Harry Redknapp has been talking about Newcastle United.
The former Spurs and West Ham manager, discussing NUFC as we are now into late February and heading towards the business end of things.
Newcastle United still active on three fronts.
Indeed, Eddie Howe and his players winning on all three fronts in the space of a week, all away from home!
The latest of those of course was the superb 6-1 Champions League demolition of Qarabag, Harry Redknapp declaring: “What a fantastic night that was for Newcastle United in Baku and what a fantastic night for Gordon! I don’t care who you’re playing, to score four in a Champions League game is some achievement!”
A lot of people in the media have been desperate to downplay this brilliant win, ‘forgetting’ to mention that Chelsea were lucky to get a 2-2 draw in Azerbaijan three months earlier, plus the fact that Qarabag won away against Benfica, plus defeated FC Copenhagen and Eintracht Frankfurt at home.
Looking ahead at tonight’s match, Harry Redknapp giving his verdict to BetVictor: “Newcastle United obviously have that long, long trip back from Azerbaijan. I have to pick Man City here.”
It is no shock if anybody is predicting a Man City win, considering they have had a free week to prepare, whilst Newcastle United got back on Thursday morning from Azerbaijan after a lengthy flight. Plus of course the small matter of United’s record at the Etihad.
Harry Redknapp adding: “It’s been a brilliant week or so for Man City, just how big could that win at Anfield be by the end of the season? With Arsenal playing Spurs the following day, this is another chance to apply some pressure on them.”
Yes, Arsenal’s collapse is amusing to see, only two wins in their last seven Premier League matches now, with Man City guaranteed to win the title if victorious in their final 12 PL matches.
I am quite enjoying the fact that tonight is a bit of a no pressure one for Newcastle United, in terms of pretty much everyone simply expecting Man City to win.
With Sven Botman expected to return to the matchday squad and Joelinton getting some minutes off the bench on Wednesday, Eddie Howe getting some extra help in sharing the load. With Yoane Wissa potentially back on Tuesday, then Lewis Miley and Tino Livramento also expected back in early March, things hopefully looking up on the availability front.
Anything other than a defeat would obviously be great tonight. I don’t think it is impossible that United could pick up a point tonight, we are due a bit of luck against Man City as well.