Daniel Wales and Jordan Cronin return with The Magpies’ Nest Podcast to discuss all things Newcastle United. On the agenda this week: Newcastle’s thumping win against Sheffield United, the potential expansion of St. James’ Park, positive injury news, key signings that could be made, and a look ahead to Burnley away.
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00:00 Welcome back to the Magpies Nest podcast with myself and Jordan of Newcastle World. Jordan,
00:18 how have you been?
00:19 Yeah, good. Yeah. Good win at the weekend, which is always nice. It always helps the
00:26 week ahead, looking at the positive result and then hopefully Newcastle can do the same
00:31 on Saturday as well.
00:32 Yes, it was perhaps not the best of starts to the game against Sheffield United. We'll
00:37 come into the match in detail in just a moment. But yeah, the win was just all important.
00:42 I think we're in a stage of the season now where three points are perhaps more important
00:46 than performances, given that there's so few games left. They just need to keep winning
00:50 or keep picking up points any way or shape they can to get that European place confirmed
00:57 as quickly as possible. At the time of recording, of course, Chelsea are playing Tottenham tonight.
01:02 You feel that if Tottenham were to win there, that might just push Chelsea out of the race
01:06 a little bit. Your thoughts on that?
01:09 Yeah, totally agree. I think Chelsea are probably the ones to watch because they've got five
01:15 games left. They're very hit and missy. Chelsea sometimes are really good, sometimes are really
01:21 bad. I think the likes of West Ham's teams further down the table have probably fell
01:26 away a little bit. Certainly West Ham anyway. It was a good result against them. I put the
01:31 week ahead in the draw, but it keeps them in the European race, but they're very much
01:36 chasing now. So for me, yeah, Chelsea's the danger for Newcastle. So if they can drop
01:42 points against Tottenham, then I do think Newcastle probably touch wood, have one foot
01:49 in Europe because the fixtures they've got left aren't ideal because three of them are
01:59 away from home. Newcastle's away record this season hasn't been the best, but I do think
02:05 Newcastle will in the remaining games do enough to get over that line. Certainly, I think
02:11 the win on the weekend was important to do that because if they had to drop points against
02:16 Sheffield United, you're then once sort of looking back over your shoulder again and
02:20 thinking all the momentum and positivity the last few weeks that had gone lost, back-to-back
02:24 defeats it would have been, then you would have been thinking that maybe European football
02:28 wasn't in Newcastle's hands. But I think after Saturday's win, coupled with the fact that
02:33 I do think Chelsea, albeit our good side on the day, will drop points and Newcastle will
02:39 only pick up enough points to get us seventh spot.
02:43 I do agree. I feel that Newcastle, as I say, the fixtures are kind even if some of them
02:49 are away. We have to consider that. Newcastle's away from home this season is not what it
02:53 was last year, but they have had a few good wins away from home, so you've just got to
02:57 hope that given the opposition, they can still pick up a couple more. If we look at now the
03:03 Sheffield United game itself, as I mentioned, they didn't start very well, did they? But
03:08 I think once they got that equaliser, well, even then Sheffield United still had a couple
03:12 of chances in the first half, but once Newcastle got that second early in the second half,
03:17 they just capitulated. But it was a worrying start though.
03:20 Yes, Sheffield United gave as good as they got in the first half. To be fair, they probably
03:25 should have been leading. It was just only a bit of class by Alexander Isak to get Newcastle
03:32 level because in the first half they had chances where Sheffield United scored, Dan Burns blocked
03:38 two, cleared one off the line, then a shot that tipped the crossbar and the follow-up
03:43 shots went wide. So Sheffield United had a lot of chances to go in, probably three, three
03:48 one up if you like. But yes, I think there's a reason why Sheffield United are bottom of
03:53 the table. They've conceded next to 100 goals. I think once Newcastle got that second goal,
03:59 Sheffield United capitulated in many ways. It felt like it was Newcastle obviously won
04:05 8-0 away at Sheffield United back in September and it felt like the game was going there
04:09 again. I think it was four quick-fire goals in the space of 15 minutes or whatever it
04:14 was. And it felt like there was potential for it to take on that 8-0 again. I think
04:18 probably the disappointment from the game was Newcastle didn't actually go on to score
04:21 more goals. They probably took their foot off the gas a little bit. But yes, it was
04:27 a comfortable win in the end against, without being disrespectful, a really poor Sheffield
04:31 United side. Probably, again, probably one of the worst Premier League teams I've seen
04:37 in my lifetime. You've got like Leicester Derby and Sunderland who have finished on
04:42 less points. But Sheffield United, the amount of goals they've conceded, they'll probably
04:47 go down as one of the worst sides. But I do hope they come back quick because they're
04:52 a good club.
