🏆 Fulham (H) – Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible XI and prediction
The dust has settled on Sunday's derby disaster, and the pain, anger and sense of frustration at THAT pitiful effort at Sunderland still remains.
It won't go quickly, and it won't be 'put right' all of a sudden if we beat Fulham on Wednesday night and progress to another Carabao Cup semi-final, but there's no doubt our next three games between now and Boxing Day will go a long way to improving what is an understandably agitated fanbase right now.
Losing is one thing, but losing the way we did in a Tyne-Wear derby was unacceptable, with just about every element of our game off, whether it be tactics, team selection, intensity (or lack of it), technical delivery or fight to make a real fist of a game that wasn't going our way.
Eddie Howe is under pressure and the players owe us one, upping the importance of upcoming games against Fulham, Chelsea and Man Utd as a hectic period shows no signs of slowing down with the success or failure of this consistently inconsistent season on the line.
Reflecting on Sunday and speaking ahead of Wednesday night's match as he sat down with the media on Tuesday morning, Howe said:
 "I understand it (the criticism). All I urge the supporters to do is what they’ve always done since I’ve been here and that’s support the team when they’re playing.“We have a huge group of games to come and we have the opportunity to still make this an amazing season so while we’re in that position while everything can still be positive we have to attack it with all of our efforts combined.”
“Part of my job is to remain very level. If you don’t and you join the emotional rollercoaster that football brings, you can damage relationships which are hugely important.
“I have to be constructive in my feedback and criticism which I will endeavour to do because we have to be very honest with the players and they have to be honest back with us.
“Then we have to find a way forward and we have to find a way to get consistent results which is what we’re still searching for this season.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oHLJCnEko0
Team news
Dan Burn has been ruled out for up to SIX weeks after suffering a broken rib and punctured lung on Sunday, while Kieran Trippier (hamstring) and Emil Krafth (knee) are out until the new year.
Sven Botman (back) is making 'good progress' but isn't ready to return just yet, while Nick Pope (groin) could return for one of our games this week and Jamaal Lascelles is back from a muscle injury.
Yoane Wissa is pushing to start and Will Osula's ankle issue remains a mystery, with the Dane not mentioned by Howe in his most recent press conference.
For Fulham, they've just lost Nigerian trio Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze to AFCON, while Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Muniz remain out.
Predicted XI
(4-3-3): Ramsdale - Livramento, Thiaw, Schar, Hall - Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton - Murphy, Wissa, Barnes.
OUT: Miley, Gordon, Elanga, Woltemade IN: Joelinton, Barnes, Murphy, Wissa
Starting up top, I may be wrong on this and medical staff may decide he's not ready to start, but 50-60 minutes of Wissa may be needed, not only to build up our ÂŁ55m striker's match fitness but give Woltemade a much-needed rest after clear signs of fatigue over the last week.
Out wide, Gordon and Elanga should be dropped after last Sunday's horror show from both, giving Barnes and Murphy a chance to stake their claims for a starting spot once again.
In midfield, I fully expect Joelinton to return if fit enough. If not, it'll surely be one of Willock or Ramsey down that left. As for Tonali, it's hard to say if he needs games to get back to his best and regain match sharpness or a rest, although I'd suggest the former may be what he needs after a 'bitty' last few months due to illness and injury.
At the back, we have no real options to change it with Burn, Botman, Trippier and Krafth all out, with Pope the only possibility if he's recovered from a groin injury in time.
Match prediction
Newcastle have won seven of their last eight home games, with the one draw coming via Spurs' stoppage time levellers earlier two weeks ago.
Under the lights, with a point to prove and a lot of making up to do, I think we'll find a way past a Fulham side missing several key players.
The pressure will be on and I'm expecting St James' Park to be noticeably flat in the build up, but history suggests we win home games like this - and we'll have to if we're to avoid the wheels falling off this season.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-0 Fulham
Keep the faith. Howay the lads!
