It seems to have underlined how short Newcastle are of good strikers with both Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic both out of the game tonight against Brighton after suffering concussions against Cheltenham on Tuesday night.
Newcastle have only two senior recognized strikers available in Manu Riviere and Ayoze Perez, who scored a brace against the fourth division side in the EFL Cup, but there are others who can come in.
Riviere is surplus to requirements at Newcastle and will likely be sent out on loan this season.
Rafa Benitez with Ayoze Perez in training
It looks like that Adam Armstrong could be on the bench tonight, although he is expected to go out on loan this season if – as expected – Rafa brings in another striker this summer.
This is what Rafa said yesterday, as he talked about the striker options he has for today’s game and how we need experience in the team this season:
“We have different options.” “I will have 20 players, with Manu Riviere, Adam Armstrong, Ayoze, Yoan Gouffran and Mo Diame all as options up front.”
“Then we have to decide. We will leave two players out.” “We have five options in attack and we must manage with them.”
“We have young players like Armstrong and Jamie Sterry who we have just given new contracts.” “It’s not easy when you have young players because you need experience to go up.”
“You need to bring players in with experience.” “For the young players it’s difficult for them because they can do well but they don’t have the experience.”
“If they stay here and sit on the bench they won’t get experience so maybe some will go on loan.”
“I am talking about Adam, he knows there are clubs asking and if we sign a striker he knows he will have to go on loan.”
This is the team we think Rafa could start tonight:
Darlow
Anita Mbemba Lascelles (c) Dummett
Hayden Shelvey
Gouffran Diame Gouffran
Perez
Subs: Selz Gamez Hanley Clark Colback Riviere Armstrong
What would your team be for this important clash between two promotion candidates?
Comments welcome.
22 comments so far
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:46 AM
Comment #1They lasted less than 8 mins, Jib.
Another long day for the Aussies?
WWSBRD
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:47 AM
Comment #2Rafa seems pretty adamant Armstrong needs a loan move
Jail for Ashley
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:49 AM
Comment #3sitc,
Thank you,
The chopper should be here at half nine, back in Aberdeen for eleven and in the toon for half four, our lass is meeting with the bairn and taking my bags home. Next stop the Cathedral on the hill.
Jib,
Is that why Zidane always had such a snazzy haircut before becoming folliclly challenged.
Budge123
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:52 AM
Comment #4Ycmiu – the bugged hotel didn’t help much then!
Jib
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:52 AM
Comment #5The New Zealand scrum half Aaron Smith is tearing the Wallabies a new one
Fostino
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:54 AM
Comment #6Perez and Diame to score in a 2-0 scoreline
Budge123
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:54 AM
Comment #7Jail- hope you get back as planned. Used to work in Peterhead what a treck
hibbitt
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:54 AM
Comment #8Jail for Ashley
safe journey mate hope everything is running on time
enjoy the game
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:54 AM
Comment #9Budge
Yeah i think it’s back to the drawing board.
You can know as much as you like about the oppositions tactics, but if your sh1te at rugby, it wont help 😀
expatmag
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:55 AM
Comment #10JIB
Cant remember the last team to win in NZ. Can you?
jimmysmith
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:55 AM
Comment #11Cabaye went on strike and the crowd forgave him. Sissoko’s popularity with the greater majority of fans will ultimately depend far more on his form than his wanting away, and that’s up to him.
Budge123
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:56 AM
Comment #12They still smarting over our white wash?
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:56 AM
Comment #13Jib
Aus have no answer to NZs quick ball at the moment
expatmag
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:57 AM
Comment #14JIMMY
Let him go on strike then. For every week he does, fine him a weeks wages.
He will soon return when the old hip pocket rakes a hit
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:57 AM
Comment #15And your right about the scrum half. Genia is in slow motion by comparison
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:58 AM
Comment #16Budge
I think we damaged thier mentality. It had to hurt
expatmag
Aug 27, 2016 at 8:59 AM
Comment #17YCMIU
10-6 is hardly an insurmountable lead
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 27, 2016 at 9:01 AM
Comment #18Expat
NZ are playing in a higher gear. It’s a matter of time.
Jib
Aug 27, 2016 at 9:02 AM
Comment #19expat twas the Lions
The ref is giving Australia everything
Papavasilou
Aug 27, 2016 at 9:03 AM
Comment #20Aye, let’s just play Gouffran on both wings.
Why not play him in goal too? And get him to serve the pints at half time.
WWSBRD
Aug 27, 2016 at 9:03 AM
Comment #21jimmy
Very true but right now he’s the worst footballer in the world. If he stops he will play as best he’s able imo, not sure how long the boos will continue though
Must say I don’t agree with people saying drop the asking price, I’d rather have a good player than Ashley having money in the bank accounts
welshgeordie9
Aug 27, 2016 at 9:07 AM
Comment #22Hope New Zealand win comfortably.