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Newcastle's Playing Style, Champions League hopes & Expected Depatures.
14 Plays22 days ago
Michael hosts Iain & Nic to discuss whether our playing style means the Villa defeat can be expected at times, our Champions League hopes and give their thoughts on some expected departures.
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Transcript
00:00:02
Speaker
Every club. Every day. The Global Sports Podcast Network.
Introduction & Co-Hosts
00:00:10
Speaker
From prime Barcelona, the bad life life, ladies and gentlemen, it is the Daily Newcastle Podcast and I'm your host, Michael Grahamslaw. Today, I'm joined by Nicola Pringle-Adams and Ian Mackay. We'll start with you, Nick.
00:00:24
Speaker
How's it going? I'm good. I'm good. I am full of chocolate, barbecue food and a hell of a lot of wine from over the weekend, but I'm good. Typical Easter, happy days. Are you the same, Ian? You doing well?
00:00:36
Speaker
I'm doing well. I have been working today, but i'll I love the way you introduced Nicola and I like a pair of contestants on Pointless. Thank you, Michael. my giving, baby. Lovely stuff.
Return of Tactics Tuesday
00:00:48
Speaker
Now, I'm going to get straight into it on this pod um because it's a bit of a comeback to tactics Tuesday. I know that's been missing for a while, um but I am going to start.
00:00:59
Speaker
15 points, obviously, for Newcastle to play for. um Just two points separate, Newcastle in third, Villa in seventh. Obviously, Forest have that game in hand. But before we go into into the Champions League and Europa League spots later in the pod, I want to go back to Aston Villa.
00:01:15
Speaker
So Villa, for me, and know, Ian, you spoke about it um with Kev and Joe, but it's almost as if there's a certain way to play against Newcastle United.
00:01:28
Speaker
Fulham found it out, Bournemouth found it out, and Aston Villa definitely found it out. They were excellent. ah the keep You keep the ball deep, you invite pressure, use the extra space to break the press.
00:01:39
Speaker
But what I do want to ask you is... Is that a consequence of Newcastle's high-intensity pressing style, or is that something that we can fill the gaps with in the summer? Because every style of play has its positives and negatives.
00:01:55
Speaker
Is this just something we've got to look at and go, you know what, sometimes you are just going to get those big defeats? Ian, what do you think?
Critique of Newcastle's Tactics
00:02:04
Speaker
Well, ah first and foremost, I think the uplift that beating PSG gave Aston Villa and the carrot of getting back into the Champions League dangling there two days, three days later, um meant that whatever personnel or tactics we had tried, we would have struggled to get anything out of Aston Villa on Saturday. They were fantastic. and
00:02:34
Speaker
I don't think it's our personnel that was wrong, particularly. degree, yeah. Maybe injuries would would weaken us. I'd much prefer Sven Bokman to be in there. I think if we had approached that game with three-man, three central defenders approach like we did when we played away at Arsenal, we could we could have cut a lot of the problems out.
00:02:58
Speaker
We would have had to sit back and we would have been inviting them onto us and then that's our game, the transition game. um So perhaps it was a bit of tactical naivety ah Maybe it's Eddie's plan A but no plan B because Tyndall doesn't want to change anything.
00:03:15
Speaker
For whatever reason, I think we approached that game for the whole 90 minutes incorrectly. ah Very interesting you say that, and that does pan into the question I have next.
00:03:27
Speaker
But firstly, want to go to you,
Newcastle's Squad Depth Concerns
00:03:30
Speaker
Nicolette. What do you think? Do you think defeats like Villa, Bournemouth, Fulham, where we're just simply outfought and the energy is just not there, is that part and parcel with the high-intensity playing style that Newcastle typically use? Or you think that could maybe be avoided with a few new signings in the summer?
00:03:47
Speaker
Look, I think we all know that, um I mean, we're not desperate for new sign-ins, but we've spoke about it before on this pod where the rotation the squad rotation, we lack depth when obviously our substitutes come on. So I think, you know, that will naturally be sorted um with a few new additions in the summer.
00:04:04
Speaker
But what I mean, ah I only caught up really on the game um because I was out on Saturday, as you guys well know. um I only really caught up on the game yesterday um I do have to give credit to Villa where it's due. They played very, very well. um And like you say, it's games like that. Well, sometimes you just kind of have to give it to the other team. They just played well. And they, to be honest, they did outclass us.
00:04:29
Speaker
I don't think we necessarily played terrible, but you could definitely see there was some tiredness within the squad. And Kevin had asked this a couple of weeks ago, oh well, last week when it was a Wild Card Wednesday um episode. He said, which, you know, where do you think we could potentially lose points over with these next three games? The Manu game, Crystal Palace and the Villa. And I said the Villa game.
