Newcastle v Norwich: Previews. Dean Smith. Eddie Howe. Teams [Tue 30th Nov]

[r00fie1]

Premier League Form Table: Norwich on the up.
[Courtesy flashscore: https://www.flashscore.co.uk/football/england/premier-league/ ]

Leeds and Palace are also playing tonight.

Premiership Table as it stands:


Its not looking positive for the Skunks.
Even if Norwich win and Leeds lose, the Canaries hugely inferior goal difference [-20 goals!] means they cant move out of the bottom three - but5 could temporarily jump above Burnley in the third relegation spot.

Match Preview:
Midweek Premier League (PL) action kicks off with a basement battle as bottom of the standings Newcastle United host 19th-placed Norwich City, and despite their similar situations on paper, the two differ remarkably in form of late.

For Newcastle, many thought the news of the takeover and the hiring of a different manager would galvanize a change of form, but with Eddie Howe’s first game in the dugout ending in a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, Newcastle are still one of only two teams yet to keep a clean sheet this PL season.

They’re also still awaiting their first win, so the ‘Magpies’ are now on their longest ever winless run to start a league season. The St James’ Park faithful will be expecting a change of fortune here though, as the last time the home side on the day lost this particular H2H clash across any competition was January 1994 (W13, D5 since)!

Norwich will have something to say about that, especially as their 0-0 draw with Wolves over the weekend extended their mini PL undefeated streak to three outings (W2).

In fact, the visitors last four game top-flight unbeaten run came back in February 2013 so the ‘Canaries’ will need to spread their wings here if they’re to continue their attempt to climb out of the relegation zone, but failing to net in five of their six away games shows why they’re the league’s lowest scorers.

New manager Dean Smith was appointed only a week after his counterpart Eddie Howe, but will be the one feeling more confident heading into their fourth managerial encounter (W1, L2), especially as the new Norwich boss has never experienced a PL defeat versus Newcastle (W3, D2).

Players to watch: Newcastle’s Allan Saint-Maximin has scored five of his last seven PL goals at home, while Norwich’s only PL hat-trick since September 1993 was scored by current top-scorer Teemu Pukki against Newcastle during the 2019/20 season.

Hot stat: Newcastle (nine) and Norwich (seven) have conceded the most and second-most goals between minutes 61-75 this PL season.
Will not play

Dummett P.
(Calf Injury)

Lascelles J.
(Yellow Cards)

Ritchie M.
(Yellow Cards)

Normann M.
(Abdominal strain)

Zimmermann C.
(Ankle Injury)
Questionable

Gayle D.
(Thigh Injury)

Match Information
Referee: Madley A. (Eng), Venue: St. James' Park (Newcastle)


Head 2 Head:

 

[r00fie1]

Alan Shearer admits Newcastle United's defensive play 'scares' him

Alan Shearer is worried about Newcastle United's defence ahead of a huge week

www.chroniclelive.co.uk

Alan Shearer reveals the Newcastle United issue which 'scares' him​

Alan Shearer is worried about Newcastle United's defence ahead of a huge week

Alan Shearer admits that Newcastle United's defending of late 'scares' him as the club legend fears for the side's Premier League status.

Speaking to the BBC , Shearer delivered a brutal but honest assessment of United's troubles ahead of a massive week in which they faced survival rivals, Norwich and Burnley.

With 29 goals conceded so far this season, and the defensive display in the last game against Arsenal - which they lost 2-0 - well short of Premier League stand, Shearer conceded he has worries about their backline.

"They have been really poor at the back all season," he said. "And it was the same at Emirates Stadium.

"I know they were playing much better opposition and were away from home, but the fundamentals of defending are still the same and Newcastle are lacking them at the moment.

"Any time anyone gets near their box, it scares me, because they cannot defend.

"They have got a couple of players suspended for the Norwich game - left-back Matt Ritchie and centre-half Jamaal Lascelles both miss out - but the way those two have been playing, I don't necessarily think that is a bad thing.

"In the early stages against Arsenal, there were a few encouraging signs - I thought Newcastle looked organised and competed well, but even then the Gunners created some big chances in the first half.

"Yes, things were better than they had been but it didn't last. If Newcastle are going to dig themselves out of this hole, they can't just play like that for 30 or 35 minutes - it has to be the full 90.

