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Reasons to be Cheerful...1, 2, 3!
12 Plays1 month ago
Iain hosts Michael to explore the proposal that Newcastle United have a lot of reasons to be cheerful and that the current season, despite our indifferent start, remains a chocolate box of opportunity!
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Transcript
Introduction and Co-Host Welcome
00:00:00
Michael
Thank
00:00:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to The Daily Newcastle. My name is Ian Mackay. I'm joined once again by my tonto, Michael Grameslaw. How are you, Michael?
00:00:27
Michael
I'm doing very well, mate. Thank you very much. Tonto is not a name I normally go by, but I could see it probably sticking.
Reflecting on Past Nicknames and Positivity
00:00:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, um hope um I am really hoping...
00:00:36
Michael
Yeah, doing well, mate. How about you?
00:00:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I'm really hoping that you're going to not live up to one of the earlier nicknames that you got when we were doing this podcast, which I think was Captain Misery, was it?
00:00:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was. Because I just felt so depressed last night when we finished that podcast because we were and Newcastle were so abject against Manchester United and the
00:00:52
Michael
Yeah.
00:01:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
The performance against Sunderland was still fresh, fresh wound. But I've just tried to all day to try and talk myself out of that miserable mood.
00:01:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
am And I've actually decided that we've got a lot of reasons to be cheerful going into the new year. um And I thought I'd discuss some with you, Michael, in the hope that you would back me up rather than shoot them all down in flames.
00:01:22
Michael
okay
00:01:31
Michael
well Well, see how that goes. ah
00:01:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
think do you think i' my yeah Do you think my bumps need to be felt, as it were? We'll see.
00:01:40
Michael
little bit, but we'll see how it goes.
00:01:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. I've got a
Newcastle's League Standing Review
00:01:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
few areas. ah We'll split them into the the league form, then the squad, and then the transfer window, um which should be our three parts. I've got my adverts lined up.
00:01:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're ready to rock. So... That's do top number one at Crystal Palace this afternoon. at Newcastle are 14th.
00:02:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And also heard earlier today that with our 23 points after 18 games... We're on course to finish 14th, 13th, 14th with 46 points, which I think is what Steve Bruce did in his last season as manager.
00:02:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, you see, I heard that.
00:02:27
Michael
I'm waiting for the.
00:02:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
thought it It's not that bad.
00:02:28
Michael
Yeah,
00:02:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Honestly, it is can't be that bad. We're in 14th with 23 points. However, am i think Chelsea, is it, that are in fifth place on 29th?
00:02:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we're six points.
00:02:44
Michael
that's correct.
00:02:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
We are six points off fifth place. And yes, our results and performances have been inconsistent.
00:02:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
But so of a lot of the teams, a lot
Upcoming Matches Overview
00:03:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
of the teams are very inconsistent. Chelsea themselves were winning at halftime yesterday and managed to lose at home. It was to Villa.
00:03:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Manchester United. beating us with a clean sheet. I think it's only the second clean sheet they've managed all season. And Crystal Palace, who we were talking about, have lost five in a row, I think, getting knocked out the cup.
00:03:26
Michael
Five of that will win, yeah.
00:03:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, there you go. Everybody...
00:03:30
Michael
think as well, you mentioned our results there. you know We are six points off Chelsea and it's rare that I'm positive. But we have also got, in regards to the next four games...
00:03:44
Michael
the easiest runner fixtures of any side in the Premier League. And I say that not being disrespectful to any of the teams, but we play two of the team, the two away games that we have are against 18th and 20th in home form this season, Burnley in 18th.
00:03:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amen.
00:04:01
Michael
Wolves, of course, in 20th, one point picked up at home all season. Then we play Palace, who you've just mentioned there, haven't won in five, drew against Finnish Minos, have been knocked out the League Cup, didn't even manage to make it through to the the next knockout stage of the Europa Conference League. They've got a playoff.
00:04:21
Michael
And then also there's Leeds in there who, as we know, could be a very tricky fixture. They looked very good against Sunderland earlier from what I saw, wasn't too much of it, a mainly second half and Leeds dominated. But...
00:04:34
Michael
Those four games, six points to pick up. In a month's time, we might just be sitting here and going, crisis? What crisis?
00:04:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is exactly my point. That was the second brick in my positivity wall that I pulled out.
