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.

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.

212 comments so far
magscar
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:26 AM
Comment #81Ibiza
Cheers
Ibizatoon
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:26 AM
Comment #82Dayvan…Educated gent? Well, I can use Google.
Vask…We could be pundits. You already look a little like one.
DayvanCowboy
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:32 AM
Comment #83Ibizia, still though, navigating and using Google, a select few would still struggle with that, but I applaud your effort with going and looking it up, if that ever comes up in a pub quiz then there you have it.
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:33 AM
Comment #84I’m not getting into any political debates on this blog, that’s for sure. I stated a few facts on the Lineker situation and even seems to have ended up in a reasonable middle ground with Catchy. All good.
Problem is when people start with more extreme statements and insults that doesn’t make someone drift towards a middle ground, it often makes them dig their trenches and answer in kind.
It’s bloody simple. Virtually all of us would agree that people fleeing genuine tyranny or persecution have the right to asylum somewhere. We should take in those refugees who have a genuine reason for coming to the UK (perhaps relatives or language reasons) and we should also take in our fair share. The rest should be sent back back. No insults, no extreme comments, and actually a statement that is in line with virtually everyone. Now if people could just stop the hyperbole, we could chat more football on this blog.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:38 AM
Comment #85Mags
Ta for the reply, mate.
Yea, teams definitely start to work each other out…but, quick pass and move still brings results. I was more making the point that dwelling on the ball, even for a second too long, kills a move, dead!
I had the feeling on Sunday that if the ball was going out left, like it did early in the game, to Jo, say…2 or 3-0 by half time. We were finding more space there than in recent games.
Let’s face it, Maxi, generally, wants too much time on the ball. I don’t think he has a clear mental picture if what he’s gonna do…and neither do his teammates.
DayvanCowboy
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:38 AM
Comment #86TDS, I wouldn’t waste your time and effort trying to explain things like that or show any empathy, you’ll just end up getting called a woke liberal leftoid by the flagshagger blog elite.
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:43 AM
Comment #87On a side note, absolutely gutted that I missed out on tickets for the Man U game, the one bloody day we have to do some work 🙁 I normally get lucky but had two different people logged in for me, one a queue number of 15K and the other 11K, all gone 😥
If only I’d rang my neighbour ten minutes earlier he’d have got me one.
Suffice to say if anyone has a spare for Man U can you let me know,
Cheers.
magscar
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:45 AM
Comment #88Lesh
As you (probably?) know I am very much a political animal and try to keep that side of me off Blog but occasionally as many do get dragged in
The lineker debate grew out of nothing and is being perpetuated on here to suit certain agendas and elsewhere
Whilst it has raised issues that need to be addressed in Broadcasting the real matter was of course the BIll (asTuff would say – no not that old ITV show but a piece of legislation moving through our Parliamentary system)
I happily could discuss politics but this isn’t the forum nor can it escape the entrenched views that some trumpet so best left
Thought i would genuinely encourage those to whom political discourse is a driver and who have a stated dislike of pundits lazy interperetations to go to the real thing which is freely available daily
Talking of which PMQ’s due on shortly and on better news channels for those who like side banners for recaps or sound off 🙂
Title a misnomer as apart from planted safe questions the others are batted away with a nothing answer ( if any!) then switched to an ” ask the oppositon a question instead” session 🙂
Unfortunately it and the physical forum it’s set in do little to encourage the view that politics is for adults but it’s what we have unlike other assemblies
CLINT FLICK
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:46 AM
Comment #89Man, this whole ‘don’t talk politics or religion’ pap, that has been used to shut people down fir as long as i can remember, blows!
Burying one’s head in the sand works(NOT)…ffs!
Why do we think things go so pathetically wrong…learn to discus shit!
Step up!
Sitting in a fence doesn’t constitute a position.
Some things are just plain right or wrong!
… then they came for me…and there was no one left to stand up.
Read some history!
Sorry!
Sigh!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:46 AM
Comment #90Magscar and Ibizatoon. Agree and agreed.
