Newcastle are back in action after two terrific victories, the second of which propelled the Magpies into the Carabao Cup semifinals where they’ll take on Arsenal. Today will provide another test for consistency, an attribute sorely lacking this season.
The lads travel down to Ipswich Town, a club back in the big time after back to back promotions. At the historic Portman Road, the Magpies and traveling supporters will be greeted by a familiar site; a statue of Sir Bobby Robson who led the Tractor Boys to great success early in his career.
Newcastle are in need of another win to climb the league table. The 4-0 win against Leicester last weekend helped close the gap but Newcastle remain 12th in the table. All three points at Ipswich could alter that position dramatically.
Here is the side Eddie Howe has named for this important away fixture. It has one change from the win over Brentford in the league cup with Joe Willock in for the suspended Joelinton.
HOWAY THE LADS! ? pic.twitter.com/Ljz4PWNTGe
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 21, 2024
This is who impressive Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has named for the hosts with local lad Leif Davis starting at left-back.
Your Town to face the Magpies. ?#IPSNEW | @Nustone_UK pic.twitter.com/Wh3yY9zN9O
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) December 21, 2024
It’s vital Newcastle maintain their form from this past week and find some consistency. There’s no better time or place than today at Portman Road.
Howay The Lads!
650 comments so far
magicmac54
Dec 22, 2024 at 9:10 AM
Comment #161The Bobby Robson Derby from an Ipswich Perspective.
https://youtu.be/fLYEgh6VVdo?si=Ld7-ph1vwZ31k836
catchy in norway
Dec 22, 2024 at 9:14 AM
Comment #162Special mention to Murphy this morning, a few years ago I would have had him out of the club, mind you not before Miggy, Murphy has always been a better player than him. but as a player he has ability just lacked confidence, but he has found that from somewhere, i guess thats Eddie that found it for him, and that back heel yesterday was outrageous. he was my MOM.
Tonali close second, Isak a ver close 3rd
Saratoga
Dec 22, 2024 at 9:25 AM
Comment #163Rotonda heights
Dec 22, 2024 at 8:36 AM
Comment #156
Mund
Shock Saratoga agrees with Munster ?
In other news water is wet
– – – – – – – – – – – –
Now Mundy what have we said about irony.
Let’s try replacing Saratoga with Mund and Munster with Fenham.
There you go you’ve found your tribe.
****************************************************
Agree with him ?
He endlessly blows smoke up his back end !
lesh
Dec 22, 2024 at 9:42 AM
Comment #164RH, Saratoga
Come on lads, give Mund and Fenham a break. What they have is friendship you’ll never understand – they’re each desperate for one!
Raj of Hailsley
Dec 22, 2024 at 9:50 AM
Comment #165Rotonda,
The penny has finally dropped? That there highlights your rotten stinking attitude towards the manager. Do you honestly think he hadn’t realised that an Italian international he spent £55M on wasn’t better than SL. It was about getting him up to speed and functioning in the team, his performances before the ban weren’t up to scratch and up until recently he’d hardly pulled up any trees, looking at how he’s playing now then don’t you think it’s worked out pretty well. You banged on about Hall being a waste of money, look at him now. Joelinton a Brazilian international, Tino, Gordon, BDB on the preliminary world cup squad. How about you step back and give the manager the credit of acknowledging he might know what he’s doing instead of calling for his head every time we get a result you don’t like. How’s it going for your poster boy Hurlezer atm, would you be throwing your toys out wanting him replaced after six games without a win.
Raj of Hailsley
Dec 22, 2024 at 9:53 AM
Comment #166And catchy,
I’ve got absolutely no wish to discuss your hatred of Rafa Benitez and the guy you championed in Steve Mclaren for any length of time whatsoever.
Munster Mag
Dec 22, 2024 at 10:07 AM
Comment #167I’d call it an error not playing Sandro earlier, or else it’s sticking to a doctrine that says a player has to know the play patterns of a team 100% before he can be trusted. He was good enough to transform Italy when he came back but he wasn’t good enough to get in ahead of Longstaff? So yes, I’d call it an error.