00:04:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because really, away at Burnley, home to Palace, home to Leeds, under the lights on a Wednesday night, um and away at Wolves...
00:05:02
Michael
Oh, yes.
00:05:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
That should be 12 points. a no I know it's Newcastle, it's this season. It probably won't be. But if it's 10 points, that's still enough to get us shooting up that league table.
00:05:13
Michael
100%. 99%. Yep.
00:05:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:05:16
Michael
of
00:05:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yes. So, we're so close to the top five. I don't know if fifth place is looking like it's going to get a Champions League place. and
00:05:26
Michael
it will and so
00:05:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:05:28
Michael
eighty nine percent
00:05:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But even if it doesn't, fifth or sixth should get us into the Europa League, which I quite fancy. because we could win that next year. and The final part, looking at the league and how we're playing, is our current form, Michael. I know. You're bemused about what I'm talking about. What are you talking about? I would just look back to...
00:05:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
The game against Chelsea and how we played in the first half, that's just the game before yesterday's game. We were brilliant in that. We were back to our brilliant self where nobody could live with us. Chelsea couldn't. They were lucky to get in it 2-0.
00:06:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we're capable. We are still capable. And that was exactly the same team that started against Manchester United. And actually started really well for for the first few minutes of the game against Man U. Just went off the boil, had too much of the ball.
00:06:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
So those three things combined, I think, mean that we ought to be still very positive about what Newcastle can do in January or December, January.
Impact of Missing Key Players Against Liverpool
00:06:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
We need to do that because we need a nice run like that to be able to then...
00:06:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
finished January off with a home game against Villa. Now, we always beat Villa, same as we always beat Chelsea, if you remember. and But then we're away at Liverpool and we've got a right score to settle with Liverpool after they did us at home in that first home game of the season, um amongst other reasons.
00:07:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
But um do i really i really think we as reallyy think we can get up and beat Liverpool. We can. But it'd be much easier thinking that if we're going into it on a run of five or six straight wins.
00:07:16
Michael
It will. I think with Liverpool, i think the issue is is now the main problems that they've had have gone away for a few weeks or a month.
00:07:27
Michael
Mo Salah gone off to AFCON. Nobody's talking about him anymore. yeah Alexander Izak picked up that injury. No one's talking about whether it should be Ekotiki or Izak starting anymore. They haven't got really the squad depth to argue about the 11 in the grinding out results at the minute. I mean, 2-1 against Wolves.
00:07:46
Michael
terrible from really when you think about it the the champions elect at the start of the season let's be honest it's what everyone was calling them and Wolves who haven't won a game all season and it was quite tight in the end they've also just beat Spurs by the same scoreline so it's it's one of those where they are picking up and they are grinding out results a lot more and I think That might stick until these problems sort of come back, where Salah comes back and then you know maybe he's not getting the game time he wants. The trust isn't there with Slot, maybe even gets sold. So it'd be really interesting to see how they're doing around the time that we play them.
00:08:26
Michael
But you're so right. if we I'll feel so much better about playing them. if we come in sitting sixth or seventh after a run of, let's say, another four games at least without defeat.
00:08:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, you can also put into those four league games that we've got a home cup match against Bournemouth. And again, i know Bournemouth are a bogey team, but they're they're one of the teams that are doing worse than we are at the moment.
00:08:53
Michael
Yeah.
00:08:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then we've got a home game in the Champions League against PSV, which we must be up for that.
00:08:56
Michael
Yeah.
00:09:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's the one that we win to clinch getting into the qualifying round at least. So it could be that we're going into Villa and Liverpool on six or
00:09:07
Michael
are.
Squad Assessment and Player Returns
00:09:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
seven straight wins.
00:09:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
which would be nice. I don't, i but you know, I mean, is is this is a positivity podcast. That's why I'm saying that. I know every game is individual and Newcastle are capable of being appalling against anybody.
00:09:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
We all watch them get knocked out of of the FA Cup by Cambridge.
00:09:26
Michael
we are
00:09:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, let's be let's stay positive. Let's stay positive. Right. and I think we did at that time. Let's listen to Ken because he's always positive.
00:10:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're back for more positivity. Part two, the current squad, Michael. The current squad is in enough for us to be positive. I just have to say the two Lewisers straight away, Lewis Hall and Lewis Miley, we must be positive about those guys. They're performing really, really well.
