Transcript
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hello welcome to the Daily Newcastle. My name is Ian Mackay. We're here tonight to preview Newcastle against Fulham. Carabao Cup quarterfinal tomorrow night. I'm joined by the Newcastle guru, Mr Michael Grameslaw, who I think, since he's come back from his holidays, has even overtaken me in the number of podcasts a week he's doing. Well done, Michael.
Global Sports Podcast Network: We're holding it together, me and you, son.
Michael: oxford it
Global Sports Podcast Network: But fact good thank goodness it's not just me on my own, that that's for sure. How the devil are you, Michael? How are you getting over that so sad spectacle on Sunday afternoon?
Global Sports Podcast Network: We've not really talked about it, what with Zencastr being off off air for a cookie day's.
Michael: Yeah. Fortunately, we didn't have, um, the pro up it's probably for the best, we didn't get to talk about it straight after the game. Let's be honest. Yeah. Doing well. I've never been thankful, uh, to have the nine to five on my agenda, but, um,
Michael: Forgetting about that awful Sunday performance and then thinking ahead to a probably even worse performance tomorrow because we never do that well against Fulham. It's not really made me feel any better, but it's Arnie football at the end of the day, isn't We'll be good again soon.
Global Sports Podcast Network: all right I am i'm not going to listen to what you're saying there, Michael. Come on i prefer i prefer Kevin's prediction from our derby preview, which was, you can guarantee, he said, if we lose the derby,
Global Sports Podcast Network: we're going to get through in the quarterfinal because everybody will be out to put those wrongs right.
Michael: to that.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I think you might be right. I do. um If there are 11 fit players who are energetic enough to actually put together a half-decent 90 minutes of football. um
Global Sports Podcast Network: This will be weird because nobody's really thought about this. What were the positives that came out of Sunday's game, Michael? Can you think of any?
Michael: It was only one in a Sunderland play I didn't score. Well, think to be genuine about it, I think the the most positive thing is...
Michael: Sunderland fans are looking at that like it was a great performance. It was arguably our worst of the season so far, and we weren't far off them whatsoever. So to look at it from a positive perspective, we might have lost 1-0 at the Stadium of Light, but if they play like that at St. James' and we play like we have at St. James' for fair bit of this season,
Michael: We should batter them in the return leg, which, I mean, as Bruno said yesterday, that's the only day you can make Sunday right.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hmm.
Michael: um
Global Sports Podcast Network: and
Michael: But again, you know, we've got to take that out of our minds and and go again. And I think the positive will be is that everyone knows they messed up as well. I don't think there's a single player in that dressing room that thinks, oh, I had a good performance. That was good enough.
Michael: um And as you say, Kev mentioned it in the the preview. Very likely they'll try and put things right tomorrow.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Well, I don't think there's a single manager in that changing room who will claim that they got everything right either. and i teach I did join on Sunday evening to do my immediate post-match reaction and was blessed by the fact that Zencastr had gone off air, so I didn't have to torture myself for about the 30 seconds that I would have been able to do that before I burst into tears.
Michael: Only 5%.
Michael: well
Global Sports Podcast Network: What I would have done, i would have tried to find some positives, and this is why I asked to you that, because I actually thought, defensively, we did all right. They were rubbish at bringing the ball forward and setting anything up, but they restricted Sunderland to one shot on target.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And that was Isidore right at the end from a very acute angle, which Ramsdale dealt with easily enough. um We didn't concede in the last 10 minutes, which is good.
Michael: yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: We dealt with a lot of long f throws, corners, big boots out of the goalkeeper's hands. So nothing from a set piece. um and We dealt with all of those sort of things that have been our little Achilles heel against everybody.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um None of that went wrong. So, um you know, a kind of positive.
Michael: true
Global Sports Podcast Network: um It was a real shame Dan Byrne went off. I think that was a turning point just in the terms of the leadership on the pitch. But I thought Fab Schaar came in.
