'It wouldn't surprise me if we went and beat Liverpool'published at 17:22 4 December 2024
17:22 4 December 2024
Image source, PA Media
Former Newcastle defender John Anderson, speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle about the Magpies' Premier League game against leaders Liverpool on Wednesday:
"I just don't know what to expect, it wouldn't surprise me if we went and beat Liverpool - I think because we've been so inconsistent with our performances.
"You felt after the three games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest that we'd turned a corner and we were back where we wanted to be.
"Even against West Ham, I didn't think we played particularly badly. In the first half we played quite well, we had the chances but yet again we weren't hitting the target or working the goalkeeper."
Will Isak play?published at 12:57 4 December 2024
12:57 4 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak appears to have ruled himself in for Wednesday's Premier League game against leaders Liverpool.
In his pre-match news conference on Tuesday, Magpies boss Eddie Howe stated that Isak had not been in training following the hip injury he picked up against Crystal Palace that forced him to be withdrawn.
While Howe did not expect it to be a long-term problem, he said it would be about "time and pain management" for the forward.
But speaking to Bein Sports, Isak said: "It was a knock to my hip and it was too painful to carry on - but it's developed pretty good so, I feel good and hopefully 100%."
When asked whether he is fit to face Liverpool at St James' Park, he replied: "That's the plan."
Isak has four goals and two assists in 11 appearances this season in the Premier League.
Sutton's predictions: Newcastle v Liverpoolpublished at 11:49 4 December 2024
11:49 4 December 2024
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 14 he takes on James Ryan, bassist with rock band The Slow Readers Club.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
Newcastle have looked a little flat recently, and have been lacking a cutting edge.
This is still a tough game for Liverpool, though, off the back of such a big week for them with wins over Real Madrid and Manchester City.
The Magpies have already beaten Arsenal at St James' Park this season and they are certainly capable of getting something against Liverpool too, but you just cannot back against the leaders at the moment.
Arne Slot has such great strength in depth right through his squad and they can win games in different ways. Even if they do drop points here, their bubble is not going to burst any time soon.
Ryan's prediction: 1-1
I am purely basing this on my dislike of Liverpool. I need Newcastle to get something, just to slow Liverpool down a bit.
Newcastle v Liverpool: Did you know?published at 11:47 4 December 2024
11:47 4 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle have lost their past six Premier League games against Liverpool, and are without a win in 15 against the Reds since a 2-0 win in December 2015 (D4 L11).
Liverpool have won 11 Premier League games in which they have trailed against the Magpies - the most comeback wins one side has against another in the competition's history.
Gossip: Barcelona keen on Isakpublished at 07:49 4 December 2024
07:49 4 December 2024
Barcelona are monitoring the situation of Newcastle United's Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25. (Caught Offside), external
'Ultimately the buck stops with the coaching staff'published at 12:25 3 December 2024
12:25 3 December 2024
Charlotte Robson Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Well then. It turns out that it is time to start asking questions about what is going on at Newcastle United.
When fans were protesting Mike Ashley's involvement in the club, groups brandished a banner saying: 'We don't demand a team that wins - demand a club that tries'. Well, we have got it... Newcastle are trying our patience.
Several things can be true at once. Eddie Howe can be one of the most inspiring managers of recent times, and he can also be limited in his ability to move us forward. He can represent change and happiness at NUFC, and yet also perhaps he may need to move on.
I do not think our current struggles (struggles to win, struggles to score, struggles to break down teams, for example) are down to one person. There are of course complexities - profit and sustainability rules, leadership changes, the league being so tight - but ultimately the buck stops with the coaching staff.
Our problems seem to revolve around a lack of solutions on the pitch. This weekend, Alexander Isak had to come off after 23 minutes with an injury. Callum Wilson, recently back from injury himself, was on the bench. So was Will Osula, a 21-year-old striker we paid £15m for in the summer. And yet, the thing we did was throw on Harvey Barnes and move Anthony Gordon into the middle.