DayvanCowboy
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:48 AM
Comment #91Raj, you’re probably already aware, but if you have multiple web browsers (Opera, Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Brave etc..) all open and logged in it works a treat, between myself, my old man and brother-in-law we had 4 different browsers open each, all of us had queue numbers <500 in 2 browsers (keeping in mind I only logged in 2 minutes before ticket sales started at 10:00) while the other 2 browsers were all <1500, worth a try next time, we managed to get 3 tickets all together in the East Stand, our accounts are linked so whoever gets in first just does the business, we've been doing this between us for a while now and we've not missed a home game.
WLtoon
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:49 AM
Comment #92Morning all, just a quick visit , things to do and all that but well done to the lads on Sunday, what a relief to get the 3 points,
There were no poor performances, Max faded 2nd half but apart from that all did well.
On Isak, if he isn`t fully fit and puts in a performance like that then god help the PL when he IS fully fit.
Ile miss the game Friday due to work but here`s hoping for another 3 points before the international break, a bit of momentum would be nice.
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:50 AM
Comment #93CF,
The reason we ask not to speak about religion or politics is 1) that it degenerates in to venom in an alarming rapid rate, way quicker than being a fan of Pardew, Bruce or Ashley ever could and that caused plenty of ructions. 2) It’s not football related and this is a football blog. Gerraniums, Airfryers and books seem not to cause bother and discussions on them, for that reason are tolerated.
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:52 AM
Comment #94DayvanCowboy – you just did exactly the same thing though mate, by resorting to insults. I posted something that virtually everyone can agree with and Catchy and I were pretty aligned on yesterday but you’re still baiting people who think differently.
Doesn’t matter who I agree with in terms of the points, I don’t agree with insults like that. Surely you see they just make things worse?
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:52 AM
Comment #95DayvanCowboy,
Cheers, if I was home I’d probably have about four open but unfortunately I’m at work and I couldn’t get access to the computer this morning, as sometimes we have to do some work and today was one of those days.
I don’t suppose you got a spare did you 😀
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:56 AM
Comment #96Clint – an online blog (especially a football blog) isn’t a great place for those discussions though. It only takes one person to derail a civilised discussion and things devolve into a total mess. We’ve all seen it!
Put me in a one on one discussion with anyone of sound mind and we would almost always come out of the discussion wiser, more educated, and without our head being bashed in.
This is the wrong place for heated debates on politics.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:56 AM
Comment #97Raj
I hear ya mate… It’s more a wider, rhetorical question about people’s, so called adults, inability to discus things in a logical, rational manner, with respect.
But the constant, all my life, shying away from stuff…does not work!
Practice makes perfect!
Use it or lose it…ya get what I’m trying to say?
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:56 AM
Comment #98Jail, I recommend Galileo’s Daughter for a book to read, and/or Longitude by the same author. Dava Sobel.
Ty21
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:57 AM
Comment #99CLINT FLICK
I would argue Almiron’s u-turns and right foot tap for opponent’s goal kicks killed more moves than ASM
DayvanCowboy
Mar 14, 2023 at 11:59 AM
Comment #100Raj, unfortunately not sorry man.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:00 PM
Comment #101Tds
More of the same, then.
When actually, GL IS football related!
Is he not? Therefore, it makes it on to a football blog.
None of that addresses the wider point.
Grow up, people!
My 11 year old has more debating skills!
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:00 PM
Comment #102Aaaand I’ve got a ticket whoop whoop 😀 😀 😀
CLINT FLICK
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:01 PM
Comment #103Ty
Ok…but, 11 goals to 1?
Great interaction with the mids?
Right?