00:10:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Remember Anthony Gordon in that first 60 minutes against Chelsea?
00:10:39
Michael
I see. I see. I at that.
00:10:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's what he is.
00:10:44
Michael
ah
00:10:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's not that meek. auxiliary full-back backup that we saw against Man United. he's a He's a killer. Wisser must be getting up towards the match fitness.
00:10:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Proven Premier League goalscorer. Let's see him paired with Valtimada and what those two can do with Valtimada slightly withdrawn and finding the the runs from him. But also, we've got some excellent players who've been missing for a month or two that are about to come back into this squad.
00:11:07
Michael
id look
00:11:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nick Pope. who we both think probably would have saved that goal against Man United and we could have had another nil-nil. But anyway, Tino Livramento, whose knee injury is nowhere near as bad as was feared and even thought might have seen him against Man United.
00:11:21
Michael
and so
00:11:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kieran Trippier and Emil Kraft, due to come back early in the new year. Big Dan Byrne, he's not far away. Broken ribs for Big Dan Byrne, coming back in the middle of
Joe Linton's Influence and Team Chemistry
00:11:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
January. I bet he's back in the first week of January.
00:11:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Sven Bottmann.
00:11:45
Michael
did have... just sister there Just to cut you off on Trippier, I did see something really quite interesting um on socials.
00:11:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Joe Linton...
00:11:57
Michael
The sort of journalist Joel Bland, um it was mentioned to him something about Trippier. And his response was, Trippier's is less injury-focused. um This isn't a direct quote, i'm paraphrasing. um But it was less injury-focused and more something else.
00:12:15
Michael
And it was in the best interest of Newcastle United and Kieran Trippier if it stayed out of the media. so And that's coming from a journalist. So... It sounds like there's something more going on with Trippier.
00:12:28
Michael
Contract duration, or that is ah that either it is also due to run out. So I think he might be one of those that we see go in... um January he might be one out the door but I completely agree with the rest you were just about to mention Bottman before rudely interrupted there as well so it's it's one of those where yeah I can definitely see Liveramento, Bottman coming back and having a big impact but I do think Trippier is going to end up being
00:12:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:57
Michael
just out a little bit longer than many some men are thinking. um i obviously don't know anything about it, but it was just something I'd seen there. And i was like, might mention that or might not. I've decided to.
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bit of intrigue. Bit of intrigue.
00:13:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, it could also be that if something like that is circling around in the squad, It might explain why there's a few distractions over the last couple of games for them to not not be fully focused.
00:13:11
Michael
Yeah.
00:13:20
Michael
Yeah.
00:13:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
But anyway, I think, I thought Joe Linton, you could see they didn't know. Man U had no idea why Joe Linton wasn't playing against them because he's scary.
00:13:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's a beast.
00:13:34
Michael
yeah
00:13:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can mark him, but he just runs through you. um And ah think we underestimate because I know that his touch isn't fantastic. He hasn't been at the high standards he was last year.
00:13:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is a year older. But I think we underestimate the sheer intimidatory value of Joe Linton lining up in that midfield.
00:13:57
Michael
Yeah, I have to say, when he came on, I actually thought he was arguably one of our better players.
00:13:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And
00:14:03
Michael
um He just brings a lot of purpose and a lot of intensity. um And it's one of those where, think Ramsey had it in the first half, I think, um to a degree.
00:14:14
Michael
I think it was more on the defensive side rather than the offensive side. But Joel Linton had it going back and forward.
00:14:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And
00:14:21
Michael
And and it's not really something I've seen from or... don't know.
00:14:37
Michael
I hate to say it, not interested, but when you've got someone like Joe Linton wanting to come back and put in that effort um and you know basically say, look, I want to be the guy again, um it's ah it's only positive things. And I'm starting to think maybe rest to gnarly and put Joe Linton in for his first start in a long time ah in midweek because he did look very good, didn't he?
00:15:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
He did. He did. And he's dyed his hair blonde again. So he's ready.
00:15:04
Michael
That true.
00:15:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
The other thing for our midfield, by the way, is that once Tino Livramento is back, Lewis Meire can come back into that midfield as well so that you can legitimately be giving Bruno a bit of a time off, even if it is the last half hour, or Tonali a game off.
00:15:13
Michael
So.
