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Tactics Tuesday - Did the Leicester victory answer ALL our questions?
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It's Tactics Tuesday which means Michael is back to talk the tic-tacs and he is joined by Iain and Kev as they discuss balance within the team, the answer to the Bruno/Tonali conundrum and tactical tweaks ahead of Brentford and Ipswich this week.
Host: Michael Grahamslaw
Guests: Kevin Esther & Iain Mackay
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Transcript
Introduction to Tactics Tuesday
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Newcastle Podcast and it is indeed tactics Tuesday. My name is Michael Gramslow and today I am joined once again by my two Daily Newcastle brothers in arms. Firstly, Atiyah Mackay. How's it going Ian?
00:00:31
Iain Mackay the Noo
Just thought I'd have that in case the microphone stopped working again. I'm hoping it's working. but Otherwise I've just got high guys. That's all I can say. No, it's good. Microphone problems. Apart from that, everything is swimming.
00:00:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely fantastic technical issues, hopefully all gone for the evening. But if you hadn't guessed, we're also joined by Kevin Esther. How's it going, Kev?
00:00:54
Kev
I hope I'm all good. It's a shame it's not an England episode because Ian could just write, I love England on the paper and just showed up. That's what I would do. So yeah, we'll get there.
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Episode done.
00:01:04
Kev
So good.
00:01:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
We would have been fine. One minute.
00:01:07
Iain Mackay the Noo
I done done ah don't even need to write it out.
00:01:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
There we are.
00:01:09
Iain Mackay the Noo
You just have to send me one of your scripts, Kevin.
00:01:14
Kev
Perfect.
00:01:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
He does indeed love England, but you're good.
Upcoming Brentford Game
00:01:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, we're at that awkward stage of the season, and no, not another international break, but we are playing almost every midweek and also at the weekend. So, you know, December, players and fans, well, fans love it. Players, probably not so much.
00:01:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we'll look to do today a little bit of combination work for the Brentford game on Wednesday which will be previewed in much more depth after this episode and we'll keep that good old Tactics Tuesday feel. So the first topic I wanted to bring to our attention actually links back to a topic that was actually spoken about before the very first Tactics Tuesday.
Player Positioning and Success
00:02:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But has Newcastle's success from ah ah an attacking perspective over the last three games where we've had Gordon or Barnes, Isak and Murphy in their natural positions demonstrated a need to play players in their natural position rather than fit everyone in where we can?
00:02:13
Iain Mackay the Noo
Thank you.
00:02:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you think Kev?
00:02:22
Kev
Yeah, I think it does massively help and I think it's it's hugely helped us this season. Well, we don't know yet, but we're hoping we're consistent from now when moving forward like Leicester as close as we can be anyway. I think it has had a massive help. I think Murphy does give me something extra on the right. I know it seems crazy seeing that in a team where you'd expect but I mean three years ago if somebody said Jacob Murphy was still having a positive impact on my team you would have thought absolutely not no way he would be long gone and but he does it does stay wide he does hook with touchline it does give our midfielders a lot more space just by pulling an extra player a little bit further away from them so definitely has its benefits but the counter argument about it is the season when we finished fourth we had Dan Byrne left back
00:03:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:07
Kev
which was a little bit mental because he was out of position.
00:03:09
Kev
And then Jolynn was left wing at times with Willick coming into the midfield. So we have had a little bit of success with players playing out of position such as Dan Byrne. I think if Tino left back when he first came in into the team when Trippie was just irreplaceable, Tino came in at left back and actually did quite well.
00:03:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:03:27
Kev
So I think it can work and I think having, you know, players who are very... What's the word I'm looking for when they play a different positions? why can't I think that word right now.
00:03:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
versatile.
00:03:37
Kev
Versatile, that's it.
00:03:37
Iain Mackay the Noo
That.
00:03:38
Kev
and So when you've got players who are versatile, it is a massive help, especially when you're changing tactics in mid-game. But I think we've went back to basics, haven't we? It looks a little bit like Newcastle, high intensity, high press.