It may come as a shock to you, but I am not a football manager. I am prepared to say that there must have been a reason that we did not put one of our two strikers on the pitch. Wilson probably does not have 65 minutes in him yet. OK, fine, put him on then sub him off! It is allowed, I checked the rules.
We have never won a game in the past three years without a striker on the pitch. We did not have a single shot on target this weekend. I am not shouting for change just yet - but the next couple of games are crucial.
Howe on Isak injury, facing Liverpool and squad 'staleness'published at 10:50 3 December 2024
10:50 3 December 2024
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Liverpool (kick-off 19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Howe confirmed that Alexander Isak "took a knock to his hip" in the last match, but he does not think it is a "long-term" issue and will now be about "time and pain management".
After they conceded late in their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, the Newcastle boss said he is "still replaying the last couple of minutes in my head" and felt they were "poor" in the final third.
On concerns over goalscoring form: "It would be beneficial to play with a centre-forward in the team and we have had that issue before this season. Isak's injury disrupted our rhythm, but we had other issues as well. You make tweaks and hope it works. Goalscoring has not historically been a problem with my team - it's usually the other way. No change in approach but sometimes these things just happen and go in phases."
He added: "We just have to give the players confidence. We have some outstanding attacking players and need to give them licence to do that and get confidence back."
On if it is a psychological issue not getting results against Liverpool: "Let's hope not. I don't prepare games that way, I prepare them with a fresh set of eyes. Teams change and evolve every time you play them. Games against them have been tight, especially home games. Last one was painful from last year. Every time you play opposition like Liverpool you learn new things. It will be a great occasion under lights at St James' park and have to cerate that atmosphere against them."
Howe "wouldn't disagree" that their best performances come against the top teams, but they try to "treat all games the same and have same focus".
On criticisms of him as manager: "I have no doubt that criticism is out there. It is out there all the time whether you win, lose or draw, but it is magnified when you are not at your best. You accept it, you understand it, you live with it. It doesn't change what I do. I am constantly analysing the team to change things, I don't sit there and think I won't change anything. But, you have to be careful the changes don't hurt you any more."
He said there is a "desire" from everyone to improve the squad in the transfer window, but "you have to make decision for here and now and the future". He continued: "We don't want to put ourselves in a position where the summer becomes difficult."
Howe added: "There needs to be a certain element of trading in and out to keep the group fresh. The same squad can produce staleness."
Listen to full commentary of Newcastle v Liverpool on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra on Wednesday
'Can Aston Villa or Newcastle challenge regularly?'published at 08:48 3 December 2024
08:48 3 December 2024
Shay Given has questioned whether his former clubs Aston Villa and Newcastle United can regularly challenge for a Champions League place due to the amount of games and that their "squad's aren't strong enough".
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, the ex-Republic of Ireland goalkeeper spoke about the fact the "same teams are at the top" and both Villa and the Magpies may have to settle for "one season Champions League, the next season mid table".
Guy: When it looked like we might lose 1-0 to a team who hadn't even registered a shot on goal, I feared I was witnessing the most peak Palace game ever. It's hard to tell whether we defended brilliantly or whether Newcastle were just terrible, but we deserved three points from that match.
Mike: One win from 13 games this season is not good enough. Oliver Glasner can dress it up as much as he likes but the simple fact is: if we can't win games or score goals, we will be relegated!
Ian: Palace should have scored two or three goals, but I will take the point. I'm looking forward to having Adam Wharton back over the next few weeks, and we can start putting teams to the sword. Maybe with Eberechi Eze and Wharton providing opportunities, we will see some goals.
Bob: Since Daniel Munoz joined Palace earlier this year, I have been so impressed by his unbelievable stamina. The boy just gives 100% every game. When injured during the game, he just gets on with it. He is a credit to the team and I'm so happy for him scoring his first great goal.
Newcastle fans
Tom: This is becoming a little too regular now. We looked flat and unconvincing in front of goal. That is nearly our full strength squad and we should be able to beat a lot of teams. But, once again, we are showing that Eddie Howe not being backed or allowed to strengthen our current squad is costing us too many points this season.
