The Mag

I don’t have too much interest at the top of the Premier League apart from hoping Lego heed is in tears again, the real interest for me is the final relegation spot and who will fill it.

We have six contenders left, mathematically speaking.

Newcastle United are one of those six but it’s highly unlikely to happen for us, so I’m going to trim it down to five.

After the weekend results, in descending Premier League table order we have Leeds, Palace, Forest, Spurs and West Ham.

First up Leeds. Now I think Newcastle have the best fans but this club are close. They back their team every game. The team on the pitch don’t cause us much harm. I remember their chairman angling one comment towards our owners but it wasn’t too much. I hope they stay up.

Crystal Palace are next. They don’t bother me that much and have given me a lot of amusement when they won the FA Cup against Man City. They seem to have put their offensive flag away when we play them so I don’t mind them too much. I don’t mind if they stay up.

Nottingham Forest are just below them. We have some history with Forest, politically with the miners strike and also with a certain pitch invasion in the 70s. Forest don’t bother me too much tbh. We get good results against them and their owner never says bad stuff about us. I think he’s probably too busy eating. I hope they stay up (for Elliot Anderson).

Now we have lovely Spurs. A team who have always considered us to be some kind of talent academy that they can pick from. Sort of like the London version of liVARpool. Waddle, Gazza, Sir Les, Ruel Fox and then laughingly Kevin Scott for £850k. So maybe we got them with the last one.

But let’s cast our minds back to our takeover. Two teams were the most vocal in opposing it: liVARpool and Spurs. So wouldnt it be great if self-appointed big club Spurs get the boot. Well they did want to join the Super League the other year and I’ve heard the Championship is a super league to be in. If they do go down I hope clubs line up to pick their best players off like they do every year. Even if they don’t go down I wouldn’t mind us putting a cheeky bid in for Micky van de Ven, not serious, but just to let them know where they stand. I hope, I really really hope they go down.

Finally we have the happy hammers. West Ham on 13/3/76 was my first ever game (won 2-1). I’ve never minded this lot despite the 8-1 and the 2-0 in 95/96. They have decent fans and know how to protest.

However….going back to 1992/93 and we are top of the Championship under Kevin Keegan and playing some amazing football. So we have the Big Match or whatever on TV and Jimmy “West Ham” Greaves is at pains to point out second placed West Ham are actually the best team in the league. We beat them 2-0 and drew 0-0, won the league (Newcastle 96 points and West Ham finishing second on 88 points) but he couldn’t give us any credit.

Fast forward to the takeover and we have West Ham mouthpiece Karren Brady assuring the football public that despite the takeover “they” are not finished yet. I think she was referring to APT (Associated Party Transaction) rules which were rushed in very quickly after our takeover to limit sponsorship money helping us out. She seemed pleased with herself. I would be pleased and amused in equal measure if they get relegated. And we might just be the club to do it. Poetic justice even if she has recently left.

Not that I’m bitter of course and remember stuff I really should forget. I’d like to add that I’m kind to animals and help old ladies with their shopping.

Chelsea and Tottenham are two of the half dozen Premier League clubs that have built up such a huge advantage over Newcastle United.

This didn’t happen overnight.

Whilst Mike Ashley was holding Newcastle United back for a decade and a half, Chelsea and Tottenham were powering forwards when building revenues.

The Premier League was buoyant, clubs taking advantage of the league’s dominance to drive their revenues in the right direction, especially commercial revenues.

When Mike Ashley finally left Newcastle United in October 2021, the commercial revenue at the club was almost exactly what it was when he had arrived over 14 years earlier.

Considering how thriving the Premier League was during those years, Mike Ashley achieving the near impossible, as he bled the club dry for his own and his retail businesses’ gain.

The one thing we have to be thankful for with Chelsea and Tottenham, is how badly they have operated the football side of things in recent years. Both clubs underperforming despite the huge financial advantages they have over almost every other club, including Newcastle United.

Regrets?

Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel won the Champions League with Chelsea in May 2021 and runners-up in the Premier League.

The 2021/22 season, Tuchel led Chelsea to 3rd in the Premier League as well as losing finalists in both domestic cup competitions and got to the Champions League quarter finals.

The new/current Chelsea owners then came in and on 7 September 2022 Thomas Tuchel was sacked.

Chelsea have then finished 12th, 6th and 4th in the Premier League and are currently 6th.

