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Bayer Leverkusen Vs Newcastle United: Magpies battle for top 8 in Germany
11 Plays1 day ago
Newcastle are desperately close to the next round of the Champions League but will it be the play-off round or the round of 16 for Newcastle? That will significantly depend on this fixture, both Newcastle and Leverkusen have top 8 aspirations - who will be victorious in Leverkusen?
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Transcript
Champions League Preview: Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Newcastle. I'm Michael Grahamslaw and today we're looking ahead to huge Champions League nights. But this one in particular at the Bay Arena.
00:00:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle United. aids Both sides are scrapping for a place in that all-important top 8. Leverkusen in Newcastle in It's tight, it's tense, it's Wednesday night under the lights. And joining me, as always, to pick it through is Ian McKay. Ian, great to have you with me. How are you doing?
00:00:46
Iain
I'm doing good, Michael. I am really looking forward to this. sir Well, in fact, they come every two or three days or three or four days, don't they? What a great run of fixtures we've got right through to the new year.
00:00:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:00:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Very exciting, isn't it?
00:00:57
Iain
um I, have guy of course, am expecting six straight wins.
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And who could blame you? The way we were last season around this stage. Chelsea, bring them on.
00:01:07
Iain
Absolutely.
00:01:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Man United, bring them on. Sunderland, bring them on. But before
Importance of Leverkusen Match for Newcastle
00:01:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
that, we do have Leverkusen.
00:01:12
Iain
Absolutely.
00:01:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And both teams are pretty much still in the race for that top eight, which would mean they don't have to play a playoff round in that in the February period and both teams will probably expect to win their next encounter Newcastle in particular were at home to PSV and Leverkusen's next two games are very winnable on their side but neither can really afford too many missteps and before we get into tactics team news and all that sort of malarkey
00:01:29
Iain
Thank you.
00:01:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
How big does this feel to you in Newcastle's season? Because I've seen a lot of people this week saying Leverkusen is bigger than the Derby on Sunday. What do you think about that?
00:01:55
Iain
ah where I mean, it's a big match. And of course, you know, we're we're on a run of 10 points from 12 games, despite the misgivings some of the fans have about the win against Burnley and the draw against Tottenham. It's 10 points from 12.
00:02:11
Iain
twelve I think it's the start of a big run. And we need we need a win against Leverkusen to really... take the pressure off for the rest of the Champions League games because then a draw at home to PSV will get us qualified at least.
00:02:27
Iain
And if we if we beat them, we've got a really good chance of finishing in the top eight. You get a free hit at PSG, don't you? m but i So I think, yeah, I think we've got to go for a win. And um a win in the Champions League just sets us up confidence-wise to go to the Stadium of Light where I think we'll be needing to dig in and and work really, really hard.
00:02:50
Iain
But if we can do that with confidence rather than fear, I think we've got a great chance there as well.
00:02:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. I completely get where you're coming from. It's one of those where if you go into Leverkusen like scared little kittens, that's going to transpire into the derby as well. You don't go from scared to really confident in the space of a couple of days, particularly not in football.
Leverkusen's Champions League Challenges
00:03:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Let's zoom in on Leverkusen first. They've had a bit of a weird Champions League campaign, starting off with a 7-2 hammering ah at ps g um They've grown into it a bit.
00:03:23
Iain
Hmm.
00:03:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
They beat Benfica, but so did we. And then they beat Man City away. um I mean, a away is pretty impressive, but we all have also beaten Man City. So, you know, they scored with both their shots on target.
00:03:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mark Flecken had the game of his life. It's not quite as impressive as 2-1 with a dodgy winner. um but But domestically, they are doing a lot better.
00:03:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
23 points, 28 goals scored, 19 conceded after 13. But they are coming off a 2-0 loss away to Augsburg. And the significance of that is it's the first game they've been without left-back Alejandro Grimaldo, who is their main creator.
00:04:00
Iain
you
00:04:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
They really struggled to create in that game. And there's rumours that he's going to be missing tomorrow. Now, Bayer Leverkusen have said that hopefully he's fit, but... If he's not, that's a big, big improvement for Newcastle. But they're not just a one-man team. through At the Bay Arena, three wins in the last five.
