The day has finally arrived when Newcastle will play their first game of the 2023-2024 Premier League season, after finishing in 4th place last season and reaching the League Cup Final, and qualifying for the Champions League.
And it comes as Harry Kane signed for Bayern Munich early this morning so Spurs will definitely miss his goals this season.
So in a rather selfish way – that could help Newcastle in the league this season – but that should be completely dependent on how we play and our head coach Eddie Howe knows that.
Preseason has gone well and we won four and drew three of our 7 preseason games against good opposition.
Several of our younger players like Elliott Anderson, Lewis Miley, and Anthony Gordon shone, so it’s a good question whether either will start today.
Howe has built up good competition for places across the pitch although he does want one or two more players brought in on loan before the end of August.
It’s really difficult to know exactly what team Howe will start today, especially when he said yesterday that center-back Fabian Schar had trained this week and would be in the squad.
Here’s what I think will be the starting lineup for today:
I don’t think Howe will start Schar because of a lack of match fitness, but he could – after all he has great confidence in the Swiss defender.
So in comes right-footed Jamaal Lascelles to partner Sven Botman.
Left-back is also up for grabs but think that the head coach will start off the season with Burn still at left-back, but Matt Targett has been impressive in preseason training.
And in midfield, I think Elliott Anderson will get the start and Howe will manage Sandro Tonali slowly into starting in the Premier League, much like he did with Bruno, and that worked out well.
As far as the left wing position, Harvey Barnes will just get the nod over Anthony Gordon because he is – at the moment – a more reliable goalscorer.
But we do expect Gordon to have a great (goalscoring?) season.
So there you have it – that’s my choice.
Let me know what your choice is for today’s game.
It’s certainly a tough start against a quickly improving Aston Villa side under head coach Unai Emery.
Enery took over a struggling Villa side late last October from Steven Gerrard and finished the season in 7th place in the league – and only three places and 10 points behind Newcastle.
It would surely be an excellent result if we can win this game today.
Loading ...Howay The Lads!!
Comments are always welcome.
677 comments so far
Fenham to Chalfont
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:19 PM
Comment #1Can someone please start a FPL blog so we don’t get boring FPL posts on here 😉
Fenham to Chalfont
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:20 PM
Comment #2100% win for NUFC so far. Lol
Vask
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:23 PM
Comment #3Goading FPL post.
AnyToon in Indiana
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:23 PM
Comment #4Ed playing Eddie Bingo! 😉
Fenham to Chalfont
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:23 PM
Comment #5Dr Ed’s line up above is very strong…Great shout. Enough to turn them right over.
4-1 to the toon. Statement of intent performance incoming.
HWTL!
Vask
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:23 PM
Comment #6FTC
You think we’ll see any of our new signings start today?
Vask
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:25 PM
Comment #7I think we’ll see this today:-
Pope
Trips
Schär
Botman
Target
Bruno
Lobby
Jolinton
Miggy
Isak
Anderson
Fenham to Chalfont
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:26 PM
Comment #8Vask,
Re nee signings starting today…Personally I don’t mate, I can see them all coming on from the bench if needed. I can also see Isak on the left Wilson through the middle. That’s what I believe, but I wouldn’t argue with Dr Ed’s line up.
Fenham to Chalfont
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:27 PM
Comment #9New*
JAMSHA
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:27 PM
Comment #10team i would play
Pope
Trips——————-schar—————————-Botman———————-Targett
————————Longstaff——–bruno………..Joe
Miggy…………………………………….Wilson………………………………………..Isak
Fenham to Chalfont
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:28 PM
Comment #11Vask,
My line up is yours but Miggy instead of Anderson mate. Close though 😉
JAMSHA
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:28 PM
Comment #12gona be difficult but we need to win this no matter what, just hope diaby doesnt start
Fenham to Chalfont
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:29 PM
Comment #13Jamsha your line up is what I’d go for.
Vask
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:30 PM
Comment #14FTC
I agree re new signings.
Your front line sounds plausible but I do wonder about that combo.
The reason I thought Wilson would be on the bench is cos he only needs 20mins to score.
AnyToon in Indiana
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:31 PM
Comment #15Going toe to toe with Atletico Fenham but for some reason he doesn’t have a toon player in sight….not going to be good I say…not good. 😉
HobokenToon
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:32 PM
Comment #16Looks like the lionesses will pull this out but it’s been much more competitive than the books had it.
