Newcastle have not tasted victory since January and are currently mired in a three-match losing skid. The train has not quite derailed as the recent defeats were against some of the country’s top clubs with Newcastle putting up an admirable fight each time.
Next up is Wolves at home; a fixture, while far from easy, could serve as a platform for a down-the-stretch surge should the Magpies get it right. In his his latest Newcastle prediction, Chris Sutton expects that winning feeling to return to Tyneside with a 1-0 victory.
Here is his prediction in full:
Newcastle need to get back on track after five games without a win in all competitions, but they have not scored for 315 minutes now and that lack of bite is their biggest problem.
They created some chances against Manchester City last week, but they really need someone to start putting them away if they are going to stay in the hunt for a top-four place.
I don’t think Eddie Howe’s side are feeling sorry for themselves, because they are still playing well up until the final third. Their fans are proud of their efforts this season and will really get behind them here too, which will help.
Wolves got a great win over Tottenham last week but they are not out of trouble yet. They will make life difficult for Newcastle but I am still going for a home win – albeit a very narrow one.
This outcome would be welcomed with open arms by the Toon Army. It would be the first win since the second leg of the league cup semi-final while also adding another clean sheet to the season tally.
The primary concern as Sutton rightly asserts is the goal drought. Newcastle have not breached an opposition’s defense since the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth almost one month ago. That has to change or the disappointment will continue.
Eddie Howe may once again alter his lineup to try and spark the attack. Last week it was Anthony Gordon in for Saint-Maximin but to no avail. Howe could pull Callum Wilson for Alexander Isak, who has provided sparks off the bench recently.
There is still plenty of time left in the campaign for a second wind. The Wembley final and the difficult recent schedule have compounded frustrations. There is reason to believe the joy can return on Sunday.
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176 comments so far
Ap
Mar 9, 2023 at 6:36 PM
Comment #41The big belly crusader
Assassins Inc
Mar 9, 2023 at 6:36 PM
Comment #42I do love it when Andy Pandy comes up with new material, wait, no sadly, nothing new.
Ap
Mar 9, 2023 at 6:38 PM
Comment #43Jelly Belly Man sliding down his Jelly Belly pole to his Jelly Belly cave getting in his Jelly Belly Mobile then getting in his Jelly Belly copter
Fenham to Chalfont
Mar 9, 2023 at 6:39 PM
Comment #44I really hope Targett get the nod at LB. Play Gordon in front of him. I like BDB wears his heart on his sleeve and is a true Geordie warrior. But I personally believe Targett will give us more of a threat going forward. We need more industry down our left to balance the flanks. BDB doesn’t give us that punch going forward. When we play teams that will probably sit deep we need a Targett to bomb forward on the overlap and get the ball in to box.
Ap
Mar 9, 2023 at 6:44 PM
Comment #45Ass ass inc forget fingers crossed you should cross your 2 asses 😀
Fenham to Chalfont
Mar 9, 2023 at 6:44 PM
Comment #46Team I’d like to see against wolves:
433
++++++++++++++Pope+++++++++++++++++
Trippier____Schar_____Botman_____Targett
_______________Bruno_________________
____Longstaff________________Willock____
Almiron________Isak____________Gordon
Ronway
Mar 9, 2023 at 6:49 PM
Comment #47F to C – #44
I don’t think the current, major problem has been to get the “ball into the box” but rather getting the “ball into the net.”
Having said that, getting more balls into the box would surely increase the chance of getting more goals.
magicmac54
Mar 9, 2023 at 6:49 PM
Comment #48Fenham
Wilson is definitely out of sorts at the moment, so in my opinion if Eddie persists in playing him, i really hope it`s not at the expense of Isak, i remember some fans saying big Les Ferdinand and Shearer couldn`t play together but as you know they formed a really lethal partnership together, perhaps Wilson and Isak could form a simular partnership, if we don`t at least try it we will never know mate, it`s definitely worth a try as our forward line is not is simply not functioning at the moment so nothing to lose HWTL
Fenham to Chalfont
Mar 9, 2023 at 6:51 PM
Comment #49Only 70% believe we will be victors on Sunday?
We need to get back to winning ways in our next 3 games. All winnable. Then give Manure a good slap at SJP 3rd game up. Give them some Karma, their support is the worst of the worst. The amount of them that were leaving Wembley early was a disgrace. Entitled twots
Fenham to Chalfont
Mar 9, 2023 at 6:57 PM
Comment #50Ronway #47 yes I do agree that the finishing has either been woefully bad, or nobody busted a guy to get to the back stick to prod home.
