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Match Preview
Newcastle Utd v AFCB
Blogger Interview: NUFC Blog The Talk of the Toon
Twitter: @NUFCBlog
I spoke with Olly this week at NUFC Blog a leading Newcastle United blog. I wanted to see how things were now under Steve Bruce and if the fans were getting down to watching to football and if they had a strong opinion about any of the new players.
CC: What have you made to Steve Bruce's start to the season - is he beginning to win fans over?
NUFC: It's been worrying at times, with us often leaving our new £40m striker far too isolated and lacking a real threat in the final third as a result, but results over the past few weeks have picked up. I'm still disappointed by his appointment and worry for us this season, but am encouraged by the fact we've steadied the ship with two wins, one draw and one loss at Chelsea in our last four.
CC: Last time out Newcastle went into a 0-3 win against West Ham and the game looked over, so how concerning is it that the Hammers scored twice late on?
NUFC: It was more the fact we failed to finish our chances to put the game completely out of sight - although I was very encouraged to finally see us create and score more than once for the first time this season! That said, it is a slight worry that we made hard work of a game we should've won by three or four, with us clinging on in the end despite a completely abject display from West Ham in all areas of the pitch. We can't afford to be so wasteful at both ends on Saturday.
CC: Allan-Saint Maxim was remarkably quick against West Ham. Has it taken him a while to get up to speed in the Premier League?
NUFC: He is a real livewire and tore Pablo Zabaleta to shreds on Saturday, so he's a real one to watch for you this weekend. I hope your right-back is ready as he'll be coming up against Europe's most prolific dribbler according to the stats!
He's settled into life on Tyneside brilliantly, but it must be said that a hamstring injury made for a stuttering start to his season. Thankfully, he's come through our last few games unscathed and looks a huge threat - although he must improve his final ball, with him wasting a few big one-on-ones at West Ham.
CC: I hear Matt Ritchie is out with an ankle injury that he had operated on. Is he a big miss for Newcastle United these days?
NUFC: Luckily, Dutch loanee Jetro Willems has come in and played superbly in Ritchie's absence, meaning he may struggle to get back into the side when fully fit. That said, his energy, passion and commitment to the cause is absolutely outstanding and has been missed at times. He isn't the most talented of players, but he's a fan favourite for his drive and determination alone.
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CC: Selling Ayoze Perez to Leicester must have gone down pretty badly with Newcastle fans, I'm guessing - signs of no ambition - perhaps?
NUFC: It was a bitter pill to swallow, but Leicester's ambition on and off the pitch over the past few seasons proves exactly why he was right to join them, sadly. He was a streaky player who'd go missing at times then suddenly fire in five goals in four games, but he always worked hard, chipped in with vital goals and flourished under Rafa Benitez's guidance over the past two years.
CC: JonJo Shelvey appears to be back to his best. Do you think he is playing his best football at the moment at Newcastle?
NUFC: He was back to his best last Saturday, but that was a rare start for him these days and the sort of performance that has been few and far between during his Newcastle career in recent years. He has bags of ability and stunning technique at times, but consistency and his work ethic off the ball has always been the big issue. The true test will be seeing if he can put in a repeat performance on Saturday, with him almost certain to start with Sean Longstaff suspended.
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CC: Newcastle have played many of the big teams so do you have a false league position and that the team can start picking up points more rapidly now with the next round of fixtures?
NUFC: You're right, we have played several top six sides this season and are set to face several more 'winnable' games between now and Christmas, however it's worth nothing that we've beaten Man Utd and Spurs but failed to win any of our games against Norwich, Brighton, Watford and Wolves so far. No disrespect, but Saturday's game will be a test of our ability to win against a beatable side at St James' Park.
CC: Having beaten Spurs and Man Utd, Newcastle seem to get up for the big games. So is it more of a worry when you have a team like AFC Bournemouth coming to your ground?
NUFC: Definitely. It's almost like we don't know how to approach a game where we are expected to be on the front foot, where as we thrive against 'bigger' sides, being better when we sit back, absorb pressure and then hit teams on the counter.
That said, we'll be motivated to come away with another win on Saturday and keep the momentum going after by far our best attacking display of the season at West Ham last time out.
CC: Only Watford have scored fewer goals than Newcastle - is that because Steve Bruce stets up too defensively?
NUFC: At times yes, without a doubt. Joelinton has been far too isolated for the vast majority of this season, however our transfer policy has also been flawed.
We lost two proven Premier League goal scorers over the summer in Perez and Rondón and replaced them with a talented but unproven young duo from abroad in Saint-Maximin and Joelinton.
They have plenty of ability, but we've placed a lot of pressure on young shoulders here so have to hope we can play with much more attacking intent as we did last weekend. Things are starting to click, but our front three have scored just once between them all season, so confidence in front of goal is still low – despite signs of improvement.
CC: How do you expect Newcastle to line up for this game?
NUFC: Dubravka - Yedlin, Fernandez (Schar if he's fit to return), Lascelles, Clark, Willems - Hayden, Shelvey - Almiron, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin.
We tend to play with three centre-backs, two wing-backs, two holding midfielders and two wide men either side of a central striker. It's often a 3-4-2-1 with the ball and a 5-4-1 off the ball.
CC: What is your score prediction for the match?
NUFC: My heart fancies us to pick up from where we left off and take all three points in a 2-1 win, but my head fears that we'll struggle to cope with Wilson and King and be picked off. With that in mind, I'll say a 1-1 draw.
You have a dynamic attack that can cause any defence trouble on your day, but I've noticed you've scored just one goal in your last four and will be without Jefferson Lerma. A draw seems the most likely outcome to me.