00:03:49
Kev
Tenali's now the 6th, Bruno's now the 8th and we've got Murphy right, Gordon left. I think the ah ah think from Eddie Howe's point of view the experimentation will be gone of putting Gordon on the right because so when Barnes came on, Barnes went on the right and it was almost like right, Gordon is now a left winger.
00:04:08
Kev
That's not going to change anymore.
00:04:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:10
Kev
Yes, if there's an injury, Joel might be able to go there. But yeah, it was it was very nice to see and everybody was in position. So we instantly understood what we were trying to do a lot better. Or that's how it seemed anyway to us.
00:04:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100% agree. What about you, Ian? Do you agree having them in their natural positions has allowed them to shine in recent games?
Balance in Attack
00:04:29
Iain Mackay the Noo
I definitely think having ah ah Murphy playing on the right, who's got a right foot, who's quite quick, who can put the ball in with his right foot, has added some balance to the attack. I know we chose for half of our attacks to come down the left against Leicester, but that wasn't to say that we couldn't have gone down the right more if we wanted to. And i think I think just spreading the attack across the pitch and being able to come from both sides has made us look a far more balanced side.
00:04:59
Iain Mackay the Noo
And perhaps that was less possible to happen, but maybe it could have happened with Gordon there because we saw that fabulous cross come in for EZAC to score the header against Arsenal.
00:05:10
Iain Mackay the Noo
But that was a bit of a one off. I don't think Barnes goes past his man and puts a cross in. So that's Murphy's natural position, I think. and Whether Al Maron will have scored twice against Leicester or not, I don't know.
00:05:24
Iain Mackay the Noo
But I do think that having the
00:05:25
Kev
You might have web 2 on his left foot.
00:05:28
Iain Mackay the Noo
having the ability to wear to go down both sides balances the attack up and means that they've they've got to defend the whole pitch instead of just defending one side of it and and I think that's where we're getting a lot of the but joy from.
00:05:43
Iain Mackay the Noo
It's Murphy on the EZAC goal that's got the ball on the right and brings it inside and knocks it across to come down the left but much more quickly.
00:05:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:05:53
Iain Mackay the Noo
I think the speed that we've we've moved the ball has been been key to how how the last three games have gone.
00:06:03
Kev
Yeah, I think Michael might have inspired me, actually. He's mentioned there about playing freedom. I thought when I was watching the game on Saturday, and I actually thought the players see when we're going forward, we're playing with a lot more freedom. like Gordon was just running at his man again, and he wasn't worried about who was behind him or what was happening there. When Murphy got the ball, he was again, it was almost like they weren't overthinking it. When I've watched games against Brentford and West Ham in Brighton, it's almost like the players have got the ball. and either had too much instruction or overthought what they were going to do with the ball or who was under lapping or overlapping or whatever.
00:06:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm hmm.
00:06:39
Kev
I think playing in the natural positions might have given that little bit more confidence and freedom when they get the ball or just say, I know exactly what I do now. I know exactly who's to the left of it.
00:06:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:48
Kev
I know who's covering in the six row. I'm just going to go and I'm going to put a deep cross in. I'm going to cut inside. I'm going to play the overlap. I'm going to fake the overlap and come inside. So it seemed like offensively, we had so much more freedom.
Player Confidence in Natural Positions
00:07:02
Kev
And actually, I didn't know why that was. was I didn't know if it was a change in training, but Michael might have hit the nail on my head, but it might be because They are playing in their natural positions, which inspires a lot more confidence as it is. And there was, it did seem like a lot more freedom in the forward-going plays against Leicester.
00:07:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I 100% agree. I think people underestimate sort of when you're a professional footballer, you train the same drills over and over and over. And then when you switch positions, some players absolutely fantastic at it, but others really struggle to adapt and I think England and aint Newcastle have had the same issue. England had it in the the summer where we were playing Phil Forden out on the wing because we didn't want Jude Bellingham out of the the center ah number 10 rule and know Jacob Murphy's had two assists and two goals in the last two games but we know long term he isn't the answer that balance
00:07:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alexander Isaac looks a completely different player. I said in the Brentford crossover the day before the Liverpool game that we hadn't seen the best of Alexander Isaac. In the last three games we've seen the best Well, and unfortunately in the Brineford game, we saw the best and the worst within 10 minutes.