Chelsea have had five different managers since sacking Tuchel and are now looking for a sixth after Liam Rosenior only lasted three months. The club a total shambles and the financial issues they face are staggering, the levels of debt the Chelsea ownership are responsible for and the interest payments, simply beyond belief.

Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino led Tottenham to four in a row top four Premier League finishes, the 2018/19 season was the fourth of four and the manager also led Spurs to their first ever Champions League final.

Less than six months later Pochettino was sacked by Spurs.

Since sacking Pochettino, Spurs have managed one top four finish in six seasons, last season they finished fourth bottom and currently they are third bottom and favourites to be relegated.

With Igor Tudor sacked after only six weeks and Roberto De Zerbi becoming their third manager of the season, Tottenham are now on eight managers (and counting) since sacking Pochettino.

Newcastle United?

Both Chelsea and Tottenham now dream of attracting a manager like Eddie Howe.

The disastrous mistakes they made when not realising they had their perfect managers in Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino respectively.

No manager is a certainty to succeed BUT when you find the right one, the right fit, you need to treasure them and give them every chance to build long-term success.

Newcastle United now have that in Eddie Howe and a temporary bump in the road shouldn’t be sending the Newcastle United owners off in a different direction when deciding who should manage.

Tottenham are heading into the Championship and Chelsea in a financial mess that now looks impossible for them to climb out of, even if getting Champions League football every season, never mind without it.

Chelsea and Tottenham are two of the six Premier League clubs that have built up such a huge advantage over Newcastle United.

This didn’t happen overnight.

Whilst Mike Ashley was holding Newcastle United back for a decade and a half, Chelsea and Tottenham were powering forwards when it came to building revenues.

The Premier League was buoyant, clubs taking advantage of the league’s dominance to drive their revenues in the right direction, especially when it came to commercial revenues.

When Mike Ashley finally left Newcastle United in October 2021, the commercial revenue at the club was almost exactly what it was when he had arrived over 14 years earlier.

Considering how thriving the Premier League was during those years, Mike Ashley achieving the near impossible, as he bled the club dry for his own and his retail businesses’ gain.

The one thing we have to be thankful for when it comes to Chelsea and Tottenham, is how badly they have operated the football side of things in recent tears. Both clubs underperforming when it comes to the huge financial advantages they have over almost every other club, including Newcastle United.

Regrets?

Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel won the Champions League with Chelsea in May 2021 and runners-up in the Premier League.

The 2021/22 season, Tuchel led Chelsea to 3rd in the Premier League as well as losing finalists in both domestic cup competitions and got to the Champions League quarter finals.

The new/current Chelsea owners then came in and on 7 September 2022 Thomas Tuchel was sacked.

Chelsea have then finished 12th, 6th and 4th in the Premier League and are currently 6th.

Chelsea have had five different managers since sacking Tuchel and will undoubtedly shortly be looking for a sixth. The club a total shambles.

Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino led Tottenham to four in a row top four Premier League finishes, the 2018/19 season was the fourth of four and the manager also led Spurs to their first ever Champions League final.

Less than six months later Pochettino was sacked by Spurs.

Since sacking Pochettino, Spurs have managed one top four finish in six seasons, last season they finished fourth bottom and currently they are third bottom and favourites to be relegated.

Tottenham are now on eight managers (and counting) since sacking Pochettino.

Newcastle United?

Both Chelsea and Tottenham now dream of attracting a manager like Eddie Howe.

The disastrous mistakes they made when not realising they had their perfect managers in Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino respectively.

No manager is a certainty to succeed BUT when you find the right one, the right fit, you need to treasure them and give them every chance to build long-term success.

Off work and watching TV on Thursday, I saw David Bentley talking about Tottenham on Sky Sports News.

I vaguely remembered him.

Checked him out and sure enough, he is a former Tottenham player.

David Bentley is from Peterborough and grew up a Man U fan, was with Arsenal as a kid but didn’t make it. Ended up having a couple of good seasons with Blackburn, then at the age of 23 got a massive five year contract at Tottenham in a big money move and that was pretty much the end of his career!

In his five years on the books of Tottenham, he made 42 appearances and scored two goals. During that time, Bentley was so poor that he ended up getting sent out on loan to a number of clubs but failed to impress.

At the age of 28 he came to the end of his lucrative Tottenham contract in June 2013 and never played professionally again.

A year later David Bentley announced his ‘retirement’ from playing, claiming he had fallen out of love with football and wanted to spend time with his family.

