Newcastle have a cup semi-final tomorrow night at Southampton as the focus shifts away from the Premier League to two massive fixtures. The Magpies have a fantastic chance at a Wembley final but must take care of business over the next two Tuesday nights.
Eddie Howe has spoken to the press ahead of tomorrow’s clash at St Mary’s. He had this to say about this opportunity for a cup final per the club’s Twitter account:
“We’re delighted to be where we are but the semi-final itself isn’t enough. Ultimately you want to get one step further and I know the players feel the same way. We want to make the final.
“We want it to be a tie for the supporters. The only way we can guarantee that is by performing at our best. We’re desperate for the next step but we have to take our mind off that and focus on the job and that is to go to Southampton and perform.”
Newcastle have done extremely well to reach this point in the competition. Not advancing to the final would be a stinging disappointment. Howe will have the lads primed and ready tomorrow night.
This is a busy time in the footballing world with the transfer window slamming shut in one week. Newcastle will be playing the second leg on deadline day. There may not be much activity on the final day of the window.
Newcastle will be active with Howe needing a couple of new faces to freshen up his squad for the second half of the season. At the very least, the club need to replace Chris Wood.
Howe was asked about transfers with The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder providing his following response:
“From my side, I shift my focus from one thing to another. That’s one of my strengths, my first priority is always the games. And the players we have here, they are always my priority so training and games and making sure we don’t take any shortcuts.
“Then once that is done, it is the transfer market and making sure we identify the players we feel that can make the group stronger.
“The club are trying. That’s where we are, there’s no positive news to give you but certainly, there is a lot of work going on.”
Howe was specifically asked about Everton’s Anthony Gordon, who has resurfaced as a target. The head coach refused to mention any players specifically with it thought he covets a young right-back, a versatile forward, and a midfielder.
Unfortunately, Newcastle have pulled out of the running for Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda. The 18-year-old has been scouted by chief scout Steve Nickson but Arsenal and Dortmund will now battle it out for the young Spaniard according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
Newcastle have not matched the on-the-table offer of £13m plus loaning Fresneda back to Valladolid for the rest of the season. It is now up to Fresneda to choose between Arsenal and Dortmund as to where his future lies.
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83 comments so far
Ap
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:07 AM
Comment #41We should get someone to launch throws into box aswell like rory delap. Can’t believe players dont practice or work on that
DrGloom
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:09 AM
Comment #42I’d take Maddison but will Leicester sell with a week to go in the window – they’re also near relegation places and unless they’ve already consigned themselves to relegation I think they’ll hold on to players this window and review in the summer
Ap
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:09 AM
Comment #43Dubs cup tied
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:10 AM
Comment #44Need the cash for a black market ticket!
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Joking. 🙂
Ap
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:11 AM
Comment #45Transfer sage i think when we get in box near byline just shoot towards keeper and hope keeper error or the ball ends up for a rebound
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:12 AM
Comment #46Ap
That’s why we have Watson back! 🙂
Anyway, later!
jazzyp
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:12 AM
Comment #47Irishrob
Nah mate totally disagree there mate.Ive been going over 30 year now and even in Bobby’s day when ya couldn’t get tickets for love n money I still managed.
I know loads of regulars around me in the Platinum who haven’t even managed a game yet.
The system is crashing for members as you get down to your turn for purchase then just kicks you off.
It might as well be just general sale now because membership is worthless and a waste of money
Rotonda heights
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:13 AM
Comment #48Fact is that statistically most crosses are headed away with CB’s facing away from their own goal.
Cut backs and through balls are far more productive.
Look at how many times Miggy has cut it back for an onrushing Longstaff or whoever to spoon it over time after time.
Murphy at CP getting behind to the byline laying it across on the deck and again we can’t finish.
Sadly we still have too many players who can’t shoot and finish for toffee
Ap
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:13 AM
Comment #49Lampard needs to start in championship again and get a team promoted to get his reputation stronger
Transfer Sage
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:13 AM
Comment #50AP
Throw in coaches are genuinely a thing and employed by a number of clubs but very few implement a long throw.
I think it’s one of those things which generally isn’t effective but looks more threatening.
Rotonda heights
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:14 AM
Comment #51Oh yeah Dubs is cup tied. Excellent.
Ap
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:16 AM
Comment #52Shelvey staying
Ap
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:17 AM
Comment #53Transfer sage dont need a coach. Get all players to launch long throws see who has the strongest throw and use him
Ap
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:18 AM
Comment #54Good old sunday league style
Toon_Barmy
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:18 AM
Comment #55@JazzyP tbf I’ve always managed to get tickets with my membership and it’s the best £35 I’ve spent. Obviously it’s luck of the draw and I’ve sometimes had to settle for L7 but how is there a better way of doing it?
