Newcastle fans are just about getting over the shock of losing Rob Elliot for over six months after he badly injured his knee playing for Ireland on Tuesday night – and that was a real nightmare for Newcastle in our survival battle.
But let’s remember that Karl Darlow is a good goalkeeper, lacking only in Premier League experience, and he will have Rafa Benitez and his experienced coaches behind him when he starts for us on Saturday at Carrow Road in what is a vitally important game for the Magpies.
And he will have Newcastle fans right behind him who will know it is a big ask for the 25 year-old – if only because of his lack of Premier League experience.
Karl Darlow in action against Northampton Town in League Cup
But there is a good reason why Newcastle signed up this lad almost two years ago from Nottingham Forest and that’s because he has a lot of ability.
There was news yesterday in The Times that Rafa was checking out free agents to see if any experienced goalkeeper would be available but that’s got to be a long shot.
Karl can be a steady goalkeeper and he will hopefully get a lot of protection from the Newcastle defense on Saturday, since they have been working on their shape for a couple of weeks with all the defenders in training.
Only Chancel Mbemba was away on International duty from our defense and 19 year-old England Youth International Freddie Woodman will be on the subs bench.
Karl is a smashing lad and knows all about Newcastle United now – and he was delighted to join the famous north-east football club last summer.
Karl can still get the job done for us – and while it’s going to be tough to stay up this season, given our current position – we do have one of the world’s top coaches at the club and it’s still more than possible to survive the drop.
Rafa Benitez has asked since he arrived on Tyneside that we all pull together in the same direction and support Rafa and the players with all we’ve got through the end of the season.
That includes goalkeeper Karl Darlow – who is now an extremely important player for us in the last eight games.
We can still do it – let’s keep the faith.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
49 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Mar 31, 2016 at 12:48 PM
Comment #1Why not give the lad a chance, he’s been written off over a shaky spell.
Jibberish,
From previous thread. You asked if Churners and Carvs were incompetent or rogues, well I say they are incompetent rogues. I saw your feeble attempts to defend the incompetent Churners over the signing of a LB, if he hadn’t of left it till the last minute we might have had one come in during the first week of the window.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 31, 2016 at 12:51 PM
Comment #2This game would make a fortune on Tyneside fairs and carnivals if Churners was in there.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mole+with+a+mallet&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=1099&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj84bba7erLAhVH8RQKHXF2BRsQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=lF-gBaoDi4EU2M%3A
Magpie Season
Mar 31, 2016 at 12:55 PM
Comment #3Arty (from previous post),
Sunny where mate?
Magpie Season
Mar 31, 2016 at 12:57 PM
Comment #4Average Contents (previous post),
Why is Mike Dean a bad omen? I would have thought anyone other than Bobby Madley or Martin Atkinson would be a godsend. All do all refs hate us?
Toon_Tom
Mar 31, 2016 at 12:58 PM
Comment #5He will get his chance and hopefully will grab it with both hands 😉
Not an idea situation as a nervous keeper has a knock on effect to the defense and our back line isn’t the most sturdy as it stands.
We need to win and thus need to score so we should go all out, especially against the likes of Norwich who also need to win this game, and with our attacking players we must start creating chances, surely, hopefully, but probably not.
Lets hope Mitro now has the confidence to find the back of the net after chalking himself in Derby history the other weekend.
Magpie Season
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:01 PM
Comment #6Essex,
On Football Manager 2015, Darlow turns out to be a very good goalkeeper for most Premier Divison sides.
But then again, they had Alex Smithies (QPR) to be world class in FM2012 I think.
Magpie Season
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:02 PM
Comment #7At least Darlow is a much better upgrade than Alnwick. Unlucky both his appearances coming in away games where the crowd will give him a bit of stick knowing he will be nervous.
geordie157
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:04 PM
Comment #8Saw a lot of forest games and darlow was good, the goal he conceded vs west brom was soft but it’s wrong to write him off.
It’s the back four that worries me….hoping mbabu is back. If not the back four could be Taylor, Mbemba, Lascelles and Anita.
Bobbybee
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:08 PM
Comment #9I recall a few seasons ago going to Elland Road to watch a pre season friendly. Big Fraser Forster was in goal for us – his first game(?) – and he dropped a simple cross that ended up in the back of the net. He was written off, just as some fans are writing off Darlow already. It’s fair to say Forster ain’t done too bad since that glaring error. OK, Darlow was at fault for the West Brom goal, but such is life. Get right behind the lad from minute one. He’s one of us after all.
geordie157
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:18 PM
Comment #10With the run in palace have, they may not actually win another game. Probably just safe enough to be dragged into the scrap though.
I predicted draws vs sunderland and Norwich with us staying up by a point. Our away form is awful but if we can score early I think we’ll get the three points.
posada
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:20 PM
Comment #11If I remember rightly he was thrown in at the last minute against West Brom. Never easy.
In a game where your best years can be over by age 28 he is not a young lad. He’s 25.
Supermac was 21 when I saw him make his home debut against Liverpool.
He did’nt look 21 mind you, but he was.
Rotonda heights
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:21 PM
Comment #12Jib
Would both rogues and incompetent work for you?
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:21 PM
Comment #13Just missed the bus gain!!
n easy face saving solution to the Guttierez situation would be for NUFC to give Jonas a testimonial if he was to drop the court case. It would save a bundle of legal fees and give the fans a chance to show our appreciation for a loyal club stalwart.
Simples!!
bettyswallocks
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:22 PM
Comment #14Bobby.”…… He could turn out to be a top class keeper given time and opportunities. The worry is throwing him in at this stage when any mistake could see us down. Imagine the pressure he’s going to be under. I suppose it’ll either make him or break him.
