve still got to work out how much it would cost for 600g.
Most young people use calculators for that these days though, nothing to do with having imperial measurements or not.
Converting 1,456 ounces into stone is stupidly complicated. Converting 1,456 milligrams into grams or expressing as a kilogram is easy.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:47 AM
Comment #200Not saying anything but…. Greggs just opened a Stanley Park outlet.