Newcastle played well this afternoon and beat a very decent Fiorentina side 2-0 in the Sela Cup and we have the video highlights of what turned out to be a good performance from the lads.
It was good to get a clean sheet with Martin Dubravka in goal for the whole game.
Here is the team Newcastle started today:
Newcastle United: Martin Dúbravka; Kieran Trippier, Alex Murphy, Sven Botman, Matt Targett; Lewis Miley, Sandro Tonali, Elliot Anderson; Miguel Almirón, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon.
Substitutes: Mark Gillespie, Jude Smith, Remi Savage, Charlie McArthur, Jordan Hackett, Nathan Carlyon, Jamie Miley, Lucas De Bolle, James Huntley, Jay Turner-Cooke, Ben Parkinson, Amadou Diallo, Michael Ndiweni.
Newcastle had some chances in the first half and finally went ahead with a goal in the 38th minute.
That man Miguel Almiron scored again, after some great work from Alexander Isak, who looks like he will start up front against Aston Villa next weekend, at the expense of Callum Wilson.
On another day we could have had more goals but we finally went further ahead late in the game, after 82 minutes, when Isak headed home strongly to give Newcastle a very good 2-0 win.
One good thing about today’s game is that both Lewis Miley and Elliot Anderson had good games in central midfiled, and that’s a massive bonus for Eddie Howe.
The central three – with Italaian Internationa Sandro Tonali, played very well in the engine room.
And I would be surprised if Newcastle bring in another central midiflder this summer, we hardly need one.
We do need a pacey right footed center-back, however.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano is reporting today Newcastle are now interested in signing center back Joachim Anderson from Crystal POalace, after we sign Tino Lavramento, who is now in Newcastle – hopefully signing along the bottom line soon.
Lavramento was in the Director’s box today watchuing the game.
Cetsral Palace’s center-back Anderson very rarely gives the ball away and the reliable 27-year-old Danish International, who stands 6ft 4ins tall, can play either left or right central defense.
A game against Villareal tomorrow is next on the agenda, so it’s all go this weekend for Eddie Howe’s PL squad.
The Premier League season finally kicks off next weekend and we play at home to a strong looking Aston Villa side: it will be a tough opener for us.
Here are the highlights of today’s game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3dTEadiXbg
Comments are always welcome on our site – please keep them about football.
🙂
570 comments so far
The Prince's Mate
Aug 6, 2023 at 6:55 AM
Comment #161WorB…you can’t beat an early peek on a Sunday morning….night night x
Vask
Aug 6, 2023 at 6:55 AM
Comment #162Raj
The 22k was for competitive matches towards the end. If he hadn’t have given the season tickets away…
Lord Scattercash
Aug 6, 2023 at 7:45 AM
Comment #163Still a little dissappinted we continually refer / compare to the times of the fat one in any way shape or form, or his trusty lieutenant…surely that should be consigned to room 101 now?
How about we start comparing ourselves to Man City??
Lets see what our season record was last year and compare it to how we do this year…lets measure progress from a point of reality in the real world instead of comparing to the years of dumb and dumber
Lord Scattercash
Aug 6, 2023 at 7:48 AM
Comment #164With at least one, possibly two more tasty signings on the way, we are looking proper tasty this year and we will no doubt see more changes to rules in an attempt to slow us down.
Look out for the one that stops us loaning players from Saudi!
Vask
Aug 6, 2023 at 7:51 AM
Comment #165Sparky
We must remember what history teaches.
Otherwise we wouldn’t know we were making the same mistakes over and over again. 😀
I mean that generally although I do see your point about the *REDACTED*
Vask
Aug 6, 2023 at 8:12 AM
Comment #166So Sparky
Here are pep’s stats from when he was Eddie’s age, coincidentally it was his first full season at city.
P55 W31 L10 D13
4 wins 3 draws and 2 defeats came in the CL so say:
P46 W27 L8 and D10
Now Eddie’s for last season:
P46 W25 L7 D14
In conclusion, you are correct. It makes more sense to compare Eddie to the elite. 🙂
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 6, 2023 at 8:13 AM
Comment #167Does anyone know whether Eddie H done this split friendlies at Bmouth or is it a new thing of his, he obviously knows what he’s doing but from a fans perspective I’m not sure on it. On one side you get to see every player(if you go to both games) but vice versa if you don’t. From a commercial aspect I think it’s better for the club I just wished they’d both been full.
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 6, 2023 at 8:14 AM
Comment #168Now compare him to that bloke that was about to get Newcastle relegated 😀
Vask
Aug 6, 2023 at 8:14 AM
Comment #169Actually I think I messed up the cl performance stats… 😳
Vask
Aug 6, 2023 at 8:17 AM
Comment #170Raj
Already did that. That’s what sparky was alluding to…
I think all I’ve proven is that I’m not a big numbers guy. 😀
Vask
Aug 6, 2023 at 8:21 AM
Comment #171It was W5 in the CL.