Anyway, now aged 41, Bentley seems to have suddenly rediscovered his love for football and/or is wanting to earn some extra cash, so now finds himself a Tottenham expert on Sky Sports.

David Bentley declaring yesterday: “Tottenham could be the biggest club in the world. And to think of that potential being relegated and sitting in the Championship. Not only financially, but emotionally for…I think for everyone in football. I don’t think there is anyone in football that wants to see Tottenham go down and not be in the Premier League. I think everybody loves watching Tottenham, even if they are neutral. Everybody loves Tottenham, who doesn’t like Spurs? Come on, flamboyant Tottenham.”

I nearly fell off the sofa laughing.

He is desperate for work!

A bit like all those other desperate characters who managed to play a handful of matches for one of the media’s favoured London clubs, it seems like David Bentley will carve out a niche for the likes of Sky Sports, Talksport and whoever. Just like the woeful Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara, who also played a handful of matches for Tottenham. The pair of them will say absolutely anything to get attention doing their media stuff.

David Bentley declaring: “Tottenham could be the biggest club in the world” and how no neutral would want to see them relegated…words fail me.

If this was Newcastle United and one of our former players talking about NUFC like that, he would be absolutely ridiculed. When it is the likes of a London club like Tottenham though, the media act very differently.

David Bentley caused me to recall an excellent book I read by Richard Dawkins, not about football by the way. “The God Delusion” saw Dawkins argue that a supernatural creator (a God) does not exist, and that belief in a personal God qualifies as a delusion, which he defines as a persistent false belief that is held in the face of strong contradictory evidence. In the book, he went on to say that when one person suffers from a delusion it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion it is called religion.

In the hours since the sacking of Igor Tudor, I have seen a lot of mentions of how him not buying into the ‘Tottenham Way’, was a major part of his downfall.

Sunday seeing the Spurs boss sacked after six weeks in the job, quite incredible.

Tottenham say they intend to name the replacement in the very near future, this will be their fourth manager in less than a year.

Thomas Frank was sacked last month, following the 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United, before his sacking, not understanding the ‘Tottenham way’ often said about the former Brentford boss.

As they look for a replacement, needing someone who understands the ‘Tottenham Way’ is apparently essential, if they are to be successful in the role.

What this basically boils down to, is all of these third rate pundits who are former Spurs players, recommending other former Spurs players and managers to get the job.

Amongst the suggestions of those who would be ideal in fully understanding the ‘Tottenham Way’ if getting the job, include Tim Sherwood (who nobody else would dream of employing as a manager), Robbie Keane (who spent last season with a job in Israel and is currently managing in Hungry) and Harry Redknapp (who is 79!!!).

Yes, I can’t see what could possibly go wrong if Spurs employed any of these as manager, or indeed all three of them…

I love the delusions of grandeur amongst Spurs former players, pundits, fans and so on.

This belief they are somehow steeped in a long history of beautiful football that presumably the rest of us have all been green with envy, when looking from afar. If only we could also play the ‘Tottenham Way’….

In reality, it is all a nonsense, any club that claims they are somehow eternal keepers of the beautiful game. You hear this from the likes of Man U fans and supporters of other clubs. As though they are entitled to watch brilliant entertaining football because they always have done, even though this is definitely not the case. Yes, clubs such as Liverpool and Man U have had periods of time when they were the dominant team in English football, bought the best attacking players and played great football. However, this is far from this ‘always’ having been the case.

Anyway, back to Spurs, it is actually a different ‘Tottenham Way’ I want to talk about.

One which they have indeed become famous for in recent times, but most definitely, not a ‘Tottenham Way’ that I want Newcastle United to copy.

The other ‘Tottenham Way’

In charge of Tottenham

Until April 2021 – Jose Mourinho

Until June 2021 – Ryan Mason

Until November 2021 – Nuno

Until March 2023 – Antonio Conte

Until April 2023 – Cristian Stellini

Until June 2023 – Ryan Mason

Until June 2025 – Ange Postecoglou

Until February 2026 – Thomas Frank

Until March 2026 – Igor Tudor

Until – ?????? – ??????

Spurs will end up having had ten different (counting Mason’s spells as separate management times) managers picking the Tottenham team in the space of less than five years, once the latest appointment is announced.

Spurs have huge financial superiority over most clubs, as well as many other advantages, yet they are a total mess.