00:08:14
Kev
Yep.
00:08:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he looks so much more comfortable and he looks a much better player. But you know me, I love a stat. So Alexander Izak and Jacob Murphy have started seven games together for Newcastle this season.
00:08:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Southampton at home, Murphy went off substituted after 30 minutes. Wolves, Izak went off at half-time. The 3-3 draw with Liverpool and then the four games that I want to focus on. Bournemouth, where Murphy was albeit quite poor, but the defeats to Brighton and Brentford and then the win against Leicester. Can either of you tell me what those last four games have in common in the highlight of Newcastle's season as a whole?
Murphy and Izak Synergy
00:09:03
Kev
Save our last four again.
00:09:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
The draw with Bournemouth, second game of the season, Leicester win and the defeats to Brighton and Brentford.
00:09:05
Iain Mackay the Noo
Lester.
00:09:12
Kev
We had more position.
00:09:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
That might be correct but it's not the one I've got down. I don't have every stat written down.
00:09:21
Kev
I was going to say we all had a goal contribution, but Brighton, we didn't because we didn't score. Take one more guess at
00:09:28
Iain Mackay the Noo
So when we had more than 25 shots. Is it shot?
00:09:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not shots, no, it's everyone's favorite stat.
00:09:38
Kev
No, XG. We had better XG in the opposition.
00:09:39
Iain Mackay the Noo
XG.
00:09:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Our four highest XGs this year have come across the seven games that Isaac and Murphy have started together. Now, we've only won one of those games, but it does show that as a flowing attack, we are creating better chances, but we're not putting them away.
00:09:59
Iain Mackay the Noo
right
00:10:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
So the other games that were up there, were the 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest and the Everton game where Murphy started but it was Gordon in that central striker role. So if that balance is one of the things that contributes to Newcastle succeeding in the future then maybe Jacob Murphy's the answer or maybe in January we need to bug our ideas up and get a right winger. But That's not what we're here to talk about on a Tactics Tuesday, and we're a little bit into the episode
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00:10:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
so far. So we're gonna go to our first advert, which will be brought to us by Zencaster.
00:10:43
Iain Mackay the Noo
it about zencaster ah ah brought see by me michael hi
00:10:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:10:49
Iain Mackay the Noo
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00:10:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:10:55
Iain Mackay the Noo
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00:11:06
Iain Mackay the Noo
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00:11:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we are back, beautifully done Ian, thank you very much. So, we've discussed balance on the right and how it could be finding that balance on the right at some will suit us rather than forcing two very good players into a team at the expense of one playing at a position.
00:11:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now that's a topic that's been mentioned for a number of positions so far this season and I wanted to bring the topic of the number six and the number eight to this episode because Bruno Gamanez and Sandro Tenali I thought had both had very good games against
Role Switch: Tenali and Bruno
00:12:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Leicester. Now Bruno had a few moments of bonkersness, let's say.
00:12:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that Leicester game was the first Premier League game that Tenali has started this season that ended in a Newcastle win.
00:12:10
Iain Mackay the Noo
Uncorrosterty.
00:12:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he was fantastic during it. So big congratulations to Sandro what was a very impressive performance. But I noticed it felt like Tenali and Bruno had officially switched roles into what many believed they were always going to do.
00:12:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sonali sat deep had a lot more of the ball more than I've seen him in any game for Newcastle so far and Bruno played a little bit further forward but had less of the ball than I would argue in most games but in more advanced positions and I think that worked quite well apart from the dive. But what do you think Ian? Do you think that's something that we should see going forward based on the evidence we saw against Leicester?
00:12:59
Iain Mackay the Noo
I hope it is the first of many Newcastle wins we see with Tonati playing in the six and Bruno playing in a more advanced position. it's odd. It's odd that they hadn't already been playing like that.