00:04:49
Speaker
I think this would be our hardest test to date post sort of Carabao Cup final. And it was. um And they deservedly got the result. And, we you know, we got beat. But, yeah, I do agree with what Ian said. I think it's just one of those things, isn't it?
00:05:04
Speaker
I think you plan your question, Michael, is proven by how good Villa were in that they brought in Rashford, Marlon, and Asensio in January and strengthened their squad.
00:05:17
Speaker
yeah and And look at the impact that being able to bring players like that off the bench after an hour had. We went from battling really hard, but definitely being you know fighting a losing battle at one all after an hour to four-one.
00:05:33
Speaker
um within 10 minutes of the substitutions being made yeah massive massive difference 100% I think we would we would improve first so for strengthening both the quality and the depth of the squad and and fingers crossed that's what we have an opportunity for coming up in the summer Yeah, 100%. I think signings are something that's going to be big. But I also do think that it's perhaps unavoidable to have those kind of results when you play the way that Newcastle and Villa, to an extent, do.
00:06:06
Speaker
You know, we play with such a high-intensity start. Villa are exactly the same. They managed it against PSG, which, to be honest, we we struggled with. I mean, we won the 4-1, but we changed things up. We altered it in that way. And to be honest, Villa looked fantastic.
00:06:21
Speaker
but we've seen previous seasons Spurs and Luton in the past are two that come straight to mind. You know, they've got past the playing style and they've actually managed to do well against Newcastle, but...
00:06:34
Speaker
There is something that we've sort of adapted over the last two seasons, but Eddie Howe, and it bodes into what you said earlier, Ian, of the Arsenal game where, you know, we did implement the oldlo low block and we did frustrate them, hit them on the counter.
00:06:50
Speaker
And it's really good to do that against pacey offences. And we've proven to be successful with it. Instead, as you said, we went toe to toe with our Aston Villa. Do you think Eddie howe might have taken a different approach the game beforehand?
00:07:05
Speaker
But with Jason Tindall there, we just stuck to, you know, tried and tested what's already there rather than trying to tweak things too much without Eddie in the dugout. Nicola, what do you think? um I don't necessarily agree with that because you as in Jason said Jason Tindall said before in press conferences that he will speak to Eddie sort of um pre-game and post-game obviously um and he would have checked in with Eddie uh you know pre-game and they'd have gone over the tactics I'm sure they would have gone over the tactics together as much as they obviously possibly could over Eddie getting rest obviously um so they would have had a game plan from the start um
00:07:45
Speaker
And, you know, they've worked together for so long now. What is it, 17 years? Their style of play and their game plans are probably very similar. So whilst I would have probably, um you know, we all want to see Eddie back on the sidelines, do I think there would have been a different approach? I don't necessarily do. i think their game plan would have been the same.
00:08:04
Speaker
um Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I've got that completely wrong. But, um yeah, I don't think Jason Tindall would have. I don't think any differences would have been from Jason Tindall to Eddie Howe. The substitutes would have probably been the same.
00:08:16
Speaker
They may have come a little bit earlier. I'm not sure. But this yeah, i think I don't think there would have been too much of a change. i don't know if anyone agrees with that. That's just my opinion. and I agree. I agree. that Yeah, I agree. i don't think there would have been any change.
00:08:29
Speaker
and Personally, think there should have been. I don't think that so very effective low block and super intense ah transition play that we had to win at Arsenal should be limited to that one game.
00:08:43
Speaker
but When he had the option to do that, Howe went one-to-one against City and ended up three behind after half an hour. And yeah never really got much of a kick against Liverpool when we lost 2-0 there. Now, I know there were key people out in that Liverpool match, so maybe that was just damage limitation and he didn't want to show our hand for the Carabao Cup final, so we could maybe ignore that one.
00:09:10
Speaker
But... against opposition like City and Villa, when you're playing away from home, you've got to be on super confident and on the top of your game to go toe-to-toe with them from the start.
00:09:23
Speaker
Now, wonder so I can see why Tyndall thought we were super confident and we were at ah the peak of our um potential, super confident going in to play against Villa, so we went toe-to-toe with them.
00:09:39
Speaker
I just think that maybe... Maybe Howe would have thought that's what they're going to expect and therefore just twisted it a little bit, shifted a little bit. you know They were one up after 30 seconds because they knew exactly how we were lining up and they knew exactly what we were going to do. they they They did their tweaks to isolate Trippier and targeted Shah and put Watkins on him.
00:10:03
Speaker
yeah It was a winning tactic that they had before the game kicked off and we never we never changed it. we didn't put any We didn't make any changes to try and address that.
