Newcastle (H) - 26 Dec- Pre-match thread

[Nalis]

World Cup break probably came at a worse time for them than us in terms of form. Sort of feels like the first game of the season but without current hope of europe or fear of relegation.

 

I'm going 1-1.

[Ric Flair]

Oh god, I want to beat these on Monday and then in the cup so so badly. Their fans are becoming insufferable. I know we are riddled with complete helmets, only have to look in the mirror for that and they've gone through hell under Mike Ashley, but they're off their head. 

[Lionator]

Just now, Ric Flair said:

Oh god, I want to beat these on Monday and then in the cup so so badly. Their fans are becoming insufferable. I know we are riddled with complete helmets, only have to look in the mirror for that and they've gone through hell under Mike Ashley, but they're off their head. 

Their scumbag facist owners are used to people being off with their head. 

[TheFish]

16 hours ago, coolhandfox said:

Come back when he has a PL winners medal in his pocket......

Will do. 

[TheFish]

13 hours ago, Finnegan said:

 

I mean that's just an outrageously poor take.

 

 

I'll put my hand up and admit I was using hyperbole to fish for near exactly that reaction.

 

That said, Danny Drinkwater was sensational in our title winning season and essentially ran a midfield that won the Premier League in a team assembled for 50p and a multipack of Aldi Titan Bars. The collapse of his career since then has been an absolute Shakespearean tragedy and one quite clearly underlined by seriously failing mental health and abuses of excess. Meanwhile, Bruno Guimares' career highlights in Europe to date are coming second in the French league cup and somehow convincing the British media he's a global superstar. 

 

He was pretty average in Lyon and hadn't really done much to warrant the fanfare he turned up with. He's definitely had a bit of a purple patch for you but I reckon once you actually have your Robinho moment and start genuinely signing actual top-four quality talent (which you inevitably will eventually do, having sold out your souls to do so) he'll probably be forgotten the same way you've all quickly gotten over ASM now a manager has shown up who actually wants to do more with the ball than smash it up the other end, close his eyes and pray. 

 

If he was here, I wouldn't break up what should be our first choice midfield (Tielemans, Maddison, Ndidi) for him. I mean his closest like for like of that three is Tielemans I suppose and he's not at all of that calibre.

 

Isak, mind, is an excellent bit of business and probably the closest you've had so far to a 'coming of age' transfer as the next big giants of the league.

 

I've watched him week in and week out for nearly a year now and I can, hand on heart, say he's in the conversation for the best midfielder we've had in the PL era. He has so much to his technical game, so assured on the ball, great vision. He'd 100% get into a combined squad ahead of Tielemans and while they do a different job I'd have him ahead of Ndidi as well. He's consistently been performing well and that's backed up by his performance metrics, his recognition in the national press and his call up to the Brazilian squad. 

 

 

 

 

Botman, Bruno, and Isak will form the spine of the next few years. 22-25yrs old and only going to get better. 

[MarriedaLeicesterGirl]

3 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

Oh god, I want to beat these on Monday and then in the cup so so badly. Their fans are becoming insufferable. I know we are riddled with complete helmets, only have to look in the mirror for that and they've gone through hell under Mike Ashley, but they're off their head. 

Chopping heads off is now part of the club culture, it seems.

[Grebfromgrebland]

The James Maddison derby!

[Guest Chocolate Teapot]

2 hours ago, TheFish said:

I've watched him week in and week out for nearly a year now and I can, hand on heart, say he's in the conversation for the best midfielder we've had in the PL era. He has so much to his technical game, so assured on the ball, great vision. He'd 100% get into a combined squad ahead of Tielemans and while they do a different job I'd have him ahead of Ndidi as well. He's consistently been performing well and that's backed up by his performance metrics, his recognition in the national press and his call up to the Brazilian squad. 

 

 

 

 

Botman, Bruno, and Isak will form the spine of the next few years. 22-25yrs old and only going to get better. 

Isak who managed about 8 goals in a league that it's easier to score goals than not as a striker. Good one.

 

I mean look at these conversion stats.....

 

Edited 23 December 2022 by Chocolate Teapot

[TheFish]

5 minutes ago, Chocolate Teapot said:

Isak who managed about 8 goals in a league that it's easier to score goals than not as a striker. Good one.

 

I mean look at these conversion stats.....

 

Yeah he didn't have a great final season at Sociedad, but I had a dig into what happened at his previous club a bit more and I learned he was shifted away from his preferred central striker position to accommodate Sorloth. That meant he wasn't the focus of the attack any more, fewer good chances, compounded by a lower conversion rate.

