Here are some photos taken at the Newcastle games against Vitesse yesterday at St. James’ Park on a sunny day in Newcastle.
Ayoze Perez gets stuck in yesterday
Matt Richie cross turned in for own goal and Newcastle’s first
Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle celebrate going 1-0 ahead
Dwight Gayle scores his first and Newcastle’s second
Issac Hayden congratulates Dwight Gayle on scoring
Jack Colback heads home from perfect Ayoze Perez cross
Jack Colback celebrates his headed goal
Adam Armstrong controls ball in second half
A studious Rafa Benitez on the bench yesterday
Adam Armstrong in action yesterday
89 comments so far
Ron Knee
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:03 AM
Comment #41So all our new signings look good, apart from Gamez.
Ian Toon
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:04 AM
Comment #42Springy- Given that were likely to be getting big bucks for Moussa i think we should push the boat out for Robertson and a few others of proven quality now. He is PL class and it might turn out cheaper in the long run to bring in someone of his quality now he is worth the investment to help secure promotion.
Reportedly were working under the proviso of being a PL club in all but name. ” Whatever Rafa wants, Rafa gets”. We’re a club run by a top draw football man not an accountant; an highly ambitious manager, rather than a bean counter reliant on Ashley’s support. Mind, strictly speaking he still is an employee of Ashley but it’s Benitez that rules. Go in hope and expectation.
Fostino
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:05 AM
Comment #43Would people be happy with this Brighton winger…Robertson and Alex pritchard
Or that we keep thauvin..tiote..sissoko.
I reckon the first scanario is better all round although sissoko a big loss.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:06 AM
Comment #44Springy,
Yeah, that is probably part of the attraction in signing him. Gives good cover across the back. Particularly on a short term deal, to give the squad cover while the defensive aspect of the squad is rebuilt, or Mbabu, Sterry, Gibson et al develop.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:12 AM
Comment #45Fostino,
Not seen anything of Pritchard, but I’m not convinced he would be the right signing for us. It certainly doesn’t look like he is Prem standard based on his appearance record for Spurs and his spell at WBA. If we are spending the amount that is being quoted in the media, then we need a player that can make the transition.
Still, even if you took him out, I’d still probably prefer Knockaert and Robertson to an unmotivated and uninterested Thauvin, Tiote and Sissoko.
Rotonda heights
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:14 AM
Comment #46SUTTY1978 // Jul 31, 2016 at 9:56 AM
Rotonda, looks quite impressive as a CV, but his achievements will always fall in the shadow of Pardew and the now infamous 2010 Johnstones paints Trophy triumph.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
You read my mind ! seriously though if you look at the knackers we’ve had as manager, rafa has achieved way more than all of them combined
Rotonda heights
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:17 AM
Comment #47toontaff
the woman on the periscope had a real toilet mouth on her!
Ian Toon
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:17 AM
Comment #48Fostino- Yes I would be. The Brighton lad was injured in play offs and patched up for 2 nd leg he looked a constant threat although not fully fit. Pritchard is highly rated by Spurs fans I know and he ghosts with pace through the midfield. Injury record might be of concern. Criticism of him seems to be largely on the grounds of cost but again he would be a good investment going forward.
It makes sense to intergrate players into the team as soon as possible. That was KK’s philosophy and didn’t that go well!
Mister Tuff
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:17 AM
Comment #49What standard are we really at.
I’ve found it difficult to assess exactly where we are in terms of the standards/abilities of the team.
Nothing really could be assessed from our friendlies -against teams – whose standards/abilities are not known to me.
As such I cannot get an idea of how good or bad we are.
I supposed we’ll soon find out on Friday evening.
Folks are now making too many excuses for Armstrong – he was back training a fortnight before the Ireland trip.
And plenty of photos from the club whilst in Ireland of him playing football.
Rotonda heights
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:19 AM
Comment #50robertson would also have international team mates in hanley and ritchie
SPRINGY
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:20 AM
Comment #51i wanted thauvin to stop as i think he may be a good player given the chance,but he wants away so get rid,tiote would be an asset in this league with strength and experience but its his last big move so understandable,cheers and good luck,sissoko, talent,strength and pace….when he can be arsed!….and he cant be arsed with us anymore,get rid and replace.
