Below is the team Eddie Howe has named for this evening’s pivotal match against Arsenal at St. James’ Park. This lineup features one change from the 3-1 win against Southampton last weekend with Alexander Isak in for Anthony Gordon.
HOWAY NEWCASTLE! ?#NEWARS pic.twitter.com/gogUEC8Bif
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 7, 2023
Eddie Howe has started with the dynamic duo of Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak. Presumably, the system won’t change with Isak playing on the left. The bench gets a boost with the return of Allan Saint-Maximin though Sean Longstaff remains unavailable.
Here is who Mikel Arteta has selected for the Gunners.
? ???????? ??
? Gabriel fit to start
?? Xhaka in the middle
? Martinelli returnsCome on you Gunners! pic.twitter.com/Hp26NeWjLw
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 7, 2023
Newcastle have another chance of enhancing their claim for Champions League football next season. It is shaping up to be a tight race for the final two coveted spots in the top four.
This match also holds implications in the title race. Arsenal may have to take all three points for any lingering hope of their first Premier League title in two decades. This is one massive match in May at St. James’ Park.
Howay The Lads!
866 comments so far
Fenham to Chalfont
May 8, 2023 at 10:36 AM
Comment #761Mund
It was firstly reported that Longstaff had broke a bone in his foot and would be out all season, then it was just a bit of bruising and he would be OK for yesterdays game, then he was touch and go, then he didn’t even make the bench.
I hope to god he is ok for Leeds mate. We desperately need him. We are a much better team when he is in MF and big joe goes out to the left. Personally I believe that’s when NUFC have a great balance about us. I’ll get me praying mat oot.
the crown princes nashers
May 8, 2023 at 10:37 AM
Comment #762cleveleysbob
yep spot on there, when i played i never placed shot the ball outside the area I always hammered it, well unless it was a curler but i took them from 25 yards out then id try place it top right corner
this is the reason i was saying longstaff is trying to place his shots when if he just drilled them he have better luck
my mate had a really vicious shot on him, if you got in the way youd know about it, ive still got the scars
Toonces
May 8, 2023 at 10:40 AM
Comment #763Tough result yesterday but the effort was there. We played our football and in the end we didn’t take our chances. We created more than a few unfortunately they didn’t find the back of the goal and theirs did. Pope made some great saves for us and Ramsdale did also in their goal. Most concerning though is only one clean sheet since January.
The penalty is what it is. Commentators were all it was a clear hand ball until they showed the angle where you can see it hit the defenders leg first then deflect up to the hand. They immediately said it would be overturned. Not sure why the VAR took the time they did as the TV replay had the view quickly.
For us, this was alwys going to be a tough game. Gooners are better than us at the moment. They had to win to keep title hopes alive. They wanted to avenge the thrashing we gave them last season at SJP. Not that we weren’t motivated too just perhaps we are almost at the point where the mindset gets a bit complacent to accept how well we’ve done and top 4 would be nice to have so perhaps levels might slip a touch.
On to Leeds.
Howay the Lads!
cleveleysbob
May 8, 2023 at 10:41 AM
Comment #764We certainly need a Bruno mk2 and a Longstaff mk2.
We lose nearly 20% of our game efficiency if either is missing or below par.
Yesterday we had one missing and the other below par, and still gave Arsenal a game.
That’s real progress – 18 months ago they’d have mullered us!
cleveleysbob
May 8, 2023 at 10:46 AM
Comment #765One thing I’m really p**d off with.
Yesterday, NUFC Women won their league and are promoted to 3rd tier in Women’s game.
So far, the Chronic (Newcastle Chronicle) hasn’t even mentioned it. WTF?
jimiley
May 8, 2023 at 10:47 AM
Comment #766We did not win because of two players.
Bruno is injured and played second fiddle to Odergaard and Longstaffs absence leaves a hole in midfield. I I was wrongly critical of him.
Does Isak and Callum work? They seem to get in each others way
Isak should always start.
We did not take our chances but they had more chances and edged it.
Martinelli is better than Murphy and Miggy and Odergaard is better than Willock who has a poor shot. Saka is also better than any of our wingers.
We are conceding more because we are going toe to toe which I greatly admire. We might have got something out the game defending but that’s not for me.
We are more open because we attack more but it’s exposing a slow back 4. We get done by pace. Think Watkins and Nunez and Arsenal. Arsenal wingers were picking the ball up in own half and running unchallenged into our box because we backed off scared of the pace. That should not happen
Having said all that we will still get CL. It’s the new Toon and the flakey Toon has been swept away.
Paqueta or Maddison with a fit Bruno would transform us. Raphina instead of Murphy and a fast cd to replace Schar and Tierney at gb with big Dan as cover. That team would challenge for the title if we stayed clear of injuries and CL challenge. Let’s face it Arsenal are clearly inferior to City and are only challenging because City have many distractions and they have none. Next season we can be like Arsenal and maybe win it.
ToonDarnSarf
May 8, 2023 at 10:47 AM
Comment #767Ty21 – Gordon is predominantly a left sided forward/winger. Just because Paqueta could play that role, why would we have signed him to play a role he’s not a specialist at?