But some can’t because they think that saying anything negative about Benitez ( that worked out well ) or Eddie is 100% unacceptable.
To me, that’s just odd.
Raj of Hailsley
Dec 22, 2024 at 10:20 AM
Comment #168Munster,
Of course you’d call it an error, you once claimed that players would run through brick walls for Steve Bruce, Gordon was shite, Isak too lightweight and Hall a waste of money. Your judgement on all matters Nufc are simply watertight.
Munster Mag
Dec 22, 2024 at 10:29 AM
Comment #169Apart from the fact that at least two or those statements are incorrect ( are you still claiming I said the Sociedad chairman was rubbing his hands too? You tried that one on a lot 🙂 ) , the principle still stands. You seem incapable of saying anything negative about managers you like.
Maybe that makes you feel good or something. I’d rather call things as I see them, and praise when due and criticise when due.
Munster Mag
Dec 22, 2024 at 10:33 AM
Comment #170Catchy I’ve a big soft spot for Murphy. He’ll be going nowhere unless we get a daft offer. Eddie loves him despite his deficiencies and rightly so imo
Raj of Hailsley
Dec 22, 2024 at 10:33 AM
Comment #171Munster,
It was jimiley who said that about the Soceiad president which you later informed me of, the fact your criticism of Isak was on that level it was an easy mistake to make.
catchy in norway
Dec 22, 2024 at 10:36 AM
Comment #172Jail
Word it any way you want. we all know its because you KNOW you are wrong.
Mund
Dec 22, 2024 at 10:38 AM
Comment #173😆 these people who say we all know like they speak for more than themselves
catchy in norway
Dec 22, 2024 at 10:40 AM
Comment #174Jail, come on you cannot claim the high ground, you said you had it on good authority that your man RAFA was a shoe in once the new owners came in, he wasnt even close, he wasnt in there top 50.
catchy in norway
Dec 22, 2024 at 10:41 AM
Comment #175Mund, We all know you are a” k n o b”
Fenham to Chalfont
Dec 22, 2024 at 10:48 AM
Comment #176I’ve always been very disappointed with the negativity and personal attacks directed at Eddie Howe and the team, especially during a dip in form. True supporters stand by the team and manager through thick and thin but are deemed happy clappers by a few morons.
I, for one, haven’t forgotten what Eddie has done for the club. He’s transformed average players into stars (covered very well by Jail #165) and orchestrated one of the best comebacks in EPL history when we were dead and buried and primed for relegation only to finish the second half of the season 3rd best team on points accumulated… It’s unfair to dismiss his achievements because of a few glitches isn’t it, but the likes of Munter and RH, go way over the top and call for Eddie’s resignation etc.
Constructive criticism is one thing, but the personal attacks and negativity are unacceptable. It’s not helpful and only serves to create division among fans.
Remember where we were before Eddie arrived. We were dead and buried under Steve Bruce. Eddie breathed new life into the club and deserves our respect and support. Let’s not allow this to be lost on us that you Munter used to big up Steve Bruce. Why?
Let’s focus on being positive and supporting the team, Eddie is the absolute best man for the job and the powers that’s be fortunately know this. The likes of Munster RH, Troll (and its alts), just give it a rest and stop ye mischief. You do make yourselves look pathetic.
Mund
Dec 22, 2024 at 10:54 AM
Comment #177Catchy
You’re the expert on knobs son
Raj of Hailsley
Dec 22, 2024 at 11:00 AM
Comment #178catchy,
You can try and find a post where I said he was a shoe in, I would have liked him back but I think he was under contract elsewhere and most definitely not a “shoe in” I honestly don’t remember saying that.
Fenham to Chalfont
Dec 22, 2024 at 11:04 AM
Comment #179Catchy
What’s got into you?
