21 Aug 2025 12:22:28
Given there's unlikely to be any progress on transfers until next week, what are all your thoughts about the game on Monday.
How do we setup?
Personally, I'd be inclined to bring Joey G and Robbo in at fullback for experience and pick a midfield four of Gravy Macca Szobo and Flo. Then it would be Salah and a choice of either Ekitike or Gakpo to lead the line.
In terms of approach, I would be willing to surrender some possession to them and go long and/ or counter instead of trying to dominate possession. This is not a game for press baiting and building from the back. I see this game being as intense and manic as a Merseyside derby this time.
21 Aug 2025 12:42:11
For me, Gravenberch starts over Szoboszlai and Gomez starts over Konate. The other 9 I'd keep the same.
It went pear shaped after Kerkez and Frimpong were subbed off and didn't calm down again until Gomez came on. Robbo immediately go beaten in behind by Semeneyo on the counter, whereas Kerkez was doing enough to disrupt him. Frimpong was equally keeping pace with Brooks and forcing him away from goal, whereas Endo came on and was in no mans land until he moved to midfield.
21 Aug 2025 12:42:51
I'd avoid starting Robbo personally, he seems well off the boiler.
21 Aug 2025 12:47:32
I agree with Gomez over Konate but not sure he is anywhere near fully fit.
21 Aug 2025 12:48:59
I suspect it will be Grav for Szobo and that will be it.
Like MK I would ideally bring Gomez in to replace Konate after his performance last week but Gomez was only fit enough to play 15 mins on Friday so I don't think he will be fit enough to start a game for a little while.
21 Aug 2025 12:54:39
Could see the midfield 3 of grav, szob, and wirtz instead of a not fully fit macca. Newcastle are strong in midfield so could do with legs in there.
21 Aug 2025 13:00:08
Frimpong has a little injury so might not be ready.
21 Aug 2025 13:02:54
The big thing for me on Monday is the midfield battle. For this game I would actually be inclined to not start wirtz, but think he will start with Szob and Gravenberch in behind him for that tuning power and solidity in mf.
21 Aug 2025 13:03:03
Personally I’d drop Konate as often as possible if he’s not going to sign and get the YLFP involved asap!
21 Aug 2025 13:07:34
Maybe Shipley, however I think Grav will replace macca. Szobo’s energy is needed. Ibou should be dropped, but it’s a question on how fit Joe is. Is Leoni out of the question? The game will be fast and intense, we need to keep possession and let the ball do the work. A lot is riding on this game and going to st James park is always tough, but under the current circumstances it will be even harder.
21 Aug 2025 13:13:41
I agree that Konate hasn´t been up to his old self, but I think people are massively overreacting. Last year we had the 2nd best defense in the league, only peaked by arsenal who plays 4 centerbacks and also have defensive midfielder. Our defense wasn´t helped out that we had Robertson and TAA who both generally was poor defensively.
I would have Szob, grav and Mac on, with grav acting as a third defender. This frees up space for Frim (depending on injury) and Kerkez to be bomb forward. Isn´t it an odd fit that we go for two fast fullbacks and then tell them to play a more reserved role?
21 Aug 2025 13:18:00
You can’t drop Szobozlai…. We need to be strong and powerful against Newcastle bruisers like Guimaraes and Joelinton.
21 Aug 2025 13:23:34
Szoboszlai is not strong and powerful. He's quick and athletic but not strong and powerful.
I still don't see him as a midfielder but more of an option for the front three.
21 Aug 2025 13:31:07
I'd go ali. Frimpong konate vvd kerkez. Grav mac. Salah wirtz szobo gakpo.
I'd go with no striker and try and get another man into midfield, grav+ mac with wirtz+ szobo ahead.
Newcastle v strong midfield and we not quite right at minute there I think extra man would help.
Take ekitike on after an hour when hopefully game starts to stretch and Newcastle's no doubt ferocious start has run out of steam.
21 Aug 2025 14:06:51
I think it would be harsh to drop Konate for this massive game. I am sure he won't have been happy with his performance. Could it be down to the emotional atmosphere? It clearly affected Mo. Why not Ibou? Let's see if he can put it behind him for this fixture.
I agree on the concerns about Robbo but equally if we think that Kerkez might be a red card flight risk in what will be a white hot game then we might need to make a call on that. To contradict myself, Kerkez was MOTM at St James' Park last season with Bournemouth - but it was a midday kickoff to be fair rather than a white hot night game.
Szobo Gravy Macca have to play. Adding Wirtz in there as a box against their 3 would make sense to me.
21 Aug 2025 14:09:25
This reads as if we are the smaller team, 442 or no striker against Newcastle? Have I missed something, are they the reigning champions?
21 Aug 2025 14:11:40
You’ve got to be prepared to stick the boot in against Newcastle in midfield as that’s the one of the toughest midfields in the league, I’d go Gravenberch, Mac and Endo as they’re the ones who make the most tackles, win the most duels and get stuck in.
21 Aug 2025 14:13:50
Gomez for Frimpong if his hamstring isn't right, Gravenburch in for Szoboszlai. Chiesa subbed on in the 82nd minute.
The rest as we were for Bournemouth.
21 Aug 2025 14:27:36
I’m going to go with Gomes at RB to add height in defense and Grav in for Macca.
21 Aug 2025 15:33:32
Ooof well Frimpong is definitely out.
Apparently Gomez isn't able to fully train after his cameo, which Slot had said was earlier than he wanted.
The good news is Bradley trained a bit today.
Could be one of Dom or Curtis at RB on Monday then.
21 Aug 2025 15:34:25
MKS, you're going to need Szobo in midfield with those athletes they have in their midfield. That's just a fact, man. Szobo, Grav and Wirtz for me cos Macca is simply not fit yet. That's the reality.
21 Aug 2025 15:35:40
If Slot asks Wirtz to be one third of a midfield engine room again we will be bringing bugger all back from Newcastle. Criminal waste of talent.
21 Aug 2025 17:12:38
If Gomez isn’t fit I’d take a punt on an under 23 player like Terrence Miles rather than go with either Jones or Szoboszlai as neither of them are particularly good defensively and that’s being generous. We need battlers in midfield and neither of Jones or Szoboszlai are what you could describe as that. So as I say, go for players who do get stuck in. Fight fire with fire. Up top I’d be tempted to play Wirtz at number 10 with Ekitke and Salah as a front two.