Newcastle away.

[Stuntman_Mike]

Facundo coming back is massive and Newcastle are a bit hit and miss lately, so I'm fairly confident we can get something. 

 

It feels great having more hope again!

 

 

[Wymsey]

Am not sure what to make of Newcastle, really.

 

There was such hype about their takeover, but seem to be struggling a bit currently.

 

The midfield might be an interesting battle with Guimaries, Joelinton and Tonali.

 

Really need a strong start in this one with an early goal or two.

Edited 12 December 2024 by Wymsey

[les-tah]

15 hours ago, Lionator said:

It’s embarrassing the way some people are talking about McAteer on here. We know that he’s not a player that’s going to make it to the elite level, but he’s played a more than adequate part in 4 premier league points in the past two games. He’s contributed effectively to a defensive set up that has tightened us up, and ultimately at this point if Ruud thinks him playing gives us the best chance of winning, who are we to argue? 

he came off against Brighton when we are 2-0 down so please don’t include that as a contribution 🤣 but i cant argue with the west ham game as we won.

However Ayew has won us more points alone this season but no one is calling anyone embarrassing for not wanting him to start, there is some extremely blue tinted specs going on here.

[Mickyblueeyes]

I dont actually think McAteer is a winger - he was forced into that role last season and has played there this year, but I actually he has far more qualities in the middle of the park than head down and running at a full back. 

[Old Fox]

3 minutes ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

I dont actually think McAteer is a winger - he was forced into that role last season and has played there this year, but I actually he has far more qualities in the middle of the park than head down and running at a full back. 

I am not sure what he is good at Micky - watched him repeatedly and he has energy but you would expect that but has little technical qualities and is good at arriving in the box but a bit like Casadei I am not sure he has the qualities for the top flight - might be harsh I just don’t see anything in him !

[Father Ted]

12 minutes ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

I dont actually think McAteer is a winger - he was forced into that role last season and has played there this year, but I actually he has far more qualities in the middle of the park than head down and running at a full back. 

What qualities would they be? We already have two central midfielders that don’t want the ball and when they do get it pass it backwards. Albeit have far better other qualities than Mcateer.

[Stadt]

If Ayew or BDCR put in McAteer's performances they'd be crucified. His passing accuracy is 70% and he barely passes forwards.

 

He's been successful with 1 out of 7 attempted take ons.

 

It's not his fault he's being played when he's out of his depth but he offers so little going forwards in the PL, he can't pass, cross or take anybody on. If he's in the side for his work rate then Mavididi, BDCR, BEK and Buonanotte all work equally as hard, if not harder.

[daddylonglegs]

1 minute ago, Stadt said:

If Ayew or BDCR put in McAteer's performances they'd be crucified. His passing accuracy is 70% and he barely passes forwards.

 

He's been successful with 1 out of 7 attempted take ons.

 

It's not his fault he's being played when he's out of his depth but he offers so little going forwards in the PL, he can't pass, cross or take anybody on. If he's in the side for his work rate then Mavididi, BDCR, BEK and Buonanotte all work equally as hard, if not harder.

Completely agree. The game is the game though, homegrown players are always gonna get less slack than those who aren't from the academy. 

Also your point on him being played out of his depth is spot on. His level is likely mid table championship and we're asking him to be a PL starter. It's nonsensical. 

[JimJams]

He's only been asked to play as a PL starter because the first choice is injured for the season and the loanee wasn't available last game.  It's not nonsensical.  It's needs must.

[daddylonglegs]

Just now, JimJams said:

He's only been asked to play as a PL starter because the first choice is injured for the season and the loanee wasn't available last game.  It's not nonsensical.  It's needs must.

It's nonsensical that a club as well set up as were were 3/4 yrs ago, is in a position where we are playing someone so far below the level required. 

[Grebfromgrebland]

There is a definite sense of optimism around the place.  I was chatting to a City youth team coach and he says Ruud has changed everything within the club and really got hold of things.  He says Ruud has spoke to him 4 times already which is more than Cooper ever did.

 

It just feels like we've got a proper manager in charge again someone who takes the job and club seriously.