04:53 Yes, I think they had to give as good as they had at the start of the game, given they knew
04:58 that if they lost that, they will be relegated. And of course that did happen in the end.
05:02 Probably explains why they came flying out the blocks. And also I did read a stat that,
05:07 well, I think this is true, that Newcastle's 13 goals that they've scored against Sheffield
05:12 United this season is the most that one team has scored against any other opposition in
05:16 Premier League history over the two games. So that's quite a stat as well. And it just
05:20 sort of sums up just how poor defensively Sheffield United have been. And you say that,
05:25 Jordan, as well, in the last sort of 20 minutes when Newcastle were 5-1 up, they sort of took
05:29 the foot off the gas. I think they were also trying their very best to get Alexander Isak
05:32 Hattrick. Not that that happened. You could just see constantly they were just trying
05:36 to get on the ball. And he did have a couple of opportunities. I think one was quite well
05:40 saved by Wes Fodringham, but not to be. It's amazing how many braces, not just him, but
05:45 both him and Callum Wilson have had for Newcastle. And yes, Newcastle's last Hattrick was Iose
05:50 Perez against Southampton in April 2019, five years ago. Unbelievable.
05:56 I know it's incredible. It seems, I mean, you mentioned Wilson there, but for Isak,
06:01 the Hattrick just seems to evade him all the time. He's a world-class player when he gets
06:05 to his second goal. And once he gets to a third goal, he becomes Sheffy Akuchi-like.
06:09 I saw someone say Emmanuel Riviere on Twitter.
06:13 Emmanuel Riviere, yeah. I was trying to think of a really poor strike, Andy Carson, in his
06:18 time. Emmanuel Riviere is probably up there, but I shouldn't have probably called out Sheffy
06:22 Akuchi there because he was playing championship football at the time Newcastle signed him.
06:26 But yes, Isak, world-class player, but can't seem to find a Hattrick at the moment.
06:30 Yes, it's a bit of a shame. And as I say, even Callum Wilson's had a few braces, perhaps
06:34 more so before Isak came to the club. And again, he's not got quite over the line as
06:41 well in terms of getting that match ball. It is a shame. You'd like to hope that one
06:45 of them could do it before the end of the season. Of course, Alexander Isak is still
06:48 in that race for the Golden Boot, only two goals behind Erling Haaland. And wouldn't
06:52 that be good for him if he could get that Golden Boot?
06:55 Yes, it would be incredible. I think probably the last goal the Boot went off for Newcastle
06:59 would probably be Alan Shearer. So, a bit of a claim to fame for Newcastle as well,
07:04 if they can get a goal scorer that gets the Golden Boot award. But I just hope Isak can
07:09 continue his rich vein of form because if Isak gets a Golden Boot award, it probably
07:14 means that Newcastle United have finished in Europe. So, yes, both go in hand and fingers
07:19 crossed he can't do that. But just on a line note as well, it's really positive to have
07:23 Callum Wilson back because you've got two players there who, if you look at the two
07:29 strikers at each club in the Premier League, Newcastle have probably got the best two,
07:33 to be honest. They can play together, but I think the way Eddie Howe plays, you've got
07:38 the one striker, so rotation is probably key for them too. But I think to have Callum Wilson
07:45 off the bench, it goes back to that first day of the season against Aston Villa. It's
07:50 60, 70 minutes in and you turn your bench and you've got Harvey Barnes and Callum Wilson.
07:54 It's some firepower. So, to have him back as well, it's a real positive.
07:59 It certainly is. Well, yes, 5-1 against Sheffield United and that's, as I say, set up Newcastle
08:04 quite nicely.
08:05 [MUSIC]
08:16 If we now look at the stadium, now this is an interesting one because of course, Luke
08:21 Edwards and the Telegraph broke this week that Newcastle are supposedly set to hopefully
08:27 go ahead with expanding the stadium as opposed to moving to another ground or building a
08:31 new stadium, given the results of the feasibility study that the club carried out. Now, I've
08:37 just done an interview with Luke Edwards himself, which will be out on Titan Radio TV very soon.