CC: Thanks to Olly. The score prediction is a tough call this week. I don't think either team will want a draw but it could be a likely out come with clean sheets prominent for Bournemouth. Newcastle will have to show their home fans they can do it at St James' Park and that brings its own pressure, but Steve Bruce is clearly loving it back in the Premier League and AFCB will need to be ready for his game plan. Read more re-match views of Newcastle United at NUFC Blog.
Match Preview
Newcastle Utd v AFCB
Blogger Interview: NUFC Blog The Talk of the Toon
Twitter: @NUFCBlog
CC: What have you made to Steve Bruce's start to the season - is he beginning to win fans over?
NUFC: It's been worrying at times, with us often leaving our new £40m striker far too isolated and lacking a real threat in the final third as a result, but results over the past few weeks have picked up. I'm still disappointed by his appointment and worry for us this season, but am encouraged by the fact we've steadied the ship with two wins, one draw and one loss at Chelsea in our last four.
CC: Last time out Newcastle went into a 0-3 win against West Ham and the game looked over, so how concerning is it that the Hammers scored twice late on?
NUFC: It was more the fact we failed to finish our chances to put the game completely out of sight - although I was very encouraged to finally see us create and score more than once for the first time this season! That said, it is a slight worry that we made hard work of a game we should've won by three or four, with us clinging on in the end despite a completely abject display from West Ham in all areas of the pitch. We can't afford to be so wasteful at both ends on Saturday.
NUFC: He is a real livewire and tore Pablo Zabaleta to shreds on Saturday, so he's a real one to watch for you this weekend. I hope your right-back is ready as he'll be coming up against Europe's most prolific dribbler according to the stats!
He's settled into life on Tyneside brilliantly, but it must be said that a hamstring injury made for a stuttering start to his season. Thankfully, he's come through our last few games unscathed and looks a huge threat - although he must improve his final ball, with him wasting a few big one-on-ones at West Ham.
CC: I hear Matt Ritchie is out with an ankle injury that he had operated on. Is he a big miss for Newcastle United these days?
NUFC: Luckily, Dutch loanee Jetro Willems has come in and played superbly in Ritchie's absence, meaning he may struggle to get back into the side when fully fit. That said, his energy, passion and commitment to the cause is absolutely outstanding and has been missed at times. He isn't the most talented of players, but he's a fan favourite for his drive and determination alone.
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NUFC: It was a bitter pill to swallow, but Leicester's ambition on and off the pitch over the past few seasons proves exactly why he was right to join them, sadly. He was a streaky player who'd go missing at times then suddenly fire in five goals in four games, but he always worked hard, chipped in with vital goals and flourished under Rafa Benitez's guidance over the past two years.
CC: JonJo Shelvey appears to be back to his best. Do you think he is playing his best football at the moment at Newcastle?
NUFC: He was back to his best last Saturday, but that was a rare start for him these days and the sort of performance that has been few and far between during his Newcastle career in recent years. He has bags of ability and stunning technique at times, but consistency and his work ethic off the ball has always been the big issue. The true test will be seeing if he can put in a repeat performance on Saturday, with him almost certain to start with Sean Longstaff suspended.
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NUFC: You're right, we have played several top six sides this season and are set to face several more 'winnable' games between now and Christmas, however it's worth nothing that we've beaten Man Utd and Spurs but failed to win any of our games against Norwich, Brighton, Watford and Wolves so far. No disrespect, but Saturday's game will be a test of our ability to win against a beatable side at St James' Park.
CC: Having beaten Spurs and Man Utd, Newcastle seem to get up for the big games. So is it more of a worry when you have a team like AFC Bournemouth coming to your ground?
NUFC: Definitely. It's almost like we don't know how to approach a game where we are expected to be on the front foot, where as we thrive against 'bigger' sides, being better when we sit back, absorb pressure and then hit teams on the counter.
That said, we'll be motivated to come away with another win on Saturday and keep the momentum going after by far our best attacking display of the season at West Ham last time out.
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NUFC: At times yes, without a doubt. Joelinton has been far too isolated for the vast majority of this season, however our transfer policy has also been flawed.
We lost two proven Premier League goal scorers over the summer in Perez and Rondón and replaced them with a talented but unproven young duo from abroad in Saint-Maximin and Joelinton.
They have plenty of ability, but we've placed a lot of pressure on young shoulders here so have to hope we can play with much more attacking intent as we did last weekend. Things are starting to click, but our front three have scored just once between them all season, so confidence in front of goal is still low – despite signs of improvement.
CC: How do you expect Newcastle to line up for this game?
NUFC: Dubravka - Yedlin, Fernandez (Schar if he's fit to return), Lascelles, Clark, Willems - Hayden, Shelvey - Almiron, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin.
We tend to play with three centre-backs, two wing-backs, two holding midfielders and two wide men either side of a central striker. It's often a 3-4-2-1 with the ball and a 5-4-1 off the ball.
CC: What is your score prediction for the match?
NUFC: My heart fancies us to pick up from where we left off and take all three points in a 2-1 win, but my head fears that we'll struggle to cope with Wilson and King and be picked off. With that in mind, I'll say a 1-1 draw.
You have a dynamic attack that can cause any defence trouble on your day, but I've noticed you've scored just one goal in your last four and will be without Jefferson Lerma. A draw seems the most likely outcome to me.
CC: Thanks to Olly. The score prediction is a tough call this week. I don't think either team will want a draw but it could be a likely out come with clean sheets prominent for Bournemouth. Newcastle will have to show their home fans they can do it at St James' Park and that brings its own pressure, but Steve Bruce is clearly loving it back in the Premier League and AFCB will need to be ready for his game plan. Read more re-match views of Newcastle United at NUFC Blog.
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