Match Threads Newcastle Vs Spurs - Match Thread - Day 30

[Bulletspur]

NEWCASTLE 2-2 SPURS
Joelinton, Wiilock - Kane (2)​

Spurs: Lloris (C), Tanganga, Sanchez, Rodon, Reguilon, Hojbjerg, Lo Celso (Bale), Ndombele, Lucas (Lamela), Kane, Vinicius (Son).
Subs: Hart, Dier, Winks, Sissoko, Dele, Scarlett.

Newcastle: Dubravka, Krafth, Ritchie, Shelvey, Lascelles, Dummett, Murphy, S Longstaff, Gayle, Almiron, Joelinton.
Subs: Darlow, Clark, Hendrick, Manquillo, Saint-Maximin, Lewis, Willock, Anderson, M Longstaff.

Official Site Match Centre
Same team that beat Aston Villa last time out on 21 March. Heung-Min is back from injury and on the bench alongside Erik Lamela, available again after suspension.

Referee -- -- Craig Pawson ???????

TEAM FORM: ----- Newcastle - LDDDL -------- Spurs - WWLLW--------- (All Competitions)

TWO teams with very different Premier League priorities square off on Sunday afternoon as Newcastle welcome us to St James' Park. The Toons relegation fears have intensified following a wretched run of just two wins from their last 20 top-flight tussles.

From being 11th and just two points off a European spot on December 12 to desperately hanging on for survival, it has been quite the plight for Newcastle over the past four months. Steve Bruce’s men fell to a 3-0 loss at relegation rivals Brighton & Hove Albion two weeks ago and it now looks set to be a shootout between United and Fulham for 17th place. Fulham occupy the final relegation spot and have played a game more than Newcastle, but they have a chance to close the gap when they travel to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Newcastle know that they quite simply need to put some wins on the board, and a fixture that they would once be happy to claim a point from may no longer be good enough. The 11 points accrued by Newcastle since December 12 is the fewest of any Premier League side over that period, yet Bruce remains in a job with nine games to go. The Magpies face us, West Ham United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Leicester City, Manchester City in the final stretch, before a final-day trip to Fulham. Bruce will be eager to open up a four-point gap on Fulham before that showdown at Craven Cottage, though earning a much-needed victory this weekend will be tough.

United have lost five of their last six home league games with us, including each of the last three, but they did claim a dramatic 1-1 draw against us in September's reverse fixture. Our form has been pretty poor in recent weeks, having exited the Europa League in the last 16 with a horror defeat in Dinamo Zagreb and losing 2-1 to Arsenal in the league. However, we did respond with that victory at Villa before the two-week break and we also have an EFL Cup final with Man City to look forward to this month. Indeed, for all the talk of how poor we have been of late, we have won four of our last five league games and we are three points behind Chelsea in fourth place. The aim for Mourinho over the next seven weeks is clear - win the EFL Cup and finish fourth in the Premier League – so us hitting the ground running this weekend is imperative.

Newcastle have been without Maximin and Callum Wilson for a number of weeks, but both players are closing in on a return to first-team action. Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka missed Slovakia's 2-2 draw with Malta last weekend with a stomach bug and will be assessed ahead of Sunday's visit b yus. Bruce may opt to freshen things up on the back of the defeat to Brighton, which could mean the likes of Jeff Henrick and Dwight coming in.

As for us, Coco is back in contention after serving a one-match ban against Villa. Key man Son remains absent for the time being, however, and Davies also returned early from international duty with a "substantial" injury. Fellow full-backs Doherty and Reguilon are also fitness doubts, meaning that Japhet Tanganga may get another start in the backline. Kane has returned from England duty injury free and may once again link up with Carlos up top, having worked well together at Villa Park.

Banner Courtesy of @chrissivad

 

[Bulletspur]

We have win this. I will not sugar coat it, but if we do not get three more points on Sunday, then we do not deserved to be in Europe next season. The Manager and players need to stand up and be counted for the rest of the season, including winning the Carabao cup at the end of the month

 

[Nodutus]

Definitely a must-win game for us as Arsenal face Liverpool and Manchester City face Leicester tomorrow. Let’s build some momentum for the run-in.