For me Gordon or Almiron are the perfect type of players to do that with their work ethics. Targett and Gordon need to start getting the ball in better from our left flank as it seems to always come from our right and trippier in particular. We are getting sussed out and we need to balance the flanks and get the ball swung in from both sides. The amount of time’s Maximum should have been on the back stick to prod Home however unfortunately didn’t anticipate the ball being there . Good forwards will make that move. Gordon would as he is that type of player.
scott
Mar 9, 2023 at 6:57 PM
Comment #51I can confirm I did not beam anybody up! 😀
Fenham to Chalfont
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:04 PM
Comment #52Magic #48 Isak could definitely play off the back of Wilson. But we’d have to go 442 or 4231 with isak in an advanced position .
Eddie likes his tried and trusted 433 as it’s where we win games or hold games in the MF. The next 3 games will be critical/crucial to our season. I’m not giving up hope on a top 4 finish just yet. Spurs can fall yet. We’ve had a dodgy part of the season. Let’s get back to winning ways and I can see that coming 9 points from our next 3 games 😉
check the toastie
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:08 PM
Comment #53We have lacked aggression and belief lately.
Unsure what’s happened to us.
Few need to shape up and be more decisive, we have started to dither and go safe as players and a team. Wracked by nerves of losing.
Free them Eddie.
Assassins Inc
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:08 PM
Comment #54Now I understand why the fixation with my name, A/P Anal Probe.
Totally makes sense. 🙂
Ap
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:12 PM
Comment #55Haha scott
Fenham to Chalfont
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:12 PM
Comment #56😆
The Ledge
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:14 PM
Comment #57https://www.themag.co.uk/2023/03/saudi-arabia-pif-newcastle-united-takeover-wont-be-re-examined-by-premier-league-nick-de-marco/
Nick De Marco shutting down the bullshit from Amnesty and Delaney and others .
Ap
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:16 PM
Comment #58Only way ass ass st-ink could have escaped is if he had a baked beans cabbage breakfast and let out a big bang. Weapon of m-ass destruction
See what i did there 😀
Fenham to Chalfont
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:16 PM
Comment #59Check #53. Aye the lads need a big injection of confidence. A good performance and win against Wolves will hopefully get us back on the right track.
I agree with your post mate. The lads are seem to be trying to hard. 3 goals in 3.5 months is crazy and we need to change that as of Sunday
Fenham to Chalfont
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:21 PM
Comment #60Ledge. Cheers for that link #57. Got to love Nick De Marco like. He most certainly shut them up. I cannot stand Delaney he is such a 50 faced twot. He makes such a fool of himself at times. Typical Manure fan!
magicmac54
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:23 PM
Comment #61Fenham
I understand what you mean by Eddie`s tried and trusted formation, but i think it`s becoming to predictable and to our detriment and other teams have worked us out, it`s the exact same with our corners and set pieces where we look no threat what so ever as it`s also so predictable, so from that perspective do you not think its time to mix it up and try something different and show a little more flexibility adaptability and imagination?
The Prince's Mate
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:23 PM
Comment #62Watching arsenal in Europe imagining…hoping, its us next season but not without out and out strikers.. someone asked me last week ..sorry forget who, who I might have in mind…haven’t a clue but we need someone this next window to push us on….that’s why we’ve recently expanded our scouting staff…shirley?
Ap
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:24 PM
Comment #63So we have fat man and farth man 😀
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:27 PM
Comment #64I knew it would be a matter of time before Mort/Jedi??? etc got bored and started to insult others bar me and Tfb, cheers everyone who stood up and made themselves counted as it insulted my mother the other night. Well done blog, well done everyone!!!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:33 PM
Comment #65In Toon 25th if anyone fancies pint,
The Prince's Mate
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:33 PM
Comment #66Schools out…as my old mate Alice Cooper might say
magicmac54
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:34 PM
Comment #67Did anyone watch the Duke on Dickinson`s Real Deal today!!! It was in Bedlington Northumberland today.
Fenham to Chalfont
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:34 PM
Comment #68Magic #61 yes I’d like to see us change it up a wee bit. Definitely start by playing both Targett and Isak. The thing is, it’s not as if we’ve been totally sussed as we are still creating good chances. It’s just we’ve lacked that cutting edge. Luck has definitely not been on our side. If we were not creating anything I’d 100% agree with your post. I think we need a few tweaks and once the goals start coming as does the confidence and the belief. Then the next thing lick falls your way.