00:10:14
Speaker
So I think maybe, yeah, and I think it would have been the same if Eddie Howard had been there. they they What, they'd won, was that seven wins on the bounce or going for the seventh win on the bounce?
00:10:27
Speaker
Something like that, yeah. <unk>m Probably assuming like we would that Villa would be a bit tired having got knocked out of the Champions League and played so hard. But it just, like I say, it just seemed to revitalise them.
00:10:41
Speaker
and that's not how Villa have played in the Premier League for the rest of this season. Otherwise, they would be ahead of Liverpool. Yeah, 100%. They were fantastic. They were great. it's the best It's the best performance I've seen against Newcastle from any side, to be honest, this season.
00:10:56
Speaker
And it's, ah a you know, Bournemouth, the 4-1 at St James' is up there, but Villa could have had seven or eight and I don't think Newcastle fans would have had too many complaints, um unfortunately. But...
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00:11:10
Speaker
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00:11:26
Speaker
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00:12:02
Speaker
Seriously, I genuinely, this isn't a rib. I've done twice. Whenever it's me and Ian, it duplicates. Whenever it's me and someone else and me on my own, it doesn't duplicate. That's so funny.
Technical Glitch Humor
00:12:15
Speaker
um It's nothing to do with Ian because Ian can't control it. It's my end, but the duplicate button or the repeat button in the top left corner isn't on. So, yeah, Zencast, you're usually fantastic.
00:12:30
Speaker
But please, please sort that one out. And we're going to put that behind us alongside the Villa game and we're going to look at the running. So Brighton, Fulham and Bournemouth have all fallen.
00:12:43
Speaker
They were all in the running for Europa League. Now they've just fallen a little short after some poor form. And it looks like top seven will all get Champions League or Europa League.
Predictions for Season Outcomes
00:12:54
Speaker
Dependent, well, the exception is if Crystal Palace manage to win the FA Cup. Now, Ian, you and I have spoken a bit about this already. We went through each fixture and gave our results.
00:13:07
Speaker
with fantastic accuracy to begin with. Ultimately, it got a bit worse as as we're going on, but we we're not going to talk about that. um But what we are going to do is I'm going to give you the name of each team, except Liverpool and Arsenal, and I want you to give tell me why they're going to finish Champions League, Europa League,
00:13:26
Speaker
And, well, there isn't an easy position to start, but I think the one we'll all agree on is Chelsea. So I'll start with Ian, and then we'll go Nicola, and then we'll reverse the order.
00:13:37
Speaker
So, Ian, where will Chelsea be playing in Europe next season? Champions League or Europa League football?
00:13:46
Speaker
Europa League. They're... the Most, well, you see, the thing that changed slightly because they scored two goals in the last 10 minutes and beat Fulham yesterday. They were falling off a cliff. Their form since Christmas has been awful.
00:14:01
Speaker
I think we said yesterday 20 points from 16 games, which is about the same as what Manchester United have managed. It's just a fantastic start to the season that's got them so high up. and But then they won. So maybe they're going to do what they did last year and win the last six games to Fulham.
00:14:21
Speaker
cement their position. and I can't see it. They've got to play at Newcastle and I think if we take those three points off them they will be only going in for what 12 more on top of what they have.
00:14:34
Speaker
They've got a match against Liverpool still as well I think. Yes that's correct. So i think I think Chelsea will be doing well to get six points and they're already out of the top five but I think everyone in the top five will get more than six points so they are Definitely Europa League.
00:14:52
Speaker
Yeah, I agree. Nick, do you agree? um Yeah, I would say Europa League. Their last game of the season is actually Forest. That could be interesting. um Because obviously they're on the same points currently, aren't they? Yeah, I can't see them getting a Champions League spot.
00:15:08
Speaker
I'm going for Europa League. and got They've got a tough couple of fixtures as well as some Europa League fixtures mixed in and still. So yeah, definitely Europa League. Yeah, 100%. And to be fair, if they go on to win the Conference League, they'll be in the Europa League anyway. So yeah're absolutely they're absolutely fine.
00:15:27
Speaker
Palma's out of form, though. They are scraping together wins and they are getting results. They have improved a little bit from that tough run, but they do, as you say, have the toughest fixture that's to this point. So they have no advantages on anyone else, realistically, than all three of us were going to see Europa.
00:15:43
Speaker
But this is where it gets interesting. Because I'm going to go Nottingham Forest. Obviously, they have a game in hand, which is on everyone. We played tonight against Tottenham Hotspur.
00:15:55
Speaker
For those that are listening to this on Tuesday morning, you already know what's happened, but we don't. So what do we think about Forest? This seems certain a few months back, but less so now. What do you think, Nick?