"To put it bluntly, they are going to have to start defending a heck of a lot better than they have been, otherwise their season - and top-flight status - could well be over before they know it."

Newcastle remain the only side across the top four divisions of the English game to still be without a victory this season - and only one side out of the five to go this far into a Premier League campaign without a win has managed to survive the drop.

The Magpies are already six points adrift of safety - and three behind Norwich ahead of tonight's game, highlighting the importance of the clash - not only because of the points gap but also looking ahead to the winter window.

"There are no ifs or buts about it," Shearer added. "Newcastle's season is really all about their next two games, Norwich and then Burnley on Saturday. They are both at St James' Park, and they are both must-win matches for Eddie Howe's side.

"Even six points probably won't lift Newcastle out of the Premier League's bottom three because their goal difference is so bad. But two wins are imperative because that would at least put them in touch with the teams just above the drop zone, with an extremely tough run of games to follow.

"Otherwise, Newcastle are facing a scenario where they are well adrift come the start of January, which could affect the calibre of players who arrive when the transfer window opens. Not many top players will want to commit to a team who, by then, might look a lot like they are going to be relegated."​

 

[r00fie1]

To complement other threads: a tribute to Ray Kennedy - who sadly passed away today.
Courtesy Newcastle Evening Chronicle:

Northumberland-born legend Ray Kennedy dies aged 70 after Parkinson's battle

Liverpool footballing legend Ray Kennedy was born in Northumberland and spent a stint with Ashington later in his career

www.chroniclelive.co.uk

Northumberland-born football legend Ray Kennedy passes away aged 70 after Parkinson's battle​

Liverpool footballing legend Ray Kennedy was born in Northumberland and spent a stint with Ashington later in his career

Liverpool footballing legend Ray Kennedy has died at the age of 70.

The Northumberland -born icon, who scored 72 goals in 393 appearances for Liverpool FC during seven-and-a-half successful years at Anfield, had been battling Parkinson's disease in recent years.

Kennedy joined the Reds from Arsenal in 1974, having come through the ranks in north London to play over 200 games for the Gunners.

He also made 17 appearances for England, scoring three goals.

The wideman played out the remaining months of his career as a player-manager for Cypriot club Pezoporikos and a stint with Non-League side Ashington.

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge led the tributes to Kennedy, declaring: "Yet another magnificent Ex LFC star has passed away folks.

"Ray Kennedy what a player and lovely bloke who suffered so much with Parkinson’s disease for most of his life. He will definitely never walk alone. RIP Ray ynwa."

Soccer - European Cup - Final - Liverpool v Borussia Monchengladbach - 25/5/1977 (L-R) Liverpool's Ray Kennedy, Terry McDermott and Jimmy Case celebrate with the European Cup (Image: Liverpool Echo)

Kennedy was a left-midfielder in Liverpool's hugely-successful team of the late 1970s and early '80s, the Mirror reports.

He won five First Division titles, three European Cups, the UEFA Cup, the League Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.

During his five seasons with Arsenal prior to his Liverpool-record £200,000 move to Anfield, he lifted the First Division and the FA Cup during a double-winning 1970/71 campaign as well as the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup the previous term.

Liverpool's official statistician, Ged Rea, tweeted: "RIP Ray Kennedy. One of the legendary Liverpool midfielders of any generation.

"His team mates and opponents knew just how brilliant he was. He fought a horrible illness for many years with great dignity and resolve. Truly gutted to hear this news today."

Kennedy left Liverpool in January 1982 to join Swansea City for £160,000 and he won the Welsh Cup during his time with the club before a brief spell at Hartlepool United.

Gunners fan Piers Morgan paid tribute to Kennedy, tweeting: "RIP Ray Kennedy. Arsenal double-winning star in 1971 and one of my first footballing heroes.

"Went on to play for Liverpool & England. Fought a long courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Very sad news."

Kennedy spent time coaching at Sunderland after hanging up his boots, while Liverpool and Arsenal held a testimonial for him in April 1991.

While he increasingly struggled with Parkinson's and the effects of his medication during his later years, he will always be remembered as a true Anfield great.

 

[r00fie1]

"The Road to January starts tonight" ?

