Newcastle get an early start to this weekend with a trip to Nottingham Forest on Friday. Eddie Howe and the boys will hope to seize the momentum from their 2-1 win over Wolves and further enhance their claim for a European place.
Howe made significant changes last weekend resulting in the first league win in almost two months. The front three was completely altered and we could see Howe stick with the trio of Alexander Isak, Jacob Murphy, and Allan Saint-Maximin.
Isak has captured our poll as the Man of the Match by a very healthy margin. The striker bagged Newcastle’s opening goal with a superb header, the fifth goal of his Magpie career.
Loading ...Equally impressive was Joe Willock as he put in a monster performance. The midfielder came in for the suspended Joelinton and will be relied on once again at the City Ground on Friday.
There will be extra emphasis to pick up three points with the international break looming afterward. Newcastle will head off to Dubai for some warm-weather training. It will be that much more exhilarating on the back of two wins.
It will be a difficult task with Forest enmeshed in a survival fight. They hold a tenuous two-point lead over the bottom three in what is shaping up to be a relegation battle involving 9 clubs.
Those scraps are behind Newcastle this year as they keep pace with the top six. A claim that can be further cemented with a timely victory on Friday.
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212 comments so far
dazzler
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:13 AM
Comment #41FTC,
Fair enough, maybe I didn’t word it correctly – maybe I should have said try not to get wound up to the point of chest puffing and saying shite like “you wouldn’t say it to my face”. It does you and the blog no favours.
Also, I don’t think you need to stick you two penneth in to other disagreements just because you don’t like Raj, we get it. You two don’t and will probably never get along. I don’t think it’s fair for you to have a pop at someone like Lesh for sticking their oar in if you do it too (I also appreciate the hypocrisy of me doing the same right now).
Also on the subject of GL, it would have been dead and buried if a fella living in Norway didn’t feel the need to keep banging that drum despite being so wide of the mark in his assessment of the offending tweet he might actually BE in 1930s Germany when he opens his eyes đ
That’ll be the last on either subject for me now, I don’t want to drag the place down further with daft shite
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:15 AM
Comment #42vs Notts Forest (that was just to annoy them). Play the same team. Best we have played in quite a while.
DayvanCowboy
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:16 AM
Comment #43Ohhhh Fenham, you have a really weird obsession with âproper menâ donât you, now donât get me wrong Iâm a sucker for a bawldy head so youâre right I probably wouldnât âlast longâ in your soft moisturised hands sweet cheeks, but hanging around in pub car parks isnât really my jam, all a bit overly seedy for me and stinks of closet desperation from un-satisfied house husbands.
Yeah I love a bit of mutual bondage and mixing it up in bed actually, it keeps things interesting, so if that makes me the âperverted typeâ then consider me guilty, not sure why youâve chosen to just out yourself as a bit of a boring vanilla 2 pumps and done type of guy between the sheets here, a strange tactic, a bit of mutual slap and tickle never hurts anybody, just ask the Mrs.
lesh
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:18 AM
Comment #44AGM
I’m sure that putting me right over the new Saudi airline was never your intention. Your post was never taken that way.
DayvanCowboy
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:18 AM
Comment #45… and for our little blogs very own Alex Jones, Catchy youâre not wrong old flubber brains, Iâm certainly too* smart for you.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:18 AM
Comment #46Yes, I know that bench’s a certain musical talent and football player in Billy Joel.
magscar
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:19 AM
Comment #47There is no doubt Friday’s game will be different to the opening one not just because of Forest’s major personnel changes but as Adam says the front 3 looked on fire and can exploit Forest being at home and therefore on front foot
Murphy although a squad player did offer something different to Almiron and the previously successful triangles of play that he, Bruno, Longstaff and Trips made such a success of in first half of season but which hadn’t been as effective as teams worked us out a bit
We need options not just in personnel but play and although Murphy’s direct wingplay doesn’t always come off it does provide a viable alternative to Almiron’s all running and cutting in style and arguably we need and benefit from having both over 90 minutes
Almiron’s goal was a perfect example of what had been previously so successful but had recently fizzled out for us- had Wolves been both lulled and worn down by our original switch in attack at start on Sunday then suffeed a fresh Almiron running at a change in defensive set up by Wolves?
Friday gives us a chance to see whether we have shaken off our malaise in results terms and are back on track
Momentum is key in battle for top 4 and we need to worry the others just as we became unsettled recently as Liverpool, Spurs and Man U took advantage of our run of draws to add pressure to us
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:20 AM
Comment #48DayvanCowboy AND FtC. Cut it out. This is a football blog.No need for this.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:21 AM
Comment #49I know that I am going to regret this as the first “winner”. Maybe we have a weekly vote on who to ban for a week.
dazzler
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:22 AM
Comment #50On the topic of the Forest game. I went win, it won’t be easy but I think we’ll do it.
