Newcastle United

We asked former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown his thoughts on current players hosting podcasts after West Ham's Michail Antonio accused Manchester United legend Roy Keane of having a "dinosaur mentality" for his views on the subject.

Pundit Keane told the Stick To Football, external podcast he believes the platform can be a "distraction" for players, "particularly if you’re on the back of a defeat".

Antonio co-hosts the Footballer's Football Podcast with Fulham captain Tom Cairney who replaced Newcastle striker Callum Wilson earlier in the role.

They are among sever high-profile current players to have ventured into podcasts, including Leeds striker Patrick Bamford who co-hosts My Mate's A Footballer with comedian Joe Wilkinson.

Brown's thoughts on this debate:

Players being on podcasts? It’s the world we live in. I understand the point regarding why the players are talking and what they’re talking about. We’re encouraged to be open-minded; we’re encouraged to come out and speak about things. Problems, positive things.

But I still think if edited correctly those talking points could actually be controlled. That is the key for me. If it is going to be done, it has just got to be watched over. There is fun and enjoyment, but it is not to be taken the wrong way, not to affect any performances or clubs coming your way or even your own club.

Unfortunately, it is not just Michail Antonio on a podcast, there are so many. Big players are into podcasts now and it’s not going away.

The point is not that it is a distraction. What brings it on you is when you’re quoted wrong or you have been discussing the wrong topic.

It is fine if you can do it and not have any of those problems – for instance if you are playing against another team and you said last weekend their striker has not been very good or the centre-back’s performances are not at a high level.

My point is the control and the management of the stories on the podcasts. It is fine to be done but they have to be managed correctly because any little thing can be spun when talking on an opponent or being critical of other players.

If you say, ‘well he’s just not scoring’ someone will come back and say, ‘you’re talking about him but you’re not putting the ball in the back of the net’.

The other point here is the reaction on social media, so you’ve just got to be spot on with it when you have your topics.

It is not going away - we want to hear them. Podcasts are here to stay.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

NUFC Blogcast podcaster Ed Gray has been speaking to the Total Sport Newcastle United podcast about the Magpies' upcoming fixtures and race for Europe: "At the end of last season we went on that great run where we forced our way into the top four and ultimately got it.

"But I think it has felt [inconsistent] this season. When we think we are getting on a run – we had something like 10 points in five games – but it was a great opportunity to add to that against Crystal Palace.

"We still have three away games left in the last five and, even though they may be considered favourable fixtures, you worry about our away form and the consistency."

BBC Radio Newcastle commentator Matthew Raisbeck added: "Newcastle need to win [against Sheffield United]. They need to win.

"They have Burnley coming up in May, they have Brighton, a Manchester United match which could be crucial and then Brentford away on the final day of the season.

"Being on 50 points, what do they need from those matches to get into Europe? I would say at least 60 to have a chance. They can only get as high as 65 and they might need to win at Old Trafford because United are three points above them - but Newcastle have a vastly superior goal difference.

"I think they will beat Sheffield United - that isn't a particularly surprising take - but they are going to have to. We are just going to have to hope it goes well and then they can build on that. They have just come off one good run... they are going to have to go on another one now."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Sheffield United.

Here are the key lines from the Newcastle boss:

• It will be a late decision on whether full-back Tino Livramento can play on Saturday due to "a slight reaction in his ankle" from the Tottenham game.

• Goalkeeper Nick Pope is "getting closer" to a matchday return and Miguel Almiron is expected back next week.

• On Callum Wilson's return against Crystal Palace: "I thought he looked good and worked well with the lads around him. He had a couple of dangerous moments, that was a positive from Wednesday."

• He said the defeat to Palace "was disappointing" and their "first dip in a while" after some strong performances.

• On struggling to find consistency this season: "It is a season where we have learned a lot and we will be in a much better place next year. It will set a marker in how we want to play and use that as a foundation for next year."

• He described opponents Sheffield United as "competitive" with "their progressive formation being their biggest strength".

• He said all the teams around Newcastle are "searching for a formula and momentum lift" as the battle for a European spot continues.