00:16:06
Speaker
Guys, I think they're going to drop out altogether.
00:16:11
Speaker
ah the Champions League Europa League or Conference League? What is it? Top six? So top seven at the minute is likely to get Champions League or Europa League. Unless Crystal Palace do a madness.
00:16:24
Speaker
And win the Yeah. um Oh, I would love to see Forrest back in the Champions League, you know, um unless it's and between us and Newcastle, then they can get stuffed. But um where do I think they're going to go?
00:16:41
Speaker
you know what? I think I'm going to put them in Champions League. I actually think they'll do it. Oh, I think they'll just get back together and I think i think they'll just... um Yeah, I think they'll get Champions League.
00:16:52
Speaker
They were sitting in third for so long. Yeah, they've fallen off a little bit. They've little bit, haven't they? But it is quite tight. Oh, yes, 100%. There's two points separating us in seventh. But what do you think, Ian, on Nottingham Forest?
00:17:05
Speaker
I think tonight's game is critical for them. I think if they come back to form a win at Tottenham, then, you know, they've got... ah got some winnable games coming up after that.
00:17:18
Speaker
Brentford at home, rebu yeah Palace away, Leicester at home, that's three points. West Ham away, probably three points. Yeah. But if they lose tonight and that's three straight losses, suddenly all of those games start looking a lot tougher.
00:17:33
Speaker
They're already out. Are they out of the top six now? No, they're currently in six. They're sixth now, aren't they? Joint points though with Chelsea and Villa. Yeah.
00:17:44
Speaker
Yeah. I am going to plump for them losing at Tottenham tonight and not coming back from it. So they'll finish sixth. That last game of the season against Chelsea will be a playoff for sixth or seventh and completely meaningless.
00:18:01
Speaker
They surely can't lose to Spurs. They can't lose to Spurs, surely. They're in 16th. Spurs are full. Spurs are full. True, true, true. Yeah, Spurs...
00:18:13
Speaker
With Solanke, Son's apparently a rumour to be in the player of the season, which is mental. um Solanke's back to form. the They did get an important win in the Europa League against Frankfurt.
00:18:27
Speaker
So maybe, just maybe, Big Ange has got them on the up. But I do have to agree. um It is going to be tough for them, but I think the schedule is going to be good enough for We had one of you say Europa League, one you say Champions League.
00:18:41
Speaker
I think the games they've got, I think they'll just scrape Champions League. like um But on that, the one that nobody would have caught said could fall in the Champions League or out of the Champions League in the Europa League next season would be Manchester City.
00:18:58
Speaker
Now, they're not the team they used to be, obviously. But in the last 12 games, only Liverpool have picked up more points than the citizens. So, Ian... Champions League or Europa League for Manchester City.
00:19:13
Speaker
Right. Again, critical match tomorrow night at home to Villa. Yeah, massive game. Huge game. They've got some hard games, you know. They're at home to Villa. If Villa play like they did against us, that could be a Villa win.
00:19:28
Speaker
Yeah, 100%. I think after that, they've got quite a benign run in, haven't they? They play Wolves, away at Southampton, home to Bournemouth, away at Fulham. Chelsea were at Fulham.
00:19:41
Speaker
Bournemouth have fallen off a cliff. I think City, even drawing against Villa, I think City will be Champions League, probably finishing third.
00:19:54
Speaker
No! Unfortunately, ah do agree. I can't see them picking up less than 10 points from the 15 remaining, up which... undoubtedly with secure champions league um it could be one of those where and because every team has tough fixtures and forest areing aren't in good form that everyone kind of just seems like they don't want it and gets bad results but before i say what i'm gonna go with nicola what do you think man city champions league or europa league this season i would really love to see them not qualify for any um but they're gonna i just don't like them i'm sorry i just don't like them um
00:20:33
Speaker
I wouldn't say they're going to finish there because I think it's going to be us. But yeah, they're going to they're going to qualify for Champions League, aren't they? The fixture list is quite kind to them coming up. So yeah, they will will be in the Champions League next season. But then hopefully they get found guilty of all their 900 charges, whatever is, and then they can't play.
00:20:52
Speaker
Get relegated, yeah. Yeah. we We can all pray and we can all hope. But there is one last team we go to before Newcastle United. And that is the team that didn't play. We didn't play at the weekend. Nothing happened. But they're an incredible team in great form.
00:21:08
Speaker
Arguably the best performance weve I've seen this season from ah almost any team. Aston Villa. Their goal difference is considerably worse than the rest. that's effectively a point less. But, Nicola, we start with you.
00:21:20
Speaker
What do you think? Did Aston Villa take a Champions League spot this season?
