Newcastle v Forest - Match Thread

It seems like a long time since the final whistle blew at Wembley. The fixture release date took an age to come around and the transfer window started off slowly, before Forest became the most active club in the Premier League.

Those who would rather point fingers (such as Jordan and Keys) fail to see past the huge overhaul that was required…Mangala will make our twelfth signing, but with eighteen (including seven starters) heading in the other direction, there is arguably still some way to go.

I lived in Newcastle in 2005 / 2006, in what was the new flats at the end of China town on Stowell Street. I would have great fun listening to the Geordies full of hope on the way to the ground and tearing it up on the way back! The Palace Garden was my go-to if I remember rightly. The only problem I had with Newcastle was the cold!!! Great city and memories!

The Starting XI: (*'s denote new arrivals)

*Henderson
Worrall *Niakhate McKenna
*Williams *O’Brien *Mangala *Toffolo
*Lingard
Johnson *Awoniyi

Barring further injuries, our starting XI is almost in place with Henderson, Williams, Worrall, Niakhate, McKenna and Johnson looking nailed on to start.

LWB, CM, DM, AM and FWD will likely be filled by Toffolo, O’Brien, Mangala, Lingard and Awoniyi…but with strong rumours still surrounding MGW, Moreno and Cornet (and William Carvalho overnight), it is likely that could change further still.

On the bench:

*Hennessey, *Biancone, Cook, Colback, Cafu, Yates, Mighten, Surridge, D.Taylor.

I think it’s clear to see that we are still at least one midfielder and one forward away from a strong bench. With the forward line looking particularly light at present. It wouldn’t surprise me to see two of each coming in, although surely, we will start to see the use of loan slots to put a hold on reaching Newcastle’s tally of 150m since January.

Newcastle haven’t been as busy as I expected, but they did win 11 of their 18 league games (in 2022), and won 5 of their last 8 (losing to Liverpool, Man City and Spurs). So, whilst they have their eyes on world domination, they too will likely see more players coming in, with time needed for players to gel together.

Prediction:

A trip to Newcastle is now likely just as difficult as the last time we were in the Premier League. We haven’t won any of our last eight games in the EPL against them, with the last time we beat them in the top division being 1988!!! Unfortunately, I cannot see that statistic improving any time soon. My thoughts are that we will be ok (ish) defensively, but will struggle to score as the squad stands.

2-0 to Newcastle then!

COYRs!!!!