A Geordie Mongrel
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:23 AM
Comment #51CF, thanks for that. I like to give credit where due but my short term memory is shocking these days.
Sir Pug, agree on the team and tactics.
The first half especially was a joy to watch. I’ve always had a soft spot for Forest but this is no time for sentiment. Smash ’em!
Okay, jobs to do. Will check in later.
lesh
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:24 AM
Comment #52Dayan
Could this have been the reaction to your post @43?
https://youtu.be/vawBiuGHq1c
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:24 AM
Comment #53magscar
First question. Is that St. Mary’s lighthouse? (Avatar)
Second question…. oh there isn’t one. Good post,
CLINT FLICK
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:26 AM
Comment #54Magscar
Sunday’s winner just proved, to me at least, that if we pass and move, quickly, give the ball to Miggy in a decent position, he’ll bury it!
Dawdling and overthinking, then delaying the pass ends in frustration.
One touch football is nice and produces goals.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:27 AM
Comment #55Agm
I’ve got that, about you mate.
So, thought you might like to know.
đ
DayvanCowboy
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:31 AM
Comment #56Come on Sir Pug, I’m not really sure what I’m guilty of here, yes I had a small jest early evening at Fenhams expense, something him and his bunch of merry flagshaggers do on a daily basis, but looking at the reactions to it, it certainly gave folks a much needed chuckle to break up the Lineker and conspiracy theory posts, but our bawldy little chest beater then took a little jest to a pretty uneducated level of comparing people to serial killers, but as I said previously, fire with fire and all that jazz, touchĂŠ, for me after that it was fair game and nothing off the table at that point, yet apparently bringing someones Mrs into it and suggesting they’re ” unsatisfied” at home is below the belt…… I don’t think I could deliver a bigger eye roll if I tried, apparently its just Fenhams world and we’re just passing time living in it.
dazzler
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:32 AM
Comment #57How did Maxi get more votes for MOM than Trippier? Trippier made one mistake all game (sadly costing a goal) and got an assist, plus his set plays were a lot better than in recent games.
Maxi had a decent first half, horrible second half until his substitution.
Although I am glad to see most people went with Isak, he was phenomenal. That was his best performance since his debut and proof if ever it was needed that he is the man to lead the line in future seasons.
DayvanCowboy
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:32 AM
Comment #58lesh, more hair than Fenham, but yes thats pretty accurate.
lesh
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:41 AM
Comment #59DayvanCowboy
Your post @56 was disappointing. You mis-spelled ‘bawldy’!
magscar
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:45 AM
Comment #60Linekergate has been an unintended bonus to distract attenion from the real issue no matter where you sit on it
I watched a good part of the Commons debate on 2cnd reading of Migration Bill yesterday tea time on Parliamnent channel when the main “Professionals” gave their respective points of view on what started the unnecessary sideshow which was inflamed by deliberate misrepresentation
Depending on your viewpoint you may have different views on who “won ” the debate ( forget vote which expectedly went on party lines) but there were to me serious questions raised, notwithstanding your views on it’s morality, as to it’s actual viability as a working policy
Besides the (unintended?) consequences on Modern Slavery bill highlighted from both sides of House there was little by way of detail to confidenly demonstrate how what is a draconian headline approach can actually be made to work
For those who don’t like pundits in football but perhaps take notice of GBnews ( not a news show but an opinon one in main) Mail, Express, Sun and Telegraph give your mind a workout and go to “the Match” direct in House of Commons “and listen to the debate and form a view yourself without being told what is happening or mre often a biased version of it
Yeah I know “they are all the same” ” both as bad as each other” etcnd other cop outs
Your mind is your own and needs exercise so instead of arguing on here a Football Blog go and seek alternative viewpoints on the actual stag and balanced political outlets
I might recommend “The Rest is Politics” podcast as a decent starting point
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:46 AM
Comment #61As it turned out Karius was absolutely faultless in that final, however I’m still angry the way Dubs just left like that without even being promised the UEL games at Man U, he was brought in to compete with the back up not DeGea. Why could he not of done that here but to compete with Pope, I wonder what the dressing room think of him having a winners medal. But aye, hats off to Eddie H the way he handled it.
DayvanCowboy
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:47 AM
Comment #62lesh, yes I’m aware, please forgive me but whenever I’ve attempted to post using its correct spelling my posts seem to get removed, same thing when I mention a certain pink salted cured meat in relation to some on here, obviously a wee bit of blog censorship, hands are tied with that one, oh I better be careful there, that could be taken as perverted.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:47 AM
Comment #63I am keeping out of this. It was a general suggesting to the whole blog. I am taking no sides at all.