00:13:11
Iain Mackay the Noo
However, I think it was quite telling just a, just a few weeks ago when being quizzed on why that hadn't happened. Uh, Eddie Howe said that Bruno was one of the best number sixes in the, in the Premier League.
00:13:23
Iain Mackay the Noo
So I think that might've been at the manager's insistence.
00:13:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:27
Iain Mackay the Noo
that that Bruno has had to play a more defensive role. And and that doesn't leave the space for Tenali to play where he wants to play. I'm delighted that he's, maybe we've had a very painful journey for him to get to the point where he said, okay, you play number six and you play further up, Bruno. But they both look so much more comfortable in those positions, finding each other with some forward passes. And and we can actually play a forward pass and then another forward pass fast enough to put Isaac clean through in goal. For example, even if he then falls over it before he puts it past the goalkeeper. But that's what I want to see. I want to see more of these decisive forward passes breaking the lines, getting the attackers some space to do them to do their magic, and not this horrible, repetitive side-to-side stuff, which we seem to have lapsed into, particularly
Bruno's Advanced Role Performance
00:14:22
Iain Mackay the Noo
away from home. So let's
00:14:25
Iain Mackay the Noo
Let's get on the front foot away from home and let's see these balls moving forward quickly.
00:14:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's an excellent point. Do you agree Kev?
00:14:32
Kev
Yeah, I think it's a great point. I think, I think losing in football, and I'm very rained, this is a Newcastle fan, I've understood over the last six, seven weeks, losing in football is going to happen. I think it's how you respond to losses and what you learn from losses. And I think Ian hit me nail on my head, but I think you learnt that going forward,
00:14:52
Kev
What it needs to be is Tenali needs to be the six, regardless of whether Bruno wants to play there, whether he wants to be like Eddie Howard made that decision of, right, we're not playing well.
00:15:02
Kev
We're not in good form. I need to change it. I think this is the best way to change it. and And it happened against Liverpool really the first time I remember seeing it, but that key tactical switch of Tenali is now the number six.
00:15:15
Kev
and And we played very well against Liverpool. Again, we conceded three, but you look at the goals, we conceded it was just a more solid show, wasn't it?
00:15:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:15:21
Kev
so
00:15:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Pwned up some.
00:15:22
Kev
And if he's going to free, I'll take him, by the way, if we do have to do a trumpet. But, yeah, I think Ian hit me in the overhead as well. It's now, how do we learn from our away performances this year, then? How do we do it away? Do we just go with the same formula as what's kind of started maybe hopefully working? You could tell my hesitance there to say it is working, kind of, hopefully maybe working. and But, yeah, do we just go for same formula? I don't think he'll revert back to Bruno as a six whilst Tenali's in the team anymore.
00:15:51
Kev
I don't think that will happen but if Tenali's out or injured or not fit then it might be Bruno back in there with Longstaff coming in or something like that but Yeah, I'm actually intrigued for the Ipswich game.
00:16:01
Kev
I'm really, really intrigued to see how we do it away from home. But I haven't, I couldn't call it.
00:16:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:07
Kev
I really couldn't call how we do respond away from home. But I absolutely think it's worked. And I think it is the way forward now. And I think, like Ian said, again, the painful, the painful journey to get there.
00:16:17
Kev
But Eddie Howe's clearly adapted. He's learned a lot from it. And again, that's why I think he's the best manager we could possibly have because he is going to make mistakes. And when he makes them, he learns from them.
00:16:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I do have to say, one of the things that I've noticed from how this year, in particular, 2024 as a whole, not just this season, is that some of the things we criticized him on very early, for example, not making substitutes early in the game.
00:16:40
Kev
isn it
00:16:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
He he has changed and he has learned from. So it shows that...
00:16:43
Kev
and we've got the most We've got the most goals from substitutes in 2024.
00:16:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I did not know that. Mr. Statman, take my title.
00:16:52
Kev
yeah I saw, well, well, I saw on Facebook as I was leaving work.
00:16:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Take my title.