08:44 So with regards to this, Jordan, what I asked Luke was, obviously we mentioned where it
08:49 could be expanded. It's probably likely to be the Gallauget. They also think there's
08:52 a possibility they could do something with the East End, whether that be maybe increasing
08:56 the gradient a little bit so they could go higher as opposed to further out because of
09:00 the listed buildings behind. But is it the fact that Newcastle's preference to stay
09:05 in St James' Park and to stay in the city centre, that sort of books the trend at the
09:10 moment, doesn't it, in terms of other clubs, you know, Everton, Manchester United, Tottenham,
09:15 West Ham, who've all either moved or planning to move stadiums to the detriment of perhaps
09:20 local businesses as well. And so the fact that Newcastle, it's a city centre stadium,
09:25 you know, obviously it's tradition as well. It's a triumph of history and tradition, but
09:29 it's also a triumph of local businesses who will benefit from Newcastle supposedly staying
09:33 where they are.
09:34 Yeah, I think it's absolutely clear that Newcastle United remain where they are. St
09:40 James' Park for a lot of people, generations of families, means a whole lot. I'm getting
09:47 too sort of emotional here, but so many supporters have shed so many different emotions inside
09:53 that ground. I think to leave St James' Park would be a very difficult thing to get
09:57 your head around, albeit it would mean that Newcastle want to progress. So moving to a
10:01 new stadium would show real ambition, but if there's an opportunity to remain at St
10:06 James' Park, which there is by extending it, for me, it's an absolute no-brainer. It's
10:11 the heartbeat of the city. You can see St James' Park from everywhere you walk. Just
10:17 an unbelievable arena. And I'm so happy that the owners and Darren Ears, etc., have came
10:24 out and almost said how the fans feel about St James' Park because they get it as well.
10:30 They get what it means to the supporters and the city. So the fact that they've looked
10:35 at ways... Because, look, I think in many ways, building a new stadium would probably
10:41 be not easier, but think about the amount of money you're going to have to splash to
10:46 extend St James' Park. It's not going to be cheap because it's got to be done in clever
10:50 ways because of all the restrictions that I'm sure Luke's mentioned. But the owners
10:55 are willing to put the money into and show that Newcastle stay there. And for me, that's
11:00 a real positive. And as I say, generations of fans will be delighted with that. Me personally,
11:05 seeing St James' Park means a lot to me. I had a lot of special memories there and I'm
11:10 sure there's many more special memories to be made at St James' Park.
11:14 Yes, no, I completely agree. As I say, it is unique, well, or quite unique these days
11:20 in terms of its location. You don't often find stadiums in the city centre. As I mentioned
11:25 before as well, you've got all the local pubs and restaurants and bars that surround the
11:31 stadium. So that doesn't really happen as much with other grounds. And obviously they
11:34 would all lose out if Newcastle were to move a bit further away from the city centre. So
11:38 they'll, you know, keep getting that benefit as well. Yeah. And as I say, it is that sort
11:45 of that history and tradition, which other clubs are, you know, sort of disregarding
11:50 a little bit because a stadium is built on memories and St James' Park carries an awful
11:57 lot. And it's not as if, you know, a lot of the supporters who are in there have seen
12:00 Newcastle win anything, St James' Park, because, well, let's be honest, they haven't. But regardless
12:07 of that fact, it's still special because I think as a stadium, it's still able to generate
12:12 that atmosphere. How many new stadiums do you go to that have a good atmosphere? And
12:16 I think as well, calls for capacity-wise to be, you know, 70, 80,000, I think personally
12:22 is a bit ludicrous. I think you're quite happy to just expand to 60, 65,000, have that sweet
12:29 spot where you're not going to lose the atmosphere too much, but you will also enable more fans
12:33 to enter the stadium because I think that's important. I mean, look at Wembley, for example,
12:37 90,000, but it doesn't exactly generate an atmosphere, does it?
12:40 No, I mean, you look at the likes of West Ham and Arsenal, brand new stadiums and in
12:47 many ways might change now, but for the early years of supporters moving over to the Emirates
12:53 and London Stadium, it was soulless in many ways. I think Arsenal this season in particular
13:00 have made changes to improve that. West Ham, it's taken them a few years to get used to
13:06 their stadium. So, yeah, moving stadium for all the commercial and financial benefits
13:15 it is, does take a lot away from the supporters, I think. It takes some getting used to moving
13:21 stadium. And as I say, if there's an opportunity to stay at the current stadium, as St James
13:27 Park, it's a no-brainer. Look at what Anfield has done, where they've extended. Anfield
13:33 is probably the closest atmosphere and similar like stadium to St James Park. And Liverpool
13:39 have managed to expand Anfield. They've still got a very good atmosphere as well. So, these
13:44 traditional crowds, two of the best atmospheres in the country are St James Park and Anfield.
