Here is Eddie Howe’s interview with Sky Sport’s reporter Keith Downie before tonight’s third and final game in the Premier League Summer Series in America against Brighton, who finished 6th top of the Premier League last season on 62 points.
The game will take place in the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, just across the Hudson River from New York City.
It is the home stadium of the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer and NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League.
It should be another close and interesting game tonibht with the kickoff set at 7:30pm local time – that’s 12:30am (Saturday) Newcastle time.
Comments welcome.
453 comments so far
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jul 29, 2023 at 12:32 AM
Comment #1212nd game in a row we have only named a few subs. Part of pre-season, not going to play you tonight, relax. Good management.
Ashingtoon62
Jul 29, 2023 at 12:32 AM
Comment #1229
Last season is history,Liverpool and Chelsea will be different beasts this season,some teams that did well might struggle this season..
But there are advantages to this tournement,playing and training in the intense heat of the American summer can only be positive surely.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jul 29, 2023 at 12:33 AM
Comment #123G4 pitch
The Taco Taker
Jul 29, 2023 at 12:33 AM
Comment #124Ash,
I think you need to re-read what I actually wrote.
9,
How is that actually relevant to anything. Would you only be satisfied if we won every PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY (sorry for emphasising that basic point)
Munster Mag
Jul 29, 2023 at 12:36 AM
Comment #125Jail, you need to learn to comment on the comment I have made, rather than make a judgement on what you would like to read.
At that point I’ll take your opinions seriously:)
9
Jul 29, 2023 at 12:55 AM
Comment #126Taco “How is that actually relevant to anything?”
I’m lost for words, mate.
What on earth do you think pre-season friendlies are for (both for us and the opposition)?
And, whatever your answer, how can it be considered positive to fail to beat teams previously proven weaker than us?
I would genuinely like to hear your reasoning.
HWTL
Uncertain Toon
Jul 29, 2023 at 12:58 AM
Comment #1279,
I wouldn’t categorise preseason friendlies as must win games. We’ve had some shockers in the past 😆
We might see something like a starting 11 in that SELA cup thing maybe pal.
Uncertain Toon
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:00 AM
Comment #128‘Minutes in the legs’ and all that jazz
Ashingtoon62
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:01 AM
Comment #129TTT
Yes I re-read what you wrote….And????
I think in my opinion and only in my opinion that Castore have been paid off and this is their last season!!!!!
Otherwise the club have fcuked up with the merchandising side of the club.which is quite possible after the ticketgate fiasco……
9
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:01 AM
Comment #130UT, I’m with you – pre-season games are certainly not “must win”. But………..
9
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:04 AM
Comment #131(by which I mean, this applies equally to our opposition), and kindly inform me why not winning is preferable to winning, please.
Uncertain Toon
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:07 AM
Comment #132I thought we would have seen both Tonali and Bruno start every game together to get them used to playing together. Evidently, my theory was cack!
Ashingtoon62
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:09 AM
Comment #133Pope with a howler there mind…now if that had’ve been Dubs….
Uncertain Toon
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:09 AM
Comment #1349,
Is that the 2 opponents we’ve played thus far who didn’t win either? 😆
Uncertain Toon
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:11 AM
Comment #135And who is saying not winning is preferrable to winning?
9
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:12 AM
Comment #136Sorry to hog the blog, but Eddie is clearly taking the p*ss with tonight’s team selection, so please delete any remarks about the significance of these results. If I knew enough about the strength of Brighton’s selected team I would be tempted to bet a fair sum we lose this match, without it meaning anything at all for proper matches.
(FYI I have no clue Brighton’s selection tonight)
9
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:14 AM
Comment #137UT, fair point, nobody’s saying that, but I hope you can get my gist.
Ashingtoon62
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:14 AM
Comment #138Young Ashby is rapid mind..
Adamn_92
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:15 AM
Comment #1399
He’s just managing everyone’s minutes, hence the 2 different 11’s for the game Thursday and today.
The last thing you want pre season is to push the players too hard and get an injury before the first game of the season.
Imagine our last 2 or 3 pre season games we’ll see what could be considered our strongest possible 11.
IrishRob
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:16 AM
Comment #140Not wonderful so far, but this isn’t a great team we have out at the end of the day.
t00narmy88
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:16 AM
Comment #141Not looking good enough even though its pre season alot of players look a yard off the place.
we will be punished in first game if we are as poor as this.
We look so slow and lethatgic.
