TF Preview - Bournemouth (h)

Saturday 18 January

AFC Bournemouth, Premiership

12.30PM KO, Saturday 18th January 2025

St James’ Park, ‘Live’ on TNT Sports

NUFC 4th. P21 W11 D5 L5 GD+15 38 Pts

AFCB 8th. P21 W9 D7 L5 GD+7 34 Pts

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I was trying to get to sleep last night, but NUFC giddiness was getting in the way. These are some amazing days we are living through; and as I sit here writing the day after Wolves at home, we are 4th top of the Premiership, have one foot at Wembley in the Carabao Cup and a not unkind draw to (hopefully) see us through to the last 32 in the FA Cup.

Nine games unbeaten, especially when you’ve had to visit Man U, Spurs and Arsenal would be some achievement. However, to actually emerge from this run completely victorious with a goal differential of +23 is entering fantasy territory. As fans, we can revel in it and start to dream. Our manager, we know will not be interested in such frivolous emotion. He’ll be firmly locked on to the next task in hand. And that is the imminent arrival of his exes, AFC Bournemouth.

Whilst footballing behemoths such as Leeds United and Sunderland (snigger) queue up to become next year’s version of Southampton, this Saturday’s visitors are part of a group of smaller, previously unheralded clubs who have (against many odds) made the Premiership their comfortable home.

The B’s of Brighton, Bournemouth & Brentford have trail-blazed a new way to becoming top flight mainstays. You basically hang around the bottom of the Prem for a few seasons like an unflushable turd, then get a hipster unknown foreign manager who has the look of a trendy geography teacher. During this crucial period you unearth talent from all over the world that nobody apart from online ‘Football Manager’ nerds have ever heard of, and Hey Presto you’re in the top half, hunting down European slots.

This weekend’s visitors are possibly only still in existence due to the unassuming fellow in the home dugout. It appears though, these days they have a new potential messiah. Andoni Iraola arrived on the South coast in the summer of 2023, and it’s fair to say he’s been a hit at the Cherries. He favours a high intensity approach with quick wide men, a high pressing midfield and a defensive midfielder who will often sit to protect the defence centrally.

The Basque coach has been particularly successful in the market, with promising signings such as left winger, Sinisterra and Brazilian centre forward, Evanilson. It’s however a player he inherited who looks the current jewel in their crown. Antoine Semenyo has been superb for them this season. Brought in from Bristol City, he’s exactly the type of player I’m hoping that Paul Mitchell brings in for Newcastle. Modern football seems to dictate that everyone now plays with just one out and out striker; a forward such as this lad is worth his weight in gold, as he can play as a 9, behind a front man or out wide. If you haven’t seen it, check out his finish at Stamford Bridge earlier this week.

As I touched upon earlier, the Mags will kick off on Saturday in the form of our lives. There are a number of reasons for this, but I’m going to dwell upon my major one. Quite simply, it’s Sandro Tonali. I’m a big fan of Mac Allister at Liverpool. Sandro plays a similar role, but I think he’s even better, and I consider this to be high praise.

The Milanese maestro is a master of many midfield disciplines. I believe that historically, Newcastle have had a big problem with ball retention in the middle of the park. Sandro goes a long way in remedying this issue. His positional sense is sensational, and his movement key. He both acts as an extra shield for those behind him and is excellent at moving the ball both quickly and accurately in attack. I’ve been perennially convinced that we’ll never win anything. With this lad in our midfield, even I’m beginning to fancy our chances.

So, onto Saturday. I reckon this is an intriguing fixture. A proper ‘6 pointer.’ Whilst we looked comfortable for long stretches of Wednesday night, some sloppiness crept in and Wolves really should’ve notched more than once. I don’t think Bournemouth would have passed up such opportunities. They’re a team that plays with no fear, and have some serious threat.

I also felt that part of our ‘drop off’ on Wednesday was simply game management; conserving ourselves for the trickier fixture at the weekend. Matches with this opposition at St James’ have been tight over recent seasons. I fancy this one will be too. I also think we’ll have a little too much for them and will win by the odd goal of three. Alex, with his 9th in a row? It’s got to be in the post.

A top 4 Toon at home and day on the hoy. Mintness…..

Nick Clark

X : @Clark5Nick

Bluesky : @njc1892.bsky.social

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