Newcastle United v Chelsea
- Dec 19
- 2 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
It's another huge game on Saturday as Chelsea come to SJP for a televised 12.30 kick off. With 6pts between us and 4th place Chelsea a win would keep us touch with a CL place.
Interesting stat - Newcastle have conceded a goal in each of their last 9 Prem games and another against Chelsea will make it the first in Eddie's time here that we have conceded in 10 consecutive league games.
With the defence ravaged by injuries - Eddie confirmed in his presser that Tino will be out until next year - we could see a back four tomorrow of Miley, Schar, Thiaw and Alex Murphy if Hall isn't considered fit to start.
Nick Pope could be ready to start but Jo definitely won't be.
Willock or Ramsey will start in midfield and I'm expecting Gordon and Murphy to play up front with Woltemade.
Chance creation has to improve
Eddie acknowledged in his presser that a big issue this season has been the fall off in chance creation and that is plainly evident even against teams outside of the top 6.
We've only gone 2-0 up three times this season in the league.
IMO we far too slow and over complicated in our attacking phases giving the oppo too much time to get behind the ball and defensively organised.
Against Fulham - and not for the first time this season - I was hollering for players to have a dig when they were around the box instead of trying to walk our way on goal with one two's.
I also cannot understand why we aren't hitting in far more early crosses for Woltemade, instead our wingers are either coming inside or passing it back and forwards down the touch line.
Against Sunderland, for example, I can't remember one cross that was slung in for Big Nick. An absolute waste of a goal threat when you have a 6'6" ST in the box.
The daft thing was we actually hit more crosses of the type Woltemade would thrive on against Fulham - but they sailed over Wissa's head and out for a goal kick or throw in.
The next 5 league games are crucial to the season
By the 7th of January we will have played Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Leeds at home and Man U and Burnley away.
After a congested phase early in the season at the top the League we are now 11pts behind 3rd place Aston Villa and, if we lose tomorrow, it will be 9pts behind Chelsea.
Unless we go on a winning streak akin to the one that had us storming up the table last season, Eddie, the squad and us fans might be staring at a mid table position and finish.
To have any chance of taking a top 4 spot we have to get that winning streak going again - starting tomorrow. It's a cliche I know, but it really is a must win game against Chelsea.
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