• On Matt Ritchie passing his HGV test: "It is a bizarre one! That shocked me and I thought I knew him pretty well. It shows his inquisitive nature."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences live

Image source, Getty Images

In an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, external, Anthony Gordon revealed how meditation helps him to cope with the pressure of playing football. He also talked about how seeing Liverpool's Mohamed Salah talk about visualisation helped him take more interest in it.

"Meditating is more of a coping mechanism to help with pressures of playing and just allows me to react from a higher place than my own emotions as playing emotionally doesn’t help me," said Gorddon.

"My preparation starts two days before the game. I do a lot of meditation and visualisation, so if a chance comes to me in the game, its like I already lived it. It helps me trust in my ability, so when the opportunity comes in the game I don’t overthink it.

"My confidence comes from my preparation. I don’t know where it comes from as no one around me is like that, I love learning stuff and I took a liking to psychology. Some footballers like to play instinctively, but I love the mindset of getting myself into that space before getting into that position. I have seen seen [Mohamed] Salah talk about it and that’s where I took more of a interest in it, as he is a machine and a winner and you wouldn’t go wrong following what he does."

Here is a selection of the key facts and figures before Newcastle United host Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday (15:00 BST kick-off).

• Newcastle have won seven of their past eight league games against Sheffield United, with the exception being a 1-0 away loss in the Premier League in January 2021.

• The Magpies beat Sheffield United 8-0 in the reverse fixture at Bramall Lane – the most goals they have scored against an opponent in a Premier League campaign is 10, doing so against Sheffield Wednesday in 1999-00.

• The Blades have lost 16 of their past 18 Premier League away games played on a Saturday, though the two exceptions have been in their past three such matches (3-1 v Luton Town and 2-2 v Bournemouth).

• Alexander Isak has scored in his past six Premier League home games, with only Andy Cole (eight in 1993-94) and Alan Shearer (15 in 1996-97) netting in more consecutively for Newcastle in the competition.

• Newcastle have scored in all 17 of their league home games this season, with their 43 goals their most at St James' Park in a top-flight campaign since 1996-97 (54).

Arsenal and Manchester City have been made aware that Newcastle United will listen to offers in excess of £80m for 26-year-old Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes this summer. (90min), external

Guimaraes' £100m release clause will only be active for one month, from late May to late June. (Fabrizio Romano, via Caught Offside), external

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace's Dougie Freedman is on Newcastle United's shortlist to become their new sporting director. (Mail), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

We asked for your views on Crystal Palace's 2-0 win over Newcastle on Wednesday.

Here are some of your answers:

Crystal Palace fans

Alan: Another fantastic performance by the team. Oliver Glasner is showing his quality as a coach. The players are putting in a full shift and playing to the best of their ability, and tactically we are spot on with pressing, movement and passing.

Tomtresco: Glasner has completely changed the mindset and style of playing. Had we had him at the start of the season, then we would be looking at a top-six club. I cannot fault the team with the way they are playing.

Steve: The last three games have been an absolute pleasure to watch. Glasner has got them playing with freedom. With Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise fit, and the addition of Adam Wharton and Daniel Munoz, they are now a force to be reckoned with.

Martin: Brilliant from Palace. Front foot and high energy which is different to earlier in the season. Will Hughes is a revelation. It is just such a shame we have not seen Olise and Eze together all season.

Gavin: Palace fans are now deservedly in dreamland having won their past three games against teams in the top eight. Glasner is slowly imprinting his style of play and the team are adapting to a front-foot attacking style that the players are certainly buying into. It is great to see a Palace team seeking to be offensive and entertaining. Five-star show!

Newcastle fans

Simon: Well that was embarrassing. How is it we can beat Fulham and Tottenham with great open free-flowing football, but lose to Crystal Palace Iooking like a Sunday league team? I just don't get it and Man Utd have got a grip of sixth. I can't see us finishing with Europe in our pocket if we play like that!

Johno: Never in the game. Dismal effort.

