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
peterk3
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:20 PM
Comment #561Tonali is so so cool
AnyToon in Indiana
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:20 PM
Comment #562Bruno was legit fouled that time
Optimistic geordie
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:20 PM
Comment #563tonali read that well
Darnik
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:22 PM
Comment #564Not many teams will do this to villa
TheDrewid
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:22 PM
Comment #565Canny marker laid down for the season ahead. Happy days.
IrishRob
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:22 PM
Comment #566Come on lads more goals lats go top of the Prem.
DKillers
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:22 PM
Comment #567Have to credit Martinez for that save. US commentary saying Barnes pass was terrible, but I think it was pinpoint. Just a great save.
AnyToon in Indiana
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:22 PM
Comment #568more fresh legs!!!!
The Ledge
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:23 PM
Comment #569Great having a quality squad with plenty of depth.
DKillers
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:25 PM
Comment #570Ledge, in midfield and attack, we have two full squads of talent. Amazing.
The Ledge
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:25 PM
Comment #571This Hinchcliffe clown is grating on my bollocks listening to him .
What a fukin idiot.
Uncertain Toon
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:26 PM
Comment #572Perfect debut for Tonali. If he had any nerves or apprehension, they’re all put to bed early doors.
AG will be buzzing about his performance also, more of a dynamo than Miggy.
dazzler
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:27 PM
Comment #573Villa players calling for bookings without waving an imaginary card. Clever.
NorwichToon
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:28 PM
Comment #574Pat Nevin is loving us on the 5live commentary!!!
dazzler
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:28 PM
Comment #575Commentator here seems to think Diaby has a better game than I’ve witnessed him have. Decent first half, goal from shite defending, anonymous second half.
The Ledge
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:28 PM
Comment #576Dkillers……its great to finally have that .
Another defender and we are sorted .
Couldn’t be happier
peterk3
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:28 PM
Comment #577Woo hoo
Uncertain Toon
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:28 PM
Comment #578Ledge,
Hinchcliffe is really bad, has to be someone better available mate. He finds the negative in everything. Would fit in well on here 😆
coming home
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:28 PM
Comment #579Get innn
JP...from The Rock
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:29 PM
Comment #580HARVEY BARNES MAKES IT 5!!!!
AncientC
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:29 PM
Comment #581Remember the day on the blog when Howe was criticised and told to study Emery. Deary me. Seems like a long time ago…. and yet… it wasn’t.
Fast learner this Eddie Howe bloke.
The Ledge
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:29 PM
Comment #582Get innnnnnnn Barnes
Scythe
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:29 PM
Comment #583BARNES!!!
AnyToon in Indiana
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:29 PM
Comment #584There we go!!! Harvey!!! What a ball by Murph…Tonali still with gas in the tank.
coming home
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:29 PM
Comment #585Did Billson go in goal for villa
😆
Darnik
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:29 PM
Comment #586Easy Easy lol
The Taco Taker
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Comment #587Perfection!
Top of the league!!!
ilovetoon8788
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Comment #588This team is now well oiled without maxi. Much much better team without him.
Uncertain Toon
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Comment #589Barnesyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
IrishRob
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Comment #590Yessssssss, DELIGHTED for him.
Top of the table baby!!
Ronway
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Comment #591Barneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees! Great Goal and deserved.
5 – 1 Heaven!
🙂
magicmac54
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:31 PM
Comment #592The cream on top of the cake by Harvey Barnes, what a performance by the Toon today HWTL
AncientC
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:31 PM
Comment #593I wish Eddie Howe had a plan B.
dazzler
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:31 PM
Comment #594What. A. Pass.
AnyToon in Indiana
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:31 PM
Comment #595I think after this game we get our defender. Eddie and Co know what they want and prove early that it works.
Ashingtoon62
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:31 PM
Comment #596Sorry Ihatetoon
I got it wrong 😆
The Ledge
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:32 PM
Comment #597Ilovetoon8788…..shut the f..k up you seagull shagger
dazzler
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:32 PM
Comment #598Ilovetoon
Cry more.
Optimistic geordie
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:32 PM
Comment #599wow
Ty21
Aug 12, 2023 at 7:32 PM
Comment #600Could easily been 10-1……