Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side had at least 8 first-team players missing yesterday when we took Burnley apart 4-1 after a dodgy start for the first 15 minutes of the game.
The players missing from the starting line-up were Pope, Botman, Lascelles, Schar, Trippier, Willock, Miley, and the banned Tonali.
Most of those players – if available – would be starting for Newcastle, so when they are all fit we should have a very strong squad for next season.
But we must bring in a center-back in the summer to fill in until Botman and Lascelles recover from their ACL injuries by the end of the year.
After the first 15 minutes yesterday, Newcastle dominated the game and we should have had more than 4 goals after Isak missed a penalty and we had other decent chances that we didn’t put away.
As it is, we have scored 78 goals this season, which is a Newcastle record for the Premier League.
Eddie Howe knows it will not be easy with only 3 games to play – Brighton at home and Manchester United and Brentford away from home in the final two games.
This is what Howe said yesterday:
“We knew today was going to be difficult and that was highlighted by the first 10 minutes as that was a tough start to the game for us.”
“It was a really good display from us, confidence is gradually returning, the strength in depth is good.”
“You could see that by the bench. We are determined to give our all and finish as high as possible.”
“We set our targets after the last international break and we need to keep that going in the last few games.”
“We have always had the train of thought it is about us. We are aware of other teams to play, we have Man United to play so we will prepare the best we can.
“It is about our results. You could see today our desire and I could sense that pre-game in training.”
“We have a really good group who want to get back into Europe.”
“We know we’re going to have to win games to qualify for Europe and we know it’s going to be tight.”
“We’re up against top quality teams and Chelsea are in a good vein of form too, so I think it will go right to the wire.”
Chelsea play West Ham in a game today so the Blues can stay within 2 points of Newcastle with a win.
Loading ...What do you think?
19 comments so far
Fenham to Chalfont
May 5, 2024 at 11:15 AM
Comment #1Munsters banned from this page it’s an argument free zone thanks
Fenham to Chalfont
May 5, 2024 at 11:16 AM
Comment #2Actually he is banned from this thread, we need to keep it an argument free zone thread. Only happy clappers aloud to talk about how cushty Eddie Howe is. Because HE IS THE BEST 😉
Munster Mag
May 5, 2024 at 11:20 AM
Comment #3Definitely need to address that pace issue Wor B as those balls behind us are an issue . Diomande would be a serious buy but both Kelly and Tosin are quick, especially Kelly.
And Pope will squeeze that gap too, although I’d prefer the Georgian.
Davas
May 5, 2024 at 11:20 AM
Comment #4Mund
You mentioned the bench in your comment and I noticed just a couple of games ago that our bench comprised of 5 kids and the rest were over 30, eg Dummet and Richie
Mund
May 5, 2024 at 11:24 AM
Comment #5RH
You’ve been a fan for many years so you know football and you should know that these things happen. You pointed out some difficult games which we should have been a lot better in and rightly so. I agree and Eddie and the players would agree most certainly agree.
The point being it’s never always rosy and we should know that more than most however the biggest factor in those difficult periods was the injuries that has had a massive effect on our season. Top of the injury table and by a margin should back that however it doesn’t tell the full story as our squad depth was shocking and we had 2 GK’s on the bench for a lot of games sat with youngsters who have never made a first team debut. That has been the knock on effect that’s caused a disjointed season…
With all that just look at how we could possibly finish which is incredible when you think and you weigh the season up so far and not only that but the free scoring season we are having and the likes of Gordon being on another level and so far having 10 goals and 10 assists which hasn’t been done by a player in a black and white shirt since Ruel Fox and then Isak scoring 20 PL goals which hasn’t been done since Shearer 20 years ago…
Taking all that into account it’s turned out better than anyone could of imagined at one point and huge credit goes to Eddie and his team and the incredible lads with who pull on the shirt for achieving this so far.
Not another deJong
May 5, 2024 at 11:25 AM
Comment #6I would like to see Wilson and Isak play together as a pair against Brighton, but I think Eddie may want to control the midfield more and revert to a 433.
