When Achraf Lazaar played in the FA Cup at Birmingham 11 days ago in the 1-1 draw. he had a ver good game playing as a left wing-back.
His future at Newcastle is probably as a winger rather than as a full-back, so maybe Rafa will play him in that position tonight with Massadio Haidara probably coming in at left back.
Achraf to his credit has been very patent after only playing six times for Newcastle since he signed for us from Palermo last August.
Every time he’s played it’s obvious this lad has talent and he has a great left foot.
Achraf Lazaar with Rafa Benitez after signing for Newcastle
And because of his inactivity at Newcastle he did not make the Moroccan squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, so that will be a disappointment for him.
But the lad is still upbeat and positive – and he has been talking to the Italian website Tutto Mercato Web (TMW) and this is some of what the 24 year-old had to say:
“I’m fine with the group, and at the club.” ”We are winning so much and you know: Never change a winning team.”
“So I’m finding little space as a professional.”
“I try to show my qualities. I know what I’m worth and where I can get.”
“But me no. I’m good at Newcastle. I’ve heard of some teams, I’m glad – but I’m happy here and I want to be a leader.”
With Newcastle having picked up a few injuries recently this is a good chance for Achraf to show what he can for the side – starting tonight in the 3rd round replay against Birmingham City.
This is the team we think Rafa could start tonight:
Sels
Yedlin Lascelles (c) Hanley Haidara
Shelvey Colback
Ritchie Perez Lazaar
Murphy
Comments welcome.
32 comments so far
optimistic prime
Jan 18, 2017 at 4:08 PM
Comment #1Repost from last
Can’t say I’m a huge fan of Perez, didn’t think he deserved a starting place last year and don’t think he deserves one now.
He’s to light weight ball greedy and offers little in end product. Needs must but if possible I wouldn’t start him.
Still be cheering and egging him on to a hat trick and a few assists if he starts, it’s better than holding my breath.
The Odd goal or assist every dozen games isn’t enough to warrant a starting place, he must do more.
Jib
Jan 18, 2017 at 4:23 PM
Comment #2I’ve a feeling that Cheick Tiote will be on the pitch at sometime tonight to say farewell to the fans.
archaeomag
Jan 18, 2017 at 4:24 PM
Comment #3LGFUAD21 /Jib etc
Re Talk sport;
Not many people know this …..but you can find almost any station from BBC Iplayer radio, by clicking the menu icon in the top left corner; they are all listed and there is search field; weird but true.
dem
Jan 18, 2017 at 4:25 PM
Comment #4Rafa Bingo
Sels
Yedlin Hanley Lascelles Haidara
Shelvey Colback
Gouffran Perez Lazaar
Murphy
2-1 Newcastle
Ron Knee
Jan 18, 2017 at 4:30 PM
Comment #5RIP Rachael Heyhoe Flint
AncientC
Jan 18, 2017 at 4:30 PM
Comment #6Tiote looking for a farewell eh? Let’s hope he doesn’t turn up wearing his Arsenal shirt whilst he is fleecing the club.
giimps
Jan 18, 2017 at 4:30 PM
Comment #7OP ,Perez is a bit of an enigma, when hes good he has the ability to make things happen in front of goal, some of his movement and good decision making last season and the season before was very good…….unfortunately, i think the creative spark and good movement only very occasionally pokes through and almost invisible performance, he seems to glide through the game without getting involved and leaving the opposition only one forward player to mark, i athink even Sameobi has played better albeit for a lower league side, hes been involved shown good awareness and scored some thunderous goals…..its a pityhe is cup tied, tonight would have been a great opportunity to try him ,luckily we have Laazzaar ……it will be extremely interesting to see what team the Gaffa puts out tonight, and even more interesting if we play a more attacking role since were at home …….theres no way he will want extra time and penalties to drain our players more baring in mind how we fared in penalties vs a very poor Hull side, i just hope to god he plays Darlow or Elliot
Jail for Ashley
Jan 18, 2017 at 4:38 PM
Comment #8Rafa bingo for what it’s worth.
Sels
Sterry Hanley Lascelles Haidara
Shelvey Tiote
Gouffran Perez Lazaar
Murphy
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 18, 2017 at 4:42 PM
Comment #9I’d overlooked Lazar for my bingo team, would probably picked him instead of Gouffron, still want to see El Mhanni playing.
ShirebrookToon
Jan 18, 2017 at 4:52 PM
Comment #10Rafa bingo prediction
——————-Sels
Yedlin–Hanley–Clark–Lazaar
———Colback–Tiote
——Ritchie–Perez–Goufran
—————-Murphy
martoon
Jan 18, 2017 at 5:00 PM
Comment #11Jail @8 – I’m pretty sure Sterry is cup tied!