Michael: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: thought he did okay. I thought Chow did okay. We needed more than just OK, though. It was the other end of the pitch, which was just appalling. And I think that both Gordon, Alanga and Valtemada will count themselves very lucky if they're selected for this game tomorrow night.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um I think Valtemada has to be because it's the only option. If Visser still isn't fit enough to start, although he's been fit enough to sit on the bench for the last fortnight... um Yeah, it was was shocking. I'm just really pleased I only know one Sunderland fan.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I have had my leg pulled for 48 hours, but only by one person. And he's older than me, so it's all right. I can let him up for that.
Michael: He remembers a lot of the negatives then, won't he? I unfortunately walked into the office ah on Monday morning and the first I'm usually one of the first in. The first person I saw was a Sunderland fan. I'm like, hang on, you're usually 20 minutes late.
Michael: Ha-way. And then the other one didn't make it into the office because they were out so long in the evening. And to be honest, I don't think I can blame them.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Thank you.
Michael: their second biggest result of the last decade or whatever it is. um But yeah, to keep it on to Newcastle, I think realistically, you've got to be looking at that performance of the front three.
Michael: And I'd be saying, even if your annuities are only fit enough to start 45 minutes, Tomorrow, you've got to start a completely different front three and say to the others, look, if the other three can start, they will.
Michael: You've got to make your way and you've got to earn your place back on that team. And to be honest...
Global Sports Podcast Network: I would say. Yeah.
Michael: I think the only one that has earned his place this season has been Vultemar. And let's be honest, he looks knackered, bless him. And you got he got a stitch after 40 minutes of playing all style of football in the Premier League. He's doing night now, a few months later, he's doing 90 minutes three times a week. So I still think he's going to come very, very good.
Michael: Let's be honest, it's a cracking finish for the header, even if he doesn't mean it. And if he gets fit enough... gets himself back together and starts doing that in the opposite net, then I don't think anybody is going to begrudge him that own goal.
Michael: Although it is one. It's up there with Virginis against Southampton is one of the most insane own goals I've
Global Sports Podcast Network: Well, let's be honest. it's it's the It's the best cross he's had since the one against Arsenal that he put in.
Michael: seen. I'm sorry.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And that was, what, two months ago? um no I agree with you. don't know. I thought Gordon was really woeful given that he'd been quite good in the previous games.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But maybe it was because he knew he was coming off, but it suddenly burst into life and went past the fullback twice, then got taken off.
Michael: Thank you.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I wouldn't have done that. I would have adjusted what I was doing, but maybe Hal was just really annoyed at how rubbish he'd been for the first hour. Look, let's draw a veil on that game and close a little bit early so we've got a little bit longer to look forward to what effectively is just you know two games away from defending our championship at Wembley.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Three games if you count the two legs. You know what I mean.
Michael: I know you mean.
Global Sports Podcast Network: is here's Here's Ken.
Michael: Two teams of beef.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And just as an aside, I was on a different podcast with Ken a couple of nights ago, and given that he was really ill and fighting for his life just a few months ago, he looks really, really much better, fully recovered.
Michael: Good stuff.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Good to see you, Ken.
Michael: Great
Global Sports Podcast Network: m Right, let's talk about Fulham. um I listened to Eddie Howe's half-an-hour press conference, and after about 25 minutes, they started talking about this match.
Global Sports Podcast Network: A bit like this podcast. No, we're not doing it that way.
Michael: to hear.
Global Sports Podcast Network: and The back line for Newcastle is very, very stretched. Poor old Dan Byrne, not just broken ribs, but a punctured lung to deal with. He's out for four to six weeks.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Howe said... Botman, he's getting better, but they're not sure when he can come back. Don't think that means he's coming back tomorrow.
Michael: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: and Both Kraft and Trippier are looking at the turn of the air before their fit. And I said, he actually said, that means I'll be paying the same four defenders. Now, they're great defenders, don't get me wrong, I like them, but we've got to do some rotation. Jamal LaSelza's back in training after coming back from ah yet another injury.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And surely home match against Fulham. He's somebody who we could we could have a half with just to give somebody a rest. And I don't understand why Alex Murphy doesn't get a tryout.
Global Sports Podcast Network: He's been in the squad from day one this season. I don't think he's made it on the pitch yet. What do you think?
