Bournemouth will look to maintain their strong early-season form when they host Newcastle United on Sunday. The Cherries sit fourth in the table after three wins from four, while Eddie Howe’s Magpies are still searching for consistency.
Andoni Iraola’s team has responded superbly since their opening defeat at still-undefeated Liverpool, beating Wolves, Tottenham, and Brighton in successive games. Their record against Newcastle should also give them confidence, with five unbeaten meetings including
a 4-1 win at St James’ Park last season.
Newcastle’s season has yet to click into gear. After a run of draws and defeats, Nick Woltemade’s debut goal brought victory over Wolves, but a 2-1 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League stopped momentum building.
Howe’s side have struggled for goals in the league, mostly because of Anthony Gordon’s absences due to suspension, and new signing Yoane Wissa and midfielder Jacob Ramsey being injured and sidelined to start the season.
Kieran Trippier and Fabian Schar are now fitness doubts after the UCL clash left them banged up, leaving Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, and Malick Thiaw in contention for defensive starts.
Let’s hope for Howe’s first victory against his former club since leaving AFCB on his way to Newcastle!
Here are some of Howe’s Wisdom Nuggets, courtesy of NUFC.co.uk
On the task of managing back-to-back Champions League and Premier League fixtures, after a season away from European competition…
“The process is the same really. I don’t know if there are any massive learnings to take from that. Of course I think the biggest thing is I think it’s a psychological issue rather than a physical issue. It’s the big high of (the Barcelona game) – a big experience for the players, another big, emotional game – then the big comedown, then you’ve got to go to Bournemouth, which is a really tough away game, even with a week to prepare.
“I think that’s the challenge we face, and every European team goes through the same experiences, and that’s why these campaigns are more difficult in the Premier League for us. This will be the first test of that this season, and hopefully we can rise to it.”
On Yoane Wissa’s fitness…
“It is impactful. Of course everyone wanted Yoane to be fit. There’s nothing personally I would have done different – we did everything we did as a football club to try and look after Yoane. But it’s like with any footballer – when they go away on international duty, you’re not in control of the minutes they play, and unfortunately he got injured.
“Now we just have to deal the best we can with that situation. We think he’ll be out until the next international break. He’s got a race on to be fit for that Brighton game. Hopefully he can make it, and then of course he’ll be such an important player for us.”
On Nick Woltemade’s start to life on Tyneside…
“We’re going to have to look after Nick, as I said, and it’s hard enough for him to come into a new league – you can see the physical effects he felt (against) Wolves – and the quick turnaround in games here.
“There’s no guarantee, even by managing him, that he’s going to stay fit and play all the games, but we’re going to try and give him the best chance to stay fit, and also acclimatise to the league he’s in.
“But he’s made a very good start – I thought he did well when he came on (against Barcelona), and he was involved in the goal. Hopefully he’ll be in a good place.”
On Anthony Elanga…
“I thought he did well. He was an absolute threat in the game. He’s put in a lovely cross for Anthony Gordon to have that chance early in the game. I think you could see his strengths – his pace, his direct running. I thought defensively and off the ball he was fine, and he’s acclimatising to that role that we ask him to do, so I’m very pleased with him.
“I think he’s going to be a very, very useful player for us this season, and certainly I think he’s made an impressive start and there’s a lot more to come.”
Howay!
- Date: Sunday, September 21st
- Kick-off: 14:00 BST / 9:00 EST
- Location: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth (England)
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