00:04:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
This Leverkusen side, it feels like at the start of the season we were saying, oh, under Eric Ten Hag, this is the game away you want. But after they've dispatched the City, oh, do you really think we're favourites like the bookies say, or do you think it's going to be much tougher than anyone anticipates?
00:04:43
Iain
I think I think it's close but you know if I had to I'd say we edged favouritism it's probably what the bookies have got um Leverkusen lost to out was Augsburg, you said, and they lost the previous league match as well.
00:04:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:59
Iain
So they're not indestructible in the slightest.
00:05:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:02
Iain
And as he pointed out, too nill at Manchester City, when you read that, you think, oh, wow, this must be a cracking team. But the stats, the only stat that what they had in their favour was the fact that they'd scored two goals.
00:05:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:05:16
Iain
Everything else was very much focused on Man City, and they just had one of those days where nothing would go in. m So, yeah, I think we're probably right to edge it.
Newcastle's Form and Young Talent
00:05:27
Iain
But, you know, we'll probably be just about favourites at Sunderland as well. And, you know, I'm certainly not not counting any chickens in that game either.
00:05:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
We are, yeah.
00:05:37
Iain
um I'm not completely confident about us away from home. I know we've had some good performances away from home in the Champions League so far. 4-0 in Belgium. And i still think we should have got all three points at Marseille. Somehow,
00:05:54
Iain
contrive to lose that. um
00:05:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Threw it away, yeah.
00:05:57
Iain
But, you know, the performance was very good. I think we if we play as well as that um with a rub of the green, then we are right to be edging favouritism.
00:06:08
Iain
And I do fancy us.
00:06:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, 100%. It's one of those where it feels like in the minute, every game, Newcastle are slight favourites, but every game is very, very difficult. And our European story hasn't exactly been straightforward either. Obviously, we had that at the early defeat to Barcelona, then three wins on the bounce put us in the mix.
00:06:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, as you mentioned just there, Marseille, last time out, 1-0 up, 2-1 down. ah Took the lead through Harvey Barnes, didn't really do too much else creatively.
00:06:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
but it was at the back where we let ourselves down. um But in the league, it's you mentioned it before, it's looking a lot better. 10 points from 12, scoring eight, conceding four, includes a big 4-1 away win at Everton, who look incredible right now.
00:06:53
Iain
Yeah, very good.
00:06:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Only one win in eight on the road. But how do you assess Newcastle's form right now? oh do you think we're turning a corner?
00:07:04
Iain
think I think the yeah two young full-backs coming back in has made a big difference, Michael. I think we get to play our game.
00:07:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:12
Iain
We get to press. We get to we get to press and we get to turn over 10, 15 yards further up the pitch. And... And that obviously that that advantage is is showing in far more attack and play. More goals, more chances. um We've got ah a little bit of a trump card or or a a joker to play in that Jan Wisser will come on for at least the 20 minutes that he got against Burnley, I would think.
00:07:43
Iain
Yeah.
00:07:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. 100%.
00:07:45
Iain
and And we've never had we've never had that striker like that this season yet. I just think with our wingers fast running, the speed, that that could be a completely different dimension that we bring to this game.
00:08:01
Iain
But, you know, i I think we've got enough. If Wissler wasn't fit, I think we'd have enough to do Leverkusen. They have got some really good players, but they're a really young side, aren't they?
00:08:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we've got some great, great young players, which I'll go into in a bit of the team news. Before we do that, I'm going to just come back to the point you mentioned there, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento, the two full-backs.
Player Fitness and Squad Strategy
00:08:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
You rightly mentioned, we've mentioned it a few times on the pod when they were injured.
00:08:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Those two coming back in is massive. And I think one thing we saw from the Burnley game was those six changes. The most important one for me was Lewis Hall being...
00:08:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
drop because he wasn't going to play 390 minutes in a week in seven well in eight days.
00:08:46
Iain
Yeah.
00:08:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But are you confident Lewis Hall can make it through 70, 80 minutes in both games? Do you think he's at that point now in his fitness?
