DC Magpie

I was listening to a podcast the other day (can't remember who) and there was an old timer talking about other coaches who have almost exclusively played a 4-3-3 high press. He cited time after time where it works for a season or two, but then becomes less effective. Whether the players get tired of it, other teams get used to playing against it, etc., he claimed the system just doesn't work in the long term. He cited coach after coach who clung to the system, and time and again, they would be successful for a year or two, then have to move on and try it again somewhere else. Wish I could remember the names he mentioned. Anyway, I was wondering what some folks more knowledgeable than me thought of that premise. It does seem to me that other teams have adapted to what we do, and that the players can't (or won't) keep the level of energy necessary for an entire 90 minutes (much less an entire season). I've long said Eddie has been far too stubborn in staying with the same stale formation and system. I think, for his own sake, he needs to use these last two months and seven games to try something new. I think it will go a long way toward soothing some feathers in the fanbase (even if it doesn't completely work), but I think the alternative of sticking with the 4-3-3 with middling to poor results will result in the end of Eddie's time here. Thoughts?

And on that note, you reminded me of a series of Mastercard commercials from a few years back. And I think it's all just a misperception that fans were booing the team Sunday. They were saying "Mooooo-vers".

Just trying to be realistic, because besides Liverpool, Brentford and Everton, we're also behind Sunderland (gah), Chelsea, Fulham and Brighton. I'm with the lads to the end, but we need to do some soul searching as a team to find a lineup, formation and the level of effort we'll need to win probably 4-5 of the last 7 to pass all those (and still hope for losses and ties from all those above us). Hoping Bruno's return will help right the ship. Just want to see a strong finish to set us up for a positive summer. Europe at this point would be a (surprising) treat. Howay.

I admit I never thought to boo at my television, but my reaction to the 90' goal was a very loud "you've got to be kidding, we fucking did it again".

Well, realistically, the seven points separating us from Europa is not insurmountable, but the fact is there are seven teams between us and that spot. They'd all need to shit the bed to varying degrees, and we'd have to get on a winning streak that I just don't see happening. I'm not giving up all hope, but we have such a narrow window it feels like too many things would have to fall our way.

Methinks trying to win headers coming from 60 meters away is a different skill than knocking in a good cross. He at least used to know how to do the latter.

To me, I think it comes down to two simple questions: (i) can Howe adapt his on-field methods and formations and (ii) can he learn to make positive in-game adjustments? He stubbornly plays a 4-3-3 and we press well for about ten minutes, we even sometimes take an early lead but then we invariably sit back and turn to shite. We've dropped 22 points after having a lead this season. Add half of those points back and we're fourth in the table. That's insane, and it doesn't happen unless you're getting outcoached in real time. I'm really agnostic as to whether he stays or goes and I recognize I'm not the tactical football expert many here are. But in my relatively short time as a Newcastle supporter, I haven't seen a lot that would instill confidence that Eddie is capable of adapting his formations, his methods nor his in-game strategies. Also (and this is a whole different can of worms) I'm trying to get my head around our ownership. Is NUFC anything more than just a diversion or hobby to them? Many have noticed they mostly couldn't be bothered to show up for the Derby. My crystal ball says Howe is back next year if only because this ownership team will find that the easier path to take.

Seems the Germany coach has some other ideas as to how best to use Woltemade. Eddie knows one scheme, one formation. "Nagelsmann claimed that if Woltemade is 80 meters from the goal, it is unreasonable for journalists to expect high goal tallies. He noted that Woltemade is not a "classic counter-attacking striker" who relies on elite speed (36 km/h) to beat opponents from deep positions. Nagelsmann also promised that for Germany, Woltemade would play approximately 30 meters from the goal, where his technical skills and presence are most dangerous."

I hadn't seen that stat, but it rings true to me. While many say our form was off with him up top, our results were much better (for whatever reason). Everybody jumped down my throat last week when I said Europe ain't happening (in my defense, I often drink to excess) but given where we are after this abortion of a week it really makes sense to give Nick the last seven games to try to regain his form up top so we know what needs fixing this summer, and to what extent. Play with the formation, move some folks around a bit. Why do I suspect that is too big an ask of Eddie?

We had a couple games recently - ManU and Chelsea - where I have to admit I was somewhat surprised / pleased we won. But I have to admit that I didn't realize at the time that Chelsea is managed by a weirdo.

