Newcastle United 2019 / 2020

First topic message reminder :

Current Squad
GK's
Martin Dubravka
Karl Darlow
Robbie Elliott

Defenders
Ciaran Clark
Javi Manquillo
Paul Dummett
Jamaal Lascelles
Fabian Schar
DeAndre Yedlin
Federico Fernandez
Florian Lejeune
Jetro Willems
Emil Krafth

Midfielders
Sean Longstaff
Matt Ritchie
Jonjo Shelvey
Isaac Hayden
Miguel Almiron
Rolando Aarons
Jacob Murphy
Ki Seung-Yueng
Henri Saivet
Christian Atsu
Matthew Longstaff

Forwards
Dwight Gayle
Yoshinori Muto
Joelinton
Allan Saint Maximin

Crimey wrote:I suspect Mike Ashley may be looking at trying to invest in retail like he did in 2008 but will need the money to do it, hence selling Newcastle. I think he's accepted that Newcastle aren't going to increase in value any time soon.

Well they wont when you invest what he invests...

Gotta Laugh at Richard Keys making his mouth go about Newcastle being taken over.

What a tool that guy is.

ASM with a hat-trick of assists tonight. What a signing.

Have to congratulate Bruce this year. Done a magnificent job, and if he surpasses Benitez’ point tally from last season, would pretty much signify that.

Just need to sort this takeover out now, once and for all.

He looks a good player. Not afraid to take players on.

Pleased for Bruce. Doing well at the toon.

Finished the season with a whimper. Bruce done a good job, but taking it to the next level, needs serious investment now. Takeover needs to be finalised.

The fact Jonjo Shelvey finished the season as Newcastle’s top scorer, with just six PL goals, highlights the problem. It’s the fewest goals from a Newcastle top scorer, in the club's history.

I think next year will be harder as the foundations laid by Benitez will start to waver, a key part to the defensive strength this year will be the layover from his coaching. Similar to Martinez's first season at Everton benefiting from years of Moyes' defensive coaching. 

I think the big problem with Steve Bruce is his lack of imagination and guile - I'd even say Newcastle could look at managers like Chris Wilder or Sean Dyche as a way to push on. I know Dyche has been quite a basic manager, but I think with more backing, which he'd get at Newcastle compared to Burnley, he could achieve more.

No surprise, the Saudi’s have pulled out. Shopping in Lidl, and not, Harrods, this summer.

I'm not a huge football fan but I support Newcastle United and I am honestly glad to see the Saudi deal has fallen through. What happened with Jamal Khashoggi was horrific and I was going to (reluctantly) support another club if Newcastle was bought over by them. So despite the huge loss of potential financial support I am glad the Saudi bid has failed. Newcastle fans deserve better imo

Hendrick signed on a free, and now linked with the horrific, Rob Holding, on loan.

This could be the most depressing window ever.

Come on, John, chin up. Newcastle are 300/1 to sign Messi.

It might just happen.

Looks like our business is Hendrick, Wilson, Fraser and Lewis. Clear direction this summer, going for PL experienced players, although too many from relegated clubs, for my liking. Wilson is a ? for me, given his history of injuries.

Thought we were going to sign Wilson during the week. Decent if he can stay fit.

——————-Wilson———————
Saint-Max——————Almiron/Fraser
—-Longstaff-Hendrick-Shelvey——
Lewis—-Lascelles-Fernandez—-Yedlin
——————Dubravka———————-

Still got -Ritchie,Schar,Joelinton,Hayden,Gayle,Dummett,Clark,Darlow & Carroll, so decent sized squad. Would of liked some creativity to back up what Shelvey brings.

Pretty much the same objective as last season, and survive. Don’t think these signings push us anywhere near a top 10, given spending elsewhere.

Think Bruce will ditch the five at the back John?

Lewis at this moment definitely more suited to a LWB role than a LB role, as he needs work on his defensive game. Can run all game and is decent going forward though, lot of potential

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Think Bruce will ditch the five at the back John?

Not sure. That formation was just an example. Could still see us with a five, just depends if Bruce wants to evolve the team now, in his second season. Last year was kind of a honeymoon season, and basically just carrying on from what Rafa did.

Haven’t seen much of Lewis, tbh. Danny Rose was terrible, so hopefully Lewis is good business.

Seen enough this season, to know Bruce is unable to evolve this squad, and maximise the best out of these players. The amount of chances we concede is just astonishing, and the lack of goal threat, even more concerning.

I imagine this is Bruce’s last season in charge, if not departing sometime before.

Toon a shambles right now, on and off the pitch. Covid has effected us, but it’s too easy an excuse to use. We had serious problems before this outbreak, and it’s no surprise we’ve been knocked out the Carabao cup by Brentford. Never looked like winning.

Bruce will be gone this summer.

On the bright side, the team that wins the League Cup will be put into the third-tier UEFA Europa Conference League next season, so it's a bullet dodged in that regard!