00:21:27
Speaker
I don't know. think they deserve it. Well, that's how pulling it. I think the game against Manchester City gaming as much as sitting you up in the air, say they get a point off that.
00:21:41
Speaker
They then have a home game against Fulham. That's three points. They play Tottenham at home. That's three points. Then they're away at Bournemouth, probably three points. Away at Man United, even Wolves did that.
00:21:56
Speaker
So Villa are 12 or 13 points. I think they are well and truly in the Champions League. Yeah, I agree. I do agree. Interesting, Nicola, because now all of your Champions League spots are taken and the only one remaining is the one in the Europa League.
00:22:14
Speaker
Ian, the maths has worked out well. You've picked two for Europa League, but Nicola's picked all but one spot leaving Europa League. So um do you want to quickly change the Manchester City or Aston Villa one? Yeah, Aston Villa can go into the Europa League pot. Thank you very much, because that's where they're sitting right now.
00:22:35
Speaker
We went from third to, oh I've run out of spots, but that just tells you how difficult this run is and how close everything is. They would keep count.
00:22:47
Speaker
You mentioned Villa there, who potentially pick up 13 points. It wouldn't surprise anyone if they won every game. So they're a big, big risk to Newcastle United. You said that and was Nottingham Forest and who was the other one? Or Chelsea was the other one. forest chelsea the but Yeah, I think that last game of the season between them is meaning fixture.
00:23:09
Speaker
They'll both get Europa League. Hopefully that is the case. I'm not sure where Newcastle fit. We've got a point more in the City team. We've got two points more than Villa.
00:23:20
Speaker
um i think we've I think we win our three home games and it's down to whether we can do Arsenal again or not as to whether we're third, fourth or fifth.
00:23:34
Speaker
Because I think that after Brighton game is, oh, I don't know.
Player Fitness Impact on Newcastle
00:23:38
Speaker
Brighton are a bogey team, but we really ought to be beating Brighton because they are so in and out at the moment. Yeah. I'm just imagining that game as well.
00:23:47
Speaker
i'm um Yeah, he got sent off, didn't he? i'm I'm kind of hoping that Eddie will come back and that'll be a real shot on the arm for everybody when Eddie Howe turns up again. But also, yeah ah Sven Botman expected to be taking some part next week against Ipswich.
00:24:03
Speaker
So that could that could be him match fit for the last three games of the season, and um which would be excellent to have him against...
00:24:14
Speaker
Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton, I think, would be a big plus. Yeah, 100%. yeah The fitness of those kind of players, obviously, there's been rumours that Izak hasn't been 100% for the last few games as well.
00:24:26
Speaker
We're wellre back to one game a week now, getting fitness up and getting those key players ready. doesn't matter who they face. Newcastle United are at 100% firing. We can beat anybody. Absolutely.
00:24:38
Speaker
We've discussed Europa League and Champions League. Now I'm going to summon one of you to do the wonderful Zencastrad. And I want the new one, which means I'm going to you, Nick.
00:24:49
Speaker
No problem. Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zencastrad came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ahs, it is super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:25:05
Speaker
If you are ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencastr. That is the new one, right? Hang on. Yeah, it's like... Does get rid of wee eyes?
00:25:16
Speaker
Huh? No, no. No. You told me it got rid of wee eyes. That's because Nicola has done the 7-inch radio edit new Zencastr advert, and I did the full 12-inch...
00:25:32
Speaker
Disco special Zencastr advert, which was the original one. And that's what I mean about the second one. It just cuts all out. You can't say that it removes ums, ahs, you knows, YIs and what well, you're bugger mans. It doesn't take that out.
00:25:47
Speaker
but Oh, dear me. Well, it does if I say it does. But unfortunately, I like to keep all that in. um So that's a sneak peek into our editing life.
Transfer Speculations and Movements
00:26:00
Speaker
What I also want to get... Well, we've also had a sneak peek into the end of the season. and ah But what we haven't talked about is what position we might be in in regards to players. Now, it's only April, but we've heard a lot about players leaving Newcastle United.
00:26:18
Speaker
And, well... I think game time given to some players over the last few games maybe is an indicator of what might happen to them in the summer. um So going to give you the eight Newcastle players that have been linked with moves away.
00:26:32
Speaker
i haven't included John Ruddy, Mark Gillespie, et cetera, because we'd be here all night. um But i want you to tell I want you to tell me what is going to happen to them this summer. Nick, you start this one and then we'll go Ian, and then back and forth again um again. If there's any disagreements, I'll throw in my rusty twopee.
00:26:50
Speaker
yeah First off, we'll start easy. Callum Wilson. Got to go.
00:26:57
Speaker
Got to go. Sorry, he's got to go. But he won't. He won't. Yeah, they won't extend Callum's contract. he's He's not right, is he?