Tom: Abysmal performance. If I was Eddie Howe, I would be ripping into that squad today. The midfield was totally inefficient. Far too weak. We were unable to string two passes together. Poor performance from [Harvey] Barnes, [Sean] Longstaff and [Jacob] Murphy. I am not sure what sort of incentive these players need. European football is there for the taking.

Johnny: So disappointed! European chance was there and we were beaten all over the park! Can we hold onto Bruno [Guimaraes] and [Alexander] Isak? I doubt it now?

Barry: Extremely poor display with only two shots on goal in 90 minutes. No point in agonising about Europe - with performances like tonight, they simply don’t deserve it.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Wednesday night's four Premier League fixtures as well as the goals from Tuesday's game.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Newcastle United are leading the race to sign 20-year-old Sporting Lisbon and Ivory Coast centre-back Ousmane Diomande, who has a release clause of 80m euros (£68.7m). (A Bola - in Portuguese), external

The Magpies are interested in signing 24-year-old England midfielder Conor Gallagher from Chelsea this summer, but Tottenham seem well placed to seal the deal. (Football Insider), external

Newcastle are also keen on 28-year-old Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy, with Arsenal also linked with the Frenchman . (L'Equipe - in French), external

Finally, the club are set to sign 19-year-old Chelsea academy graduate and England Under-21 defender Lewis Hall on a permanent deal in the summer. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe believes that the 11 day gap between the Magpies' win over Tottenham and their defeat by Crystal Palace could have played a part in their performance.

Howe said he thought his side looked "rusty" and was disappointed in his side who had just two shots on target in the second half.

"We worked during the gap to not have an adverse performance. Its not an excuse," he said.

"Maybe the gap did hamper us, we looked rusty in aspects of our game.

"We gave the ball away too much, we looked reluctant to shoot around their goal which baffled me."

Newcastle had been in good form coming into the game, picking up 10 points from their previous three matches.

They are still on the hunt for European football and Howe said he has spoken to his side about how important it will be to pick up points away from home.

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, speaking to BBC Sport: "We were disappointing today. Never really got into our best fluent rhythm.

"Disappointed especially with the first 60 minutes. We were nowhere near where we wanted to be. Disappointed with our technical performance today, we are usually better than that.

On the penalty shout when Longstaff was fouled by Hughes in the box: "The penalty is a 50/50 call, it went against us."

On Callum Wilson coming back from injury: "Callum's return is more than welcome and he gave us a different dimension when he came on today."

"There is a big opportunity for us, we can't let [our season] peter out and we've got a big chance to quickly bounce back [on Saturday at home to Sheffield United].

Here are the key facts and figures from Crystal Palace's 2-0 win over Newcastle United in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

• Crystal Palace have won three successive Premier League games for the first time since April 2023, while it is as many wins as in their previous 20 matches in the competition (D6 L11).

• Newcastle have lost eight of their past 11 Premier League away games (W3), while they have now lost on four occasions in London in the league this term, only doing so more times in a Premier League season in 2000-01 and 2005-06 (both five).

• Since Oliver Glasner's first league game in charge (24 February), only Cole Palmer (10) has scored more goals in the competition than Jean-Philippe Mateta (eight). Indeed, he is just the fourth player to net at least two goals in successive games in the competition for Crystal Palace after Chris Armstrong in September 1992, Connor Wickham in March 2016 and Dwight Gayle in May 2014.

• Only against Manchester City in August (one) have Newcastle recorded fewer shots on target in a league game this season than their two against Crystal Palace.

• In just nine appearances, Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored more Premier League goals for Crystal Palace under Oliver Glasner (eight) than he did under either Roy Hodgson (five in 35 games) or Patrick Vieira (six in 44).

• Jordan Ayew's assist for Jean-Philippe Mateta's opener was his seventh for Crystal Palace in the league this season. Indeed, only Michael Olise (11 in 2022-23), Wilfried Zaha (nine in 2016-17) and Wayne Routledge (nine in 2004-05) have provided more for the Eagles in a single campaign in the competition.

A double from Jean-Philippe Mateta saw Crystal Palace beat Newcastle at Selhurst Park to guarantee Premier League football for another season.

