Written by billythekid
AFCB conceded a late goal again away at Brighton, as we did at home against Nottingham Forest in our last home game. This was the Cherries sixth defeat in the last six away games, plus again not scoring in the last four on the road. Our next game is at home on Saturday at the later time of 5.30 pm as the game is being shown live on Sky and our opponents are a revitalised Newcastle United, under their manager Eddie Howe.
It will be the first time the majority of our home fans have seen Eddie Howe since he left our club to take a year out to spend time with his family while he ‘recharged his batteries’ and planned for his future. It will be a special moment when he steps out on to the Dean Court pitch and into the opposition dugout, he will get a very special and warm reception from the Cherries fans for all he did for our club over the many years when he was here. Once the whistle blows and for the duration of the match, our fans will be hoping that our team can improve on the away draw up in Newcastle and inflict a defeat on our old manager. It will be a tough task against a side with a very good away record.
After the draw with the Cherries at St James’ Park, Newcastle United after 7 games were in 10th place with 8 points, AFCB were two places lower on the same number of points but with an inferior GD (goal difference). Now 14 games later, the Magpies are in 4th place with 40 points and AFCB in 19th place with 17 points. Eddie Howe’s ‘magic’ has worked yet again not only in the Premier League this season but also the League Cup where Newcastle United have reached the final to play Manchester United. That was the team that the Magpies lost to the last time they reached a cup final, that time the FA Cup back in 1999.
Since our away game at Newcastle, the North East club on their travels have beaten Fulham 1-4, Spurs 1-2, Southampton 1-4, Leicester City 0-3. Drawn 0-0 with Manchester United, Arsenal and Crystal Palace and so far no defeats. The only defeat this season home or away was against Liverpool in September. At home, they have W 5, D 2, L 0.
The last time we met Newcastle United at Dean Court was in July of the 2019-20 season when Eddie Howe was our manager and Steve Bruce was the United manager, the Cherries lost 1-4.
In all our home games against Newcastle United, AFCB have W 1, D 2, L 2.
In all competitions, AFCB have W 4, D 5, L 7.
AFCB v Newcastle
AFCB Win
Draw
Newcastle Win
AFCB Team News
Lloyd Kelly and Jack Stephens both missed our last game with calf injuries and must be doubtful for Saturday. Before our game at Brighton, it was mentioned that both Dominic Solanke and Marcus Tavernier would have late fitness tests, so hopefully, they could be available for selection for this game. Lewis Cook has also been out with a knee injury. Otherwise, we know about the other longer-term injured players.
AFCB Player To Watch
Two new signings who made an impression on their debuts for our club at Brighton. Antoine Semenyo and Hamed Traore, it will be the first time our home supporters will have seen them.
Newcastle United Team News
In January they signed forward Anthony Gordon for £45 million from Everton. Defender Harrison Ashby from West Ham for £3 million. They will be without Bruno Guimaraes who is suspended. On the injury front, they have been without Javier Manquillo, Matt Targett and Emil Krafth. But should have the scorer of the penalty against us in September Alexander Isak back for this game.
Newcastle United Player To Watch
With our vulnerability at set pieces, Kieran Trippier will be one to watch, he leads with 4 assists. Alexander Isak will be a threat and our old player Callum Wilson scored his first goal since October against West Ham, taking his tally to 7. Their leading scorer Miguel Almiron with 9 goals, hasn’t scored since Boxing Day. In the 21 minutes he came on against West Ham, Anthony Gordon looked good and might have done enough to earn a starting place at Dean Court.
The Referee
The man in charge is Stuart Attwell, only one game of ours this season and that was ‘that game’ away at Anfield.
Your say…
AFCBade wrote…
I wasn’t impressed with Newcastle in the 2 away games – not that creative – but could cut loose away from home.
Just need home fans to keep supporting the team during the actual game – don’t need off-field gripes to take over.
Remember when we beat the returning Harry Redknapp’s QPR a few years back despite being underdogs? Hope we do the same this week. – To join the conversation, click here.