13:49 So to keep them, as I say, is a real positive move. And I'm looking forward to seeing how
13:56 they can actually build on St James Park, because I'm not an architect. I'm not going
14:00 to sit here and say how Newcastle can't do it. But I don't think it'll be easy. But,
14:04 you know, fair play to the owners because they are willing to put the money in to ensure
14:08 that Newcastle do remain up there. And that's been there ever since Newcastle United was
14:14 formed.
14:15 Yes, since the West End and the East End merged in 1892, it has been at St James Park. And
14:21 so, yes, I think there's so much history there. There's so much tradition that it would be
14:25 an awful shame to move or build anything new. Because as you say, these new stadiums, to
14:31 me, they lack soul, they lack character. And I know St James Park is not exactly how it
14:36 was, you know, 40 odd years ago. But the location is the same and they've just built on it and
14:41 they've made it sort of, it is their home. And it would just, it wouldn't quite be the
14:45 same to move anywhere else.
14:47 Anyway, though, if we move on to injuries, now there's a word that Newcastle have mentioned
15:03 a lot this season. We've mentioned a lot this season. But a little bit of positivity, actually,
15:08 because Newcastle are starting to get a couple of players back as the season winds down.
15:12 Of course, we've already mentioned Callum Wilson back in the black and white scoring
15:17 against Sheffield United. And Nigel Almiron was pictured in training this week on the
15:21 club's official site on social media. So there's a good chance he'll be back for Burnley. And
15:26 we're also hearing talk of the likes of Joel Inton, Kieran Trippier, of course, in Dubai
15:30 training. And even Nick Pope, nicking their returns perhaps before the season concludes.
15:37 So Jordan, firstly, what else can you add to that? And secondly, how much of a boost
15:42 are all of those names potentially returning?
15:44 Yeah, it's a boost because the names you just mentioned there will be back before the end
15:50 of the season now, starting with Almiron, who Eddie Howe said last week was the closest
15:54 would be there or thereabouts to Burnley, has trained this week. So I expect him to
15:57 be in the squad. And then after that as well, obviously, you've got Kieran Trippier, who
16:02 as he mentions in Dubai, he spoke to the Newcastle United programme on Saturday. And he said
16:08 that he was taking extra precautions in terms of his recovery from a calf injury. He didn't
16:13 want to rush himself back. And I think without directly saying it, it's probably because
16:17 he's got the Euros on the horizon. And to be fair, I can't really fault Kieran Trippier
16:23 for thinking that way because he's 34 at the end of the year. This is probably going to
16:27 be his last major tournament. I understand the extra precautions, although some fans
16:31 of Newcastle fans probably won't see it or some won't see it that way because, you know,
16:35 they say the now and present and they want Kieran Trippier back to help him get over
16:39 the line to his European qualification. But I understand Kieran Trippier's thinking, if
16:44 you like, and he should be back for the final three games. And Joe Linton is another one
16:49 who should be back for the remaining three games. There's rumours that he could be back
16:55 for Saturday on the bench, but that isn't quite concrete yet. But who knows? It just
17:00 shows that he is closing on a return. He was back individual training about two weeks ago
17:07 now, so he's been stepping up. And then, of course, after that, you've got Nick Pooh.
17:12 There's probably another one that wants to get back as soon as possible because England,
17:18 although he hasn't been in the last few squads, obviously Sam Johnson and Christopher Pylas
17:22 has picked up an injury. I think Nick Pooh probably feels a couple of good performances
17:26 between now and the end of the season. If he can get back in over Martin De Bravca,
17:30 then he probably gets himself an England place as well. So there's a lot of incentive for
17:34 these players, not just to help Newcastle get over the line, the teammates get over
17:38 the line in terms of that European qualification, because it's probably been a hard watch for
17:42 some of them not being able to help when Newcastle are depleted and got no players. And these
17:48 players up in the stand watching, not being able to help. So it's an incentive for them
17:51 to get back and, as I say, help Newcastle get over the line. And of course, for international
17:55 ambitions, the likes of Kieran Trippier and Nick Pooh, there's certainly a lot of play
17:59 for between now and the end of the season.
