The Newcastle United U-21 side won the Steel Park Cup today with a second successive win and clean sheet – a 1-0 victory over PSV.
And it was good to see Kevin Mbabu fit again and playing really well in the game, as he had to return to Newcastle during the week’s training camp in Ireland with a slight leg injury.
Kevin Mbabu – very good game today for U-21 side
The 21-year-old full-back is proving his fitness with the U-21 side and Newcastle’s U-21 manager Peter Beardsley was very impressive with the display from Kevin in the Steel Park Cup today:
“He looked really strong – he looked like the man, didn’t he?” “With all due respect to PSV, he was a bit scary at times – I’m glad he wasn’t tackling me!”
“That’s what he’s about though. Against Chelsea last season we saw it: he’s whole-hearted, genuine and gives you everything he’s got.” “He’s a big, big plus for us.”
“Especially first half we were outstanding – everyone played really well,” “Ultimately it’s about having good players and then you’ll have a good team; they’re good players, but whether they’re top players now, probably not.”
“But we couldn’t have a better group.” “We’ve dominated this pre-season and we’re enjoying it.” “The best thing about this win was that Nathan Harker didn’t have a single save to make.”
“An incredible defensive display – Macaulay Gillesphey and Stuart Findlay in the heart of the defense made loads of blocks.”
“Then Kyle Cameron on one side, and Kevin Mbabu on the other side, who was outstanding.”
When Kevin has played in the first team he’s looked very good, but the big test with Kevin is to keep the lad fit.
But it’s really good that he seems to be fit again, so it was only a slight leg injury that he picked up in Ireland.
Wonder how Siem de Jong is progressing with that hamstring injury?
Good to see the U-21 side play so well today and win something.
Comments welcome.
58 comments so far
GeordieTwo
Jul 24, 2016 at 9:30 PM
Comment #11926-1927 39 by Gallacher and 23 by McDonald. Not too shabby. 62 between them.
GeordieTwo
Jul 24, 2016 at 9:31 PM
Comment #2Enough stats from me but great to mention such wonderful players.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jul 24, 2016 at 9:31 PM
Comment #3Just wish Mbabu could stay fit for more than a couple of games in a row !
Also Findlay is getting some good reviews in his first couple of games he might even get some games in the first team by the end of the season
welshgeordie9
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:15 PM
Comment #4Would Jamie Sterry be like a new signing as he’s done well so far, surely he will be playing regular this season in the championship.
SUTTY1978
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:22 PM
Comment #5Welsh, I would imagine there are a few in the queue ahead of Sterry, Janmaat being the obvious one, then Anita, Jesus and Mbabu. If we have our usual amount of injuries then he’ll probably get 40 games.
bettyswallocks
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:33 PM
Comment #6Welshie…….. I actually feel a bit guilty making jokes about Gareth Bales head after learning that he actually suffers from Acromegaly.
GeordieTwo
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:34 PM
Comment #7I’m not sure we’ve ever had 2 strikers each with 20 or more goals in one season of league play Jail mate?
firebug666
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:38 PM
Comment #8G2
I think this season we might have Gayle, Mitrovic and Perez getting into double figures on the goal front.
Last season I think we only scored 44 or 46 goals or something in 38 games, so far and it’s only pre-season we have scored 12 and conceded only 2.
This could be a season of breaking records for all the right reasons.
GeordieTwo
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:39 PM
Comment #9Beardsley (21) and Cole (34) did it in 93-94 Jail.
GeordieTwo
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:43 PM
Comment #10Most excellent comment firebug mate. I could see us have a group of striker/wingers with somewhere around 70 goals mate. 23 from Mitro, 17 from Gayle, 13 from Perez, 8 from Armstrong and 10 from Ritchie sounds about right.
firebug666
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:47 PM
Comment #11G2
Mmmmmmm; I was thinking:
Mitrovic 17
Perez 22
Gayle 30+
Ritchie 10+
Armstrong (if played) 10+
Recon we can score over a hundred goals if we get of to a flyer in the first few games, confidence will be high, and other teams will fear us, and that will always change the way they play.
GeordieTwo
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:48 PM
Comment #12That is truly optimistic firebug mate. I salute you!!!
SUTTY1978
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:49 PM
Comment #13If Perez carries his pre-season form into the league and is played in the middle of the pitch he could rip it in the championship.
GeordieTwo
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:51 PM
Comment #14If he rips it, it will leak Sutty mate. Just get at it Perez you wild Spanish stallion you!!! Huzzah!!!!
firebug666
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:51 PM
Comment #15G2
optimistic????
Wow! A word not normally associated with a Newcastle supporter or our club.
Great to see such a word making a comeback, I salute you too sir!
I Rafa we trust.
GeordieTwo
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:52 PM
Comment #16NO longer will we need to wear wor Thongs of Gloom lads!
SUTTY1978
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:54 PM
Comment #17On the downside, Mitro looks bang out of form but then again he won’t be in the first four games. Not sure on Gayle, obviously suits getting in behind and counter attacking, we will probably find a lot of teams playing deep against us so it might negate his abilities.
If Aarons and Ritchie stay fit then we have good supply, if they don’t then were slightly goosed.
bettyswallocks
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:55 PM
Comment #18G2……… Are you feeling optimistic?
firebug666
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:55 PM
Comment #19SUTTY
I agree 100% mate, if we can get the midfield and defence right, our strikers will get plenty of chances to put the ball in the net.
