With Dwight Gayle fit to play tomorrow we are going to say that Rafa will start both Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic together tomorrow against Cardiff City at home.
It may not happen but he has talked in his press conference about the possibility of them playing together and with both in top goal-scoring form – why not give them both a start tomorrow?
Of course Rafa also has Mo Diame and Ayoze Perez, who will be keen to start in that number 10 role tomorrow.
Could these two pals both start tomorrow?
Here’s the side we think (guess) Rafa could start tomorrow:
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles (c) Clark Dummett
Hayden Shelvey
Atsu Gayle Gouffran
Mitrovic
DeAndre Yedlin is fit and we have in at right back for Anita because of his attacking prowess and it seems we will be trying to break down Cardiff City tomorrow.
Christian Atsu is expected to come in for the suspended Matt Ritchie on the right wing and Frenchman Yoan Gouffran, who is attracting interest from Lille in the upcoming January transfer window will be on the left wing.
We cannot see either Jesus Gamez or Achraf Lazaar starting in either of the two full-back spots tomorrow, but they are both available and were on the bench last Saturday.
They will also have had a full week’s training this week to impress Rafa and they need to get some playing time soon.
What would your team be for tomorrow?
Comments welcome.
93 comments so far
firebug666
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:07 PM
Comment #41Legolas
I don’t think he is, Rafa gave his injury update today and Colback wasn’t mentioned.
CAC
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:10 PM
Comment #42Hello from Seattle! I think we win 3-0. Like a lot of us I’d to see Gayle and Mitro together, but I don’t see Rafa giving that a go yet. I personally prefer Ayoze starting at home instead of Diame, so I hope to see something like this:
Darlow
Yedlin, Laschelles, Clark, Dummett
Shelvey, Hayden
Atsu, Perez, Gouffran
Mitro
Belfast
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:11 PM
Comment #43Darlow
Yedlin—–Lascelles—–Clark—–Dummet
Shelvey—–Hayden
Atsu—–Diame—–Gouffran
Mitrovic
Griff-toon
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:11 PM
Comment #44I dont understand the obsession of Mitro over Gale. Granted he has scored now 4 in two games and deserves his chance. But prior to that there wasnt realy any reason to axe Gale
Legolas
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:11 PM
Comment #45Cheers Firebug.
Jib
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:11 PM
Comment #46If Warnocks Crystal Palace parked the bus against Pardew’s Newcastle
There is no doubt Warnock’s Cardiff will do likewise against Rafa’s Newcastle
Jail for Ashley
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:14 PM
Comment #47Firebug666,
I know that’s why I’m in two minds, so tempted to put a Mitro Gayle in there as well. Don’t think it would be fair on Gayle to lose his place on an injury either and he should have had a stonewall penalty against Ipswich. Diame/Gayle. Diame/Mitro. Mitro/Gayle or swap Diame with Perez oh dear!
firebug666
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:14 PM
Comment #48Griff-toon
I don’t think it’s an obsession marra, Gayle and Mitrovic both offer a different option to the game, Gayle is just coming back from injury.
Mitro is more suited to this physical game, and will give there CB’s plenty to think about, Gayle can come on with 20 minutes or so against a tired defence and run at them.
Legolas
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:16 PM
Comment #49Jail, stop trying to get firebug to give you idea’s. lol.
firebug666
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:16 PM
Comment #50Jail
Do what I do mate, pull the names out of a hat 😀
chicousa
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:19 PM
Comment #51Jail,
Here is my Rafa bingo lineup
Darlow
Anita, Lascelles, Clark, Dummitt
Colback, Shelley
Atsu, Gayle, Gouffy
Mitro
I know, I know- Rafa unlikely to start both Gayle and Mitro. But even HE has to be curious and this match might be a good opportunity to try the experiment, against an opponent we should dominate!
Jib
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:19 PM
Comment #52With no game after Cardiff until Leeds on Sunday 20th at lunchtime (on Sky) we should get a good idea of what Rafa considers to be his best team tomorrow – Ritchie apart of course.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:19 PM
Comment #53Legolas,
He is the grand master, was it that obvious 😀
chicousa
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:20 PM
Comment #54Shelvey….odd auto-spell correction that one!
firebug666
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:23 PM
Comment #55From NUFC Official site.
Newcastle United and Cardiff City will pay their respects to the Commonwealth’s fallen armed services personnel ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship fixture at St. James’ Park (3pm kick-off).
Saturday’s match is United’s closest home fixture to the country’s Remembrance commemorations, which officially take place next weekend.
Supporters are asked to be in their seats earlier than usual on Saturday, with both team captains set to lay wreaths in the centre circle before players, officials and fans pause for a minute’s silence in memory of the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
United’s players will also be proudly wearing poppies on their shirts during Saturday’s game. The shirts will then be auctioned to raise vital funds for the Royal British Legion.
Legolas
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:26 PM
Comment #56Jail,
Yes, but you got me pis**ng myself laughing. Ha ha.
firebug666
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:26 PM
Comment #57Also from the official site.
The supporters group that has turned the Gallowgate End of St. James’ Park into a sea of black and white with its flags and banners this season will return on Saturday with a special Legends Day display.
In addition to a full display of 500 back and white flags, the Gallowgate Flags group will also be holding 12 special legends banners depicting famous Magpies heroes from down the years.
The display will take place before kick-off as Newcastle United host Cardiff City in the Sky Bet Championship (kick-off 3pm), with the club also marking its remembrance commemorations with a minute’s silence prior to the game.