It was announced in the Brentford accounts released if February on the day he was sacked by Spurs, that Tottenham paid Brentford £6.7m compensation to get Thomas Frank. Maybe not quite as much cash as Chelsea have gone through doing so, but just how much have Spurs paid out across these years, paying compensation to other clubs to get their managers, then having to pay off these same managers (and their staff) not very long afterwards? How much will Igor Tudor have cost Tottenham for six weeks work and one point from five Premier League games?

Of course, if you pick a bad one, you can’t just persevere blindly with them, but how can Spurs (and Chelsea) keep managing to do this, time after time?

Which brings me to Newcastle United.

Which brings me to Eddie Howe.

Eddie Howe has brought stability, continuity, consistency AND success to Newcastle United, despite not having anything like the financial and other advantages that the likes of Spurs and Chelsea have.

Yet a fair few Newcastle United fans would have our club following the ‘Tottenham Way’, despite what Eddie Howe has shown year after year, happy to replace him with some random choice that they are ‘sure’ will be able to do a better job than the genius we have as United boss.

On top of his elite player recruitment and tactical nous across more than four years, Eddie Howe is also a class act when representing us off the pitch, how he speaks to the media, his honesty and readiness to accept responsibility, not throw his players under a bus like certain jokers Newcastle United have employed in the past.

I would love to think that Tottenham will go through another ten or more managers in charge whilst Eddie Howe still remains our leader. If that happens, then Newcastle United will be in a really good place.

Spurs were lucky to find three teams worse than them last season, when finishing fourth bottom of the Premier League. Occupying that position once again, with seven games remaining, they appear reliant on West Ham (one point behind Tottenham) being just as bad as them in the final weeks of the season. The only problem with that is, whilst Tottenham have no wins in their last 13 PL matches and have picked up only five points from their last possible 39, West Ham have picked up 16 points in their most recent 13 PL games.

Welcome to the Newcastle v Spurs preview.

Tuesday 2nd December – An 8.15pm kick-off.

The Toon welcome one of our favourite house guests to St James’ Park on Tuesday night and will be desperate to achieve three successive PL victories for the first time this season.

Tottenham have already visited St James’ in the League Cup this term and left having been soundly beaten 2-0.

This was the Toon’s fourth consecutive home victory over Spurs in all competitions, this opposition having endured a number of heavy beatings by NUFC in the Premier League era.

They’re currently not having the best of times and Thomas Frank will be hoping for three points to ease the pressure on him after a disappointing run of form.

Form

The past six PL matches have seen Newcastle win three and lose three. We’ve beaten Everton, Man City and Fulham but lost to Brentford, West Ham and Brighton. We’ve scored eleven goals in these games and conceded eleven. The nine points gained has us thirteenth in the league but just four points off fifth. All results going our way could rocket us into the top seven.

Spurs have won just one of their past six league matches, drawn one and lost four. They’ve scored eight and conceded eleven. These four points have seen them drop to level with the Toon on eighteen points for the season. They’ll also be looking for a place in the top seven should they win at St James’ Park.

Last time out

Newcastle travelled to Everton on Saturday evening and absolutely destroyed the Toffees with an attacking performance that blew the opposition away and ensured our first away win in the league for seven months. Malick Thiaw opened the scoring after just fifty-four seconds, then the Toon had to soak up some Everton pressure until Lewis Miley doubled the advantage with a shot that bounced in the area and went through both the arms and legs of Mackem Jordan Pickford. When Woltemade was played through on goal before half time, he lobbed the ball into the net to secure a three-goal half-time lead that not even the most optimistic Toon fan could have predicted pre-match. The second half started in a similar vein and Thiaw smashed home a header to put the Toon 4-0 up and spark absolute ecstasy amongst the travelling fans. Fair play to Everton who refused to roll over, they had one disallowed and then had the ball in the net again to reduce the arrears but this was a fantastic away win for Newcastle and, along with the win against Man City last week, is hopefully just the beginning of a run of form that will really kick-start our season.

Tottenham hosted Fulham at the weekend and found themselves 2-0 down after just six minutes due to goalkeeping errors that saw so-called Spurs fans jeering their own ‘keeper. With such a poisonous atmosphere, it’s no wonder they’ve won only three home games this calendar year. Things almost went from bad to worse when Fulham hit the post soon after but a two-goal halftime deficit saw Tottenham booed down the tunnel. They did improve after the break and were able to pull one back but another home defeat saw them booed and jeered at the end of the match as the pressure mounts on their manager to get results and climb the table.

Stat attack!

-Newcastle have won their past four home games against Tottenham in all competitions, scoring an incredible fourteen goals and conceding just two.

