Newcastle kick-off the weekend’s Premier League action with a trip to Nottingham Forest on Friday. Eddie Howe gave his press conference ahead of the clash this morning. The head coach revealed he hopes to have the majority of his squad available but did stress a few players have missed training.
One of those is Callum Wilson, though Howe didn’t identify any players. The striker confirmed on the Footballers’ Football Podcast that he has missed training this week. Here is what he stated the following while referencing Alexander Isak:
“I’ve not trained in over a week now. So that’s why we have brought him to come into the team and not let it hamper when someone comes out.
“That’s what we’re trying to build, to get players who are almost as good as each other.
“It was a great performance from him [Isak]! But as someone who plays in his position you’re thinking ‘ah it’s going to take me another week to get back in’.”
This is nothing new for Wilson, who missed training towards the end of last week with an illness. He still managed to make a cameo in the 2-1 win against Wolves. It appears that Isak will be getting a second straight start with Wilson available from the bench.
Howe welcomes the competition as it keeps players on their toes. Miguel Almiron was also used from the bench last weekend with Howe confirming it was to rest the club’s leading goalscorer.
Howe said the following about squad rotation per Lee Ryder’s Twitter account:
“I’ve always said competition for places is key to sustaining results. We have that within the squad when everybody is fit. When we don’t, the squad is quite light in terms of bodies.
“I think it is vital you have the opportunity to do that (rest players) it is a long season with cups and Premier League, and also the way we play is demanding. We ask a lot of the players.”
Howe will be without at least three players with Emil Krafth, Anthony Gordon, and Joelinton ruled out. He still has plenty of options to make some changes but may opt to keep with the eleven that picked up the crucial win last weekend.
Howe also revealed that Gordon’s injury is slightly worse than expected. The Shields Gazette has published the following from Howe on the January signing:
“The scan wasn’t plain sailing, it wasn’t a shoe-in. It wasn’t a week or two injury.
“It’s slightly more serious than that, so we’re doing everything we can to get him back as quickly as possible.
“At the moment he’s in a period where he’s staying off the grass, staying off his feet, and the injury’s healing. It feels good, but he’s got work to do to get ready for that game.”
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215 comments so far
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 16, 2023 at 11:59 AM
Comment #41We beat Brighton comprehensively twice, we scored more goals, conceded less and got more points than them, I’d argue we were the better team.
Adamn_92
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:18 PM
Comment #42My FPL tactic is start off meaning well and pay attention to it, then have a few months of completely forgetting about it, remember months later and spend a couple of weeks trying to save your season, then forget about it again 🙂
Raj
Yeah I hope Isak doesn’t get used too much by Sweden. He’s now getting a chance to have a run starting games for us and getting that match fitness up. Last thing we need is international games throwing a spanner in the works.
Adamn_92
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:19 PM
Comment #43We don’t need to be worried about anyone. The only thing that’s held us back this season from being higher up the table at the moment, is our recent dip where finishing has let us down. Hopefully we’ve now turned that corner and can get back to our pre WC form. We don’t need to fear or worry about any other team around us, the only team that’ll stop us from finishing top 4 will be us.
The overrated Frenchman
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:19 PM
Comment #44I think they were on top until the final game. We certainly didn’t beat them comprehensively at SJP. Don’t recall the score, my recollection is that it was a draw.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:23 PM
Comment #45TTT noted.
Wor B
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:24 PM
Comment #46Jail
I’ve eloped with Romford Mag, we’ll be back when the builder has finished.
Was sick of sawdust and plaster in my dinner! 🙂
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:27 PM
Comment #47Brighton were good in the championship but you also have to account for the “cup final” factor that was happening when teams played us
Home and away teams were playing the game of their lives against us because it was big old Newcastle whereas Brighton was just another game no real rivalry or high stakes
Only have to look at Villa that season who spent more than us but couldn’t cope with the pressure of teams trying like mad to get a result
Yeah the football could have been much more exciting but we would really have been screwed if we didn’t go back up that season
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:27 PM
Comment #48WorB I knew something was going on!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:30 PM
Comment #49Oh Dog! in Toon soon. I have heard of, pickpockets, Men of the night and cheap beer Help!
The Rabbit will take of most of that 🙂
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:32 PM
Comment #50I only want one wish. Villa down. Of course I would not go on their blog site…..
The Taco Taker
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:32 PM
Comment #51Adam, I like your FPL tactic. You should definitely ignore this GW.
😉
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:33 PM
Comment #52Take care of…. oops.
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:36 PM
Comment #53I’d say we’ve got a better squad than everyone apart from the “Big 6” and a couple of those teams are not making the most of their squads. Brighton, Brentford, and Fulham are having very good seasons but I’m still not worried about them. If we finish behind any of them, we don’t deserve top 4 anyway.
