Steve McClaren talked on nufcTV immediately after the game yesterday and was asked about the status of goalkeeper Rob Elliot who made two excellent saves for us yesterday.
Rob had a thigh problem but was given a fitness test before the game and he told McClaren he could play and he did well – until thigh went mid-way through the second half.
Freddie Woodman – could make debut this Saturday
There was some talk of a shoulder problem after the game, but McClaren didn’t mention that – so we assume it’s the thigh that keeps causing him problems.
That’s the one that went last year in the home game against Chelsea when Jak Alnwick had to come in at half-time.
McClaren said he admired the spirit of Rob and complemented the goalkeeper for his willingness to play yesterday.
McClaren was asked whether the thigh problem would be cleared up for next Saturday’s game at Bournemouth and he said it wouldn’t be.
That’s twice in the last year when Tim Krul ahs been out injured that Rob’s come in but has been able to play only a few games before he injured that thigh of his.
Newcastle now qualify to bring in a goalkeeper on an emergency loan deal but we don’t think Steve McClaren will do that.
The head coach was then asked what he will do and whether 18 year-old Freddie Woodman would get a start and this is how Steve answered that question:
“If called upon, we will soon find out.” “You never know until you throw them in, that’s with any player.”
“We said that about Kevin Mbabu and he came in and done the job.” “Freddie might have to.”
“We don’t think Rob will be fit.” “He winced in the middle of the second half.” “It is an ongoing problem.” “We will assess it.”
Freddie is one of our top young up-and-coming players and he is very highly regarded at Newcastle.
If his displays on the American tour are anything to go but we should have no worries but it’s always a risk when you blood a young player.
But Freddie seems to have an excellent temperament and he will have been buoyed by his good displays on loan at Crawley Town earlier this season until he was recalled after Tim picked up his serious knee injury.
Karl Darlow is a week or two away from being fit so maybe the one who is the fitter between Karl or Rob could be on the bench at Bournemouth – just in case Freddie is injured?
We do have a two week International break after next Saturday’s game so Karl and Rob will have a bit of time to get fully fit.
It looks to us like Freddie will be prepared for the game at Bournemouth on Saturday and will start.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
52 comments so far
will die for the toon army
Nov 1, 2015 at 4:00 PM
Comment #41Big AL is a funny bloke.
Bobbybee
Nov 1, 2015 at 4:03 PM
Comment #42Well, I have to say I enjoyed that immensely. 6-2 and they were lucky.
Shadow, I’ll tell you exactly when Sham will get the sack – put your house on it – it’ll be two weeks before they come to SJP. It’s become so regular, I doubt you’d get even money though. Beating us is so important to them they do it season in season out now, relying on the honeymoon period to help them through. We’ll be ready though this time, our team will have a scorer by then and i seriously expect us to humiliate them on the scale of the 5-1 thrashing. Just a thought, but if we brought Arma back by then, those balls Everton played are the balls he thrives on. Into space behind the defenders, where his pace and finishing do the rest. Funny situation. I want him back purely for his finishing power which is phenomenal, but I want him to complete his education in lower leagues. If we fail to buy a striker in January, then he has to come back. He’s halfway to the 20 i predicted he’d score by january. No idea why i didn’t bet on that one. 😉
Thump
Nov 1, 2015 at 4:03 PM
Comment #43@Fostino: We played alright. Stoke kicked off first and Mitrovic immediately took charge, got the ball and ran straight into their final third. A bit sloppy from both sides in the first half. Wijnaldum’s first touch wasn’t the best and a lot of the turnovers in posession came from him kicking the ball 5 yards into space ahead of him and trying to run after it. In the 2nd half we started trying to play a little less direct and started passing around the area, Stoke came close to scoring a few times but I don’t think there were ever any real close cut chances, with most going straight down Elliot’s throat.
That said, it was Newcastle United vs. Jack Butland for the most part. Kid was unplayable yesterday.
Mitrovic showed a bit of his red mist as well, with both CBs (and then he had a bit of a flop which he was rightly booked for).
Bobbybee
Nov 1, 2015 at 4:04 PM
Comment #44Back to the next game for now – suss out Bournemouth’s weaknesses.
welshgeordie9
Nov 1, 2015 at 4:06 PM
Comment #45If that’s a dig, do me a favour and piss off there’s a good girl.
Fostino
Nov 1, 2015 at 4:06 PM
Comment #46Thanks thump.
Considering we were the home team. A big disappointment.
will die for the toon army
Nov 1, 2015 at 4:07 PM
Comment #47We have been crap for a long time and we were lying to ourselves if we hoped to change all this in one season.
But there is hope:
1. We got a new Football board with Ashely leaving everything to Lee.
2. New Coaching stuff.
3. 50m spent with no best players sold.
4. We r attacking again beautiful soccer.
Guys Mcca is a slow starter we shld b patient. Jst hope we will b a Super power again.
sing in the corner
Nov 1, 2015 at 4:18 PM
Comment #48Bobby
Juno about weaknesses but I’m looking forward to seeing Mitro slug it out with Distin
sing in the corner
Nov 1, 2015 at 4:19 PM
Comment #49Juno?? Autocorrect thingy honest
Jail for Ashley
Nov 1, 2015 at 4:29 PM
Comment #50Ashley leaving everything to Lee ??? Why does that leaving me feeling a lot things with hope not being anywhere near the list !
Tsunki
Nov 1, 2015 at 4:29 PM
Comment #51Have to agree with Bobbybee on this one no later than 2 nd week in February for Hippoheed to turn things around in the den of dirt. Gives them about a fortnight to get a new manager bedded in fir a practise match then us . The mackem boom bust cycle has changed somewhat in that they have been winning derbies but I fear this could all come clattering down on them in March. By then I hope and…nay…expect us to be a settled side with a few confident wins under our belt.
Ravostag
Nov 1, 2015 at 4:55 PM
Comment #52Living in Nottingham amidst trickey tree supporters the general opinion was that Darlow was nothing special so Woodman might just be the better option and he has a few league games under his belt from Crawley, Div 2 is not an easy baptism