I am 100% certain Rafa will win this league for us.
firebug666
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:59 PM
Comment #20According to Sunday’s edition of The Sun, Newcastle United are interested in signing Barnsley defender Alfie Mawson and Sheffield United striker Che Adams.
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/07/24/report-newcastle-keen-on-sheffield-united-striker-che-adams-alfi/?
welshgeordie9
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:00 PM
Comment #21SUTTY1978
I don’t know about that mate, Sterry performances last 3 games has have been much better than those you have just mentioned, janmaat and Gamez probably ahead but the other full backs I’m not sure, Anita is not a right back or left back, dummett and Haidara well i think Sterry should be in front of those two.
welshgeordie9
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:02 PM
Comment #22With Sterry, Hanley, Gamez and Hayden we don’t need anymore defenders.
Tsunki
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:02 PM
Comment #23I’m a bit undecided about this ” nothing can possibly go wrong” mentality. I have this uneasy feeling it may not all go quite as planned 😐
welshgeordie9
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:03 PM
Comment #24Another winger, maybe a forward then that’s us done i think.
SUTTY1978
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:05 PM
Comment #25Firebug, it’s really just the midfield that bothers me, mainly creativity and goals from the centre of the park. If we want goals and to break teams down then we need to play two up top, so two players in the middle of the pitch. All we really have are defensive or deep midfielders (assuming Sissoko goes). Just not sure what the combo would be, none of our CM’s like to get forward into the box and when they do they look a bit lost!
Other concern is lack of depth on the wings without playing people like Perez out of position.
Shadow_Shearer
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:05 PM
Comment #26Ben arfa is playing for psv right now, against inter, on sky sports 1. Half time 1-1
GeordieTwo
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:06 PM
Comment #27Ohhhhhh yes bettys mate. I am truly optimistic now. I have cast aside my Thong of Gloom. I have worshipped at the feet of Rafa. Tsunki mate this is our time! We will crush the opposition like so many grapes between our toes and then feast on the wine of victory! Huzzah!!!!
GeordieTwo
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:09 PM
Comment #28You’re quibbling Sutty mate! Quibble not! We have the mighty Gru! We have the Dazzling Dutchman De Jong! We have The Spanish Fly Perez!
SUTTY1978
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:11 PM
Comment #29Welsh, I thought Anita’s performances at the back end of last season were among the best full back performances I’ve seen from a Toon player in the last few years. Mbabu was a revelation against Chelsea and Man C last season. I’d love for someone like Sterry to make a claim for a first team spot but bear in mind the opposition are quite a bit below what we will face once the season kicks off. Will be interesting to see if he keeps his place for the final pre-season games. If he does then there’s a good chance he’ll start against Fulham
Fostino
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:12 PM
Comment #30Gp Sels krul darlow Elliott woodman
Rb Jesus anita
Lb sterry mbabu haidira
Cb lascalles hanley mbemba Dummett
Rm janmaat Ritchie
Lm aarons thauvin goofy
DM tiote hayden saviet
Cm sissoko shelvey colback
Attackers gayle mitro perez de jong armstong toney riverie
bettyswallocks
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:12 PM
Comment #31So much optimism on show. The ultimate messenger of doom recently converted to chief prophet of optimism despite taking time out to count his chickens is still number one Rafa hailer. Great to see and feel. Positive vibes are so uplifting.
GeordieTwo
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:13 PM
Comment #32Well I’m not seeing the level of excitement I was expecting on here. Harrumph!
firebug666
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:13 PM
Comment #33SUTTY
I hope that will be sorted out with some new players in, I also have a feeling that Janmaat will be playing on the right wing, or will be cover for that position.
I too worry about a forward creative playmaker, would like to see de Jong get back into it, but have some serious doubts over him staying fit.
Having said all of that, I do have confidence in Rafa to bring it all together, he will see things in players we already have that have been hidden from us in the past.
The championship is a tough league and Rafa will know that, and he will be getting the team ready for a gruelling season.
I fancy us to challenge in the cups and win the league.
SUTTY1978
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:14 PM
Comment #34G2, no quibbling, just pontificating!
GeordieTwo
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:14 PM
Comment #35People get a wonderful manager, a strong squad, magnificent support in the biggest ground in the league and still they grumble and fuss! Harrumph…….
GeordieTwo
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:16 PM
Comment #36Pontificate not Sutty mate! Put on your Thong of Joy and cavort in the streets like me mate! People will get used to it sooner or later…..
bettyswallocks
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:17 PM
Comment #37Messenger of caution@23. This is a movement now. Follow the pied piper or you may hinder the momentum.
SUTTY1978
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:19 PM
Comment #38Firebug, think Ritchie is nailed on for that right wing spot. SDJ would be ideal but he does seem more fragile than a rich tea in a hot brew.
I really hope Rafa gets it all sorted. I wish the bloody transfer window shut before the season and then at least you know where you are. August must be the worst month for Managers!
GeordieTwo
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:23 PM
Comment #39Exactly Tsunki mate as betty says. Cast aside your doubts. Look at the squad we have. Krul and Elliot in goal! Gammy Gamez and Able Anita at fullback! Lascelles, Mbemba and Hanley at CB! Gru, Tiote and Colback for midfield cover! Wonder winger Ritchie! Spanish Fly, Monstrous Mitro and Gayle force 10 up front! Huzzah!!!!
Jib
Jul 24, 2016 at 11:36 PM
Comment #40Lots of “L” sounds here
https://translate.google.co.uk/#es/en/como%20se%20llamacalletallamedallafollada%20Tsunki%20en%20el%20culo