Eddie Howe seems to be all for the two-game tour of Australia at the end of the season, when the lads will fly to Australia after the final league game this season on May 19th at Brentford.
This is what Eddie Howe has said about the two-game visit:
“This is a great opportunity to showcase Newcastle United at two iconic venues in an iconic city as the club continues to grow globally.”
“We are privileged to have so many incredible supporters around the world, and it’s a chance to be able to play in front of many in Australia who wouldn’t ordinarily get the chance to see the team.”
“We look forward to engaging with our supporters in Melbourne and giving them the opportunity to feel closer to the club.”
This is the Newcastle statement put out yesterday which shocked our supporters:
“United will travel to Australia following the conclusion of the Premier League season in May to take on Tottenham Hotspur and the A-League All Stars in Melbourne.”
“The Magpies will kick off the city’s Global Football Week event at the world-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Wednesday, 22nd May, taking on a Spurs side managed by one of the city’s favorited sons, Ange Postecoglou.
This will be really hard on some of our players, but on the other hand, it will be over by May 25th once the squad has made their 22-hour and 21,000-mile trip back to England.
What do you think?
Loading ...Comments welcome.
205 comments so far
The Bard of Bensham Bank
Mar 19, 2024 at 7:04 PM
Comment #81Here’s a quick rhyme and I’m going to be kind
For when I logged onto the blog I was astounded to find
The second best poet to come outta the Toon
Had appeared in the shape of our own Dr Gloom
Who am I kidding, I’ve been put in my place
His words are delightful and so full of grace
They’re sweet like honey and smooth like silk
He’s like Wordsworth or Tennyson, or guys of that ilk
He’s been keeping that talent right under his hat
And I know I’m unable to compete with that
But I can sleep at night knowing that when my fat lady sings
You’ve got a more talented poet just waiting in the wings.
Great work, Dr Gloom.
HWTB !!
Fat Basta*d
Mar 19, 2024 at 7:14 PM
Comment #82We don’t need to sell any of our best players. At the moment we need 5 top players but if we lose them then we need more so no point in selling.
Even if we can only sign 2/3 players per Summer so be it.
Priority in order
CF
DM
LB
RCB
GK
We need atleast a CF and a DM this Summer no matter what. Even if theyre 100mill each and we only get 2 signings. Only players that need replacing in this squad are Manquillo, Dummett, Ritchie and Dubravka or Karius or both.
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Mar 19, 2024 at 7:32 PM
Comment #83Wed certainly have a pretty strong squad next term if we simply released Ritchie and Dummett, and drafted in Toney and Kelly, or similar.
Can we afford it?
Would we listen to offers for Wilson, Targett and Miggy too, and maybe even Lascelles.
Im also sure we’ll be looking at letting a keeper go, and bringing another in, but to me Pope, Dubravka and Karius are good goalkeeping options, but yeah, it looks like that will happen.
Mund
Mar 19, 2024 at 7:35 PM
Comment #84Buzzing for the lad
https://twitter.com/England/status/1770158098684018884
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Mar 19, 2024 at 7:37 PM
Comment #85We don’t play with a DM though. Closest I’ve seen to it with Eddie was when he slotted Miley in there, kinda seeping up, and laying it off, and he was pretty good in the role. Not sure Eddie agrees we need a DM though. I think he likes to play three lines, compact, and win it back early.
Fat Basta*d
Mar 19, 2024 at 7:48 PM
Comment #86A DM is probably the most important role. Galacticos said they could do their stuff because of makelele.
A specialist DM recognises the dangers in that midfield area and snuffs it out instinctively.
Our midfield has been shit this season
onmeedsun
Mar 19, 2024 at 7:54 PM
Comment #87Bloody hell.
The bard has competition from Dr Gloom!
As does Magic from Magscar!
Magscar
This wonderful blog could disappear at any moment without warning. There is a parallel universe that has been set up on discord. Some of us post on both but eventually when this blog goes, most of us are likely to end up on discord. So you’re not left high and dry and wondering where we all are, would be a good idea to get yourself on the discord site as well.
Perhaps someone could put a link up for Magscar.
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Mar 19, 2024 at 7:57 PM
Comment #88Well, maybe, but does Eddie agree?
Also, we bring in a DM, then we have 8 midfielders in the group, if you include Anderson, and that’s probably too many I think.
I think we are looking at CF, RW, CB, LB and GK, more so than midfield.
Munster Mag
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Comment #89Craig Hope giving fair support to Eddie despite the grief he gets as a journo.
Fat Basta*d
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:02 PM
Comment #90Gordon and Murphy and almiron can play right.
Barnes and Isak can play left.