The featured players and managers are Peter Beardsley, Hughie Gallacher, Joe Harvey, Kevin Keegan, Malcolm ‘Supermac’ Macdonald, Bill McCracken, Jackie Milburn, Bobby Moncur, Sir Bobby Robson, Stan Seymour Sr., Alan Shearer and Colin Veitch.
The group has also selected the stadium’s pre-match playlist, with a number of terrace favourites lined up for Saturday afternoon.
As a tribute, the club’s matchday programme will have a special edition cover featuring the 12 legends, as well as interviews with Bob Moncur and Peter Beardsley and a free double-sided A3 poster.
As part of his programme notes, Newcastle United manager, Rafa Benítez said: “This (afternoon’s) atmosphere is likely to be extra special thanks to another display from the Gallowgate Flags group. which will honour 12 Newcastle United legends.
“I congratulate them for organising this. It’s a great way to celebrate some of the most important people in this club’s history.”
Supporters are asked to be in their seats early on Saturday for the club’s Remembrance commemorations and the legends display.
Fans who are given flags are asked to store them under their seats when the games kicks off and leave them there for collection at the end of the game. Supporters are kindly asked not to take the flags and banners away from the stadium.
Ron Knee
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:40 PM
Comment #58Confirmed Rafa Bingo line-up:-
Darlow
Anita, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett
Shelvey, Colback
Atsu, Diamé, Gouffran
Gayle
It’s different from firebug’s. Should I be worried?
Jail for Ashley
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:45 PM
Comment #59Jib,
You keep going on about his best team and while telling us that there isn’t a best team, he sometimes plays Colback over Hayden or Perez instead of Diame when both are fit.
lochinvar
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:45 PM
Comment #60Jail – Rafa bingo
Darlow
Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummet
Shelvey, Colback
Atsu, Diame, Perez
Mitro
Mister Tuff
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:46 PM
Comment #61Damn – totally forgot about Diame in my line-up.
Think he’ll start – yet another bingo wrong.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:47 PM
Comment #62Apparently 80 flags got pinched after one game, they need to number them and take people ST numbers.
YoungMagpieFromBurnley
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:47 PM
Comment #63Rafa bingo
Darlow
Anita_Lascelles_Clark_Lazaar
Hayden_Shelvey
Atsu_Perez_Gouffran
Mitrovic
Atsu and Gouffran switching wings from time to time.
YoungMagpieFromBurnley
Nov 4, 2016 at 4:48 PM
Comment #64Wouldn’t be surprised if Atsu starts on the left with Yedlin on the right and Anita in right back.
firebug666
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:00 PM
Comment #65Ron @ 58
Be afraid…..Be very afraid!
😀
Ron Knee
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:04 PM
Comment #66firebug
Sheer terror, mate!
Have Nitro and Gayle played together this season (apart from in the Wolves defeat)?
Jib
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:08 PM
Comment #67Jail
Just because I say there are now no weak links in the squad doesn’t mean there cannot be an optimum team in the manager’s thinking.
Rafa as the consumate manager he is would never tell us.
His selection tomorrow , at home against a weak Cardiff , with two weeks recuperation time , will/should be a good indicator.
firebug666
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:08 PM
Comment #68No but I have a feeling it might happen post Christmas mate if at all.
Would love to see a 4-4-2 like this:
Darlow
Yedlin—–Lascelles—–Clark—–Lazaar
Richie—–Shelvey—–Hayden—–Atsu
Mitrovic—–Gayle
Think they would start to rip teams apart at this level.
Ron Knee
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:09 PM
Comment #69I’ve just remembered the Norwich match, when Nitro tried to throttle Gayle!
firebug666
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:10 PM
Comment #70@ 68 was meant for you Ron.
Ron Knee
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:11 PM
Comment #71So Nitro and Gayle only play together when we’re losing? Last throw of the dice, etc.?
Bobbybee
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:13 PM
Comment #72Rafa’s bingo line up.
Darlow
Yedders Lascelles Clark Dummett
Shelvey Hayden
Atsu Diame The Gouff
Mitrovic
Ha! My predictive text virtually picked that for me, but for Ritchie it would have done. 🙂 Divine intervention?
firebug666
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:15 PM
Comment #73Bobby
Copycat! 😀
Jib
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:19 PM
Comment #74That’s why so many fans want to see G and M together
Rafa’s hand was forced in the Norwich game and Mitro came on at 79 minutes for Diamé and we played 4-4-2 and the extra time fireworks became part of Toon folklore.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:23 PM
Comment #75Not necessarily, he might play a very attacking team tomorrow or abmore physical team, I don’t agree he has a best eleven. I think he has a best eight.
Ron Knee
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:26 PM
Comment #76Jib
So we’ve only seen them together twice (briefly)?
firebug@
Rafa’s pragmatic when it comes to changing players (eg, Sels) but I’m not so sure about changing formations!
Jail for Ashley
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:26 PM
Comment #77Jib,
The Norwi h game showed people or made people think it would work. The reason imo opinion why people want them playing together is because we’re desperate to see a high scoring partnership for the first time since Shearer and Bellamy.
Ron Knee
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:27 PM
Comment #78@68!
G
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:30 PM
Comment #79Jib, who`s this M like? What if wor lass finds out?
Jib
Nov 4, 2016 at 5:37 PM
Comment #80Ron
They have never started a game together.
In the 2 nil loss to Wolves Mitro came on replacing Hayden on the hour to join Gayle and totally unbalanced the side.
Atsu came on for Ritchie who was on a yellow
They both came on just after Ayoze lost possesion to Costa for Wolvs second.
The ref was really card happy and gave Vurn a red for nowt.