Rafa Benitez has just announced his team for the important tonight at the Madejski Stadium against Reading and Jesus Gamez will make a rare start at right back tonight with Ayoze Perez coming in for Mo Diame in the number 10 position.
TEAM NEWS: Here’s how Newcastle United will line up at @ReadingFC tonight (kick-off 8pm GMT). #NUFC pic.twitter.com/bStsVz2v21
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) March 7, 2017
With DeAndre Yedlin and Vurnon Anita starting at right back in the last two game sit’s a surprise that Gamez comes in but he must have been playing well in training and he is now fully fit of course.
That looks like two changes from the side that won 3-1 at Huddersfield on Saturday and Dwight Gayle is again on the bench.
This is what Rafa said yesterday about the Reading game and about the way the team has reacted over the last week or so:
“Reading will try to keep the ball, and play with high tempo. They’re a team that likes to have possession.”
“The players. You cannot win games – at home or away – without the commitment of the players, and their understanding of the things you are trying to do.”
“As a manager, you are always trying to do this or do that, but it depends on them – and their response has been fantastic during the whole season.”
“The other day, the work-rate of the team was fantastic. Looking at the players at the end – the way that they celebrated, the connection with the fans – you could see that everybody was pushing.”
“It is really pleasing, because you can see the response from your players.”
“We have to be sure every single player, member of staff and every fan knows there is still nothing won. We have to carry on.”
“It was great the way the players celebrated at the end with the fans.” “We are seeing a response from our players.”
About seven in ten fans think we can win this game tonight and make it three great away wins in succession against top five teams.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
201 comments so far
VanToonMan
Mar 7, 2017 at 11:53 PM
Comment #201Our toon – surely 95 points should do it?? Seven wins out of 10 (which is a high target) takes us to 98 points.
If we need 7 wins out of 10 just to get automatic promotion – that is no mean feat!