Newcastle Utd vs Aston Villa pre-match thread

[Clampy]

I watched their game against Sandwell last week and they were awful, as were Sandwell actually. A game we should be winning.

[ChicagoLion]

After Sheffield Utd I am not taking anything for granted.
Bottom line is, if they manage to score first I dont fancy our chances against anyone.

[OCD]

We need to build on last week's first half performance. If we play like that for the full game, it should be a good watch.

[Risso]

Jack's out, and our other wide players are all mostly crap, so I think we're in for a terrible 0-0.

[The Fish]

Was Joelinton pretty much signed before Bruce even arrived? Terrible player in any case (probably get a hat trick now!). ASM is a brilliant player and to be fair to Bruce losing him for lots of games was a huge blow for you guys.

But I think too much can be made of playing with an identity. Last season, it could be argued that we did but it took a bit of a miracle for us to stay up. If anything Brighton could be sleepwalking into something similar, play nice football, high on xG etc but not on the only stat that really matters, results. Mowbrays West Brom were big on an identity if I recall, I'm sure it comforted them in the championship!

A question for you on Shelvey, who is a player that really irritates me whenever I watch him. How is his lack of work rate without the ball tolerated? He reminds me of Barkley, clearly has ability but to my eye seems like he thinks grafting is for others.

Yeah, Scouts recommended Joelinton, but at half the price, Benitez said he'd rather spend the money elsewhere, (we had Rondon e.g.). Bruce claims he signed off on all transfers. £40m could have paid for RB, Rondon, and still £20m to buy a central midfielder of some quality.

Get what you're saying, but the way I see it there's 3 ways to get points; score more than them, keep the ball so they can't score, or defend well so they don't score. We don't do any of those things well. Under Hughton, we were pretty boring, but we defended well. Under Pardew we might have been streaky as fuck, but we created loads of chances.

I'd rather have either of them over Bruce.

Shelvey is a diva. Yes, he can pick off a fly's nutsack from 60yds. But only if he's got an hour and a mile to do it in. He mopes around the pitch, shirks the defensive side of the game, and gives away stupid freekicks for lazy/snidey fouls. Benitez sharp grew tired of him. Bruce likes him though, so he's undroppable.

[KevinGage]

After Sheffield Utd I am not taking anything for granted.
Bottom line is, if they manage to score first I dont fancy our chances against anyone.

Aye. Having goal machine McGoldrick score against us and not being able to respond against the worst team in the division should make even the Geordies optimistic.

[kippaxvilla2]

Joelinton is shit.  Cue 43rd minute wonder strike or a tap in following full back ball watching.  Cue 47 plus minutes of toiling getting as far as the 18 yard box only for Ciaran to have the game of his life.

[The Fish]

After Sheffield Utd I am not taking anything for granted.
Bottom line is, if they manage to score first I dont fancy our chances against anyone.

I wouldn't be concerned if I were you.

[CT]

Unfortunately, I’m seeing a drab goalless draw too. They’re just poor full stop, we’re out of form and with key injuries.

I’d take a nasty 0-1 away win right now!

[levico]

Whether we are a one man team or not, we certainly look like one.

This game has 0-0 written all over it. Not one for the neutrals.

[ChicagoLion]

After Sheffield Utd I am not taking anything for granted.
Bottom line is, if they manage to score first I dont fancy our chances against anyone.

I wouldn't be concerned if I were you.

have you seen our record when we concede? we couldn't score against The Blades with 10 men.
Understand where you are coming from though.

[aj2k77]

Martinez
Cash
Target
Konsa
Mings
Sanson
McGinn
Traore
El Ghazi
Watkins

[Dave]

Martinez
Cash
Target
Konsa
Mings
Sanson
McGinn
Traore
El Ghazi
Watkins

To be fair, we should beat this lot with only ten.

[ChicagoLion]

Martinez
Cash
Target
Konsa
Mings
Sanson
McGinn
Traore
Davis
El Ghazi
Watkins

[aj2k77]

Martinez
Cash
Target
Konsa
Mings
Sanson
McGinn
Traore
El Ghazi
Watkins

To be fair, we should beat this lot with only ten.

Oh shit, just add in Nakamba to give them a chance.