This weekend, the Eagles head up to the North East to take on Newcastle at St James’s Park. Ahead of the game, I caught up with lifelong Toon fan Alan Bush to get an inside line on how the Magpies are feeling.
TEB – So Alan, a great start to the season? How are Newcastle fans feeling?
AB – Generally the fan base are feeling pretty happy. We had a bit of a tricky start in terms of fixtures and there have definitely been moments, specifically the Liverpool game where we have felt very low. Since then, and even after the Brighton defeat, I think we are feeling positive about the season especially because of the Champions League.
TEB – What about the ambition for the season, is it all about Europe?
AB – No one expected us to be in the Champions League already let alone having nights like PSG at home. Now we are here, of course we want to stay. You’ve got to dream! There is a still a bit of me that can’t relax until we’ve got to 40 points though.
TEB – Who’s been your player of your season so far?
AB – Kieran Trippier is the one, but shout outs to Isak and Longstaff. All three have been excellent.
TEB – How big of an issue is Sandro Tonali?
AB – It’s a tough one. On a few different levels. First you have to think about him as an individual, he’s a young man who’s only just arrived in England. As a fanbase we need to put our arms round him a little bit. Yes, there has been a level of stupidity but addiction over powers everything, I think we know that.
Secondly, you have to look at the wider set up. How far gambling infuses football and how these young men, who have crazy amounts of money and perhaps too much freedom and not enough support or guidance.
Then there is the playing side, I think he’ll be a miss, he’d only just started to get going and you can tell what a good player he is. Lastly, I think our backroom team will be a bit disappointed as they hope to pick these things up as they take a holistic approach to scouting.
TEB – Who are your pantomime villains at the moment?
AB – Hmmm… Without Sunderland or Middlesbrough in the Premier League, I have to think a bit harder… Maybe Palace?? No, but seriously, Klopp is a bit of a pantomime villain, isn’t he?
TEB – If you had a magic wand, which Palace player would you have in squad?
AB – Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise are quality but Joachim Anderson would be really special in our squad.
TEB – That will be £200million please!
TEB – Cheers Alan! Lastly, what’s your prediction for the game?
AB – A tight, 2-1 win to the Magpies.
TEB – Anything else?
AB – Just to mention I watched the Sheffield United v Newcastle United game in Brighton (of all places!) and was taking stick from locals for celebrating the (8!) goals a bit too much. So, in return, obviously I started giving it loud and proud ‘EAGLES!’ – thought you might enjoy that!
TEB – We do Alan, very much!
If you want to hear a bit more from Alan, or about the work he does with Kick it Out, you can find him here.