Once we get a new no.9
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:02 PM
Comment #91Hasn’t the midfield been diminished substantially by the absences if Tonali, Willock and Joelinton, and to some degree Anderson. I wouldn’t necessarily say we’ve been shit, but if we have, surely there’s the reason right there.
Fat Basta*d
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:03 PM
Comment #92Imo if Eddie doesnt want to use a DM then he is making a big mistake. DM is a necessary position to have and use
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:06 PM
Comment #93Well to me the priority is CF and LB. I also like Isak through the middle and out wide. I’d happily hold onto Wilson too. But yeah we need another CF, because Isak and Wilson, good as they are, miss too many games.
Not another deJong
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:11 PM
Comment #94Scouting report / update on Alfie ‘Erling’ Harrison
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2024/03/19/the-next-big-thing-at-newcastle-united-alfie-harrison-scout-report/
Fat Basta*d
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:14 PM
Comment #95Willock showed against man city how poor he is
Fat Basta*d
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:15 PM
Comment #96Only bruno and joelinton are worthy of starting 11
Munster Mag
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:16 PM
Comment #97Hope also making the same point now that I did months ago, that the players are going to continue to get injured and it has already restarted this season. Apart from obvious guys like Wilson, how healthy and robust will some of the lads continue to be in the future….eg Willock Botman Tripps Isak Botman . Its a concern for sure.
A Geordie Mongrel
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:38 PM
Comment #98Onmeedson @ 87, for Magscar and indeed anyone else. https://discord.com/invite/SfuZpkzs
Download the Discord app or go to Discord.com
Once you’re in leave an introduction message in the Welcome channel and one of the admins will change your status so you have full access. 🙂
magscar
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:40 PM
Comment #99JohnJ
I’m sorry you have had the experience you have had I’m old school as well I can’t imagine why FB ( if I’m reading it right) would pick on you
If you still enjoy posting ( yeah I know it’s easy for me to say) I wish you could find a way to manage it – the Blog needs likes of yourself and not those who for God knows what reason would demean you
You have your music (and music has helped me through my traumas) so keep on trucking ad I’d love to catch you sometime if you are still playing
Stay strong mate
Life is too short
A Geordie Mongrel
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:46 PM
Comment #100Just checked and Magscar is already a member, I look forward to seeing you over the road as well as on here.
magscar
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:54 PM
Comment #101FB
What do you want from Blog?
To troll or to be a decent poster cos you can’t be both as trolling trumps everything else
You can make points about Fenham and maybe get some sympathy ( except 2 wrongs never made a right even nowadays) but JohnJ!!??
You play the ” there’s others as bad as me” card
Haway man seriously
Looking back at posts since my last one suggests a split personality or someone casting bait – only you know
Since I made a sincere approach to you to make an apology you’ve ducked and dived and if you want me to engage in chat you know what to do
Otherwise i get the message you’re here to enrage not engage – your choice not mine
Not another deJong
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:59 PM
Comment #102According to Opta we have the easiest run in to the end of the season, apart from Brentford.
https://theanalyst.com/eu/2024/03/premier-league-schedule-how-difficult-are-your-teams-final-10-games/
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:08 PM
Comment #103Yeah the injuries are an issue because of the way we play. We do need robust players. But also we need players who are trusted to play. Tonali will help, but also replacing guys like Ritchie and Dummett with a couple Eddie’s happy to start.
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:19 PM
Comment #104I feel as though players like Willock and Lobby may well eventually make way for better, but not yet. They are certainly good players. If a player isn’t playing at their best, there are likely a host of legitimate reasons for it. Lobby has been playing injured for months, for example, and Willock needs time after being out for so long.
magscar
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:21 PM
Comment #105Onmeedson
Thanks for post about discord
I did with guidance join it when first set up but as Neil then Ed kept Blog going I’ve not bothered going on but i assume I still can
Having stumbled in again and in honour of Ed I will try to keep popping in whether or not I post depends on a few things but boils down to have i anything new to say and who cares anyway
I’m a “got something to say then post” type of guy and struggle to chat every day
Now I do have more time than before but have meanwhile got my NUFC fix from Youtube and podcasts rather than on here but i do miss spontaneity
I’m probably only missed when i return and it’s noticed i’d not been on 🙂
As some poster once suggested years ago I’d be better suited to putting articles to The Mag
I used to buy the paper edition but stuggled with online versin and anyway prefer real time reaction if i do post oline even if i can’t help rabbiting on 🙂
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:22 PM
Comment #106Too many of our passes are potential hospital balls. our lads are getting the ball with the opposition almost on top of them. Been like that for most of the season.
