Rafa Benitez has just announced his team for the game at Hillsborough this afternoon against Sheffield Wednesday.
TEAM NEWS: Here’s how Newcastle United will line up at Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon (kick-off 5:30pm BST). #NUFC pic.twitter.com/2UguHipLV4
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 8, 2017
Mbemba retains his position at the back and Diame stay in defensive midfield with both Isaac Hayden and Jack Colback still not available.
Yoan Gouffran comes back in for Christian Atsu, probably because of his work rate and his ability to track back and defend.
Mitrovic and Murphy are both on the bench as Newcastle just have to score goals and somehow win this game this afternoon.
This is what Rafa has said about today’s opponents during the build up to the game:
“They deserved their win against us and were very well organised. They are a good team and know what to do.”
“They were nearly there last season and, when you have the same structure and the same players, they know what you have to do to get points in this division.”
“It will be tough and difficult, especially now they are in a play-off position. Like a lot of teams they are fighting for their target.”
“If they are in the play-offs, it’s because they deserve to be there.”
Three in five fans think we will win this game today – we need the win.
Howay The Lads!!
368 comments so far
manxpie
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:00 PM
Comment #81ffs gayle injured
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:00 PM
Comment #82Send for Agent Mitro
GeordieTwo
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:01 PM
Comment #83Have the mackems considered changing their colours to Norwegian blue?
ilovetoon8788
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:02 PM
Comment #84We have no intent in our attack. It’s a problem all season long. We just stroll leisurely in attack like we have 5-0 up..
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:02 PM
Comment #85Gayle only plays well when Shelvey is ….. as Shelvey isn’t – its no big deal…….
If you get me – Mitro would of been a better sub though – frighten the crap outta the opposition – and the ref is not the booking type as Ritchie can vouch for
sparky55
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:05 PM
Comment #86Patience Lads..we’ll win this easy in the 2nd half
GeordieTwo
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:06 PM
Comment #87We’re slowly allowing the owls to get over confident. Then we strike! Beautiful.
lochinvar
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:07 PM
Comment #88If Bannan is booked run at him as there’s another yellow waiting to happen
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:08 PM
Comment #89geordie2 – ropeadope all over again.
I wish I had your optimism or prescription!
manxpie
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:08 PM
Comment #90even in away games ashley is getting his free advertising on the telly!!
sparky55
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:08 PM
Comment #91That’s how they did us earlier in the season…we obviously haven’t learnt our lessons
GeordieTwo
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:08 PM
Comment #92Wednesday are playing right into our hands now. They’re tiring themselves out. We’ll give them a good fonging in the second half…..
sparky55
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:09 PM
Comment #93Mbemba solid
sing in the corner
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:09 PM
Comment #94Tell me what’s happening man lads i cant see the game
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:10 PM
Comment #95FFS Dummett, still haven’t learnt how to cross. The lay-off was perfectly weighted.
GeordieTwo
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:11 PM
Comment #96Let’s all look on the bright side of life Barmy mate. This is here for the taking. We just have to reach out and snatch one. Then we slip quietly out of town with the points in a small leather satchel……
GeordieTwo
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:12 PM
Comment #97It’s because you’ve got your eyes closed sing mate. Don’t worry! The owls aren’t going to score!!!!
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:12 PM
Comment #98singingthecorner – nor me, but that’s my choice. I don’t think I can take any more of these underwhelming performance, where we scrape by — burton was the tipping point
Tinman
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:13 PM
Comment #99Will never ever understand Murphy over Mitro
keeleytoon
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:14 PM
Comment #100Shelvey and diame are look lazy this game…. mmemba looking very good though ! They’re getting behind shelvey and diame too easy and they ain’t chasing back fast enough
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:14 PM
Comment #101The ad above this box is for VI Poo … lol – not even squeaky bum time yet
Blofal
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:14 PM
Comment #102Another decent stream for anyone that needs it..
http://ball9.pw/soccer/3.html
sparky55
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:14 PM
Comment #103We’re just giving the ball away all the time…our management of the ball is proper sh!te
welshgeordie9
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:14 PM
Comment #104Well I don’t think we are going to score today, what a load of crap, don’t deserve to win the championship.
welshgeordie9
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:15 PM
Comment #105boring football yet again
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:15 PM
Comment #106😆 Mbemba looking very good- obvious WUM account is obvious.
sing in the corner
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:15 PM
Comment #107I quite enjoyed the Burton game in an excruciating self harm type way..
ilovetoon8788
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:16 PM
Comment #108Our 2nd half need to be alot better. But this might be asking too much. We have been hopeless for many games this season. We may scrap a draw here or win with a fluke goal.
We have been completely dominated by Sheffield.
BenArfa the magician
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:16 PM
Comment #109We bring a whole new level to the meaning champions play badly and still win we’ve done it all season.
toon kk
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:16 PM
Comment #110We’re getting oot played again
GeordieTwo
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:16 PM
Comment #111We’ll crush them in the second half. Don’t even know why they’re bothering to put up a fight. Ritchie and Murphy to score.
JackBall
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:17 PM
Comment #112We sure have a lt of wins for always being outplayed and S*it. Just saying.
mindshaft
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:17 PM
Comment #113Have we had a shot yet?
GeordieTwo
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:18 PM
Comment #114Calm down lads. It’s all part of wor cunning plan. Give them a few chances then snatch the points…..
BenArfa the magician
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:18 PM
Comment #115Rafa sets us up to counter away from home, we have such a slow team without Atsu,Gayle or Yedlin can’t see how we will score. Created absolutely nothing, you’d think our team knowing Huddersfield lost would go all out.
manxpie
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:19 PM
Comment #116with mbemba in defence we have looked shaky as hell all over the place
we look far more solid with clark there
sparky55
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:19 PM
Comment #117OMG…WHAT AN EFFORT!
JackBall
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:19 PM
Comment #118Reading thrashed, Hudd outplayed badly – it is just the way f the league. Score more, concede less. A simple formular we have utilized all season.
GeordieTwo
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:20 PM
Comment #119Darlow needed a good workout anyway. Once he’s worked up a good lather we’ll put the match away…..
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 8, 2017 at 6:20 PM
Comment #120Anita doing very well so far. Aside from that nothing much to say about us. Darlow came to Mbemab’s rescue.
Another 45mins of dour football in which we’re totally lacking in invention, tempo and attacking intent.
Shelvey really needs to step it up, been saying it for a few weeks now, he’s cruising and not taking responsibility like earlier in the season and that means we don’t create much because h……….. HOLY SHITE nearly scored a dreamy goal.
That’s more like it.