game in the Premier League. Who would have said, Newcastle be
ahead of Chelsea heading into this game at this stage of
the Season, Newcastle, third absolutely flying. Nick Mandola
our resident. Newcastle fan, Chelsea and seventh place. I
mean, Nick, I'm going to come to you. Do you think they can
get over this slump right now? Because it's already a lot of
question marks around Graham Potter or is he the right man?
There's murmurings going on way too early for that, but you
know
how it goes especially at Chelsea and I think
historically, their fans are just program now on the Roman.
Eviction all those years and Decades of success,
whenever they lose the view games and they haven't lost
three games in a row in a very, very long time, in all
competitions. And that's what they go up to Newcastle having
done. So
it's weird for Chelsea. I think I've really strange situation
and have to have some patience, but Newcastle were not
the team. You want to be facing right now if you need a result.
So, magpies are flying what you're expecting? From this
one.
Listen, they're gonna stick with grand Potter. First of
all, you know, how much I'm almost as big kind of him as
I am a nuke. So,
but
they made so many changes at Chelsea, this summer so many
changes and it was already weird that they got rid of
Thomas took. Although I think we understand why if
some of the stories that have come out since then
I have to look at this and think that
there's a long-term plan in place and if not then I'm very
concerned as a Chelsea fan
very concerned about the direction of my club. If it's
not going as well under Potter,
the
the idea of quick changes and big dramatic changes at Chelsea
and the fact that we got used to that under previous
ownership is one thing to have that happen under a new one.
Let's not get caught up in the same exact saying, oh, it's
just more of the same. No, it's a different Administration
doing it, and they already made a huge change in firing
a Champions League winning coach.
The one thing I think
that New Castle has going for itself besides form,
is that so many of their players from a previous regime.
And in this case, we're talking about ownership.
The guys that were purchased
under a previous owner are coming. Good and looking better
under Eddie Howe. So as much as I love to talk to you about
spend Boatman, who has been fantastic? Bruno who's been
fantastic? And we haven't seen Alexander Isaac through injury.
There are guys who just look incredible, Joe Willock, Miguel
almaguer on.
She's who am I missing here of Fabian Char is the one I wanted
to point out the three players who have looked so, so so good.
And the only change for them, besides, obviously, The
Supporting Cast around them,
is their coach. And I think Eddie how right now is further
along in his project that Grandpa is and that's what
gives me hope. Put the rosters up next to each other and
I would tell you, I expect Chelsea to win but there is
an understanding
of Newcastle right now.
And I think the key to understanding that Nick is just
mention is defensively. They look so solid Newcastle. And
then when they all get in chances, a clinically sore
against Southampton lost weekend. Full shots, four goals
boo.
Not even playing at their best right now. Eddie Howe said
after that game, but they have to be, we have to be really
happy with scoring four goals and winning games in
the Premier League. And we're not even reaching the high levels
that we set for ourselves this season. But,
you know, this is
I think a massive game for Chelsea ahead of the break and
for Potter, I'm not saying he's under pressure or whatever. But
to go into a World Cup break after beating a team in the top
four, that's flying and get closer to the top for yourself
after a few wobbles in recent weeks
that would be huge for Chelsea, wouldn't it?
It would, especially with the injuries that they've got right
now starting and it Fielder been out for weeks or a couple
months starting previously, backup, goalkeeper became
starting, goalkeeper
played really well.
Also out starting / backup, left back, starting center back
starting right back. These are very very key positions and all
kind of in a unit together where they give Chelsea
defensive solidity. And that's been one of the things that
over the last couple Seasons, at least one article
always gave them a shot and everything.
Cool game. If they were not creating chances, if they
weren't putting chances away, you knew the other team was
rarely, rarely going to score more than one goal. And so you
were always going to have a chance to get a result. I don't
think Chelsea has that right now. I obviously the squad
is a little bit unbalanced for all the reasons that Nick
mentioned, the amount of change over that happened in
the summer.
I do think that is going to lag behind a little bit. Maybe they
jump on things and they get really busy in January, due to
one, the injuries to the World Cup happening and three seeing
just how open kind of the top four is in the The Premier
League this season with Newcastle
kind of pushing in there and trying to make their way into
the conversation. So this is a fascinating matchup going into
the weekend. Because I don't think it says, at least with
the players are going to be available to play this weekend,
it, the the gulf and class is not quite as wide as you might
look on paper and say, out, Chelsea, New Castle. I know
they got money, but they've not spent
as much of it as Chelsea has, so this still should be
Chelsea. I don't, I don't totally agree with that. Yeah,
the injury is a key for Chelsea, and I just kind of
balances it back that they They are a top full team when you
look at everyone being fit but just brings all these other
teams into the mix once they have a few big injuries
and they've been unlucky with that
trying to find their feet. Philosophy identity, trying all
kinds of pliers and going forward. That's been
the biggest disappointment. I think for Chelsea and very similar
issues that grandpa had
at Brighton, right? And that was just one of the
factors that you thought maybe
would be difficult from the solvent, Chelsea, given Thomas
to crew struggles as well. Nick School prediction coming to you
my friend.
11. This is crazy for me to say, after years of going, 34
games without a goal, I can't see a Newcastle game happening
without the magpie scoring so 11. Yeah, I'm coming with you.
I'm going 11 as well Andy, what you call
three to Newcastle
goals Galore. All right
that'll be a cracker ass in James's Park. Okay. Head of
the PST for the latest on Newcastle against Chelsea, how to watch
information preview. Team news will have you covered massive
game between
Wean the current top 14, Newcastle against top for
hopefuls Chelsea by see how it goes. But this is a big game
for Eddie Howe and Grandpa
and their rebuilds of those clubs and their projects. And
yeah, really intriguing game tactically, especially with
the pliers out for Chelsea, this weekend.