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
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:16 PM
Comment #41Fenners,
No words 😆
As if it isn’t common knowledge that you are indeed the Hanton Phearter 😀
Uncertain Toon
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:20 PM
Comment #42Must be something up with Gabriel as he didn’t replace Timber.
investinyouthtoon
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:21 PM
Comment #43Anytoon imo he may not be too bad if they pull it off. Yes he may be awful. But he has pace and some talent and could be the difference between them losing/drawing or drawing/winning. It’s the lads attitude that’s in question.
AnyToon in Indiana
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:23 PM
Comment #44well….some of the white is back 🙂
https://twitter.com/brunoog97/status/1689732676251516929
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:24 PM
Comment #45UT,
Aye, don’t do anything rash mind, might have to take a price drop on him 😕
Fenham to Chalfont
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:29 PM
Comment #46Raj,
I thought you were one of the phantom fhearters for sure 100% convinced by it. You see what you’ve done Raj packet, I was posting football stuff until you started ye mischief.
Serious Question to you: will you be this up for a good old argument when I’m stood face to face where I’m seeing the whites of your eyes which should be very soon?
AnyToon in Indiana
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:30 PM
Comment #47No warnings yet for Arteta leaving his box as usual….does Tindall get one straight away??? #techgate
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:32 PM
Comment #48Give it a rest you goon, it was a bit of craic for something daft you said, if you want to stand in a bar an argue then that’s up to you, grow up ffs.
Spot The Zebra
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:37 PM
Comment #49Howay The Lads!
1-0 Joelinton
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:37 PM
Comment #50Ei Ei Ei O up the FPL we go.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:39 PM
Comment #51There was me thinking Cashew Nuts was pharting off for a while.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:40 PM
Comment #52Still, I suppose he wants to make an exit. Being a phantom Pharter and all that.
Fenham to Chalfont
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:41 PM
Comment #53Raj,
Goon? I was having a bit of craic also by the way…Howay son calm yourself down man, you got your little spat what more do you want?, that’s what you were after wasn’t it? Don’t like craic and banter really do you. Proper blog bitch is what you are 😉
The Taco Taker
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:41 PM
Comment #54I have no idea now if my high risk FPL plan is working or not. I have the highest score in Div 1 as things stand but Ferguson is not starting for Brighton and I have Barnes and Isak, both of whom might not start later!
EH’s team selection and changes will be key for me.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:41 PM
Comment #55Spot? 1-0? really. Go 3-0 🙂
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:42 PM
Comment #56Great name BTW
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:43 PM
Comment #57AnyTOON, Mad Dog will get a rabies jab 🙂
Fenham to Chalfont
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:43 PM
Comment #58Raj,
You’ve now got the eccentric couldn’t lie straight in bed, porky teller talking dog backing you up in your little spat you engineered. 😳
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:44 PM
Comment #59I’m with Peter on this 3-0 to us.
The Taco Taker
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:45 PM
Comment #602-0 – Botman to score.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:45 PM
Comment #61Carrick got a yellow card which i think was for having two in the coaches patch.
Silly bloody rule!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:45 PM
Comment #62Dog! I thought I went on a lot. Cashew Nuts shows me I need more training. After all training correctly can only be good for your health and safety.
AnyToon in Indiana
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:45 PM
Comment #63Go Forest!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:48 PM
Comment #64Bot so much backing Jail up as I do not believe he needs any help. Just pointing out your posts, especially this AM. So at least my eyes will get a rest for a while.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:48 PM
Comment #65Well done the England lasses, really tough game but they just about edged it.
Is that Colombia lass Caicedo really an £80m player?
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:50 PM
Comment #662 Hours 39 Minutes to KO.
1 hour 39 Minutes to Eddie bingo.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:53 PM
Comment #67Current game shows, no easy game in the premier league.
I see Ally McCoist is commentating. He knows his tatties.
The Taco Taker
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:55 PM
Comment #68Yeah Pug McCoist put others to shame, knows his stuff and clearly does his research too.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:56 PM
Comment #69EGB, I just hope they buy the wrong one. Could of happened with us when our chief scout, D Wise did his look up in a phone box. All by himself, still got into an argument over which Caicedo to buy.
A Geordie Mongrel
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:56 PM
Comment #70I may have second guessed myself choosing Wilson over Isak. Not too long to wait and find out. That’s why I’d be no good at the fantasy stuff.
Getting excited now. 🙂
Uncertain Toon
Aug 12, 2023 at 2:56 PM
Comment #71Gabriel gets me a point I suppose!
Ashingtoon62
Aug 12, 2023 at 3:02 PM
Comment #72The nee Gabriel was leaked last night,on twatter.
Now that is ITK!
Diaby against BDB hmmm..
In every Villa pre-season game he has played as a second striker and not a winger..
Get him in your FPL teams GW 3…
Buendia oot injured,must help our cause mind.. 😀
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 12, 2023 at 3:06 PM
Comment #73Ref. Woman’s World Cup.
Some people have criticised for … well I do not know.
Brazil played Australia Boy’s U15 got beat 3-1.
Why? Well for the first part of the game, the Aussies couldn’t get the ball as the women were too skillful. It was only later on in the game that their physicality overpowered the women.
Watching England today (Especially the 1st half) how good is their skill? Excellent.
Really enjoyed that game.
It is a bit like woman’s golf. They can’t hit as far etc etc etc. but their skill level is there. When I see woman’s golf I can relate to it more as they do shots that I can (sometimes) do rather than the men’s game where it is a different country.
lesh
Aug 12, 2023 at 3:06 PM
Comment #74Fenham
If ‘Fenham to Chalfont’ is to be the name used when you’re abroad,, what name will your UK based personna be using?
JohnJ
Aug 12, 2023 at 3:07 PM
Comment #75This is my offering
Pope
Trips
Lascelles
Botman
Target
Bruno
Longstaff
Jolinton
Miggy
Wilson
Anderson
We’ll soon know!
The Taco Taker
Aug 12, 2023 at 3:09 PM
Comment #76Lesh,
Fenham to Siberia!!
🙂
Tonyd3b54
Aug 12, 2023 at 3:13 PM
Comment #77LETS FING GO!!!! New season baby!!! Can’t wait!!!!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 12, 2023 at 3:13 PM
Comment #78JohnJ, that is so unfair. Naming 11 players vs the Pug 10
JohnJ
Aug 12, 2023 at 3:14 PM
Comment #79Taco,
Did you see my post about the post box near Tesco’s
The one I found was I believe a George V that was about 250 yards down Norham Rd near a Junction on the same side.
JohnJ
Aug 12, 2023 at 3:15 PM
Comment #80Ah Pug,
Forgive me!