Simon Jordan does like to cause controversy on talkSport, but he’s quite controlled today after Newcastle’s simply magnificent 4-1 win last night against high-flying Brighton: that took us within 3 points of safely qualifying for the Champions League group stage next season and a minimum of £30M guaranteed in finances.
Simon looks ahead about what’s in store for Newcastle next season, when he expects clubs like Chelsea, Tottenham and Chelsea to regroup and be back challenging for top six positions in the Premier League.
We expect that will happen too.
But Newcastle fans also know this, as does Eddie Howe, and we will need to strengthen the squad this summer with at least four top players.
And Howe will need to start rotating his squad more, which he admitted in today’s press conference for the Leicester game at home on Monday night.
So we know things will get tougher as we get better – that’s the way the world works.
And we are sure our owners and top executives, the players and our great coaches led by Eddie Howe, know that will happen too, and we will be ready for the test next season.
Howay The Bonnie Lads.
Loading ...Here is the current Premier League table today.
| Club | Matches | Goal Diff. | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man City | 38 | 61 | 89 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 38 | 45 | 84 |
| 3 | Man United | 38 | 15 | 75 |
| 4 | Newcastle | 38 | 35 | 71 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 38 | 28 | 67 |
| 6 | Brighton | 38 | 19 | 62 |
| 7 | Aston Villa | 38 | 5 | 61 |
| 8 | Tottenham | 38 | 7 | 60 |
| 9 | Brentford | 38 | 12 | 59 |
| 10 | Fulham | 38 | 2 | 52 |
Comments welcome.
33 comments so far
Pat Mania
May 19, 2023 at 3:40 PM
Comment #1Howay!
Essex Geordie Bill
May 19, 2023 at 3:42 PM
Comment #2Bit of a slog but finally caught up! 🙂
Essex Geordie Bill
May 19, 2023 at 3:43 PM
Comment #3We are all Nefelibata’s today!
coming home
May 19, 2023 at 3:48 PM
Comment #4Tuff
Dazzler a superhero! More like Ronnie fcuking Corbett
😆
bettyswallocks
May 19, 2023 at 3:49 PM
Comment #5EMB … Sorry I mean EGB ……….What does Nefelibatas mean….Excuse my ignorance.
Smoggie Andrews
May 19, 2023 at 3:52 PM
Comment #6CH – or Ronnie F’in Pickering 😀
coming home
May 19, 2023 at 3:53 PM
Comment #7😆
Arthur Romsdale
May 19, 2023 at 3:59 PM
Comment #8Smog
There’s no shortage of Ronnie Pickerings on the comments section here that’s for sure
😀
The Taco Taker
May 19, 2023 at 4:13 PM
Comment #9It is clear that the Harrisons are as excited as all of us. The flurry of articles in the last couple of days is great.
DKillers
May 19, 2023 at 4:19 PM
Comment #10From a few posts back….
I have to say, some of you are truly sad. Not happy unless you’re doing your best to cause conflicts on a blog. Spending the entire day trying to rile people up.
I fail to see how saying “I get worried when Burn joins in the attack” is a “negative” post. Did you watch the game? There were a few moments in the first half where Burn was well upfield and drifted inside. Stating a concern isn’t negative. It’s watching the game and commenting. The fact that he scored from a set piece doesn’t change anything.
Also, our first group of set pieces during the game were not good. Straight to the keeper in one instance, etc. You’re not allowed to say that?
Not to mention, I said right after we went up 3-1 that I was happy to be wrong on Wilson. That we were waiting for one moment of magic and I didn’t think it would happen, but I was wrong.
The ego on some of you. Calling people c-nts because they are commenting on a game happening in real time. There are ebbs and flows. Plenty of positive comments, too. But you guys who believe you control the blog always have to make it about yourselves. “I can’t enjoy the game because someone was disappointed with a few set pieces.” It’ll just be easier to ignore a few of you. You add nothing anyway. My blog experience is really damaged hearing about someone’s Liverpool-supporting brother. As if anyone gives a sht. Or someone claiming every VAR decision of the season was perfectly accurate. Disagreeing just to disagree. It makes them feel important to get a few people engaged and responding.
If you want to have your panties in a twist over people saying “we suck” or predicting a loss every week, go for it. Getting high & mighty over people commenting on the game flow itself is just sad. But realistically, it isn’t honest. It’s just a way to make yourself the center of attention. Feign outrage and show everyone that you’re the most important person.
The Taco Taker
May 19, 2023 at 4:25 PM
Comment #11As for this idea that all the other teams are going to improve I just don’t buy it. Some might but not all of them.My view is this:
Citeh will strengthen again and stay miles ahead of the pack.
Arsenal will be in the mix again but may drop off compared to this season.
Lpool will be in the mix.
Man U are difficult to call. A lot will depend on what happens with the takeover and when, but they will already be behind the curve in terms of preparation for the summer.
*Also one of Man U or Lpool will miss out on the CL (Man U IMO) which will hinder their recruitment.