00:16:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
you traitor!
00:16:59
Kev
So, um, it might not be true, but I'm pretty confident it is.
00:17:01
Iain Mackay the Noo
and not even be a stat.
00:17:02
Kev
Cause I know it last season we had the most goals from subs and I know up until the start of this season, about three games ago, cause Barnes was coming off the bench and scoring a lot.
00:17:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we're up there. See ya.
00:17:13
Kev
we had the most goals from subs again. So yeah, I think we're definitely up in 2024.
00:17:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so the official source is trust me, but it does seem that there' it that it's it makes sense.
00:17:20
Kev
Yep. Yep.
00:17:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
we're going to go with it. But it does have to be said that this might be the best possible point in the season to say, right, this is what we're going to stick with.
00:17:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bruno, you're going to sit forward. But I do have to say If, and this might just be me being negative, but if Bruno keeps getting into more advanced positions, he needs to cut out the stupid moments.
00:17:43
Kev
Never.
00:17:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I remember the red the red card against Southampton, I think two seasons ago, where literally with were two or one nil up late in the game, stupid red card out frustration on the edge of the opposition box.
00:18:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you saw it against Leicester. we were cruising against Leicester and then I know it was only 1-0 but he decides to dive and what I'm going to say at that is he is one of the most passionate players I've ever seen and he looked distraught after the game against Brentford so put it down to desperation to make something happen in a bad spell and leave it there but I do think he's got the potential to be an absolutely fantastic number eight for Newcastle. But what do you both think? Ian, are you confident Bruno's gonna shine in that advanced position?
00:18:35
Iain Mackay the Noo
yeah yeah ah yeah Yeah, I think that's his position. I mean, he's got he's got such an eye for a pass, hasn't he? We remember that the little first time round the corner balls have got a McGee in three or four times two seasons ago.
00:18:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, fantastic.
00:18:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:18:50
Iain Mackay the Noo
He's got a great eye for a pass. Now, one thing you might not have spotted is it won't change for the Bradford match, but at Ipswich, Joe Linton's suspended, I think. So that midfield is going to have to change.
00:18:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:19:01
Iain Mackay the Noo
ah ah kind of hoping if Willick is still carrying something because I think he's the obvious replacement but if Willick is still carrying something it might be a game that we could bring Lewis Miley into because I really like to see him and I think with a pair of them playing in for a tonali we might just have way too much in midfield and picking out the runs of the fast boys going in behind but I'm not Eddie Howe.
00:19:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, this is a fantastic shirt. Yeah.
00:19:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's interesting that ah yes, you should.
00:19:27
Iain Mackay the Noo
I should be, shouldn't I?
00:19:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
But actually, points wise, I'm not sure. But definitely for the sake of this podcast, you should. But it's interesting that Lewis Miley's played tonight for the under 21s, because I would have th thought that he would have been one of the names that's pushing for a start.
00:19:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
midweek against Brentford where you know there may there may be changes and I think it's a brilliant game to give Miley his first start back because the likes of Bruno and Tenali, they are going to need a break. Tenali gets treated like he can only do 60 minutes sometimes and you know he has been out for a long time so I can't see the reason for that but and it would have been nice to see Lewis Miley you know get a start tomorrow but
00:20:11
Iain Mackay the Noo
I think, Michael, unusually, and you know why it's important for us. I think the Carabao Cup quarterfinal is an even more important game than the Premier League match for us this season.
00:20:25
Iain Mackay the Noo
I think Eddie's got to get us into earth into the final and win a trophy.
00:20:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh
00:20:31
Iain Mackay the Noo
That's top of his list.
00:20:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
-huh.
00:20:32
Iain Mackay the Noo
And we're really, really close with a home game against Brentford and then one opponent to be home and away. So I think that might be why Miley could play. I'm sure we'll see him on on Saturday when we play a lip switch.
00:20:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's an excellent point. And it blends fantastically into what we're going to be talking about in part three. So I am sorry, Kev. I didn't, I'm not going to go to you with that last question, but instead we are going to go to an advert from the Global Sports Podcast Network.
