The game against Cardiff City at home today is statistically the easiest game of the season in the league so far for Newcastle, since we are at home to the 4th bottom club.
But that’s why it’s such a dangerous game, because the players may think exactly that and not go into the game with the determination and enthusiasm they would show if they were facing a Brighton or a Norwich side for example.
And the last time we had an “easy game” was when we were on the road at Rotherham United and they gave us everything we could handle in the narrow 1-0 win at a packed out New York Stadium.
Neil Warnock – Cardiff manager at press conference yesterday
Rafa has been drumming it into the players all season long about complacency and they must respect every single opponent – which of course is what the very good teams do in every single game.
This is what Rafa has told the Chronicle today:
“We know that we are doing well and we do have confidence in ourselves, but at the same time my message is always the same.”
“It’s what the fans are expecting too – no complacency and no over-confidence.” “We will then approach the game in the same way we have before.”
“We have to be sure that we can get three points and go away and enjoy the international break.” “But it is a tough game and they have a manager with experience of the Championship.”
“We know we have to compete from the first minute until the last.”
“Every game is dangerous because everyone is expecting to work towards beating us.” “They want to try to challenge us and we know it will be like this until the end of the season.”
“We have to be ready for these type of games.”
Cardiff were beaten 1-0 at home to Wigan Athletic last Saturday and that was Neil Warnock’s first loss since taking over on October 5th.
In 4 games he has two wins and a draw for a good 7 points so they are now an improved side.
We need to win this game this afternoon – some way – some how.
Comments welcome.
38 comments so far
WWSBRD
Nov 5, 2016 at 9:35 AM
Comment #1firebug
Winger and a no 10 is what I expect in Jan mate and maybe Atsu signed up
But even that could unsettle the squad probably won’t tbf certainly more exciting than worrying
firebug666
Nov 5, 2016 at 9:36 AM
Comment #2I think I will go with a 3-0 win today, think it will be a tough game with a lot of high hoof ball taking place.
It’s likely they will come to shut up shop and go for a point away, but hope for a lucky break.
Our lot will need to have patience, and keep them under pressure to break them down.
toontaff2
Nov 5, 2016 at 9:37 AM
Comment #3Well it’s currently 6 degrees, lower with wind chill and hailing on the Coast!
I demand a performance to warm me up!
Lindisfarne
Nov 5, 2016 at 9:37 AM
Comment #4Bingo Blue Bird
———————– Mitro
————- Atsu – Diame – Yedlin
————— Colback – Shelvey
Dummett – Lascelles – Mbemba – Anita
———————– Darlow
toontaff2
Nov 5, 2016 at 9:38 AM
Comment #5Let’s hope the Bluebird fans stay clear of our fields – BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
firebug666
Nov 5, 2016 at 9:39 AM
Comment #6WWSBRD
Yeah that’s pretty much my thinking too, one or two in, a couple that or on loan to leave permanently, and maybe a couple of deals set up to complete in the summer on pre contracts. Goofy for example may sign a deal for the summer.
WWSBRD
Nov 5, 2016 at 9:42 AM
Comment #7firebug
Aye goofy and Anita may sign up to go elsewhere come summer and if we can get a fee for them Rafa may take it neither are really needed come Jan tbf
firebug666
Nov 5, 2016 at 9:47 AM
Comment #8WWSBRD
I think Rafa will have his eyes on a few players for when we are promoted, and may do a few deals with that in mind, I agree on Goofy and Anita.
WWSBRD
Nov 5, 2016 at 9:51 AM
Comment #9firebug
Aye maybe have some free agents lined up though I’ve no idea who will be available
Might see a Carrick type come in
firebug666
Nov 5, 2016 at 9:53 AM
Comment #10Have company bbs.
WWSBRD
Nov 5, 2016 at 9:54 AM
Comment #11Speaking of loans apparently Depay is going to be available in Jan….haha
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Nov 5, 2016 at 9:56 AM
Comment #12Aye
7-1 to the TOON
Jail for Ashley
Nov 5, 2016 at 10:06 AM
Comment #133-0 to add to my line up for three bonus points.
I wonder who’ll be the first to complain when we start beating teams by only three goals.
Boom Boom.
sing in the corner
Nov 5, 2016 at 10:15 AM
Comment #14Aye it’s gonna be frozzin today. And I’m down the front of the Gallowgate west corner, by the corner flag today, as I continue my nomadic tour of the ground. So might be wet as well, just like the old days! Wor lass mistakenly told me the ticket I’m blagging from her uncle is in the leazes end, but she’s got no sense of direction! 🙂
expatmag
Nov 5, 2016 at 10:43 AM
Comment #15Rafas bingo wotsits
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clark Dummett
Shelvey Haydrn
Atsu Diame Gouffran
Mitrovic
Legolas
Nov 5, 2016 at 10:46 AM
Comment #16Rafa bingo
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clark Dummett
Atsu Colback Shelvey Gouffran
Diame
Mitro
beermonkey
Nov 5, 2016 at 10:54 AM
Comment #17are we on tv anywhere today
Lindisfarne
Nov 5, 2016 at 10:58 AM
Comment #18I can’t see Atsu and Yedlin playing on the same flank, not that they are exactly the same but it would appear to be doubling on speed and unbalancing the line up.
Jib
Nov 5, 2016 at 10:58 AM
Comment #19From the Ronnie Gill
Rafa Benitez doesn’t have anything against the good old 4-4-2 system. But he is also a great believer in sticking with a winning formation.
If it’s not broke, why fix it? Or at least that seems to be the thinking behind Benitez’s strategy at the moment.
For the majority of the season so far he has preferred a 4-2-3-1 shape and it is a system that has propelled his team to the top of the Sky Bet Championship while rattling in 32 goals along the way.