There is nothing to suggest that Spurs will improve.
Chelsea will improve compared to this season (hard not to) but they have so much to do I can’t see it being fixed in one summer.
Meanwhile we are bound to get stronger and dont have any of the uncertainty/instability that Man U, Spurs or Chelsea have.
Toon Fans Good
May 19, 2023 at 4:33 PM
Comment #12Yeah pep said we deserve it and that he watched last nights match and was impressed. Even pep follows our games. If howe goes England job peps coming here
The Taco Taker
May 19, 2023 at 4:38 PM
Comment #13My God Klopp is prick.
“I expected a punishment, what with a the things we know, and all the things we could hear and stuff like this”
* don’t you mean all the things you said and did?!?!
“I would like to know where the money goes, cos if it goes to a good cause then I am more than happy to pay it, if the FA keeps it then we have to talk again”
*if you want to match the cost of the fine to the charity of your choice go for it you utter prat.
Pottsclock
May 19, 2023 at 4:43 PM
Comment #14That was a good interview and raised a thought that we’ve probably all got at the back of our minds, namely – “how will we manage next year with more matches and a comparatively thin squad, particularly as the EPL is also likely to be more competitive?”
But we shouldn’t just look at the results on the pitch this year for improvement. We now actually have the backroom staff (DoF etc.) that will enable us to recruit well over the next two windows. Champions League will be a big draw. So I genuinely believe we’ll recruit what we need and remain competitive next year.
Mister Tuff
May 19, 2023 at 4:44 PM
Comment #15Female Superheroes ……………….OOT
Supergran…………………………….. OOT
Foul mouthed abusers…………….OOT
Other blog knackers………………..OOT
Socialists and Commies………….OOT
Pat Mania
May 19, 2023 at 4:44 PM
Comment #16Klopp is in decline
The Taco Taker
May 19, 2023 at 4:48 PM
Comment #17If you mean mental decline Pat then I agree.
DKillers
May 19, 2023 at 4:51 PM
Comment #18TTT, agree with your points. There are fine margins in the EPL at this point. We will improve the team obviously, but will we have another season where we only lose 5 games? Hard to predict. We certainly could change draws into wins, though. I think the only team that is a consistent behemoth is Man City – until Pep moves on.
The interesting factor is that other teams are rising – Villa, Brighton. Others have become difficult matchups – Brentford (although the Toney suspension is a massive blow), Fulham. These teams may not be top-4 threats, necessarily, but they make it more difficult for teams like ManU, Chelsea, Arsenal to pile up wins.
Pat Mania
May 19, 2023 at 4:53 PM
Comment #19The Taco Taker
Absolutely
cleveleysbob
May 19, 2023 at 4:55 PM
Comment #20I think this is our best ever Season.
My main reason for this is the strength of the competition.
Back in 95/96, there were a couple of top teams (ManU & Arsenal) and we almost bust the monopoly.
Now, apart from the obvious ManC, Arsenal & ManU to contend with, Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea, Brighton, Villa, Fulham and Brentford have all at times been in the mix and it’s taken a remarkable run of consistency throughout the season to establish ourselves in the top 4 of that lot. Given our starting point, our lack of spending availability compared with most of those listed, we’ve performed out of our skins to achieve this and it’s been a great watch throughout. 🙂
The Taco Taker
May 19, 2023 at 4:56 PM
Comment #21I am already thinking of the CL now.
No matter what the draw is we will be in a hard group due to our coefficient. I would be ecstatic if we can navigate our way out of the group phase but won’t consider it a disappointment if we don’t. The dream would be a true titan of Europe (Real/Bayern) turning up at SJP and getting rocked to the core in front of the watching world.
Next season is going to be fantastic.
Toon Fans Good
May 19, 2023 at 4:57 PM
Comment #22Will we have as many draws or will we have enough to turn them into wins now next season. Every season is unpredictable but look forward to it. Still progressing and im not expecting any trophies next season but I think season after, the 2024/25 season, the owners might want trophies to come really close?
the crown princes nashers
May 19, 2023 at 4:57 PM
Comment #23fantastic result last night, watched the match in my garden shed, i was shouting and balling and my neighbour said take it the lads are wining hahaha aye
my man of the match goes to miggy, bloke never stopped running absolute class mind the rest of the team where on the ball as well, my player of the season really is the whole squad, I did pick pope and schar but in all honesty i have to give it to them all really
cl is a worry we do need a lot of good quality players through the door but not be to hasty on the players who have made this possible, we can stick by them and add more next season gonna be difficult but should be alright
The Taco Taker
May 19, 2023 at 5:04 PM
Comment #24True DKillers,
The league has more decent sides that ever, it is more competitive now than it ever was. It will be interesting to see if Villa and/or Brighton can push on though. I personally think they have pretty much hit their glass ceiling. I think Fulham and Brentford will be solid mid table sides but nothing more than that.
No club outside the established 6 six has the pull that we have and half the big six are unstable. This puts us in a good position.
