The big news is that there is only change from the Newcastle side that walloped Brighton 4-1 and that’s Sean Longstaff starting in place of the injured Joe Willock, out for the season with a hamstring injury.
It’s great to see Sean back.
We need only draw against Leicester City tonight at St. James’ Park to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since Sir Bobby Robson was the manager back in 2003.
And we are sure the lads will want to win the game, the last home game of the season, and then have a real celebration after the game.
But a caution – we cannot allow second bottom Leicester to spoil the party tonight after such a great season.
And here is the Leicester side.
A massive 86% think we can win this game tonight.
Loading ...Comments welcome.
478 comments so far
Uncertain Toon
May 22, 2023 at 7:20 PM
Comment #41Carltoon,
Pasta or Pizza tonight pal?
Bills Son Is Back
May 22, 2023 at 7:20 PM
Comment #42Smith said after their last game that they were sticking together on the pitch if not individually or words to that effect.
That tells me that there are divisions in the group and it may well be that others don’t think Maddison and Barnes have been pulling their weight over the last few games.
Just a theory.
the crown princes nashers
May 22, 2023 at 7:21 PM
Comment #43well last home game of the season and am happy longstaff is back in the team, not ganna say the score, ill just say this a point and its champions league 3 pts much better 🙂 haway the lads, lets rock st james park to its foundations
AncientC
May 22, 2023 at 7:21 PM
Comment #44I reckon Smith has done his homework and has decided to set-up similar to Bournemouth. The one team down at the bottom of the table that gave us the most difficult games.
Are Leicester really going to switch their style of play to ultra compact with 2 games to go? It could work I guess. It could also be a catastrophe.
Toonarmy of Frogs
May 22, 2023 at 7:22 PM
Comment #45💡
Carltoon. Pretty sure you can get match commentary through nufc main site
Its on ‘listen live’
carltoon
May 22, 2023 at 7:22 PM
Comment #46Had a salad, and a beer 😉
Uncertain Toon
May 22, 2023 at 7:23 PM
Comment #47Bills,
Aye, unrest for sure. The amount of their players either out of contract or on a year remaining can only create that atmosphere. Sinking ship routine going on. Smith planning for the Champo mate!
the crown princes nashers
May 22, 2023 at 7:23 PM
Comment #48bills
aye add tielemans to that list as well, its insane to leave out 2 of your best players when there they need the points
niafron
May 22, 2023 at 7:23 PM
Comment #49Would have been happy with Anderson, but if Sean is fit…
carltoon
May 22, 2023 at 7:24 PM
Comment #50Toon Army of Frogs good shout.
If I can get over John Anderson. I’ll give it a go.
The Taco Taker
May 22, 2023 at 7:24 PM
Comment #51Possible reasons to leave Maddison and Barnes out: Leicester know they will leave in summer and their odds of staying up are poor. So why risk them playing half-heartedly or getting a significant injury? There is a strong case to play players that you know will be there next season irrespective of which division you are in.
Let’s not just randomly assume that it means one or both are coming here on this basis.
lesh
May 22, 2023 at 7:24 PM
Comment #52Carltoon
What you really want is to be where you are in Italy with access to your seat at the match.
Just think, watch a win then out for a couple of glasses of Chianti or whatever before a nice dinner.
Sounds good to me
carltoon
May 22, 2023 at 7:25 PM
Comment #53If I can get over JA comments.
lesh
May 22, 2023 at 7:25 PM
Comment #54Carltoon
Oops
It seems you’ve eaten already so soon. Lucky gal
carltoon
May 22, 2023 at 7:27 PM
Comment #55Lets yes assume they’re both coming. I’m sure there was talk about Barnes, and definitely Madison.
Its nice we can dream, and even better players.
IrishRob
May 22, 2023 at 7:28 PM
Comment #56Think myself Isak is due a few goals tonight.
niafron
May 22, 2023 at 7:29 PM
Comment #57@TTT
If it’s true, it’s really sad and a terrible lack of sportsmanship. Their team play for survival tonight, it should overcome any other consideration.
