Manchester City, Premiership
17.30, Saturday 22/11/25
St James’ Park
Live on SKYSPORTS
What a strange feeling. I was actually happy there was (yet) another international break. I mean, I didn’t watch much of the football, just clips of the goals and mayhem from Dublin and Glasgow. I was busy buying a Labrador puppy for our family, so became much more engrossed in that, and was simply happy that I didn’t have to suffer the stress of watching Newcastle United for a week or so. Let me tell you, I haven’t felt like that for a few years.
You may see this as an overeaction. Fairs. I’m however just telling you the truth of it.
This season has seen some half decent performances in the Cup competitions, but in the Premiership it’s largely been a different story. Our handful of League wins have generally been laboured and some of the defeats have come with a large side helping of alarm bells.
I’ll admit to thinking we’d possibly turned a corner prior to my last preview. I was buoyed by Eddie’s use of his squad to successfully negotiate three games across eight days. However, more recently our last two ‘efforts’ in both the East and West sides of London have invoked a palpable sense of unease.
Our manager appears to have a problem in resting certain ‘mainstay’ players. Be they not fully fit, or woefully out of form he continually turns to the likes of a labouring Joelinton, our suddenly timid looking papal custodian, England’s Anthony Gordon, and Dan Burn at left back.
The last of these is of course not eligible for Saturday evening’s fixture following a completely nonsensical dismissal at the London Stadium. The world and his wife knew we’d got away with one for the first VAR penalty. Our makeshift, towering full back was already cautioned and being continually targeted by the Bees. It was only a matter of time, and everyone saw this but the manager. Again, another massive warning klaxon.
Let’s have it right. We’ve been in similar slumps in previous seasons. I recall a timid display around a year ago at Brentford. We got pumped 4-2 and looked all over the shop. Mr Howe has form in turning such situations around, so there’s no ‘knee jerk’ here. I must admit, as I sit here today though, with one eye on the fixture list, I’m hoping more than expecting him to find answers to get away from the shitty end of the table any time soon.
Anyway, what better place to start than against a Manchester City side who have begun to hit their straps and a fucking massive, perma-scoring Nordic cyborg up top. Mint.
I have to be honest, I don’t mind City. I really like Pep. And having had to put up with generations of Cockney/Irish/Scando ‘Mancs’ during Sir Puce Sneck’s victorious tenure, I still enjoy seeing them eat humble pie off their ‘Noisy Neighbours.’
Their form coming into this one is a little ominous. Most recently they’ve turned over Bournemouth (3-1) and Liverpool (3-0) at the Etihad, though it’s true to say they’re definitely stronger at home – witness a 0-1 reverse at Villa Park for example. They sit second in the ‘form’ table,’ with 5 victories in six, scoring fourteen and conceding just three.
If there’s a crumb of comfort, Newcastle usually turn up for the big fixtures at St James’. Probably the best we’ve played this season was early on v the Mersey Reds. We stuck it to the Champions throughout, with a man less for over an hour, and even managed to equalise with only eight outfield players on the pitch (Sandro was on the sidelines receiving treatment when Osula headed home.) That they notched a winner close to midnight was more down to bad luck and cartel extra minutes than anything else. A vainglorious effort, but one that at least stirred the blood.
So, Saturday. Will Mr Howe make a few needed alterations, or stick to his usual script? Is there the possibility of a back five? You’d imagine a ‘nearing fitness’ Lewis Hall will slot in at left back, and this is a decent shot in the arm. There’s talk of AG making the starting line up, and (daft reds permitting) he tends to revel in the bigger occasion.
Whoever he goes with, they absolutely have to sort out the service to Nick Woltemade. I noticed that he scored a few poacher’s finishes for Germany over the past week. Add pace around him, give him the ball in the right areas and he’ll score.
St James’ will under the lights will be full of beer and righteous indignation. This can be a tricky scenario for any away team. I believe we’ll give a much better account of ourselves, but a point is (possibly?) the best we can realistically hope for. The big problem is the aforementioned Haaland. He looks unplayable at present. I think he’ll score, and I think they’ll beat us by the odd goal in three.
Let’s hope I’m wrong. Again.
Into them, United.
Nick Clark
X : @Clark5Nick
Bluesky : @njc1892.bsky.social
