Newcastle’s form has dipped a bit after a rousing run of victories. They must again atone for a disappointing thrashing, this time at the hands of the reigning champions Manchester City. A win today at home against upstarts Nottingham Forest will help quell any fears of a downward spiral.
Forest have been sensational this term sitting third in the Premier League. Their ascent has been aided by former Magpies Chris Wood, Elliot Anderson, and Matz Sels in goal. They will stay third no matter today’s outcome.
A win for Newcastle will have them leap from eighth in the league table to fifth. Three points could prove vital with a trip to Anfield looming midweek before a fifth round FA Cup tie against Brighton next weekend.
This is who Eddie Howe has named for this ultra-important clash. It has a slew of changes from the drubbing at the Etihad.
HOWAY NEWCASTLE! ? pic.twitter.com/HZBY6Qp10v
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) February 23, 2025
Here is who Nuno Espirto Santo has selected for the visitors with Anderson returning to St. James’ Park.
Your Forest XI to face Newcastle. ? pic.twitter.com/OguS4TAeXT
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) February 23, 2025
Howay The Lads!
676 comments so far
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Comment #1Wi – that midfield excites me – not
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 23, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Comment #2Willock really needs to step up ability wise he’s just as good as Gibbs White and Anderson but he’s lacking in application and proper hustle
Bit worried Bruno is going to be a passenger again due to their pace in the middle
Is a great opportunity for Miley to show us what he can do though as we will be expected to break them down with creativity which he has lots of It
IrishRob
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Comment #3https://x.com/NUFC/status/1893643221063844173
Better late than never…..
WLtoon
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Comment #4magicmac,
So its confirmed, no Tonali or Joelinton,
Do i trust Bruno without his big mates, no , not really, he is no De Bruyne or Rodri is he, far from it.
Im going for a win in hope more than expectation and the fact that in reality we have better players over all, and have home advantage.
I had a great day yesterday mate thanks.
I`ll see you at the next blog meet.
jimiley
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Comment #5The midfield excites me as well.
Tonali is a massive miss
IrishRob
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Comment #6Jesus that midfield isn’t great is it. I’m not as confident all of a sudden
WLtoon
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Comment #7Right, that`s me off to pick a pal up for the game.
Enjoy your day lads n lasses.
Up the Toon, COME ON
IrishRob
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Comment #8I’m starting to wonder will Joey be fit for the final. It’s only 3 weeks away and you’d imagine he’d need two weeks under his belt to get uo to proper match speed.
He will be a monumental loss if he’s not fit.
We need Bruno, Tonali and Joey to be our midfield 3 to have a genuine chance.
fray bentos
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Comment #9Ah that usual negativity before a ball is even kicked
Cheer up lads, be joyful you’re alive and living in a developed part of the world
lochinvar
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Comment #10Neil,
Good start to the week.
Dr. Ed’s blog is thriving and behaving itself.
Plenty of good football talk and craic.
HWTL
fray bentos
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Comment #11If Tonali doesn’t have a knock, then Miley must have been an absolute beast in training this week
magicmac54
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Comment #12WLtoon
I typed my post to you before i was aware Tonali was not starting mate, the Tonali absence is really huge, we can only live in hope young Miley can step up to the plate mate, it`s the Toon we`re talking about, so anything is possible, including a very impressive victory, we can only live in hope WLtoon.
Pottsclock
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Comment #13Tonali would be one of my dead cert starters. Maybe he’s not 100% but then it’s also odd that he’s on the bench.
jimiley
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Comment #14Toon game is a side issue . It’s all about the septics. Disgusting
jimiley
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Comment #15Miley could have 4 legs in training but he will never start ahead of fit Tonali
Pottsclock
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Comment #16Good to see Barnes back on the bench though with Wilson.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Comment #17@Irish
Joelinton isn’t going to be match fit we should’ve kept up with the 3 at the back we played against Arsenal
It would’ve been properly drilled into us by the final to compensate for the lack of quality midfielders
JohnJ
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Comment #18I like Barnes,
In my opinion there’s always a goal in him – hope he comes on and scores a couple!
jane
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Comment #19Longstaff would be better than Miley. obviously!
Mister Tuff
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Comment #20Do not fancy our chances today. Hope I’m wrong.
Munster Mag
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Comment #21The Irish network was right about tonali as I posted yesterday. Not good
No idea what u are on about Fray bentos re miley
jane
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Comment #22Elliot Anderson has been better than i expected at Forest but his 1 goal in 24 appearances shows he was never going to be striker / attacking midfielder.
fray bentos
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Comment #23It’s really not that hard to understand Munster lol
jane
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Comment #24“The Irish network was right about tonali”
is he struggling with gambling addiction again?
jimiley
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Comment #25Eddie will be cute and play on the break.
Head to head with that midfield would not be clever tactics.
Forest live to let teams have the ball and hit on the break. Role reversal needed
Rotonda heights
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Comment #26Feel a bit for Dubravka. Persuaded to stay after an emotional goodbye at Arsenal and one dodgy game he’s predictably back on the bench.
Really hope we get Trafford as Pope is so bad with his distribution and diving to one side after his op.
Rotonda heights
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Comment #27Ironically Sels has been fantastic.
jane
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Comment #28what happens when both teams play on the break?
Not another deJong
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Comment #29So two of everyones usual starting midfielders are not playing today. But everyone (except Jame) has said that Miley should definitely be starting. So it is only actuallt Willock that is the concern, but at least he has been playing and should be match sharp. Just need him to sit in and concentrate on being a central midfielder rather than a quasi winger / headless #10.
Optimistic geordie
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Comment #30We re very jekll and hyde this season, so honestly ive no clue what to expect ,Even with that in mind i always hope for our victory so ifvwe give it our all 3 nil to us if not god only knows.
fray bentos
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Comment #31Do you have issues comprehending basic language Munster? what do you need help with?
Not another deJong
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Comment #32what happens when both teams play on the break?
less tea gets made and save on the use of power for the kettle
Not another deJong
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Comment #33Rotonda heights
Don’t feel too much for Dubravka, he is getting paid more to sit on the bench.
ChicoUSA
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Comment #34Competition for places in the starting 11! Love it. Need 22 players capable of competing to start each match. Gotta be ready to play a couple matches per week.
magicmac54
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Comment #35Young Miley will see this as a great opportunity to stake a claim to be a starter in our midfield, and specially with the league cup final on the horizon, the lad will be fully focused and motivated to really put in a good display today.
HWTL
mctoon
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Comment #36Nice show of faith in Miley, for a big game for our European ambitions…
A vital win secured, and an Isak brace.
HWTFL
Peckham Mag
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Comment #37Absolutely stacked bench to call on. A win here reignites things for us, we’re surely good for it and ready to banish the Citeh game from the collective consciousness…
Poet Of Prudhoe Park
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Comment #38We’re at home surely we see our high press high energy game today?
jimiley
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Comment #39So is Tonali dropped or injured and on the bench???
fray bentos
Feb 23, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Comment #40@Rotunda
Feeling sorry for Dubravka now? Last time i was on here, you were laying into him for easing off after a signing a new contract lol
The true leader of the Goldfish crew it would seem