Sutton's predictions: Newcastle v Leicesterpublished at 11:08 14 December 2024
11:08 14 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 16 he takes on darts star Stephen Bunting, who is a Liverpool fan.
Bunting, who is ranked eighth in the Professional Darts Championship (PDC) order of merit, takes on Alan Soutar or Kai Gotthardt in the second round of the PDC World Championship, which starts at London's Alexandra Palace on Sunday.
Sutton's prediction: 3-0
I did not like the way Leicester treated Steve Cooper but they have definitely had a bounce since appointing Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has made the start he desired.
It is fair to say that Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has not had the season he wanted so far, but any team who can beat Arsenal and draw with Liverpool must have something about them.
Howe's side have been consistently inconsistent, but they are not far off becoming the team he wants them to be.
I am expecting them to click here, and I actually think this will be quite straightforward for them.
Bunting's prediction: 2-1
I am going with Newcastle, but it's going to be close. 2-1.
Osula 'readier than ever' - Howepublished at 12:13 13 December 2024
12:13 13 December 2024
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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe says 21-year-old striker William Osula is ready to "step up", after Callum Wilson's latest injury is set to rule him out for about eight weeks.
Howe expressed his sympathies for Newcastle's number nine before Saturday's Premier League match against Leicester City. Waiting in the wings, however, is young striker Osula, who signed for the Magpies from Sheffield United in the summer.
"Callum's injury is a blow in of our strength in depth," explained Howe. "Alex [Isak] is fit and scoring goals and we are doing a lot of work with Will [Osula] behind the scenes.
"I have no hesitation in playing him as well."
Osula's appearances have been sporadic so far, but Howe is backing the Denmark international to contribute in Wilson's absence, citing his physicality as a key asset.
"I think it is a huge jump for him, in every way," said Howe. "I have been really, really impressed by him. His attitude to learning is top and he works with a variety of coaches after training to improve.
"You don't suddenly land and adjust and become a Premier League striker [but] he is readier than he has ever been and now with Callum out, he has to step up. He is big, quick and strong and there is just that refinement.
Howe on Wilson's injury, driving standards and facing Leicesterpublished at 10:29 13 December 2024
10:29 13 December 2024
Joe Nelson BBC Sport journalist
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at home to Leicester City (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Howe expressed his sympathy for Callum Wilson's "pain", after the forward's latest injury setback: "I really feel for Callum because we see the work and dedication he has shown - not just in the recovery from this injury but throughout his career really. He is an inspirational player. He has taken himself away from family for a long period of time to get back to his best. When you go to that level of dedication and see him not get the end result this time, I feel really sad for him. I back him to come back again. We know his quality and we want to see him in a Newcastle shirt again and scoring goals."
Meanwhile, Nick Pope is a doubt for the Leicester game and Joe Willock is yet to train this week: "Nick has carried a new injury this week. Initially we thought it was nothing and he is seeking specialist opinion today. We hope he is available for tomorrow. Joe Willock we haven't seen train yet. Lewis Miley has come through some games on his road to recovery so I am happy with him."
Also, despite returning to training, Sven Botman will not play for the first tea until the end of the month: "He has been training for a while. He has been training for around four weeks. That was the plan. We try and follow the right protocols to make sure he doesn't get injured again. The plan is late December or very early January when he might be available."
After the 4-2 defeat at Brentford, Howe has sought to address the basics: "The fundamentals of our performance against Brentford weren't right. When you concede four, there are issues. It was not cohesive defending. The last two games we have conceded seven goals. We have worked on it and hopefully that will show."
Howe said he relishes the expectations at Newcastle: "You can never escape pressure. It is always there at a club of this size. I surround myself with my work and the focus of the work might change but the ethic and standards I demand of myself does not change. We are always in the pursuit of improvement, regardless of results. You are aware of what people may be saying but I don't absorb any of it. I take criticism and you know it is part of the job. I encourage it because if it keeps it away from the players, that is crucial."
He recognised the new threat Ruud van Nistelrooy's Leicester side will pose: "It brings a couple of new challenges. He has made some tweaks and changed how he wants them to play. We are ready for that and we respect them and respect Ruud. We know the importance of this game and after the last result we need a reaction."
For me, their problems stem from their defensive inconsistency. In recent seasons they have had a really settled back five and now they don't, so they are conceding more goals than we are used to seeing.
The rest of the team has remained pretty much the same, so the lack of experience and leadership in the back line must be playing a part. Kieran Trippier is no longer playing, Sven Botman remains a huge miss and Tino Livramento - who is one for the future - and Lewis Hall are both in their early 20s.
