After the game there were a lot of nasty things said about goalkeeper Matz Sels who was a little bit hesitant in coming out for the corner from which Aston Villa equalized but not much about the good save he made to keep us in the game during stoppage time.
Newcastle fans support their players through thick and thin which is what Rafa Benitez keeps asking for.
Matz Sels in action yesterday
If Matz plays on Wednesday night we hope he gets some good support from the fans at St. James’ Park.
He’s still adjusting to both life on Tyneside and playing in England, but Matz had the guts to post this on his Twitter account after the game.
Sorry for my mistake today lads were good, we carry on and fight stronger on Wednesday #nufc
— Matz Sels (@MatzSeIs1) September 24, 2016
Let’s keep supporting all the players.
Comments welcome.
100 comments so far
Bobbybee
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:00 PM
Comment #1Got to say that’s a great response from Sels. Makes you wonder what sort of dickhead goes on twitter to abuse him like that. They’re a disgrace to NUFC and cowards to boot. I’m one of those who would like to see Darlow given a chance, but I’d never resort to that sort of shyte. Great respect for his response.
Average_Contents
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:01 PM
Comment #2Bobby
Something we agree on….
WWSBRD
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:04 PM
Comment #3That’s not a real Sels account is it? He deactivated his
Support him yes but he shouldn’t be starting he’s costing us points imo and we have a better option on the bench
Bobbybee
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:05 PM
Comment #4AC, hard not to mate on something like that.
Bambams
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:05 PM
Comment #5Every player makes mistakes throughout a game.
If you are a forward or midfielder you rarely get punished…..
Defenders have goalkeepers to save them.
Keepers make a mistake and it’s usually a goal.
I don’t think he has been that bad, saved a certain goal agains Brighton to name one. It’s his first season and all that.
Remember Darlow got stick after his performance against West Brom. ….
Belfast
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:05 PM
Comment #6It’s a fake Twitter account according to the mag.
WWSBRD
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:07 PM
Comment #7Aye that’s not his real account Ed
Yo-yo
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:07 PM
Comment #8Patience is not a collective strength of many Toon fans. Judgemental beyond the call of duty.
All players make mistakes – the only ones we should criticise are lack of effort and lack of commitment.
Belfast
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:08 PM
Comment #9Haha You get some weird barstewards about like.
So how did it feel to be Matz Sels for the evening ? It felt magic.
WWSBRD
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:10 PM
Comment #10Bambams
Sorry like but Sels has looked passable because he’s had barely anything to do, he’s looked suspect every time he’s been called upon to make a save
He’s not a bad keeper and he will get better but right now he needs to be on the bench
Bobbybee
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:10 PM
Comment #11Isn’t the mag a fake Newcastle rag? 🙂
Bobbybee
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:12 PM
Comment #12Yo yo, bang on the button mate.
WWSBRD
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:13 PM
Comment #13Yo-yo
Would u keep starting Sels?
Belfast
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:20 PM
Comment #14I can’t remember Darlow ever being that shaky to be honest. Apart from his first two games he looked fine. I expect Sels to remain number one though because he’s the managers goalkeeper.
GeordieTwo
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:24 PM
Comment #15The whole team needs to be more consistent if we are to finish in the top two, or even the top six. I’m sure Rafa is telling the lads that. They know they’ve been poor at times this season. I wouldn’t bother abusing one player. Darlow will replace Sels when Rafa decides it’s the right move.
Ibizatoon
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:28 PM
Comment #16James…That was more the point I was making. The debate should be about the merits or not of booing. Not what type of fan those that do are.
I’m not really sure why it comes in to things as much as it does. I don’t think all “real fans” act the same way, so what does it have to do with anything?
Anyway, for what its worth, I agree booing is unhelpful.
Bobby…I didn’t mean to imply you weren’t more than a customer. I don’t even attend games and I still consider myself a fan Bobby. I think that’s possibly more to do with why we sometimes disagree (nicely put by the way 🙂 ). It was just a point that everyone that goes is a customer. Beyond that, you will have people who feel and act differently. There aren’t any golden rules to it, just each persons views on it.
I imagine even fans who you’d consider on your level have booed. It happens. Not sure anyone is in a position to say when enough is enough and you can boo…clearly it’s a personal thing and shouldn’t leave your supporter status in the balance…imo.
I do get what you’re saying, by definition a supporter is someone who encourages etc. What about tough love though? It is still a form of support, it’s just not for everyone.
On Sels, nothing to do with yesterday or the abuse he’s got on Twitter, I’ve felt for a while that he hasn’t warranted the number 1 spot and really had no clue why Darlow was dropped after doing pretty well towards the end of our PL campaign. If we’re not going to stick with him, surely it should be for an immediate improvement?
Belfast
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:28 PM
Comment #17West Ham are in deep poo like. Their keeper saved them from a major embarrassment earlier.
And Jimmy I’m nearly sure that stupid green carpet is covering the running track. Think I read somewhere ages ago they had to keep the running track.
Bobbybee
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:29 PM
Comment #18We don’t know what’s been said behind the scenes. Might be that Rafa said he’d give Sels ten games regardless, so he could settle in without the pressure. If he did, it hasn’t worked, but can’t see him reneging if that was the case. Sels has had his chance and for whatever the reason, he still hasn’t settled. Imo it’s time to give Darlow a chance to stake a claim. But then, I’m not Rafa and it’s his call.
Ibizatoon
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:30 PM
Comment #19I also wonder whether the Darlow / Lascelles history helps?