18:03 Of course, the worry is that these players, if they do come back, they're going to be
18:07 lacking a bit of match sharpness given the length of time some of them have been out.
18:11 But ignoring that for a second, just the fact that you'd have some even more options off
18:16 the bench for what are, let's be honest, the most important games of Newcastle's season
18:19 now to qualify for Europe. It will really be, as I say, a boost and really important
18:25 that if Newcastle are in a game perhaps, you know, whether that be Burnley or whether that
18:29 be Brighton or obviously the Manchester United game in particular, and they can turn to Miguel
18:34 Alarone on the bench, they can turn to Joel Inton on the bench, Callum Wilson. That's
18:39 really good for Newcastle, given the fact that they might need points in these games
18:43 and they probably will need points in these games. And if you've got those options, I
18:47 mean, as much as they might not be match fit, even if you can get 20 minutes out of them,
18:50 that's still good.
18:51 Yeah, no, absolutely. I think one thing I've made sort of clear throughout the season is
18:56 I feel like Newcastle for many games have been probably a 60-minute team where, you
19:01 know, they put so much energy into a game and then it gets to 60th minute or whatever
19:07 at the hour mark or just after and players are visibly tiring. And then you look to your
19:11 bench and no disrespect to players on the bench, but there's not much impact on there
19:16 or, you know, players you can bring on to help impact the game. And that's what's really
19:19 cost Newcastle this season. So, you know, to get them players back on the bench and
19:24 say even for that final 20 minutes, to get them on the pitch and add some real impact
19:29 from the bench, it's a real, real positive. And yeah, as I say, them coming back could
19:36 be the difference between Newcastle, you know, as I keep using the term, getting over the
19:40 line.
19:41 Indeed, yes.
19:42 And of course, when all this comes to an end, Newcastle will go into the summer and probably
19:56 want a few changes to the squad, if we're being honest. There's been mentions recently
20:01 of some new potential free transfers, Lloyd Kelly of Bournemouth and Tosin, a surname
20:09 I can't pronounce.
20:10 I don't think anyone can.
20:12 I mean, to be honest, have you seen his full name as well? I think Tosin, that's just sort
20:19 of a shortened down nickname. And I mean, no disrespect to the lad, but I feel very,
20:26 very sorry if he does sign for Matthew Raisbeck.
20:29 Yeah, I mean, my pronunciation of words and players' names is horrendous. So now you've
20:37 mentioned I'm going to look up his name after we finish this podcast, Steve, I can't pronounce
20:40 it, but I can tell everyone now I won't be able to. Yes, it's some name.
20:45 It is indeed. But anyway, if we just look at those two players individually, of course,
20:49 they're the ones touted at the moment as free transfers. Now, I was picking out this recently,
20:53 I think Newcastle could do a lot worse than to bring in, you know, two players who are
20:57 Premier League quality. They've got the experience and on free transfers as well. Yes, the wages
21:02 might be a little bit steep, but given the fact that they're free transfers for the cash
21:06 up front, that might help navigate some PSR concerns for the rest of the window where
21:12 they might want to bring in big name players either up front or on the right wing, perhaps
21:16 for big sums of money.
21:18 Yeah, I mean, there are lots of benefits of free agents. You mentioned there probably
21:22 the downside of it is agent fees and, you know, wages, as you said. But two, you know,
21:29 a centre defender is a position at Newcastle that really need to strengthen because they've
21:32 got two out with ACL injuries. So, for me, you know, Tosun and Lloyd Kelly are being
21:40 linked and if they can't get them deals done, then again, it's probably a no-brainer for
21:44 me. I think the only, I think if I had to pick between the two, I would pick Tosun because
21:48 I think he's sort of a ball-playing centre-half, probably played more games, schooled from
21:55 Manchester City's academy, whereas Lloyd Kelly is an excellent footballer. He played left
22:00 back against Newcastle at St James' Park a few months ago and was brilliant. But I think
22:05 one thing with Lloyd Kelly to look at is probably his injury record, which is the only thing
22:09 that concerns me a little bit. But if those two players are available on free transfers,
22:16 which they will be because they're not going to sign new contracts, then if Newcastle can
22:21 get them over the line, then I think that'll be two really smart deals. But, you know,
22:26 them players have got interest from a lot of other clubs as well. So nothing's a given
22:29 at this stage, but certainly interest there. And as you say, freezing Newcastle up to go
22:34 and spend money on positions further up the pitch or even potentially behind that back
22:39 line as well. Goalkeeper may be a position that was strengthened, sounds like there will
22:45 be movement in that department this summer because Mark Gillespie's getting a new deal,
22:50 but of course he's fourth choice at best. Martin de Bravca could leave this summer,
22:56 possibly, and then Loris Karius, it's a guarantee that he will not be signing a new contract
23:01 and he will be going, well, he hopes he's going to Italy to be close to his family.