Confuses the hell out of me. Fans on here were laughing at Paqueta earlier in the season and saying we dodged a bullet.
Give Gordon time. He needs a pre-season to get up to speed with the Howe way of playing after too much time playing at woeful Everton.
Toon_Barmy
May 8, 2023 at 10:56 AM
Comment #768Positives from yesterday include Maxi’s return and looking sharp and Yooonited getting pumped and seemingly in disarray. Bring on Leeds and Fat Sam
NY Mag
May 8, 2023 at 10:58 AM
Comment #769TDS,
Because we got beat….blame has to be assigned somewhere or better players have to be signed
This is the way 🙂
The overrated Frenchman
May 8, 2023 at 11:01 AM
Comment #770The hype that has surrounded Longstaff is ridiculous, but typical of the mindless populism that characterises this blog
The Bard of Bensham Bank
May 8, 2023 at 11:06 AM
Comment #771Happy Birthday Clinath, but at 64
Remember you cannot do what you did before
Go easy on the beer or when you’re havin’ a nip
Cos now when you stumble you’ll be busting a hip
Celebrating a win now becomes a risk
Don’t be jumping for joy or you’ll be slipping a disc
You’ve got to mind how you go at your age Clinath
Or you’ll need to be finding a good osteopath
🙂
jane
May 8, 2023 at 11:06 AM
Comment #772you could find another blog if you don’t like it
The Bard of Bensham Bank
May 8, 2023 at 11:07 AM
Comment #773That poem I mentioned has been erased
I searched high and low but it couldn’t be traced
I’ve had to sit up for half the night
Trying to remember the words to do a rewrite
The first was a classic, set for the hall of fame
This one by comparison is just a bit lame
(Not entirely true, I have to say
A bit like that monster fish that got away!)
jimiley
May 8, 2023 at 11:10 AM
Comment #774Paqueta is a hell of a player. Best player in Irons team. Rice catches the eye because of his running but Paqueta has the quality.
We missed a trick there. Him and Bruno. Wow. He is wasted at West Ham.
Hopefully we do it let Maddison slip through the net
Ty21
May 8, 2023 at 11:10 AM
Comment #775ToonDarnSarf
Not specialize dosen’t meant he don’t do well there. No doubt Gordon will improve a lot as he have shown glimpse of what he can do. As I said, I’m comparing who might be more value for money in terms of positions can be played. I can understand why Newcastle didn’t push hard for Paqueta though. Think Shelvey was suppose to start most games till he got injured, Longstaff grabbed that chance. Also I always think Paqueta did ok for West Ham throughout the season, if you look at the dirty work he has done and compare his output with West Ham best players last season. He is always among the better performing West Ham players.
NY Mag
May 8, 2023 at 11:11 AM
Comment #776Jane,
Don’t be so bitchy….everyone is entitled to their opinions 🙂
BTW, I think you have a remarkable figure for a bot!!
Romford mag
May 8, 2023 at 11:13 AM
Comment #777clinath@ed
Happy birthday
The Bard of Bensham Bank
May 8, 2023 at 11:15 AM
Comment #778Disclaimer:
The events described in the following poem are entirely fictional and have been invented purely for the purposes of light entertainment.
There is also the use of frequent profanities, which, whilst being neither big nor clever, were deemed necessary by the author as adding both to the context of said poem and also to enhance said entertainment.
Innit.
.
.
Ottawa’s aversion to swearing came up the other night
It’s past the 9 am watershed, so I think I’ll be alright….
.
Ottawa doesn’t like it when you people swear
Yet some of you fkrs just don’t seem to care
You carry on regardless and start taking the piss
You may have more understanding after taking in this ….
Otta was born in Walker at an early age
And soon he was causing quite an outrage
His language had everyone in cold sweats
For he’d been born with the syndrome of infant Tourettes
His first baby words were shit, twat, f*k
His parents didn’t know which way to look
He followed it up with bugger, bastard, piss
And for quite some time it went on like this
As Ottawa grew, so did his shame
He couldn’t stop swearing, tho’ he wasn’t to blame
So he clammed right up, he knew it was wrong
And became known to all as ‘The Quiet One’
Soon afterwards with his Ma and Da
He moved away to Canada
He underwent shock therapy
And then he was cured – fkin yippee!
He couldn’t believe his fkn luck
When he opened his gob he didn’t say fck
He was feeling like a fkin prince
But he’s hated fkin swearing since
He’s not quiet now, he won’t keep it zipped
In fact he’s gone all flappy lipped
No longer ‘The Quiet One’ when he returns to Waalker
He’s now known to all as ‘Otta the Taalker’
😀
.
.
See what I did there – Tarka the…..
.
Pass me fkn parka !
😀
The Bard of Bensham Bank
May 8, 2023 at 11:16 AM
Comment #779No offence intended, Ottawa
It’s just your turn for a bit o’ banta
I expect you’ll respond after reading that
With **** off man Bard, you absolute ****
😀
Ty21
May 8, 2023 at 11:17 AM
Comment #780Weirdly I didn’t even say Gordon is a bad signing or player, or even compare their performance. I never even blame any player. Don’t understand why some need to twist it………..