That means Eddie only had 1 win less than Gladiola albeit with one more game played.
Had to correct myself.
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 6, 2023 at 8:26 AM
Comment #172The more I see coming out from the club, the more I feel that they’re not signing a left back this summer. Burn and Targett can do very good jobs and perhaps Targett will get a few more chances to show if he’s cut out to be the starting left back from a CL side.
With Livramento also capable of covering RCB, I wonder if any further signings will be cheaper prospects or if there will be another top signing. I would love another quality centre back, not one to jump into the side but to be eased into it and then compete for a place.
Haven’t seen to much quality and depth in our squad for 20 years though. Best team we had in that period was the likes of Cabaye, Tiote, HBA, Colo, Cisse, and Ba but this current team has players of even more quality and now with more depth too. Plus very exciting young players like Gordon, Isak, Anderson, Miley, Livramento, and also Willock. Oh…and that Murphy lad too.
Hoping some of these young players are still with us in 2033.
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 6, 2023 at 8:29 AM
Comment #173Raj – I think friendlies should be priced very cheaply, especially in the UK. They’re glorified training matches where the performance is much more important than the result, not to mention experimenting with some tactics.
Some abroad friendlies can be priced higher from a revenue generating standpoint because we need to.
Perhaps ST holders should get discounted pre-season tickets…
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 6, 2023 at 8:33 AM
Comment #174I’d like I see a young goalkeeper on the books too. I’m not aware of any of our youth keepers having serious potential (certainly not aware of any likely to break through to the first team in the next couple of years) so it would be great to see one added soon if possible.
Not another deJong
Aug 6, 2023 at 8:35 AM
Comment #175Eddie Howe On Alex Murphy:
“He’s done very well during pre-season and I think that the beauty of his performances has been his versatility – he’s played left centre half, left back and today right side centre half and he’s predominantly left-footed so that’s a bit of a challenge for him.
“I thought he handled himself very well – I think it helps when you’ve got Sven next to you one side and Kieran the other side. He can be very pleased again with his performance.”
valle
Aug 6, 2023 at 8:41 AM
Comment #176I would think that we will buy a CB now, most likely Andersen. But I wouldn’t be surprised if we also buy a RW later in the window, with Olise my guess.
Not another deJong
Aug 6, 2023 at 8:44 AM
Comment #177I think the club are better off keeping any FFP allowance to add to spending in January. Where there maybe a necessity to purchase a player for a definite role, due to the injuries of others. Hopefully being still in the CL will also be a more attractive prospect to a talented candidate.
The Academy players have certainly shown they are capable of coming on as substitutes when necessary. With Anderson being capable of starting.
Playmaker
Aug 6, 2023 at 8:53 AM
Comment #178We have 4 solid CBs (schar, Lacelles, Botman, Burn). Young Murphy looks an excellent prospect too.
Burn did a very good job last season but he is not a natural left back. Tangett the only one we have, Dummet is a better CB than LB and wont play much ofcourse.
In defence, we are weakest on the left.
Not another deJong
Aug 6, 2023 at 8:55 AM
Comment #179To a certain extent, playing two friendlies with entirely two different teams reflects the possibility of the the season ahead. Rather than playing consistently in the team, the starting 11 maybe need to be deliberately rotated due to the demands of playing two matches a week. Eddie himself needs to feel confident that the same levels of performance are produced regardless of the personal. Whilst individually talented the overriding factor must be the team.
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 6, 2023 at 8:57 AM
Comment #180TDSarf,
My take on Targett at the time was that if we bought a top LB then it would be hard to find an experienced quality back up knowing he’d be second fiddle, we had that situation on the right with Trips ( a young Livra seems to have solved that though) so anyway, Targett was perfect for our journey then he would be a quality back up when we reached a certain level, unfortunately for him (sort of) we’ve reached that level way quicker than his ability and now we’re left with a conundrum. We might just have to hope Eddie H can get the best out of him and see how it goes.
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 6, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Comment #181Playmaker,
We keep forgetting Krafth, he was superb at RB under Eddie H and seems to have all the attributes of a decent CB as well. I think he could definitely do a job there.
Lord Scattercash
Aug 6, 2023 at 9:04 AM
Comment #182I think its partly to confuse the managers of our first few games.
We’re all sat here guessing what the first 11 will be against Villa…and I guess the Villa and Liverpool management are as well.
Wor Eddie is sharp as they come…keep ’em guessing Eddie…the Villa hoodoo will be broken next week
Playmaker
Aug 6, 2023 at 9:04 AM
Comment #183Raj
Yes Krafth was excellent when Trippier eas injured.
I think he could play well as RCB in a back 3, not entirley conviced he would be great as RCB in a back 4. But as 3rd Choice behind schar and lacelles, no problem.
