In his press conference today for the game at Manchester City tomorrow night, Newcastle’s head coach Eddie Howe gave an injury update on our first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope.
We have really missed Pope since he dislocated his shoulder way back in December, and he’s one of our long-term injuries that has really impacted Newcastle this season.
Howe hopes to see Pope back late next month but he emphasizes there are still some hurdles ahead for the 31-year-old England International goalkeeper:
“April is his target, but I think that will be more towards the end of April than the beginning but he’s making good, solid progress.”
“He’s out on the grass but not necessarily diving.”
“That will be a big test for his shoulder and it’s the next stage. Then, of course, he will have to get his sharpness back.”
“He’s entering into the final furlong in terms of his comeback, but he’s still got a lot of hurdles to go through.”
It will be good if Nick can play before the end of the season but that is probably touch and go at the moment.
What do you think?
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72 comments so far
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 15, 2024 at 11:37 AM
Comment #1Brace, hatty is on 😀
JaveaToon
Mar 15, 2024 at 11:37 AM
Comment #2Whoop! Whoop!
JaveaToon
Mar 15, 2024 at 11:37 AM
Comment #3God damn you jail 😆
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 15, 2024 at 11:37 AM
Comment #4Foo#, that was a hairs breath 😀
JaveaToon
Mar 15, 2024 at 11:37 AM
Comment #5RH… It would indeed.
No never been to see Javea play, thought about it a few times but never got round to it.
Ditto with Valencia, I’ll defo go there as its an iconic stadium. Also wanna go to Bilbao.
Been to Camp Nou, Bernabeau (several times) and Hércules Alicante.
Villarreal is another one I’d like to go too, amazing little club from a tiny town.
JaveaToon
Mar 15, 2024 at 11:38 AM
Comment #6It’s the seconds it took to cut and paste my last comment that did me in 🙁
cyprus
Mar 15, 2024 at 12:18 PM
Comment #7The bookies, Sutton, even the blog, are predicting a mauling.
Maybe a good sign. Fenners, what do you think? 🙂
Anyway, dear players, watch how wee Liverpool dealt with them. They hounded them in every corner of the pitch, they had no time for their admittedly fancy stuff, never seen them rattled like that.
If you have the strength, full court press and come what may. 5-0 and 1-0 is the same thing here.
Let’s do this!*
* Disclaimer and disclosure: This statement was written without the assistance of any hallucinogenics.
cyprus
Mar 15, 2024 at 12:19 PM
Comment #8https://www.geordiebootboys.com/news/chris-sutton-predicts-what-the-score-will-be-between-man-city-and-newcastle-in-the-fa-cup/
Saratoga
Mar 15, 2024 at 12:54 PM
Comment #9Amanda Staveley’s comments about Steve Bruce.
Not very clever.
Just not necessary.
Had to get her apology in quick.
Libel ? Who knows. A complex subject.
Why say it though and cause yourself a problem.
Apparently SB has accepted the apology so end of.
Munster Mag
Mar 15, 2024 at 12:54 PM
Comment #10West Ham did so well in recruitment in the summer. How did we not compete for Kudus? Alvarez was a great signing too. This summer is vital.
Fat Basta*d
Mar 15, 2024 at 12:58 PM
Comment #11RH but she apologised saying bruce was professional. So which coach did she mean?
Adamn_92
Mar 15, 2024 at 1:05 PM
Comment #12Munster
Because we can’t sign everyone and we went for Tonali and Barnes instead.
One we couldn’t possibly have known about the incoming ban and the other suffered a freak toe injury.
We chose our two targets and it’s real bad luck that we’ve unfortunately been without both for pretty much the whole campaign.
What can you do.
Munster Mag
Mar 15, 2024 at 1:07 PM
Comment #13She needs to watch her mouth. It was a hilarious comment but she was never going to get away with it. Bit Embarrassing for her to have to then publicly apologise, even if she was 100% right ! 🙂
Munster Mag
Mar 15, 2024 at 1:09 PM
Comment #14A right winger was more needed than Harvey Barnes. If we are limited in spend this summer, our only hope is that guys stay fit. Otherwise we will have another season of Longstaff plodding around.