-NUFC have racked up some gigantic wins against Tottenham over the years with 4-0 (twice), 5-1, 6-1 (twice) and 7-1 victories all being enjoyed by the Toon Army.

-Newcastle have won their last six home matches in all competitions, three in the league, two in Europe and one in the League Cup (against Spurs!).

Memorable match

In December 1996, Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle had gone seven league games without a win. Seven was about to become a very significant number when Tottenham came to Toon just three days after Christmas. Alan Shearer opened the scoring after showing superb control to flick the ball over a Spurs defender and Sir Les Ferdinand doubled the advantage just two minutes later. With a 2-0 halftime advantage, NUFC looked comfortable but even the most optimistic Toon fan couldn’t have predicted how the second half would unfold. Further goals from Shearer and Sir Les, a brace from Rob Lee and an effort from Philippe Albert had us seven goals to the good with just two minutes remaining, before Spurs pulled one back to the consternation of ‘keeper Shaka Hislop who was genuinely fuming not to keep a clean sheet. Nevertheless, this absolute hammering proved to be one of the highlights of an incredible season as United ran riot.

Final Score Newcastle 7-1 Tottenham.

Played for both

Jermaine Jenas was signed by Sir Bobby Robson in 2002 and was given a baptism of fire when making his full debut in a victory at the Stadium of Light. He looked an absolute world beater for a time and scored a number of good goals as he went on to win the PFA young player of the year award in 2003. Highlights of his time at NUFC include a last-minute winner away at White Hart Late, a late equaliser at Upton Park and a stunning long-range goal against Man Utd. Unfortunately form, fitness and a seemingly poor attitude got in the way of further progress at NUFC and few tears were shed when he signed for Tottenham in 2005. He spent eight years with Spurs, scoring twenty-one goals in one hundred and fifty-five appearances.

Jonathan Woodgate is widely acknowledged to be one of the best defenders to play for NUFC in the Premier League…when fit! Whilst his ability couldn’t ever be questioned, his injury record was abysmal, which was a real shame as we never got to see the best of him. Signed by Sir Bobby in Jan 2003, he stayed for eighteen months before moving to Real Madrid, having only managed twenty-eight league games for the Toon. He played for Spurs for three seasons from 2008 and holds a special place in their history, having headed home the winning goal in the League Cup final against Chelsea to give Spurs their first silverware for nine years.

Scott Parker signed for Newcastle from Chelsea in 2005 and was named captain by Glenn Roader in 2006 following the retirement of a certain Mr Shearer. He Scored four league goals in fifty-five appearances for the Toon and was presented with a plaque to celebrate our achievement of winning the Intertoto cup, although he hardly looked delighted at the pre-match ceremony! He signed for West Ham in 2007 before moving to Tottenham in 2011 where he made fifty appearances without finding the net.

Managers

Eddie Howe after a 4-1 win away at Everton “’lt was a massive win for us. Our first away win of the season, we needed it, we’ve been chasing it and it has been elusive so far, but it was a big moment today. It was a really good performance as well from the players. We looked solid, we looked physically really good, which was a tough test after Marseille, coming back, having to refocus on the Premier League. I was really pleased for the squad today: it was a squad victory. We made changes because I didn’t want fatigue on the pitch. After the Brentford and West Ham game I felt we were tired and lethargic. We have to trust the squad and they repaid that faith. The players who came in were excellent. The players who remained from the previous games did well too. We had athleticism and pace in the right areas of the pitch.”

Thomas Frank after a 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham:

“Of course, this is a tough one. We prepared everything, players ready and then after six minutes we’re down 2-0. That’s a classic example when a team is struggling a little bit and it’s not straightforward, smooth, the momentum and the easy wins, maybe not dropping for you as you want sometimes, and then you concede the first one on deflected shot and the second is a mistake from Vic. In the first half, how can you say, we rushed it too much because we got maybe a bit shell shocked, whatever, you really want to do well and then you’re rushing it too much. In the second half I think we were more cool, created more, scored a good goal, created opportunities, could have got the 2-2, didn’t get it. I see players who badly want to turn it around, badly want to do everything they can to get the win here in front of our fans, make them happy and proud of the team. Sometimes you just have a spell that is tough and we just need to keep working through it, keep going forward, keep doing everything we can to improve it – then we all know we will turn it around.”