William: Too many of Newcastle's forward players are off-form and goal-shy. We cannot have four wingers and a centre-forward with only 20 goals per season between them, but that's where it is going. I would play Callum Wilson, William Osula and Alexander Isak up front with Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes coming on as substitutes.
Krish: Poor performance. To only have one shot on goal is not good. I understand Wilson is coming back from injury, but Osula is already fit. We can't keep shifting Gordon centrally, as he is not natural there. I was surprised to concede a late goal, considering we usually close games out when ahead.
Kevin: Too many players are being played out of their preferred positions. There is a lack of effort from a few players and no leadership on the pitch. Bruno Guimaraes' performances have dropped significantly since taking over captaincy. Tonali had one of his best performances this season and should be a starter. Howe needs to rethink his approach.
Newcastle's attacking form 'far cry from dynamic'published at 07:57 2 December 2024
07:57 2 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
After Newcastle United registered zero shots on target in their 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy admitted the Magpies' attacking players are "really struggling" in front of goal this season.
Analysing the game on Match of the Day, Murphy said: "They are really struggling in the final third. Their football through the lines and out from the back is really good, I agree with Eddie Howe.
"They are getting themselves in good positions but their quality players, at the top end of the pitch, are really struggling.
"It's all about the final pass - it isn't always about a technical thing. I think it is often a decision-making thing at the top end of the pitch. It's about when to release the ball and when to pass.
"Some of their deliveries from outside of the box are really poor and lazy. They also get caught with only two players in the box.
"We have seen Newcastle be dynamic and score lots of goals, but this is far cry from it. There just feels like there is no-one there - and, when they do get in, it's about whether they can pick the right pass.
"It is so unlike these players. They have got better quality than that."
When is the FA Cup third-round draw?published at 12:16 1 December 2024
12:16 1 December 2024
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It is one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the football calendar as Premier League and Championship clubs join the FA Cup action from round three.
The draw will take place on Monday, 2 December from 19:00 GMT and can be watched live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
Catch up on the Premier League actionpublished at 10:08 1 December 2024
10:08 1 December 2024
Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Brighton and Southampton.
'It is really gutting to concede the goal'published at 18:20 30 November 2024
18:20 30 November 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day after his side were held to a draw at Selhurst Park: "It was a strange game. We didn't have any goalmouth action but I felt we were good in the game. I felt we nullified them pretty well. In the main, I think we controlled it pretty well.
"It is really gutting to concede the goal at the end. I felt like we had weathered the storm and we would see the game out. We defended crosses well but one moment cost us today. In [our last] two games, we have let a lot of points slip."
On Dan Burn: "Dan has been nursing an ankle problem for the last few weeks. It is a gigantic performance from him, all things considered. I don't think he deserved that [Crystal Palace] goal today."
Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle: Poor Magpies can have few complaintspublished at 18:15 30 November 2024
18:15 30 November 2024
Matthew Howarth BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
This was another limp performance from Newcastle on the back of Monday's frustrating defeat at home to West Ham.
Sandro Tonali, handed his fifth league start of the season at Selhurst Park, was one of their better performers in a holding midfield role, while Fabian Schar and Dan Burn produced a number of crucial clearances to keep Palace at bay.
But too many of their team-mates looked sluggish in and out of possession as the visitors struggled to make any inroads whatsoever in the final third.
Newcastle are only the eighth side on record (from the 2003-04 season) to avoid defeat in a Premier League game in which they attempted one shot or less, and the first since Leicester against the Magpies in May 2023.
There was little sign of a breakthrough from them until a well-worked free-kick routine involving Tonali and Lewis Hall ended with Guehi turning Gordon's cross over the line, before Daniel Munoz's late leveller denied them a win they scarcely deserved.
Things aren't about to get any easier for Eddie Howe's team, with league leaders Liverpool visiting St James' Park on Wednesday, before the Magpies head to Brentford next weekend.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle - send us your thoughtspublished at 16:59 30 November 2024