23:06 So when I say goalkeeper, I don't necessarily mean, you know, going to sign a starting goalkeeper.
23:12 I think Nick Pope's, I think is really underrated in many ways. You know, there's people obsessed
23:19 with sort of ball playing goalkeepers, if you like. But Nick Pope is the best short
23:24 stop I've seen at Newcastle for a long, long time. But I suppose if there's money there
23:30 to spend on a goalkeeper idea, then just go and sign a number one, possibly. But I do
23:34 think the goalkeeper department, whether that be a number two or number one, is one that
23:37 Newcastle need to strengthen. And then you look further up the pitch as well.
23:42 A right forward for me is absolutely pivotal because, you know, me on run for me, I think
23:50 Newcastle's budget will be determined probably by sales. So they're probably obviously they've
23:56 got a bulk figure of what we can spend, what that is, nobody knows at this moment in time,
24:00 but how Newcastle really bolster their budget is it's not to sell a Bruno on Isak, it's
24:05 probably sell an Al Maron, for example, or a Callum Wilson. Because, you know, there's
24:11 interest from Saudi and Al Maron, that was there in January, that will remain this summer,
24:16 no doubt. So if Newcastle can get, you know, 20 million for him, then that's a really good
24:21 deal. Callum Wilson, I would, if I could keep Callum Wilson, I would. But I would also like
24:28 to sign another striker as well to someone who's reliable back up to Callum Wilson who
24:32 plays, sorry, to Alexander Isak, who plays games. I think that's one of the criticisms
24:37 I have of, not a criticism, but one of the downsides to Callum Wilson's game is he's
24:41 not getting any younger and he's not playing as many games. And, you know, to be fair,
24:47 Isak and Wilson haven't helped each other out this season because one's been available,
24:50 the other hasn't. So that's why you need a striker who is behind an Isak that can come
24:57 in and rotate. But Callum Wilson is an unbelievable goal scorer. And as I said at the start, there's
25:03 not many two better strikers in the Premier League than Newcastle have got now. So do
25:07 you weigh it up? Do you weigh up, keep Wilson's quality, but then conceive that he's going
25:11 to miss games? Or do you flip around and get in a player that can play games, but isn't
25:17 anywhere near the quality of Callum Wilson? So yeah, it's going to be an interesting summer.
25:24 It'll be PSR dominated again, unfortunately. But, you know, if free transfer is ideal and
25:31 then, you know, budget further up the pitch for, as I say, the key positions on there
25:36 probably a striker right forward and then maybe a centre midfielder. But of course,
25:42 you've got Sandro Tonali to come back in as well. So hopefully he can hit the ground running
25:48 next season there, Tonali.
25:49 I've always thought the midfield might be OK. I mean, this season has been a bit of
25:53 a freak show, to be honest, in terms of injuries and suspensions. But you've got to hope that
25:57 that won't happen next season. Tonali will play a full campaign. Because, of course,
26:03 he's been fit all the time that he's been banned this season. It's not like he's picked
26:06 up injuries or he's not been available because he's been he's had a knock or anything. So
26:11 that's what's frustrating, because Newcastle have always had that other option they could
26:14 have had when they've needed another person in the field. They just couldn't use him.
26:18 That's what's annoying. Of course, you've also got Joe Willock to come back. You've
26:21 got Joe Linton coming back very soon. Lewis Miley has had his breakthrough season this
26:25 year will likely get some use. Elliot Anderson, Sean Longstaff. So Bruno, if he does stay.
26:29 You've got an awful lot in midfield. I think they probably will be OK in that department.
26:34 As I say, it's perhaps a number nine right winger. And then if you can bring in a couple
26:39 of free transfers in the defence, as we've mentioned, I think that bolsters them really
26:43 quite well going into next season. And then, of course, we'll just see how it pans out.