 

But throughout his career when he has been played as the main striker, he's getting about 0.5 goals a game. This with various scout reports and the like, this all shows that he's clearly got promise. He's only played about 242 minutes and scored twice (should have been 3, but dodgy offside, Refs are rubbish and Liverpool are cheats, I'm not bitter you are). I'm very excited to see what a fully fit Isak will bring to Newcastle. 

[Jawdee]

3 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

Oh god, I want to beat these on Monday and then in the cup so so badly. Their fans are becoming insufferable. I know we are riddled with complete helmets, only have to look in the mirror for that and they've gone through hell under Mike Ashley, but they're off their head. 

 

Perhaps on social media, but it's not particularly reflective of the fan base. Most are so conditioned to Mike Ashley that they're waiting for it to unravel.

[los dedos]

Just now, Jawdee said:

 

Perhaps on social media, but it's not particularly reflective of the fan base. Most are so conditioned to Mike Ashley that they're waiting for it to unravel.

Yea but you lot have always been . " Best fans in the world " and " we love our football in the North East " and so on . Lapping up the media attention for it going back decades.  

When alot of us remember half empty St James Park  in the 80s ( like everyone else to be fair ) you're no more or less passionate than anyone else !

[TrentFox]

Newcastle are a weird one. Confess to having always had a soft spot for them since the Asprilla team. Their fans are superb, on the whole, and turn out in big numbers. It wasn’t their fault the club sold its soul to that appalling regime. But I just can’t see past that regime and how our game is allowing it to be normalised. So, sorry Geordie newbies in here, can’t help but wish every ill on your short-medium future. But I look forward to the day when you rid yourself of the Saudis and can be my third club again. (Carlisle, if anyone is curious) 😂

[South Shire Fox]

12 minutes ago, los dedos said:

Yea but you lot have always been . " Best fans in the world " and " we love our football in the North East " and so on . Lapping up the media attention for it going back decades.  

When alot of us remember half empty St James Park  in the 80s ( like everyone else to be fair ) you're no more or less passionate than anyone else !

Biggest club in the world Newcastle are, loudest fan base in the world aswell with the best songs. My personal favourates are usually ‘your support is fcking shit’ and ‘there here, there there, there every fcking where empty seats’ to a sold out stadium 

Edited 23 December 2022 by South Shire Fox

[Raj]

4 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

Oh god, I want to beat these on Monday and then in the cup so so badly. Their fans are becoming insufferable. I know we are riddled with complete helmets, only have to look in the mirror for that and they've gone through hell under Mike Ashley, but they're off their head. 

Weird.

I've always had a soft spot for them since the Keegan era and the interaction I've had with their fans they always come across as half decent.

I wouldnt begrudge them abit of success for all they have been through over the years.(Obviously  hope we roast them 6-0!)

It's not the fans fault who owns the club, but the fans do deserve something.

 

[Ric Flair]

16 minutes ago, Raj said:

Weird.

I've always had a soft spot for them since the Keegan era and the interaction I've had with their fans they always come across as half decent.

I wouldnt begrudge them abit of success for all they have been through over the years.(Obviously  hope we roast them 6-0!)

It's not the fans fault who owns the club, but the fans do deserve something.

 

I don't begrudge success at all, but it doesn't make me not be desperate to beat them and shut them up for a bit. Fact is, we are on the decline but the looks of it and been used to being the poster boys of the PL for the underdogs and it's going to be hard to stomach, but as I've stated, they are lunatics.

 

They deserve some good times after Ashley, I wish them no malice but I hope we ruin their Christmas and New Year with 2 wins. 

[Hammo]

Obviously I fervently hope we beat them in league and cup, but I’ve always had a lot of time for the Geordies. In my experience they are generally humble, hard working, honest, humorous, without a chip on their shoulder and welcoming to outsiders.

 

Quite the opposite in fact to a certain holier than thou breed from another northern metropolis.

 

 

[coolhandfox]

33 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

I don't begrudge success at all, but it doesn't make me not be desperate to beat them and shut them up for a bit. Fact is, we are on the decline but the looks of it and been used to being the poster boys of the PL for the underdogs and it's going to be hard to stomach, but as I've stated, they are lunatics.

 

They deserve some good times after Ashley, I wish them no malice but I hope we ruin their Christmas and New Year with 2 wins. 

I see it as more of a rebuild and regeneration. 

 

Not sure anyone is going to see Newcastle as a poster boys for the underdogs in the near future.

