The term 'must-win is sometimes overused in football, but it might just be relevant heading to Burnley on Tuesday.
Our season isn't over if we fail to win, as the gap between ourselves and those European spots remains minimal. However, something needs to seriously change if we're to mount a surge up the Premier League table heading into 2026, with big questions currently hanging over an underperforming squad and Eddie Howe.
There are a lot of issues to sort, and sort quickly if we want to save our 2025/26 season. Only one away win, no clean sheet in the league since a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in October (12 games ago), a lack of identity or patterns of play, little plan B when things aren't going our way, and a habit of throwing away leads, seeing many question our mentality.
Our Boxing Day defeat at Man Utd left many feeling flat and frustrated, and a side with Champions League ambitions down in 14th. I still back Howe and hope he finds the answers, but I'd be lying to say I wasn't concerned.
A huge weeks awaits, with Burnley, Crystal Palace and Leeds all to come over the next 10 days. A make or break moment in our season? It might just be, as things would stoop to a new low if we can't see off a Burnley side that have been so poor at home all season, failing to score in four of their last five at Turf Moor.
Nick Pope was ill before the Man Utd game, so his involvement may depend on his recovery from a bug, while Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier sound unlikely to return based on Howe's pre-match comments.
The game is set to come too soon for Tino Livramento, Dan Burn, Emil Krafth, Will Osula and Jamaal Lascelles, but Yoane Wissa may be one to watch along with a fit-again Joelinton.
For Burnley, Martin Dubravka looks set to start against his former club, but it looks like captain Josh Cullen will miss out after suffering a knee injury in their 0-0 draw with Everton on Saturday. Axel Tuanzebe is at AFCON, Maxime Esteve is pushing to return and Hannibal Mejbri is suspended.
Predicted XI
(4-3-3): Pope – Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Barnes, Wissa, Gordon.
OUT: Ramsdale, Ramsey, Murphy, Woltemade. IN: Pope, Joelinton, Barnes, Wissa.
Man Utd away was a painful watch. Passive to start, conceding a poor goal (again) and then looking toothless in the final third despite so much possession.
We looked flat as a pancake at the full-time whistle, so this one feels huge to life everyone's spirits, secure an elusive away win and end 2025 on a high before a run of vital games at St James' Park in the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Burnley will try to frustrate us, but I think we'll find a way and see Wissa score his first league goal for the club in a much-needed away win.
Prediction: Burnley 0-2 Newcastle
Howay the lads!