Michael: I think there's probably a reason for that, unfortunately. ah you You are right. If he's there in the squad, then why not use him? um you know yeah if you've got the confidence enough to have him on the bench, you have the confidence to play and put him on the pitch. I think you are right. I don't think he has actually made an appearance this year. I think LaSalle has actually made more than him.
Michael: and I think LaSalle's only played like 15 minutes or something.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay.
Michael: um I would love to see LaSalle's back. I think Jamal LaSalle's is the perfect example of a centre-back who never gets above his station.
Michael: he All he wants to do is get the ball, get rid of it. And a bit like Malik Chow did against Sunderland, everything he seemed to get his head on, Jamal LaSalle's does exactly that every single game. And yes,
Michael: When he does get the ball and he has to pass it, he isn't fantastic. But let's be honest, Fulham aren't going to be playing a high press in the League Cup.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Thank you.
Michael: So I completely agree with you on that front. I think Lassell's, I don't think he'll start... think it'll be Chow and Fabian Scher again, obviously. that we not let we have the options. um But I do think Malik Chow comes off for Jamal Assel. Whether that's at half-time, 60 minutes, 80 minutes, it really depends on how we're doing in the game.
Michael: um And I'd love to see some of the young'uns, I think. But it's it's one of those where... Let's be honest. Every time they've probably had the chance to impress Champions League, the youth Champions League, should I say, i think they've lost every game.
Michael: Most of them have been relatively tight, but conceding goals is something they've done on the regular.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Thank you.
Michael: um every so I feel like every time there's a Champions League game, I look at the youth league and I go, come on, please. Oh, no, we've been bad. Never mind. So i do think the youngsters, well...
Michael: I would risk them at some points. I think maybe, maybe just maybe we try and hold out because I don't think many of them are ready or good enough yet.
Michael: But then when your only option off the bench is Jamal LaSalle's, what can you do? You've got to do something.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah debt The problem, of course, Livermanto and Hall would be first choice and we've got them, which is great. However, they're both up where the needle is bashing up against the red for the load that they've been given and they're coming back from their injuries. and murphy is Murphy's a left back.
Global Sports Podcast Network: i I don't get it. He's not terrible. unless you But he wouldn't be on the bench if he'd been injured as well. I don't get that. We need to rotate. and All other Premier League teams keep bringing their 18-year-old, 19-year-old full-backs on for the last 20 minutes. that They don't seem to cave in. Anyway, defence we've discussed.
Global Sports Podcast Network: and And we haven't got any options there. So what about the midfield, though? I thought Sandro Tonali. I'm going to put it down. He looks... exhausted rather than just awful. Because I think forms temporary, classes permanent.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Tonali is a wonderful player, but he hasn't looked a wonderful player in the last couple of games. He's looked tired.
Michael: Yeah, 100%. I think if you look at Italy every international break, he plays 90 minutes at the heart of their midfield. He does the running for them. And then he comes back here and he's expected to do the same 90 minutes every game. And i'd honestly, i'd I'd give him...
Michael: 10 days off, I'd say to him, look, um you don't have to train in with her until after the the Chelsea game. um Get yourself fit for Man United. Get yourself fit for Old Trafford.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Thank you.
Michael: And, you know, make yourself the Tenali that we're we're used to seeing. to To lose them for and f but sorry yeah an EFL Cup game, quarterfinal, and Chelsea at home, two home games, I think that's when you can afford to arrest the player.
Michael: of his quality, particularly when, you know, mind that you just put four past Bournemouth. We didn't have a shot that I remember against Bournemouth. So you're going need Tonali in fine form and he needs a rest, 100%.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, we're suggesting Tonali has a rest tomorrow. Who comes in to replace him? I mean, we stick with Bruno. Although, mean, Bruno plays every minute of every game virtually, doesn't he? But you've got to play with Bruno, I think.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I don't think Miley did anything to block his copybook against Sunderland. He was fighting a losing battle with just two of them and and that the Sunderland midfield were...
Global Sports Podcast Network: enhanced most of the time by the fact that our attack were played so deep. it was There were two full-backs in the midfield for them as well. So, um I think Lewis Miley was a bit overrun, but I think he held his own most of the time.
Michael: I
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'd keep him in. um If Joe Linton's fit, I think I'd bring Joe Linton back in for this, though. Play Miley on the right.