Fenham to Chalfont
May 5, 2024 at 11:25 AM
Comment #7The title of this thread by Dr Ed and from Eddie Howe;
“Eddie Howe – It Will Be Tight Qualifying For Europe – But Confidence Is Returning“
There is one word from that quote from Eddie Howe and it is the word confidence. It has returned in abundance and out of chelsea, man u and NUFC I’d say we have the most confidence, the most wind in our sails as we’ve really hit a purple patch and to see players such as Big Joe returning really makes us so much stronger. Our bench for once had so much quality yesterday with many game changers sat on it for once. We have so much confidence now and it’s why I’m confident we shall get Europe again ole ole, Europe again ole ole, Europe again, Europe again, Europe again ole ole 🙂
Munster Mag
May 5, 2024 at 11:28 AM
Comment #8Agree with that Mund. Well put. You see Fenners I’m not always arguing if people wud stop looking for fights.
Munster Mag
May 5, 2024 at 11:30 AM
Comment #9And to continue the no aggro theme, I’d agree with Fenham too, but would add “momentum” as another thing we have going for us right now.
I still hope we are ruthless in our rebuilding this summer though, to push on.
Fenham to Chalfont
May 5, 2024 at 11:31 AM
Comment #10#3 has broken its ban…
The crime committed will be punished by a night out with Rafa Benitez and a 10min sparring session with Mund and then Fenham 😉
Mund
May 5, 2024 at 11:33 AM
Comment #11Davas
Football in this era is all about fitness and having a high stamina threshold and definitely with how we set up and play and what Eddie expects from the 11 on the field. However to sustain that throughout the 90 you have to have good squad depth and replace like for like or near enough.
For long periods this season the bench has been as weak as it could be and it’s hurt us badly in being able to see games out or trying to change up the game. So the likes of the rumoured Kelly and Tosin would be fantastic purchases to help beef up the squad with quality and help with that much needed squad depth.
The good thing to come out of all this was the emergence of Miley which has been an absolute delight to see.
Next season we will go Berkeley’s mate
Fenham to Chalfont
May 5, 2024 at 11:35 AM
Comment #12I know they’re twins but how much does Josh look like Jacob Murphy. Nice touch this for his brother:
https://x.com/newcastlefanstv/status/1786875503049130392?s=46
Davas
May 5, 2024 at 11:41 AM
Comment #13Mund
Yeah, we’ve been screwed by injuries this season as shown by the bench at times. It limits everything. EH has said he hasn’t had enough numbers for training at times and then the ones left need time to recover. Ir makes it difficult to change things if you can’t practise it in training.
Davas
May 5, 2024 at 11:43 AM
Comment #14One thing I’ve liked about the 2 penalties AG has won recently is that he was going around the outside using his pace. He said he has been working on that instead of cutting in all the time so making him predictable. Looks like his work is paying off.
Wor B
May 5, 2024 at 11:43 AM
Comment #15Munster
I think you meant to address Martoon on the pacy defender issue.
For my two pennies worth, I think blistering pace in a back 4 is much more important in the wide players, positional sense and ball playing ability for the centre.
Although if we can get defenders with all those talents and contribute a handful of assists and goals each season then happy day.
Fenham to Chalfont
May 5, 2024 at 11:46 AM
Comment #16Bruno’s and Joelintons partners in the away end yesterday. Look at how happy big joes missus is when he comes on as a substitute. Lovely to see that. Bruno and big joe are here to stay for a long time me thinks. We need a huge effort these last 3 games and get us into Europe and let’s see how we cope next season. It’s gonna be a stellar season IMO. We have to claim 6th spot this season, 7th is still amazing tbf but 6th is there it’s in our grasp.
Fenham to Chalfont
May 5, 2024 at 11:46 AM
Comment #17Oops… link of their wives below:
https://x.com/scottdaley26/status/1787042696013496783?s=46
martoon
May 5, 2024 at 11:55 AM
Comment #18I keep reading on here that Isak was playing out wide – NO he wasn’t as were playing 442 i.e. twin strikers!!!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
May 5, 2024 at 12:20 PM
Comment #19The way I saw it was Gordon, Wilson and Isak kept swapping around in the middle although Wilson kept right and Isak left when not in the middle.