The road to avoid relegation starts tonight - because this team dont look anything like a mid-table Championship Side [Sorry Chris].
Perhaps the Toon Army will begin to realise that Steve Bruce - whom they heaped criticism and abuse on - hadnt done such a bad job during his tenure after all?!

OPINION:

Road to January starts now as NUFC new era faces biggest test

Newcastle United have work to do as the euphoria of the takeover gives way to cold, hard reality

www.chroniclelive.co.uk

The road to January starts now as Newcastle's new era faces its biggest test​

Newcastle United have work to do as the euphoria of the takeover gives way to cold, hard reality


Unlike their rivals in the Premier League's relegation battle, there was never any chance of Brentford following Newcastle and Norwich's lead and prodding the panic button marked managerial change.

Holding their nerve off the back of four defeats was simply a matter of trusting the process. Results lie; the underlying metrics don't. With the exception of a soporific defeat to Burnley, Brentford had been equipped themselves well throughout their lean spell and the expectation was points would follow performances.

As United wrap up a miserable November still grasping for a first win of a desperate campaign, you wonder whether Newcastle's sharp new boss Eddie Howe would be similarly relaxed about an upturn in results.

Starting with a must-win against a Norwich side who have benefited from new manager bounce under the quietly impressive Dean Smith, United face a pivotal few days. It is difficult to see them - barring a truly transformative January window - stringing together top six form in the second half of the season so the need to stay in touch with their immediate relegation rivals is the thudding priority tonight and on Saturday.

Newcastle were always heading for this kind of reckoning precisely because they didn't follow the Brentford model of patient building underpinned by sound evidence. Steve Bruce kept the club in the Premier League but they were living hand to mouth, nicking points here and there while Mike Ashley was asleep at the while.

There was no philosophy or plan for improvement, just a day-to-day survival instinct which evaporated the moment this season kicked off and they encountered a Premier League returned to full throttle by the return of fans. That is the legacy Howe inherited and after impressing with his work behind-the-scenes, we all need to see evidence that the season can be rescued.

Brentford was a good, if wasteful, start. But there was precious little reason to believe on Saturday. They still don't have a clean sheet to show for their efforts this season: Howe's attacking plan tonight cannot be undermined by the mistakes we've seen in recent weeks.

At least this is not a pit of despair. If Ashley was still at the helm, it would be a write off but new custodians bring new hopes. After a quiet few weeks, they have to prove the doubters outside Tyneside wrong in January.

Eddie Howe walks out of the tunnel during Newcastle United's match at Arsenal. (Image: Getty Images)

Two months since the euphoria of the takeover and there's still plenty we don't know - despite the optimism of that incredible week. 80% stakeholders the PIF remain visible but are biting their tongues; they hold the power in Newcastle's new order but few in football are certain of what their plan is.

In truth, there's been a lot of work behind the scenes but little sign of practical change yet. The managerial change could not wait. But the Director of Football role that will be vital to underpin the new era remains unfilled and there is no CEO - both jobs that many will look at as an indication of just where Newcastle intend to go under Saudi ownership. We have heard much about process but little about specifics: who makes the decisions, what precise roles the visible Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi have and how calls can be made quicker, more efficient and more nimble in the near future.

They are learning on the job and January is the first examination of Newcastle's intentions. The consortium have 31 days until the January window and need to have players ready to go because the current squad, for all its willing, will not keep them in the Premier League.

In the short-term, though, they just need to stay in touch. The road to January starts tonight.

 

[r00fie1]

The Canaries.

Dean Smith: We have to go there and force mistakes

Norwich City head coach Dean Smith spoke about the importance of silencing the home crowd when the Canaries travel to Newcastle for Tuesday’s Premier League fixture.

www.canaries.co.uk

Dean Smith:



“Players can feel the anxiety from the supporters,” he said. “Any mistake or misplaced ball - there can be a deep breath within the stadium - so we have to go and force those mistakes. If we quiet the crowd down, it shows that our performance levels are there.

“We’re going to a team who have got a new manager in Eddie, who I’ve got so much respect for, and it’s going to be a tough place to go because they’ve got a real partisan crowd there and we have to quieten them down.

