please log in to view this image Sunday 4th April 2.05pm Premier League St James' Park The international break has come to an end and we're back to the Premier League. Seems like a long time. We ended a very poor week with a win at Villa Park and some players being cast out from the squad. It's a big month with some tough fixtures, leading up to the League Cup final against City on the 25th. We need to start off well, but we're facing a side battling relegation and who are desperate for points. Can Mourinho end the campaign well or will Bruce set out his stall for Premier League survival? Last season was Steve Bruce's first as manager of Newcastle, having taken over from Rafa Benitez. It was not a popular appointment, as the Spaniard was seen as a more ambitious and forward-thinking coach. The Geordie had a relatively successful season though, matching his predecessor's 13th place finish. A poor end to the campaign, cup failures and their biggest signing flopping did not help him, though. Things needed to be brighter this time out or the calls for his head would increase. It's safe to say that it hasn't gone well enough to prevent those calls. Callum Wilson was brought in to provide goals and he has done so, but he's been plagued by injuries. The other signings haven't had the required impact and they go into the final quarter with the team in 17th. They had a horrific January, losing 5 out of 6 league games and exiting the FA Cup, too. Some tough remaining fixtures mean that it's going to be a struggle for them to stay up. Our trip to St James' Park last season came after the lockdown break and was quite productive. We took the lead fairly early on, as Son beat the keeper at his near post, despite the presence of two defenders. The low block was then introduced, as we played on the counter and let them back into it. Ritchie levelled it up just before the hour, but the parity barely lasted a few minutes before Kane headed home. A late counter saw Lamela test Dubravka and he could only palm it to Kane who made it 3-1: The match at our place earlier in the season was a pretty good performance with a controversial ending. Carl Darlow produced a MOTM performance to keep his side in the game, making several early saves. Moura broke the deadlock from a Kane cross, but it could easily have been 3-0 before that. The pattern continued throughout, as the visitors had less involvement than the woodwork. Newcastle first shot on target came from the spot in the 97th minute after a dubious refereeing performance: No injury news yet, but it appears that Son could be back for this one. Schar and Hayden are back for the hosts, while Saint-Maximin, Wilson and Dubravka face late tests. Neither side has any suspensions. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Tanganga, Rodon, Sanchez, Reguilon; Moura, Ndombele, Hojbjerg, Lo Celso; Vinicius, Kane. Subs: Hart, Dier, Davies, Sissoko, Devine, Bale, Alli, Bergwijn, Scarlett. League form: LWWWLW. Newcastle: Dubravka; Manquillo, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Hayden, Shelvey, Willock; Joelinton, Almiron, Fraser. Subs: Darlow, Fernandez, Ritchie, Lewis, S. Longstaff, Hendrick, Murphy, Carroll, Gayle. League form: LLDDDL. Ref: Craig Pawson. VAR: Darren England. TV: Sky Sports. How would you like to line up for this one and what would you change from the Villa game? Would you stick with much of the same lineup, make a few changes or go for a wholesale switch? Which system and tactics would you use and what are you expecting Newcastle to go with?
Nothing will ever get me to understand that penalty decision. When you combine that to the one we did not get at the beginning of the previous season it makes you see the refereeing standards for what they are... dogshit bad
Son will likely come in for Vinicius I’d imagine, I’d like for Bale to start over Lo Celso too. Other than that, hopefully the rest is the same as Villa, especially Tanganga and Rodon. Hugo Tanganga, Sanchez, Rodon, Reguilon Hojbjerg, Ndombele Bale, Lucas, Son Kane
Exact same pre-amble as the NLD (results going Spurs way, some of the PL top 4 rivals may be dropping pts etc) . I expect the same non control/motivation within the squad / by the manager, and the latter to use the internationals as the excuse.
Whilst it is no doubt part of the managers job to motivate the players - If todays result at the bridge doesn't serve as its own motivation for these players then they are as much part of the problem as the manager, and for what its worth I don't expect them to win as that is the expected result.
It's also worth mentioning that West Scam don't play until Monday, so if we do win we will be in the CL places Interesting that we're not forever having to play catchup instead of being able to take the initiative, which is something I don't recall from five years ago...
Players featured: Son, Alli, Vinicius and Moura in the opening bit. Joined by Alderweireld, Rodon, Reguilon, Bale, Winks, Sanchez, Lamela and Lo Celso. Bergwijn, Dier, Ndombele, Sissoko, Hart and Whiteman are in the five-a-side against some of the academy players. Notable absentees? Kane, Aurier, Doherty, Davies and Lloris.
Kane and Vinicius, again? Can't say that I saw that coming. Son and Bale on the bench. Not a lot of defensive options there. Choice or some persona non grata stuff?
Not overly happy with Lo Celso starting over Bale. He was **** against Villa and not sure what he brings over Bale in general. Surprised but kinda happy Vini has kept his spot. Nice to see Son isn’t being rushed back too like we’ve done in the past. Rodon and Tanganga keeping their spots - On the whole it’s a good selection I’d say. Should get the job done as long as they approach with the right mentality and the right tactics.
Workrate Assuming that Lo Celso is playing on the right, that means we have somebody who is interested in this whole "defending" thing covering Tanganga, whereas if Bale was playing our right flank could once again turn into a slaughterhouse
We're playing Newcastle. If we're selecting an attacking midfielder/ winger for defensive purposes against them, then it's no wonder we hardly enjoy the football we churn out most weeks,
So you prefer giving our opponents a free run at our RB whenever they get the ball? Remind me how "entertaining" it is watching us get massacred down one flank because somebody can't be arsed to defend?