I think Checks post #53 is pretty much on point. The great game of football is all about confidence that breeds a winning mentality. It’s escaped us of late and I do believe we will get it back and soon. It’s amazing what a win and a few goals can do. Like I posted earlier 3 goals in 3.5 months is shocking, however you look at the stats and we are creating. Just so frustrating in front of goal and taking them. Confidence is key IMO. Yeah I’d drop Isak and Targett in the starting 11 in place of Isak and Wilson.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:35 PM
Comment #69Just for summer
magicmac54
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:39 PM
Comment #70https://www.youtube.com/live/Ex3qhgajvFQ?feature=share
Rotonda heights
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:41 PM
Comment #71Have to wonder which is lower. His age or IQ.
Ty21
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:42 PM
Comment #72Isak – Goncalo Ramos – Gordon !
Next Season, Let’s Go!
The Taco Taker
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:42 PM
Comment #73On a few topics…
On the game – I think it will be like the home game vs Wolves last season where we won 1-0 vs Wolves. I think it will be the same scoreline.
Magic,
I agree on set peices Tripps should not be taking every corner, we should mix it up more. Same with free kicks. On Isak and Wilson playing together though I don’t think Eddie will risk it given the lack of cover if one or both picked up a knock. I think this is the main reason EH does not have them on the pitch at the same time rather than a formation or tactical thing. It makes sense really given everyone knows Wilson in injury prone and Isak was out for a lot longer than initially anticipated when he got injured and it also remain unclear if EH considers Isak to be 100% fit.
On AP,
Of all the people AP is accused of being Jedi seems by far the most likely in my opinion. So many similar characteristics.
magicmac54
Mar 9, 2023 at 7:59 PM
Comment #74Fenham
On the positive side i agree with you as we are indeed playing fairly well and most definitely creating chances but at the moment we are just not clinical and efficent enough in front of goal, but i don`t regard this as any type of crisis but more just a blip and it happens to the very best teams mate.
The Taco Taker
Mar 9, 2023 at 8:00 PM
Comment #75Good article Ledge and strangley it is exactly the point I made to a Mackem who was telling my that the PL would force PIF to sell NUFC due to the Liv golf case (ie ability to control is not the same as exercising that ability)
In addition to basically saying what De Marco said I also added “As I understand PIF are clearly saying that they cannot be investigated in terms of the LIV case because the are not subject to normal US discovery procedure as overall they are an instrument of the Saudi state….so now they opponents lawyers will try to prove that they ARE not an instrument of the Saudi state in order for them to face fully discovery won’t they?”
It is obvious nothing will happen.
The Newcastle Armchair
Mar 9, 2023 at 8:03 PM
Comment #76Our last PL goal was against Fulham with Isak and Wilson doubling up with a classic target man – poacher finish
We should have drawn that game if I remember rightly and Eddie said he wouldn’t risk playing them both at the same time due to our cup chances
Let them both go at Wolves this time
The Newcastle Armchair
Mar 9, 2023 at 8:03 PM
Comment #77We should have actually lost as Mitro saved us on his penalty
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 9, 2023 at 8:09 PM
Comment #78TTT,
I was listening to TS in the car a few weeks ago and some kind of formula 1racing guy was being interviewed who happened to be a mate of Jason Tindall through a kids school team and knew Eddie H as well. He was basically saying how hard JT worked and he was a set piece expert. That prompted me to leave a post saying that when you hear about teams hiring set piece coaches, we’ve already got one. They’ve been absolutely terrible ever since I left that post 😀
I remember one,(corner) against Villa if i remember rightly, it was so clever, it was played in to Almiron (I think) who ran away from it taking a defender then someone else ran on to it, leaving their defence baffled and putting in a perfect ball, don’t think we scored but nearly did. Since then, or not long after it just seems like they’re being lumped at one of the CB’s 😕
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 9, 2023 at 8:11 PM
Comment #79“It is obvious nothing will happen”
Tell that to IrishRob who’s busy, right now as we speak prepping for the world’s end 😀
magicmac54
Mar 9, 2023 at 8:17 PM
Comment #80The Taco Taker
Evening Taco mate, it most certainly is a real head scratcher that we are not even looking remotely dangerous or a threat at set pieces and corner kicks given the height and stature of some of our players, in actual fact Jamaal Lascelles would be much more of a threat at set pieces and corners than any of our starting players at the moment mate, i do wholeheartedly agree with you that Trippier should not be taking all the corners Taco. In conclusion Kieran Clarke and Lascelles offered much more of a threat at corners and set pieces under the old regime mate.