00:27:10
Speaker
He's running around. was impressed at 4-1 down how he was still trying to close down. I think his body's willing, or his mind is willing, but his body is not capable. Yeah, agreed.
00:27:20
Speaker
I agree. Callum, go and get your... I i've really hope that he does get his 50th goal for Newcastle before the end of the season, though. Yeah, 100%. But I don't think that Callum Wilson's contract will be renewed because we've got a lovely, shiny transfer pot to bring somebody like Cunha in, for example.
00:27:40
Speaker
Okay. I would love Matthias Cunha. We're not talking about incomings because that'll probably be a wild card Wednesday. and yeah ah But i do I do agree on Callum Wilson.
00:27:53
Speaker
Great servant. If he gets 50 goals, maybe it'll be like Shearer's testimonial where there's a dodgy penalty given in the 90th minute and he he runs onto the pitch. Callum Wilson gets his goodbye and then maybe he moves on to Coventry City and gets them promoted next year over Sunderland and Borough.
00:28:11
Speaker
Oh, yeah, come on. That's perfect, I think. We'll deal with that. But, yeah, Callum Wilson, probably at the door. Second up, another person whose contract is ending in the summer, Jamal Lasselles.
00:28:24
Speaker
Ian, what do you think?
00:28:27
Speaker
I think Jamal Lasselles' contract will be extended. Ooh, what makes you say that? Mm-hmm. Because he's a club captain. He's been such an integral part of it.
00:28:38
Speaker
you remember, he was Rafa's right-hand man. He's lived the last 10 years there. And ah he's he's a he's not a bad centre-half when he's fit and firing. um We've written him off a couple of times and he's come back and played half a season and done really well.
00:28:57
Speaker
I don't think they'd let him be injured the whole season with an ACL and then just let him go. I think they'll renew him, see what he's like next year. He's not really that old. He's certainly not Char and Burns age, is he?
00:29:10
Speaker
So there's plenty of life left in them. What we haven't seen, you see, what we're thinking of is the Jamal Lascelles that we know and love from the Stevie Bruce days, not the one who's had all of the improvement from having been coached by Eddie Howe for the last three years. I think we did see glimpses of that when he came in for the first half of last season.
00:29:34
Speaker
He played a lot better than what we were expecting, um but then he got injured. So I i think that keep Jamal Lascelles, that saves unit but saves you $40 million for having to buy a second centre-half.
00:29:48
Speaker
Yeah, it's it's a possibility. I do you think that to be coached by only how you have to be fit at some point, unfortunately. And he's had more stories for scuffles in the street than he has for playing well for Newcastle United recently, unfortunately.
00:30:04
Speaker
um But I do like LaSalle's. I think I'll always remember that game after Southampton, um which was the reason he became captain, where he came out and said, look, this isn't on.
00:30:16
Speaker
The attitude's shocking. Let's get into And, you know, we were a lot better after it. And arguably his leadership is one of the reasons we got back to the Premier League and we're now a top four Premier League club. So thank you very much, Jamal Asells. But to be honest, I potentially want to see him leave in the summer if we do have the kitty to replace him.
00:30:37
Speaker
What do you think, Nicola? Oh, God, feel really bad. um i I actually agree with the pair of you. So I think Jamal Asseld has been a great so weight, has been a great servant to the club over the years. And I do agree with it. um i want to see him go.
00:30:56
Speaker
i think it's time that he goes. But do I think the club will get rid of him after having an ACL injury for whatever, is what seems like the whole season? No, I don't. So I personally think he will probably remain at the club and could potentially, depending on his fitness levels, may go.
00:31:12
Speaker
next window, as in the winter window.
00:31:16
Speaker
Okay, I thought you were just going to firmly remain Swiss the entire year. I'm going to sit on the fence. Alan Wilson, don't know. Jamal Asells, don't know. I agree with both of you. In the Champions League, Michael, if if we are in the Champions League, he is, because of the age that he joined us, he's ah he's a homegrown player that we need for, like Paul Dummett,
00:31:37
Speaker
just um for Champions League. So I think that's one other reason why his contract will be extended to keep his leadership in the in the team. He'll probably stay ah club captain, but he doesn't necessarily have to play very many games to continue to fulfil a very important role that he's doing at the moment.
00:31:57
Speaker
No, that's an excellent point. yeah Paul Dummick got ah a contract extension because of the Champions League qualification. Yeah, it's an excellent point. And to be honest, one that maybe I hadn't considered.
00:32:09
Speaker
Maybe we'll keep Mark Gillespie on in that case as well. But want to move to one that's a bit more controversial. And um might do two at the same time here, actually.