00:15:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
without leaving ourselves short in midfield. um I think he'll have got so much confidence in his last this little recent run that I'd love to see him back in midfield. And actually with the ball to have a shot or two when the ball runs to on the edge of the box instead of squaring it again.
00:15:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've said that for two years. He needs to have the confidence he's showed against Bromley when he pinged that in the top corner when he's playing in the Premier League.
00:15:44
Michael
Yeah. 100%.
00:15:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he hasn't yet. He keeps knocking it wide. m But yeah, i think that so I think we've got a really good squad. I still do. I think we've got strength and depth. I think a lot of our better players, more mature, responsible players have been out injured.
00:16:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
The leaders are coming back into the squad. um I'm sure that's going to make us a much more formidable opponent to play against.
00:16:13
Michael
and was
00:16:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And here's hoping we can see that in these next four games. and
00:16:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
What about all of those reserves that sat on the bench, by the way? Is that reasons to be cheerful?
00:16:28
Michael
um I think it's one of those where I don't think they're particularly, but don't want to say they're not particularly good enough, but I think though the one that stands out to me was Sean Neve.
00:16:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really good game.
00:16:41
Michael
And from what I've seen of him, he's very decent footballer, has a good chance of going out on loan somewhere, doing pretty well and maybe coming back. um But I think in a game like what you had against Man United, where we were effectively throwing balls into the box,
00:16:57
Michael
and hoping for the best. I know Sean Neve isn't exactly a tall dominating striker. But you're thinking in a game where you need ah someone who can just put the ball in the back of the net, you've got a young striker on the bench, just give him a chance. I mean... um Oh, what's he called? Chupo Junior? Krupe Junior Bournemouth.
00:17:21
Michael
He's come in, young lad, and he looks better and ever than Evan Nielsen. Evan Nielsen's come back in for Bournemouth and they've started doing terribly. Krupe Junior looked fantastic
Assessing Young and Loaned Players
00:17:30
Michael
because they gave the time to a young player and he's thrived.
00:17:34
Michael
I'm not saying Sean Neve's going to do exactly the same, but when you need a goal and no one looks like putting the ball in the back of the net against you know Man United... Surely, if they're decent enough, you give them the chance. um So it tells me maybe the youngsters aren't quite there just yet.
00:17:51
Michael
um But I would say Sean Nevely or Sahar, two that could be there in the coming years of what I've seen personally.
00:18:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And what happened to the yeah Washer Machine Man, Salusi, he looked good preseason.
00:18:07
Michael
and he's He's just had his debut at Lorient. um He played a cup game for Lorient against, I think it was League 3 opposition.
00:18:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right.
00:18:18
Michael
So nothing too fancy. and But he came off the bench for his debut, got an assist and a goal. um And obviously i could't I was looking at what their fans were saying online.
00:18:29
Michael
Obviously I could only translate it. and but they were saying they wanted to see a lot more of him because he looked like an exceptional young player. Exceptional wasn't the word, but and you'll understand.
00:18:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
it would be exception now you
00:18:40
Michael
um Yeah, it's it's it's one of those where they've seen a little they've got a little taste of him and they quite like him. But apparently picked up and in it was you no he picked up an injury before he went there on loan, apparently.
00:18:57
Michael
um And he's just had it pretty much ever since. So it's a real strange one. But maybe, just maybe, then escape one of their next games is against...
00:19:09
Michael
I'm not even going try and pronounce that, but a it looks like a League 3 side again. I've never heard of them. um Olympic Lyon's, I'm going to say, local rivals, Houtz and Lyoners.
00:19:22
Michael
So maybe, just maybe, we see him get more minutes there as well, and he can come back and be a very decent, decent backup player, because they seem to be a little excited about him now.
00:19:33
Michael
They've only seen him for half an hour, but small people...
00:19:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that's good. That's good start. What about, um I um was very excited by, I can't you remember what he's called, Park is at the end of it, the lad that we got from South Korea.
00:19:48
Michael
ah Yes. think it's
00:19:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because he looked a skillful boy who could go past the fullback and put a cross in.
00:19:53
Michael
custom
00:19:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Where do we need that? i know we put plenty of crosses in, but a good cross in.
00:19:58
Michael
i think
00:20:01
Michael
I think it's one of those where pre-season for us, he looked quite good. But i think when he's gone up against teams in the UEFA Youth League and stuff, um he's kind of flattered to deceive. He's not really looked like the player that he did in pre-season, unfortunately. And that's against a slightly higher calibre of the opposition.