Amazing that our defense is so heavily represented, seeing as we routinely concede 2-3 a game.

Will be interesting to see what Eddie does when Bruno returns. Time to fit Woldemade for some keeper's gloves?

Per the AI machine, it's 22 actually. We surpassed West Ham and Chelsea for most points dropped today. That is an unimaginable number of points. if we drop only half of those, we're in 4th. "Newcastle United has dropped 22 points from winning positions in the Premier League so far during the 2025–26 season. This total is currently the highest of any team in the division."

The US announcers said at HT that Woltemade was "dominating" midfield in the first half and that Sunderland needed to do something to address it. Not sure I agree with "dominating" but he was involved and played well. So, of course, the smart move is to take him off for Willock.

He was shit from the second he stepped on. Dribbled straight out of bounds, can't remember a pass he didn't lose. The giveaway and the laziness at the end was unforgivable.

The season is what is is. Safe from relegation, and Europe ain't happening. If the plan is never to start Woltemade up front again even in these circumstances, then just let the poor lad go. It's hard to watch his confidence get flushed like this. Though I suppose a brace (hell, even a goal) against the Mackems would go a long way toward erasing the grime of the last three months.

From ESPN from this side of the pond: TRENDING RUMORS Manchester United are looking to sign two midfielders this summer. Could Bruno Guimarães be one of them? - Manchester United are in talks to sign Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimarães in what could end up being an €80 million deal, reports Reuters, although interest from Real Madrid threatens to derail talks. ESPN has previously reported that United are focused on adding two midfielders next summer, with Guimarães among potential targets that include Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton. A source has also told ESPN Brasil that Guimarães has delayed any consideration over his future until after this summer's World Cup. However, according to global news agency Reuters, not a regular reporter of transfer intel, United and Madrid are set for a transfer tug-of-war this summer.

It was painful to watch to be sure. But I just don't think we have the depth on the roster to play twice a week for months on end. I will be interested to see if our form picks up now that we're down to one game a week for the next couple months.

If our route to glory when we're down 7-2 is through ten minutes of Osula, all hope is lost. So we're saving him for league play? I almost hope he doesn't play v Sunderland. I think that own goal was the beginning of the end of his season.

Hoping we don't throw in the towel but having him warm up only to have him put his training top back on and go back to the bench - so you can play Osula instead - speaks volumes as to where he stands. I'm relatively new to Newcastle fandom, so I'm hoping others are correct in saying Eddie can work his offseason magic on Nick as he did with JL, Hall and others. World Cup will hinder the amount of time Nick will have to train with the team, unfortunately. I just think it's a crime to pay that much for a player and to have him play very well for a stretch, only to banish him to the bench with no opportunity to regain his form in his natural position. Maybe he'll get some time up front once Europe if officially off the table. But hats off to Gordon who got his second non-pen EPL goal in the past 14 months (and he damn near botched that). I chose a very frustrating team to follow and support, it appears. LOL

Why oh why will he not play Big Nick up top - especially with this lineup? Gordon = one non-penalty EPL goal all year. I’m actually stunned at how stubborn Eddie is with playing Gordon up top.

To say the very least.

Agreed. When is the last time we've given up 3+ goals in a game this many times in a season (including effing West Ham)? This is the "form" I guess I keep hearing about. Two goals against is now the norm. I blame Nick.

I suppose the "look" is in the eye of beholder, but our results of late (certainly since the midfield experiment) have seen us drop to 12-13 in the table with Europe now a pipe dream. I just question why you would take a striker who can do what Nick has already shown for us (see the video if you haven't) and then put him in an alien position - all for the purpose of starting someone up top who is not a natural striker and still has scored just one EPL goal in the run of play all season. The only answer is that Anthony is faster and therefore more effective defensively in a high press (when he's not getting red carded doing it). Call me old school, but I want my 9 scoring effing goals. Lots of them. I think the injuries that were piling up on us (not least of which to Bruno) have/had more to do with our form at that time than anything Woltemade was doing. If I'm Eddie, I'm sliding Anthony back to the wing and putting Nick up top from here on out. The season is what it is at this point. With the money we spent it's criminal neglect not to give Nick the opportunity to regain his form and confidence so we truly understand what we have in him before we let him walk away.