Toon Fans Good
May 19, 2023 at 5:05 PM
Comment #25Howe is a fast learner he’ll show emery who is boss next season. Not worried about villa.
Brighton will sell caicedo and macallister not worried about them.
Poch will fail with chelsea as that club is broken. Abramovich was close to players boehly isnt. They have mercenaries.
Liverpool will improve if klopp stays.
Man city if they lose pep could decline.
Man u cant predict.
Spurs if they lose Kane will be finished for a year or 2 atleast but big enough to recover after that.
Arsenal will improve with arteta still there.
1 promoted team will be top 8-10 like always
West ham might go down next season with bournemouth. No declan for west ham next season. Gary o neil wont last all season
No idea about palace
Assassins Inc
May 19, 2023 at 5:05 PM
Comment #26I know Eddie is our manager and we love him but apart from maybe Pepp, I feel we have the most articulate well spoken, calm under pressure manager in the league.
On injuries, hopefully big Joe is fine, we have cover for Willock thankfully, reshuffle and it’s nice we have premier league players that could come in, Maxi, Gords, Elliot, maybe Murphy is back.
Could be Lewis gets some game time on Monday be it off the bench, would be a nice gesture if winning to give him that last home game feeling as he has trained most of the year with the first team.
Of course if Villa win, then we are free to go in all different formations and I’m sure if that happens Eddie will be looking at mixing up the usual 4-3-3 and maybe adopt a 4-4-2.
The Taco Taker
May 19, 2023 at 5:17 PM
Comment #27Assassins,
Agree on EH, there is no better manager for us. He has done an amazing job and he thinks before he speaks which is a rare quality in football management these days.
DKillers
May 19, 2023 at 5:21 PM
Comment #28TTT, I think Villa could push on. They have a very good manager and reports seem to indicate that they’ll spend. Brighton also seem to have a sustainable model and some very, very good young players. They could sell some players for big money and still maintain their progress.
The question will be whether any of these teams fall back like West Ham did this season. I don’t think Villa or Brighton will.
Still, I think we will be right in the mix for the top-4. As fantastic as this season has been, we kind of forget that this actually started last season. We spent almost the entire second half of last season in top-4 form, if I remember correctly. So this isn’t a flash in the pan. Continuing to add quality like Botman, Isak, Bruno is going to be amazing.
Toon Fans Good
May 19, 2023 at 5:23 PM
Comment #29Man u ownership could be an issue for them
The Taco Taker
May 19, 2023 at 5:25 PM
Comment #30One thing though Assassins I don’t think we should play Miley or change formation unless the injury situation demands it regardless of other results. Push to stay 3rd and win the remaining games with the best side available to us. It is £2M extra revenue as well as extra prestige so even if we are guaranteed top 4 we should not take our foot off the accelerator.
The Taco Taker
May 19, 2023 at 5:40 PM
Comment #31DKillers,
Agree to an extent but my point is they can’t all improve. Brighton have a good model but it is very difficult to sustain again and again. At least 2 teams will have to compete in the Europa which is a more punishing schedule for less reward.
Everyone will try to recruit and sell too and most of those outgoing transfers will occur between PL teams (since few other teams in Europe can afford good PL players) Just as a random example what if Man U or Chelsea bid for Ollie Watkins what happens then?
Meanwhile it is virtually impossible for any club to pull any of our top players elsewhere and we will strengthen too. As I said we don’t have the instability that several others do and we are a more attractive club than anyone outside this established big 6 (and currently more attractive then a couple of them as well)
9
May 19, 2023 at 7:15 PM
Comment #32Clearly Leicester are p*** poor and we’re on fire now, so Monday should be a celebration. I’m really worried, however, about our midfield. The basic midfield is Sean.Little Joe and Bruno. If the first two are crocked, we happen to know Bruno is half of what he was due to carrying an injury. Fortunately we have the immense Big Joe to cover one of the 2 missing midfielders, and I have to assume Gordon will be our best shout for the other. This is not the midfield that’s been dominating.
Speculation on the top6/top4 next season is crucial, and what nobody has yet chanced is the destinations of Kane and Rice, which have to be relevant (I’m not suggesting NUFC are interested in either, to be clear) – it’s clearly too soon to be calculating on the myriad impossible-to-know scenarios re transfers/managers/ownership, but we do know one team with no such worries – step forward the great and glorious NUFC!
HobokenToon
May 20, 2023 at 12:30 AM
Comment #33If they make it into the QF and finish top 4 next year and use both windows to continue to build out the squad, I’ll consider next year a huge success. It’s tougher to qualify when you have 8 extra fixtures, no doubt. We saw, and EH points to it as well, what the Cup run did to our league form. You only overcome that with tremendous depth, which, unfortunately, is difficult and often a mistake to try to build overnight or in one window. From that platform I think you really can start to push up from there.
Why do I say QF? The only team that truly frightens me, we cant draw in the Round of 16. Would that make it a failure if we succumbed to say, Bayern in the Round of 16? Of course not. But as a fan, QF is a reasonable hope.