Charity

Newcastle United fans food bank will once again be collecting opposite the Gallowgate end and gratefully receiving food, money and toiletries for those in need. Of particular interest are non-perishable food and drink items (such as noodles, pasta, rice, canned food, soup, cereal, cordial, long life milk etc) as well as toiletries such as shower gel, shampoo, toothpaste and sanitary products. Please give whatever you can, any donation is very much appreciated.

For further info and/or to donate online go HERE.

Prediction

Looking at this Newcastle team v Spurs.

Our next match in the Premier League.

Newcastle United looking to make it three Premier League victories in a row.

Whilst if United get the three points tonight, it would also be seven home wins in a row, in all competitions.

Victory tonight would also see Eddie Howe’s side climb into the top half of the table.

As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team v Everton:

Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Joelinton, Bruno, Miley, Barnes, Elanga, Woltemade

Eddie Howe gave an update on Monday, regarding the injury and availability for the squad ahead of Tuesday’s match.

It looks like at least five Newcastle United players won’t be involved against Spurs, with Nick Pope and Sven Botman joining Yoane Wissa, Will Osula and Kieran Trippier in sitting this one out.

So taking all of that into consideration…

This is my predicted Newcastle team v Spurs:

Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Bruno, Miley, Barnes, Elanga, Woltemade

A tricky one to call this.

If my prediction becomes reality, it would mean only one change from Everton on Saturday, Sandro Tonali in for Joelinton.

Trying to second guess Eddie Howe is always tricky, but the only substitutions he made before added time, were to give Elanga and Barnes a rest with twenty minutes to go.

My thought process being that possibly that was done so he could give them every chance of being as fresh as possible and starting against Spurs as well.

I think Sandro Tonali needed that shift off on Saturday and I would be amazed if he doesn’t start tonight. Normally you would have most fans assuming Lewis Miley would be the one making way but he played very well on Saturday (as did pretty much all of his teammates), plus I now think that Joelinton (he wasn’t subbed at all on Saturday) starting three games in a week isn’t ideal in terms of keeping him at his best.

Ramsdale, Thiaw and Burn look set to play for sure I would have thought.

Whilst the fact both Hall and Livramento played 90+ minutes on Saturday, leads me to think that Eddie Howe believes they are both capable of starting again tonight.

It certainly wasn’t a stroll once Newcastle United went 4-0 up against Everton but I do wonder if it was still a performance that didn’t take as much out of the players, as say the one did against Man City, when also there was only three days before the next match.

So other than Tonali for Joelinton, no surprise to me if ten of the starters against Everton are also in this Newcastle team v Spurs.

Intriguing reading these comments from Spurs fans ahead of facing Newcastle United at St James’ Park tonight.

Five weeks ago the two teams met on Tyneside.

That Carabao Cup last 16 match seeing United progress to the quarter-finals with goals from Schar and Woltemade.

Spurs fans seeing that result kick off a seven game run that has seen five defeats and only one victory in all competitions.

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United team have won all four St James’ Park matches against Spurs, NUFC scoring 14 goals in that quartet of wins and conceding only two.

Spurs fans commenting via their top supporters forum:

‘Don’t hold any hope for this.

Newcastle are incredibly good at home and their fans will make it very hard.’

‘This must be the game where we turn the corner and start playing some decent football. Too many good players to not have any attack.’

‘Imagine if we won tonight? Feels like it’s so far from our capability.’

‘Their midfield will swat us away like flies.’

‘Easy match 3 points in the jeans small pocket thank you.’

‘This is gonna be a horror show.’

‘People are saying how awful we are.

Newcastle have the same points and worse GD. With a 1/3 of the season played.

They aren’t great. There are better teams in this league.

They do however have good home form and a crowd that will be up for it.’

‘Also they are improving after a relatively poor start. We, on the other hand are…’

‘I think we will win tonight. Football is a funny old game. They won easily at Everton at the weekend. We are on a bad run and especially up there. But sometimes in football it doesn’t always go the way we expect.

Cue another midweek 7 nil defeat up there.’

‘St James Park seems to be a place we do well at or very very badly. No in between!’

‘Next to nothing to believe we will pick-up anything tonight, and little to be comforted by in that event, as results are pretty much all that matters.

Avoiding embarrassment and mistakes might constitute something to hold on to but if that’s the extent of it, against a good but far from brilliant side…’

‘They will come at us hard from the start imo. If we withstand that then we have a chance. Tbh I look at Newcastle team and it doesn’t ring of household names or frighten me. Barnes is a decent player and have a big lump up top.’