Fostino
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:24 AM
Comment #52Lilongwe geordie
I just think if we are losing sissoko tiote and wini then a cm of some sort is needed as replacement. Pritchard looks to be available and is rated by spurs fans. He’d a good spell with Brentford few years ago but had a bad year last year.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:25 AM
Comment #53Fostino,
I agree we need a centre mid who can create chances, I’m just not sure Pritchard is the answer.
Rotonda heights
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:28 AM
Comment #54Ron Knee
Think you’re right about Haidara. Seems more of an athlete, than having any footballing brain.
I’m quite pleased with a clean sweep. I know jimmy says we are weakening the team but I disagree.
Players who want away are absolutely of no use to us. If we can shift thauvin, tiote and sissoko and replace with knockaert, Forestieri and Henry / Robertson I’d be very happy with that.
Ron Knee
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:38 AM
Comment #55RH
On your first point, I think we could add Obertan and Sissoko. Players who missed their true vocation!
SPRINGY
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:39 AM
Comment #56we’ve lost gini and townsend,and looking like we are about to lose tiote sissoko and thauvin,with the exception of townsend are they really a loss?
we were relegated after all,yes they would probably rip the this league up if they fancied it and stayed fit,thats if…but theres a chance we would be in the same position as last season if they did,struggling near the bottom,maybe they just didnt work here and a clean slate is probably for the best in the long run.
Ian Toon
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:41 AM
Comment #57Many seem to be judging Pritchard on his poor season at West Brom. He featured against us as a second half sub but did nothing – WBA were shocking though. His style of quick movement and pass and go suggested he wasn’t ever going to fit into a Pulis team. Possibly more of a risk but a potentially exciting type.
outside the box
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:46 AM
Comment #58ron knee @41
my impressions on gamez were that he was playing on left …trying to figure out what aarons was trying to do when aarons wasn,t too sure …i thought he was ok and would be better on right …he seemed assured and expect he will be be useful addition once settled able to cover rb and lb .
charlie ….agree with most comments except would put hanley mom
Ron Knee
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:49 AM
Comment #59Thanks, outside. It’s annoying when you can’t judge for yourself!
outside the box
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:49 AM
Comment #60at 58 …sorry hayden mom….hanley looks like bobby moncur ….solid slow but steady…
tomellifred360
Jul 31, 2016 at 11:59 AM
Comment #61Creating a Fantasy Football League if anyone is interested.
76984-188980
geordie157
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:00 PM
Comment #62Robertson would be a good signing, Targett, Garbutt, Taylor, Henry also good options. Would be happy with any of them…..although admittedly I didn’t see any of garbutt last season.
Pritchard is good player, didn’t really fit in at west brom but very good at brentford, why not loan him for the season with option to buy.
A lb, pritchard and knockeart and I think we are set.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:00 PM
Comment #63Outside
I was ganna say Hanley – na – Hayden yes – going to be a star this season.
Hanley – looks a bit slow and ponderous/needs two touches on the ball and tends to want to hoof it – but he has just come back from injury.
I gave it to Anita just on his two through balls/chip to set up two goalscoring chances. Thats why I think we need a proven goalscorer who might of got a shot off/tested the keeper.
Rotonda heights
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:09 PM
Comment #64rumours from someone in the chronic about forestieri tomorrow for 9M.
Fostino
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:10 PM
Comment #65Big week ahead in terms of transfers but can’t see any players that come in starting on Friday so I will attempt to pick a starting 11 based on rafas style.
Sels
Janmaat lascalles hanley dummett
Colback hayden
Anita perez ritchie
Gayle
If I was gaffer and basef on pre season I would try: (Admittedly I’m still unsure on starting 11)
Sels
Jesus lascalles mbemba Dummett
Anita hayden
Janmaat perez ritchie
Gayle
SUTTY1978
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:10 PM
Comment #66Charlie, sounds like Hanley is Willo’s replacement then! No harm in that, A player like Willo is just what’s required in the Championship.
