Rafa Benitez has just named his side for the tough test against Brentford this afternoon at St. James’ Park and Dwight Gayle keeps his position up front as does Christian Atsu on the right wing, who was so outstanding against Rotherham last time out.
And as we had thought Ayoze Perez gets a start in the number 10 position in place of the out-of-form Mo Diame, who is on the bench.
There is also no Matt Ritchie who is not even on the bench because the news is he has taken ill – and Chancel Mbemba is not available because he has a leg injury.
Newcastle (4-4-1-1): Karl Darlow; Vurnon Anita, Jamaal Lascelles (c), Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett; Christian Atsu, Jonjo Shelvey, Jack Colback, Yoan Gouffran; Ayoze Perez; Dwight Gayle
Substitutes: Matz Sels, DeAndre Yedlin, Achraf Lazaar, Grant Hanley, Isaac Hayden, Mohamed Diame, Aleksandar Mitrovic
Newcastle will continue to play in the familiar 4-2-3-1 formation and the bench is extremely strong as might have been expected.
This is what Rafa has said about our opponents today:
“We have to concentrate on the next game. Brentford are a good team – they’re doing well, they’re scoring goals and they’re not conceding too many.”
“Hopefully we can play at the level we can play, and we can do well, win and enjoy two days more, because after we have another game against Barnsley.”
“I think that they play well on the counter attack, but also they score goals. They defend well, they counter attack, they play well, they pass the ball – they’re a good team.”
“Hopefully we can attack and be on top of them all the time and then created chances in this way. But I don’t see them playing so deep that they will not cope, or will not create chances.”
85% of fans think we will win this game today.
Howay The Lads!!
134 comments so far
Legolas
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:05 PM
Comment #110-11. I will get it one day. Lol.
Budge123
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:06 PM
Comment #29 right ! Not bad.
Rain stopped.
Come on lads lets take them apart
DubaiMicky
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:07 PM
Comment #3A scrappy 2/1 to us.
Lindisfarne
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:10 PM
Comment #4Lets get 2 goals in the first 30 mins and then bring Lazaar on for Gouffran.
DubaiMicky
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:10 PM
Comment #5Anyone got a feed for us in foreign climes?
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:11 PM
Comment #6Wouldn’t mind seeing us swap Atsu and Gouffran on opposite wings Atsu could then fly forward knowing Dummett will be there and Gouffran and Anita would be able to link up well
Should hopefully then mean there is space in the middle for Perez and Gayle to strut their stuff
Still would prefer Mitrovic in there to hold the ball up as Gayle and Perez get out muscled too easily
YoungMagpieFromBurnley
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:21 PM
Comment #7Damn 6 new signings on the bench. 4 starting. Should be too strong. Nervy 3-1 win with an Atsu goal opening the scoring. They’ll peg one back when there inevitable pressure starts but we’ll react after there goal by bringing on Mitrovic who will get the other two!!
HWTL
P.s I saw into the future 🙂
AncientC
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:22 PM
Comment #8I would expect Diame and Mitrovic to both get game time today, I just hope Mitro gets on first. The Perez/Mitrovic partnership is a joy to watch.
It will be interesting to see how Diame reacts to coming off the bench, I am expecting a big improvement.
SA Toon
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:23 PM
Comment #9I love the fact that I can never guess Rafa’s starting line up. Must be just as tricky for the opposition coaches. Those of you lucky enough to be at the ground today, make some serious noise. I want to hear you all the way from Johannesburg!
Goromagpie
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:23 PM
Comment #10Guys any audio streams ??
Rotonda heights
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:25 PM
Comment #11Ed
You’ve listed it as Newcastle (4-4-1-1):
and then said
Newcastle will continue to play in the familiar 4-2-3-1 formation.
Mag52
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:32 PM
Comment #129 out of 11 this week. I’ll take that.
It’s quite a challenge to second guess the manager these days.
Lanzatoon42
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:37 PM
Comment #13There you go!!! radio feed for all those people outside the uk. https://www.spreaker.com/user/onnradio/newcastle-v-brentford
firebug666
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:37 PM
Comment #14https://www.spreaker.com/user/onnradio
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:37 PM
Comment #159 out of 11 I think, i’ll be amazed if any one got it right
Legolas, good try but no cigar I’m afraid. 🙂
Goromagpie
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:38 PM
Comment #16Thanks Lanza
SUTTY1978
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:38 PM
Comment #17The starting XI looks physically weak and lacking in height other than the CB’s.
Benitez says he’s not playing Mitro as he wants someone behind the striker who can offer defensive strength and then plays Perez there.
Weedy little Colback playing certainly doesn’t help.
I expect us to get overrun in midfield and unable to make the ball stick upfront
manxpie
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:39 PM
Comment #18he must really dislike mbemba like hasnt had a sniff since the own goal
going for a 3-1 win today perez with a couple
Dennis Twice
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:40 PM
Comment #19Attack Toon attack, attack!
SA Toon
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:41 PM
Comment #20Manxpie – I think Mbemba is nursing a leg injury
Goromagpie
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:43 PM
Comment #21Iam gng for a 2-0 win for us.
Gayle and gouffran
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:44 PM
Comment #22Dennis
I get the feeling that’s the intention today, we need to be alert to the counterattack.
manxpie
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:45 PM
Comment #23ah right that might explain it then cheers SA toon
Blackley and Brownlie
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:47 PM
Comment #24Perez will need to up his game to justify his inclusion. Not sure about Atsu. Let’s see.
DubaiMicky
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:51 PM
Comment #25Thanks guys for the links
Toon Tang
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:55 PM
Comment #26We’re on todays super6 lads, what have we all put?
Ive gone 3-2 toon haha
AncientC
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:55 PM
Comment #27Perez shouldn’t find it difficult to show improvement if he is playing central, he isn’t, and never will be, a LW.
Magpie Season
Oct 15, 2016 at 2:59 PM
Comment #28Any streams tonight? I know match is not televised but periscope?
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 15, 2016 at 3:02 PM
Comment #29Jibs link no go. Unless I’m doing it wrong. 🙁
Jail for Ashley
Oct 15, 2016 at 3:06 PM
Comment #30Anyone got the spreaker link please 🙂
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 15, 2016 at 3:07 PM
Comment #31Might as wait to see highlights later tonight.
Bye for now.
AncientC
Oct 15, 2016 at 3:07 PM
Comment #32Didn’t take Stoke long to get 1 past Sunderland. Oh dear.
Jimmy……Jimmy……Jimmy Smith
Oct 15, 2016 at 3:09 PM
Comment #33https://www.spreaker.com/user/onnradio
firebug666
Oct 15, 2016 at 3:10 PM
Comment #34https://www.periscope.tv/w/1vOxwewzjDdGB#
Rafa Revolution
Oct 15, 2016 at 3:12 PM
Comment #35Get in Clark!!!
firebug666
Oct 15, 2016 at 3:12 PM
Comment #36Get in lad
Hail Wor Ashley
Oct 15, 2016 at 3:12 PM
Comment #37Get in there!
Clark has been great so far in his NUFC career.
MadisonToon
Oct 15, 2016 at 3:13 PM
Comment #38Clark making quite the name for himself lately!
This is the beginning that we needed. HWTL
expatmag
Oct 15, 2016 at 3:16 PM
Comment #39Great start. Lets build on it
Rafa Revolution
Oct 15, 2016 at 3:17 PM
Comment #40Get in Gayle