Michael: agree.
Michael: see I think
Global Sports Podcast Network: don't think Willick didn't keep his place from that performance.
Michael: maybe
Michael: i think ah this is the game where I'm saying to to Jacob Ramsey, You made a horrendous mistake against Burnley. Because of that, you didn't get a minute in the derby.
Michael: We couldn't trust you. Go out there now and show us what we were missing. Because Tonali's nagged. Bruno Gamares is nagged. Lewis Miley, very good player, but he can't carry a midfield on his own and he certainly can't do the running.
Michael: So I'd be very tempted to
Global Sports Podcast Network: Thank you.
Michael: I'd be tempted to rest all three because I think you need Miley far for Chelsea. um But I think I'd go with Lewis Miley, Joe Linton and Jacob Ramsey. And I'd have Miley just playing that slightly deeper role, getting him to try and control the game.
Michael: Ramsey getting ahead, playing almost as like a 10. And then Joe Linton just being a little bit of a destroyer in the midfield, trying to stop things from coming through. And I think that allows us to have a decent amount of control,
Michael: but it also means that Ramsey's getting up there alongside the left winger. Visser, I would hope, but it probably will be Volta Mata, and try and do something that way, something a little bit different. And it means that on the bench, something's going wrong.
Michael: Tonali and Bruno can come on and change the game if they need to. But I don't think we're going to...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, that's true.
Michael: 100%.
Global Sports Podcast Network: That's true. That's good. It's good bench, isn't it? If things are going wrong.
Michael: so
Global Sports Podcast Network: um And it's a good bench if things are going right and we've got the last 20 minutes to see out.
Michael: Exactly.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um Okay. I'd be worried starting without Bruno and Tonali, to be honest, but um I suppose we have to get used to it because it just takes a suspension and an injury and we've got to do it anyway.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So, you know, let's try it. m
Michael: Exactly.
Global Sports Podcast Network: What about a front though? Where a hell do we go with up front? I mean, are there any wingers left who haven't been awful in the last couple of games?
Michael: Hey, Harvey's been okay. um I never thought I'd say Harvey Barnes has been the best winger this season, even though I did say he'd be the player of the season. Anyway, I think Barnes has to start. We'll put Gordon in for the big game because he was in decent form and we'll tuck out Harvey Barnes, who realistically had done nothing wrong.
Michael: Barnes has good games most of the time. He's just a little ineffective in the odd game. And if he doesn't score or assist, you are looking at him and going, well, what did he do? And the one thing Newcastle needed was probably someone that could put the ball in the back of the net from 20, 25 yards um against Sunderland. And that didn't happen. So think you've got to play Barnes on the left.
Michael: The right wing, I think you can play Murphy. Let's be honest, I think Murphy will do you a great job there. and But if you're playing Murphy, you probably want to play Volta Marder because I can't see Johan Wisser getting on the the end of one of the seven million crosses he's going to put in the box.
Michael: So it it is an awkward one because if you play a Murphy, Volta Marder should probably start. But we know how good Murphy is at getting the ball in behind as well. so But I would definitely start
Global Sports Podcast Network: you should I'm not sure I follow that logic that Whisser wouldn't also benefit from Murphy because he's acted and he's acted to score loads of headers. A lot of the crosses came in with balls through on the floor which are perfect for Whisser running channels and things as well.
Michael: Yeah, 100%.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Depends how sharp Whisser is. How it's already said he's not fit enough to start which maybe maybe it's subterfuge. I'm not sure why he's not fit enough to start.
Michael: that's
Global Sports Podcast Network: He's been training for about four bloody weeks and he's had two or three cameos, hasn't he?
Michael: yeah hundreds
Global Sports Podcast Network: um I would start with him. I would start with him and see how long he can last.
Michael: Yeah, 100%. And what's what's the harm in giving Volta Marder a break and playing Johan Wissett in what is probably going to be, i hate to say it, but our least draining game of the next 15 days or whatever it is. Let's be honest, Sunderland, Bayer Leverkusen, both were going to hit us hard. We knew that.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Thank you.