magscar
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:23 PM
Comment #107Agm
Cheers but see post to Onmeedson
magscar
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:34 PM
Comment #108We need new in and they will come so likes of Longstaff and Willock will become the Ritchies Manquillo, Kraft and Dummets – but valued members of an improving squad and of a higher quallty
They could go o course like Lascelles, Miggy and Murphy but on the basis an upgrade is coming instead
Our recruitment now is all about upgrades not numbers….. so are they there and can we afford them?
magscar
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:42 PM
Comment #109notanotherdejong
Yeah I’d thought that BUT there’s plenty will remind us of the points lost against Forest Luton Bournemouth
That was then and this is now – we know what is required and have to seize the opportunities which are the opposite of the start we faced
magscar
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:42 PM
Comment #110Night anyone still lurking
Munster Mag
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:46 PM
Comment #111It’s hard to know Magscar. The club is doing the ffp chat all the time and it’s realistic. Right now I want to see Eddie get the max points he can out of the last 10 of the season, by dropping underperformers where possible and if required, changing shape if needed, or changing approach a la wolves
If we don’t see more tactical innovation and if we don’t see serious athletes signed in the summer, I think he’s in trouble by Christmas
Fat Basta*d
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:47 PM
Comment #112Longy playing with injury. Well thats Howes fault. Why play him? If we are short in mid go 2 man midfield in a 4231 or 3421 formation. But its always 433 433 433.
We are top heavy with defenders and full backs. We can easily play for example
Dubs
Lascelles schar Botman
Livra miley bruno hall
Almiron Gordon
Isak
Fat Basta*d
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:49 PM
Comment #113Will garang kuol play against spurs
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Mar 19, 2024 at 10:09 PM
Comment #114Yeah, the obvious solution, if you have limited options in central mid would seem a back 3 and wing backs, but you can’t just transition to a new system quickly. You have to drill it, and it takes time, and he doesn’t wantt to play that way anyway. It’s not like 442, which is bread and butter to any footballer, and of course if you don’t get your shape and tactics right, this league is extremely unforgiving. That’s my take anyway.
JohnJ
Mar 19, 2024 at 10:16 PM
Comment #115Magscar
Tried to send a message to you on the other side but you don’t seem to be there! Feel free to message me when you get “online”
magscar
Mar 19, 2024 at 10:18 PM
Comment #116Munster
Hi
I left the light on just in case 🙂
I get what you’re saying but if you’ve read the guff I’ve been posting the last few days you’ll know I think the central issue is injuries and consequently lack of options from a hybrid squad, loss of confidence and running on empty
FFP is of course real ask Forest and Everton (maybe Chelsea after June 30) so if no changes then we have to box clever
The additional income from Sela Adidas and CL will to some extent be off set by Ashley “profit” dropping off the 3 year cycle and we don’t know to what extent
We’ll have Tonali Barnes and maybe Minteh plus 3 or 4 first teamers coming in
Could be to fit the high press game but maybe Eddie has been rethinking- I don’t know
What I would guess is that there won’t be any prima Donna’s and they will have right attitude
We have a squad with a decreasing average age with some exciting young players both homegrown and brought in and getting better
Plenty reasons to be cheerful so c’ mon join the half full brigade – it’s after all what being a NUFC supporter is all about…..until the wheels usually come off 😉
Seriously I don’t see why without injuries literally crippling the side and a few astute signings we can’t expect to challenge for top 6
Eddie is not the finished article and will have learned much from this season and I would expect him to look to put that to good use rather than moan about it
I think to judge Eddie harshly on this season would be as big a mistake as to have canonised him after last
magscar
Mar 19, 2024 at 10:20 PM
Comment #117JohnJ
If I get chance ( not on my PC where my discord is) I will
Take care mate
lochinvar
Mar 19, 2024 at 10:40 PM
Comment #118If this is the case for the Branthwaite kid a 21year old defender then Bruno is going nowhere. He’s worth £150m plus based on that valuation and no one can afford that either due to FFP rules or they’re so debt bound that they could go out of business.
Everton will demand a minimum of £80m for England defender Jarrad Branthwaite, 21, who is wanted by Manchester United and Chelsea.
Mister Tuff
Mar 19, 2024 at 10:45 PM
Comment #119John J – Magscar is registered on Discord – just checked.
lochinvar
Mar 19, 2024 at 10:45 PM
Comment #120Magscar.
Have to think that we need at least 16 top players to compete at the highest levels. In part to have ‘game changers’ when you empty the bench as they do in rugby. That has everything to do with protecting TV entertainment , especially later in games and protecting the slimey sixes viewing appeal and TV revenues globally, especially in the likes of China.