Newcastle United (H) - Sat 15th Feb, 15:00 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[WesthoughtonJohn]

This might not be pretty either - we absolutely MUST not lose though.
I'm struggling with a lineup as Pep's head seems to have gone currently

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Up there as one of the worst teams we could be facing next.

 

[TheBlueCat]

Nightmare game to try and pick ourselves up in. Can only see an in form Newcastle giving us the runaround. Fwiw team wise: Ortega, Nunes, Dias, Khusanov, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Gonzalez, Savinho, Doku, Marmoush, Haaland

Not Kovacic. He’s done I think

 

[Stelea]

i don’t even think we are worth to be top 4 after seeing our perfomance

It’s almost like our players don’t believe they can win anything

Been saying for weeks now, lucky be top half, especially with this run of games

 

[urban genie]

Ederson
Kushanov
Stones
Dias
Gvardiol
Nico
Savio
Foden
Marmoush
Doku
Haaland

 

[SWPISHOME]

Ederson

Khusanov
Dias
Ake
Gvardiol

Nico Gonzalez
Foden
Nunes

Marmoush
Doku
Haaland

 

[richards30]

Ederson
Khus
Stones
Dias
Gvardiol
Nico González
Marmoush
Foden
Savinho
Doku
Haaland

 

[bluebanana83]

Ederson
Khusanov
Stones
Dias
Gvardiol
Nico Gonzalez
Foden
Savinho
Bernardo
Marmoush
Haaland

I think Bernardo is the best foil to do some chasing down and harrying and most composed under pressure which will help Nico G out.

Then use the pace of the front 4 to exploit the not so quick defence.

 

[simon23]

Ederson

Khusonov Dias Stones Gvardiol

Nico

Savinhio/doku Foden Bernardo Marmoush

Haaland

We need to be able to press from the front....Mamoush, Bernado, Foden et al can do that.....KDB, Gundo cannot

You could argue putting Kova in the middle for some experience and a bit more defensive know how (but not much)

Lewis and KDB cannt keep playing ...they are costing us games ina. variety of ways...

Im guessing Grealish and Akanji are out injured as you could argue Grealish deserves to start.

With Khusonov back there Stones can step forward into midfield as well

 

[paulsimpson]

Kick off time 15:00 (GMT).

Hardest working team in the league against a knackered and fairly slow side. They're favourites for this one in my opinion.

We'll have to make changes but god knows what our XI will be. They have a very good midfield and a dangerous front line.

Nico should play if he's fit. That adds a bit of strength and mobility
Khusanov in a right centre back or right back position would give us some teeth.
Dias to play in his usual spot if he's still fit.

These love to dish out dirt. So we need not to react.

 

[pbueno16]

Forget the second leg. It’s irrelevant now, full focus on the league.

Ederson; Khusanov Stones Dias Gvardiol; Nico Bernardo; Savinho Marmoush Foden; Haaland

Would play this lineup every game for the rest of the season if we could. Shame someone is probably going to get injured in the first hour on saturday.

 

[paulsimpson]

Was looking forward to this when we were 2 1 up tonight thinking the boys will be full of confidence. Now Newcastle will be licking their lips at playing us and pressing us into mistakes. Let's see who is fit for weekend and try and get a win and push up in the league.

If they try to press us we will exploit the gaps they create.
Nico hopefully will be fit. That is key.
But if not Pep may go with a similar set up v Real.
I'd like to see Khusanov in this game. These like to get stuck in. They were quite physical in their cup game at Birmingham

 

[Blu1]

No faith in this team or tactics. If Newcastle play shit we have a chance they turn up & want 3 points they will take them

 

[pbueno16]

No faith in this team or tactics. If Newcastle play shit we have a chance they turn up & want 3 points they will take them

They're on somewhat shaky form at least and we weren't all that awful today. Hopefully the game on Saturday being a 6 pointer with a top 4 competitor gets our boys up for it.

 

[Legal Alien]

Pep will want to play both Dias and Stones in Madrid, so i can see them both playing a half with Reis and Khusanov like last weekend.

I'd line us up like this and i think we'll win.

Ederson

Nunes
Reis/Khusanov
Dias/Stones
Gvardiol

Gonzalez
Kovacic

Doku
Foden
Marmoush

Haaland

COME ON CITY!!!!

 

[kippaxchris]

Ortega or Carson in net, no Gundogan no Nunes & that's me happy.

 

[Franny 1234]

I know we're only four pages into this thread but it's clear we're all in agreement on not starting Kev. He's bringing very little to the team and his corners have always been woeful. Absolute Legend but it's time to move on Kev. CTID

 

[Tevez City]

________________Ederson_______________

Nunes______Reis_____Khusanov____Mcatee

__________Gonzalez___Nico______

Savio__________Gundogan_________Doku

_____________Marmoush____________

 

[ilrm]

They are well-rested and on an upswing in form. First time in my life I will have them as favorites over City.

 

[AliBobbyJ]

They are well-rested and on an upswing in form. First time in my life I will have them as favorites over City.

They weren't even favourites in the 1955 Cup Final and they still won.
Sod you, Jackie Milburn.