Optimistic geordie
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:32 PM
Comment #17The fear of starting a new campaign in previous years, is thankfully missing for the start of this season….. A win to start our title challenge would be awesome… All the pundits have written us off already as not being good enough , thats in spite of our incredible success last season as well as our incredible signings this year… bring it on…… 5 nil newcastle ,Show Emry what he said no to..howay the lads.
JAMSHA
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:33 PM
Comment #18Fenham to Chalfont
isak seems to be very good when played on LW , when played as a ST seems to be isolated
lochinvar
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:35 PM
Comment #19Chaotic and delayed start at the Emirates due to e-ticket entry problems. Fans not in the ground when late kick off went ahead
Let’s hope we don’t have any such shit to deal with today.
Fenham to Chalfont
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:37 PM
Comment #20Jamsha / Vask,
I can honestly see Wilson through the middle because he alsways scores in the opening game of the season plus he loves playing against Villa as he does against West Ham.
Isak on the left with Big Joe linking up will be strong. Harvey Barnes brought in with 20mins left go get a debut goal. Heard it here forst lol
t00narmy88
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:42 PM
Comment #21Seeing dan burn in that starting line-up going against diaby he will get destroyed.
We really needed to sign a proper Left back as matt Targett and dan burn are both bang average.
Lascelles is a major step down in quality from botman and even shchar.
Wor B
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:47 PM
Comment #22Hmm
My phone has trouble opening with face recognition when I’m a bit wobbly, best slow down or I’ll not be able to access my ticket!
investinyouthtoon
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:47 PM
Comment #23Good to see you posting Dr Ed. Your line up does look great. almost similar to my own one, except I had Schar starting but it could well be like you say in that due to match fitness Lascelles starts.
Whatever lineup starts and is used during the 90+ mins, hoping for any NUFC win.
HWTL
Fenham to Chalfont
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:48 PM
Comment #24If anyone will welcome Diaby to the EPL with taking him clean out it is BDB. Diaby will not like or relish playing against BDB every week if they’re up against each other today.
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:54 PM
Comment #25Fenners,
In what world would Diaby play BDB every week :scratchingchin: emoji
jimiley
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:55 PM
Comment #26It’s impossible to say how we will finish.
Somewhere between 3 and 6.
Another top defender would help. Some seem to think pace is a luxury and positioning is all. What happens when you get out of position?
The further we go in CL the harder to get 3rd.
So It’s 4th or 5th for me.
We will turn Villa over today and get something at City
The Taco Taker
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:57 PM
Comment #27I have the same team as Ed but with Schar instead of Lascelles.
Fenham to Chalfont
Aug 12, 2023 at 1:58 PM
Comment #28Raj,
Do you get D&A’d in your line of work? if not you need to be as we can’t have nutters talking absolute crazy shite and making it onto the rigs off their nuts. Scratchingyelittleclems:emoji
Chief mischief maker ye clown 😉
IrishRob
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:00 PM
Comment #29The team i have is…… whatever team Eddie picks we will be class.
The Taco Taker
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:02 PM
Comment #30Raj,
I left a note on the bingo page with Harrisons team on, thought it would be a bit of fun for you to add them too.
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:02 PM
Comment #31Fenners,
So what world was it then?
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:04 PM
Comment #32Mner starts for Brighton 😮
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:04 PM
Comment #33Milner!
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:05 PM
Comment #34Maupay for Everton, so they’re in for another season of pain.
Vask
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:07 PM
Comment #35Everton do seem to be declining. Have they even made any signings?
Vask
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:09 PM
Comment #36I’m surprised nobody has come in to buy onana from Everton.
Fenham to Chalfont
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:09 PM
Comment #37Raj,
If there was a poll on here for who is the blogs biggest knacker I’d say you’d definitely win it hands down for your persistent ignorance, arguments and stupidity .. No bingos needed.
I’d say heart this if you think the above is accurate but the phantom Fhearter would appear. 😉
AnyToon in Indiana
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:10 PM
Comment #38Everton signings you say….they are still working on this one 😉
https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2023/08/12/everton-working-to-sign-hugo-ekitike/
Assassins Inc
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:15 PM
Comment #39Seems like we have waiting forever for the league to start, let’s get going Magpies.
#MagpiesStrong
Come on the Toon!!!
Vask
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:16 PM
Comment #40They should get relegated this season. Luton to scrape survival at their expense on the last day.