 

[DCSPUR64]

Great OP, I predict United 0 Spurs 4

 

[hellava_tough]

It looks like Ashley and Bruce are desperately trying to get the Toon relegated, so we should be winning this.

And to be honest, I think we will.

 

[hellava_tough]

And thanks to @Bulletspur for another sweet Match Thread

 

[hughy]

Always nice to see the first match thread after an international break. Thanks @Bulletspur.

Absolute should win, especially if they are still missing Wilson and Almiron and we have more or less our full squad to pick from barring Davies and Doherty. Anything less will be a real disappointment.

On a side note I think it's as good a time as ever for Kane to get his first league hat-trick in 3+ years after all the recent speculation. Think I'll be putting a fiver on that.

 

[Wsussexspur]

Must win anything less is unacceptable. Newcastle are woefully bad

 

[Pompation]

Mourinho vs Bruce, it’s going to be an entertaining game

 

[Wsussexspur]

Mourinho vs Bruce, it’s going to be an entertaining game

The misery derby

 

[TheTanguy]

Let's make it 15 points from the last 6 league matches.

With the right team and attitude we are probably looking at a 0-2 / 1-3 win there.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

Cracking OP as usual from @Bulletspur . Thanks fella .

I'm as pessimistic as ever when it comes to contemplating the outcome of this game. A game Spurs 'should win' , well we've all learned what can & often does happen when such games come along. I've still far from forgotten about the shit we were dished up prior to beating some far from impressive opposition.

One part of the OP peaked my interest, though...

"From being 11th and just two points off a European spot on December 12 to desperately hanging on for survival, it has been quite the plight for Newcastle over the past four months"

Why that part? Well, we're not really much different. Where were we on/around the same time/date?

 

[Serpico]

We have all seen what we can do when we put effort into our game. Dont care what formation, just play with spirit and pride. After Villa we have set a bar of sorts. Need to maintain this level and look to improve. Cup final soon, who wants to play?

 

[Nine while nine]

I'm going to back our side in this game. I'm hoping we've cured our defensive problems, and that our Danish DM will be back on top form to help out during their rasher moments. Sure, a Steve Bruce side will always be streaky, but I'm hoping that, by the time the final whistle goes, our attack will have sliced through the middle of their defence, leaving them frazzled. And, if all that occurs, at least Bruce will have an answer to the following question when he's grilled after the game...

 

[TheChosenOne]

We have win this. I will not sugar coat it, but if we do not get three more points on Sunday, then we do not deserved to be in Europe next season. The Manager and players need to stand up and be counted for the rest of the season, including winning the Carabao cup at the end of the month

I was thinking exactly the same this morning - Thanks for the thread @Bulletspur & @chrissivad --- I sincerely hope we win.

It's all I can do.

 

[teok]

Newcastle's whole game plan is counter attacking with ASM and wilson. Without both of them they look completely devoid of ideas.

We should be able to win this hopefully.

 

[RickyVilla]

Should be winning it. Draw

 

[SpursAddict]

Important to take advantage of the surprise result at the bridge.

 

[Serpico]

Newcastle in the top 4 for conceding first, so there’s hope to get ahead. Let’s hope NewUtd had players away on international duty as we did. Maybe that was the problem for Chelsea today with WBA had fresh players?

 

[Bulletspur]

Chelsea beaten, which was the big one in my "hoping to happen" column!

We do not need Arsenal or any other club to do us favours with regards to us finishing ahead of Liverpool. We both have played 29 games but we have two more points. Their goal difference is 12 while ours is 19. We finishing ahead of Liverpool is totally in our hands.

So if Wolves and Crystal Palace turn up against West Ham and Everton respectively on Monday, all we have to do is beat Newcastle to be in the top 4

Now watch us fuck that up!