Fenham to Chalfont
Mar 15, 2024 at 1:31 PM
Comment #15From Kieth Downey:
Eddie Howe, on criticism of playing Sean Longstaff despite midfielder carrying an injury:
“I’ve had no other midfielders to play. I would have rested Sean for sure. I’ve got to look after Lewis (Miley), he’s only 17. Anderson hasn’t been available, Sandro hasn’t been available. I’ve had nobody else to pick.
Sean would probably say he doesn’t need a rest but I would have managed him and looked after him (if I could) because he’s not been 100% fit and has played through pain for the team and that deserves acknowledgment.
“Sean needs to train regularly and that’s been disrupted due to an ongoing foot problem since Everton at the end of last season.
Last week he had an injection (to play) and trained late in the week.
He’s had some really, really, good games for us this season and he’s a really important player for his game intelligence. He’s integral to us when he’s at his best. I back him and his ability.”
And on fan criticism of players in general…
“This season more than any other in my career (I’ve said to players) ‘we need you to play.’
Now I don’t want get the violins out and feel sorry for ourselves but it’s the reality of the position due to lack of depth.
That’s why I always compliment the players. Not everyone sees behind the scenes what they’re giving.
Sometimes when a player goes out & plays and he’s not feeling great and then doesn’t to perform to the level he wants to gets criticism for it.
And you’re thinking ‘he’s actually playing for the club here, he’s not playing for himself. That’s difficult to take if you are the player.
“That’s where it’s my job to protect them because these lads are giving everything, and have given everything this year.
For me they deserve some protection & support. These are top players and were outstanding last season consistently when fully fit.
We need to support them through this period, nurse them back to their very best, because they can make the difference for us.
I love my players and want to help them in every way.”
#NUFC
Fenham to Chalfont
Mar 15, 2024 at 1:38 PM
Comment #16Wish I’d never read the last few comments. Daft munter sticking the boot into Amanda and our signings. What a to$$er it is.
– Amanda was right to put it out there re SB the lazy unprofessional loser. She knew what she was doing.
– Re our transfers I think Adamn covers this well in post #12.
I find it very very odd that Munster seems to find more issues with our current regime than the last. Finds more issues with Rafa and now Eddie Howe than he did with Steve f****** Bruce. Knacker!!!!
Transfer Sage
Mar 15, 2024 at 1:50 PM
Comment #17Fenham
I don’t always agree with Munster but I don’t think he’s as critical as made out at times. Sure he will pick at the detail and comment more on the bad than the good, but I don’t think he’s over the top with things. I think at times there could be a little more balance as to certain points, Harvey Barnes being an example. For all we know, it may have been the plan for him to start on the left and Gordon on the right, but injuries prevented that getting enough work.
Munster – conscious I was commenting on you there and don’t want this to be me just talking about you as opposed to to you, so feel free to comment/disagree with anything I’ve said.
WLtoon
Mar 15, 2024 at 1:55 PM
Comment #18So Amanda has came out and apologised to Bruce, i guess she had to do that being in the position she is in , but she was damn right.
When players come out and tell you they weren`t as fit as they should of been then it tells you everything you need to know about The False Geordie, aye , that`s right , Bruce , with your plastic accent wearing your Man U underpants..
To think that lazy footer walked away with a huge pay out of 8M , it should be investigated by the fraud squad, because that`s exactly what Bruce was.
Fenham to Chalfont
Mar 15, 2024 at 1:56 PM
Comment #19You have to question anyone that picks out more issues and points out more holes than a chunk of Swiss Cheese in our new regimes overall set up than they ever did with the last totally and unrivalled incompetent and deplorable regime.
Well done and congratulations munster you really are yet another weapon of mass depression and the king of talking utter bollix on here.