00:21:03
Kev
Yeah, and just before I do, I've double checked what I just said and it is true. Last season was 14 and the season is two, but we're still top over the last two seasons. Anyway, this podcast is part of a global sports podcast network, the only network bringing you exclusive daily news and views on your Premier League team, the Premier League women's football and fantasy football.
00:21:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
came
00:21:23
Kev
A unique listening experience it puts a fan first, bringing you a very latest breaking news from your team. Subscribe
Season Match Previews
00:21:28
Kev
wherever you get your podcasts and make this your first listen every day. Global Sports Podcast Network, every club, every day.
00:21:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
absolutely fantastic thank you very much and i do have to apologize for those watching on video i stretched my leg out cramped it and as soon as kev started doing the the the advert i started going so anyone who's watching on video i am deeply deeply sorry but for those of you listening
00:21:52
Kev
I thought it was because it was a retro advert.
00:21:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, let's say that.
00:21:57
Kev
There.
00:21:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just hate retro advert.
00:21:59
Kev
There you go.
00:22:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But for those listening on Spotify, nothing changed and we are back. Now, as we mentioned on Wednesday night, Newcastle United face Brentford and on Saturday Newcastle face Ipswich Town, which both of them feel like must win games at this stage of the season where everything is ah ah so tight.
00:22:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if we look at it, because we could keep pressure on the teams above us with a win on Ipswich. Theoretically, this time next week, Newcastle could, and it's very likely, sorry, unlikely, I'm not trying to be cocky, but Newcastle could sit in sixth position in the Premier League and be in the EFL Cup semi-finals.
00:22:45
Kev
I said that a week ago.
00:22:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I didn't listen.
00:22:48
Kev
I'm right. I'm right.
00:22:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, so I raised the question. Do we risk playing the same 11 in all three games? Because we we seem to have found our best 11. Or do we rotate some of the squad against Brentford or Ipswich? Now, Ian, you've said that potentially Brentford is more important than Ipswich. And to be honest with the possibility of winning a cup, I am inclined to agree. But what what about you, Kev? Do you agree?
00:23:18
Kev
Oh, that's a great question. oh It's tough because a win against Ipswich could really put you in a nice position going kind of start at the busy Christmas period, but it put you in a nice position going into boxing day and then again before New Year's.
00:23:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:32
Kev
and Oh my goodness. I think Brentford is probably more important just because it's a cup and oh my God, are we starved of cups. You look at our TikTok and when we're talking about Newcastle fans and all that stuff, people give us what we're Because, well, if you've worn them the last 50, 60 years, and we've got nothing to say about it, we haven't worn anything.
00:23:51
Kev
Actually, we won in the total cup, in the seller cup, so actually, we are quite successful. But no, I think the bread for the game is just a bit more important, but I think, m I actually think both of it these next two games are absolutely huge because, just like you said there, Michael, and I called a joke and he actually went, I said, well, in in two weeks time, because everyone was being really negative, I can't remember what game it was, we just lost to whoever it was.
00:23:58
Iain Mackay the Noo
I look up twice.
00:24:19
Kev
I wiped it from my mind personally. I'll never remember when we lose, but I remember when we win. But I was kind of sat there thinking, look, like in two weeks time, we could be in the semi final of a cup and sat anywhere between, I think I said, anywhere between ninth and fifth.
00:24:33
Kev
And that's exactly where we are. So I think it'll be huge for a fan base if we win the next two. And I think it'll be massive for the players because It just shows what a couple like couple of goals did that that early, that second goal against Leicester, earlier in the second half, give them so much confidence when all of a sudden I'm seeing Sandro flick the ball over people's heads.
00:24:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:52
Kev
I'm seeing Bruno drop the shoulder in the midfield again. I'm seeing Lewis Hall bombing on. Trippier came on and stuck wide and Fabian Shaw was going to across the right back to play them big diagonals. And I thought, wow, it's amazing what a little bit of confidence does.
00:25:05
Kev
And the players are all of a sudden back in that muscle memory.
