Rafa Benitez has just given his press conference for the game against Cardiff City tomorrow afternoon in the Championship and we will try to extend our winning run in all competitions to eight games.
Rafa gave an injury update and Dwight Gayle is fit and Rolando Aarons is getting close to full training.
Rafa Benitez – finished his press conference this afternoon
Here are some of the initial comments Rafa has made about the game at St. James’ Park tomorrow afternoon:
“We know that Cardiff is a team that has changed a bit. Warnock is a manager with great Championship experience and we expect a tough game.”
“Gayle is fit. I am really pleased to have 2 players scoring goals. The competition is really good for the team and us.”
“No new injuries. Aarons is getting close. Murphy is much better but not yet. Rest of players are fine and Elliot almost back. “
“We’ve been working on different options so hopefully we can keep that level. The players are doing what they have to do
“No complacency is what we are telling the players. I am happy because I can see the team progressing every week.”
A huge majority of fans expect us to win this game tomorrow.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
8 comments so far
AncientC
Nov 4, 2016 at 1:26 PM
Comment #1Taking a look through some of the Cardiff games, they seem surrender possession. 40% of the ball is a good game for Cardiff.
Playing at home against Sheffield Wednesday, they had 28.8% possession!
I do not want to speak too soon, but it could/should be one way traffic tomorrow.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 4, 2016 at 1:26 PM
Comment #2That’s put the cat among the pigeons prediction wise.
I think many of us assumed that Gayle would be rested till after the international break. Not so sure now.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 4, 2016 at 1:26 PM
Comment #3I remember the outcry because we signed Murphy instead of someone superstar who wouldn’t have played in the Championship anyway, even if we’d signed Bas Dost and he managed to score more than Gayle, people would still be screaming for Mitro.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 4, 2016 at 1:28 PM
Comment #4Bring back Hibbitt!
dok - the horrid colonial
Nov 4, 2016 at 1:29 PM
Comment #5gmorning,
just happy to see us playing well, and building a foundation for next season, hit the prem up and running… its nice to have these “problems” for once in regards to depth…
jayphoto
Nov 4, 2016 at 1:31 PM
Comment #6Think Murphy will prove to be an astute signing in time! Ipswich are much worse off for losing him. Works tirelessly and can play in a 10 role too. Shame he hasn’t been fit really!
Reckon the challenges on Gayle if they can catch him might get heavier. It’s not that Gayle is better than mitro, they are very different, but I think Shelvey is far more effective when he has runners in front of him and shelvey is probably the best player in the championship by some way.
Wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep Arma after January as an alternative for Gayle. He’s showing at Barnsley he’s able to cut it at this level.
jayphoto
Nov 4, 2016 at 1:34 PM
Comment #7Thought at the start of the season Brighton will be our nearest competitor. Should have gone up last year and only added to their squad! Reckon they’ll be over 85 points, which is probably the promotion total. Wouldn’t mind us having a go at that Knockaert again! Good player, got a trick! Not sure despite gouffs form that left wing is our strongest area either! Similarly Robbie Brady wouldn’t be a bad January shout
Jail for Ashley
Nov 4, 2016 at 1:45 PM
Comment #8Jay,
Arma isn’t getting enough game time as it is for Barnsley, he should be starting every game, we have an alternative in Perez who also knows where the net is, I also can’t see how Murphy is going to get any minutes at all if Mitro and Gayle are fit and free from suspension, I think he must have known that before he signed though.