Digger54
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:48 AM
Comment #64Sorry Jail.
Am just a lurker who hates the bully brigade led by Five bellies and his chums.
And Im 20 odd years younger than you.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:49 AM
Comment #65No politics on the blog. PLEASE
Novocastrian66
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:51 AM
Comment #66Dubravka needs to be sold in the summer.
Fraser has been bombed out because of his attitude, I think Dubravka’s behaviour was as bad.
I don’t share other people’s opinion on this ability.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:54 AM
Comment #67I can’t spell suggestion! Oh my Dog.
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 14, 2023 at 10:59 AM
Comment #68Digger54,
I assumed you were 18 years older đ
magscar
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:03 AM
Comment #69Pug
Yes St Marys Lighthouse
Amateur shot taken whilst back up with family a few years ago with them cut out of frame đ
A favourite place of mine and wore lass’s since we first went out together way way back
Better choice than my mug shot as an avatar when Admin a few years back (wisely) forced me and others into either enduring a strange monster or germ or one of our choice
DayvanCowboy
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:09 AM
Comment #70Good comeback right there Fenham, well thought out and executed, consider me burned and all that jazz #neverendingeyerollemoji
Ibizatoon
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:10 AM
Comment #71I’ve been reading the past few days and keep writing posts, just to delete them.
What I will say is welcome back Magscar. Great to see you posting again.
Also, thanks Sir Pug. It was unintentional on your part, but I got an amusing mental image following your post @67.
The Pug Mick Jagger “I can’t spell, suggestion, and I try, and I try…” Yeah – things are bad guys, I’m not sure I’m doing that great đ
Fenham…Fred Astaire, apparently. Learn something new everyday and all that jazz.
On Friday…Course we’ll win! Unless we don’t, then we’ll win the next one. HWTL!
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:13 AM
Comment #72Digger54,
We had a notorious alt on here by the name of Ian Toon, he set up an alt called Sack Llambias, using all my words and phrases trying to get people to believe I was using an alt, he was soo bloody obvious he stopped pretending he was me and carried on as just on alt. Bat sh!t Fenners says đ
lesh
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:13 AM
Comment #73Dayan
Your spellcheck’sboobed again…. perverted’s spelled (note, not of the wheat variety) preverted, goddammit, it’s preverted!
đ
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:16 AM
Comment #74Fenners,
I’ve no wish to be part of a pile on here but an honest question. What makes your calling people childish names, mature and worthy and others ‘supposedly grown men’
What’s the difference.
DayvanCowboy
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:17 AM
Comment #75Yes Ibiza, finally an educated gent, yes it was popularised by ‘Fred Astaire’, but the phrase is often used in a dismissive manner to indicate that what follows is unimportant or daft. As the origins of idioms go, it is a very modern phrase. Rather than being an idiom or proverb, “and all that jazz” is probably better explained as a slang phrase. The word “jazz” is a pretty common slang term, Fenham just isn’t down with millennial terms, obviously.
DayvanCowboy
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:17 AM
Comment #76lesh, consider me told haha
magscar
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:18 AM
Comment #77Clint@54
Yes I agree but that move which features in many of Almron’s crackers had become highlighted and subsequently defended more effectively against particularly since WC break when coachs and managers used enforced season break to partly work us and other opposions out
We have predominantly and more successfly attacked down right as left side has seen many changes with Maxi, Big Joe, Willock Gordon Isak and even Murphy (?) featuring at times on that flank for a variety of reasons and none as potent as right although Trippier is a big bonus there
As i said earlier i wondered if the switch to Almiron after Murphy’smore direct wingplay made that classic move work again for us?
I can’t remember if Wolves had already changed to back 3 ( after their goal) before Almiron had been brought on by Eddie? but it cerainly paid off đ
lesh
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:19 AM
Comment #78Magscar
You do realise that encouraging people to watch televised Parliament could be too much of an ask for many voters in the UK… or anywhere for that matter. It’s a pity as it seems that thinking seems to have been rendered redundant by a media which like it or not, forms options.
Vask
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:23 AM
Comment #79Hiya yeebeefa,
I agree if we win we win if we don’t then we win all the remaining 12 games.
Champ-eeeeee-ayno!
DayvanCowboy
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:24 AM
Comment #80Raj, as I’ve said previously, its just Fenhams world and weâre just passing time living in it, he’s just been a tad dramatic today as he doesn’t like been called names, he’d rather just pan someones head in like a neanderthal.