26:53 Finally, if we move on to Burnley at the weekend, as we've mentioned already, there could be
27:06 a couple of names coming back into the squad for this one. Definitely probably Miguel Almaron,
27:10 given he's trained all week. Joe Linton, as we say, not concrete. There's some rumours,
27:15 but you know, I mean, no doubt you will be asking or one of your peers, Jordan, will
27:20 be asking tomorrow, Eddie, how in the press conference, and he'll probably give you, let's
27:25 be honest, that reveals absolutely nothing or makes you think one thing, but then the
27:29 other thing actually happens. Knowing Eddie, how? But Burnley, of course, got appointed
27:36 Old Trafford last weekend, which dented Manchester United's hopes even further. They've dropped
27:41 a lot of points in recent weeks. And Burnley actually missed a few chances in that game.
27:45 So that as much as they're in the bottom three, that it's not going to be an easy game, is
27:49 it? Yeah, Burnley are fighting for their lives. I think they've only lost one of the last
27:55 seven games, I think it is. So they've hit form at the right time, if you like, because
28:02 a win against Newcastle on Saturday actually takes them out of the bottom three, like momentarily.
28:08 So it's a huge, huge game for them. You know, Newcastle's last visit to Turf Moor, they
28:13 actually relegated Burnley on the final day. So it feels like the stars are aligned a bit
28:17 for Burnley, where they can almost, as I say, get themselves out of it. If they beat Newcastle,
28:23 then Newcastle's form on the road this season hasn't been good at all. And I feel like the
28:29 Burnley game has a similar feel to the Crystal Palace, where I think Newcastle have to be
28:37 at their best to get a result. And the Crystal Palace game, Newcastle were nowhere near their
28:44 best. You look at what Newcastle are fighting for, Europe is huge, but staying in the division
28:52 takes so much more precedent. So I think the first half against Sheffield United, there
28:57 was a bit of a feel where, an end of season game where Sheffield United were fighting
29:02 and Newcastle were almost done. They can't afford to do that again at Turf Moor on Saturday
29:08 because they're only away from home, Burnley are a better opposition. So it's a really,
29:16 really tough game, one that's really difficult to operate. But I'll say on the plus side
29:21 that if Newcastle can get a result there, then it goes a long way to achieving European
29:28 football. So a big game for both teams, probably bigger for Burnley because of what's at stake,
29:34 but it's also big for Newcastle because they can't cement their European aspirations.
29:43 In the last couple of games against Crystal Palace and Sheffield United in the first half,
29:47 they just haven't got going Newcastle, have they? In that first half an hour, they just
29:54 slowly played themselves into the game. But the opposition has always started faster,
29:58 and so Newcastle really need to start fast in this game and get themselves ahead if they
30:03 can. I think that's been lacking in recent weeks. Even the game against Fulham away a
30:07 few weeks ago, they didn't really start well in that game. Of course, that one turned out
30:11 all right for them. They got that win in the end. So yeah, there's been a bit of an issue
30:17 with starting or starting not too fast, even against Tottenham, to be honest. Tottenham
30:21 started the better in that game. Newcastle then played themselves into it and then of
30:25 course hit their stride once they started getting ahead into the game. So it's this
30:31 first 15, 20 minutes that Newcastle need to improve themselves in a little bit, where
30:36 they've not done it in recent weeks. They've been better as games have gone on, but for
30:41 the most part, the start of the game needs to be improved. And of course Burnley, as
30:45 with Sheffield United last week, are likely to come out of the traps very fast, given
30:50 what they're playing for. As you mentioned, staying in the division is huge for them.
30:54 And as you say, they've hit form in a good part of the season. So it won't be an easy
30:59 test for Newcastle. I think we'll come back though to mention that Newcastle do have some
31:03 options off the bench, which they haven't had recently. Of course, they did have Calum
31:07 Wilson against Crystal Palace, not that he made too much of an impact. But if you have
31:12 him, Harvey Barnes and Niguel Amiron to come on against Burnley, that's important.
31:18 Yeah, no, you make a really good point. I think, yeah, Newcastle, the start they've
31:25 made in games in recent weeks hasn't been good and it almost feels like, well, they
31:28 have allowed teams a head start in many ways. Fulham should have been 3-0 up by half-time.