“Sticking to our principles is the main thing, to keep playing the way we have done with really good performance levels. Our physical stats have been excellent since I’ve been here so we know we’re a match for anyone fitness-wise.

“It’s only as big as the last game was against Wolves. If we hadn’t got four points from the last two games, we’d be beneath Newcastle in the table, but we take each game as it comes. I know it’s an old cliche but unfortunately that’s what we’ve got to use at the moment.

“We’re looking forward to it. It’s a challenge, but it’s an opportunity.”

Tuesday night represents the first time Eddie Howe will be in the Newcastle United dugout, having missed out on the previous home game with Covid-19.

“Eddie’s a very good coach,” Smith said. “He was the trailblazer for young English managers when he got Bournemouth into the Premier League. He’s someone we can all look up to. I’ve had some good challenges against his sides.

“They’ve got some really good ball carriers in Saint-Maximin as well as players like Callum Wilson who can get in behind and score goals, so we have to be aware of that threat.

“Very rarely do they go a couple of games without scoring. They didn’t score against Arsenal, but have been free scorers throughout the season, but have conceded a lot as well so they’ll be looking to find that balance.

“We want to go there and be tough to beat first and foremost, making sure that we don’t give big chances away. They’ve got players who can create, but we’ve got an attacking flair and good footballers who can keep possession.

“If they want to build, it will give us the opportunity to win the ball back in their half. If they want to go a bit longer, we’ll have to defend a bit deeper. They’ve played a couple of different systems already.

“They’ve got some continuity because Graeme Jones is still there. We’ve watched them and I’ve played against them this season with Aston Villa. We know their players and there’s not a lot that can get lost with the coverage of the Premier League.”

 

[r00fie1]

The Canaries on Song

Stats:

 

[r00fie1]

Ben Gibson on the starting block tonight:

 

[r00fie1]

Divvnt worry laads:
Sid James Park isnt sinking.
This is how it looks from across Leazes Park lake

 

[Laughing]

Thats a poor prem side. If newcastle get beat tonight, they will be 6 points from safety, essentially double their current total away from safety and Burnley will have 2 games in hand.

I think it is still true today, bottom christmas you go down.

 

[r00fie1]

Thats a poor prem side. If newcastle get beat tonight, they will be 6 points from safety, essentially double their current total away from safety and Burnley will have 2 games in hand.

I think it is still true today, bottom christmas you go down.

Any algorithms? [Just asking lyke ]

 

[r00fie1]

Preview: Newcastle vs. Norwich - prediction, team news

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Premier League clash between

www.sportsmole.co.uk

Preview: Newcastle United vs. Norwich City - prediction, team news, lineups​

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 2d

English
Two of the Premier League's basement boys will seek a priceless three points on Tuesday night as bottom-of-the-table Newcastle United welcome Norwich City to St James' Park.

Eddie Howe's men went down 2-0 to Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime, while the Canaries played out a goalless stalemate with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

---

Match preview​

© Reuters
Newcastle's deep block worked wonders against Arsenal in the opening 45 minutes at the Emirates Stadium, but the quality of the hosts' attacking line came to the fore in the second period to extend the Magpies' woeful winless run.

Bukayo Saka combined neatly with Nuno Tavares to fire home the opener before being forced off injured, but his replacement - Gabriel Martinelli - took all of 90 seconds to latch onto Takehiro Tomiyasu's pass and fire home expertly past Martin Dubravka.

Howe was never expected to end his side's woeful streak in North London, but fixtures against Norwich and fellow relegation candidates Burnley represent prime opportunities for the Magpies to lift themselves off the foot of the table and claim a long-awaited victory.

Now boasting a mere six points from a possible 39 in the 2021-22 season, Newcastle are three points adrift of the 19th-placed Canaries ahead of the midweek round of fixtures, but their superior goal difference will see them usurp their opponents with a win here.

Newcastle have conceded three goals in each of their last three at St James' Park, though - shipping a league-high 16 on home soil so far - and Norwich are certainly demonstrating more resilience under their new leader.

© Reuters

The sacking of Daniel Farke led to widespread confusion within the football fanbase, but the Canaries' decision has seemingly been justified as Dean Smith stopped Wolverhampton Wanderers in their tracks last time out.

