Nottingham Forest: A Must Win

It's back to St James’ Park on Sunday as Newcastle United face Nottingham Forest in a match with vastly contrasting narratives.

The Toon are flying after a big win against USG, while Forest continue their search for a first win under Ange Postecoglou whose job, after just six games, is already under pressure amid mounting discontent among fans.

The next four games could see us match, or exceed, last season's 10 game points total. That has to be the target.

The tremendous result in Belgium may have got our CL challenge back on track, but it's the Premier League where we need to get back on track now. Only one win in our first six games has us on just six points and well down the table. Another draw or defeat will keep us there and further open the gap between the teams at the top. It's a well worn cliche, but even at this stage of the season it's a must win game... and one we definitely should win. And, hopefully win well, to boost our GD tally which currently stands at -1.

Whilst the Toon will again be without Wissa and Tino, Ramsey and Hall may make the match day squad to give Eddie plenty of choices if he decides to rotate the team from the USG line up. Having only made two changes from the side that lost to Arsenal - one enforced by Tino's injury - putting out the same team against Forest might be a stretch. Will Eddie rotate, and if so, who? I expect any changes to be on the wings and in the back line with Woltemade, Bruno, Tonali, Jo and Pope all starting.

Nottingham Forest have their own injury problems. Star defender Murillo suffered a thigh injury in mid week that might rule him out along with Ola Aina, Douglas Luiz, and Oleksandr Zinchenko, leaving their squad stretched. But they still have Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White in midfield and Chris Wood up top. Two ex Toon players and a former Toon transfer target who can threaten us if given time and room.

That said, there can be no excuses for not getting the win we need. From KO the team need to show the same intensity and desire to dominate the game that every player showed from the first minute against USG. That is the Newcastle United Eddie and us fans want to see and the type of performance that many teams can't cope with, especially those low on confidence and win-less in six games under a new manager already pressure. It could even be a must win game for Postecoglou to avoid one of the quickest sackings in Prem history. If that's the case let's make sure we put Forest to the sword and he gets his cards on Monday.

After Forest we have games against Fulham, West Ham and Brighton. All four are winnable and will see us hit the ten game mark in the Prem. Win three of these four games and we'll be on 15pts the same total as we had last season. Win all four, or get one draw, and we'll be ahead of a total that eventually took us back into the CL, not to mention our first domestic trophy in 70 years.

So... it's all to play for tomorrow and I think Eddie and the team will be well fired up to prove that the USG performance wasn't a one off. I'm expecting another a big game from Woltemade and another goal, at least, to add to his tally. This is a game where many fans will expect a 3 or 4-0 win and I'm not going to differ. But, as always, any win will do.

Comments welcome.