Jamaal Lascelles has been one of the success stories of the season so far and ever since Rafa Benitez came in last March 11th he almost immediately saw the potential and leadership of Jamaal and started playing him in the first team.
That was a huge change from the way Steve McClaren had handled him and basically Jamaal never got a look-in with the hapless McClaren.
Rafa even made Jamaal the captain in the summer when he was only 22 and that was after Jamaal had shown real leadership in adversity last season – especially that episode at half time when we were being taken apart at Southampton.
Rafa Benitez and Jamaal Lascelles
Jamaal called out more senior players who didn’t say a word at the break – good for him.
One player – now departed – even broke his hand on the wall – and that didn’t help anything or anybody.
Jamaal seems to epitomize the new player at Newcastle – completely committed and willing to do whatever Rafa tells them to do – such is the presence, experience and single-minded professionalism of the world-class manager we have at Newcastle.
This is what Jamaal has said today as reported in the Chronicle:
“We have had a few blips, but we don’t panic. We know what type of boss we have and what type of players we have here.”
“We’re half way through the season and we are still playing good football.” “Rafa Benitez is a very experienced manager.”
“He’s managed at the very top level so whatever he says we agree with and back him up. We’ll give our all.”
“With the players we have, there is talent but also we have people who care, they want to work hard.”
“We have a really balanced group and a massive squad with depth.”
“I’ve come along way from not even being in the team to travelling with the team to being captain.”
“I have kicked on, I hope I am just at the start of it. Loads has changed, players come and go and there’s different staff.”
“Rafa Benitez is the boss now so the club are on the way up.” “If we keep winning games it’ll keep improving.”
“With the players we have they are great on the pitch but also in the changing room and in and around the building.”
“There’s not one player that doesn’t get involved.” “We go for team meals and I think that’s really important and it carries onto the pitch.”
Lascelles has now made 51 appearances for Newcastle (30 this season) with three goals and he looks to have a stellar future ahead of him as he leads Newcastle forward with the expert guidance from Rafa Benitez.
There’s no reason with a little bit of luck that in a year’s time we could even be doing well in the Premier League.
But hey – first things first – we must get promoted this season – that’s the only thing that matters at the moment.
Comments welcome.
57 comments so far
hibbit
Jan 27, 2017 at 11:08 AM
Comment #41update from palace.
San Allardyce said at a press conference this morning (Friday) that Palace have received no bids for any players this month, other than loan enquiries.
“We have had no bids for Andros,” he said.
“Nobody has bid for anybody at the club at the moment.
“A few clubs have asked about loans, but as we can’t get a loan, I don’t see why we should loan anyone at this stage, so we have said no to those at the moment.”
expatmag
Jan 27, 2017 at 11:10 AM
Comment #42OFD
You know you are getting old when you turn up for a Deep Purple concert and at 63, you are one of tbe youngest in tbe audience……lol
Lots if grey gaired headbangers with pony tails
expatmag
Jan 27, 2017 at 11:14 AM
Comment #43HIBBITT
Strange Allardyce was pleading poverty recently but he has spent nigh on £27 million in recent days on Schlupp and Van Arnholt.
I wonder who he thinks he will sell and to who to recoup some mobey back
Jib
Jan 27, 2017 at 11:18 AM
Comment #44The year we last got past this round of the FA cup guess who won it ?
one fine day
Jan 27, 2017 at 11:20 AM
Comment #45Expat ,
As long as the St. John ambulance are on duty I am sure the night would without a hitch .
The only grey pony tail I think has ever looked good is on the little guy who hangs out with shrek ( and I don’t mean rooneys dad )
one fine day
Jan 27, 2017 at 11:22 AM
Comment #46Jib
Man utd ?
After trousing us in Cardiff ?
one fine day
Jan 27, 2017 at 11:23 AM
Comment #47Done without google I may add
Belfast
Jan 27, 2017 at 11:28 AM
Comment #4814 million for Van Ann holt is ridiculous and so was the 13 million they paid for Schullp who was a bit part player at Leicester.
I’d say someone is getting good commission from these deals. Nudge nudge wink wink.
Jib
Jan 27, 2017 at 11:41 AM
Comment #49Ans
Rafa Benitez’ Liverpool !
Jib
Jan 27, 2017 at 11:54 AM
Comment #50In the ten years of Alan Shearer on Tyneside NUFC appareard in the 6th round 6 times !
Rotonda heights
Jan 27, 2017 at 11:55 AM
Comment #51Surprised Leicester let Schlupp go. frightening pace and at the very least a good impact player off the bench. Actually Schlupp and PVA are quite canny deals, if a little over priced and even though I detest the corrupt oaf, I can see fat Sham getting them out of it again. Schlupp is the Bolasie replacement, 6 months on and PVA will replace the league 1 standard Delaney or Ward.
Jib
Jan 27, 2017 at 11:55 AM
Comment #52appeared even
expatmag
Jan 27, 2017 at 11:59 AM
Comment #53RH
Would have thought Van Anht is replacing that left back who badly injured himself in that car crash.
They have pace to burn and I think Townsend is well and truly phucked now
Oldgit1
Jan 27, 2017 at 12:27 PM
Comment #54@ expatmag I went to a Motown concert in Consett not long ago, coaches were arriving full of pensioners from the local care homes. They were dancing in the aisle on Zimmer frames. What a great night. It was good to see them singing and dancing. It brought a lump to my throat.
Bobbybee
Jan 27, 2017 at 12:28 PM
Comment #55Wonder what team Rafa will put out tomorrow then? Should be enough to win, but definitely no ‘gimme’. Our record for crumbling in cup games against inferior teams is based on facts, sadly. Still, that was all pre-Raphaelite. 🙂 (groan) We’re a different mentality now.
Do we put out a strong is team to try and get the job done without need for a replay? Or kids to give them experience? A replay is definitely not required nor is it wanted.
Did my super6 and went for the obvious. A six match accumulator only paying 4/1 says it all really.
Need to see the teams and then edit it I think. No doubt big teams will field weakened sides. Hope Lincoln dish out some punishment to Brighton… 🙂
Be a shame if Knockeart was injured for half a dozen games… Shame on me. 🙂
Bobbybee
Jan 27, 2017 at 12:31 PM
Comment #56Mad Serb, Aye, at least two of their injuries were clearly caused by half hearted tackles. The opposition players came out of it fine.
Bobbybee
Jan 27, 2017 at 12:44 PM
Comment #57Hippo Heed is such a knacker. Palace are still paying us for Townsend, with the latest installment being due this month. The rules should be that until you’ve fully paid for a player, you can’t sell him. We can manage anyway, it’s the player who’s suffering. He played for Spurs before his fallout with the fitness coach, then played for Rafa. He’s not used to Pardew and HH’s style – or lack of it – of hoof ball. I know he made his bed etc, but he must be regretting it now. Will Rafa go back in the summer, with better players available to buy? Questionable. He might be stuck there. In the Championship after all!