Here are some of Eddie Howe’s comments today in his press conference, and because it’s the final home game of the season against Brighton tomorrow afternoon (3:00pm KO) he has taken the opportunity to thank Newcastle fans for their support at St. James’ Park.
“We are competing for something; we are in the mix. We have three games in a massive week for us, it will go down to the wire. We back ourselves, we are in a good place.”
“We have loved playing at home this season, I have been really pleased with how we have performed at home.”
“We have a good feel, good energy and have been very aggressive in our play. We are thankful for the support we have received from the fans.”
“The crowd have embraced our style. It’s been a good partnership between the crowd and the players.”
“Kieran is getting closer; he has trained this week. It was the first time with the group.”
“He trained well, it has been a good week for him. I will make a decision today whether he will be involved tomorrow.”
I would be surprised if Trippier starts tomorrow, but he may come on in the second half to set him up for the crucial final 2 games of the season at Manchester United And Brentford.
Loading ...What do you think?
255 comments so far
Hibbit
May 10, 2024 at 10:32 AM
Comment #11st
Saratoga
May 10, 2024 at 10:41 AM
Comment #2Raj of Hailsley
May 10, 2024 at 10:33 AM
Comment #4
I’ll accept that Kelly is a gamble due to PSR but to justify it as a Dummet replacement because he was always injured as well is just nonsense imo.
****************************
Agree. Should be no such thing as a squad player.
That’s just code for not good enough.
How many squad players do Man City have.
Adamn_92
May 10, 2024 at 10:59 AM
Comment #3Saratoga
I’d say 4 but raises to 9 if you count their first team players out on loan.
Squad players isn’t code for not good enough.
It’s code for……players in the squad.
The plan is to build a squad full of quality that any player that steps in doesn’t drop the quality too much. Which is why improving players like Dummett, Ritchie, Lewis, Hendrick etc etc is important.
As that’s how you become like Man City, with a squad full of quality where even their ‘squad players’ are still very good.
A Geordie Mongrel
May 10, 2024 at 11:04 AM
Comment #4Eddie’s presser, https://youtu.be/NVUs8dSf5CI?si=3sPZ-1zG16zy6Vmt
Bingo, https://www.nufcblog.com/2023/06/22/full-agreement-reached-for-sandro-tonali-transfer-to-newcastle-medical-tomorrow/comment-page-24/#comment-3012732
WLtoon
May 10, 2024 at 11:28 AM
Comment #5Great day out for football tomorrow, not a cloud in site apparently.
I`m going for a 3-1 Toon win , we have more to play for than Brighton, hope my prediction is not the kiss of death.
The atmos should be fantastic with one or two players getting a cameo appearance on their last ever appearance, Ritchie and Dummett.
Looking forward to meeting fellow bloggers before the game though it looks like i am the only one without a ticket.
Should be good craic though and the match is shown live in Shearers
A Geordie Mongrel
May 10, 2024 at 11:29 AM
Comment #6Ad free presser, https://www.newcastleunited.com/nufc-tv/latest-videos/howe-pre-brighton-h-media-briefing-23-24/
WLtoon
May 10, 2024 at 11:35 AM
Comment #7As good as pro`s Ritchie , Dummett and Hendrick are , it won`t be hard to improve the squad strength once they have moved on, unlike Citeh, who have class players sitting on the bench.
Kelly will improve the standard of the squad, as would Tosin, both a step up from Dummett
SiOliver
May 10, 2024 at 11:36 AM
Comment #8WLtoon – 3-1 sounds good. Keegan, a Waddle header and an exquisite chip from Beardsley. Another day, another last home game of the season.
Small World
May 10, 2024 at 11:49 AM
Comment #9Slightly O/T, but someone has potentially been a naughty boy. It can only be a manager, assistant manager, director / owner. Given the dates and timescales it really narrows down the list of suspects. Things like this will be further damaging the reputation of the premier league and football authorities.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68985701
WLtoon
May 10, 2024 at 12:19 PM
Comment #10SiOliver,
I was at that game, it too was a warm sunny day, the omens are looking good alright.
Saratoga
May 10, 2024 at 12:34 PM
Comment #11Adamn
Sorry, but I just don’t think you get this.
Hendrick and Lewis are not in the squad by the way.
Man City could put 2 teams out one as good as the other or just about.
I hear it said time and again. Not sure about that player but he would make a canny squad player. Like someone to come in when you are desperate.
Kelly. Bring him in if you think he is bang on and will be pushing for 1st team regularly.
I’ll leave the judgment of the player to Eddie etc.
On a free so his wages will be high. On a four year deal. Wages will be so high you probably won’t ever sell him on. At 25/26 is he gonna get so much better ?