Michael: Chelsea... and they're known for a couple of bad challenges at the back, let's be honest. Nath Chalabar in particular. So you don't really want them starting that game in Man United.
Michael: They'll... Lissandro Martinez will probably hack Visser down. It'll be the only time he's not looked like a wimp all season and they'll start calling him him the butcher again. So I think this is the game really where you're looking at him against, um it won't be Calvin Bassi because he's away on international duty, a rejigged Fulham team.
Michael: And you're thinking this is where Johan Visser can come in and start making a difference because the cameos haven't looked great, let's be honest, but you can't judge a player until he starts. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah Talking about starting, that's Newcastle. Obviously, we're going to pick a team probably at the start of part three, Michael. um But I gave you some homework, didn't night to do a little bit of research on Fulham for me.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Calvin Bass is away on international duty. Who else are they missing? him
Michael: Yeah, they're also missing Alex Iwobi, which is going to be a massive loss for them. And Samuel Chukwese, who was brilliant against Manchester City.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Michael: But they also have two injuries alongside that. Those three are away on international duty. Will be until... towards the end of January. But Rodrigo Meniz, who many will know Newcastle were going to buy at one point, i probably thankful we didn't, and he looks to be out injured.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Michael: So originally he was supposed to come back in November and he's had a case of the Harvey Barnes where now he hasn't he's done a bit of individual work and they've gone, nah, he's not going to be ready till February.
Michael: So that's an awkward one. And then Ryan Sessegnon will also be missing, well, It's one of those he's doing individual work, but Mark LaSilva said he can't give a timescale on when he'll be back. So five really, really good players there. and I think five players who probably get into Fulham's strongest 11, if not maybe Sesson Young misses out for Anthony Robinson, who's just come back, and maybe Calvin Bassie, Joachim Andersen would maybe go in there instead.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Well, Muniz as well, um a little bit of a nemesis for us. He scored home and away against us last he scored the winner at St James' Park in a match which, for the first hour, I thought we were going to win.
Michael: 100%.
Global Sports Podcast Network: It was awful last second half to sit through. and They did a number on us.
Michael: Oof.
Global Sports Podcast Network: They could do the same again, couldn't they? We've got to be on it.
Michael: hundred
Global Sports Podcast Network: That's what, we've got to be on it. and Now, you seem to always get the recordings of the Zencastr advert to play. I never do. So I am asking you, Michael, to give us the Zencastr advert. And when we come back, we'll pick a starting lineup for Newcastle that we agree on.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And three hours after that, we'll have a prediction for our scores.
Michael: Absolutely fantastic. Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we've spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. And Zencaster? Zencaster came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording 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.
Michael: If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencaster.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Very, very good. Now, part three. Who are we starting? Eddie Howe did say, by the way, we didn't mention this, That Nick Pope wasn't far away, didn't know about tomorrow or Saturday?
Global Sports Podcast Network: If he's fit, do you think he comes back? Or do you think Ramsdale has done enough to keep his place?
Michael: I'd be somewhat tempted to bring Pope back in. um But I think it's maybe more important that he's back for probably the Chelsea game because they're going to do more of hammering on the goal while you might see Fulham execute a surprise press.
Michael: and you know They are going to have um kelvin or kevin should i say ah that's a different one're entirely Kevin on the wing, with Harry Wilson, who's in great form, Jimenez, the young Josh King. So it's going to be one of those where they could execute a surprise press. You are going to want Ramsdale passing through the Lions.
Michael: Well, I think against Chelsea, they're going to have a bit more of the ball. We're going to need a shot stopper. um And it's good that we do have those options. It's just a shame we don't have a goalkeeper who's good at both.
Michael: But tomorrow, I think it's Ramsdale.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Bill Keeper is on your shopping list for for January or for summer?
Michael: I wish it was January, but I think if it was me, would be in January 100%. But I think it'll be in the summer. um I don't like Ramsdale.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay.
Michael: I don't like Nick Pope. I don't like John Ruddy, although he's done nothing wrong. Maybe start John Ruddy.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, no. No, surely not. Right.