Munster Mag
Mar 15, 2024 at 1:58 PM
Comment #20Absolutely TS
You are a gentleman, and good to chat with , unlike riff raff like Fenham.
Amanda was correct but having to make a public statement of apology isn’t what she wud have wanted.
Hibbit
Mar 15, 2024 at 1:59 PM
Comment #21Why i’m i not surprised , any opportunity to put the knife in to the club, the owners, the manager, the coaches, the medical team, or the fans,
claims to be a newcastle fan my arse,
Munster Mag
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Comment #22WL Toon, she was correct in what she said, but having to apologise for it isn’t a great look. Some gu
Munster Mag
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Comment #23Some guys don’t get that, but that’s accurate.
Fenham to Chalfont
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Comment #24TS,
Totally disagree with your opinion of Munter in #17. Take your blinkers off is all I will say to you. This idiot from Ireland is at it every day on here with his negativity re NUFC yet bigs up everyone else. He slated Rafa, now Eddie yet had nothing bad to say about Steve Bruce the laziest manager NUFC have ever had. so if you’re unable to see that, then I don’t know how you read this place?
Transfer Sage
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Comment #25Munster / Fenners
I think the transfer points are bit easy with hindsight, seeing how things played out, but in that first game of the season they looked perfect moves by the club. We looked so strong and with stacks of talent on the bench. What this season has shown us is that we lack quality or depth in a couple of key positions.
GK – our whole system works on having a sweeper keeper, for all Dubs and Karius’ qualities, they don’t sweep and therefore our high line is just exposed without Pope. We need a backup who is able to play that sweeping role, even if the quality is lower than Pope’s. The style is key.
RW – Miggy and Murphy are willing runners but they offer nowhere near enough quality and consistency. I’m not saying we need a player as good as salah but if you look at the top sides, they have players there with good goal and assist ratios (PL goals/assist – Salah 15/9, Saka 13/8, Palmer 11/8, Foden 11/7). We just don’t have that on that side.
CF – Wilson doesn’t stay fit enough and this is now two season where Isak has had spells out. We need a better option there to compliment Isak. Even if we achieve that by moving Wilson on.
DM/6 – Not everyone agrees with this but we don’t have a proper 6 in my opinion. Bruno can do it and is capable but he’s also said he wants to play higher up. Tonali is an 8 according to all italian journo’s who comment on him. We need another player here to allow Bruno to either rest or move higher up
I’d have said a pacey CB but Botman actually clocked a quicker speed last year than Van Der Ven did this season. We just need him back to full fitness.
I think if we get those four playes, even if it means selling Wilson, Miggy (possibly Murphy too it Minteh is deemed good enough to rotate), Longstaff (to get a better midfielder) and Dubs, then we’re looking good.
WLtoon
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:07 PM
Comment #26I admire the constant optimistic predictions on here and i don`t usually take us to lose but tomorrow i think it`s a huge ask.
Defend like we have been of late and we will get a right footin tonking, it`s just common sense, however, it`s the FA cup and a one off, so owt can happen.
Not sure who is fit tomorrow but if Gordon is another injury doubt then i think we will be fairly toothless up top, and if Howe has to rely on Longstaff again then we will be playing with ten men because he has been bloody terrible.
Transfer Sage
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:07 PM
Comment #27Fenners
I don’t read this religiously and probably didn’t spend as much time on when Bruce was here so didn’t see things every day as it was a pretty demoralising time to be a fan, so maybe I am missing something there.
But from what I see now I don’t think Munster comes across as not being a fan or being overly critical. I think a lot stopped criticising Ashley and Bruce as there was just no hope there. They weren’t letting us down as they delivered exactly what was expected…no investment, poor performances, no plan, 99% of us thought that was the case when Bruce game in, it was like Ashley gave up the last little bit of interest he had and that was that.
Now we have owners who have stated they want to win leagues, they are investing heavily on and off the pitch, we have a manager who truly cares and wants to win, as well as having the ability to do it. I read it as Munster holding them to higher standards as they are better owners/managers and we can see the potential now. I don’t for one minute think he’d rather we went back to Ashley/Bruce.