[Ric Flair]

In 2022/23 the cup game and 1st game back after the World Cup was a rude awakening. We prided ourselves on having a classy midfield under Rodgers but it clearly showed that was long gone as they dominated us from start to finish. Bullied us if you will.

 

It's a shame we're going to be stretched in defensive midfield as I think under RvN Soumare and Ndidi give us a bit more guile than we've seen for a while.

[Big Blue Maff]

38 minutes ago, Grebfromgrebland said:

There is a definite sense of optimism around the place.  I was chatting to a City youth team coach and he says Ruud has changed everything within the club and really got hold of things.  He says Ruud has spoke to him 4 times already which is more than Cooper ever did.

 

It just feels like we've got a proper manager in charge again someone who takes the job and club seriously.

That’s good hear 🦊

[JimJams]

52 minutes ago, daddylonglegs said:

It's nonsensical that a club as well set up as were were 3/4 yrs ago, is in a position where we are playing someone so far below the level required. 

3/4 years ago we were starting Luke Thomas in an FA cup final...

Shit happens.

[hejammy]

1 hour ago, Grebfromgrebland said:

There is a definite sense of optimism around the place.  I was chatting to a City youth team coach and he says Ruud has changed everything within the club and really got hold of things.  He says Ruud has spoke to him 4 times already which is more than Cooper ever did.

 

It just feels like we've got a proper manager in charge again someone who takes the job and club seriously.

This in itself speaks volumes, Cooper, who allegadly was good at bring youth players into the set up, didn't even talk to the youth team coach. Honestly whoever hired Cooper needs to go, heads need to roll for this one as it was quite possibly a bigger mistake than leaving Rodgers in charge for as long as he was. 

[MarriedaLeicesterGirl]

1 hour ago, Stadt said:

If Ayew or BDCR put in McAteer's performances they'd be crucified. His passing accuracy is 70% and he barely passes forwards.

 

He's been successful with 1 out of 7 attempted take ons.

 

It's not his fault he's being played when he's out of his depth but he offers so little going forwards in the PL, he can't pass, cross or take anybody on. If he's in the side for his work rate then Mavididi, BDCR, BEK and Buonanotte all work equally as hard, if not harder.

I think we all want him to step up, but as the song goes, "wishin' and hopin'" will only get you so far.

[WestLothianFox]

17 hours ago, Weller Wing said:

Nice one.

Will defo go to the  Quayside wetherspoons on Saturday,  as its really nice.

Probably go for a couple in the Strawberry on Sunday when it'll be quieter,  as its a nice pub with lots of footy memorabilia.

 

But mainly , I'll go where daughter suggests and I bet I'll be paying 😄

Of course you will be paying and will still be paying long after she is married, its why you have a daughter, to pay for her for the rest of your life

[Stadt]

2 hours ago, daddylonglegs said:

Completely agree. The game is the game though, homegrown players are always gonna get less slack than those who aren't from the academy. 

Also your point on him being played out of his depth is spot on. His level is likely mid table championship and we're asking him to be a PL starter. It's nonsensical. 

Bizarrely I think Barnes probably get more flak than if he want home grown. Probably KDH too. But in McAteer’s case it’s the opposite 

[Lcfc-1992]

Ndidi out for a few weeks

[Paninistickers]

3 minutes ago, Lcfc-1992 said:

Ndidi out for a few weeks

Deary me.  Winks, Wilf and Abdul. Essentially our three best players. 

 

 

 

 

[Salieri]

2 minutes ago, Paninistickers said:

Deary me.  Winks, Wilf and Abdul. Essentially our three best players. 

 

 

 

 

And Ricardo ☹️

[moore_94]

INJURIES
 

Ndidi?

“Correct, he has a hamstring injury so he’s not available. We’ll see how he reacts, but it seems like it will at least be a couple of weeks.”
 

Winks?

“Doubtful. He’s done part of team training. We’ll assess him tomorrow to see if he’s available but it’s something very difficult. Today was the first day he did partial team training.”

[Paninistickers]

Just now, Salieri said:

And Ricardo ☹️

He hasn't played and as much as I like him, his best days are gone..

 

Winks, Wilf and Abdul have all been at it this season (not that Cooper knew that) 

[moore_94]

Ruud Van Nistelrooy Pre-Match Press Conference vs Newcastle United

 

Ndidi?