00:08:56
Iain
Yeah. I think he is, and I think that's why how Howe left him out against Burnley. And he he came on and played very well in the last, what, half an hour he came on for.
00:09:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:07
Iain
So, yeah, I think that's where that's where he is. He can certainly start and play 60, 65 minutes. Probably squeeze him out to 70, 75 if we need it. But, I mean, you know, hopefully we're ahead by then.
00:09:19
Iain
um I just don't want to see... I just don't want to see midfielders coming off and more centre-halves coming on. I think when we did that against Tottenham, it was it gave them a hope and they took a full advantage.
00:09:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
completely. Yeah.
00:09:34
Iain
um But we should have been holding on to the ball in the Tottenham half and we'd have won that game 2-1.
00:09:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
A hundred percent.
00:09:41
Iain
But, you know, that's just because I know more than Eddie Howe, isn't it? He said sheepishly.
00:09:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Hindsight is a lovely thing indeed, isn't it? That's the thing. It worked against Manchester City. It worked a bit against Bilbao. It just didn't work against Tottenham, unfortunately.
00:09:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
But who could foresee a centre-back scoring an overhead kick in the last minute?
00:09:58
Iain
Thank you.
00:10:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
It only happens against us. um I'll say that. Malik Chau will score a 90th-minute winner a against Leverkusen by the bicycle kick now. So while you dream about that and think about that, we'll go to our first advert from Bayern Eek.
00:10:29
Iain
Mm-hmm.
00:10:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, let's talk team news and shapes. There's some interesting details in there. I'll go through Leverkusen first, and then Ian, if you could give us the news from St.
00:11:03
Iain
Thank you.
00:11:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
James' Park. Well, the Newcastle camp, should we say. If anyone's at St. James' Park, they're definitely
Team Selections and Strategic Considerations
00:11:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
not playing. But for Leverkusen, we are expecting something like a back three of Kwanzaa, Padre and Belichian, with Mark Flecken in goal.
00:11:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
You'll recognise Flecken from Brentford. Kwanza from Liverpool, if you remember he made his debut in that 2-1 defeat in there, where Darwin Nunes got a break. Yes, sorry for bringing that back up.
00:11:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then they'll play Ernest Poku and Alejandro Grimaldo as the two wing-backs. Those two are the ones where they're going to really get forward and cause some damage, but also if we can get in behind
00:11:36
Iain
Yeah.
00:11:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
We can cause a lot of damage there as well. alexi garcia and mazer and midfield tillloman and porkku all christian khan will support the well-known patrick schick up top some of you if you aren't familiar with the the strikegger he's the one that's called the halfway lang goal against scotland in one of the major tournaments a few years back ah Palacios, big thing for Newcastle, ah the big bulky Argentine centre midfielder. He's out with a growing problem. Grimaldo has been back in training. They're optimistic that he can play, but they're not sure that he's going to start, which is big news for Newcastle.
00:12:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
um but that's pretty much by leverkusen not going to go too much into that style of play except from the fact that we can expect a high pressing uh style that three at the back um will pretty much sit and then you're basically playing a five in midfield but ian what are we expecting from newcastle united you tuned in to eddie howe's uh press conference earlier let me know what he said
00:12:43
Iain
age Well, the news was basically there's no news. and He's got the same squad that was available for the Burnley match, which means Botman's still out, of course.
00:12:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:12:55
Iain
Pope's still out. Kieran Trippier's still out. um think that's it, isn't it? ah So quite a full squad to choose from.
00:13:07
Iain
He's denied in his um
00:13:10
Iain
pre-match press conference that he would be picking a team with one eye on the Sunderland game. He said he's got his full fit squad with him. He's going to pick the strongest team he can pick and he'll have the strongest team he can pick to play against Sunderland as well. So if I was picking his strongest team to play, that would be um obviously...
00:13:35
Iain
Aaron Ramsdale in goal. Liveramento and Hall at full-back. Malik Chow would start probably alongside Big Dan Byrne, who got a half-an-hour rest on
00:13:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:48
Iain
sona Saturday when Hall came on for him.
00:13:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:52
Iain
I have a sneaking suspicion, though, that maybe, maybe Chau gets a rest and Shah could start. that's That's if you if he is actually doing what he said he wasn't doing and thinking about the Sunderland game.
00:14:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:14:07
Iain
Midfield, I will go with their common consensus, which is that we keep Joe Linton in reserve to be at his feistiest for the Sunderland game.
00:14:19
Iain
and play, uh, Gumaresh, Tonali, and Dad bring Lewis Miley in.
00:14:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:24
Iain
I don't think either, well, Ramsey certainly didn't, um, and Willick played, didn't he
Newcastle's Tactical Adjustments
00:14:32
Iain
play the whole game, and Miley didn't. So I think Miley starts, Willick's the first change, uh, in midfield, up front, hmm, Volta Marder will start at number nine, be prepared for Wissett to come on after an hour,
00:14:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Close. Yeah.
00:14:47
Iain
um And then I would, do you know want do what I would actually do? i would play Barnes and Gordon, but I think you'll go, i think you'll go Barnes and Murphy.
00:14:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's it's one of those. I'd love to see Barnes and Gordon because Gordon looked back to his best against Burnley, in my opinion. He looked fantastic. And I don't think you can drop Harvey Barnes. And I know if you do if a player does miss out, it's very likely he plays the next game or the game after that. as a starter, so much as we're playing every three days. um But Anthony Gordon, he's been pretty good in the Champions League, it does have to be said.
00:15:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Valtemar picks himself. And then, yeah, I don't think either Alanga or Murphy have done enough with their recent performances to justify that right-wing spot.
00:15:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alanga was good against Burnley, I think. Murphy has had a drop-off, in my opinion.
00:15:38
Iain
is He's getting there, isn't he, Alanga? He seems to be getting there.
00:15:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:15:44
Iain
But yeah, I watched Murphy against Tottenham midweek and he had a bit of a stinker, to be honest.
00:15:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was the worst player on the pitch for me, yeah. and With Alanga, it feels like the confidence is there. He's starting to take on players again, um which is you know the reason we bought him. You're basically bringing Usain Bolt on, and then Usain Bolt's going, well, you know what?
00:16:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not going to run.
00:16:04
Iain
I'm just going to knock it back there.
00:16:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
it
00:16:07
Iain
Well, the one thing I did like is he did cut in a couple of times and take a left-footed shot.
00:16:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:12
Iain
One, Dubravka saved very easily. The second one, which he curled and just went past the post, I thought that was that was worthy of a goal, that shot. It was very close, and Dubravka was beating all ends up.
00:16:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
True.
00:16:26
Iain
So good. If Alanga's starting to get the hang of things again, that would be excellent. Because we do need a change on that. I mean, you know, it's not many weeks ago that was hoping that Osula would get a start on right wing.
00:16:38
Iain
and Because neither neither Murphy nor Alanga was doing it for me. But I do think Gordon should just, for the sake of the team, have a little run down the right wing, starting with Barnes. Because we've seen Gordon can play down that right wing.
00:16:55
Iain
And
00:16:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Great. Yeah.
00:16:56
Iain
I'll never forget the cross he put in. The first time cross for, for, uh, he's act to score against Arsenal that time.
00:17:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
<unk> a yeah
00:17:03
Iain
He can put, he can put a ball in from the right hand side and I'm sure he would enjoy linking up with Bruno and Tino.
00:17:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
<unk>
00:17:10
Iain
um but you know, maybe he didn't fancy right wing when it was trips he had to link up with and Sean Longstaff. I think he should have a go on it because I think, I think Gordon's head and shoulders above a Langer or Murphy at the moment.
00:17:26
Iain
Um,
00:17:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very possibly so.
00:17:27
Iain
even even armsne Even Barnes played down the right in one game, didn't he?
00:17:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:30
Iain
And he did all right. He did fine.
00:17:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. The really good thing about Barnes and Gordon is they can both rotate quite nicely. Murphy gives you a bit more on the defensive side of things. He can pop in a right wing back. Alanga... We don't really know quite what he brings just yet.