Darnik
May 8, 2023 at 11:18 AM
Comment #781Oh dear
https://twitter.com/NewcUtdFCFans/status/1655325939927072768?t=zT4mU_E0CMX7DVr66LqxbA&s=19
The Taco Taker
May 8, 2023 at 11:19 AM
Comment #782Tino needs a place in the standing section when it opens next season…..
“Faustino Asprilla’s wild life has taken another bizarre turn after he was spotted leading chants in front of a group of ultras.
The Colombian is best known in England for his two-and-a-half spell with Newcastle United in the late 1990s, which featured a stunning hat-trick against Barcelona in the Champions League.
But before his £6.75m move to the north-east under Kevin Keegan, he was an icon at Italian side Parma, formerly one of the top clubs in Italy but now in Serie B. Eager to get behind his old side, he has been spotted at a match, but in Asprilla fashion he wasn’t quaffing champagne in the VIP area.
Instead, he was in the thick of the club’s most passionate supporters during their game against Brescia on Sunday. Not only that, he had commandeered a megaphone and was leading a chant as the action went on behind him.”
Picture here:
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/faustino-asprilla-parma-newcastle-sex-29922450
Darnik
May 8, 2023 at 11:21 AM
Comment #783Ttt
Thanks btw for the info I thought that was the case 😀
Bigjim67
May 8, 2023 at 11:22 AM
Comment #784Thought the penalty should have stood yesterday, we’ve all seen many similar and less so given recently.
Was a bit harsh on Pope yesterday when i said he was poor, he wasn’t but still think he should’ve done better with the first goal.
Hope we smash Leeds, if only to see hippo heed choking on his chewing gum.
HWTL
The Taco Taker
May 8, 2023 at 11:26 AM
Comment #785In other news we have apparently sent scouts to monitor Blackburn Rovers starlet Adam Wharton (18) several times this season.
The question is though can he sit on a ball?
NY Mag
May 8, 2023 at 11:26 AM
Comment #786Bard,
Proper good, I’d love for you to dissect me.
I would frame it for the little one 🙂
Pretty please 🙂
The Taco Taker
May 8, 2023 at 11:28 AM
Comment #787Are you set for promotion Darnik?
jimiley
May 8, 2023 at 11:28 AM
Comment #78867
It’s football Jim, but not as we know it.
(Re working of famous sci fi programme)
Ty21
May 8, 2023 at 11:29 AM
Comment #789The Taco Taker
Rumours said Shelvey was actually sold for sitting on the ball. Fraser was caught resting his head on the ball too, that’s why he got demoted to the reserve.
clinath@ed
May 8, 2023 at 11:34 AM
Comment #790Honoured Bard. Thank you
Darnik
May 8, 2023 at 11:40 AM
Comment #791Ttt
No I’m in H2H 1 already, just making sure I’m mathematically safe from relegation 😉
clinath@ed
May 8, 2023 at 11:44 AM
Comment #792Thank you Bard
I’m finding it hard,
Not to take offence.
But as I’m 64
Not just out the door,
It really wouldn’t make much sense.
😉
The Taco Taker
May 8, 2023 at 11:47 AM
Comment #793Darnik,
Ah ok cool. Hopefully I will be joining you next season – I am 3rd in Div 2 with a 6 point lead on 6th place. This GW could go either way for me though – I have a 1 point lead as it stands but my opponent and I both have 1 Brighton player each still to play. This is gonna be close. Luckily the teams in 4th, 5th and 6th place are all losing right now anyway.
🙂
Raj of Hailsley
May 8, 2023 at 11:48 AM
Comment #794It can’t be hard to find out who’s seat thar Arsenal fan was sitting in, they should then take the membership off the person who sold it.
CLINT FLICK
May 8, 2023 at 11:53 AM
Comment #795The big news today should be the celebration of the Lasses winning promotion!
So…
HOWAY THE LASSES!
Amazing, well done everyone of you, what great achievement!
Toon Toon!
Raj of Hailsley
May 8, 2023 at 12:01 PM
Comment #796Aye CF,
Well done to them, I noticed my mates daughter wasn’t even on the bench.
jane
May 8, 2023 at 12:03 PM
Comment #797https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/combination/20222023/north/r69081/
lesh
May 8, 2023 at 12:05 PM
Comment #798Clinath
Not having looked back, this greetings probably been done to death.
No matter, enjoy your day.
https://youtu.be/wUDRIC5RSX4
jane
May 8, 2023 at 12:06 PM
Comment #799i guess this is the league they will play in next season
https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/premier-n–s/20222023/north/r69614/
The Bard of Bensham Bank
May 8, 2023 at 12:11 PM
Comment #800NY,
I’m truly honoured that you would seek a commission from me (pro bono I presume) 😉
Other than coming across as a decent fella with a dry sense of humour I’m afraid I don’t have too much to work with.
You don’t want to run a few alts or upload any shirtless avatars to help me out do you?
😀
(Sorry Fenners!)