After losing three games in a row in a short six days last week, Rafa Benitez will want to send out what really is his best team to face a good Birmingham side on Saturday.
What exactly is Newcastle’s best team is of course a very good question, but we think Rafa will go for some experience in the side.
And assuming local lad Colback is fit to play again after that problem with his eye – we expect Jack to start against the Blues.
Jack Colback going off against Preston in League Cup
Newcastle have very few injuries – Jesus Gamez is out with a broken collar-bone and Rolando Aarons is out for the season with a serious ACL knee injury.
So this is the side Rafa could start on Saturday:
Darlow
Anita Lascelles (c) Clark Dummett
Colback Shelvey
Ritchie Diame Gouffran
Gayle
That’s a strong side with experienced players in it like Anita, Diame, Gouffran, Clark and Colback.
We don’t do subs this season because it’s hard enough getting the team right with Rafa in charge – we’ve managed that once all season!
🙂
What would your team be for the tough Birmingham City game?
Comments welcome.
27 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Dec 8, 2016 at 1:02 PM
Comment #1I’m waiting until the presser tomorrow 😮
hibbit
Dec 8, 2016 at 1:19 PM
Comment #2think the atmosphere against forest will be electric !!!
Jail for Ashley
Dec 8, 2016 at 1:27 PM
Comment #3Just a little bit hibbit, I’m home for both festive games as well 😀
Jail for Ashley
Dec 8, 2016 at 1:56 PM
Comment #4sitc,
WOW,
Blackburn away sold out, nearly 7K Geordies in Ewood park, what a day that is going to be.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:08 PM
Comment #5Lansbury nominated for player of the month, what a message that will send out to every young follower of Championship football, shall i get my aunty Sauvingon to platt my hair before the big school game on Saturday!
sing in the corner
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:25 PM
Comment #6Aye we’ve come a long way since more acceptable hair dos..
Like King Kev’s, and Chrissy Waddle’s 🙂
Jail for Ashley
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:28 PM
Comment #7sitc,
Are you suggestingbthat the platted top knot is the modern equivalent of the mullet.
toonincheek
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:30 PM
Comment #8Jail –
Lansbury being nominated for Player of the Month is crazy.
YET – in a perverse sort of way, NUFC fans can make
more of a point by voting FOR him, just to embarrass him.
IF – he is capable of embarrassment, which is unlikely.
dok - the horrid colonial
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:33 PM
Comment #9when I started following this club, that was one of the 1st things I noticed watching on television, how the singing was so loud… we don’t have anything like that here, and it amazed me, one of the reasons I began supporting this club to be honest..
Jail for Ashley
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:38 PM
Comment #10toonincheek,
Well let the perverts vote for him 😮
lesh
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:41 PM
Comment #11Jail
You surely jest about Lansbury’s nomination for player of the month?
hibbit
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:42 PM
Comment #12dok – the horrid colonial
that’s as much to do with Sky and how the position the ground mic’s these days
Jail for Ashley
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:43 PM
Comment #13From NUFC.com
Cheat set to prosper
a more advanced position?
Tuesday: The FA revoke two red cards given to Newcastle players who tangled with Nottingham Forest’s Henri Lansbury on December 2nd, a clear admission that his actions duped match officials.
Thursday: The EFL announce their Championship Player of the Month nominations for November, with Nottingham Forest’s Henri Lansbury included for:
“…taking full advantage of his more advanced position – an assured and consistent driving force for Forest.”
Well you can’t argue that he’s not consistent – let’s just see whether he drives to Tyneside on December 30th, or gets waylaid en route by injury/suspension…
hibbit
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:43 PM
Comment #14Jail for Ashley
who else is on the list ???
Bobbybee
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:52 PM
Comment #15Not sure how many watch every game – virtually – that sky broadcast, but those who do will be aware how good a footballing side Birmingham have turned into lately. They get the ball down and pass and move. Because of this I can see the game on Saturday possibly being one of the best we’ll witness at SJP this season. I say possibly because sods law could well step in. The games I’ve seen involving Birmingham have been impressive. They’ll finish above their city rivals on their current form, despite Villa being such a massive club – allegedly. We’ll need to be at our best, but after Friday night I imagine Rafa won’t need to do much motivation. If we play to our level we’ll win, but any slacking could cost us dearly. Really looking forward Saturday and a cracking game.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:57 PM
Comment #16hibbit,
I’m not sure, hope Darlow gets it.