The Frenchman scored his first 10 minutes into the second half as he exchanged passes with Jordan Ayew before sliding the ball past Martin Dubravka.

He sealed the victory two minutes from time, converting from a Will Hughes cut-back for his 11th league goal of the season.

Newcastle had their best chance when Alexander Isak was sent through on goal in the first half but Dean Henderson raced out of the Palace goal to smother the shot.

Newcastle also thought they should have had a penalty late in the second half when Sean Longstaff went down after a challenge from Will Hughes but after a VAR check, nothing was given.

The victory is the Eagles third in the row and they can start looking up the table as they begin to plan for a club record 12th season in the Premier League rather than worrying about the relegation battle below.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Palace fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Newcastle fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

There are four matches being played in the Premier League on Wednesday, and we will bring you every moment.

All kick-off times BST

Follow live text updates here

Image source, Getty Images

In a recent interview with on The Overlap with former Premier League defender Gary Neville,, external Anthony Gordon explained the process of his £40m move to Newcastle in January 2023 from boyhood club Everton.

"The whole process was difficult, it was so hard at the time and that whole process led to me being so mentally tough right now. Liverpool's biggest unity was everyone being together, Scousers taking care of Scousers," he said.

"So, if someone was to leave that environment, not everyone is going to like it and rightly so, but ultimately, I am too ambitious to turn down the opportunity which was presented to me.

“Newcastle United were only going one way and looking from the outside they were flying, I think they were fourth when I was signing, so it’s a no brainer.

“My ambition is to be at the very top of football and I couldn’t do that where I was.”

Soon after Gordon left Everton, the Toffees released a statement about Gordon requesting a transfer., external Asked by Neville, whether it could have ended differently to how it did Gordon said: "It didn’t, that’s the thing.

“A lot of what you see in the media [from Everton] is club-driven and I didn’t care too much to change the perspective, because I’m very comfortable in myself and how it ended up, and ultimately, I got what I wanted. I joined Newcastle.

“I did want to leave, but also, the club did have to sell me.

“The way it played out was that I was desperate to leave and that was never really the case.

“I just wanted to fulfil my ambitions.

“But I was never bothered about wanting to change people’s minds, if they believe what they read, it’s fine by me.”

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests. For this week's matches on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, he takes on actor Zack Morris, star of new thriller film Jericho Ridge.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Crystal Palace will be buzzing off the back of their big win over West Ham on Sunday.

Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise sparkled again alongside Jean-Philippe Mateta up front and having those two back fit has been huge for new Eagles boss Oliver Glasner in terms of increasing his side's attacking threat.

Newcastle have found a bit of form recently too, but I fancy Palace to edge it. They look completely safe from relegation now so they can play with a bit of freedom, but Eze and Olise will make the difference.

Zack's prediction: 1-2

I'm going with Newcastle here, solely because I watched Alexander Isak destroy Tottenham in their last game. I mentioned flair earlier, and he has got that in abundance.

You can read the rest of the predictions here

Newcastle United's Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is reportedly a target for both Arsenal and Manchester City. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in signing Guimaraes, who reportedly has a £100m release clause in his contract at St James' Park. (Talksport), external

Manchester United are at least £13m apart from Newcastle United in their attempts to agree a compensation deal for sporting director Dan Ashworth, who has been placed on gardening leave by the Magpies. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Howe has warned Newcastle's owners it would be costly to replace Callum Wilson if he were to leave this summer.

The 32-year-old England striker, who is set to return from injury, is under contract at St James' Park until the end of next season, but - with the club facing difficult decisions to meet profit and sustainability regulations - has been linked with a move away.

Wilson, who has only managed 22 appearances this term, is still deeply admired by a manager who also worked with him at Bournemouth.

"It's undoubted how I feel about Callum, how I feel about his qualities and what he can offer the team," Howe said. "If you lose a player of that quality, to then find a player of equal standard will cost the club a lot of money.

"That's always the big talking point about any business we do in the summer. If you lose a player, how can you replace him with the same quality with Financial Fair Play implications around the corner?"