Match Day Thread Newcastle Utd v Saints Saturday 28th August K.O. 15.00

Following on from a record breaking victory over Newport, in the EFL Cup, we venture even further north and across to the wet/cold/snowy region that includes the city of Newcastle another team in black and white stripes.


Our head to head record, in the Premier League, against the Geordies, is all square with 16 wins apiece and 8 draws, with Newcastle scoring 65 to our 63. Having said that there has only been one Saints victory in the last 8 meetings, so it really is time to turn it around.

Last year’s defeat left a bad taste in the mouth, owing to us not being able to beat a team that was reduced to 9 players, so a massive improvement needed on that.

Players that we need to keep quiet are Callum Wilson and especially Allan Saint Maximin, who always seems to turn up when we play them. Another to watch out for is Joe Willock who, iirc, scored his first two Premier League goals against the Saints, one for Arsenal and one for the Geordies, and we all know how Saints like to let people keep their scoring record going, eg Richarlison.

Much could hinge on whether or not my Geordie mate, who has been tidying up the garden of my place in Spain, has buried a Newcastle shirt in the flower bed, to curse us. I will have a look when I get there, to rule that out.

Officials information posted on a thread by tom24, so hopefully still the same.

Referee: Tierney, Paul
Assistant Referee: Hatzidakis, and Hussin, Ian
Fourth Official: Brooks, John
Video Assistant Referee: Dean, Michael
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Robathan, Daniel


Hopefully tonight’s performance will really gee up the players who were rested and put pressure on them to perform, and get our first league win of the season.

 

0-9, Armstrong 5, Armstrong 4

 

After this match Newcastle will be on the BBC Saturday night.

Not MOTD but pointless.

 

Saints face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

A couple of years ago, I got lost driving round South Yorkshire.

I realised I was in Sheffield when I came to a huge fork in the road.

 

Did you steel it

 

I'm expecting us to do well here. I think a certain Geordie striker will be particularly keen to find the back of the net and he won't be playing for Newcastle!

Saint Maximan is one of the most exciting players in the league IMO, so will be expecting Jack Stephens to floor him early on and shake his confidence to bits. It worked last weekend

Newcastle have looked average to poor and their goalkeeper situation is a headache for them. Provided we can create the chances I think they will struggle to keep a clean sheet.

I glad I don't have to pick the team but I might give serious consideration to bringing Ely in for Theo on the right and possibly Tella on the Left for Djenpo but against Newcastle I would bank on Djenepo and Peraud to do some damage. Hopefully Broja will be on for a subs appearance.

 

Wrong thread M8.

 

A win here would be big. Smashing Newport in the cup was great and helps to build positivity/confidence but getting our first league win would well and truly get our season started.

 

Think we'll get something here. Confidence should be high, and healthy competition for places.

 

Bound to win because Saints are renowned for never letting the fans down after they get our hopes up. Sarcasm mode.

 

There's nothing scientific about why we traditionally do so poorly at SJP other than it's usually bloody cold and it's a long way from home!
Well it shouldn't be so cold and i'm not really a big believer in "bogey" grounds.
We have started the season well save for a poor defensive second half on the opening day and we look to have real competition and options in all areas with the fringe players doing so well last night.
We are one point better off than last season (with a better GD!) and still in both cups and I think that we will get something on Saturday and i'm going for a narrow 2-1 to us with Adam scoring at his hometown club and time for a JWP special too.

 

Nah the M8 is in Scotland...

 

Lauro predicts 2 - 1 to Toon as does his oppo.

 

For me this fixture last season was our worst performance of all.

Poor in defence, midfield and attack, short of ideas and crap against 9 men for the last 15 mins.

I feel we have better options this year and feeling more confident. Plus pressure on the Geordies with 3 out of 3 defeats and fans back could be a bad thing for them.

 

So many players to pick from it's nice to have the options. Much as I'd like to pick Fraser in goal, I'm pretty sure Ralph will stick with McCarthy but suspect one or two changes.....

McCarthy
KWP Stephens Salisu Perraud
Romeu JWP
Tino Ely
Adams A Armstrong

Subs (bold to be used): Foster, Valery, Bedders, Small, Diallo, Walcott, Broja, Tella, Redmond

 

We must reward Elyonoussi, he has to start.

I feel most sorry for KWP, he’s a top player, but Tino has been doing well and keeps his spot.

Forster/McCarthy
Tino stephens bednarek peroud
Romeu JWP
Armstrong Elyonoussi
Adams Armstrong

 

S Armstrong injured

 

Ah yes we’ve been discussing this!

In that case maybe move JWP forward and play diallo alongside romeu?

Romeu Diallo
JWP Elyonoussi
Adams Armstrong

I’d really like to see us go back to having 2 CDM’s, can’t see it happening though.

 

For the 1st time in as long as I can remember, the team doesn't pick itself for this one. This is obviously a great problem to have and I'm feeling confident we going to win.

Ergo, we're going to lose 3-0