Bobbybee
Dec 8, 2016 at 2:57 PM
Comment #17Jail, love Lansbury’s ‘more advanced position’. By that I presume they mean in the penalty area falling over at every opportunity he gets. Worratosser. 🙂
Jail for Ashley
Dec 8, 2016 at 3:01 PM
Comment #18hibbit,
find out more by following this link.
X
The Football League
menu
SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYER OF THE MONTH NOMINATIONS – NOVEMBER 2016
Thu 08 Dec 2016 05:55
fb_logotwitter_logo
First slide
The nominations for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award for November 2016.
Tom Ince (Derby County)
Four goals in three games for the 24-year-old who is tapping into a rich vein of form. Happiest when he is floating across the front line and attacking defenders at pace, he scored twice in each of the wins over Wolves and Rotherham.
Tomasz Kuszczak (Birmingham City)
Brilliant in all three games in a month in which Birmingham picked up seven points largely because of his agility and reflexes. Pulled off a remarkable series of saves in the win over Bristol City despite breaking his nose in the game.
Henri Lansbury (Nottingham Forest)
Given freer rein to go forward this season, he is taking full advantage of his more advanced position. An assured and consistent driving force for Forest, he excelled in the 5-2 win at Barnsley with the first hat-trick of his career.
Steve Sidwell (Brighton & Hove Albion)
A wonder goal from two yards inside his own half in the 2-0 win at Bristol City was the obvious highlight of his month, but it was his steadying influence in the Albion midfield which had the biggest impact as they consolidated second place.
Spotlight Kid
Dec 8, 2016 at 3:01 PM
Comment #19‘In the Sky Bet Championship, Bristol City’s Tammy Abraham, Brighton centre-back Shane Duffy, striker Scott Hogan of Brentford and Norwich winger Jacob Murphy are up for the player award.
‘Norwich City’s Alex Neil, Rafa Benitez of Newcastle, Carlos Carvahal of Sheffield Wednesday and Reading boss Jaap Stam are nominated in the manager award category.’
Sky
Spotlight Kid
Dec 8, 2016 at 3:03 PM
Comment #20Except that was for bleedin’ September, what was in that tea?
Spotlight Kid
Dec 8, 2016 at 3:08 PM
Comment #21OK, back on the coffee….
November Short List
Garath McCleary (Reading)
Glenn Murray (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Henri Lansbury (Nottingham Forest)
Jonathan Kodjia (Aston Villa)
Tom Clarke (Preston North End)
Tom Ince (Derby County)
Jail for Ashley
Dec 8, 2016 at 3:14 PM
Comment #22Spotlight kid,
It’s different to this one
http://mobile.efl.com//news/article/2016/sky-bet-championship-player-of-the-month-nominations-november-2016-3453753.aspx
Spotlight Kid
Dec 8, 2016 at 3:44 PM
Comment #23Yeah, my fault, Jail. I quickly skimmed the article and saw Angela’s name and assumed this was the one. In fact I copied the fan’s November player of the month list instead – I give up….
“More coffee, garçon.”
Jail for Ashley
Dec 8, 2016 at 3:54 PM
Comment #24Sk,
No worries, you win’t be getting called a ‘footy’ know nowt from this end 😀
dok - the horrid colonial
Dec 8, 2016 at 4:17 PM
Comment #25hibbitt,
when I 1st started following, it was back in 96 or so… not sure if there were mikes yet.. but the point is, SJP is incredible to hear when its rocking…
dok - the horrid colonial
Dec 8, 2016 at 4:20 PM
Comment #26bobby,
will you be at the match on Saturday?
hibbit
Dec 8, 2016 at 4:32 PM
Comment #27dok – the horrid colonial
it still rocks but not every game this season has been good (except the the blackburn game) but still nowhere near the volume of the 90’s by a long way
at least the fans now have something to shout/cheer about which hasn’t been the case for a long time