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:22 PM
Comment #15And again!!
Superb goal keeping display by Darlow on Saturday and a clean sheet for us.
I have seen it in my crystal balls.
Rotonda heights
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:23 PM
Comment #16posada
that was my first ever match. happy days. who knew then what we know now 45 years on.
would you do it all again?
Rotonda heights
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:24 PM
Comment #17woodman strikes me as a nerveless type. poor darlow was a wreck v wba.
Rotonda heights
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:25 PM
Comment #18essex
a testimonial for jonas would be brilliant pr. a shame no one at sjp would ever think of that
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:26 PM
Comment #19Magpie
Don’t play FM
But in Conan, I’m a magnificent warrior as opposed to real life where I’m a slightly overweight OAP. 🙂
Rotonda heights
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:27 PM
Comment #20157
saylor anywhere near that back 4 fills me with dread, as did colback.
WWSBRD
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:28 PM
Comment #21Am going to say 3 games before people are suggesting Darlow is our new no 1
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:29 PM
Comment #22Rotonda
Perhaps they haven’t thought of it, anyone have Ashley’s ear or do they have a resident blog monitor.
posada
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:33 PM
Comment #23Rotonda
The short answer is yes. This was my first game sitting with my father in the old wood stand that is now the Milburn. My son and nephew are also following the family tradition.
I sometimes think I have started them on a life long fools errand, but they of course don’t see it that way.
Bobbybee
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:36 PM
Comment #24Betty, as a pro footballer pressure is part and parcel of the game. It’s not a choice really, is it? He’s next in line and he has to earn the money he’s getting – starting Saturday. If he can’t handle the pressure he’s no good to anybody. My point was that Forster’s debut was also a disaster – albeit a friendly – but he recovered from it admirably and look at him now. One mistake doesn’t warrant him being written off, that’s all I’m saying. Granted it’s not ideal, given our current situation, but he’s more likely to make a mistake if even his own fans have no confidence in him! If he’s picked to play he needs to know we’re with him 100%, not waiting for him to make a mistake. You know it makes sense. 😉
bettyswallocks
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:49 PM
Comment #25Bobby….. That’s the spirit we need. The problem is we all handle pressure differently ? I’m feeling it Just writing this. Better go and give the missus another clump.?
Bobbybee
Mar 31, 2016 at 1:59 PM
Comment #26😉
bettyswallocks
Mar 31, 2016 at 2:10 PM
Comment #27The tension is mounting now as Saturday is probably muck or nettles as far as staying up goes. I suggest a bit of Jib baiting to take our minds off it.
martoon
Mar 31, 2016 at 2:21 PM
Comment #28I can’t quite agree with Ed’s assertion that the club have been incompetent regarding the goalkeepers. At the start of the season we had 3 experienced keepers. When Krul got injured we still had 2 which is still reasonable. Now Elliot is injured yes we do look a bit light but 2 goalkeepers both with ACL’s is practically unheard of – the club have been incompetent about a lot of things but I think in this case it is a bit harsh.
However, just in case the worst happens, we should be looking for some kind of cover in the ‘player out of contract’ market – if we don’t then this would be incompetence!
Jib
Mar 31, 2016 at 2:28 PM
Comment #29I’m here sitting in me foxhole wearing my baiting helmet
Hail Wor Ashley
Mar 31, 2016 at 2:28 PM
Comment #30Our death will be slow and long – another draw on the cards.
toon kk
Mar 31, 2016 at 2:36 PM
Comment #31Darlow will do the job, how good at it remains to be seen.
He just needs to be below average and he’ll be on a par with his team mates.
All rosy on tyneside!!!!
martoon
Mar 31, 2016 at 2:41 PM
Comment #32toon kk @31 – Still the pessimist I see – will you promise to cheer up if we beat Norwich? 🙂
bettyswallocks
Mar 31, 2016 at 2:50 PM
Comment #33Jib……. Sex amongst 3 people is a threesome. With 2 is a twosome.
So the next time someone refers to you as handsome don’t take it as a compliment.
Jib
Mar 31, 2016 at 2:56 PM
Comment #34r.i.p.Ronnie Corbett
bettyswallocks
Mar 31, 2016 at 3:01 PM
Comment #35Toonkk….. I’d like to leave you with one thought but I don’t think you have anywhere to put it.
NYMAG
Mar 31, 2016 at 3:02 PM
Comment #36He showed potential at Forest and he’s definitely athletic but he looked like a fish out of water when he made his premier league debut against WBA. He’s very flappy with crosses and let in a howler….Id rather see us bring in an experienced free agent than risk everything on a lad who looks like he’s scarred sh1tless everytime the ball comes near him….
Jib
Mar 31, 2016 at 3:06 PM
Comment #37Betty
Rotonda will accuse you of non pc jerkoffism.
bettyswallocks
Mar 31, 2016 at 3:10 PM
Comment #38Rotonda would argue with a signpost.
Lindisfarne
Mar 31, 2016 at 3:11 PM
Comment #39Where was I?!
To tell you the truth, another draw at Norwich would actually be an improvement in terms of our form and keep them within the relegation battle.
https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/959857/Preview
Can not really argue with the starting eleven and am flabbergasted to see Sissoko getting the highest rating for playing on the left wing in the last round of matches. I am persuaded by the opinion he could be a very good left back, due to his ball carrying and lack of technique in attack. It reminds me that Beckham and Bale both started as full backs, to establish them as PL players and develop good foundations before moving into positions further forward. IMO Sissoko needs to recognise his own strengths before aspiring to those beyond his ability.
Lindisfarne
Mar 31, 2016 at 3:13 PM
Comment #40bettyswallocks
…and 1 is lonesome!