00:20:20
Michael
um So it's one of those where I think he's going to be just sort of retained in the under-23s for the time being. and But there is there is some talent in there. He is very raw.
00:20:32
Michael
I think we've just got remember he's come from the the Korean second tier as well. um But he was born in 2007. You know what I mean? He's still got a lot ah time left to turn into a great player.
00:20:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
but It's shocking that, isn't it?
00:20:48
Michael
Yeah, it's it's horrible.
00:20:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, the point was our squad does have some reasons to be cheerful. um Certainly with all of those players coming back.
00:20:55
Michael
Yeah.
00:20:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, this, I think this is
Transfer Window Anticipation
00:21:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jesse doing the Zancaster advert, which we're going to put on. And then the final reason to be cheerful is that the transfer window opens in three days, Michael.
00:21:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to ask you where we should be spending the cash that we've got.
00:21:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you, Jesse. That was Jesse, wasn't it? You can tell by the Scouse accent.
00:21:51
Michael
Yeah.
00:21:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Not. So yes, another reason to be cheerful is that if we're worried about our league position and our current form and that the squad isn't strong enough, the transfer market is open in three days' time.
00:22:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we do have not money burning our hole in our pocket, but let's be honest, We've all talked about Joe Willock being upgraded so there could be cash coming in from some sales.
00:22:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Palace were after Willock. Fab Schaar's been linked with a move away to Germany, I think it was. um We'd have to make sure that the centre-halves that we have that are unfit were fit before we let him go.
00:22:19
Michael
yeah
00:22:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
m
00:22:34
Michael
you
00:22:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
What about a cheeky cash-in for Tonali or a Gordon? Somebody who is Flattered to deceive, but it's been super disappointing. We could get a big ton of money in there and replace them with some very exciting players, Michael. Or am I panicking?
00:22:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then I don't need to panic.
00:22:55
Michael
think a slight chance of panic, I will say, but what I will add to that is, you know, if teams are in a position where they don't want to be at this stage of the season, which plenty are, many will come in for bids.
00:23:11
Michael
four players who they think can turn that around. and Anthony Gordon might be one of those. I don't know how many teams have 70 million to splash. and Harvey Barnes could be one of those.
00:23:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah, definitely.
00:23:20
Michael
Same with the 50 million. Tonali, I think they're all players that are more likely to move in a sun summer window, um personally.
00:23:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah yeah definitely
00:23:27
Michael
I think you're looking at maybe the likes of, you mentioned earlier, Joe Willock. He's one that could potentially move on. William Asula is another. That £30 million pound ah potential move, about €30 million, euros I believe it is actually, to Eintracht Frankfurt is apparently still on the cards.
00:23:46
Michael
um Aston Villa could still be in there. and The only reason he couldn't move on the final day of the deadline um for the summer was because it would be deemed as a trade.
00:23:57
Michael
between Osula and Ramsey. Now there's ah they're in completely different windows. That trade doesn't read it yeah doesn't come off as a trade. So that's something that could maybe happen as well. Although, let's be honest, Villa don't really need them right now. um They're doing very, very well in the league. um and yeah I think it's one of those. It wouldn't surprise me if a big name left. um And I'll be honest, I was sitting there after the game against Manchester United and I was thinking, I generally wouldn't care if every single one of these players left the club in the next season.
00:24:35
Michael
36 months and I've never, I've never felt that. Like I've always said, even terrible players.
00:24:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's
00:24:42
Michael
I remember Sammy Amiobi dropping out of the Newcastle squad and being gutted about it because I loved Sammy. When we saw Dioze Perez, I was gutted because loved Dioze Perez. Ever since um Robert was the first that I can think of, I mean, Robert was a brilliant player. But I've always had at least one player who I'd go, look, I can't ah can't bear us getting rid of it. Joe Linton was that and before we turned him into a centre midfielder because I i loved him and I wanted him become good. um Now I'm looking at it and I'm going, yeah, I'd be good i'd be i'd be a little gutted if we saw Bruno.
00:25:20
Michael
That's about it. Yeah. For me, the maybe Lewis Hall, Lewis Miley potentially. um But it's one of those where literally like every single one of them, I think they could leave and I i wouldn't mind.
00:25:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, actually, it could be Tino Liveramento, couldn't it?