“Correct, he has a hamstring injury so he’s not available. We’ll see how he reacts, but it seems like it will at least be a couple of weeks.”
 

Winks?

“Doubtful. He’s done part of team training. We’ll assess him tomorrow to see if he’s available but it’s something very difficult. Today was the first day he did partial team training.”
 

Skipp?

“First of all, he’s a very good age, a young talented player with a good bit of experience already. Good team player, he helped the team progress. He’s dynamic, can press forward and track back and he’s very good on the ball. We need a squad if we have injuries and he’s prepared to fill in whenever he’s needed.”
 

Full week of work?

“It’s been great to use the first two games in what we try to achieve. The results are important but those phases of play were evaluated and we took those into training. We’ve had four days of training. In that sense it has been a good week.”
 

Analysing squad ahead of January?

“It’s a continuous process. The way it’s organised in the club, I like it, the way everybody is preparing different possibilities. It’s whether we want to go for these options. We’re looking at different positions to prepare ourselves, but I’m also looking at the current players and the Under-21s. There’s young JJ, there’s Henry. I have a good picture of what is needed in the window.”
 

Going to Newcastle and memories of facing them?

“I want us to take confidence into the game and the development in areas we’ve been working on. I believe that we can make the next step on Saturday. The memory I have of Newcastle is Sir Bobby Robson. Leading up to this game, my thoughts went back to the year I had with him at PSV. He was a wonderful man and thinking of him makes me smile. I will go there with that thought.”

 

Newcastle in the bottom half?

“I need all my time and energy to focus on my own team. I looked at Newcastle and know how strong they are. We don’t focus on where they are in the league but the potential of where they can be. It’s a great squad. We have to be spot on to get a good game.”

 

Newcastle qualities?

“They’re offensive threats, with Isak and Gordon and the midfield power they have with Joelinton and Guimaraes. They’ve got many options and it’s a good opportunity to continue to grow ourselves.”

 

Midfield options?

“It’s something we have to be prepared for. We have options of players who don’t regularly play there but might have to play there. Also players from the Under-21s to see how players like Henry can do and if he can do a job.”
 

More on midfield options

“We have different profiles in the 6s. We have what we can use for different games. Options are limited because of suspensions and injuries. We don’t have the variety right now. We have the options with Skippy and Hamza and other players who can potentially play there, either from the back-line or from the wings. We have some options trained.”
 

Centre-back partnership?

“It’s important to get a good partnership going, one that’s experienced and that leads. We have very good options with Wout and Caleb. Wout was very important in the games he came on. He fulfilled a very good role coming off the bench. Caleb, we know his potential. We know we need options to be ready to play.”
 

Coady and Vestergaard experience important?

“They played well, like all starters, but I was pleased with the subs. They changed both games. I’m glad I have four centre-backs, we’re going to need them all.”

 

St James' Park?

“When you play away, it’s difficult. The atmosphere in the stadium is special. We have players who know that. It can ignite, with a tackle or a good action, or a bad one from us. It’s important to keep that in mind.”

 

Emotions in the game?

“When I first walked in here, we spoke about where we want to go to and how we can get the maximum out of this squad. We set the standards of daily work and of emotions and spirit. The reaction of the players was great and we saw it in the two games. What brings you the best chance of results is emphasising on team and spirit and work to get better. It’s the road I try to go on my first week.”

 

What learned from Bobby Robson?

“Football, he was always talking about getting better and improving. You cannot control everything. But to be a team and what it’s like to be a team. The sense of humour he mixed in to motivate the players. It was amazing. Fight and spirit and emotion and being the best you can be.”

Edited 12 December 2024 by moore_94

[Paninistickers]

2 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

INJURIES
 

Ndidi?

“Correct, he has a hamstring injury so he’s not available. We’ll see how he reacts, but it seems like it will at least be a couple of weeks.”
 

Winks?

“Doubtful. He’s done part of team training. We’ll assess him tomorrow to see if he’s available but it’s something very difficult. Today was the first day he did partial team training.”

Skipp, Hamza, Soumare as a midfield trio....it's passable as a PL midfield...but just two in there would be suicide. 

 

Assuming we play those three, gotta be Mavididi, Vards and Buonnotte up front