Appreciate we may have differing views on this and Munster is capable of putting his own view across, so I’ll not keeping going on, we can disagree and that’s fine. Doesn’t stop me having good conversations with the both of you.
Munster Mag
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:09 PM
Comment #28TS the Tonali fit was always a question but Eddie doesn’t believe in a traditional 6. In my opinion that means that if we don’t change that, we will be brilliant at times at times next season but possibly quite porous at times.
Will be interesting. I hope we get in someone like Onana.
Munster Mag
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:10 PM
Comment #29Fenners predicted 1-4 against Chelsea, so probably predicts us to win by 3 against City.
See he has the pashun .
Saratoga
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:13 PM
Comment #30Stats on Pope Vs Dubs.
If a sweeper keeper is so vital you should have a reserve who is a sweeper keeper.
Gillespie and Karius have hardly played a game in years. They are very much now in the role of support goalie. Dubs seems to have gone down that route as well.
Our choice to keep them.
Man City got themselves a very good back up Goalie.
Aged 31.
On a free from Germany.
Munster Mag
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:15 PM
Comment #31So much to so Saratoga. Its all down to the budget and if Eddie is ruthless enough to get the scalpel out.
Davas
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:16 PM
Comment #32No way Amanda would’ve lost a libel case against Bruce for what she said 😀
Saratoga
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:17 PM
Comment #33Some years ago Munster would make comments about Rafa that were somewhat critical.
However, they were reasonable, evidenced and explained objectively.
He was not part of the Rafa Love In and got some stick as a consequence.
Davas
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:18 PM
Comment #34Looks like Barnes is out for tomorrow. Probably another chance for white and Anderson to get some minutes
Munster Mag
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:19 PM
Comment #35TS I was highly critical of Bruce after the Norwich game. But I didn’t see the logic in killing him just because he had managed Sunderland and had a pretty weak career. I was too kind to him on here by three quarters of the way through I was howling for his head like anyone else.
Transfer Sage
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:19 PM
Comment #36Saratoga
Only so many you can replace in any given season though due to FFP. I think we can quibble over where we got the priority right but ultimately for me, we’ve done pretty well on transfers in the couple of summers we’ve had.
Munster
Whether Onana or somebody else, I don’t mind. I just think it will give more balance to the midfield. I’d also say somebody like Onana would be able to play in an 8 position as good as, if not better than Longstaff, so even if Howe wants his 6 to do more, he’d not be losing anything by selling one to bring in the other.
I think Arsenal have been very solid this season using Rice as their 6, with Jorginho occasionally coming in to let him get higher. Rice plays very well as a 6 but still gets forward, as does Rodri for City. I’m not sure why Howe has his views on a 6, but a proper modern day 6 isn’t just a bloke who runs around kicking people, they still contribute a lot in attack. So hopefully a player like Onana can come in and just give us more options in midfield.
Munster Mag
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:20 PM
Comment #37Davas a proper clocking in system and he wudnt even go to HR about it 🙂
Munster Mag
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:20 PM
Comment #38It’s all opinions TS. Rice was hammered on here but he’s a super player.
WLtoon
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:21 PM
Comment #39Munster,
Too right Amanda was correct, i think she wears her heart on her sleeve and yes, she might of been a tad unprofessional by saying what she said but she has apologised, probably through gritted teeth.
Unlike Amanda, we do not have to watch our mouths, as you put it, we are not under public scrutiny like she is, and i can guarantee that most of our fellow bloggers would of called Bruce out to his face if they had the chance.
The guy was a footin disgrace.
Transfer Sage
Mar 15, 2024 at 2:21 PM
Comment #40Munster
I definitely criticised Bruce but at the same time it felt pointless. I’m not saying Howe will read this and change or that he should ever listen to me, but I always have hope with Howe as I know he’s a good, clever manager and has so much potential to take us to the top or close to it.