Michael: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Have a sale in gold. We're going to start Hall, Leverimento, Chou and Scha. That's fairly non-controversial because the top's a choice. Midfield.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm going to go with you, not wanting to overstress Bruno and Tonali. I think definitely think Chelsea and Manu are more important games for us. um So we're going to have, what, Jolinton on the left, Miley in the number six role, and we're going to ask Ramsey to play down the right or Ramsey on the left and Jolinton on the right.
Michael: hit
Michael: yep
Michael: Actually, yes, Ramsey is more suited to the left-hand side because he used to play a left-winger as well. So Joe Linton on that right side, where typically is a little bit less effective. But I think Ramsey will do well a better on that left side. So yeah, Ramsey on the left, Miley in the middle, and then ah Joe Linton on the right, should I say.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. And then we have Barnes down the left wing. Voltemada. Voltemada? Or would you start Wysa? We want to start Wysa, don't we?
Michael: I want to start with...
Global Sports Podcast Network: But if you believe if you believe Eddie, he's not ready to start. So it will be Volta Mara and then Murphy down the right.
Michael: Yeah, I definitely agree. at Barnes and Murphy for me. It wouldn't be the first time that Eddie Howe has said, oh, someone's not going to start and then he's the first name on the team sheet. um I do think maybe we're um we're being a bit hopeful on Wisser, but I'm just glad he's an option for us because he should have gone off to Afton.
Michael: And how hilarious would it be that the week AFCON starts is when Johan Wisser makes his first start for us, despite not being fit enough to go to AFCON.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Well, i think that's... ah It swings in roundabouts, isn't it? Come on. That's that's only fair.
Michael: It is.
Global Sports Podcast Network: That's only fair. we're not We're not a club that's set up to be charitable foundation for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Michael: Oh, no.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Right.
Michael: My ambition.
Global Sports Podcast Network: but Okay, I'll go with that. And I'm encouraged by the fact that Fulham are... one or two very dangerous players short, but they still, like he just ran through Harry Wilson, he's in great form.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Jimenez is always ah always a threat, always a threat.
Michael: Thank you.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um So they've still got a lot of good players.
Global Sports Podcast Network: do you think they, well i mean, I don't know if you've gone back and had a look, do they rest players for the Carabao Cup?
Michael: I think it's one of those where they do traditionally try and um rest players, but they've played the likes of Wickham in Cambridge in previous rounds.
Global Sports Podcast Network: right
Michael: So they had... I'm trying to remember the name of the player. um Harrison Reid was in there for centre midfield. Issa Diop came in. Benjamin Lecomte, Adama Traore played. so Names that sort of you are familiar with, um but not Premier League level sort of thing. so They do have a decent amount of depth, um but I don't think they'll rotate for the quarterfinal because...
Michael: I don't think they've got this far in quite a long time, um or they've not made it to the semi, should I say, in quite a long time. So it's going to be one of those where there's big, big chance for them.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Michael: um Although they are potentially fighting against relegation this year. So and'd I'd love to to pick Marco Silva's mind on what he thinks is more important at this point. But I do think he'll play a full-strength side on Wednesday.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay, so given our lineup and a full and full strength side under the lights, in the Carabao Cup it's James's Park. How's it going to end up Michael?
Michael: um I think it's going to be a fairly routine win. um We beat them in the the FA Cup. FA Cup? Yeah, the fourth round of the f FA Cup a few years back.
Michael: That was 2-0. I'm going for exactly the same scoreline this time. A fairly routine 2-0 win. I think we'll start a little bit cagey. We'll get a goal right towards the end of the first half and seal it early in the second.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I take that. I take that. You see, i would normally i would I would be a bit gung-ho on this. I think we've come out all guns blazing. I just think everyone's going to be a little bit... I want to come out all guns blazing, but I'm just not going to do... I'm not going to take that risk. I'm not going to take that risk.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I hope they are brave enough to play the way that they can play, which they would.
Michael: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And that might have been Howe's instructions, but they weren't brave enough to play the way they could play at the Stadium of Light.
Michael: Absolutely not.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So it's there's no excuse at St. James' Park at a night game. Be brave. um I'm going to go my old 3-1 then.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Why not? I can't see us keeping a clean sheet, that's for sure.