There is only one question. Is he good enough to be playing week in week out in the Prem for NUFC.
If you think yes – sign.
If you think no – avoid.
Fenham to Chalfont
May 10, 2024 at 12:37 PM
Comment #12This is a funny stat. NIFCs 17 year old Lewis Miley has played more matches in Europe than Sunlun have since they were founded back in 1879 which is 145 years.
Sunluns a massive club? Are they f***
Fenham to Chalfont
May 10, 2024 at 12:38 PM
Comment #13Saratoga,
If you live so close to SJP (apparently) – Why don’t you go to the blog meet up tomorrow ?
snowdone
May 10, 2024 at 12:50 PM
Comment #14Simon376, you have chosen 12 players for Eddie’s bingo tomorrow! I think we can win with 11.
Fenham to Chalfont
May 10, 2024 at 12:52 PM
Comment #15As Brazil are going to be picking there squad soon I thought I’d put together an all time best Brazilian line up:
_______________Tafferal________________
Cafu ____C Alberto_______Aldair___R Varlos
______Bruno_____Falcao____Zico________
Pele _________ Mirandinha _______Joelinton
Subs
Ronaldo
Ronaldinho
Garrincha
Caçapa
Alison
Socrates
Jairzinho
Fenham to Chalfont
May 10, 2024 at 12:53 PM
Comment #16R Carlos*
simon376
May 10, 2024 at 12:55 PM
Comment #17Sniwdone
Is that not us at 11th man? I’ll re do it
simon376
May 10, 2024 at 12:56 PM
Comment #1812th man even
Adamn_92
May 10, 2024 at 1:01 PM
Comment #19Saratoga
I know Lewis and Hendrick aren’t the squad, they aren’t because they aren’t good enough. Which is why i’m talking about players like them being sold or let go and replacing them with players who are good enough to be part of the squad.
You keep using Man City as an example, how many years head start have they had on us? In terms of money to spend and squad building? If you think we’re able to create a squad as good as theirs to field basically two starting 11’s without a drop in quality, you’re going to be waiting a while. It’ll take a few seasons.
Even then, Man City have players like Carson, Sergio Gomez, Bobb and could even argue Nunes as he doesn’t feature much. Your last question to me, if you’re using Man City as an example, none of those players play week in week out and are on high wages. Should they have avoided them?
When people say they would make a canny squad player, it’s because most teams can’t afford to have two starting 11’s of purple players. Like us. So yes, it’s good to have players who maybe aren’t quite as good as the starting 11, but are still very good to do a very good job when needed. Kelly is a better defender than Dummet, Ritchie, Targett and arguably Lascelles and Krafth, potentially Hall currently as well. So whilst not a ‘purple player’ like Man City have to call upon when they need to call someone in, he is an improvement to the squad which makes us stronger.
Every club has squad players. Even Man City.
It’s just that they’ve had so much time and money to build, that even their version of squad players are of high enough quality to be starters.
We’ll get there. But for now, signing players of Kelly’s ability (especially on a free) is very very smart business as it’s improving as a squad whilst we strive and aim to get to that Man City level.
check the toastie
May 10, 2024 at 1:27 PM
Comment #20What is all this nonsense regards Kelly being a squad player.
He is the dogs bollocks and will be starting when fit. Anyone who watched him at St James earlier in season will vouch for that.
He has it all. So aint a squad player. Hes a first team starter. For free.
Adamn_92
May 10, 2024 at 1:34 PM
Comment #21Check
It’s because the signing can be viewed as an upgrade to Dummett and Ritchie in terms of left back options next season.
Whether he starts, is on the bench or rotates regulalry is up to Eddie.
Squad players are being discussed as he improves the squad overall regardless if he starts or not.
Raj of Hailsley
May 10, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Comment #22Kelly should be being classed as BDB’s replacement but because of his injury record he’s been likened to Dummet instead. Would we be happy if Wilson’s replacement had an injury record as bad as Wilson.
Raj of Hailsley
May 10, 2024 at 2:02 PM
Comment #23Let’s assume the two CB’s next season are Burn and Schar, Burns back goes and Kelly, his natural replacement is injured with an innocuous injury we never even knew about. That is not fearing the worse it is a 50% chance of it happening, red or black, heads or tails.
check the toastie
May 10, 2024 at 2:05 PM
Comment #24I reckon Kelly has basically had the end of the season off as hes running his contract down, Bournemouth are safe and there is no point in playing him.
Nice break for the lad, firing on all cylinders come pre season and then everyone will declare they always had full faith in him and the Gaffa.
Great signing, will be immense for us.
Adamn_92
May 10, 2024 at 2:14 PM
Comment #25Raj
I mentioned earlier why the Wilson comparrison is silly.