00:25:35
Michael
Which is... Yeah.
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because Man City a history of splashing the cash in the winter transfer window. Three they bought last last January. And Pep is a big admirer of Tino.
00:25:44
Michael
yeah
00:25:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
So maybe that's where we cash in. But if we had a wad of cash, do we need a wad of cash? Do you think Howe has got a shopping list of players? What do you think our new sporting director has given him a shopping list of players?
00:26:01
Michael
Yeah, I think it all depends on how the Saudis view Newcastle's future, because if they see Eddie Howe being here after the end of the season, I think they back him.
00:26:14
Michael
If they don't, I think they just say, look, this is what you've got for this season. if you If you don't like it, you can go early. and But we're giving you until the end of the season. This is the team you've got. And then whoever replaces you is going to have more funds to evidently push forward. Because we've seen from Man United how terrible squads can be when playing styles change. and Ten Hag era,
Future Strategies and Playing Style Changes
00:26:40
Michael
going from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ferguson to Moyes, etc. they've they've They've done it so many times.
00:26:48
Michael
that you you kind of do have to pay attention and go, okay, there's a problem here. um And I think when you look at the players that we've got, we've got a lot of athletic players and not a lot of players who can play a good short passing game.
00:27:04
Michael
um And I think if we let Eddie Howe buy more players in January, If someone comes in and wants to completely change the way we play to go a bit more of a possession style, they're not going to have the money or the players to do that. So I think January, and I hate i hate to say this on a pod where we're supposed to be positive, but januaryly January will give us a big idea of what the future of Newcastle United looks like after this season. Because if they back them,
00:27:33
Michael
There's no way they're getting rid of any how because you don't want a new manager to be restrained by PSL. So I actually hope they back him. I hope he brings in the right players. There's a couple of players off the top my mind. Well, a couple of positions off the top of my mind that I think we need.
00:27:51
Michael
um
00:27:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
sokeeper Goalkeeper, goalkeeper, goalkeeper and backup goalkeeper.
00:27:51
Michael
But, yeah. Goalkeeper on number 10 for me. 100%.
00:27:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
We need a number 10. But he keeps saying Vultimara isn't a number 10, but he shapes up like he could be a number 10.
00:28:01
Michael
hundredbazin
00:28:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
He shakes up like he could be the tallest the tallest little guy off a centre forward that you've ever seen.
00:28:08
Michael
Yeah, I think it's one of those things.
00:28:15
Michael
Vultemar reminds me a lot of, um and I'm probably going to get a bit of stick for saying this, but Kai Havertz. Havertz is another one. Havertz is deceptively very, very tall, but very good with his feet.
00:28:29
Michael
However, when he was at Leverkusen, he was playing a bit of a false nine. um And the two wingers around him were getting, yeah, he was getting a lot of goals, but the two wingers around him were playing more advanced.
00:28:39
Michael
He went to Chelsea, they forced him to play the number nine, didn't work. Arsenal have kind of played him as a centre-forward, as a midfielder, as a number 10, and he's he's doing quite well for them.
00:28:51
Michael
I think Vultomar does the same, where he is so good with his feet, the issue is that Vahavet is slightly more mobile, I would say, um so he fits that role a little bit better, but I definitely think...
00:29:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:04
Michael
you look at our players, there isn't anyone who is better with that sort of one-touch, control the ball, knock it out wide, with his back-to-goal, than Nick Vultemada. Now, has he got the, should we say, creative abilities, like maybe a James Madison would in that number 10? Probably not.
00:29:26
Michael
But I think in regards to linking play and getting us forward, he would suit that position so, so well. I don't know what you think, but Visser and Vltemada, I mean, you mentioned it a bit earlier, actually, so maybe I do know what you think. Visser and Vltemada, to me, just sounds perfect.
00:29:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
fuck I think they'd be lethal.
00:29:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think they would be lethal with the way Vultimata can control a ball and hold it up and slip a ball around the corner. And Vissar's pace going in behind a defence. I mean, he's in two or three times a game, which should be goal, a goal and a half a game.
00:29:47
Michael
Yeah, i agree.
00:30:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
and That would be a great start. Yeah, so and there are reasons to be cheerful. For sure, i think. I hear what you're saying about the transfer window, but I do think anybody's going to need a goalkeeper.