I wouldn't question their attitude. Their foundation as a club and as individuals is hard work. The team are very together and they showed they have fight in the 3-3 draw with Liverpool.
Newcastle lack squad depth and the core of their players are in their third season of consistent game time. That in itself is difficult and causes burnout.
We saw that from Newcastle last season when they tried to compete in the Champions League with a small squad. But they wouldn't have even qualified for that competition if they didn't have the correct attitude.
Individuals don't lose their hard-working attitude. It is more likely to be mental burn-out and fatigue, in addition to their inconsistent defence, that is troubling them this season.
Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford
'I need to take a little step backwards' - Wilsonpublished at 10:45 12 December 2024
10:45 12 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Callum Wilson has posted on his official Instagram , external that he will be doing everything in his power to rediscover the best version of himself and "finally get off this emotional rollercoaster" after saying he will need to take a step back in his return from injury.
The striker who has played 66 minutes across four Premier League games all season, has been appearing from the bench in recent weeks having overcome injury.
But on Instagram he revealed a setback and said: "Despite all the hard work I've put in pushing to get back to full fitness, I need to take a little step backwards unfortunately, guys.
"Frustrating as it is for everyone out there waiting for my return and to be able to help the team, these shortcomings also upset and frustrate me more than anybody else.
"I will, and I am doing everything in my power to rediscover the best version of myself and finally get off this emotional rollercoaster, which I'm hoping 2025 will bring.
"Appreciate the patience, love and from all those closest that know how hard I really work and how professional I always am."
Tonali agent Riso refutes exit talkpublished at 10:28 12 December 2024
10:28 12 December 2024
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
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Sandro Tonali's agent Giuseppe Riso has denied reports in Italy suggesting the midfielder wants to return to Serie A.
The Italy international, 24, ed Newcastle in a £58m deal from AC Milan but his positive start was disrupted by a 10-month ban for gambling offences.
Since returning in late August, Tonali has slowly begun re-establishing himself at St James' Park but has found himself in and out of the team.
It has led to reports from Italy suggesting he could leave Newcastle in the coming January transfer window.
But a statement from his agency released to BBC Sport denies those claims.
It reads: "Sandro is not considering a return to Serie A. He's happy at Newcastle, happy to play in the best league in the world and is an idol for Newcastle fans who've always ed him."
Are Newcastle going stale under Howe?published at 09:34 12 December 2024
09:34 12 December 2024
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Speaking on the latest episode of Total Sport Newcastle United podcast North East football journalist Craig Hope explained why Eddie Howe is the best manager available for Newcastle.
"I honestly believe that Newcastle have the best manager for them. Yes he needs to perform better now, but I would not be jumping to any hasty conclusions in of his future. He has got to be given the chance to turn it around," said Hope.
After holding league leaders Liverpool to a draw at St James' Park, the Magpies fell to a 4-2 defeat at mid-table Brentford on Saturday in a continuation of their inconsistent form so far this season.
Hope believes that the side may have gone stale after the club failed to adequately recruit in recent transfer windows.
"We have explored this previously, the notion of the team going stale. Before turning on the manager or anyone else by extension I think we should look at that," said Hope.
Hope added: "This group of players and the manager have gone for so long now doing the same thing. That muscle memory that was once their strength, is now starting to get tired. What they need is a fresh face in January to re-energise them, to inject some enthusiasm, to inject some excitement. "
Newcastle welcome a resurgent Leicester City to St James' Park on Saturday, a side who are unbeaten in two games since the arrival of manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Gossip: Tonali considers move awaypublished at 08:13 12 December 2024
08:13 12 December 2024
Newcastle United's Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali is open to returning to Serie A, but a move in January would probably have to be on loan because of the 24-year-old's salary. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external
🎧 Howe's impact and ghostwriting for Clattenburgpublished at 15:31 11 December 2024
15:31 11 December 2024
On the latest episode of the Total Sport Newcastle United Podcast, host Raul Kohli is ed by journalist Craig Hope to discuss his experiences breaking major news stories, playing at St James' Park and being a ghostwriter for Mark Clattenburg's autobiography.
The team also chat about manager Eddie Howe's impact at the club and his team selections.
'Shearer is absolutely bang on'published at 14:54 10 December 2024
14:54 10 December 2024
Matty Renton Fan writer
After Newcastle 4-2 defeat at Brentford, club legend Alan Shearer told Match of the Day he didn't like the "attitude" of "several" players in the display.