James RS
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:33 PM
Comment #20WWSBRD good words…Sels does look suspect every time he has to make a save and too risky to play every match in a very important promotion campaign… he’s okish but should be on the bench as he’s costing us points… positioning is poor flaps at crosses and doesn’t instil any confidence in the defence as he doesnt organise or shout and looks short on confidence. Krul, Elliot, Darlow, Woodman and Sels should be the pecking order in such an important position.
GeordieTwo
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:36 PM
Comment #21Elliot should be the man when he’s fit. He proved it last season. A veteran now. A good shot stopper and very decent distributor of the ball. I hope he’s back as soon as possible.
Bobbybee
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:36 PM
Comment #22Ibiza, like I said earlier, I wasn’t a customer in the 60s-80’s, I was a fan who put up with shyte conditions and mistreatment. Nothings changed imo. I’m a customer at Asda, but not SJP. I did say boo if you must, but don’t expect it to help. I want our players to feel comfortable at home, not under pressure that’s all. But booing following one loss after six straight wins? Get a grip! 🙂
GeordieTwo
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:37 PM
Comment #23Also Elliot’s feet are much wider than Krul’s, which I’ve always been impressed by.
Jail for Ashley
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:41 PM
Comment #24I’ve backed Sels all the way despite his shaky start hoping that the faith Rafa showed in him would see him produce the form that made him Belguim keeper of the year, but yesterday showed that he needs taking out of the firing line, he nervousness was affecting the rest of the team and as Nufc.co pointed out
WWSBRD
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:41 PM
Comment #25James
Yup I agree with that evaluation of Sels but I’d have him behind Darlow and ahead of Elliot personally
Elliot is too slow, good back up keeper but that’s it especially with his injuries
toon22
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:43 PM
Comment #26West Hams stadiums going to look lovley in the 1st division lol
WWSBRD
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:44 PM
Comment #27Jail
Honestly if Darlow was in the sticks in the last two league games we’d have 3 more point imo
lesh
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:48 PM
Comment #28Southampton’s Charlie whatshisname seems to be popping ’em in these days. Were we ever interested in him?
Yo-yo
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:50 PM
Comment #29Yo
I’d rotate him with the rest of the squad. But as I am a big fan of Darlow anyway I think Darlow may end up getting the No1 spot as he matures.
For now I can see the logic of giving Sels the match experience with different back4s. We need 2 or 3 keepers who can cut it. Our defence is totally different with Rafa anyway.
We didn’t draw just because of Sels – so singling him out for yesterday is unfair.
Bobbybee
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:52 PM
Comment #30Lesh, not sure… think i missed that bus! 🙂
WWSBRD
Sep 25, 2016 at 7:58 PM
Comment #31Yo-yo
I can only speak for myself but my opinion of Sels is from more than yesterday, he’s been poor all season imo
I don’t agree with rotating keepers though, there’s no need to not play ur strongest keeper every game and right now Sels isn’t our strongest keeper
Giving him experience at the expense of wins isn’t helping anyone especially when he looks out of his depth and shot of confidence. Am not saying he’s not trying but am very critical of his performances so far
GeordieTwo
Sep 25, 2016 at 8:03 PM
Comment #32We’ll have to wait and see. It’s still quite a while before Elliot is even in contention but surely it’s time Darlow started again? Sels may take quite a while to settle and we can’t afford that.
toon22
Sep 25, 2016 at 8:07 PM
Comment #33I cant think of any club in the world who rotate their keepers other than for cup games,you pick one and stick with him.
Bobbybee
Sep 25, 2016 at 8:11 PM
Comment #34I think anybody who watched the cup game last week will agree that Darlow looked very composed and commanded his box like a keeper should. Sels has looked shaky and he can’t be enjoying his football right now. Would be kinder to take him out of the firing line for a while, but like i said earlier, we don’t know what’s been said behind the scenes1
Tsunki
Sep 25, 2016 at 8:12 PM
Comment #35Sorry Bobby just read your response, I do get you. And I’m not disputing any of what you’ve said. My point is that Mikes perspective of match day attendees us by on seats, and that’s why we have a ground filled with a large contingent of fragile fans. Hence the booing the minute things aren’t going according to the pre-season pamphlet.
Tsunki
Sep 25, 2016 at 8:13 PM
Comment #36..is bums on seats..
Tsunki
Sep 25, 2016 at 8:16 PM
Comment #37Tbh I find Benitez’s loyalty to Sels baffling. Darlow hardly disgraced the tail end campaign last season. So far he seems to be affording the new boy the luxury of using a crucial campaign as a training session.
Jail for Ashley
Sep 25, 2016 at 8:22 PM
Comment #38Continued from 24 (ran out of battery)
Lascelles was shouting at the bench about him, I never seen that but saw him remonstrating with over yet another bit of flapping, surely it’s time to bring in the Championship experienced Darlow.
Bobbybee
Sep 25, 2016 at 8:22 PM
Comment #39Tsunki, aye, you have a point, which is why I’ve often said I’d rather have a stadium with 35k fans backing the team all the way, win lose or draw, than a full stadium of fickle twots. Mikey might see me as a customer, but I’d sharp tell him if he called me one face to face! Obviously he’d rather see a full stadium of anybody he could get in, because he’s a bread-head and that’s the way football has gone lately. It’s how you see yourself that matters imo and I’m 100% a fan and will be till the day I die. 🙂
Jail for Ashley
Sep 25, 2016 at 8:26 PM
Comment #40We’re all fans otherwise we wouldn’t be on here seven days a week.