00:30:04
Michael
yeah
00:30:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm wondering
Statistical Performance Analysis
00:30:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
if James Trafford's available because he must be really annoyed that City bought him and then haven then bought Donnarumma two weeks later. i don't know if James Trafford is the answer. um
00:30:30
Michael
No.
00:30:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
i would ah would say he was ahead of and Ramsdale, for sure. and
00:30:40
Michael
Yeah, I agree.
00:30:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Pep Guardiola must have seen a lot of him before he sold him. And then to bring him back in, that's endorsement enough for me to think he'd be worth a go. And I think he would be available. He might be really expensive now, of course.
00:30:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, timm hey, it's going to cost £25 million or something to keep hold of Ramsdale at the end of the season.
00:31:02
Michael
Yeah, that's not happening.
00:31:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, are you positive, Michael?
00:31:03
Michael
ah
00:31:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Are you positive that there's still plenty to pay for in our season and we haven't finished? We're not just relying on winning the Champions League to be able to play there next year.
00:31:11
Michael
You know
00:31:15
Michael
what? because i know we've been dreadfully inconsistent, but so has everybody else. And I think when you look at it, there is ah it's a big mixture of individual errors and just not being able to put the ball in the back of the net. That's the been our biggest issue. And if you look at... hate the expected goals and stuff, but when you look at expected points, Newcastle are seventh in the table.
00:31:42
Michael
um And you know it's it's one of those where, us yes, we're still you know outside where we want to be. But when you look at that, we're quite high. When you look at big chances created,
00:31:53
Michael
Newcastle have created 38 big chances and only conceded 23. Now we've conceded 23 goals in total. So if that conversion rate of you know one chat big chance conceded to one goal, if we turned that round and every big chance created we scored, then we'd be having a field day.
00:32:14
Michael
And obviously that's not going to happen. and But we're third in the table with that difference.
00:32:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
For seven past six, see.
00:32:20
Michael
Yeah, we're third in the table with that difference.
00:32:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would have put seven plus calc.
00:32:24
Michael
i Arsenal, top, obviously, they've created 43, conceded 13. Only Man City or ah have above six, and we're sitting there with 15 difference.
00:32:35
Michael
So when it comes to creating chances... we're actually creating so much more than we're conceding. But those half chances, unfortunately, our goalkeepers are getting a touch on them or punching them in the net themselves.
00:32:51
Michael
And we've got strikers, or should I say wingers, that you know aren't really contributing to putting the ball in back of the net.
00:32:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:32:57
Michael
And you're thinking, well, actually, how is he going to turn this into a positive? All it takes is one boost of confidence, For all of that to just turn around.
00:33:09
Michael
You beat a big team, you you know you get a massive result, and all that can turn around. Form is temporary, class is permanent. We've mentioned how good the team is.
Final Thoughts and Optimism for Upcoming Matches
00:33:20
Michael
We're doing okay on the stats, we're just not doing very well on the points. But six points can be made up in a week.
00:33:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, let's knock Bournemouth out the third round of the FA Cup. We'll get another game in the FA Cup in January. If that's at home, we could be through to the fifth round. We've got City to play, I think, or is that the start of February?
00:33:41
Michael
One at the start January, one the start of February.
00:33:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, so we've got City to play at home at some point soon. That will be a great win to get.
00:33:49
Michael
Yeah.
00:33:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
PSV would be a great win to get. I mean, we could end up playing Villa and Liverpool at the end, having 1-8 on the bounce, because it's Bernie and Wolves away in six home games.
00:33:56
Michael
Yeah.
00:34:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I don't care. I don't care. Because that, as you say, boosts the confidence. And I love that last stat about converting our big chances into goals, making us third.
00:34:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
We need that switch. Let's do it. I hope you're listening, Eddie. Get your lads to watch this podcast. With that, we will sign off to our lovely listeners.
00:34:20
Michael
Yeah.
00:34:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
and We're back tomorrow. Is it me and you again, Michael? Back tomorrow to preview the Bernie game?
00:34:29
Michael
Probably.
00:34:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Probably.
00:34:32
Michael
okay
00:34:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Doesn't matter. We love doing it. Thanks very much for joining me on this one, Michael. That was interesting.
00:34:37
Michael
Sorry.
00:34:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
and I'm glad you're not Captain Misery anymore. You're Tonto.
00:34:40
Michael
That's half been...
00:34:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
you