31:36 And then, you mentioned Spurs there as well, they were actually the better team up until
31:39 Newcastle got the first goal, Sheffield United, as you mentioned. So Newcastle need to get
31:45 the start right. And then, of course, if they're in the game with 20 minutes to go, whatever,
31:49 and have them options on the bench, then you'd back Newcastle to finish the game strong.
31:55 Because, as I say, the options have really hurt them this season. Sorry, the lack of
32:01 options have really hurt them this season. So even at a team sheet, you look at a team
32:05 sheet and you've got those three players on the bench, bring some positivity out of the
32:10 game, knowing that Eddie Howe has finally got options. So, yeah, I think Newcastle need
32:16 to get probably everything right against Burnley, as I say, because they are fighting for their
32:21 lives. If they don't, then I think Burnley might take the opportunity and, as I say,
32:27 get out that bottom three, because that would be huge for them heading into the final three
32:30 games to be out the bottom three. So, yeah, we'll wait and see what happens. But certainly
32:35 a very, very tricky game, as you've mentioned yourself.
32:38 Yes, it will be, as I say, Burnley fighting for their lives. And they're coming up against
32:42 the likes in that in relegation battle. There is a loot in town. There's Nottingham Forest,
32:48 Everton have got themselves out of it now. They're safe. Brentford are safe. So it is
32:52 obviously shifting the net down. It's three and two will go down, really. It's Nottingham
33:01 Forest, of course, who are currently in the midst of an appeal in terms of their points
33:05 deduction. So that's going to complicate things even more. So realistically, Burnley know
33:08 they have to go and win this game against Newcastle to give themselves the best opportunity
33:12 possible. Newcastle need to win to bolster their European hopes. Of course, you could
33:16 argue for Newcastle that then they've got a game against Brighton and Brighton are a
33:21 team who, let's be honest, are in free fall a bit at the moment. You know, they've dropped
33:25 out of the top 10 of the Premier League. They're sat, I think, in 12th at the moment. And that's
33:30 an interesting one. We obviously will look at that in more detail next week. But it's
33:35 an interesting one, Brighton, because, of course, Deserby is a manager. Roberto Deserby
33:38 has been touted as one of these next big things. But they've been awful lately, haven't they?
33:43 It's ever since Deserby started being linked with other jobs like Liverpool.
33:47 His head's been turned, hasn't it?
33:48 I think it has. And I think, look, I don't know Brighton inside now, but from the outside
33:52 looking in, it looks like he's lost the dressing room a little bit because they were flying
33:58 in many ways that season. They've done really well to get into Europe. Probably up until
34:02 that Roma game when they got hammered off Roma over two legs in the Rope Valley, they
34:08 were in a good place. So some things have changed. Brighton, you don't become a bad
34:13 part of a team overnight. I don't think all is right at Brighton. I think there must be
34:17 some bad feelings behind the scenes. Deserby's comments, the media, etc. hinted at some frustration
34:25 behind the scenes. So you are right, Brighton do seem like they're in a team for free for
34:29 all. But again, me being pessimistic, it almost feels like when teams are on such a bad of
34:35 a run that the duo win at some point. You just don't hope that it's Newcastle because
34:39 Newcastle, over the years, have handed out of form teams, out of form strikers or whatever
34:46 goals. So yeah, hopefully this doesn't happen next Saturday.
34:50 Jordan, thanks for that. Ending the podcast on a nice positive note there. Anyway, yes,
34:57 we'll come to that next week. We'll look at Brighton in more detail. But as I say, if
35:01 Newcastle were to get six points against Burnley and Brighton, that sets them incredibly nicely
35:06 for that game at Old Trafford, which could be crucial. Of course, then you've got Brentford
35:11 after that as well. I think if Newcastle were to win against Burnley, win against Brighton
35:17 and then get some sort of a result against Old Trafford, they could probably go into
35:19 that Brentford game relatively relaxed, to be honest.
35:22 That means you'd be going for sixth place then, wouldn't you? Because sixth place isn't
35:27 out of reach. It's not out of reach at all. It's in Newcastle's hands. If they win their
35:32 remaining games, they get sixth.
35:33 They get sixth, yeah, that's the thing. Yes, exactly. It is in their own hands. So obviously,
35:38 you've got to hope that Manchester City win the FA Cup. That changes things as well. But
35:44 it's all still to play for. But yes, Newcastle, a win on Saturday and a win against Brighton,
35:49 they will be key and sets the last two games up very, very nicely indeed. We'll come to
35:52 all that very soon, though. But for now, thank you all for watching and howay the lads.