00:32:22
Speaker
Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes, because two players who have been absolutely fantastic for Newcastle at different points over the course of this season.
00:32:33
Speaker
Gordon, there's been rumours of him going to Liverpool. They've got a huge kitty from what I'm hearing ah for next season. And Harvey Barnes, obviously, he's come good. But since he's joined, all the talk has been about him leaving.
00:32:47
Speaker
So what do we think? I think that Anthony Gordon will be they'll fight tooth and nail to keep him. Fan favourite. He loves it here. um Definitely Anthony Gordon, England's best left winger. Why would we sell him?
00:33:03
Speaker
Harvey Barnes, I think, has worked really hard and shown what he can do, just as devastating down the left when he's playing with Tina Livramento in the last five or six games, which probably wins him another season.
00:33:16
Speaker
However, if decent offer comes in for him, we may well be tempted to take £50 million for him, let's say. um Yeah.
00:33:27
Speaker
That's good point. And put a little bit more into the other as other other positions that we're going to recruit for. Because we do have good cover on the left. Joe Linton and Willett can play there. we've got We've got the washing machine boy himself, Zanussi, that can come and play on the left-hand side next year.
00:33:46
Speaker
He's had a few little little cameos in cup matches and death and he looks very exciting. bit raw, but yeah Nevertheless, for a third-choice left-winger that could actually do something when he comes on.
00:33:58
Speaker
So we we are well stocked in the left-wing department. My gut feel is they'll both still be there. But if if somebody comes in and makes the right offer, I think he's tradable.
00:34:13
Speaker
Yeah. I've heard... So the reason I ask in particular is because i've heard fans of Newcastle say on both sides that people would be willing to see both leave. in the summer if offers of the right valuation came through because they think the offer the valuation of Gordon the $8,200 million um is a lot more than what he's worth and some think Harvey Barnes but it's just a purple patch at the moment personally my opinion is You've got two fantastic players there.
00:34:44
Speaker
If you can keep both of them, it shows you're serious and it shows that you're willing to push forward as a club. And yeah that's what Newcastle need right now. And speaking of what Newcastle need right now, Ian, I've already asked you this question.
00:34:56
Speaker
He's irreplaceable. He's i irreplaceable. He's the best striker in the world, I think, although I'm not ah an expert on who's playing up front for but in the Colombian leagues. But he's ah certainly the best striker in Europe.
00:35:09
Speaker
And we've got him. He's scored 25 goals. in each of the last two seasons, including the cup matches. And and he's got he's got the Champions League to play in next year, fingers crossed.
00:35:23
Speaker
He's not going to want to go anywhere. I don't know if anybody would want to be spending the £150 million to buy him, but I don't think he wants to go. but We don't want to lose him, so a non-event.
00:35:35
Speaker
No discussion. 100%. hundred percent Teams can't afford them, simple as that. And if they can, they'll break their entire balance for the summer. But one player that isn't going to break the balance and probably will be the main topic of conversation, I think, here is local boy, Sean Longstaff.
00:35:52
Speaker
Because, of course, he meets the homegrown quota. And he's from Newcastle's Academy, which I think is another quota that needs to be met. so And there's not many of them out there that will meet that quota. Yeah.
00:36:04
Speaker
um But Sean Longstaff, obviously we have such a fantastic range of central midfielders, but does he stay or does he go in the summer? What do you think, Ian?
00:36:19
Speaker
I think, I don't think we need to ah recruit to get the strength and depth in the midfield. I do think we need to trade to improve the overall quality of the midfield.
00:36:35
Speaker
I think he gets sold. And I think Lewis Miley steps into the squad to be the academy homegrown midfield player that you're talking about in the Champions League squad.
00:36:47
Speaker
That's what but I think get 30-35 million for him from Everton, I believe, are sniffing, Leeds sniffing. you not think I get that much for him? Not this year.
00:36:57
Speaker
I can't see 35 to 40, I'm afraid. and I'd be happy with 10, if I'm honest. Come on. Still in the prime of his career. Man U were offered 50. I guess, i'm um yeah, this time last year he might have been a 30 million player, but he hasn't played so much this year. So maybe maybe someone could pick him up for 20, 25.
00:37:20
Speaker
I would i would take it ah would take it and thank him. And he's going to support Newcastle all his life anyway. But there are two other players I just want to quickly go. They're definitely not going to be sold, but I want to know if you would loan them out or keep them at the club for their development. And the first one is Lewis Miley.
00:37:39
Speaker
Do we keep them at the club? Ian, you said he'd take a Champions League spot, so I assume that means you would keep them at the club. Got Champions zi League experience, haven't he? I don't think he missed. True.
00:37:50
Speaker
I think he played all six games but some in in some position.
Homegrown Talent for Champions League
00:37:54
Speaker
So I would keep him. ah I'm gratified that so Sandro has proven himself to be so world-class in the midfield for this season.
00:38:04
Speaker
ah think they held on to Lewis Miley in case that didn't work out or in case Tonali or Bruno or Joe Linton picked up an injury. But I think he's, so for me, he's the first change in midfield. He should be.
00:38:18
Speaker
If he's another year wiser, bigger, stronger next year, I think he'll get plenty of game time.
00:38:26
Speaker
And the youngster without Champions League experience, but a lot of cup experience, William Osula. He brings vibes and W's in the chat, apparently. like But what do you think, Ian?
00:38:40
Speaker
Does he bring her what Newcastle are looking for? I like him and I don't think we've i don't like we've seen, i don't think he's been chanced enough. I know he's raw, but you know, Jakuba Minta was raw when Brighton put him in and he's a great player.
00:38:55
Speaker
yeah Cole Palmer was raw when he came from the Manchester City reserves and went straight into the Chelsea first team. don't mean Asula's as good as Cole Palmer, by the way, but we've seen flashes.
00:39:07
Speaker
He's huge. We have. Strong, so quick, the fastest player in the squad. you believe what the other players say. Yeah. If wilson's if Wilson is and is gone, then absolutely we keep him.
00:39:22
Speaker
And I'm hoping that we can keep him almost as a first change for Isaac. If we have a Mbwemo, for example, who could play right or centre-forward, or Acuna, who can play midfield or centre-forward,
00:39:39
Speaker
then maybe Yasula could be the first change in centre-forward next season. I'd love to see him get a little bit of composure. That's all he's missing.
00:39:50
Speaker
And that only comes through playing and not being super excited.
00:39:55
Speaker
Yeah, but I think the arguments we've gave there is also why some might have loaned him out. But I do agree with the lack of depth with Wilson leaving as well. I do think both Miley and Osula should be around in and around the first team.
00:40:08
Speaker
And then I wanted to end on the poor player that's probably, but alongside Sean Longstaff, one of the the most discussed. And that is Joe Willick.
00:40:19
Speaker
Once a record breaker for Newcastle United, but now just... merely a squad player, unfortunately. But what do we think? Ian, we'll start with you.
00:40:30
Speaker
Is Joe Willock going to stay in the summer or do we think his time is up at Newcastle United? I think he's the next level up from Sean Longstaff. I don't think we get rid... i don't think we trade him just to improve the quality of the midfield.
00:40:45
Speaker
But I think it was Kev observed last night that he needs to run ah you need to be in the team. but the rep although he has come on and changed games once or twice before, but that's not playing to his strengths. So it'd be up to Joe Willock, won't it?
00:41:00
Speaker
If he's sick of being the big part player all of this season, and he must be frustrated, maybe he'll want to move on. And then we could shake hands and wish him all the best where he goes to. But i would I would keep him.
00:41:13
Speaker
ah think he's a I think he's a great player. I'm thinking more of a replacement when somebody's injured or suspended. Yeah, 100%. rather than someone to come on for the last 20 minutes, because although he does a job doing that, I don't think that's where we see him at his most effective.
00:41:31
Speaker
That's all from our show this afternoon. We hope you've enjoyed. and oh It's in injury time, Michael. Injury time. Bergy time has begun.
00:41:41
Speaker
What? ah Maybe I shouldn't do this, but i would have thought you if I thought you would have had Target in there. He's got to be sold, hasn't he? We're just assuming he's going to be sold.
00:41:54
Speaker
He was in there with John Rudy and Mark Gillespie, I'm afraid. All right, okay. What about Kraft? Yes. Kraft, I think, stay. I haven't seen him linked with anyone else, and I think he's happy to stay.
00:42:09
Speaker
Unless you think he should be sold. No, I'm not going to pick on Kraft. um look I would have done it a couple of years ago. I think he's somebody else who's really improved under Eddie Howe, and we haven't really seen a lot of it.
00:42:22
Speaker
But every time he's come on, he's not let us down. He looks very, very solid. Yeah, I think he's one of those players that is always going to be a squad player improve. And then when it comes for him to leave, because let's be honest, he's not going to get in another Champions League squad.
00:42:38
Speaker
He'll go back to Sweden. He'll do something like Martin Aga did and go back to Bromby. And hopefully, Martin Agger, Daniel Agger.
00:42:50
Speaker
I don't know why I'm thinking. I thought, put Martin Skirtle and Daniel Agger together. As you can tell, I'm not a Liverpool fan. I hate them. And on that note, well, Newcastle better than Liverpool.
00:43:02
Speaker
See you later.
00:43:09
Speaker
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