 

People seem to forget Newcastle broke world records and spent cash before and won nothing, it not going to be as easy as some think for them to hit the heights of Man C etc.

 

 

Edited 23 December 2022 by coolhandfox

[gw_leics772]

On 13/11/2022 at 19:37, F T Fagos said:

Boxing Day matches are going to be difficult to call. So many players not match fit after such a long lay off, while others will be returning from the World Cup injured or just plain knackered. Then we'll have the January transfer window. It could be the middle of February before everything settles down and form becomes apparent.

Makes sense but tbf the efl cup, with lower league all playing through the world cup,was supposed to be like that but all bar charlton, it was as you were.

Edited 23 December 2022 by gw_leics772

[Ric Flair]

5 minutes ago, coolhandfox said:

I see it as more of a rebuild and regeneration. 

 

Not sure anyone is going to see Newcastle as a poster boys for the underdogs in the near future.

 

People seem to forget Newcastle broke world records and spent cash before and won nothing, it not going to be as easy as some think for them to hit the heights of Man C etc.

 

 

We are going to find it so so difficult to rebuild and regenerate. We've got an overhaul to do with financial issues and players qalking away on a free worth £50m +, it would be bad enough just trying to improve, let alone replenish and improve. We also seem to have a squad so vulnerable to serious injuries too, Ndidi seems broken, Ricardo too and I dread to think if James Justin is ever going to hit the heights he did for us. Our academy needs to be utilised and improved but then you see young Will Alves with a career threatening assault the other night and its harrowing.

 

I think the days of challenging top 6 are long gone for us. We'd need to perform miracles and ace the next 2-3 transfer windows making minimal mistakes and cashing in on players which is proving harder and harder to do.

[gw_leics772]

On 13/11/2022 at 18:34, Unabomber said:

Can’t see anything but an absolutely massive home win. They are in a good run of form so the break is at the worst possible time for them. We have time to re group and will come back and show them just Howe  a Rodgers masterclass pans out. 

Tbf, last 5 league matches our form is identical and last 8 we only lost to man City. 

Still agree well do em though!

[coolhandfox]

2 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

We are going to find it so so difficult to rebuild and regenerate. We've got an overhaul to do with financial issues and players qalking away on a free worth £50m +, it would be bad enough just trying to improve, let alone replenish and improve. We also seem to have a squad so vulnerable to serious injuries too, Ndidi seems broken, Ricardo too and I dread to think if James Justin is ever going to hit the heights he did for us. Our academy needs to be utilised and improved but then you see young Will Alves with a career threatening assault the other night and its harrowing.

 

I think the days of challenging top 6 are long gone for us. We'd need to perform miracles and ace the next 2-3 transfer windows making minimal mistakes and cashing in on players which is proving harder and harder to do.

It not going to be easy, but it not impossible, they maybe gone short term but I think we can go again. 

 

We need to be smarter when managing our resources, buy, develop and sell well. 

 

Academy is a key part we have a few gem coming thought, massive shame about Alves but hopefully he will come back stronger. 

[moore_94]

Brendan Rodgers Pre-Match Press Conference vs Newcastle

 

Maddison?

“We’re going to give it every chance to see where he’s at. He’s had some ongoing issues with his knee. We’ll assess that.”

 

Maddison lack of minutes at World Cup?

“You would like to see your players get an opportunity. I had a long debrief with him. He is grateful for the opportunity. He’s come away with great experience and an even greater motivation. He did a brilliant job leading into the finals to get into the squad. Hopefully he can use the experience of being in the camp to be in even more competitions.”

 

Transfers?

“We’ve a couple of areas we would like to improve and we hope to do that. There’s been plenty of work behind the scenes. Hopefully we can improve the depth.”

 

Where transfers?

“It’s clear we’ve lost a number of our full-backs, so we’ll look at the left-back position. And also for an out-and-out winger on the right side is one we will definitely look at.”

 

More backing than summer?

“Most definitely. It was a challenging summer for us. Come January, we’ve looked at that and we hope to be able to spend wisely.”

 

Tielemans?

“I haven’t spoken to him since he came back. It’s something between him and the club. My focus is on the player. He loves being here, but it’s a big contract for him, so he will be taking his time over what he wants to do. He’s a joy to work with.”

 

Newcastle?

“They’ve made a great start. A very good side. Good physicality, good quality. Eddie’s done a fantastic job. On the field, they’ve signed players who have really improved the squad and team. The players they’ve brought into the backline in particular give them that dominance and give them a base for the rest of the team. Off the field, you bring in Dan Ashworth who is a top operator. The supporters give a great intensity to the game. They’re trying to build something and they’re doing it the right way.”