00:25:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:08
Kev
and But again, I think tactically, just a very quick mention, when Trippie did come on, he stayed that high and wide, but Shaw was going across to almost right back and it gives him so much more potential for them, long cross field balls, we love to see. So, as much as I thought everybody played well against Leicester, tactically, if I was going to make one change, I'd still bring Trippie in, and because I think it gives you a lot, especially if you're putting more crosses in the box. and and Murphy's hugging the touch line and Trippie is covering ho hugging the touch line.
00:25:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:37
Kev
All of a sudden, you send out players who, let's face it, are our most influential players. They're going to get more of a say. So that's a tactical change I would make for Brentford. And then I would probably try and go with the full best 11 again.
00:25:53
Kev
against Ipswich. I know you're worried about burnout or I would be worried about burnout and injury all of a sudden, but if you can get through the next two games, momentum almost takes you through the next three after that, I think.
00:26:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you might, you a hundred percent might be right.
00:26:06
Iain Mackay the Noo
I think and that was what I noticed against Lester though. I think, you know, he made some very early substitutions because the game was already way beyond Lester. So some of our big players came off after an hour.
00:26:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:20
Iain Mackay the Noo
I think that's so that they can do at least 75 minutes in each of those games without there being any ill effect. Let's be honest, if we get to whip switch, I haven't got through to the semi-final and they can give you 75 minutes.
00:26:36
Iain Mackay the Noo
It doesn't matter how much they've run themselves into the ground in that match, because there's another week to recover before they have to play again on boxing day.
00:26:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
true.
00:26:44
Iain Mackay the Noo
So I think that, I think you'd be playing his, his strongest 11 in each of those games that he can get out. as I say, he's got one choice to make on the Ipswich game because Joe Linton is suspended for that.
00:26:58
Kev
I think you'll play a long stuff.
00:26:59
Iain Mackay the Noo
we'll just have to see, probably will be. I'd like to, so I'd like to see, uh, Miley start getting some minutes. but you know, if we can go two or three up against Brentford, you might see that as soon as we'll get a half or, or 40 minutes, because I think he, he showed a willing runner and the strength to be able to cope against a Premier League opposition when he came on against, uh, against Leicester.
00:27:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I agree.
00:27:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah he played quite well.
00:27:26
Iain Mackay the Noo
and I don't know where Sven Botman's recovery fits in.
00:27:29
Iain Mackay the Noo
Is he going to end up being ready to come back on Boxing Day?
00:27:30
Kev
and tonight He's playing tonight for the under 23s at Whitley Park.
00:27:34
Iain Mackay the Noo
Yeah. I mean, will he be match fit enough to get a game against Villa, do you think? Or are we waiting until the new year? Is he coming back against Bromley?
00:27:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we'll wait until the new year.
00:27:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
he He likes to wait, doesn't he? He likes to sort of build players back in.
00:27:43
Kev
Yeah.
00:27:47
Kev
I think we could.
00:27:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it didn't work with Wilson, but it's worked with a number of others.
00:27:50
Kev
We could seem off the bench against Villa maybe like 10 minutes if you're if you're winning and there's not a massive amount of pressure on the back line and you may be too offering up you might give them 10-15 minutes just to get a bit of rustiness off but yeah.
00:28:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a great point.
00:28:04
Iain Mackay the Noo
That's exactly what I mean, and these next two games, if we can get to a point like we were three up after 50 minutes against Leicester, it wouldn't be that much in control of a match. You could start bringing the big players off, and if you bring someone like Botman in to cover the last 20 minutes, for example, then rusty or not, you'd hope that that would be enough to see the game out.
00:28:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think I'd expect to see over the course of the two games, maybe Trippier, Kelly, Longstaff and Barnes all to get sort of over, let's say 80 minutes in the legs between both games. I think you will offer that rotation, but I think it'll be probably be across both games.
00:28:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
So let's say the six changes across both games, it'll sort of be three in each game, just to sort of even it out, just to try and maintain.
00:28:51
Kev
I think Willick as well.