You seem to aligning yourself to the naysayers mob. As you clearly love Knobs you’re in great company with Munter, RH, Troll, Saratoga, Goon Irish, IrishKnob, Arthur Ramsbottoms, Jimley, Zorro
Not another deJong
Dec 22, 2024 at 11:22 AM
Comment #180The next matches are going to be definite step up in terms of the quality of the opposition. Thankfully the first is at home, but seeing how Villa demolished the midfield yesterday is a concern. I slightly expect the away trip to ManU to be easier, as they are still in the early stages of building a new team ethos.
onmeedsun
Dec 22, 2024 at 11:41 AM
Comment #181We’ve just won 3 in a row and yet the toxicity on the blog is off the scale. Why do men always have to make a point that they were correct in their opinion and others were wrong. It’s like a pissing contest. The team looked so fluent yesterday and moved the ball through midfield at speed. We looked perfect. But it was against Ipswich, who were missing their key player up top. But it was a potential banana skin so the manager and players did very well to deliver a very professional performance. Never gave Ipswich a sniff. And Dubs by the way. Can’t be dropped. He’s saved quite a few goals in the past week and looks more confident with the ball than Pope. But the games coming up are the real test. And we need to be pushing at the top to keep our better players. And/or win a cup. This could be the year.
The Bard of Bensham Bank
Dec 22, 2024 at 11:44 AM
Comment #182Whatever has happened to Dennis Twice?
I miss on a matchday his tactical advice
I’m no longer sure if we should attack or defend
I hope you’re okay and faring well my good friend
Raj of Hailsley
Dec 22, 2024 at 11:45 AM
Comment #183Nadj,
We’ve got a lovely run after Spurs but inbetween Villa and Bromley it’s Man U, Solus and Arsenal away, that’s a tough run and it’s a tough ask three away games on the bounce. The lads will have to be mentally up for that. A 0-0 at Arsenal would be huge in amongst all that.
The Bard of Bensham Bank
Dec 22, 2024 at 11:46 AM
Comment #184It’s Christmas week, so I thought I’d prepare
A couple of pieces which I’d now like to share
Nothing too big, and nothing too clever
And nothing controversial whatsoever
Festive songs are always tricky
But should anyone here now fancy a quickie
Today I have but a single verse
With another tomorrow which is even worse
Then, I have, tucked up my sleeve
A different hymn for Christmas Eve
So join me please as I do my thing
With Hark the Herald Angels sing…
Hark now hear the Geordies sing
Anthony Gordon on the wing
Big Joe’s grit and Bruno’s guille
Alex Isak makes us smile
Big Dan soaring through the skies
And Sandro’s star is on the rise
Tino, Hall and Fab and Sven
He’s returning soon, though we know not when
Hark now hear the Geordies sing
We love Mad Dog, but Eddie’s king
Hark now hear the Geordies sing
We love Mad Dog, but Eddie’s king
Raj of Hailsley
Dec 22, 2024 at 11:50 AM
Comment #185onmeedsun,
We’ve won convincingly against two poor sides and a tired weakened Brentford so there’s no pi$$ing contest necessary, it’s just a bit galling to see the back slapping and plaudits being dished out after calling for the blokes head all season, if you want the manager out at least be consistent with it, not just every time we lose, it’s foo#in monotonous and not needed. I wanted Vruce out win lose or draw.
Raj of Hailsley
Dec 22, 2024 at 11:51 AM
Comment #186Solus???
😀
Raj of Hailsley
Dec 22, 2024 at 11:52 AM
Comment #187I wish we had a bloody edit function, is it that difficult.
Munster Mag
Dec 22, 2024 at 12:18 PM
Comment #188Fenners I know you live in a deluded world where you think all the men fancy your wife and your (apparently) amazeballs job car and cat, but if you can come back to the real world and find the comment where I wanted Eddie sacked I’d be grateful.
Otherwise we can all take it, yet again, that you are talking nonsense?