‘One of the best midfields in the league. They are a top 6 team if not better. Ramsdale will be in goal tonight. Before the last 3 seasons our record was won 6 drawn 2 of previous 8.

We have to give it a go. Hope Xavi starts because if he doesn’t we will be reduced to hoping for a goal from set pieces.’

‘The away form that was being lauded is now starting to look like simply a case of an easy run of fixtures, and the Woolwich debacle has wiped out most of the optimism that we had from that one bright spot.’

‘As per normal I’m hoping for the best but fearing the worst … Newcastle are hitting form and our results have been woeful. It feels far to easy and obvious to just say we’re gonna lose… But..’

‘The only chance we have is if we turn up and match their physicality.

And I really can’t see that happening but you never know.

The sad thing is our record against the better sides in the league is getting worse and worse.’

‘We’re always rubbish up there. I’d just send the youth team up on a school trip and be done with it.’

‘I reckon we will do surprisingly well there tomorrow.

‘You never know what you will expect from Newcastle. One game they look like contenders next game they look like they should be relegated.’

‘Funny feeling we might get a result tomorrow night. Just think the team and players have to react. We’ve such a healthy squad. Romero back too. No excuses not to be up for this game!’

‘Player for player i think we are more talented than them. Think they will come at us hard early. We withstand that and impose our game we have a chance.’

‘Remember we beat them 4 nil under sherwood at their place. Could hear our crowd sing there’s only one Mike ashley. That was salt in the wound but very funny.’

‘We’ll be out fought, out muscled and outgunned for this I fear.’

‘I fancy us to get a result. I don’t think the gap between Newcastle and us is anything too big, and they are a much worse side than last year.

A battering here like in 23/24 though, and it is probably the beginning of the end for Frank.’

Who would be a goalkeeper?

However many shots and headers he saves, no matter the number of times he rescues his teammates, lots of supporters will shrug and say: “He’s just doing his job. It’s what he’s paid a fortune to do.”

As the last line of defence, a keeper is more vulnerable to fierce criticism than any other player.

A striker can miss three good chances, score with the fourth and be hailed the hero. He will probably be praised for persistence.

Any outfielder can misplace a pass, fail to track back, avoid making a 50:50 tackle and all will be forgotten if he ends up on the winning side.

The boot is on the other foot if you’re the No1. Woe betide a custodian who contributes to the concession of a goal, especially if it causes a defeat.

The latest goalkeeper to feel the wrath of his so-called supporters is Guglielmo Vicario.

On Saturday night he was beaten twice in three minutes as Spurs were hit by a quick one-two from Fulham early in the first half of their match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (yes, there’s still no lucrative Naming Rights Here contract).

The 29-year-old Italian was wrong-footed by a deflected Kenny Tete shot in the fourth minute. The visiting fans were still celebrating when Vicario left his area to control the ball and try to boot it upfield from the left-back position. His scuffed clearance went barely 30 yards before Harry Wilson intercepted it, exchanged passes with Josh King and curled a 40-yard lofted shot into the unguarded net.

Two down at home is familiar territory for Spurs, who have won only three Premier League games on their own patch in 2025. Perhaps that explains the boos and jeers that rained on Vicario the next time he touched the ball. Fulham fans having a laugh? No, the barracking came from home fans.

In my view such behaviour is unacceptable. Did Vicario intend to misplace his clearance? Of course not. What about his four defenders, none of whom got back on the line to cover for the keeper?

I’m no Mary Poppins and will loudly abuse any Newcastle United player refusing to give 100%. On two or three occasions in 50-odd years I have done that, to the disgust of fellow fans. I’m not ready to apologise to Kieron Dyer, Keith Gillespie or Jermaine Jenas, by the way. A failure to run, with or without the ball, is unforgivable.

As unforgivable as blaming one of your players for a genuine human error.

The dictionary definitions of support as a verb include “keep from falling or sinking or failing; give strength to, encourage; assist by one’s presence”. Supporters, by extension, should try to do all these things. They should not jeer those they profess to love unless they see a lack of effort.

Perhaps you feel entitled to vent your spleen when mistakes are made. Fair enough. You would, however, be disagreeing not only with me but with William Lamb (1779-1848) the second Lord Melbourne and husband of Lady Caroline Lamb. He was twice the prime minister and a political adviser to Queen Victoria. Not a bad CV.

This is what he thought of supporters: “What I want is men who will support me when I am wrong.”

