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

[Craig]

Just doesn't suit our style of play.

Watch him go back to Villa or another top 6 side next season and flourish again.

Not sure what our style is! I think he’s clearly just not a natural left winger. Not really a style thing when the other 2 options are Savinho who’s encouraged to go at people and Doku who only knows one way.

Not much point keep going on about him getting a run centrally as it’s clearly not going to happen. Just so baffling given our limited options and how comfortable in possession he was before injury the other night. Our other midfielders looked like they were playing at their absolute match to just complete passes against Madrid.

 

[Gaz76]

We seem to be making Newcastle out to be 1970 Brazil. I like this team

Exactly, we played well for 99% of the game against real Madrid but the mighty Newcastle are going to wipe the floor with us according to some.

3-0 city

 

[Father Paul]

Believe it or not…Newcastle haven't scored a goal at the Etihad in 7 years

That's our main hope I think. However come the 60 minute mark I will be Fearing the almost inevitable collapse. I have not been as pessimistic about our chances before games since the bad old days of the 80’s and 90’s. Many won't agree but we are falling so far and so fast that it might prove difficult to get back into serious contention for top trophies quickly. A win today and at least one win in the following 3 league fixtures is essential really if we are to salvage something from the season.

 

[JackM]

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

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

I will be happy with that. Please keep Lewis and Nunes away from the right full back position.

 

[Still Ash of Ashton]

I would leave earlier than normal if you are going by bus. Metroline buses are shocking, no staff. Not sure how much effect this will have on the "specific" match buses. Stagecoach services are running normally.

 

[BlueMonkey79]

Not sure what our style is! I think he’s clearly just not a natural left winger. Not really a style thing when the other 2 options are Savinho who’s encouraged to go at people and Doku who only knows one way.

Not much point keep going on about him getting a run centrally as it’s clearly not going to happen. Just so baffling given our limited options and how comfortable in possession he was before injury the other night. Our other midfielders looked like they were playing at their absolute match to just complete passes against Madrid.

Our style is slow build up, possession based football.

Jack would be more suited to a team like Forest, or Newcastle who are direct and counter quickly.

Jack at Villa took risks. He got a "free pass" every week to go and express himself as he was their best player.

Total opposite at City. Hence when he gets the ball he either draws a foul or passes it to the full back or to the spare man inside.
As we've seen in despatches lately, he can still play great passes in behind the opponent.

But he just doesn't score enough for a forward type of player or get involved in key areas of the game.

Wether that is instructions, limitations or capability, only Jack knows.

 

[Bewar3them00n]

Newcastle are obviously going to have a go, with our well documented vulnerability, which will hopefully open them up to Haaland & Marmoush over the top on the counter, but that depends on Ederson’s more accurate distribution, whether he plays or not is up to Pep.
Hopefully Nico will play, & help shore up our midfield, & Khusanov coming in for Akanji is the obvious replacement.
With Savinho, Doku & Bobb ( if fit) there’s plenty of pace & creativity.

 

[Damien10]

I wouldn’t be putting Khusanov right back. He’s still adapting to new surroundings and u feel like playing him out of position would be harsh.

I would play him CB and have Ake at right back. Ake is experienced and intelligent enough to do a job in that position.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

Take a draw now.

Hope Khusanov starts, haven’t seen the lad in the flesh yet!

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

What a miserable day for football. Hope the team brighten it up!

 

[Damanino]

very important 3 points. Chelsea lost, and we can do the damage on Newcastle as well. if this game is a draw it could be a huge weekend for Forest, Bournemouth and Villa if they can win.

 

[noseve]

Pep said in the Press Conference that he hasn’t no idea whether Khusanov can play right back, so I can’t see him picking him there.

I must watch my TV through a mirror, then - I've seen Khus play twice, both times at RB?

 

[noseve]

But he just doesn't score enough for a forward type of player or get involved in key areas of the game.

Wether that is instructions, limitations or capability, only Jack knows.

Jack - 11 goals in 89
Savio - 1 goal in 19
Doku - 6 goals in 44

The point you're making is? Or should we get rid of all of them?

 

[Wirral Blue8]

So - don't play Stones, cos if he breaks down, we won't be able to play him? Mmm...

Yeah manage his minutes

 

[OntarioBlue]

Believe it or not…Newcastle haven't scored a goal at the Etihad in 7 years

In quite a few of those games they were so intent on parking the bus they barely got of their own half. Maybe today they will think we’re there to be beaten and might engage in a game of football.

 

[wattle]

very important 3 points. Chelsea lost, and we can do the damage on Newcastle as well. if this game is a draw it could be a huge weekend for Forest, Bournemouth and Villa if they can win.

Maybe John inverted right back? Could only do that if Dias and Ake in the middle. Can’t have a newby marking Isak. I’d quite like to see what we did 1st half v Madrid and go
………………………Ederson………………….
……………….Dias ………….Ake………………
Khuzanov……….Stones…………Gvardiol
……………….Nico…………Phil……………..
Marmoush………Haaland……….Savinho

 

[BlueMonkey79]

Jack - 11 goals in 89
Savio - 1 goal in 19
Doku - 6 goals in 44

The point you're making is? Or should we get rid of all of them?

Let's re visit when doku and Sav have played the same amount of games.

How you can compare 3 players when one has played double the amount of the others is baffling!!

 

[Gumzy97]

Need to match their energy in midfield. Newcastle in my opinion have the best midfield in the league. If we can't, match their work rate and energy we are in trouble

 

[.db.]

I must watch my TV through a mirror, then - I've seen Khus play twice, both times at RB?

Khusanov’s played right centre back, but Nunes and Lewis were the right backs in Khusanov’s two appearances.

 

[Rodri’s ACL]

Maybe John inverted right back? Could only do that if Dias and Ake in the middle. Can’t have a newby marking Isak. I’d quite like to see what we did 1st half v Madrid and go
………………………Ederson………………….
……………….Dias ………….Ake………………
Khuzanov……….Stones…………Gvardiol
……………….Nico…………Phil……………..
Marmoush………Haaland……….Savinho

I think John and Josko pivot is the move here with that back line