Don Goodman has been talking about Newcastle United.
This comes as Eddie Howe’s side prepare for their final game before Christmas.
The former Sunderland striker giving his thoughts on Newcastle ahead of their Premier League game with Ipswich.
The Don Goodman verdict is that Newcastle United ‘are a very capable team but you just don’t know what you’re going to get from them.’
Don Goodman talking ahead of Newcastle United taking on Ipswich:
“It really depends on what type of Newcastle United team are going to show up.
“They blasted Leicester City away at the weekend but were humbled by Brentford in the game previously.
“They also drew against Liverpool and Crystal Palace recently.
“They are a very capable team but you just don’t know what you’re going to get from them.
“Ipswich meanwhile, have fight and tenacity and rarely find themselves out of games.
“It won’t be easy for Newcastle United.
“Due to Newcastle’s unpredictability, I think Ipswich will come away with a point.”
When it comes to ‘unpredictability’, surely you could say that about pretty much any Premier League team this season, other than Liverpool. The only club to show any real consistency.
For example, in their last eleven domestic matches, Chelsea have a record of won six, drawn three and lost two.
Whilst in their last nine domestic matches, Newcastle have a record of won five, drawn two and lost two.
The Newcastle United lack of consistency debate has been way over the top and the reality is that when playing against other Premier League clubs, there are such fine margins at play, however well (or not) the team is doing that you’re playing next.
Ipswich win away at both Wolves and Tottenham, yet haven’t won a single home match (so far!). Tottenham lose at home to Ipswich and away at Palace and Bournemouth, yet win 4-0 at Man City and 3-0 at Man U.
Newcastle United have won ten and lost five matches this season in domestic competitions, only Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have a better record.
If Ipswich can win away at Tottenham, then potentially they are well capable of beating Newcastle at home.
The Newcastle United team have to simply make sure that isn’t how it turns out. They know that if they reproduce the levels shown recently against Liverpool, Leicester and Brentford (cup!) then they SHOULD win.
Newcastle United upcoming matches:
Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)
Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon
Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Week commencing Monday 6 January – Arsenal v Newcastle TBC
Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)
Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)
Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)
Week commencing Monday 3 February – Newcastle v Arsenal TBC
Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)
Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports