Players and cash deal from Newcastle Utd likely to be favourable to AFCB

The rumours are that Newcastle United are willing to offer Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle as well as some cash to meet the asking price for Callum Wilson. I see no way that Callum is going to be content playing Championship football, and with more players expected to leaving Dean Court in the next few weeks, numbers could be a problem for Jason Tindall if he can't get players in quickly.

Callum Wilson is on Newcastle Utd's target list

Steve Bruce has played a clever card in offering players to try and get Bournemouth to release their England striker. It is a tough choice to say no with the promise of Dwight Gayle, who we know is a proven golascorer in the Championship. Matt Ritchie would also be a very favourbale return player for the Cherries, even if he probably doesn't quite have such a big impact on games as he used to.

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A lot may depend on what other offers are being made for Calum Wilson with the likes of West Ham and Spurs said to be interested. It looks like Bournemouth will be a much changed team at the start of next season, despite JT saying it is not a fire sale. That doesn't have to be a bad thing, if the right players come in. It could also be better for the dressing room, if the likes of King and Wilson move on rather than be disgruntled as we saw with Ryan Fraser.

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Whether Bournemouth would get enough games from Matt Ritchie is one thought that JT has to consider and would Gayle work best with Dominic Solanke, Sam Surridge or another striker? Things are going to freshen up, but JT will have to decide if he wants former Premier League players or more youthful players from lower down in the leagues. While the money will be coming in for Aké and Ramsdale, there is no sign that Bournemouth are in a rush to go spending.

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If Tindall does take the Newcastle offer, though, does it send a message to others in the dressing room that they should kick their heels in and ask for a transfer? Who would be a football manage? JT is getting examined in every respect in the transfer market, and he's hardly had his feet under the desk. I get the feeling that things are only going to get busier at AFCB as well.

Previous post in Cherry Chimes - Sheffield Utd's bid for Ramsdale accepted - so what are AFCB doing?

In other news, Simon Francis (324 appearances) and Andrew Surman (226 appearances) have left the club as their contracts have not been renewed.

Is Steve Bruce turning it around at Newcastle?

Newcastle United might only be three points above the relegation zone, but they have had most of the stat of the season playing the top teams. Having picked up four points from their last two games, it is tempting to think that Newcastle are on the right track.

The home form of Newcastle United is pretty good of late. They have picked up a draw against Wolves and beat Man United 1-0, just like Bournemouth, as well as picking up score draws against Brighton and Watford. In fact, they haven't been beaten at St James' Park, but they have been drawing a few too many games. One win though and they would close up to a point behind Bournemouth.

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So, I don't see this as a bottom side against a top side. The two teams are probably going to be quite evenly matched. Newcastle played very much on the break against West Ham in their last match and only had 30 per cent possession. But on the break they were fast with Allan Saint-Maxim making incisive runs down the middle of the pitch. Joelinton has also kept his place in the starting line-up, even if he has only scored once in 11 games. Paraguayan Miguel Almirón has also been consistently picked by Bruce in midfield alongside JonJo Shelvey.

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Where Newcastle have been less successful is in keeping goals out. They tend to concede a goal a game consistently. Looking at the last home game the Toon had, they gave Wolves as many shots as Newcastle had themselves and Wolves had five shots on target. Against Man United they also conceded possession at 32 per cent but kept a clean sheet and had as many shots as United. Brighton too had the majority of possession at 72 per cent and it is likely that Newcastle are setting up this way to try and catch teams on the break.

For Bournemouth there will be an enforced change with Jefferson Lerma suspended for one match, but we have seen Dan Gosling training this week and Lewis Cook will also have his eyes on a starting spot next to Philip Billing. Let's also not forget that AFCb are going for a record fourth clean sheet in a row in the Premier League today, such has been the form of Nathan Aké and Steve Cook.

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Newcastle United Home Form
LDDWD

AFCB Away Form
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Possible AFCB Line-up

AFCB Subs: Boruc, Francis, Kelley, Mepham, Gosling,  Danjuma, Solanke

AFCB TV Preview

Rival Lines: AFCB need to tackle Europe's most prolific dribbler!

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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.

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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.

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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.

Grabban has done himself and AFCB proud

It's a big day for Lewis Grabban today as Aston Villa take on Fulham in the Play-off final for the Premier League. Lewis Grabban has been quietly going about his work in the Championship. To score 12 goals at Sunderland who have been relegated and then to join Aston Villa and score a further seven goals in the second half of the season, he has proved that he is still a top Championship striker. I wouldn't be surprised if Aston Villa want the Bournemouth striker to stay on whether they go up or not.

I wish Lewis the very best, but I would be even
happier if Fulham win promotion this Saturday - sorry Villa!

In recent days Nottingham Forest have been inked with a move for the striker and under Steve Bruce and Chris Coleman, Grabban has re-found his goal touch. It means that Bournemouth can probably hold out for more or less what they paid for him, when he has bought from Norwich City, and while Grabban has not made his name in the Premier League, sometimes players find their level and have to be content with that.

Lewis had some difficult times and could have messed up his chances when out on loan but he got himself together and did the business. Travelling up to play in Sunderland might not have interested many player after the team was relegated from the Premier League, but he went in there with the right attitude of making a fresh start.

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The Aston Villa move was perhaps even more impressive, as he had to score goals to stay in a team that was seeking promotion. He has not looked out of place and has scored some important goals. Why he was not able to do that at AFCB is a real shame and I was looking back at least season's first game to see that he started against Man United, so it could have been a very different outcome for Grabban, if he had take his second chances at AFCB in 2016-17.

With Villa now in the play-off final in the Championship, AFCB may be hoping that Villa do get promoted and take Grabban, but they may well have the money then to decide they can do even better and leave Grabban to other Championship teams to squabble over.

In other news, Rhoys Wiggins retires after his troubles last couple of years at AFCB.