Newcastle visit the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday to face Brentford in a Premier League matchup with both teams boasting 20 points through the first 14 games of the season.
Sitting in mid-table, Eddie Howe’s boys will be looking to win a game once and for all after failing to do so in their last three matches (one loss, two back-to-back draws), including midweek's ridiculous 3-3 draw against Liverpool, where Fabian Schar’s late equalizer salvaged a point for the Magpies.
Brentford, meanwhile, return home after a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa, aiming to maintain their status as the Premier League’s best home side. Thomas Frank’s squad has taken 19 points of their 20 at the Gtech this season, scoring at least three goals in each of their last four home matches, but playing incredibly awful football on the road.
Newcastle have a strong record against Brentford, winning five of their six Premier League meetings, including a 4-2 victory as visitors last season.
Alexander Isak, fresh from completing 90 minutes against Liverpool, is expected to lead the line again in a game that will more probably than not feature loads of goals.
No, NUFC is not known for their goalscoring prowess, but Brentford has scored 27 while allowing 26. Expect to watch a bunch of replays.
Here are some of Howe’s Wisdom Nuggets, courtesy of NUFC.co.uk
On a swift return to action:
“It’s one of the challenges we face going into this game. The players would have felt the high of the Liverpool game and there’s always a comedown like that after any game.
“Our challenge this weekend is to find a way to hit the same levels of intensity and mental quality that we showed on Wednesday. There were some tired bodies in the team after the game, with Sandro (Tonali) getting cramp with ten or 15 minutes to go.
“Anthony (Gordon) was fatigued at the end of his performance which was very good and Alex (Isak) worked extremely hard and was tired. Our job is refuel, regroup and go again for what is another great opportunity.”
On creating the right mindset:
“Attitude is everything to any team and against Liverpool you saw the correct attitude and mental preparation from the players. There was really good energy and bite in midfield, with desire to win the ball and winning our duels.
“Athletically, we looked good against a top team, especially in the first-half.”
On Schär, who netted an impressive equaliser in Wednesday’s 3-3 draw against Liverpool:
“Fabian has got those midfield qualities at centre-back. He has got that creative eye that has been so important in our build-up phases.
“Everyone attacks, has a responsibility to attack and Fabian really carries that burden and how he distributes the ball. He used the ball well against Liverpool, both long and short.
“His goal is rounding everything up and it’s a great example of him. How he scored from that angle is beyond me but he has that technical ability to adapt and he’s scored some wonderful goals for us.”
On the trip to Brentford, who are currently unbeaten on home soil this season as well as netting 26 times in nine competitive matches:
“Whenever you go away from home, the intention that you set in the game is key and the early exchanges give you a lot of clues to how the game is going to go.
“We need to start well and we’re well aware that Brentford score a lot of early goals. We need to find a way to win, this is a massive one for us.
“I am very positive about what we can deliver. It is a tough assignment at Brentford as they have been in good form.”
On Wednesday’s midfield three, which saw Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton and Tonali all start against the Reds:
“I thought the midfield three worked very well and I thought they had to in that game. I thought we were very good in that department, especially in the first 45 minutes, and their positioning on the pitch was really good.
“There was a lot of fluid movements and rotations but, still, the structure was what I wanted it to be. Bruno ends up creating one goal from the number six position and one slightly higher up, which is great to see. We want to be a progressive team.”
On Sven Botman’s progress from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in March:
“He is doing well. The initial moments in training were passive and making sure he didn’t do too many drills but now he is fully training, playing a couple of 11v11s.
“He is still a a few weeks off from playing competitively but he looks and feels good. It’s all about rhythm for Sven now and getting those game dynamics and the pitch geography back, things he would normally do on auto-pilot.
“He needs to rediscover how to do it but it’s been a big boost to have him training. He is a big guy, a big presence and we have missed him.”
Howay!
Date: Saturday, Dec. 7th
Kick-off: 15:00 BST / 10:00 EST
Location: Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford (England)
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