Shearer said a lack of energy was "worrying" in the loss and Eddie Howe's side are now four league games without a win.
We asked er Matty Renton, from The Magpie Channel, for his take on Shearer's views.
'Inconsistency is our identity'published at 12:26 10 December 2024
12:26 10 December 2024
Charlotte Robson Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
"Inconsistency is our identity" is perhaps the new moniker for Newcastle United.
Once, it was "intensity is our identity", but you have to be able to talk the talk if you are going to walk the walk. We are not walking the walk. It is becoming harder and harder to defend the performances we are seeing.
Since last week, Newcastle have played Liverpool and Brentford, the former at home and the latter away.
The Liverpool game was never going to be the real test for Newcastle. I have no idea why, but against the 'top six' the team seem able to perform - particularly at home.
It was a wild, end-to-end game, and it was incredible to be there. St James' Park was loud and up for it and things felt like they did in the 2022-23 season.
Next, Brentford - the actual marker of where we are. The Bees, with the best home form in the league (though dig a little and you will see the quality of their opposition has not been incredible), is the sort of team that we need to be beating and performing against.
Reader, we did not.
One of the biggest things for me - and I was there at Gtech Community Stadium - was the seeming lack of leadership on the pitch.
As soon as Newcastle went 3-2 down, the game was suddenly being played at 100mph and nobody on the pitch was trying to keep it calm.
Bruno Guimaraes was given the captain's armband at the beginning of the season, in a move that seems increasingly designed to placate him somewhat in a season that we were not going to be playing European football in.
Once we went behind, he was not offering the leadership on the pitch that we so needed.
In this respect, we miss Kieran Trippier - who did come on, but not for long enough - to make a difference in a game we were chasing.
Yet again, we begin the week with more questions than answers for Newcastle United.
Brentford 4-2 Newcastle - the fans' verdictpublished at 11:16 9 December 2024
11:16 9 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brentford and Newcastle.
Here are some of your comments:
Brentford fans
Paul: Best home performance of the season, particularly in the second half. Bees have been great home, not so good away. This performance was full of attacking flair and skill and was well deserved against a good team. Frank has the team playing confidently and without fear and I was very proud to be a Bees er.
David: Went for first time in five years as I live miles away. I'm used to seeing Brentford in the lower leagues and have seen over 800 games in my 61 years of watching Brentford. This is in my top five games ever.
Mel: This team makes my heart pound! It's a pleasure to watch the Bees achieve some astonishing home performances and set records! Full credit to the squad for their flexibility, professionalism and teamwork equally ed by brilliant club management.
Kev: Newcastle edged the first half but in the second we were unplayable and demolished them. Danger from everywhere. Just an away win or two from being real contenders.
Newcastle fans
Wardy: Another dreadful away performance. No shame in losing to a vibrant energetic Brentford but we lacked energy and didn't press as one. The defence was a shambles, backing off and giving way too much time on the ball. Nowhere near good-enough attitude and no point just turning up for the big games. Need to sort themselves out before this season is a write off.
Michael: Too many poor players like Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, Nick Pope, Joe Willock, Miguel Almiron and Sean Longstaff. They can do better than Howe... great tactical genius? I don't think so! I'd start looking for a better coach.
Roger: We are slightly better than the Steve Bruce team and are on a par with the side under Rafa Benitez. Mid-table mediocrity beckons I'm afraid. Too many players only show up for home fixtures.
Geordie: This inconsistency is really starting to bite now. While some individuals in the team are certainly not performing, the regular topsy-turvy games are a collective problem and that, ultimately, comes down to coaching. These persistent stale performances are a management issue and Eddie will know this. It's what he does before January - when desperately needed reinforcements can be brought -will be the key to our season. Provided it's not too late by then.
'I don't like the attitude of several players'published at 07:42 9 December 2024
07:42 9 December 2024
Media caption,
Newcastle were 'dreadful defensively' - Shearer
Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer spoke to BBC Match of the Day about Saturday's defeat against Brentford:
"Brentford were outstanding. [Bryan] Mbuemo and [Yoanne] Wissa ran Newcastle ragged. They could have scored more.
"I don't like the attitude of several of the Newcastle players. You can't just turn up in the big home games. They were dreadful defensively.
"Two years ago, we were praising Newcastle all their time for their energy and pressing - there was none of it. There's no point in pressing in ones and twos. Nobody got within five yards of any Brentford player.
"They lack the energy that we were so used to seeing a year or two ago."