Just days after their last trip away from Newcastle ended in defeat to Chelsea in London, the Magpies will hit the road again to visit 18th-placed Luton Town on Saturday in a Premier League match.
The Luton lads struck Everton at the end of September and Crystal Palace almost a month ago, but they have yet to win another game this season and are yet to break the double-digit points barrier in the Premier League. They go into the weekend having lost three of their last four games, all played this month, although they picked up a point last time we watched on December 16 in a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth.
Newcastle, currently sixth in the Premier League table, are fighting for their proverbial lives. They have crashed out of Europe and the Carabao Cup in a week of late defeats Milan (2-1) and Chelsea (1-1, 4-2 on penalties) in the two most recent one-game elimination matches. They overcame those defeats with a solid 3-0 win against Fulham, but that’s not something to be too proud of given the full context of the season so far.
on penalties) were recently knocked out of the EFL Cup by Chelsea on penalties. Despite losing their last European game to AC Milan, they secured a 3-0 win over Fulham in their most recent league game. However, their away record has been patchy, with just one win at the top this season.
Adding to the Kisa’s injury woes, Anthony Gordon was ruled out of the Chelsea game. Joelinton, Fabian Schar, Alexander Isak and Emil Krafth are also dealing with injuries, although they have featured recently and could be on the field on Saturday. Joe Willock, Javi Manquillo, Harvey Barnes, Nick Pope, Jacob Murphy, Elliot Anderson, Matt Targett and the suspended Sandro Tonali are among the confirmed absentees for Newcastle.
This is the second to last game of the calendar year for our boys and one of two sandwiched in on Christmas Day before the lads host Nott Forest on December 26th before going on a short holiday preparing to visit Liverpool at New Year’s Eve. Sheesh.
Here are some of Howe’s nuggets of wisdom, courtesy of him NUFC.co.uk
In team news, with Gordon and Emil Kraft both withdrawn in the Magpies’ Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat by Chelsea:
“We’ll see how it is this morning. Anthony [Gordon] it was painful – it was a horrible challenge for him. I’m really disappointed with the tackle but we’ll see how it goes today. Hopefully it will improve quickly.
Emil [Krafth] he had a really bad cut on his shin that went pretty deep and needed stitches so he’s in a lot of pain too. Scans for Joelinton and Fabian [Schär] painted a similar picture as we thought, not too serious with either. Alex [Isak] it is 50/50 (in the appearance against Luton).
On Luton captain Tom Lockyer, who suffered a cardiac arrest during the Hatters’ away Premier League clash with AFC Bournemouth last weekend:
“Looking at the game as we did, it was a really difficult time for everyone connected with Luton and Tom himself. It really puts football into perspective. His health comes first.
“It’s the second time it’s happened (to him) and we want to send him our best wishes from everyone connected with Newcastle.”
On the Magpies’ first trip to Kenilworth Road since 1994:
“It’s a very difficult place to go. I have been there many times as a player, but we look forward to the game. Their games (at home) that they had were interesting and if you go back through them individually, they ran City of Manchester and Arsenal close and got a good draw against Liverpool.
“First and foremost, they’ve played well in every game. They were physically very good, fully committed to how they play. I think Rob (Edwards) has done a great job.
“Knowing the field like I do. it won’t be an easy game for us. We should be at our best. It’s hard to know what the atmosphere will be like, but I’m sure it will be an emotionally charged game.”
On Kieran Trippier’s reaction to Tuesday’s Carabao Cup exit against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge:
“Kiran is fine. He is a very strong character and very experienced. It’s never about one person for me, it’s always about the collective and that’s how we reacted to Tuesday’s game.
“We were so close to progress. That was our intention and many of the performances were very good. Penalties are always a lottery, but it was a very collective response that we made.
“Being one of the leaders of the group, he is a standard setter and a role model. Everyone will look at him as will the other leaders of the group, but I don’t think it was any different.
“We’ve all been in these positions before and I think the team has taken the onus up front and we need a response against Luton.”
On Sven Botman, with the Dutch defender making his first competitive start since September against Chelsea earlier this week:
“Sven is good, we will assess him today. I’m very happy with his return in the two games he played. He looked strong and comfortable.
“It’s going to take him a while to get his pace back to his absolute best, as it always is when a player comes back from injury, but he’s looked really good so far.”
On Callum Wilson, who scored against Chelsea on his 100th appearance for the Kiss:
“Callum is back in the team and has done really well in a period where he didn’t have much training before he got on the pitch.
His fitness was at the highest level, able to play 90 minutes and he looked physically strong. He took his goal really well and led the line as he always does.”
Howay!
- Date: Saturday, December 23
- Opening match: 15:00 BST / 10:00 EST
- Location: Kenilworth Road, Luton (England)
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