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:19 AM
Comment #56If we get a No.10 we’re going to be weaker at the back. Because we can’t play a no.10 and a DM together if we want to play wingers and wingbacks. Doing that would literally only be possible by playing a 1 man midfield which would be suicide.
I’m not saying I don’t want to see us transition to a No.10 I think I’d like to see that as well, we need more goals, I’m just saying be prepared to be weaker at the back and conceding a few more than we normally would.
I do think we need to try it, the goals are drying up big time. It’s no coincidence that since we have cone back from the break we have been almost impossible to break down but because of it, we are finding it very hard to score.
Zele
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:21 AM
Comment #57I have faith in the management to select and buy a player with the right attitude.
Gordon has the potential to be a very good player but comes with some baggage.
However, baggage can be easily removed by a good coaching team and senior pros in the dressing room. Potential remains and can be improved.
I wonder whether being at Everton and in his own town / area is a drag / distraction for him. A more progressive, enlightened and enjoyable environment is what he needs.
Rotonda heights
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:21 AM
Comment #58Irish Rob,
I don’t like it you’ve gone too far the other way now and tempting fate. I didn’t like you being overly negative but that a 180 degree swing there!!
Adamn_92
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:22 AM
Comment #59Irob
When I say a number 10 or creative midfielder, I mean someone who can play in that midfield 3 but just has the ability to do what a number 10 does. Like push forward into those pockets of space, thread a pass, score from outside the box and dictate play and pull defenders around the 18 yard box. Not someone who will actually sit and play in the number 10 role and change our shape. Maddison (again the example lol) for instance has played wide right for Leicester this season but had freedom to roam into that 10 position when attacking. He also presses well and isn’t afraid to get stuck in so I think would easily be able to slot into our midfield 3.
Same goes for someone like Tielemans, who plays in a general midfield role but has the abilities of a number 10 type player.
Rotonda heights
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:23 AM
Comment #60Zele
Is he that good though? Can’t get in a team sat almost bottom and his stats are very mediocre.
Transfer Sage
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:23 AM
Comment #61Irish
I’d agree with you to some extend on the number 10/DM issue but I guess it depends on what we expect of those players.
There aren’t many out and out DMs anymore, they tend to do a little more than the likes of Makelele in his prime.
If you played Bruno and Tielmans as an example, then maddison ahead. You’d have rotation between Bruno and Tielmans as to who sits. You can also do what a number of teams do and have one fullback push into the midfield role to boost numbers or have one sit back more when attacking down the other flank.
It’s much more about rotation now than players in static positions. Which is why having a really good quality coach, as we do, is so important.
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:24 AM
Comment #62Jazzy if you’re not getting a ticket it’s because you’re not going to enough matches Recently. It’s literally as simple as that unfortunately.
You might have a long history of going to matches over the last 30 years and fair dues, but if you’re not getting a ticket then you’re obviously not going to as many matches as other over the last year or two.
Handing them out to fans based on recent purchases is the only fair way to do it.
Toonarmy of Frogs
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:26 AM
Comment #63Rob it doesn’t work that way. I’ve been to Leeds, Brentford and the friendly game in December. You log on and queue. That’s it.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:27 AM
Comment #64Yeah I have got to ticket page still says tickets available click on says error
Tried all over the ground
Why don’t they update and just say sold out
Arghhhhh
dazzler
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:32 AM
Comment #65DrGloom,
Everton are fked though, properly and utterly in the clarts on and off the pitch. I think they may have their hand forced just to balance the books, plus we have a couple of championship quality wingers we could offer in exchange 😉
Zele
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:33 AM
Comment #66Rotonda heights
I think he has ability and very good potential.
Being in a very poor team will always hold back almost any player.
Many on here are recommending Tielmans and Maddison but Leicester is only one point above a relegation spot, but admit that doesn’t mean these two players are poor and contributed to Leicester’s lowly position.
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:33 AM
Comment #67What I know about membership isn’t a lot but I do know people have been explicitly told that membership doesn’t guarantee you an opportunity to buy a ticket., it just gives you a better opportunity to buy one over someone who isn’t a member.
For example when there are tickets for lesser games or games with not as much of a demand for tickets, this is when memberships can be useful.
But the club have stated over and over for the last year or two that you’re best chance of getting tickets for big matches is to have a season ticket, and even then the tickets are still allocated to the ones who travel to all the away matches and cup matches first.
I think there’s around 40K season ticket holders so when only 3-10k tickets are made available then you can see how its next to impossible to get a ticket unless you’re putting in the hard yards home and away and going to cup matches.
I never ever hear people who travel to all the matches hone and away complain they can’t get a ticket. Its not the system.