00:17:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
We will um after a few more games once he's settled in. But Barnes and Gordon both being able to play left and right. Barnes obviously likes to cut in. So does Gordon to a degree, but Gordon's so much better at getting to the byline, as we saw against Burnley.
00:18:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Although he did everything pretty well against Burnley. um But, yeah.
00:18:07
Iain
sort of Put some great crosses in. Remember as well, Michael, we do we do have to try and adjust to life without Jacob Murphy because clearly Arnie Slott is going to break the bank to bring him in to take over Mo Salah's right wing splot.
00:18:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
We do.
00:18:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:22
Iain
So Izak's got a chance of scoring more than once every 12 games.
00:18:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he always gets his man.
00:18:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, to be fair.
00:18:30
Iain
that's not news that's that's not and That's not news, that's speculation.
00:18:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it's an exclusive courtesy of the Daily Newcastle.
00:18:38
Iain
that
00:18:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just to go to that, to be fair, how baffling is it that we're sitting here going, you know what, I'd play Gordon on the right wing instead of Jacob Murphy and you've got Baldi's in Liverpool, gone.
00:18:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
We just didn't have a Jacob Murphy that we can play alongside Alexander Azak.
00:18:56
Iain
okay
00:18:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
The person that put on social media, you've bought the phone but forgot the charger,
00:18:57
Iain
and and
00:19:02
Iain
yeah
00:19:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Get them to get the lottery numbers because absolutely spot on. um But yeah, what did you think of that?
00:19:08
Iain
Well, I think if if it were if anybody wants to know why Mo Salah is a bit cross, see I think that comment in Slott's press conference that, you know, we haven't got a player of the profile of Jacob Murphy to play in the position that Mo Salah has been one of the greatest Premier League right-wingers to ever play.
00:19:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:31
Iain
um I mean, that is a snub. That is snub and a half. i't I'm not surprised. you I mean, I'm not sure he should react the way he's reacted, but I'm not surprised he was really annoyed at it.
00:19:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, true.
00:19:41
Iain
m
00:19:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I completely agree.
00:19:42
Iain
But i don't I'm not saying that. i'm not I don't think we should dare you know we should discredit what Jacob Murphy did. He is selfless.
00:19:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, 100%. Yeah.
00:19:51
Iain
He's selfless, and that's why alex Alexander Izak scored 20-odd goals that season. And Liverpool don't have a selfless winger.
00:19:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
so
00:19:58
Iain
They have stars who want to do it for themselves. And that's why that's why he's not getting any service. He looks bloody lost. I watched him against Leeds. And honestly, it looked like was waiting for a bus a lot of the time.
00:20:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I almost felt like with that comment, and this is the last we'll talk about Liverpool, but it almost hit me that I was sitting there thinking, you know what Arnie Slott wants to say?
Influence of Key Players like Joe Linton
00:20:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
We don't have a player like Trent Alexander-Arnold, but he knew that if I say we're missing Trent Alexander-Arnold, I'm going to be butchered,
00:20:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then he went, who's the next person I can speak of?
00:20:30
Iain
Yeah, you would.
00:20:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, Jacob Murphy. And to be fair, Jacob puts in some delightful crosses. But, you know, Liverpool put in more crosses than Newcastle last season. More unsuccessful ones, might I say, as well.
00:20:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So it's not the fact that they don't have players who like to cross. It's just the fact of Newcastle are simply better at putting the ball in the box. Particularly now, j well, Jacob Murphy is still here.
00:20:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Trent Alexander-Arnold is warming the bench in Madrid. um But, back to Newcastle-Leverkusen. Some individual duels, we mentioned a full-back, or a wing-back, should I say, who can dictate the play. If Leverkusen do have Alejandro Grimaldo fit, he is enormous for them. He's the kind of wing-back that gets you 10 goals, 10 assists every season. He's ah electric on set pieces, like a Spanish James Ward-Prowse, and he offers a huge threat from that left-hand side. So, Tino Livramento is going to have his work cut out for and it might just be why he sticks maybe Anthony Gordon or Jacob Murphy on that right-hand side, because they can both defend a little bit more.
00:21:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Also, you've got Patrick Shea.