Adamn_92
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:38 PM
Comment #54TTT
Oh don’t worry I’ve made no changes and last week had 20 odd points sitting on the bench haha
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:38 PM
Comment #55ToF,
You recall incorrectly, we beat them 2-0 at SJP in one of the most one sided contests you’re likely to see, a lovely Shelvey FK was one goal, I can’t remember the other.
Vask
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:40 PM
Comment #56Hey WorB
Can I just say….
NER NER N-NER NER! 😛
Zhongguo Geordie
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:45 PM
Comment #57Getting the transfers sorted early has been the big difference for me. Last year I left them late to avoid injuries but as I work all day Saturday I rarely remembered. And Ive been lucky to avoid injuries. That always helps.
dazzler
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:51 PM
Comment #58Was it not vs Brighton where Diame scored that goal that hit his ankle and lobbed the keeper?
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 16, 2023 at 12:55 PM
Comment #59Taco and ZG are both my targets in H2H! ZG 9 points ahead of me in the points league too. Makes the rest of the season interesting anyway and at least I can’t get relegated to division 3!
Wor B
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:02 PM
Comment #60Vask
Can I just say…
Well played sir. Done me like a kipper! 😆
DrGloom
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:04 PM
Comment #61Diame scored that ankle goal in the 1-1 draw at the Amex
Zhongguo Geordie
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:09 PM
Comment #62TDS, I’m playing you in the double gameweek.
Davas
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:11 PM
Comment #63We won 2-1 at the amex, I think
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:13 PM
Comment #64I find it strange that a dislike of Rafa has some ‘fans’ insisting Brighton were the better team that season despite the figures showing they weren’t. If they were so good why didn’t they score as many goals or let less in or even get as many points.
Toon fans bad
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:13 PM
Comment #65My tactic in the FPL is to try and be as lucky as the folk above me have been 😆
DrGloom
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:15 PM
Comment #66Actually Davas you are in fact correct, Diame equalised in the 81st minute and Perez got the winner in the 89th … I recall they had battered us for a bit until then
DrGloom
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:16 PM
Comment #67Brighton finished behind us and were pretty much behind us all season, we scored more goals, let in fewer and gained more points … Brighton looked better on the eye in some games but that doesn’t mean they were better
AnyToon in Indiana
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:16 PM
Comment #68Those podcasts must be rough…he and Antonio must really be having it out.
😉
DrGloom
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:17 PM
Comment #69Gordons been here 5 minutes and been injured twice already … he’s making Wilson seem fit and healthy 😀
AnyToon in Indiana
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:19 PM
Comment #70Taco…don’t listen to Adam…he’s pulling an Eddie Howe on you. 🙂
DrGloom
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:19 PM
Comment #71Anytoon – I’ve listened to a couple of the Wilson/Antonio podcasts – they’re okay – just give a players side of the game without too much analysis or anything in depth – much as you would expect form any footballers podcasts
AnyToon in Indiana
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:23 PM
Comment #72I’ve listened to a couple too…we know Wilson is the prankster in the bunch and them two seem to enjoy playing off each other. Always fun to see players personalities away from the pitch a bit.
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:24 PM
Comment #73ZG – the winner of that gameweek is quite likely to be ahead in the H2H and the overall points league then! Should be an interesting one. Hope you oversleep and miss the deadline… 😉
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:26 PM
Comment #74Big shame about Gordon but at least ASM is fit and has had a run of games. I expected Gordon to be one for the future but also expected him to contribute this season. Injuries happen but just a shame when they happen to new signings like Gordon and Isak!
Wor B
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:26 PM
Comment #75My tactic in the FPL is to deploy a cunning plan each week.
Wor Baldrick would be proud of the way it’s turning out.
😳
Toon fans bad
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:28 PM
Comment #76I think Wilson extended till 2026? He’ll be 34 then and proper 3rd choice. Can’t see him going anywhere really, ergo we will get nowt for him unfortunately.
Not sure anyone would take a punt on him with his injury situation of late.
The overrated Frenchman
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:31 PM
Comment #77Jail, you are right. Brighton did win that game. I’m pretty sure we got turned over by Huddersfield at home a couple of weeks later who were also in the hunt. With the value of the players we had and the wages we were paying it was a poor season notwithstanding. We should have had it wrapped up weeks earlier
DrGloom
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:33 PM
Comment #78Overrated – if things always went that way then Man City would have the EPL wrapped up by Jan and Chelsea would have won every game since Jan transfer window ;D
Rotonda heights
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:35 PM
Comment #79Raj
It was yet another of T.O.F’s sneery, not very subtle little digs at you know who. Won’t accept we were top scorers and breaking all kinds of records as champo champs. Never gave you know who any credit then so certainly won’t now.
Toon fans bad
Mar 16, 2023 at 1:39 PM
Comment #80How is winning the champo a poor season?
F*ck a f*cking duck 😆