 

Alves?

“We lost one of our young talents Will Alves. He wanted to play in the Youth Cup game the night after. He was taken out with one of the worst challenges I’ve seen on a football field. Such a shame for a player making a mark. That’s a disappointing one for us. We wish him a speedy recovery. It’ll be the rest of the season he’ll be out for. He’ll have an operation.”

 

Ricardo and injuries?

“He’s doing very well. We’re hoping at some point in January he can rejoin the group. Evans is not so good. Jonny had an injury against Troyes. He’ll be out for a period of time with his calf. Kiernan’s fine. He’s recovered and trained yesterday and today.”

 

Bertrand and Justin?

“Ryan’s out on the field but not near to playing yet. He’s progressed from inside to outside. JJ’s working behind the scenes and doing his strength work.”

 

What did you want from break?

“It was consolidating and reintroducing the football idea that has given us the mentality over the final seven or eight weeks. It was about introducing that defensive aspect, the aggression. We’ve had a really good run of clean sheets. We gave clarity around all of those roles. Then it was about our offensive structure, our movement, the speed of the ball. But also that balance when you’re not dominating the game.”

[Out Foxed]

33 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

Tielemans?

“I haven’t spoken to him since he came back. It’s something between him and the club. My focus is on the player. He loves being here, but it’s a big contract for him, so he will be taking his time over what he wants to do. He’s a joy to work with.”

 

yeesh

[KFS]

34 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

Brendan Rodgers Pre-Match Press Conference vs Newcastle

 

Maddison?

“We’re going to give it every chance to see where he’s at. He’s had some ongoing issues with his knee. We’ll assess that.”

 

Maddison lack of minutes at World Cup?

“You would like to see your players get an opportunity. I had a long debrief with him. He is grateful for the opportunity. He’s come away with great experience and an even greater motivation. He did a brilliant job leading into the finals to get into the squad. Hopefully he can use the experience of being in the camp to be in even more competitions.”

 

Transfers?

“We’ve a couple of areas we would like to improve and we hope to do that. There’s been plenty of work behind the scenes. Hopefully we can improve the depth.”

 

Where transfers?

“It’s clear we’ve lost a number of our full-backs, so we’ll look at the left-back position. And also for an out-and-out winger on the right side is one we will definitely look at.”

 

More backing than summer?

“Most definitely. It was a challenging summer for us. Come January, we’ve looked at that and we hope to be able to spend wisely.”

 

Tielemans?

“I haven’t spoken to him since he came back. It’s something between him and the club. My focus is on the player. He loves being here, but it’s a big contract for him, so he will be taking his time over what he wants to do. He’s a joy to work with.”

 

Newcastle?

“They’ve made a great start. A very good side. Good physicality, good quality. Eddie’s done a fantastic job. On the field, they’ve signed players who have really improved the squad and team. The players they’ve brought into the backline in particular give them that dominance and give them a base for the rest of the team. Off the field, you bring in Dan Ashworth who is a top operator. The supporters give a great intensity to the game. They’re trying to build something and they’re doing it the right way.”

 

Alves?

“We lost one of our young talents Will Alves. He wanted to play in the Youth Cup game the night after. He was taken out with one of the worst challenges I’ve seen on a football field. Such a shame for a player making a mark. That’s a disappointing one for us. We wish him a speedy recovery. It’ll be the rest of the season he’ll be out for. He’ll have an operation.”

 

Ricardo and injuries?

“He’s doing very well. We’re hoping at some point in January he can rejoin the group. Evans is not so good. Jonny had an injury against Troyes. He’ll be out for a period of time with his calf. Kiernan’s fine. He’s recovered and trained yesterday and today.”

 

Bertrand and Justin?

“Ryan’s out on the field but not near to playing yet. He’s progressed from inside to outside. JJ’s working behind the scenes and doing his strength work.”

 

What did you want from break?

“It was consolidating and reintroducing the football idea that has given us the mentality over the final seven or eight weeks. It was about introducing that defensive aspect, the aggression. We’ve had a really good run of clean sheets. We gave clarity around all of those roles. Then it was about our offensive structure, our movement, the speed of the ball. But also that balance when you’re not dominating the game.”

Omg @Ric Flairhe said it. He actually thinks we need a right winger

[Guest Kopfkino]

Very glad to have football back and should be a decent game if we carry on where we left off.

 

Shame about the opposition - bigger stain on the English game than the lot we played midweek.