We expect Howe to field his strongest team for the game tonight at home to Brighton
But with Sean Longstaff and Jacob Murphy still not available, we expect Howe to field the team that started at Leeds last weekend in the 2-2 draw.
The only change could be if Howe decides to give Dan Burn a rest at left-back and brings in the capable Matt Targett for a rare start.
This is a game we must win tonight, but just over 60% of voters think we can get the job done tonight.

Comments welcome, but please respect other people’e opinions.
291 comments so far
Trequartista10
May 18, 2023 at 10:44 AM
Comment #81Ciao big game today need big win. We need a number 10 pIayer
ToonDarnSarf
May 18, 2023 at 10:52 AM
Comment #82Harley – I’ve been saying for ages how important experience is and so it’s very useful to have players like Dummett, Ritchie, and Lascelles around the club even though they’re bit part players. I won’t be upset if any of those players move on this summer but I do respect their experience and influence on the squad.
But I definitely don’t think we’ve bottled it, not even close! Disappointing game against Leeds but the game before we matched Arsenal and just didn’t get the breaks.
It’s been a long old season for some of our players and minimal opportunities for rest. Trips isn’t on his best form, Bruno is nursing an injury, Schar’s head must look like the moon’s surface, and Longstaff is injured. It’s still completely in our hands to win 2 out of 3 very winnable games.
I still think we’ll get 4th and would now be disappointed with 5th but even 5th would be a very impressive season when you consider where we were 18 months ago.
Harley
May 18, 2023 at 10:55 AM
Comment #83TDS
I like your post much better than mine lol!!!
Hope you’re right mate.
Raj of Hailsley
May 18, 2023 at 10:57 AM
Comment #84Harley,
Howay mate, two negative results, one defeat and we’ve bottled it. Not entertaining that idea.
cleveleysbob
May 18, 2023 at 10:59 AM
Comment #85Chill guys, we’ve got this. Whether it’s tonight, Monday or next Sunday, we’ll get at least 5 points, I’m expecting 7 or 9.
CL is ours, 3rd still more likely than not.
Big thumbs up emoji thingy. 😀
Harley
May 18, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Comment #86Raj we’ll see tonight and I’ll gladly come on and let you laugh at me tomorrow.
I’m just not feeling optimistic today like I usually am.
Novocastrian66
May 18, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Comment #87I’m not confident we will finish in the top 4.
I wont subscribe to hyperbolic reaction that we bottled it, if we don’t finish in the top 4.
We will have to accept that, if we don’t succeed, Liverpool have hit a remarkable run of form.
My negativity is because we always fall short at the end. I’m also concerned about our inability to keep a clean sheet at the moment. The gaping holes in our defence on the right hand side has been sussed by opposition managers. They used to, wrongly, see the left hand channel as our weakness. They now all know it is the right hand channel. Eddie hasn’t fixed the problem.
Miggy was a bit off it against Leeds. Let’s hope the cobwebs are off as he did some great work earlier in the season, covering for Trippier.
bettyswallocks
May 18, 2023 at 11:01 AM
Comment #88Harley…… It’s the difference in human nature that allows some of us to remain positive and others to take a negative view on things…. We can’t all be the same but Ffs try and stay with us …….. There’s only three games to go you miserable , defeatist doom and gloom merchant …
Only kidding pal … You’re fully entitled to your views.
Adamn_92
May 18, 2023 at 11:01 AM
Comment #89Harley
Get down to the ground tonight mate and take advantage of the cheap drinks, that’ll help boost the optimism haha
cleveleysbob
May 18, 2023 at 11:01 AM
Comment #903/4’s of 10. – welcome to the blog if you’re a new visitor.
If your another alt, with respect, go away.
I hope your the former and join in more. 🙂
Harley
May 18, 2023 at 11:04 AM
Comment #91Betty
I’m usually mr positive. I’ll probably change once kick off I’d here!!
Adam
That could go either way couldn’t it lol
cleveleysbob
May 18, 2023 at 11:04 AM
Comment #92You’re not your. I’ll end up in Mr Tuffs sights if I’m not careful. 😉
niafron
May 18, 2023 at 11:07 AM
Comment #93@Novo
The way i see it, it doesn’t matter to be optimistic or not. It’s just super exciting to have such a game to play.
So my advice: forgett about Pool, screw the maths and just enjoy the game.
ToonDarnSarf
May 18, 2023 at 11:09 AM
Comment #94Harley – we’ll find out in a couple of weeks! 🙂
Just fantastic that the lads have put us in this position really. If we were sitting where Brighton, Spurs, or Villa are right now I think the majority of us would have absolutely taken that at the beginning of the season.
Toon Fans Good
May 18, 2023 at 11:56 AM
Comment #95Gordon can’t play left side. Anyways Anderson should be ahead of Gordon
This is not the way
Dubai Micky
May 18, 2023 at 11:57 AM
Comment #96Breaking News….. BBC announce they will be releasing Gary Lineker from MOTD and replacing him with a presenter they feel will appeal to the public more.
Phillip Schofield starts on Monday.