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:36 AM
Comment #68Toonarmy mate like i was saying I don’t know all the ins and outs of it, but I know it’s not a coincidence that you never ever hear fans who travel to all the matches complain they cant get a ticket, you just don’t like.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:36 AM
Comment #69@Adam92
I think teams as well seem happy to gamble on Joelinton and Longstaff getting chances rather than Almiron on Wilson
Was the same with Almiron for ages ASM marked out of games with Almiron the freedom of the pitch but he couldn’t do anything right at that point
In an ideal world someone else would pick up the slack and start finishing chances but I feel we just need someone ice cold clinical to come in and score goals
Maddison is a name that gets touted and for good reason the chances we do create on the edge of the box I think he would already have about 7 or 8 goals this season that would have us either above or equal Arsenal
Small margins though but they can make all the difference
Toonarmy of Frogs
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:39 AM
Comment #70The site. Freezes. Doesn’t update. Checkout on buying tickets fails.
Can’t handle peak demand.
Away games you need points only a select few thousand qualify – the site can handle that traffic.
It can’t handle current usage. By all means please try and rate it.
Adamn_92
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:40 AM
Comment #71LCBP
Yeah that’s why a player like Maddison really would seem like the perfect solution. Either he’d be getting on the end of these chances and would likely be tucking them away. Or, defences will be wary of him so if they get tight to him then it allows the likes of Miggy, Wilson, Isak or ASM more space to get chances.
Whether we get that type of player in this window remains a mystery, but even if we don’t I think the goals will start coming again once Wilson shakes off this rusty spell and Isak is deemed match fit enough to start games.
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:41 AM
Comment #72IrishRob – are people actually saying that the ticket system is unfair in terms of ST holders getting tickets ahead of others?
There are only 2 things that bother me in terms of the ticket system:
1 – people/companies reselling tickets for the sole benefit of their own bank balance
2 – too many empty seats
I know I claim zero rights for a ticket and am very grateful when I get one. As long as there are routes for non-ST holders to get some tickets, that’s good. The club doesn’t want to make tickets unattainable as we also want to attract new fans and give them the occasional opportunity to see our team live.
Toonarmy of Frogs
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:41 AM
Comment #73Well I’ll watch it on TV.
Its not the same and a shame since I live 5miles from Newcastle.
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:43 AM
Comment #74I think virtually every ticket I’ve ever got has been via a ST holder. When I lived and worked in Newcastle, someone would post on the work intranet if they couldn’t go and I picked up loads of tickets that way. Seemed pretty fair to me. If I was a ST holder, I’d go about it a similar way if I couldn’t go.
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:44 AM
Comment #75Toonarmy I think those are just bugs to hide how it really works, I.e you long in with your supporter number and the system recognises who is gong to all the matches and who’s not and prioritising people, and leaving the rest in limbo.
But ultimately its still awarding the tickets fairly, all the fans who travel home and away never ever seem to have an issue with thicket literally ever.
It still ultimately boils down to how many matches you attend in the year.
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:50 AM
Comment #76Transfer sage, I agree formations do tend to be more fluid now aways, I think there’s points to both sides.
Toonarmy of Frogs
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:51 AM
Comment #77If you travel to home and away. You have a season ticket – that’s a guaranteed seat
They’ve got nothing to whinge about.
Its not that clever. They reserve the prior attendance to Liverpool game but you only had to be to 1 game this season.
How can you judge its fair without experiencing it?
The queue generates a random position at 10am. Log on at 10.01 and your at the back of the queue.
That is our booking system…..
Transfer Sage
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:52 AM
Comment #78Irish Rob
I think transparency is important in these instances to stop any confusion and for people to understand what they need to do to get tickets in the future and why they may no longer be considered the highest priority customer when they had in the past.
There may also be some bugs in the system, that’s not unusual for a company of any size to have technical issues from time to time, particularly when experiencing a high volume of traffic to the site.
I’ve got say though I’m not a huge fan of how things currently work (and not just NUFC but a lot of teams/other sports too) in that loyalty is rewarded. There are people who genuinely attend most games and will spend a good chunk of income on it, there will be those who’d love to do that but can’t for financial, other commitment or health reasons.
Then you’ll have people who have plenty of money, buy all the tickets and give a number away to friends and family (or even sell them on). It’s not right that a person who maybe attends only 50% of games but buys 100% of tickets is effectively deciding who gets their ticket when a person who maybe attends 75% of games can’t.
I think much like other sports and music events, there isn’t a simple way to police this 100% fairly so the current system seems to be the best way of doing it. I’d love to hear some proper alternatives but I agree with TDS that a fair number should be agreed on for a general sale to attract those who maybe can’t afford to go every week or who have ill health.
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:53 AM
Comment #79Rotunda I’ll give you a hint I’m almost never negative internally,it’s usually just superstition, I hate even having to say this though because now it feels like I’m letting the cat out of the bag and it’s not going to work anymore lol.
But at the end of the day, I really do feel were going to get them good.
Dont worry on the matchday though I’ll be back to my usual self 😉
Ap
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:00 PM
Comment #80Mckennie 25mill plus bonuses