Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
Newcastle United’s finish to 2024 and begin to 2025 has been one thing particular. SEVEN straight wins, 5 clear sheets, 20 objectives, simply two conceded, an Alexander Isak hat-trick and large wins at Man Utd, Spurs and Arsenal, sending us as much as fifth and 90-minutes away from the Carabao Cup closing.
Tuesday was, for me, the most important win of the Eddie Howe period, not solely serving to us transfer shut to a different closing at Wembley and a stab at silverware, however for the best way we imposed our model in opposition to a prime aspect, performed the right sport tactically and defended for our lives.
This weekend we’re in cup motion once more, solely this time it’s the FA Cup and one other probability to progress, the place Andy Woodman (the daddy of Freddie and former Newcastle coach) brings his Bromley aspect to St James’ Park.
Howe on rotation – “We knew going into the Arsenal sport the lads that had performed the vast majority of the minutes have been in a very good place mentally however bodily they have been a bit of bit drained.
We knew we must rotate our squad however we’ve received excellent gamers which are determined to play and determined to point out their qualities. It’s a very good sport for them to showcase these qualities but additionally we have now to get via so we have now to choose a robust sufficient squad.”
Howe on the FA Cup – “It’s nonetheless the FA Cup. I don’t suppose it’s modified in any respect. The FA Cup was the competitors after I was rising up and was one of many issues that attracted me to soccer.
“The knockout competitors and the drama that it gave was one of many issues that hooked me very early in my life. There’s nonetheless a magic to it and we’re on the opposite aspect going into this sport the place Bromley may have all of the hope and the magic of the cup. We want to ensure we’re actually skilled and attempt to get the job performed.”
Howe on Isak – “He (Isak) is seeing his physio for the time being and we’ve given him a few days relaxation however we expect he’s in a very good place and he’ll report again tomorrow.
“We’d have most likely concerned him not directly [against Bromley] however with what’s occurred he’ll most likely be given this sport to relaxation and get himself proper for our future schedule.”
Howe on Dubravka’s future – “He’s been an excellent skilled for us. He’s come into the group and compliments to him as a result of it’s tough for a goalkeeper. When Nick was taking part in he wasn’t, he needed to keep prepared and needed to keep targeted. I understand how a lot Newcastle means to him and you may see that.
“Emotionally he’s very invested. All these issues shall be taking part in a component into his choice making and our choice making. Hopefully there’s a profitable end result on the finish.”
Alexander Isak (hamstring) and Sven Botman (groin) are each OK regardless of feeling tightness on Tuesday, however the pair are anticipated to be rested for this one, protecting them contemporary for 2 league video games subsequent week.
Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes are again from suspensions and Emil Krafth is in competition to return from a damaged collarbone. Nick Pope (knee), Callum Wilson (hamstring) and Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) stay out
(4-3-3): Vlachodimos – Trippier, Schar, Kelly, Targett – Longstaff, Bruno, Miley – Almiron, Osula, Barnes.
That will imply wholesale modifications from our midweek win over Arsenal, however with our greatest XI on hearth, fatigued on the finish of Tuesday’s sport and going through two league video games subsequent week in opposition to Wolves and Bournemouth, it appears like an ideal time to rotate.
Not solely that, this may hand a number of fringe gamers and some kids an enormous probability to impress Eddie Howe in opposition to League Two Bromley.
Just a few I’m uncertain on are Targett – Kelly might transfer to left-back if Krafth is okay to start out at centre-back and Almiron simply in case we’re eager to guard him forward of a possible January exit.
It’ll be nice to see Miley again in motion after a 2024 disrupted by a number of accidents, whereas Osula will certainly get his probability from the beginning with Isak rested and Wilson out injured.
It may be an opportunity for Kelly to construct some confidence and play in his greatest place, with Greek stopper Vlachoidimos additionally prone to be in purpose with Pope absent and Dubravka within the midst of discussing his future.
It’s powerful to say how the sport will pan out, as we all know little about Sunday’s opponents and aren’t positive simply what number of modifications Howe will make.
Both approach, we’re completely flying on the minute, will discipline a number of gamers eager to show a degree and will maintain this unbelievable run going in opposition to a Bromley aspect at present sat twelfth within the fourth-tier.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-0 Bromley
Howay the lads!