Dubai Micky
May 18, 2023 at 12:02 PM
Comment #97Vote for wor Eddie https://www.premierleague.com/news/3345790
Trequartista10
May 18, 2023 at 12:07 PM
Comment #98Ciao CIeveIysbob comment number 90 I am not very oId but why should go away if im oId
The Highlander
May 18, 2023 at 12:13 PM
Comment #99What is happening with the bIog?
Raj of Hailsley
May 18, 2023 at 12:16 PM
Comment #100DMicky,
I’ll be voting for Eddie H anyway but think Pep should get it if they win the treble.
Essex Geordie Bill
May 18, 2023 at 12:17 PM
Comment #101Wow, didn’t think I’d have so many comments to catch up on although to be fair there is a pile of shite in the mix!
Essex Geordie Bill
May 18, 2023 at 12:19 PM
Comment #102Treq
If the old people went away there’d be no blog! 🙂
Dr. Ed Harrison
May 18, 2023 at 12:20 PM
Comment #103The Highlander – this is Ed Harrison – we seem to have had trouble overnight with the latest article – it seemed to switch to an earlier skeleton version – I recreated the article and all seems well right now.
Raj of Hailsley
May 18, 2023 at 12:21 PM
Comment #104Too early for MotS
Essex Geordie Bill
May 18, 2023 at 12:22 PM
Comment #105Interesting moniker.
Francesco Totti at Roma is a great example. He would float around the attacking third, and suddenly burst into life. The word trequartista refers to the third quarter of the football pitch, because this is where the trequartista weaves their magic.
niafron
May 18, 2023 at 12:24 PM
Comment #106@EGB
Roger, Essex! Let’s carry on!
Essex Geordie Bill
May 18, 2023 at 12:24 PM
Comment #107Ed
Gremlins in the works! 🙂
Essex Geordie Bill
May 18, 2023 at 12:25 PM
Comment #108Fantastic, we have France on the line, welcome back Naifron! 🙂
The Highlander
May 18, 2023 at 12:25 PM
Comment #109GIad its aII sorted Ed, Have a nice day and good Iuck with everything. Enjoy the match tonight
bettyswallocks
May 18, 2023 at 12:26 PM
Comment #110EGB…….. There seems to be some confusion as to whether you’re a Sunderland or Newcastle supporter or if you in fact support both North East teams….
Whichever it is I’m not sitting in judgement…… just seeking clarity..
Essex Geordie Bill
May 18, 2023 at 12:26 PM
Comment #111Totti was world class!
Trequartista10
May 18, 2023 at 12:29 PM
Comment #112Ciao yes i Iove number 10 we had the best totti baggio deI piero now nobody.
Regista we had pirIo now nobody. NewcastIe need number 10 Iike totti to controI tempo but these pIayers are nomore. Bruno can be Iike regista
lesh
May 18, 2023 at 12:31 PM
Comment #113The Grauniad’s published a nice little piece on Miggie and tonight’s match.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/18/almiron-enciso-paraguay-newcastle-brighton
Essex Geordie Bill
May 18, 2023 at 12:32 PM
Comment #114Betty
If you saw may reaction to the Bards poet you would have no doubts where my loyalty lies.
The only other NE club that is close to my heart lies on the banks of the Tyne as well.
But I do like to see the other NE doing well and would like to see more of them in the EPL.
Hope that clarifies things for you.
bettyswallocks
May 18, 2023 at 12:34 PM
Comment #115Thanks Bill………. I was aware of that all along…… Just keeping you on yer toes….
Trequartista10
May 18, 2023 at 12:36 PM
Comment #116Ciao Essex Geordie BiII comment 102 yes CIeveIysbob not want oId peopIe. Im not very oId just oId. pasta and fish keep me heaIthy. sometime pizza. onIy eat fresh food fresh ingredients. Tonights game is on sky itaIia wiII be good game. Up NewcastIe they had good number 10 Trequartista BeardsIey
bettyswallocks
May 18, 2023 at 12:37 PM
Comment #117Lesh…………. I really don’t understand why you insist on reading that Loony Left publication…… It’s full of biased left wing propaganda…
More seriously…… How’s your health? Did you get diagnosed?
IrishRob
May 18, 2023 at 12:40 PM
Comment #118Adam Awful is most Definitely not even remotely harsh. He had his two worst games in a Toon shirt the last 2 games.
Why is it so hard for some of our fans to call it as it is..christ what’s so terrible about being honest..it doesn’t mean he’s bad and it doesn’t mean we hate him, it means he’s played bad, it happens to everyone.
Anyways its not a big deal I’m used to it, he will be better tonight I’m sure. If he isn’t then his long term injury is clearly getting worse and the end of the season couldn’t come at a better time.
Toon Fans Good
May 18, 2023 at 12:41 PM
Comment #119Is anyone else sweating it for tonight or is Betty sweating for all of us?
Toon Fans Good
May 18, 2023 at 12:43 PM
Comment #120Irishrob tyrants despots dictators will always try to control what you are allowed to say and not say. Raj and his foot clan are no different