AFCB Vital Match Zone

Newcastle Break Their Duck

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Written by billythekid

After the disappointing injury-time winner from Manchester United at Dean Court, the Cherries next game is up in the North East against Newcastle United (Magpies), the longest trip of the season. Newcastle under their manager Rafael Benitez won their first game of this season in front of their own fans on Saturday by beating Watford 1-0. The Magpies lost three players due to injuries, in the first half with 45 minutes played, Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles went off with a shoulder injury and two minutes into first-half injury time Yoshinori Muto was subbed as he picked up a calf injury. Things didn’t improve for the Magpies and in the 51st minute, they lost Jonjo Shelvey with a muscle injury. Two of the substitutes that came on were involved in the only goal of the game.

Watford had plenty of chances in the first half against a nervous looking Newcastle United side but didn’t take their chances. Watford were like the Cherries in the opening first half against Manchester United, they had chances, and near misses, but only had Wilson’s early goal to show for it. Newcastle started well in the second half and their goal came via two of their substitutes, one the provider, the other the scorer. From a wicked free-kick from Ki Sung-Yeung, which only needed the slightest touch from Ayoze Perez. This goal seemed to lift the side and they could have had a second from Rondon but he missed. Watford also hit the bar in the second half, but Newcastle held on for all 3 points. This broke the sequence of five home defeats, with Newcastle the fourth team in the history of the English top flight to lose their opening five home league games.

The Magpies had tough starting games at home against three London clubs, Spurs and Chelsea in August and Arsenal in September, all finished with a 1-2 defeat. At the end of the month, Leicester City beat them 0-2. It didn’t get any better in October, Brighton went home will all the points in a 0-1 victory. Things improved in their only game so far in November, with that 1-0 result against Watford.
Away from home in August, Newcastle picked up their first point in a 0-0 draw with Cardiff City. Beginning of September they were beaten 2-1 by Manchester City. In their first trip of the season to London, they came back with a point in a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace. In October they made the trip to Manchester again, this time they lost 3-2 to United. Last game of the month they made the long trip down South to face Saints, it ended 0-0.

In the Summer Newcastle brought in 7 new players, some permanently and others on loan. The dearest was Japan international forward, Yoshinori Muto from Mainz for a reported £9.5 million. Argentine international defender Federico Fernandez from Swansea for £6 million. Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka who was originally on loan, now on a permanent deal from Czech side Sparta Prague for a figure reported to be over £4 million. Switzerland international defender Fabian Schar from Deportivo La Coruna for £3 million. Another former Swansea player, South Korea international midfield player Ki Sung-yueng on a free transfer. Two loan players. Midfield player Kenedy on a season-long loan from Chelsea, he was previously with Newcastle on loan last season. Forward Salomon Rondon from West Brom, with Dwight Gayle going the other way on a season-long loan.

Newcastle’s win against Watford will have given their team and fans a big lift going into our game. If we can start off on the front foot and nick an early goal, it might just bring back the nerves shown by the Newcastle players in the opening minutes against Watford and quieten the Geordie fans. After this game, we go into yet another international break.

The Cherries have got a good record up at Newcastle in the Premier League. Winning there in our first season (2015-16) in this league by 1-3, Perez for Newcastle, Taylor (og), King and Daniels for AFCB. At the end of the season, Newcastle were relegated down into the Championship. Then in 2017-18 after Newcastle United came straight back up after winning the Championship, AFCB scored an injury-time winner from Steve Cook and the only goal of the game.

In our league trips to Newcastle, we have Won 2, Drawn 0, Lost 1. In all competitions, AFCB have Won 5, Drawn 2 and Lost 3.

Newcastle Team News
Jonjo Shelvey seems to be 50-50 at the moment to play on Saturday. Jamaal Lascelles and Yoshinori Muto are also to be assessed during the week after they both came off injured against Watford. Jamie Sterry has a groin injury. Florian Lejuene has been out with an ACL knee injury.

Newcastle Player To Watch
Matt Ritchie, just to see if he can make an impact against our defence. The other player is Jonjo Shelvey (if fit).

AFCB Team News
Josh King could be available. No new injuries reported.

AFCB Player To Watch
Callum Wilson could have an important part to play in this game. Leading scorer this season with 6 goals, he is also second best for assists with 4. In the centre of midfield, it will be interesting to see who wins the battle between Jefferson Lerma and Jonjo Shelvey (if fit).

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