Matchday thread - Toon v Cottagers

[UlversToon]

Just a straight forward win today please lads.

Following a 2-0 FA Cup victory there in January, Newcastle make their second visit of 2024 to Craven Cottage on Saturday.

It's a none televised 3pm start.

The Magpies are seeking their fifth successive win on the banks of the Thames in all competitions and a fourth in the Premier League.

Following a 3-0 success at SJP in December, United are bidding for their second PL win double of the season, having also taken six points off Aston Villa.

Team: Anthony Gordon returns from suspension while Lewis Hall is available after going off during Tuesday's 1-1 home draw with Everton

Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, Miggy Almiron, Matt Targett, Jamaal Lascelles, Sandro Tonali, Nick Pope, Callum Wilson, Joelinton, Sven Botman and Lewis Miley are all sidelined.

This is Newcastle's 31st PL game of the season - with the threat of two match suspensions for both Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes lifted after the 32nd fixture.

Gordon is two bookings away from reaching ten, so avoiding a yellow at Craven Cottage would see him avoid further censure.

Bruno is just one away but has managed to avoid a yellow card in his most recent nine PL outings. He needs to make that eleven to avoid a ban.

Tonali rates this match as follows:

NUFC win 17/10
The draw 13/5
FFC win 7/5

FFC: Fulham currently have an empty sick bay.

Ahead of our visit, the Cottagers were beaten 1-3 at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.

On home ground this season, Marco Silva's side have won nine times, drawn once and lost the other five. They've won successive games at Craven Cottage 3-0, beating Brighton and Spurs by that margin.

UK TV: None

UK Radio: None (updates on BBC Radio 5)

Referee: Sam Allison - a new name at first team level as far as Newcastle are concerned. His only previous sightings have come in reserve games during 2016 (a 2-1 win away to Brighton) and 2017 (a 1-0 win away to West Bromwich Albion).

Barely a year after taking charge of his first game in the Championship, the Chippenham-born 43 year-old gets only his third PL game after handling Sheffield United 2 Luton Town 3 on Boxing Day and Bournemouth 4 Luton Town 3 last month.

VAR: Jarred Gillett

Stats:

Magpies @ Fulham - PL era:

2023/24 Won 2-0 Longstaff, Burn (FAC)
2022/23 Won 4-1 Wilson, Almiron 2, S.Longstaff
2020/21 Won 2-0 Willock, Schar (pen)
2018/19 Won 4-0 Shelvey, Perez, Schar, Rondon
2016/17 Lost 0-1 (Ch)
2013/14 Lost 0-1
2012/13 Lost 1-2 Ben Arfa
2011/12 Lost 2-5 Guthrie, Ben Arfa
2010/11 Lost 0-1
2008/09 Lost 1-2 Ameobi
2007/08 Won 1-0 Barton (pen)
2006/07 Lost 1-2 Martins
2005/06 Lost 0-1
2004/05 Won 3-1 Ambrose, Kluivert, Ameobi
2003/04 Won 3-2 Robert, Shearer 2*
2002/03 Lost 1-2 Shearer*
2001/02 Lost 1-3 Speed

(At Craven Cottage except *Loftus Road)

[UlversToon]

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Krafth, Schar, Burn, Hall, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock, Murphy, Isak, Gordon.

Subs: Karius, Gillespie, Dummett, Ritchie, Barnes, Anderson, White, Diallo, Murphy.

Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Abarabioyo, Bassey, Robinson, Lukic, Palhinha, Wilson, Pereira, Iwobi, Muniz.

Subs: Rodak, Reed, Jimenez, Wilson, Broja, Adama, Ream, De Cordova-Reid, Lukic.

[Remember Colo]

Is this actual strategic rotation and not just injury motivated?! Glad to see a few names back to make for a decent XI plus a couple attacking subs.

[Sanchino]

I would have gone for Anderson over Longstaff. Started Barnes RW and Murphy over Kraft at RB as he can has the speed to bomb up n' down the right, has more pace than Kraft and can ping in a cross. But I guess Howes thinking to rotate and manage minutes for Anderson and Barnes who've come back from longer injuries. At least we have a couple impact subs on the bench.

1-1 Draw.

[Chappy]

I would have gone for Anderson over Longstaff. Started Barnes RW and Murphy over Kraft at RB as he can has the speed to bomb up n' down the right, has more pace than Kraft and can ping in a cross. But I guess Howes thinking to rotate and manage minutes for Anderson and Barnes who've come back from longer injuries. At least we have a couple impact subs on the bench.

1-1 Draw.

Same.

Feel fairly confident tbf but I just never know what to expect from us this season. 3 points and nee more injuries please!

[Don Sholeone]

Longstaff won't lose his place this season, only way Eddie would drop him is if Tonali Bruno and Joelinton are available for selection, even then it's not a 100% guarantee. He's almost as bad as Southgate for having personal favourites.

[Sanchino]

Longstaff won't lose his place this season, only way Eddie would drop him is if Tonali Bruno and Joelinton are available for selection, even then it's not a 100% guarantee. He's almost as bad as Southgate for having personal favourites.

This. Burn at LB and Longstaff starting all the time.

If he still does that next season when everybody is fully fit then not sure if he's the man long term to take us to the promise land of consistent top 6 finishes/European football/winning a trophy.. I hope I'm wrong but next season will be massive and with Tonali n' potential a few more quality signings we will see if Howe is the ''elite'' manager we need to get us were we need to be. I think the owners will be patient but you never know..

[Chappy]

Awful start this

[beatski]

anyone got a working link?

[UlversToon]

Listening on radio and it sounds as if Fulham are the better side so far.

[Sanchino]

Fulham attacking that left-hand side.. with Kraft being a weak link they know what's up. That's why Howe should have played Murphy at RB he can handle pacey tricky skilful players better as he matches them for pace/speed and played Barnes further forward. Looking awful right now surprised fulham haven't scored yet.

[Chappy]

Listening on radio and it sounds as if Fulham are the better side so far.

It's like we haven't even bothered turning up thus far

[Don Sholeone]

We are basically Bournemouth with a bit of money now.

[UlversToon]

Sounds like the old Bruceball.

[Chappy]

You know it's bad when Iwobi is able to run through you like no one is there... Jesus Christ.

Krafth is f***ing s**** btw. I saw a video on the clubs YouTube where they were asking some of the players random questions, one of them was "who is the hardest to play against in training?" - both Tino & Lascelles said Krafth... really??? Cuz I'm not seeing anything that backs up that claim.

[Chappy]

We can't keep hold of the ball for more than 5 seconds

[beatski]

You know it's bad when Iwobi is able to run through you like no one is there... Jesus Christ.

Krafth is f***ing s**** btw. I saw a video on the clubs YouTube where they were asking some of the players random questions, one of them was "who is the hardest to play against in training?" - both Tino & Lascelles said Krafth... really??? Cuz I'm not seeing anything that backs up that claim.

maybe they feel bad?

[UlversToon]

Dubravka down again?

[beatski]

awful touch from Isak there. Should have at the very least been a good shot on goal

[Chappy]

So close Gordon!