Newcastle United (A) - Sat 13th Jan, 17:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[tommybooth]

Another second half 30 for Kev!

 

[Groke]

Recent form and returns to fitness mean we have a good chance of winning this if we turn up. The atmosphere is usually the biggest problem at St James’ Park and their win in the FA Cup at Sunderland might be the boost they need. But, with Rodri, Kev, Doku and Berni back in contention, and Ake, Eddie and Walker rested, we should be in contention for a victory before the winter break

not sure about that

 

[jrb]

Massive game.. Win it and we go into the winter break in a really good position. Maybe 5, 3, 2 points behind the Scousers with a game in hand. A week of warm weather training in Abu Dhabi, and hopefully everyone back fit and ready for the 2nd half of the season.

 

[Fordyboy46]

Need to carry on from Everton away here as you really don't know what's going to happen with our away performances this season. Newcastle aren't in great nick so it's a decent time to play them. Team wise, I'd go: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, Bernardo, Lewis, Doku, Foden, Alvarez

Subs: Ortega, Gomez, Susoho, Nunes, Kovacic, Bobb, De Bruyne, Grealish, Haaland

 

[alexmcity]

Hopefully Haaland will be fit to make the bench. We may need him in the last 20-30 minutes.

Think the team picks itself, provided that Akanji isn't fit enough to start. Imo, Grealish will start over Doku. The only question is whether Pep starts Kovacic or Nunes. The latter's legs may be needed for that game.

Ederson
Walker
Dias
Ake
Gvardiol
Rodri
Kovacic/Nunes
Foden
Bernardo
Alvarez
Grealish

 

[SWPISHOME]

This will be a huge 3 points if we get them on Saturday evening.

Ederson

Walker
Dias
Ake
Gvardiol

Rodri
Foden
Kovacic

Grealish
Bernardo
Alvarez

Hopefully Akanji is OK for this one.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Just hope a whistling wanker turns up who understands that Gordon and Guimares kickin' hole in people and forearming on the back of the 'ead are red card offences. I expect we won't get anything but a 'homer' and that Pep consequently gets booked for complaining about Bernardo getting clattered and the ref deciding the 'tackle' rewards The Magpies with a throw-in!

 

[Deleted member 81382]

Our form has definitely picked up of late but I think it's fair to say the level of opposition hasn't been that great. If we can get a win here coupled with a convincing performance it will start to feel like we have really turned a corner.

 

[Crooked_rain]

Ederson
Walker
Dias
Ake
Gvardiol
Rodri
De Bruyne
Foden
Bernardo
Doku
Haaland

Fuck it, it’s what I want to see! ;-)

Absolutely

I don't see Kev starting yet though

Haaland, who knows. He hasn't even been on the bench for a while, so you'd imagine that might mean he's not going straight into the first 11 in 5 days time.

 

[shemnel]

We have got to approach this with great caution.

I watched the Newcastle games away at Liverpool and Sunderland and saw a bit of improvement from their previous performances. They definitely look brittle at the back but still attack well, Gordon is a threat and Isak is a very natural finisher, they wont need many chances - they have one of the highest conversion rates in the league (same as ours).

The pattern of City dominance punctuated by threatening counters will continue into this game, i dont think there is any escaping that now, but we are facing opposition that have better players to exploit that.

Control a must, narrow 2-1 win, or even 2-2 draw.