This season was never going to be easy and there is still going to be work done in the transfer market, but the current squad need to up their game and pick up the three points on Wednesday. Reading will be the visitors and they have had a mixed start to the season under new manager Jaap Stam. It was an interesting appointment as the Dutchman hasn't got any real experience as a number one.
They won their first match under Stam, but they struggled away to Wolves and couldn't match the intensity that they showed in the first match. He had been coaching in the Ajax youth set-up previously, therefore it would be expected that he would try to play an entertaining brand of football at Reading. It was a risky move from Reading, but it could prove to be a masterstroke after time. Let's just hope they struggle tonight and we get our first win on the board.
St James' Park is heading towards another sellout, which is incredible for a night game in the Championship. The support has been great so far this season and there hasn't been panicking after the opening two defeats. In the past, under Steve McClaren and Alan Pardew, we as a fanbase were never fully on board, but that has changed under Rafa Benitez and there is still lots of positivity, despite the results. However, another defeat tonight and that could be tested. You can't win a title in August, but you can certainly lose one and we can't afford any more defeats.
Benitez has remained confident throughout and that is reassuring as you have to believe that he is correcting things behind the scenes. He hasn't tried to pull the wool over our eyes like his predecessors and that is refreshing. The performances haven't been good enough and he has admitted that. It is great to finally have a manager who speaks the truth, rather than attempt to cover themselves. It is still early in our season, but we need to stick together. We have the right manager and things will get a lot better soon.
Team News
Newcastle United:
Predicted lineup:
Newcastle Utd:
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size=150]A word from the gaffers:[/size]
Rafa Benítez wrote:It has been a really bad start in terms of results, but at the end of the season we will be fine and where we want to be.
"This is just the start. We have to fix things, but I am confident we can do well. We have had chances we did not take. We have made mistakes at the other end. We can be better in defence, the middle and attack.
Referee:Jaap Stam wrote:Everybody is expecting a lot from Newcastle this season and there's a lot of pressure on teams like them in the Championship this season.
"Team who play them can play freely, but while they're having a difficult time, they'll want to win the next game. We need to be prepared for that, but we'll be looking to get a similar kind of result that others have so far.
Prediction:
I'm not confident. Our team still lacks in certain areas and we struggle to break sides down. Reading will try to play the same game as Huddersfield did on Saturday and we have yet to show that we can deal with that. I don't think we will lose, but I don't think we will win either. A boring 0-0 and the optimism will drop a notch once more. The opening two months are going to be frustrating and I just hope we don't fall too far behind before we manage to get things right.
Coverage:
UK TV:
No UK TV coverage.
Overseas TV:
No overseas TV coverage.
UK Radio:
No national radio coverage.
Local Radio:
BBC Newcastle (Locals can tune in on their radio. Those outside the region can listen via this link http://tunein.com/radio/BBC-Newcastle-954-s18219/)