Not another deJong
Aug 6, 2023 at 9:05 AM
Comment #184Eddie Howe on Sandro Tonali:
“Out of possession it was a step up in his recent performances which was good to see. We are working on every aspect of his game.
“For Sandro, the Premier League is different. He would have found that in the few games he played in America where there was a step up – just the speed, sharpness, where opponents place themselves.
“We have to be solid defensively if we are to have success. He’s a combiner, he’s going to need relationships to show his best qualities.
“In time those will grow and we will see the player I know he is going to be. He was very good today. I was pleased with Sandro, he played as an 8 and a 6 and was composed in possession.”
———————————————
“he’s going to need relationships“ is a little open ended and a source of slight concern. Let’s hope the squad can incorporate his Latin personality in recognition of his talent. After all the football does the talking on the pitch.
magicmac54
Aug 6, 2023 at 9:16 AM
Comment #185Good Morning Lads
What exciting times to be an Newcastle fan with this influx of young exciting players coming through, this is the template and pattern and business model they clearly want to achieve, why buy a team when you can build a team. The future is looking very rosy in the garden HWTL.
Munster Mag
Aug 6, 2023 at 9:17 AM
Comment #186De Jong, I don’t read anything into that statement. I think Eddie is just referring to how he operates on the pitch and beds in re playing combinations, planned moves etc.
Munster Mag
Aug 6, 2023 at 9:23 AM
Comment #187Tds I don’t think we’ll be buying a left back either. Tripps can cover there, possibly Murphy too. I think Anderson is a carbon copy of Schar and we will move for him. Lovely player, although I’d like more recovery pace back there if our defence doesn’t sit deep. Maybe Liv gives us that.
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 6, 2023 at 9:25 AM
Comment #188Raj – it may well be that Howe wants to stick with Burn too. Or maybe he becomes backup. I think it would be harsh on him to lose his place though.
Lord Scattercash
Aug 6, 2023 at 9:26 AM
Comment #189If Lobby is fit in time for the villa game, then I think the relationships Eddie refers to means Toonali wont be starting. We know Willock aint starting so midfield 3 has to be Lobby, Bruno and Big Joe…they do have the required relationships and understandings of eachothers games. Plenty options wide left, fewer but good options out right, and execellent options in the middle.
But if Lobby isnt fit in time…then Toonali starts
IMO.
Nice Problems eh!…especially when willock and Lobby both fit.
valle
Aug 6, 2023 at 9:29 AM
Comment #190The two positions where the gulf of class between first choice and backup is the biggest in RW and a right sided CB. It doesn’t matter whether we have Burn or young Murphy as options, when Howe has clearly suggested that he want a right footed player in that position. The backup would be Lascelles for Schar and Murphy for Miggy in a champions league season.
magicmac54
Aug 6, 2023 at 9:32 AM
Comment #191I see our match is at 4pm today, happy days that gives me loads of time to get my son home to Newcastle County Down which is about 35 miles from me in Portadown and comfortably back for the game HWTL.
Playmaker
Aug 6, 2023 at 9:34 AM
Comment #192Valle
Both Gordon and Barnes are options for the RW. We dont have only Almiron and Murphy for that position.
Lacelles is solid, showed it with his performance at ethiad. Not many have controlled Haaland like that.
magicmac54
Aug 6, 2023 at 9:39 AM
Comment #193Lord
Scattercash
I also believe if Sean Longstaff is fully matchfit he will be start against Villa next week mate.
Harley
Aug 6, 2023 at 9:41 AM
Comment #194I don’t think Howe will risk Tonali in the first game. I don’t think he’s up to speed yet with the tactics. It’s a big blow that Longstaff and Willock are out.
I think we could see Anderson, Bruno and Joelinton as the midfield 3.
Harley
Aug 6, 2023 at 9:43 AM
Comment #195Did I see someone say yesterday that the match was on ESPN App today? Is that free or do you have to sign up for ESPN?
Toon_Barmy
Aug 6, 2023 at 9:50 AM
Comment #196Raj- my take on Targett is he’s solid but unspectacular. Some of his positioning and reading of the game is great but his speed off the mark is poor and gets left stuck in the mud quite often. Not good when he’s up against a Salah or Saka
magicmac54
Aug 6, 2023 at 10:11 AM
Comment #197https://youtu.be/mmQE-X5RkG0
NY Mag
Aug 6, 2023 at 10:26 AM
Comment #198Harley,
ESPN+ had it advertised yesterday, but they’ve taken it off now 🙁
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Aug 6, 2023 at 10:27 AM
Comment #199Digital tickets worked fine yesterday
BUT it may be wise to take a bit of cash today as all the card machines were down inside the ground yesterday
Not another deJong
Aug 6, 2023 at 10:30 AM
Comment #200Munster Mag
If you are fine then I am fine about it too.