I know it’s a dangerous game but this just feels right | OneFootball

I know it is a dangerous game where Newcastle United are concerned.

However, I just can’t help it.

After a perfect storm these past six months or so where everything has been made so difficult for Eddie Howe and his squad, it is beginning to feel, at least for me, like this storm has now finally blown itself out.

That all of the bad luck thrown at Newcastle United has now turned, with Eddie Howe leading us through much calmer waters, where the current is running with us, rather than permanently against us.

It isn’t that I am expecting an easy last month or so of this quite bizarre season, however, I do believe that many factors are coming together to help give a stunning end to the season.

In the 2022/23 season, Eddie Howe produced two remarkable nine match runs in the Premier League. One that began in October 2022 and produced eight wins and one draw, then another kicking off in March 2023 that gave NUFC eight wins and just one defeat.

Having started off with that amazing 4-3 win over West Ham at the end of March, Eddie Howe now has Newcastle United on a run of three wins and a draw in four Premier League matches, a return that has been achieved despite still an incredible number of missing players.

With the help of some of these factors I have detailed below, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Newcastle United can end the season with a run of ten unbeaten, including eight or even nine wins.

Yes, I honestly think Newcastle United can win these last six games of the season.

My gut feeling always was that if we could edge past Tottenham, this 11 day gap in between matches could be a game changer.

Well, Eddie Howe and his players definitely had the ‘edge’ over Tottenham and for sure, this 11 day period is feeling very positive.

Eddie Howe having revealed that he gave the players a few days off, however, Sky Sports showing us on Wednesday morning that they were back in training, getting ready for Palace next Wednesday.

Players returning

Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall were only able to make the bench for Tottenham, however, they will now be pushing for a first team place at Palace. Sky Sports revealed today that Callum Wilson is now back in training and looking good, very possible / likely he will be in that matchday squad as well. Eddie Howe said last Friday that Tottenham was a bit early for certain players to be returning but that as many as four were very close to returning from the treatment room. Even if that quartet was including Livramento and Wilson, we could be looking at another couple (or more?) also back for this late season push, with the likes of Trippier, Pope, Joelinton and Almiron coming to mind.

Bench power

Eddie Howe’s side totally outclassed Tottenham even without any real positive options available on the bench to make it like for like during the match.

Against Palace though, every chance I think that rather than goalkeepers, kids and veterans, we could be looking at a Newcastle United bench next Wednesday (and beyond), where Eddie Howe could have at least four or five, maybe more, players who he won’t hesitate to use during games, if he wants to make changes and fresh legs etc, able to do so without a serious drop in quality. Could be a game changer in any or all of these next six matches.

Palace 72 hours

Whilst Eddie Howe has been able to give his players a bit of time off AND have a full week to prepare for this next match, very different for Palace. Since NUFC hammered Tottenham, Palace play twice before facing Newcastle United. Pulling off that shock win at Anfield and then three days before playing Eddie Howe’s side, Palace forced to play on Sunday at home to West Ham, an untelevised game moved because the Hammers playing in Europe on Thursday.

I think a lovely combination coming together, Eddie Howe’s high press Mags fully rested and prepared and with extra bench power, up against a Palace side who are having to play Sunday, Wednesday and then another London ‘derby’ on Saturday at Fulham. You have to think the Palace boss will be using his squad and will surely see defeating a fatigued Hammers side after their European match, as more likely than winning against Eddie Howe’s fully rested side who are hitting form.

Crystal Palace

Whilst Palace pulled off a remarkable win at Anfield last weekend, it was totally out of step with the rest of their season. Credit to them for defeating Liverpool but it was a case of their keeper having the game of his life, the scousers wasting chance after chance, plus recently it is clear that Klopp’s team have dropped their levels by some distance.

Ahead of facing Liverpool, Palace had won one of their last nine Premier League matches and only three of their last twenty.

Palace have the odd dangerous player who can turn it on at times but personally, I think that if Newcastle reach the levels of energy and discipline they showed against Tottenham, create a similar number of great chances and finish a fair proportion of them, then there will be only one winner on Wednesday night.

Then Eddie Howe’s side face rock bottom Sheffield United at home, what an opportunity to finish this season in style.

Wednesday 24 April 2024 – Crystal Palace v Newcastle (8pm)

Saturday 27 April 2024 – Newcastle v Sheff Utd (3pm)

Saturday 4 May 2024 – Burnley v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 11 May 2024 – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)

Wednesday 15 May 2024 – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 19 May 2024 – Brentford v Newcastle (4pm)

(The final day of the season live TV matches will be selected closer to the day but all 10 PL games will be same time same day)

Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tottenham v Newcastle (at MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground)