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3 months ago
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Paul Merson has been discussing Newcastle United and the current situation at St James’ Park.
The former Arenal player speaking, with now approaching the twenty thirtieth NUFC Premier League match of the season.
Eddie Howe and his players having played forty two matches in total already, in all competitions.
Paul Merson discussing the possibilities ahead of Newcastle United playing at home to Everton.
Paul Merson talking to Sportskeeda ahead of Newcastle v Everton:
“Newcastle came back from 3-1 down last week to secure a 4-3 victory [over West Ham].
“Everton seemed like they would knick a point against Bournemouth but they scored an own goal with only a minute left on the clock.
“Everton could be all right this season.
“Newcastle are going to be good to watch from now on.
“They’re not getting into the top four this season, and they’ll need their fans to stay happy.
“They’re going to bombard teams and play entertaining football, and we’ll see more Newcastle games like the one against West Ham.
“Anthony Gordon’s done really well for Newcastle. I didn’t really see it working out at the start, to be honest, but he’s been very good – fair play to Eddie Howe for his vision. Gordon might not make it to the Euros, but he’s not far off from being an England regular.
“Newcastle will have a go in their last eight games, and these matches should be enjoyable
“I’m backing Newcastle to secure a comfortable win this week.
“Prediction: Newcastle United 3 Everton 1”
So is Paul Merson on the money here?
Well, all a bit chaotic from him this time… but hopefully at least his score prediction will prove on the money.
No idea at all what the rambling Anthony Gordon bit is all about, especially as he doesn’t even mention the only relevant Gordon thing with regard to this Everton match, that being he’s suspended for tonight. Compared to the rest of the chaos from Paul Merson, the fact that it is nine and not eight NUFC matches remaining, is small beer.
As for Everton looking ‘all right’ this season, I’m not sure many of their fans would agree. There looks every possibility they could end up bankrupt with debts spiralling (latest shocking accounts released on Sunday) and on the pitch, it is over three and a half months since their last Premier League win and they are only three points above the drop, with another points deduction looking all but certain with a second alleged breach of PSR, this for the three months up to and including the 2022/23 accounts.
On the pitch, Sean Dyche has tried to bore the opposition into submission, their Premier League matches have only featured 71 goals, scoring 30 (Sheffield United the only PL club to score less) and conceding 41. Man U are the PL fanbase to see the next lowest total of goals this season, with 40 scored and 40 conceded, 80 goals in total in their matches.
Newcastle United right at the other end of the spectrum, 63 scored (only Liverpool and Arsenal have scored more) and 53 conceded, 114 goals in total in the 29 NUFC PL matches, at an average of 3.93 goals per game. This compares to only 2.44 goals per game average in the 29 Everton PL matches.
So what happens when most entertaining meets most boring tonight?
Well, with 37 goals in the last seven Newcastle matches (scored 19 and conceded 18), fair to say things aren’t slowing down when it comes to goals in NUFC matches. Those seven games averaging 5.28 goals per match.
The big story of course with goals in Newcastle matches, is that the first 14 PL games of the season with Nick Pope starting, NUFC scored 32 goals and conceded 14. Then since he got injured at the start of December it is 31 goals scored in the next 15 matches BUT 37 conceded.
Everything points to an ever worsening injury list then becoming all but impossible with Nick Pope’s absence tipping NUFC over the edge when it comes down to keeping the goals conceded down, never mind keeping clean sheets.
As you all know, this weekend seeing yet more injury problems for Eddie Howe, the ongoing tale of our season.
With no wins and only five points from a possible 36 since 16 December 2023, Everton are clearly a very poor team.
The big question is of course, just what kind of team Eddie Howe will be able to put out tonight? Will some of Saturday’s injuries prove only minor and are players such as Trippier and Targett set to return? Plus of course, we definitely need the likes of Isak and Bruno on the pitch as arguably our very best two players.
A half decent looking NUFC side and we can be very confident I think, we just have to hope that injuries won’t tip us over the edge again and give Everton an undeserved lifeline.

 