00:28:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, well as well, although I'm not sure if he's fully available or not, or he came off the bench, didn't he?
00:28:55
Kev
Yeah.
00:29:00
Kev
Came off a bench, yeah, yeah.
00:29:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Actually against Leicester.
00:29:01
Kev
He got wiped out in my last minute life, but he he looked kind of okay.
00:29:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so he is back. Yeah. You see how his face, as soon as it happened, it was just head and hands, just what have you done?
00:29:07
Kev
Yeah. He's head and hands, I was like, oh no. quarter-final coming up and the blokes flying in like that. I don't know how we would have kept these cool. He did get back up, man, but when the full-time whistle ended, I i was looking and he kind of went back down, but when he got back up and seemed to be okay, and I was like, oh, God, shoot him up.
00:29:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no one will look at him out for another four weeks or something like that. But he's he's not quite Carl and Wilson, so we've got we'll keep the faith. Although his injury record is probably worse than Carl's over the last few years.
00:29:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we'll stay positive.
00:29:39
Kev
We love you, Colin.
00:29:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And with that, I'm going to finish on one last question for you both. So if somebody said to you at the start of the season, going into Christmas, we'd be in eighth place, touching distance of the top four, and in the semifinal of an EIFL Cup.
00:29:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would you have been happy? What do you think, Kev?
00:29:59
Kev
I think the eighth place I'd be a little bit disappointed at if I had, I would probably ask for more detail, but like how close are we to the top six? And if I said like, if I said like 1.2 points, I'd be like, well, yeah, I am because it's a cup.
00:30:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
In touch and distance.
00:30:11
Kev
Come on. Eddie, like, this is why I love Eddie and this group of players. We talk about it all the time. Gordon talked about it recently, what it would mean to bring a cup to Newcastle. Eddie Howe talks about it every season.
00:30:21
Kev
It seems like he wants to win a cup and he's not done until he wins one.
00:30:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:26
Kev
it's look I love how open these players and this manager is about trying to win a cup for us and and I applaud that. so yeah I think I would be happy, I would have took that at the start of the season. however It helps knowing the extra information of how good Bournemouth have been, how good Brighton have been, how good them players but them teams have been consistently. I still think we'll fall off, and I don't think we will, at least I hope we don't. But I still think likes of Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest will fall behind. Eventually, it's just almost kind of a little bit of arrogance for me, but yeah, I would have took it.
00:31:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's difficult to keep it up for a full season as we know. But how about you Ian? Does positivity prevail on this day? Would you be happy?
00:31:09
Iain Mackay the Noo
positive i'm positive now yeah i'll be more positive if we've beaten lester if we've beaten ip switch sorry and and beaten brentford definitely there's a little part of me that just looks back at some of those games where we've thrown points away at Brighton and West Ham and Everton and take it if we got if we got if we got those points if we got those points we would be we probably would be up with Chelsea being Liverpool's closest chasers
00:31:27
Kev
The Gordon penalty. The Gordon penalty against Everton. God, two points extra.
00:31:39
Iain Mackay the Noo
And that's kind of where I was hoping we're going to be at the start of the season. and But hey, it might just be slightly delayed because this is such a topsy turvy league that if it's our turn now to put a run of games together and let's face it, we should be beating Villa at home because we always do.
00:31:55
Iain Mackay the Noo
And then a very dodgy looking man, you away from home and then Tottenham as well.
00:31:59
Kev
nothing like jinxing this
00:32:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
He
00:32:01
Iain Mackay the Noo
I mean, come on. That's that. This is where, look, Eddie always puts a run of five or six straight wins together. in October, November, December.
00:32:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
does.
00:32:11
Iain Mackay the Noo
It's just a bit late this year, that's all. Let's see where we are at Easter, mate.
00:32:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now that... That is what we needed. Absolutely fantastic. And on that note, I'm going to end the podcast for today. So that is all for today's Daily Newcastle podcast. I've been Michael. I've been joined by Ian and Kev. Thank you all for listening and be sure to check it tomorrow for our full preview of the Brentford game.