Michael: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um No doubt it'll be... They'll score just two minutes after Alex Murphy's had to come on for Lewis Hall.
Michael: well
Global Sports Podcast Network: It won't do. Alex Murphy is a great player. I don't know why he's not getting any time. um But yeah, i think I think we will have too much. And I think if Wisser gets ah on early enough and Murphy can find him, the they'll get through. They'll get through with the crowd roaring them on. They will.
Global Sports Podcast Network: They'll get that extra energy just from that. um And and then then I don't know what on earth you'd get you get to on Saturday. Now, is it important that we win, Michael? Is it really important?
Michael: It is because i think, particularly for Eddie Howe, because I think it's one of those at the moment where it's maybe less important for Newcastle supporters, but because we're going to look at it now and go, look, you could win 10-0 against Fulham.
Michael: You lost the derby. But if you're in the mind of the owners... to lose a last-minute goal against Bayer Leverkusen, which has arguably cost us top eight in the Champions League, then to lose to Sunderland, then to be knocked out the League Cup all in the space of seven days...
Michael: that is something that I think the the Saudis would look at and go, right, we need to pull the plug here. And I think a win in this competition at least gives them another two months, I think, because the second leg is on the 2nd of February.
Michael: Champions League games are done there as well. I think that they the default, they're going to give them the EFL Cup and the Champions League to see if he can either retain it or get Newcastle as far as he can in the Champions League before anything happens.
Michael: But
Global Sports Podcast Network: Fair enough. You think it's that dodgy for him, do you?
Michael: I do. I think it's it's one of those where, if you remember a few years back, the aim was getting to Europe every season. Top six every season at the time was what you needed.
Michael: And that's what we were told. And then he failed in the second season. Well, second full season, should I say. um Despite a brilliant first season. Had to the credit there.
Michael: Then won the cup and qualified were for the Champions League again. But then we've spent so much money and we've spent it poorly.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay.
Michael: And then for us to play poorly as well, the only thing that we had was that intensity was our identity and it won us games.
Global Sports Podcast Network: your response
Michael: I can't see where... where winning games from at the minute. And it' it is a worrying one because I'm still confident that we do, but I can't pick it out who's going to have the the great performance away from home and get us and drag us over the line unless it's Bruno Garmadas who's done it before.
Global Sports Podcast Network: no
Michael: So it's it is a real worrying one. And I think the Saudis are going to be looking at it now and going, we can't afford another season like this. We can't afford another season like two seasons ago because we've spent so much money, PSR, either we sell loads of players for a high value, we're going to lose to Nali, Bruno, etc. potentially, we sack Eddie Howe and try and recover.
Michael: And I hope he does stay because I do like Eddie Howe. I think he's a great manager, but it just doesn't feel like the players are playing for him at the minute.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, they're so inconsistent, so inconsistent. And there must be, they they never were that.
Michael: No.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Like I say, i don't know if this ah undetected hand of Steve Bunce making intensity only being a part-time identity work here. And when they ease off, they just ease off way too much.
Michael: think.
Michael: yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: I don't know. i don't know. Anyway, it's all on tomorrow. So thank you very much indeed for discussing that with me, Michael. I think that was very, very instructive.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Thank you very much, listeners, for listening. If you've enjoyed this, by all means, like and subscribe if you've seen us on YouTube. And leave us a comment if you agree or disagree with any of the points that we've made.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Well, mainly leave a comment if you disagree with any of the points that Michael had made, because I laugh at those. and
Michael: It happened quite lot.
Global Sports Podcast Network: We will be back. Michael's back. Are you back tomorrow with an immediate reaction after the game?
Michael: Yeah, I'll be doing reaction after the game.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm at the game.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm at the game, so I won't be, but I will be back on Thursday night where we'll probably have a little bit of an in-depth review with Kev, because he's at the game as well.
Michael: yeah of Depending on who can
Global Sports Podcast Network: Kev and Lord Nicola.
Michael: yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. and But I think we're also and we're also recording a preview for Chelsea as well, aren't we, on Thursday.
Michael: Yes.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So it's all go in the house of the daily Newcastle. Thanks very much for listening. ah Thank you, Michael. We shall see you all very, very soon.