In fact, if it’s true, i would even going so far as saying i’m not sure to want Maddison at the club next year.
carltoon
May 22, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Comment #58Lesh. We’re only here for one night. We’ve been travelling all week, and had to revise our plans due to flooding in Croatia, off to the South of France for a couple of weeks before heading up home.
DrGloom
May 22, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Comment #59Leicester fans less than happy with the selection and Smith https://www.foxestalk.co.uk/topic/131883-newcastle-away/page/9/#comments
The Taco Taker
May 22, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Comment #60But Cartoon, if they are half-hearted about Leicesters predicament what does it say about their character? It makes me less interested in them.
IrishRob
May 22, 2023 at 7:31 PM
Comment #61SS can Fuk off talking about City when a we’re playing in literally 30 mins jfc
carltoon
May 22, 2023 at 7:31 PM
Comment #62Niafron, the club may want to keep them injury free to be able to sell them, not necessarily to us.
DrGloom
May 22, 2023 at 7:31 PM
Comment #63Can’t see us taking Barnes … no better than what we have and possibly worse – maybe he has an offer elsewhere though
niafron
May 22, 2023 at 7:33 PM
Comment #64@Carltoon
They are only 3 points behind Everton with one game ( this game… ) in hand.
So to admitt the idea they will be in championship this year at this point is just crazy.
Can’t believe that.
Not another deJong
May 22, 2023 at 7:34 PM
Comment #65Ando should be fairly happy…or a little less morose.
The Taco Taker
May 22, 2023 at 7:34 PM
Comment #66The thing is it is all just speculation really. It is highly likely that Maddison and Barnes will leave but the exact reason they are not starting is unknown as is their destination when they leave.
Adamn_92
May 22, 2023 at 7:35 PM
Comment #67Why are they talking about Man City ffs we qualify for the champions league tonight, focus on that!
Trequartista10
May 22, 2023 at 7:35 PM
Comment #68Ciao welcome to Italy Carltoon
carltoon
May 22, 2023 at 7:35 PM
Comment #69It won’t have been up to them though would it. They both seem good pros.
They must be on the move, and the manager may want to use the players who he knows will be his next year.
If they’ve refused to play well that’s different.
The Prince's Mate
May 22, 2023 at 7:36 PM
Comment #70Who are the 23 mackems that’s voted for a NUFC defeat?
Disgusting
HWTT
Essex Geordie Bill
May 22, 2023 at 7:37 PM
Comment #71Anytime I have seen games with Maddison playing I thought he put a good shift in, probably been their best player recently, Barnes hasn’t been a shirker either.
DKillers
May 22, 2023 at 7:37 PM
Comment #72Irish, US coverage is all about Man City and Arsenal for the past 10 minutes. Incredible.
catchy in norway
May 22, 2023 at 7:38 PM
Comment #73Im Happy Longstaff starts, Im a Massive Fan of his
The Prince's Mate
May 22, 2023 at 7:38 PM
Comment #74Manure sports channel….sorry…spiv sports
Uncertain Toon
May 22, 2023 at 7:38 PM
Comment #75Carltoon,
Cool, enjoy your jollies!
carltoon
May 22, 2023 at 7:39 PM
Comment #76Ciao Bella,
Darnik, I don’t think we’re after them at all, I used to like Barnes though.
DKillers
May 22, 2023 at 7:39 PM
Comment #77I highly doubt either Barnes or Maddison have refused to play or indicated they shouldn’t play. Their reputations would be shredded just at the time when they need to be attractive to other clubs (if Leicester go down).
Essex Geordie Bill
May 22, 2023 at 7:40 PM
Comment #78Dr Gloom
A lot of optimism there! 🙂
IrishRob
May 22, 2023 at 7:41 PM
Comment #79Killers it’s finally over, that was a solid 15-20 mins of solid talk about City.
Right have a match tonight between Newcastle and Leicester coming up next(the commentator said). We get 15-20 minutes incredible.
The Taco Taker
May 22, 2023 at 7:43 PM
Comment #80Getting excited now.
We are going to get the job done tonight. Then the next push will be to stay 3rd when the pressure is off and Chelsea have nothing to play for.