Wilson is the only striker back-up. So no, we wouldn’t be happy if his replacement was injured as much, as that doesn’t improve us or give us a better scenario.
If Kelly got injured, we still have Burn, Botman, Lascelles, Schar, Krafth, Targett, Hall, Trippier, Livramento and possibly Adaribayo if he signs too as back-up.
Not the same situation at all.
Adamn_92
May 10, 2024 at 2:16 PM
Comment #26Bewildered how this conversation keeps going on.
His injury record is bad.
He’s a very decent player.
He’s free.
Signing him makes the squad stronger than it was this season.
Pros far outweigh the cons.
Really don’t see the issue haha
lochinvar
May 10, 2024 at 2:17 PM
Comment #27Looks like WL Toon is in need of a ticket
Anyone able to assist the gent ?
Fat Basta*d
May 10, 2024 at 2:31 PM
Comment #28Stupid fat kunt leaving out Romario and Rivaldo. Pop them bellies
Fat Basta*d
May 10, 2024 at 2:33 PM
Comment #29Fat war criminal leaves out Dani Alves who has more trophies than he has bellies. Even more surprising with him being a rapis* 😀
Raj of Hailsley
May 10, 2024 at 2:58 PM
Comment #30Adamn_92
With both Lascelles and Botman out we’re not too clever at CB either.
Raj of Hailsley
May 10, 2024 at 2:59 PM
Comment #31Adamn_92,
It keeps rumbling on because people keep making silly comparisons with Dummet and tte fact that his replacement never playing is just fine and dandy because Dummet never played either.
Raj of Hailsley
May 10, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Comment #32So, on Eddie H’s comments, does Trips start at least one of the next two games.
Adamn_92
May 10, 2024 at 3:01 PM
Comment #33Raj
Still got Schar, Burn, Krafth, then would be Kelly to add to that and possibly Adarabioyo too. With Lascelles and Botman to return a bit later on.
Currently if Wilson is injured it’s just Isak, or we have to move Gordon there, when he’s far far better left wing.
magicmac54
May 10, 2024 at 3:04 PM
Comment #34Afternoon lads, the eagle landed at 11-10am this morning. The plan was to get a few hour kip before we hit the Toon, but it didn’t work according to plan 🙂 we are in the dog and parrot now getting a bit to eat and having a few pints, sir Peter the Pug will be arriving about 5pm, if any of you lads on the plot want to call in I’ll treat you to a few pints, no doubt the mate and myself will finish up in sergent peppers later in the evening 🙂 🙂
Fenham to Chalfont
May 10, 2024 at 3:08 PM
Comment #35Jail,
I do hope that we get Kelly, Tosin on a free and the lad from sporting at RCB Diomande. With them 3 and Botman returning in January our defence will be well covered. That Tosin would be an unreal free signing if we can get him and there are reports that it’s a 3 horse race between sprurs man u and NUFC. Apparently though he has knocked back spurs. He is from Manchester but as he is a city fan hopefully he would hate to go there? He seems an intelligent player so hopefully he wants to be part of Eddie Howes revolution and brilliant management style.
If we do sign Diomande from Porto I think that spells the end for Lascelles. We shall see.
snowdone
May 10, 2024 at 3:10 PM
Comment #36I’ve only just realised that Marciniak, the Polish ref, who didn’t overrule his linesman in the CL semi final was the same pillock who let himself be overruled by his Var assistant in Paris against us! Hopefully, he is nowhere to be seen at the Euros! Wait a minute, he may be demoted to the Europa League!!!
Fenham to Chalfont
May 10, 2024 at 3:14 PM
Comment #37Magic,
Glad your journey was safe and you’re here now. You will be going to Sgt Pepper’s lol. Is that up near the haymarket, top of Northumberland St down a lane?
I remember that pub well if it’s the same one plays 60s and 70s music. We used to go there in our early 20s and it was grab a grannie night. You’ll be looking to grab a great grannie night 😆
Essex Geordie Bill
May 10, 2024 at 3:22 PM
Comment #38Do the Lasses at these venues call it grab a granddad night? 🙂
magicmac54
May 10, 2024 at 3:27 PM
Comment #39Fenham
Naughty Naughty 🙂 🙂
You only live twice mate, just had a great burger and chips in the dog and parrot and the pints are going down very well at the moment, really looking forward to meeting all you lads tomorrow keep er lit going through the Orchard County
Up the Toon
HWTL
Fenham to Chalfont
May 10, 2024 at 3:34 PM
Comment #40Haha 😉 good man Magic. Have a great night, I’ll see you tomorrow mate and very much looking forward to seeing you finally 🙂
HWTL 🙂