The Taco Taker
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:18 AM
Comment #1429,
The facts are that we didn’t lose either, is that
a bad thing? Pre-season is pre-season. If these games were important then we would put out our best possible side every time wouldn’t we?
As for “previously proven” I can only assume you mean in terms of last seasons finish in the league table. I cant think of any other reason why you might say that.
Ash,
If NUFC could have got out of the Castore deal I think they would have before now (IMO)
Anyway, I am going to watch the game and ignore chat on here at this point.
GN all.
t00narmy88
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:20 AM
Comment #143Basically carrying on as we where last season so far with little improvement’s from last season.
Don’t get me wrong Barnes and tonali great signings, but we need more, and quickly.
the club need to act and get fresh faces through the door, because quite simple for the 100th time dummet and Richie do not cut it at this level any more.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:20 AM
Comment #1449. What exactly would winning a “league” where do not play all the teams. etc during pre-season warm-up constitute anything? EH has put a reserve team out today with a couple of 1st team. It is pre-season. Results do not matter. Figuring out what is good (Miley?) and getting a bit of competitive games in your legs is what it is about.
9
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:20 AM
Comment #145OK, Taco, sleep well. I have a response but as you say you’re out I won’t bore everyone with it.
ottawageordie2
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:23 AM
Comment #146This series is just preparing for the season. Eddie is getting players in the game. All in al not bad but not serious. Targett has made some excellent defensive plays.
Adamn_92
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:23 AM
Comment #147Ashby has done well so far, never easy having to keep someone like Mitoma quiet. But he’s done it very well. Looks very quick and strong too. He’d be good back up this season if he stays.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:24 AM
Comment #148A full 1st team Brighton against our mostly 2nd team and although they are looking very slick Pope hasn’t had a lot to do.
The lads are doing OK so far and we have had chances.
9
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:25 AM
Comment #149Come on, Sir Pug.
Kindly sort out your thinking. If it is “getting a bit of competitive games in your legs” is what it’s all about, why not play your first-teamers? What on earth could possibly be the good of getting your legs competitive for players who you’re not going to pick, over those you want in your first team?
Only asking.
Novocastrian66
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:25 AM
Comment #150Ashby and Targett have played well. Not much else worth mentioning playing wise.
I have to mention the ref. He has had a shocker. Some of the Brighton challenges have been terrible.
Their No8 is very lucky to be still on the pitch, yet he hasn’t even been booked.
Bruno gets booked for a nothing challenge.
t00narmy88
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:26 AM
Comment #151Players like dummet and Richie make things 10X more difficult for our team. even though they good players they aren’t great players, and going forward players like this need to go if we are to move forward as a club.
we need new faces through the door, as these tied old veteran’s are just not good enough never have been and never will be.
They can be as charismatic as possible but at the end of the day quality means a lot more than charisma. they need to go.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:26 AM
Comment #152I don’t think Eddie is too fussed about the result, he just wants to get game time into all the players.
9
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:28 AM
Comment #153EGB,Please advise: (‘cos I’m ignorant, genuinely) Is this truly a 1st team Brighton so far tonight?
Pottsclock
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:28 AM
Comment #154Bruno is obviously one of those players who takes time to get up to game speed, so these pre-season games are ideal for that. He actually looks as if he needs them.
Lascelles has been solid and it looks as if he’s been working on passing the ball out.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:29 AM
Comment #155Nove
Aye, I don’t want to go on about Refs but he seems to be penalizing a lot more of our challenges than theirs which are just as bad if not worse.
t00narmy88
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:30 AM
Comment #156It doesn’t matter weather you are fussed or not. weather its a pre seasons friendly or not.
We are playing CHAMPIONS LEAGUE football, and still have the likes of dummet lascelles and richie getting game time from when we got relegated, its not good enough.
it really is that simple.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:30 AM
Comment #1579
Well it looks it to me, I take it you do not agree.
Adamn_92
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:31 AM
Comment #158You want all your squad to get good minutes in pre season in case of injury. If you just play your strongest 11 every pre season game, then when the season starts one of them gets injured, the replacement isn’t going to be up to speed.
All about getting as much of the squad ready as possible, so they’re all ready incase they’re needed.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:31 AM
Comment #159Anyway, later!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jul 29, 2023 at 1:31 AM
Comment #1609. You have this time to evaluate your squad players whilst not putting too much on your “first” team. I think EH has had the 3 games well sorted out. Even down to the bench. Telling certain players “not tonight”.
Personally we could let 5 in second half and I would still say it was great pre-season. We have a new midfielder (I do not mean Toonali). That is a given.