Okay, not as famous a quote as “mad, bad and dangerous to know”, which was how his wife described her lover, Lord Byron.

Melbourne’s words are more relevant than hers to football, because support is needed most when a team or a player are blundering. Anyone can cheer from the rooftops in the good times. “Sing when you’re winning, you only sing when you’re winning” is a familiar chant.

What I suspect players appreciate, even elite players, is unstinting support in the bad times. Only a sociopath would be immune to the noise from the stands.

Tottenham will still, despite their dismal home record, be ahead of Newcastle when tomorrow’s match kicks off. Thomas Frank’s team are far better on their travels.

Since Eddie Howe took over, St James’ Park has not been a happy hunting ground for Spurs. Not for the team, who have lost all four meetings, and not for the keeper.

Vicario might well be aware that this fixture essentially ended the Tottenham career of a recent predecessor. In April 2023 Tottenham were blitzed by a rampant Newcastle, conceding five goals in the first 21 minutes. Hugo Lloris, often a hero for the Lilywhites, lasted until half-time. It was his final appearance for the club he served admirably for 10 seasons. Nine months later he left for the bright lights of Los Angeles FC on a free transfer.

That memorable match three seasons ago ended 6-1, with Fraser Forster between the sticks. Newcastle then beat them 4-0 and 2-1 in the league, followed by the 2-0 home win in the League Cup five weeks ago.

Spurs have left St James’ Park empty-handed every time since famous cricket fan Steve Bruce was mercifully relieved of his duties just over four years ago. How time flies when you’re having fun. Indeed, Howe time flies when we’re having fun.

Newcastle United fans should make the evening deeply unpleasant for Vicario or Antonin Kinsky or Brandon Austin, whoever starts in the visitors’ goal. If it’s the Italian, a few deafening reminders of Saturday’s blooper wouldn’t go amiss. What’s the point of turning up if you cannot greet the opposition with hostility?

Likewise, whether Eddie Howe picks Aaron Ramsdale or Nick Pope, give that man your wholehearted support. Don’t be like the black-and-white clad supporter outside a pub in St John’s Wood a few hours before kick-off on March 16, who told me Pope was useless and far worse than Martin Dubravka. That verdict aged well, didn’t it!

One last thought: if the Mags are losing or struggling with 15 minutes left to play, please do not leave them in the lurch. Such times are when your support for the players becomes even more important than normal. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

This is how the Premier League form table looks on Monday morning.

Newcastle United now just over 15 weeks into their season.

A busy time with already 20 games played this season in all competitions.

A packed schedule with United playing every midweek as well as weekends, other than during the ‘breaks’ for internationals.

Now into December, it is Newcastle v Spurs on Wednesday, an 8.15pm kick-off.

Here is the updated Premier League form table on Monday 1 December 2025, which covers the past six matches for all teams:

The last six PL results for Newcastle United with very latest one listed first:

Everton 1 Newcastle 4

Newcastle 2 Man City 1

Brentford 3 Newcastle 1

West Ham 3 Newcastle 1

Newcastle 2 Fulham 1

Brighton 2 Newcastle 1

As you can see, Newcastle United are tenth in this newly updated Premier League form table.

In the Premier League form table over the last half dozen, NUFC with nine points from three wins, no draws and three defeats, with eleven goals scored and eleven conceded.

As for Newcastle’s opponents on Tuesday, these are the last six PL matches that Spurs have played, the very most recent listed first:

Spurs 1 Fulham 2

Arsenal 4 Spurs 1

Spurs 2 Man U 2

Spurs 0 Chelsea 1

Everton 0 Spurs 3

Spurs 1 Villa 3

So Spurs third bottom in the Premier League form table with four points from one win, one draw and four defeats, scoring eight and conceding twelve.

This is how the full Premier League table currently now looks on the morning of Saturday 29 November 2025:

As you can see, Everton and Newcastle separated by only one place in the full Premier League table and eight places in the Premier League form table.

If Eddie Howe’s side get the win on Tuesday, it would take Newcastle United above Spurs in the full table and potentially top eight.

It would also mean a seventh home win in a row for Newcastle, in all competitions, a run that includes a 2-0 win at SJP over Spurs in the Carabao Cup.

With these brilliant performances and wins over Man City and Everton, this week presents a huge chance for United to make rapid progress up the table.

Spurs on Tuesday and then Burnley on Saturday, the latter having lost their last four Premier League matches.

With the Premier League so tight at the moment, Newcastle United are thirteenth BUT only four points off top five.