00:21:44
Iain
ah my
00:21:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:21:46
Iain
Or Miley. Or Miley, because Miley backed up Tino Livramento to snuff um Jack Grealish out the game for Everton. And Grealish was on it.
00:21:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Couldn't
00:21:58
Iain
When that game started, Grealish was on it. But the the pair of them were so good at tying him up, he didn't he didn't really do anything. You could tell, he we I mean, he roamed to try and get into the game. He couldn't get in the game.
00:22:10
Iain
So I think Tino is a good man to have that.
00:22:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
couldn't get anywhere yet.
00:22:12
Iain
And Miley is a good backup on that side.
00:22:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:15
Iain
um We'll see.
00:22:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just another reason you're starting the Newcastle man, isn't it? he's a He has been a bit of a revelation, to be honest. um ah Since he's come in, he's been really, really solid. And I think...
00:22:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Joe Linton's probably in a position at the moment where this time four months ago, we were sitting, well, three months ago, we were saying, oh, Jacob Ramsey's going to come for Joe Linton's spot. Actually, the the biggest threat has been here the whole time.
00:22:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And how how likely do you think it is that Lewis Miley cements that third spot in the Newcastle midfield in the next year? Because he's had some great performances this year already.
00:22:52
Iain
ah Well, i hope I hope he does. i think what I'd i would have to observe is that if we are going to be regularly playing 60-plus games a season, we won't have a three-man midfield.
00:23:03
Iain
We need that rotation.
00:23:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sure. You
00:23:05
Iain
um But I do think Lewis Miley should not scare anybody when he's stepping in to take over from either Bruno or Tonali because he's done both those this season at Very, very well.
00:23:18
Iain
Now, it's no surprise to me, Michael, if you remember, I was screaming for him to come in and to get more time 18 months ago because I could see all of that when he was a 17-year-old.
00:23:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
you were
00:23:29
Iain
um And I'm so pleased it's working for him. I'm so pleased we're finding a time for him that we couldn't find for Elliot Anderson because let's be honest, if Elliot Anderson was still here, he'd already have taken Joe Linton's place, in my view.
00:23:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
have andson potentially yeah i it's It's one of those where I'm still not sure you would have got the game time.
00:23:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Just simply because Joe Linton is that fan favourite and i think Anderson needed a full season to really show how good he is.
00:23:55
Iain
thing
00:23:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
and But the potential was always there. We saw it. um And if Joe Linton was out for, let's say, a full season, you probably would have seen it in a Newcastle shape for Anderson. It's a shame.
00:24:06
Iain
Well, he dropped he dropped out, didn't he? He dropped out at January the 3rd when he got injured against Sunderland. And he was out for he's out for a long stretch at the end of last season with a recurrence of that injury.
00:24:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:19
Iain
So, um you know, he could have had that time. But, ah you know, I'm not scared of that happening again this year. I think we've got two or three that can step in.
00:24:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, definitely not.
00:24:29
Iain
I still love Joe Linton. I still think that he's a he's like, he's the guy who leads the charge, isn't he? And if he's on it, if he's on it, his very presence is so intimidating.
00:24:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%.
00:24:45
Iain
And I think the rest of the team raises its levels of intimidation to match.
00:24:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:24:50
Iain
But we've seen one or two games where he just hasn't been on it and and he's been disappointing. and
00:24:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's been stream Yeah, I think it's one of those for Joe Linton as well.
00:24:56
Iain
But yeah, he's still got an important role to play for sure. I think he'll be key at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
00:25:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah it almost feels like sometimes he's trying too hard. Like he's got that in the back of his head of, I need to be on the top my game because I've got a World Cup potentially coming up with Brazil in six months.
00:25:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or I want to be at the top my game, but i don't want to get injured. um And who knows what's going through his head because the psychological battle of knowing you've got that coming up and then being dropped from the squad uh for the most recent round of fixtures now he's gonna have a lot going on up there um which is not what people would normally say about joe linton um but on his day he is one of the you know the best in the league in that position particularly as the bruiser and then on the worst of his day you see him like he has been a bit this season like we saw um against bournemouth last season where he just clotheslines the goalkeeper in the back of the head for no reason um But he's still got a really big part to play for us.