His team have more points than eventual winners Burnley did 12 months ago, and they are in a better position than United were in 2010.
In recent weeks there have been calls to play both Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dwight Gayle together in attack.
Benitez would have to change his formation in order accommodate such a popular pairing.
When asked about 11-goal Gayle and five-goal Mitrovic, Benitez told the Chronicle: “Both have been really good when we have been playing 4-2-3-1.
“I have played both in one game but not too much, just some minutes. In training sessions, we have tried 4-4-2.
“We have different options and we can use both if necessary.
“But when you are doing well nobody can guarantee you’ll do better by changing things.
“If you are doing something right the best advice you can give to anybody is to keep doing the same.”
To some observers, the 4-4-2 formation is old fashioned and there is no place for it in modern football.
When asked if he felt the same way, Benitez said: “No, no – it’s a good option, but it depends on the players you have.
“If you play 4-4-2 you have to be strong in the middle too, the midfielders have to be able to have good legs to get into the space.
“We are doing well like this, though, we are scoring goals and it’s not like we need more strikers because we are scoring more goals than anyone.
“We have the balance right and it’s always important when you want to compete and win games.”
Jib
Nov 5, 2016 at 11:13 AM
Comment #20Confirmed Rafa bingo
Darlow
Anita
Lascelles
Clark
Dummett
Hayden
Colback
Shelvey
Gouffran
Diamé
Mitrovic
4 – 1
nut meg
Nov 5, 2016 at 11:14 AM
Comment #21Rafa’s bingo V Cardiff.
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clark Dummett
Shelvey Hayden
Atsu Diame Gouffran
Mitrovic
Lindisfarne
Nov 5, 2016 at 11:21 AM
Comment #22Job – 433?!
Bobbybee
Nov 5, 2016 at 11:24 AM
Comment #23Merry match day to you all and bring it on. As always, really looking forward to the match and can’t wait to get there. Fancy another comfortable win today, so going 4-0 for a giggle. If we score early it could be anything today. Need to draw them out and get Atsu running behind them. Mitrovic can expect some intimidating marking today so let’s hope he keeps his head if he starts. Complacency will be our biggest problem but no doubt Rafa has that under control.
bettyswallocks
Nov 5, 2016 at 11:41 AM
Comment #24Just reading that Napoli might come calling for Mitro. I can’t imagine Rafa would let him go, at least I hope not as I think there’s a lot more to come from him.
sing in the corner
Nov 5, 2016 at 11:43 AM
Comment #25Spotlight on Atsu today, with no Ritchie. First taste of a good old northern icy blast at SJP for him? Don’t wanna see too many of our lads sporting sets of woolly gloves, pet hate of mine!
Was it Laurent Robert used to have short sleeves and gloves? 🙂
Good service required from Atsu and Jonjo today.
Howay the laaaads!!
lesh
Nov 5, 2016 at 11:44 AM
Comment #26Bobby
Yill heta gan canny with ya prediction. Fower nowt’ll de ya back nee gud what wi arl the jumpin upn doon on ya seat. Yil just hetta keep a haad bonny lad.
Jib
Nov 5, 2016 at 11:44 AM
Comment #27Nah
Diamé on the wing
lesh
Nov 5, 2016 at 11:47 AM
Comment #28Sing
Any player standing around like a tin a milk’ll feel the cold.
But, if the lads are running with tactical purpose, they’ll help keep the fans warm as well.
Bobbybee
Nov 5, 2016 at 11:49 AM
Comment #29Lesh, learnt my lesson at the Norwich game mate, I intend to be fully in control today. 🙂 Can’t see another Norwich today to be fair though. Just need results elsewhere to go our way and increase our lead at the top.
Jib
Nov 5, 2016 at 11:50 AM
Comment #30I think Atsu Yedlin Aarons Perez Lazaar Gamez all have a chance of getting game time.
However the bingo is for the starting line-up and Rafa will err on the side of caution until he sees what Warnocks game plan is.
Bobbybee
Nov 5, 2016 at 11:54 AM
Comment #31Betty, can’t see Mitrovic going either mate. If one player is happy where he is, it’s Mitrovic. I expect our players will be linked with other clubs up until January as much as players will be linked with us. I’m happy to have Rafa handle all that bollocking.
Chancel be a fine thing
Nov 5, 2016 at 11:58 AM
Comment #32Gonna add 3-0 to the toon as my score prediction.
Kabul Fish
Nov 5, 2016 at 12:03 PM
Comment #33Jail – Rafa Bingo if I’m not too late me old china?
Darlow
Anita Lascelles Clark Dummett
Hayden Shelvey
Atsu Diame Gouffran
Mitro
2 – 1 to the Toon
TyneMouth
Nov 5, 2016 at 12:03 PM
Comment #34…it’s about time we scored five, and it would be appropriate to do it today. Remember, remember the……
beermonkey
Nov 5, 2016 at 12:04 PM
Comment #35jib
is aarons fit
sing in the corner
Nov 5, 2016 at 12:06 PM
Comment #36Half season ticket race is hotting up. Just secured a couple today, wanted Gallowgate East corner, but none left 2 together unfortunately but got one of the last ones in the block of the Gallowgate right next to the corner, so I’m happy! 🙂
Box office told be there are very few left in the middle section across the Gallowgate. It’s decision time people!!
L
Chancel be a fine thing
Nov 5, 2016 at 12:14 PM
Comment #37Beermonkey
Aarons getting close according to this article:
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/11/05/jr-benitez-offers-update-on-the-fitness-of-rolando-aarons/
Just standing in, as Jib is on his tea break.
beermonkey
Nov 5, 2016 at 12:17 PM
Comment #38chancel
cheers