Rafa Benitez is well aware of the potential for a disaster at the New York Stadium this afternoon in Rotherham and has tried to prepare his players accordingly.
He has reminded them of what happened after we demolished QPR 6-0 away a short 17 days ago when pundits were saying there was Newcastle United and then the rest in the Championship – as though we were so superior.
And then we played really poorly against Wolves in the next game at St. James Park and lost 2-0 and came crashing back to earth.
Rafa Benitez – smiling during training
We hope our lads are back down to earth from Wednesday’s heroics against Norwich City before they kick off this afternoon, otherwise we could be in trouble.
Rotherham are one of the weakest teams in the league this season with just 6 points and one win from the ten league games, so what tactics to use is a good question.
Do we just go all out attack from the very first whistle and hope to get a couple of goals and then control the game after that?
Or do we invite Rotherham to attack us and then hit them on the counter-attack after they leave openings.
Rafa has decided which of these two basic alternative approaches to use, but he’s giving nothing away when he talks tactics for this afternoon’s game:
“It’s quite difficult,” “They have a good team offensively.” “The two strikers are good players.”
“If we press high, maybe they can play counter-attack. “If we wait and play counter-attack, people will say ‘if you are stronger, why do you wait?’.”
“It’s not easy to decide what to do. It depends on your players. You have to make sure your decisions are right.”
We would tend to go all out attack at the start hoping to get a quick breakthrough and then take if from there.
What would you do?
Comments welcome.
61 comments so far
Jib
Oct 1, 2016 at 12:12 PM
Comment #41The blog needs everything but mackems feigning to be NUFC fans.
What is it with Wearysides fascination with our club ?
expatmag
Oct 1, 2016 at 12:15 PM
Comment #42TOF
You stsying up for the game mate?
Great day of Sport….doggies were exceptional and fully deserved their win. Nice to keep the trophy in Victoria.
Well the missus is sitting down to a box set of Foyles War so I am off to the mancave with a nice bottle of merlot.
Should see me through the Swansea Liverpol game as well as our own.
Howay the lads
expatmag
Oct 1, 2016 at 12:18 PM
Comment #43JIB
I went on their SMB forum yesterday and was amazed ro see that they had a 26 page thread on the Newcastle Norwich game.
I have to say they are nothing more than a bunch of irrational short sighted imbeciles.
Bobbybee
Oct 1, 2016 at 12:18 PM
Comment #44Expat, Foyles War or NUFC? Tough decision eh? 🙂
Jib
Oct 1, 2016 at 12:21 PM
Comment #45expatmag
Did you see that young Burnley fan’s excellent vid of the Norwich game ?
Jimmy……Jimmy……Jimmy Smith
Oct 1, 2016 at 12:21 PM
Comment #46Yay Doggies!!!! Sharks tomorrow, and then fugg, even WE can win something surely.
Bobbybee
Oct 1, 2016 at 12:21 PM
Comment #47A very cunning plan to get you out the way mate! She could teach Rafa a thing or two about tactics by the sound of it. 🙂
Bobbybee
Oct 1, 2016 at 12:31 PM
Comment #48Right, football on the box so my addiction needs to be fed. Even if it is swansea v liverpool, it’s a nice starter before the main course. Be nice and enjoy the games. Howay the lads!!!
Rotonda heights
Oct 1, 2016 at 1:02 PM
Comment #49over rated
2 wrongs don’t make a right.
Munster Mag
Oct 1, 2016 at 1:03 PM
Comment #50Please no handbrake Rafa. Let’s go for this lot.
chicousa
Oct 1, 2016 at 1:06 PM
Comment #51Jails Rafa Bingo confirmed lineup:
Sels
Anita Mmemba Hanley Lazaar
Tiote Diame
Gouffy Ayoze Ritchie
Mitrovic
Might as well roll the dice! 🙂
HWTL!!!
Jail for Ashley
Oct 1, 2016 at 1:06 PM
Comment #52ToF,
Are you saying that by slating our EFA elite manager that you are having a go at the regime apologists, what about those that are over the moon we have Rafa in charge and fought long and hard to try and do something about the way the club was run. I think there’s something wrong with you!
Jail for Ashley
Oct 1, 2016 at 1:07 PM
Comment #53Chicousa, six minutes late but I’ll let it go this time, I hope you haven’t been on the phone to one of the players, I will trust your honesty.
Kabul Fish
Oct 1, 2016 at 1:07 PM
Comment #54Swans game live on tv in office, arguments with idiots on the phone and Facebook from friends back home having a jolly old time…….it must be Saturday lol
Expat – mancave and merlot sounds delightful!Enjoy 🙂
Chancel be a fine thing
Oct 1, 2016 at 1:08 PM
Comment #55confirmed rafa bingo lineup:
darlow
yedlin lascelles clark dummet
shelvey hatden
Ritchie gayle gouffran
mitro
I know it’s a few minutes late, I’m hoping Jail’s in a good mood.
Jail for Ashley
Oct 1, 2016 at 1:10 PM
Comment #56expat,
What type of expat Ozzie are you, you can make a bottle of wine last two football games you big wuss!
NUFCPaul
Oct 1, 2016 at 1:11 PM
Comment #57People who accuse others of being Mackems, call people dickheads and then mention Norwich and Burnley in the same post aren’t real football supporters. No surprise there though.
Jail for Ashley
Oct 1, 2016 at 1:14 PM
Comment #58Going to finish my papework, have a shower and find a computer somewhere out of sight, can somebody put the spreaker link on later please.
toontaff2
Oct 1, 2016 at 1:17 PM
Comment #59Rafa’s Rotherham Bingo Line-up:
Darlow
Anita Lascelles Clark Dummett
Hanley Shelvy
Ritchie Gayle Gouff
Mitro
Subs: Sels, Hazaar, Mbemba, Colback, Atsu, Perez, Diame
chicousa
Oct 1, 2016 at 1:17 PM
Comment #60Jail,
Sorry mate, I’m dragging a bit slow this morning (western US)….rough night! 🙂
lesh
Oct 1, 2016 at 1:40 PM
Comment #61LGFUA
If you’re going to the match, make sure you stay till the death otherwise your Blog life’ll not be worth living. 😐