Matchday thread - Toon v Wolves

[UlversToon]

The quest for European football continues and three points will keep us ahead of the chasing pack.

The Magpies return to a sold-out St. James' Park on Sunday, hosting Wolves in a 4.30pm kick-off on Sky Sports.

NUFC: Joelinton serves the first of a two match suspension, while Eddie Howe confirmed on Friday that both Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes were OK.

He also stated that Alexander Isak was available but not yet at a level where he could play 90 minutes - whether that means he'll replace Callum Wilson in the starting XI or at some point in Sunday's game remains to be seen.

Quizzed about January acquisition Harrison Ashby, Howe confirmed that his lack of pitch at any level so far was due to a hamstring issue.

Meanwhile, long-term injury victim Emil Krafth is now back in light training. Thanks to the readers who put us right about him not being in the PL 25 man squad - he reappeared in the revised listing announced last month.

WWFC: Diego Costa, Sasa Kalajdzic and Chiquinho are out, but Hee-Chan Hwang and Boubacar Traore could return to the squad following injury. The availability of Hugo Bueno is yet to be confirmed.

Ruben Neves has nine yellow cards to his name, one booking away from an automatic two game ban. That prompted speculation that he could be dropped in order to maximise his chances of facing relegation rivals Leeds United and Nottingham Forest in the following two games. However his manager Julen Lopetegui denied that when speaking to the media.

Coral rate this game as follows:

NUFC win 4/6
Any draw 13/5
Score draw 4/1
WWFC win 9/2
NUFC win to nil 31/20

Referee: Andy Madley - second appointment of the season involving us, after the 0-0 draw at Arsenal.

VAR: Tony Harrington

UK TV: Live on Sky Sports

UK Radio: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport

Local Radio: Live on BBC Radio Newcastle

Latest PL results/fixtures:

Sat 11.03.2023:
Bournemouth 1-0 Liverpool
Everton 1-0 Brentord
Leeds United 2-2 Brighton
Leicester City 1-3 Chelsea
Spurs 3-1 Nottingham Forest
Crystal Palace v Manchester City (5.30pm) Sky

Sun 12.03.2023:
Fulham v Arsenal (2pm) Sky
Manchester United v Southampton (2pm)
West Ham v Aston Villa (2pm)
Newcastle v Wolves (4.30pm) Sky

Stats:

Wolves @ SJP - PL era:

2021/22 won 1-0 Wood
2020/21 drew 1-1 Lascelles
2019/20 drew 1-1 Lascelles
2018/19 lost 1-2 Perez
2016/17 won 2-0 Ritchie, Gouffran (LC)
2016/17 lost 0-2 (Ch)
2011/12 drew 2-2 Cisse, Gutierrez
2010/11 won 4-1 Nolan, Shola Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Gutierrez
2003/04 drew 1-1 Bowyer
1992/93 won 2-1 Kelly 2 (D1)

[UlversToon]

Izak starts, Wilson on the bench.

Newcastle XI: Pope, Trippier, Botman, Schar, Burn, S Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Willock, Murphy, Saint-Maximin, Isak.

Subs: Dubravka, Dummett, Lascelles, Wilson, Ritchie, Targett, Manquillo, Almiron, Anderson.

Wolves XI: Sa, Nelson Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Castro Otto, Neves, Joao Moutinho, Lemina, Podence, Traore, Jimenez.

Subs: Bentley, Ait-Nouri, Collins, Neto, Hwang, Matheus Cunha, Toti, Nunes, Joao Gomes.

[beatski]

5 changes!

Still no Targett though

[UlversToon]

Gordon facing a few weeks out with an ankle injury apparently.

[bodacious benny]

5 changes!

Still no Targett though

Tbf he can be nowhere near match fit. Hopefully he gets some time tho.

Almiron has definitely been dining out on 2022 form so could do with it being freshened up and Murphy tbf has looked direct and threatening when he’s came on as a sub of late. Isak for Wilson had to happen, something not right with Wilson.

[beatski]

Most telegraphed short corner of all time

[UlversToon]

Pope!

[bodacious benny]

Jiminez did just throw himself into him.

[seaside nipper]

We are well off the pace and drive of the earlier season.
Very nervous feel about it all
Need to get moving the ball quicker

[seaside nipper]

just like that

[bodacious benny]

What a header!

[UlversToon]

Get in!

[Cal]

Incredibly lucky not to concede a penalty with that Pope thing though, hopefully he can shake that off

[bodacious benny]

Incredibly lucky not to concede a penalty with that Pope thing though, hopefully he can shake that off

For me Jiminez barely appealing tells a story, he literally just threw his body at pope.

[bodacious benny]

Excellent spell.

[UlversToon]

Need to make this pressure count!

[beatski]

Need to convert this good pressure like

[seaside nipper]

Take that , decent first half when we move the ball
When we go slow we have brain farts and cause our own issues.

[bodacious benny]

s*** until the goal. Decent 10 mins or so after. Got a bit sloppy again before HT.

Isak v Dawson is a hilarious mismatch.

Burn had a mare early on I thought. Murphy doing well, as is Willock. Bruno quite quiet but we still seem to have the better of the midfield battle.

Need a second goal tho you feel as we will invite pressure the longer it stays 1-0.

[Sanchino]

Looking good. Pacey, direct and high pressure. Need to score a second as they look dangerous with Podence, Traore on the break. Unlucky not to score a second (Bruno hitting the bar with his header). Isak, ASM, Willock and Murphy all doing well, combining dangerously and so much pace when we get going, just need to convert more of the chances we get into goals and the top four race will hot up!!