Rafa Benitez has just given his press conference for the vital home game against Leeds United tomorrow night at St. James’ Park.
And after the very poor display last Saturday when we lost 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday – our 9th defeat this term – we are hoping for a much improved display tomorrow afternoon and a win and that would take us so close to an automatic promotion spot.
Rafa has given some very good news on the injury front with Ciaran Clark very close and Dwight Gayle running again in training.
And DeAndre Yedlin is back fit again and he’s in contention to start tomorrow against Leeds United – really good news.
Rafa Benitez – just completed his press conference for Leeds game
Here are some of the initial comments Rafa made about the game tomorrow night where a win would take us 3 points closer to that automatic promotion spot:
“We have good news. Clark is very close and Dwight was running a little bit today.”
“We don’t like to put a time on Dwight’s recovery.” “But he’s been running a bit, and that’s good news.”
“It’s one game at a time. I like competition between players, and the good news is that players are coming back from injuries.”
“We did well against Leeds in the first game, and we play at home tomorrow. Hopefully we can play at the level we know we can.”
That is good news from Rafa today.
A majority of Newcastle fans think we win this game tomorrow night.
It’s a massive chance for our players to almost nail down promotion with a win and that would be especially true if Hull City drop points in their earlier game at home to Preston North End.
But it’s now up to Newcastle to produce the goods and we need to finish off the season on a high and win the Championship!
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
25 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Apr 13, 2017 at 1:24 PM
Comment #1Howay Dwighty get back on the pitch!
WWSBRD
Apr 13, 2017 at 1:25 PM
Comment #2Have to disagree Jail fella let him rest and let Murphy take over for a few games
No mention of Hayden though is a worry he seems to of been out for a good long time
Jail for Ashley
Apr 13, 2017 at 1:28 PM
Comment #3WW…,
I need him back on that pitch to have an outside chance of my bet, I’d have him out there in callipers!
hibbit
Apr 13, 2017 at 1:33 PM
Comment #4our toon
@6 last thread
you have a funny way of showing it !!!
you don’t come across as being in love with anything but yourself
WWSBRD
Apr 13, 2017 at 1:33 PM
Comment #5Jail
Haha top scorer beat?
JackBall
Apr 13, 2017 at 1:41 PM
Comment #6Our Toon is like a catholic man in a bad marriage. He loves his wife, but finds fault in so many of her actions that he constantly complains so that they both can’t stand each other, but neither can leave.
JamesToon
Apr 13, 2017 at 1:42 PM
Comment #7Is hayden back for leeds??
We’ve missed him so so much
toonincheek
Apr 13, 2017 at 1:52 PM
Comment #8Hayden seems to have suffered some kinda setback and his return
is delayed.
BUT No official news on that (that I have seen but haven’t checked
the Chronny).
Jail for Ashley
Apr 13, 2017 at 2:09 PM
Comment #9Jack Ball,
Ha ha, if that’s the case that welsh troll is like a muslim man who ptetends to believe so he can have many wives but still drinks and gambles.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Apr 13, 2017 at 2:17 PM
Comment #10The Last Time I looked Hull City were still in th Prem ?
Our Toon
Apr 13, 2017 at 2:22 PM
Comment #11Ok lads n lasses let’s not bring religion into any of this, jail I’m a Muslim so do find your comment out of line and stereotyping in terms of what your view is of Muslims.
Hibbit – I come across as being in love with myself? What gives you that impression?
I see areas we can improve, and tactics that haven’t worked out in the 2nd half of the season as they’ve become predictable. That’s what the blog is for after all, differing opinions and somewhere for fans to come and express themselves isn’t it?
kimbo
Apr 13, 2017 at 2:30 PM
Comment #12Only positive news would be Anita and Dummett are injured and Murphy and Mitro up front.
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 13, 2017 at 2:42 PM
Comment #13Nice to read about Heardman on an earlier thread.
Developing youngsters up to the 1st team is the way forward and a side of the Toon that has been sadly lacking in recent years.
If the club could actually make it work then the emphasis or need to spend mega millions on what could potentially be massive flops in the EPL may be avoided. ie McCarthey for £20m + when we may well have what we need already in the club.
Also in Atzu’s case I reckon Sammy or Aarons may be better options although the latter needs to get some pitch time in so that we can find if he is indeed a bright prospect.
Just a few random thoughts after catching up on the previous threads.
Jail for Ashley
Apr 13, 2017 at 2:44 PM
Comment #14Our Toon,
No need to get offended I wasn’t generalising muslims.
JackBall
Apr 13, 2017 at 2:45 PM
Comment #15Toon,
No disrespect meant to religion on my end, and do not think Jail had that intention either. They were just jokes about internal conflict using religion, which by following its tenets, often causes internal conflicts, as a metaphor.
Jail for Ashley
Apr 13, 2017 at 2:50 PM
Comment #16Jack Ball,
I voncur!
jimmysmith
Apr 13, 2017 at 2:51 PM
Comment #17We are a better all round proposition with Murphy or Mitro leading the line. Rafa likes a Gayle type up top, but it’s not our best set up with this group of players, and the games this season have borne this out. Gayle deserves a place, but not up top. I know I’m in a minority of one here, which only encourages me, haha! If Gayle is out, we’ll gain promotion quicker.
Mister Tuff
Apr 13, 2017 at 2:52 PM
Comment #18Chill lads and lasses no point in arguing daft issues.
The black of nasty rows has made the blog more pleasant recently – but beware there are those waiting in the shadows ready to pounce for a ruck.
Was reminded of that earlier on today.
hibbit
Apr 13, 2017 at 2:52 PM
Comment #19Our Toon
thats easy your not interested in anyone else’s opinion only your own
you think you’re some kind of football genius who knows more than everyone else
everyone is entitled to an opinion but your bombastic in yours
Mister Tuff
Apr 13, 2017 at 2:52 PM
Comment #20black =lack.
Jail for Ashley
Apr 13, 2017 at 2:55 PM
Comment #21Jimmy,
It’s hard to back that up when our two best spells were with Gayle banging them in for fun.
Jail for Ashley
Apr 13, 2017 at 2:56 PM
Comment #22Voncur= concur!
Jail for Ashley
Apr 13, 2017 at 2:59 PM
Comment #23Kimbo,
How would an i jury to Dummet or Anita be positive news, a fully fit squad giving the manager a selection headache would be positive news.
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 13, 2017 at 3:00 PM
Comment #24See that A C Milan has just been sold to the Chinese for £628M , wonder if Big Mike would take an offer like that.
jimmysmith
Apr 13, 2017 at 3:12 PM
Comment #25Jail, I’m too lazy to fact check, but I think our points return and overall quality of play has been better when the admittedly free scoring Gayle has been missing. Obviously we are good either way in this league, but I don’t think it’ll hold water in the EPL. Gayle’s days leading the line are numbered, despite his goalscoring heroics, unless Rafa rebuilds around him, which would seem a precarious thing, given his modest record in the top flight.