00:25:40
Iain
Thank you.
00:26:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think the derby is the perfect time to do that. But back Leverkusen. I'm going to go into our second advert of the episode. This one from Zencastr.
00:26:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then we will go into our predictions for the game.
00:26:32
Iain
Thank you.
00:26:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Lovely stuff. And I do have to say, I've been talking in this episode, like the PSV game that we have next is a given. I've just checked the scores there while we had the advert, PSV are 1-0 up against Atletico Madrid.
00:27:05
Iain
Thank you.
00:27:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's one of those where if that was a given, I mean, people have seen them against Napoli as well, but they're a much harder side than we give them credit for. So that builds me into my next question, Ian.
00:27:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I've seen some people saying this is we can settle for a draw here and focus try and focus on the derby. I've seen some people saying this is the must win this week. What do you think? Is today i well is tomorrow sorry a must win for Newcastle United against Leverkusen?
Strategic Importance of Leverkusen vs Sunderland Derby
00:27:34
Iain
If we can win both of them, it sets us up right the way through till we play whoever it is at the end of January. I think we could, if we win both of them when we get into ah that run, we knock Fulham out of the quarterfinal next week.
00:27:49
Iain
We've got Chelsea at home. which we always beat Chelsea at home. And then it's Manu away. And you know what we've done there the last couple of years. That is momentum rolling into the yeah Chelsea, sorry, Crystal Palace and Leeds at home, all winnable games right the way through.
00:27:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:05
Iain
i think they're key to, for us to, to win these games. That said, because we've got that run coming up, I don't think either of them are must win.
00:28:16
Iain
I think let's not lose possibly. Um, if we get a point at Leverkusen, we still do have that PSV game. And you remember the last time we played at PSG, we came away with a draw as well, Michael.
00:28:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
We did it, yeah.
00:28:29
Iain
Um, so that's not a forlorn forlorn co cause. Um, and the Sunderland game is a must not lose, but that's more for religious reasons.
00:28:41
Iain
Um, But I'd love to win both of them. I really would. I really would love to win both of them. I think it sets us up. We can start discussing us going up the table from then on.
00:28:52
Iain
I just think that would set us up.
00:28:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:54
Iain
Wisser gets fit.
00:28:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:28:55
Iain
Wisser gets sharp. Find out a little bit more how Walter Marder can play slightly behind him. it It should be lethal second half of the season. I'm really excited about it.
00:29:07
Iain
Not if we lose these two games this week.
00:29:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
To be fair,
00:29:09
Iain
Yeah.
00:29:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah you've set me up quite brilliantly for a question I wasn't going to ask you, but I'll give you two scenarios here.
00:29:17
Iain
Right.
00:29:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let me know which one you would pick. So Newcastle United beat Bayer Leverkusen and Fulham. but lose in the derby to Sunderland, or scenario B, Newcastle beat Sunderland, but lose to Leverkusen and Fulham.
00:29:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which one are you taking out of those two?
00:29:42
Iain
Well, you know, I know i don't know enough Sunderland supporters for it to make any major difference personally. i want I want to beat Leverkusen and and i want I definitely want to beat Fulham.
00:29:53
Iain
That puts us in the semi-final of the of the League Cup that we're defending. We can't just accept we're going to get knocked out of that.
00:29:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sure.
00:30:00
Iain
So i would I would let us lose it. God, they'll never ask me to appear on here again if I say it. I would take a defeat in the derby to win the other two.
00:30:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a big, big statement. And to be honest, when you look at things from a financial point of view and from a business point of view, it 100% is the right option. I'm not sure I could handle a loss in the Derby, to be honest, but I might have to.
00:30:21
Iain
Thank you.
00:30:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But I do kind of agree. i I'd go for the potential reward of ah further run in a cup run.
Match Outcome Scenarios for Newcastle's Season
00:30:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll be honest, in six months' time,
00:30:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Well, and that's not six months in two years' time, I'm not going to remember a derby against Sunderland if we lose 1-0. um But I would remember another cup final and I would remember Newcastle United getting some brilliant knockout ties in the Champions League.