I’ve just seen that Fulham have Matt Smith playing for them as CF, don’t know when he moved there, he’s a huge lad, remember seeing him play against Liverpool in the FA cup, can’t remember where he was at the time, he absolutely dominated their CB’s. Mbemba wouldn’t have a prayer against him, that’s no silent on Mbemba but he’s giving away about 7″ on him!
outside the box
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:11 PM
Comment #67charlie in the gallowgate….i like anita …good touch good engine just not sure what his best position is …grant may be the solid no nonsense cb that is needed he was certainly shouting a la bobby moncur ….moncur imho wasn,t a great footballer but would run thru brick walls and was worth his place for his captaincy…can see lascelles and him forming good partnership…lets hope so
next a creative midfielder
Our Toon
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:13 PM
Comment #68Rotonda
Thanks for clarifying why rafa failed at Inter, Napoli and Madrid.
At Inter he took over a treble winning squad and won world club cup, nice!! Napoli he won the super cup and Madrid he was sent packing after a short stint and Zidane came in to steady the ship. Let’s not try to rewrite history. The fans of these clubs see him as a failure during his time at these clubs but if you think that’s success then you don’t have much in terms of expectations!!
Maybe at Napoli he did a decent job but as I say zonal marking doesn’t work, yes I had the audacity to question your messiah Rafa for utilising that tactic, for that I won’t apologise.
Other than that I have no issues with Rafa and like him being the incumbent as manager but I try to look at it with a balanced view.
hibbitt
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:15 PM
Comment #69Rotonda heights
that one was doing the rounds at the ground yesterday
is he worth £9m ???
Rotonda heights
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:18 PM
Comment #70our toon
I think you’ll find yourself in the minority of people dissing Rafa. Why so negative and trying to run the guy down, sounds like you have a real issue with Rafa.
Someone came on here and explained zonal marking for you. 5 games played, 15 scored, 4 conceded. Maybe you would prefer to have a no mark like McCardew in charge.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:18 PM
Comment #71Sutty
A better version of Willo I would say and what I like about him he shouts a lot and seemed to link up well with Lascalles. Pair together make a big central pairing.
Interesting Dilemma for RAFA does he find a place for MBemba
Also Sels looks a shouter defence organiser but not sure about his aerial command of the six yard box.
Interesting times ahead!!!!!!!
Jib
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:18 PM
Comment #72Rotonda
I don’t think Fernando is planning on leaving Wednesday anytime soon.
https://twitter.com/Forestieri45
outside the box
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:18 PM
Comment #73fostino
i would like to see
sells
mbemba hanley lascelles dummet
anita hayden
janmatt perez ritchie
gayle
Rotonda heights
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:22 PM
Comment #74hibbit
i know he got 15 goals for wednesday last season and was hugely influential for them. Quite young so maybe 9m is a decent deal.
like all players can be inconsistent but we need goal scoring creativity with wijni gone and he can obviously do it at this level.
Rotonda heights
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:23 PM
Comment #75jib
that’s a shame, think he could have been good, although i guess rafa could play perez in that role now with wijni gone.
Jib
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:24 PM
Comment #76Sissoko not going to be at open training tomorrow
Rotonda heights
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:25 PM
Comment #77outside
quite like the look of that, just not sure about janmatt, but maybe rafa can get the best out of him
Belfast
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:27 PM
Comment #78Forresteri would be perfect. I just can’t see Sheffield Wednesday selling him.
NUFCPaul
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:28 PM
Comment #79sirjasontoon – from a few threads back, you said you’d swap Rafa for ‘Lee Clarke’ all day long. I think the fact you spelled Lee Clark’s name wrong says it all really.
SUTTY1978
Jul 31, 2016 at 12:28 PM
Comment #80Charlie, wonder if Rafa will play the CB’s as horses for courses – playing against a big lad it’s Hanley & Lascelles, playing against a quick team it’s Mbemba & Lascelles.
Lascelles is a bit of a “best of both”, he’s pretty quick and also decent in the air.
All the centre backs have a potential Bramble moment in them but that happens to even the best CB’s. My preference is Mbemba & Lascelles, both have the pace to make up for errors occurring but not overly unhappy with any mixture of the three. Add Dummett in there and I think it’s now one of our strongest places on the pitch (for possibly the first time in NUFC history!)