Seven days on from sinking Southampton 2-1, Smith's Norwich managed to take a point from their meeting with Wolves on Saturday, but the Canaries will have left the pitch feeling that three points was there for the taking against Bruno Lage's side.

Firing 14 shots to Wolves' five, Norwich's resilience against Lage's men saw them claim their seventh point from their last three Premier League games, but the Canaries remain in the relegation zone - level on nine points with 18th-placed Burnley after their clash with Tottenham Hotspur was postponed due to heavy snow.

Farke's final game in charge of Norwich at Brentford marked the first two away goals of the Canaries' season in the Premier League, and despite their recent revival, two goals scored and 16 conceded on the road represent the worst tallies in the top flight so far.

Newcastle and Norwich played out a goalless draw at St James' Park during the most recent meeting in February 2020, and not since 1988 have the Canaries won on the Tyneside turf.

Newcastle United Premier League form:

• L
• D
• L
• D
• D
• L

Norwich City Premier League form:

• D
• L
• L
• W
• W
• D

---

Team News​

© Reuters
Newcastle have lost both Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Ritchie to suspension ahead of this contest, so Howe will be forced into at least two defensive changes this week.

Jamal Lewis and Ciaran Clark will likely benefit from the duo's absence to start on Tuesday, while Jacob Murphy and Javier Manquillo could certainly challenge Emil Krafth for a spot on the right.

Isaac Hayden and Miguel Almiron are ready to provide some much-needed fresh legs in the middle, with Joe Willock potentially dropping out of the XI.
Meanwhile, Norwich were dealt a major injury blow with Mathias Normann last time out, as the midfielder left the pitch after just 35 minutes of the Wolves draw with a suspected recurrence of a pelvic problem.

Normann will not be passed fit for this contest due to the quick turnaround, so Lukas Rupp could earn a start here.
Sam Byram and Christoph Zimmermann are likely to remain out for the visitors, with Smith reluctant to make too many changes amid his side's impressive streak.

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Krafth, Schar, Clark, Lewis; Almiron, Hayden, Shelvey; Saint-Maximin; Wilson, Joelinton

Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Krul; Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, Williams; McLean, Rupp, Gilmour; Sargent, Pukki, Rashica

---

We say: Newcastle United 2-2 Norwich City​

Newcastle will be aware that they will hardly get a better opportunity to end their winless streak, but Norwich will be a tough nut to crack, as evidenced by their recent performances.
Some enforced defensive changes could have Smith's attackers licking their lips at the prospect of even more goals away from home, and the Magpies could be held to another score draw at St James' Park.

---

 

[Nobby_Barnes]

Thats a poor prem side. If newcastle get beat tonight, they will be 6 points from safety, essentially double their current total away from safety and Burnley will have 2 games in hand.

I think it is still true today, bottom christmas you go down.

I agree and think if they get beat today they will go down. Unfortunately the law of averages says they have to win one soon....

 

[Laughing]

Any algorithms? [Just asking lyke ]

I do, let me get both prem games for tonight on one screenshot and I'll post it. In brief palace and newcastle win, but not with very stronmg biases.

 

[Laughing]

Here you go, both games have a fairly good cerrtainty of being above 2.5 goals. Low certainty that Newcastle win and the same for a Palace win.

 

[r00fie1]

We all know that the North East`s "Big Club" havent won a domestic trophy since 1955 [66 years!] so anyone who can remember that would havew to be into their 70s Needless to say, they have had some top class players [occasionally] grace the green turf:

Shear scores his 206th Goal for the Barcodes.


Peter Beardsley

Frank Clarke

Andy Cole

Hughie Gallagher

"Wor" Jackie Milburn

"Super" Malcolm Macdonald

"I`de love it..." Kevin Keegan


Bob Moncur


How could anyone forget Paul Gasgoine?
A character and a genius - on his day.

 

[Laughing]

Didn't go for the gascione nut crush then Roofie!

 

[r00fie1]

The Toon record of leagues and final postion`s makes interesting reading.

 

[r00fie1]

Didn't go for the gascione nut crush then Roofie!

Its a load of balls

 

[r00fie1]

Ciaran Clarke sees red after 10 mins.
Toon down to ten men
!!

 

[Chris_Boro]

Picture quality is awful.