😉
DrGloom
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:01 PM
Comment #104Going for a win on Friday night .. think we’ll start with same 11 as Saturday unless any injuries
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:02 PM
Comment #105Ages ago, someone recommended Blindside by Peter Watts? This one is, I suppose, Sci-Fi but not really. Very interesting book.
magscar
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:02 PM
Comment #106Clint
Yeah get what you are saying
I’m still a Maxi fan but he is infuriating – I spend more time shouting ( stupidly ) at TV whilst he has tde ball or is rolling forlornly on ground immediately after than at any other player
For every performance like Man City at home there are the 2cnd half vanishing acts
Yes he is a maverick and capable of mercurial moments but the reality is that our team progression has unfortunately outgrown his necessity to us
Perhap his injury after the Wolves aawy game cost him and us valuable time in intergrating him to a more mutually productive role in Eddie’s system
Regretably I do think that our need for additional funds together with the incompatibility of his style and Eddie’s system is heading towards an agreed separation as could be best for both?
Hopefully to a club abroad so we don’t face him ( unless in Europe!!) but would we get more from richer PL clubs
Don’t think top 6 would go for him ( despite unsubstantiated links) but if did wouldn’t be automatic starter either
,
An enigma and on his day great to watch like Ginola,and Robert and Ben Arfa and equally frustrating but in modern football with it’s reliance on workrate and systems difficult to accomodate
If we can recruit adequately without need to sell our good players and he wants to stay then yeah love to see him here
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:06 PM
Comment #107Clint – I’m with you, it’s related to football as it was a football presenter who made the comment and created the debate. It’s a good thing that people are talking about it too.
But it only takes one person to derail a decent discussion. If it was a chat in a pub and someone came up with one of the kinds of comments you see on here, the guys talking would tell them to F off as adults are talking.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:10 PM
Comment #108Mags
Exactly that, mate.
Don’t think i coulda put it any better or more succinctly!
Great post, brother.
I want it to work, i just can’t see it!
1 year on…tsk!
CLINT FLICK
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:13 PM
Comment #109Tds
This, kneejerk, overreacting, then making really crap laws and rules, based on a tiny minority doing dumb crap, that goes on in this country, is childish!
I’m being polite, here!
Ty21
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:16 PM
Comment #110CLINT FLICK
Per 90mins ASM is not far behind Almiron, 0.55 goals + assists to 0.44
Fitness and defensive wise, of course it’s heaven and earth
magscar
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:16 PM
Comment #111Dayvan@92
Sounds interesting I am a member from years ago ( whilst we were in Championship under Rafa) and whilst I recently bought several tickets for Ladies match wasn’t sure if i could use to buy spare 1st team tickets as some are managing to do
Is the membership required an annual paid one or the same one I am a member of ?
Ty21
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:19 PM
Comment #112By the time Almiron makes the u-turn, the move is as good as dead, opponents already packed the box.
sparky55
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:19 PM
Comment #113Well done Jail…of all the games to miss I can imagine u didnt wanna miss that one! 🙂
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:21 PM
Comment #114Clint – if you’re talking politics, it’s all about deflection and appealing to their base. The truth and human decency doesn’t matter to them it seems.
As with any discussion, I always think it’s better to establish the facts first and then have a healthy debate on opinions. Loads of football discussions happen like that. Can be a problem when people disagree on the facts though…
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:22 PM
Comment #115When did this book club turn to a football blog?
CLINT FLICK
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:22 PM
Comment #116Ty
My eyes are registering end product with Miggy.
Lies, damn lies, stats, tories!
😀
DayvanCowboy
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:22 PM
Comment #117magscar, yeah we pay an annual membership fee each, its not much about £40 I think, but you can then link your membership accounts together so if one person gets in early on the queue then they get everyones tickets and we just square up, not sure if there is a limit to the number of accounts you can link, for me its just me, my old man and bro-in-law so it allows me to get 3 tickets every time, well worth a look especially when using that multiple web browser trick, we binned our season tickets when Bruce came in (in hindsight I wish we hadn’t) but we’ve still never struggled for match day tickets at home, even for the big games against your likes of Man Utd, Liverpool, City, Arsenal etc….
Ty21
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:24 PM
Comment #118But yeah Almiron brings more options than ASM.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:24 PM
Comment #119Tds
Everything is linked… universal…
Ut Supra, sic infra!
😉
Ap
Mar 14, 2023 at 12:25 PM
Comment #120Isn’t it girls that say whoop whoop?