Jail for Ashley
Jan 18, 2017 at 5:03 PM
Comment #12martoon,
Should have read the small print, Sterry played for Coventry. doh! Surely it’s time we stopped allowing loanees to play in cups.
Legolas
Jan 18, 2017 at 5:06 PM
Comment #13Rafa Bingo Selection:
Sels
Yedlin Lascelles Hanley Lazaar
Ritchie Shelvey Colback Gouffran
Perez
Murphy
HWTL
SPRINGY
Jan 18, 2017 at 5:06 PM
Comment #14Think rafa may keep murphy for the weekend as we are a little thin in strikers
Mister Tuff
Jan 18, 2017 at 5:14 PM
Comment #15My Rafa Bingo shout.
Sels
Yedlin Lascelles Hanley Lazaar
Tiote Colback Gouffran
Perez El Mhanni
Murphy
Was tempted not to put Murphy in -due to Gayles injury. But as Rafa has played it down a bit I think Gayle will be ok for the weekend – thus Murphy needs a game.
martoon
Jan 18, 2017 at 5:20 PM
Comment #16Jail @12 – It’s your game so you can allow yourself a second selection 🙂
SPRINGY
Jan 18, 2017 at 5:21 PM
Comment #17Mister tuff
You could be ryt,…If murphy starts then that could be a indicator that gayle will be back sooner then we expect….also mitro apparently is making good recovery time.
Mister Tuff
Jan 18, 2017 at 5:26 PM
Comment #18Springy – if Murphy starts tonight – it’s a sure sign that Gayle will be ok for the weekend – cannot see him playing Murphy twice in four days.
If Mitro’s gash had been on his shin – he could have been available but as it is across his knee – it would just split again during a game. Maybe another week for him.
SPRINGY
Jan 18, 2017 at 5:31 PM
Comment #19Mister tuff
Mitros injury has went from days to weeks,to months and now back to weeks,last i heard it could be a couple of weeks….heard 2-3 weeks for gayle but that was the other day so that might of changed again!lol
Themesh
Jan 18, 2017 at 5:37 PM
Comment #20Anyone know why he didnt go to the AFCON with morroco?
posada
Jan 18, 2017 at 5:43 PM
Comment #21Because they didn’t want him.
Themesh
Jan 18, 2017 at 5:56 PM
Comment #22thanks for that brilliant insight……….. i mean if he was playing in serie A for lazio surely he would have been 1st or 2nd choice lb. hes had more caps then 5 of their defenders called up and he was in the squad last year whilst with us. Mendyl played lb the other night and the other lb they have plays for hearts so is he really rated worse than lilles and hearst lb? just interesting is all
Themesh
Jan 18, 2017 at 5:59 PM
Comment #23Adding Mendyl hasnt even played for Lilles first team hes in the youth squad
toontaff2
Jan 18, 2017 at 6:13 PM
Comment #2410 years and1 day, since I sat there watching us lose 1-5, Steven Taylor shot by a sniper on top of the East Stand, DJ Cambell running us ragged! Taylor and Ramage at centre half!
RAFA Bingo:
Sels
Yedlin Findlay Hanley Haidara
Barlaser Tiote Shelvey Lazaar
Ben Al-Mahni
Perez
subs: Elliott, Lsascalles Clark Colback Murphy Ritchie Holmes
5-1 . Revenge for my humiliating mention on the highlights 10 years ago!
And I expect my tenner’s worth!
Ad if I’m right………………..
And on that note off to the metro to the match!!
Ron Knee
Jan 18, 2017 at 6:20 PM
Comment #25Confirmed Rafa Bingo line-up (copied from Ed!):-
Sels
Yedlin Lascelles Hanley Haidara
Shelvey Colback
Ritchie Perez Lazaar
Murphy
Ron Knee
Jan 18, 2017 at 6:22 PM
Comment #26So Depay is going to Lyon.
hibbit
Jan 18, 2017 at 6:29 PM
Comment #27Thats another one we missed Ed !!!!
Jib
Jan 18, 2017 at 6:33 PM
Comment #28Crystal Palace are on 16 points with 17 games to go.
Allardyce will try for draws while nicking the odd win to get them to the magic 40+ points.
Andros Townsend’s attacking style is just not compatible with Fat Sam’s pragmatic approach.
He will be surplus to requirements in South London for the rest of this season.
It’s a no brainer that he should return for at least 6 months to the club where he enjoyed his most playing success for years.
posada
Jan 18, 2017 at 6:43 PM
Comment #29Despite all that they still didn’t want him.
Ron Knee
Jan 18, 2017 at 6:46 PM
Comment #30Barlaser starts for #nufc
Foiled again!
Jib
Jan 18, 2017 at 6:46 PM
Comment #31https://twitter.com/NUFC
Barlaser in !
lochinvar
Jan 18, 2017 at 8:16 PM
Comment #32One up , Ritchie Pen, 9 mins