Munster Mag
Dec 22, 2024 at 12:19 PM
Comment #189Jail what you claimed I said about Isak and Gordon. Both incorrect. Poor effort lad.
For clarity, I did say that both looked slightly overpriced, thats all.
Raj of Hailsley
Dec 22, 2024 at 12:22 PM
Comment #190Munster,
You’d have denied the whiny voice comment if someone hadn’t of found it.
Toon Irish
Dec 22, 2024 at 12:23 PM
Comment #191Got to give it to munster. He’s been crying out for ages now we needed a no6. Pity Eddie cudn of caught on quicker. r to stubborn to change.. we cud of been sitin the top 4 if he had. With toonali playing as r no6 it’s transformed r midfield big time. We no longer get walked threw and hes always lookto play the forward pass. Must give the defence huge confidence to having him there. I would give Eddie credit but it just seems 2months to late. But I’ll give munster Credit He’s been calling for ages non stop. Seems lik coaching the under14s is paying off lol.
Raj of Hailsley
Dec 22, 2024 at 12:28 PM
Comment #192Toon Irish,
Give it up with the six year old spelling, you’re perfectly literate when animated.
Mund
Dec 22, 2024 at 12:31 PM
Comment #193😆 honestly man..
Jesus Christ almighty.
The same people who cried about Hall are the same ones who have cried about Tonali.
Eddie Howe has managed both players exceptionally. He shouldn’t have no nowts throwing shit at him they should be saluting him.
I’d love to see you lot in a bar in Newcastle saying the same however none of you have ever been to the toon.
Still can’t give Eddie Howe credit 😳 the state of them
Mund
Dec 22, 2024 at 12:34 PM
Comment #194The fluffers are out in force today
😆 😆 😆
Never in my life have I ever witnessed such blokes ever
Fenham to Chalfont
Dec 22, 2024 at 12:57 PM
Comment #195Mund,
The lot of them are not normal men though are they. I mean what normal men come onto a football blog only to intentionally troll, fish for spats, only to post negatively against Eddie Howe.
They have very very painful sad lives to do what they do.
JohnJ
Dec 22, 2024 at 1:07 PM
Comment #196Catchy
100% agree re Steve Bruce
100% disagree re Rafa!
Amanda had Rafa lined up but he’d found another Club to manage when the take over was completed!
With hindsight I must say I’m very pleased, in fact delighted, that Eddie Howe is our Manager! He is in the “First Class” bracket!
🙂 🙂 🙂
Raj of Hailsley
Dec 22, 2024 at 1:22 PM
Comment #197JohnJ,
I thought that was the case, I don’t ever remember saying that Rafa was a shoe in and certainly not on the basis of any ITK. Was he not in China when the TO happened.
lesh
Dec 22, 2024 at 2:29 PM
Comment #198A conundrum….
What does a puppetmeister give his puppet for Christmas?
WLtoon
Dec 22, 2024 at 2:45 PM
Comment #199What a week, 3 cracking displays by the Toon to put me in a cracking good mood for Xmas/, well done lads.
Ok, the teams we have played this week haven`t been the best but we have played superb, it has to be said.
Fans disrespecting Ipswich Town must have forgotten that they turned Spurs over recently away from home, so they are capable of decent performances, it`s just the Toon were so good on the day. It really could of been another 8-0 .
My true gauge as to whether we have truly turned the corner is when we have played Villa,
Play well and beat them then that`s me satisfied we are back, we have the players, lets show some real consistency now.
HWTL.
Munster Mag
Dec 22, 2024 at 3:06 PM
Comment #200Mund I reckon I’ve been in St James more recently than you.
And it’s funny but guys on u tube in Newcastle have correctly questioned some of Eddie’s work and yet they all seem in good health despite drinking in Newcastle bars, where presumably the locals kick opinions back and forth like fans do from Lima to London
So, any chance of a new year’s resolution that you will stop talking bollockss?