00:30:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
so
00:30:52
Iain
it's a short It's a short pain because, let's be honest, we're going to get them back at home sometime in March and we beat them there and it's a draw it's it's a draw again, isn't it?
00:30:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
True.
00:31:01
Iain
So, you know, anything we get at Sunderland is a bonus, to be fair.
00:31:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:06
Iain
Generally, if you get a point or you win away from home in your derby, it's a bonus because you're always hoping that you're going to win your home derby.
00:31:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, battle with home and everything's a great fan.
00:31:15
Iain
So, yeah, so i I think that I would take that if I if i could have three points against Leverkusen and knock Fulham out.
00:31:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Big, big statement. But all right, we can't dodge it any longer. I'm going to ask you for your prediction. Leverkusen have only lost one of the last six UEFA games against English sides. They've kept a lot of clean sheets in Europe, but when they've played Newcastle, they've lost 3-1 twice, with Shearer getting a hat-trick at the home leg and Shola Ramiobi getting a brace in the away leg. Obviously, we smashed Everton quite recently,
00:31:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Leverkusen, been pretty decent themselves. What are you going for? Who wins it? What's the scoreline?
Predictions for Leverkusen Match
00:31:59
Iain
I am going to go... I just going to go 3-1 without thinking about it? No, I'm going to go for Newcastle to win 2-1 and the winner to be scored by what wouldn't actually be the first Congolese striker to score for Newcastle in the Champions League at Bayer Leverkusen because Loire Loire was Congolese, wasn't he?
00:32:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:32:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh,
00:32:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes. Yeah, yeah. Lumana. That's great knowledge. That great, great knowledge.
00:32:28
Iain
Thank you. So Whistler will get the winner. He'll come on and he'll get the winner.
00:32:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
What a start to his career that would be. And hopefully he doesn't injure himself doing seven backflips like Loire Loire would.
00:32:41
Iain
yeah
00:32:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I remember that hat-trick against Portsmouth. Yeah, less said the better. But yeah, for me, I i do agree. It's going to be a really tight game to probably go towards the end of the game where either team's going to pick up a winner.
00:32:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm probably leaning towards a 1-1 draw, but I'm going to be positive and say two on to us. think we take the lead early on.
00:33:05
Iain
Thank you.
00:33:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
They'll get a goal back. Probably Patrick Schick, given how many chances we gave to Aubameyang against Marseille. I think their ah striker will probably get a few chances and put one in the back of the net. And then, who knows, maybe Anthony Gordon getting the winner and getting himself, continuing his redemption arc after a poor end of last season.
00:33:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Because he is starting to get back into it. But yeah, for me, it's going to be a really tight game. I'm really looking forward to it. Leverkusen, one of my first memories is that hat-trick Shearer at St. James' is against these. So it's it's a nice one for me. I'm sure many others um who were there as well. It's huge night for both clubs.
00:33:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I generally think this might be the biggest week in our season. What do you think?
00:33:56
Iain
I agree. Like I say, think these two games set us up. They set us up to run right the way through to February. And if if we have disappointing results, compounded by poorer performances, I just think that that all of that excitement that I've got now will be killed off and we could end up, you know, knocked out of the League Cup and still in 11th place by the end of March, which would be awful.
00:34:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:34:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. 100%. And it's one of those as well. We've just been um drawn against AFC Bournemouth in the FA Cup. A bit of a bogey team for us, particularly under Eddie Howe.
00:34:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
so It's one of those where it does kind of look like League Cup success is a bit more likely than FA Cup success. um But we'll see how that goes. That'll be on the, we reckon, the 10th of January. and But big thanks as always as well to Ian for your insight and joining me today. Thanks to you, our listeners, from wherever you are in the world.
00:34:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
From our app, I know we've got people in USA, Australia, everywhere, and I absolutely love it. We'll be back after the game to break down all the action from the Bay Arena and see what it means for the league table.
00:35:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Catch us on our social medias and on the radio with NUFC Talk TV.
00:35:12
Iain
Thank you.
00:35:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm Michael Grimeslow. Enjoy the game and I'll catch you later.