One of the good things that the struggles of the last several games will have shown Rafa Benitez, if he didn’t already know, is he must strengthen the Newcastle squad and be ruthless in the summer as he builds a squad for the Premier League.
He built one last summer that could get us promoted from the Championship with Lee Charnley and it’s looking like that will happen in spite of the trials and tribulations of last night.
Rafa and Lee have a lot of work to do this summer.
The Premier League is a league he knows every well unlike the Championship, which Rafa knew nothing about at the start of the season – other than what he could find out last summer.
Florian Thauvin – had very good season at Marseille – will be sold
That’s not the case in the Premier League where he has ample experience and knows how teams play and set themselves up – and in that sense it will be a lot easier for Rafa next season.
Just like last summer, there are a number of players who have no future at the club and these are the players who will either be sold, their contracts not renewed or will be loaned out before next season starts.
- Florian Thauvin – sell to Marseille for £10M
- Henri Saivet – sell if possible
- Emmanuel Riviere – sell if possible
- Kevin Mbabu – another season long loan
- Haris Vuckic – contact will not be renewed
- Sammy Ameobi – contact will not be renewed
- Achraf Lazaar – sell if possible
- Jesus Gamez – sell if possible
- Matz Sels – a season long loan deal
- Massadio Haidara – sell if possible
- Daryl Murphy – loan to a Championship club
And then there are question marks about these players
- Vurnon Anita – will he get new contract?
- Yoan Gouffran – – will he get new contract?
- Christian Atsu – will loan deal be made permanent?
- Siem de Jong – doubtful he has a future at Newcastle
- Tim Krul – could be number one goalkeeper in August if he’s back to best form
- Chancel Mbemba – starting to impress late in the season
- Grant Hanley – loan deal to Championship club – down to number four center-back?
So there are eleven players we think have no future at Newcastle and seven who there are still questions about.
That’s just some of the many decisions that Rafa Benitez will need to make this summer.
The manager wants six new potential first team starters brought in, but it is also likely he will use some of the U23 players in the first team squad nest season like Adam Armstrong, Jamie Sterry, Daniel Barlaser, Liam Gibson and others.
Rafa and the scouting team will also be trying to augment Peter Beardsley’s U23 side with top young players brought in from round Europe.
Once we nail down that automatic promotion (make it soon lads please!) we can concentrate on the summer transfer window – it should be really exciting.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
68 comments so far
Grumpy
Apr 15, 2017 at 12:59 PM
Comment #1All the best Ed, hope things will get better for you.
martoon
Apr 15, 2017 at 1:01 PM
Comment #2Ed just seen your update. Best of luck with the Chemo, it made me feel like sh*t but hopefully you’re not a soft as me.
c-dog
Apr 15, 2017 at 1:02 PM
Comment #3Would like to see the whole list gone. Just about good enough at championship level.
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 15, 2017 at 1:03 PM
Comment #4Martoon
I stand corrected and concede to your sage wisdom re Hayden.
And to repeat my sad self. ‘Howay the Villa’
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 15, 2017 at 1:08 PM
Comment #5Blimey Ed, that’s one hell of a clearout, can’t see all of them going.
I’d like to see at least five on that list given a chance to prove themselves including Saivet who I think could be a big improvement on Diame.
martoon
Apr 15, 2017 at 1:11 PM
Comment #6EGB – to be fair it was probably more obvious at the game than on TV.
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 15, 2017 at 1:11 PM
Comment #7I would also add to your yung-uns list, Findlay, El Mhanni and the Spanish kid.
manxpie
Apr 15, 2017 at 1:20 PM
Comment #8Jail how about you go and fusk yaself!
If you had your way the blog would be
Well we won
Well we lost
Well we drew
That’s it don’t dare to have an opinion on a performance or decisions
How’s that great Huddersfield win now jail?
magpie_in_ohio
Apr 15, 2017 at 1:34 PM
Comment #9They must sell Colback. Far too many costly mistakes at the worst possible time.
SPRINGY
Apr 15, 2017 at 1:37 PM
Comment #10Thought hayden made a huge difference to our midfield last nyt….goofy apart from the cross and hittin the post was pretty much anonymous…and he repeatedly gives away stupid fouls,2 last nyt that stuck out were his daft foul where leeds hit the bar and layer he was closing down someone who was struggling to clear and just pushed him over….like i said stupid….need to be smarter then that…..thought mbemba had a good game last nyt tbh
SPRINGY
Apr 15, 2017 at 1:39 PM
Comment #11I actually liked that tackle colback did which got him booked as the leeds player was breaking at pace and was a threat…we have lacked that sort of ruthlessness this season…..but thats about all…would start with hayden everytime tbh
Jail for Ashley
Apr 15, 2017 at 1:45 PM
Comment #12manxpie,
Great Huddersfield win, just trying to put a bit of a spin on a bad situation to stop you on your queens from going in to meltdown.
manxpie
Apr 15, 2017 at 1:49 PM
Comment #13Deluding yourself then jail!
Sounds about right
Mister Tuff
Apr 15, 2017 at 1:53 PM
Comment #14Please let’s not have any coarse language this Easter weekend – we really should not want to upset the blog queens and other associated hystericals.
c-dog
Apr 15, 2017 at 1:58 PM
Comment #15I’m all for freedom of speech but Essex Geordie Bill, Saivet, get a grip of your opinions
JamesToon
Apr 15, 2017 at 2:09 PM
Comment #16Good luck with chemo ed
JamesToon
Apr 15, 2017 at 2:12 PM
Comment #17I know its hard not to get emotional about 2 points dropped with a 95th minute equaliser (where was 5minutes from) but reality is we dominated should have been out of sight and just have to carry that on on monday and cut out the mistakes. Promotion is the most important bit.
When bournemouth were in the championship it went right down to the wire. But look at watford who finished 2nd, now above bournemouth both seasons, it means nothing apart from a mickey mouse trophy and title, it would be nice to win though.
Reality is we are a championship team with a championship squad, rafa has turned around this once shambles of a club to a decent outfit that will be playing premier league football with a bright future, that in itself, its absolutely wonderful.
JamesToon
Apr 15, 2017 at 2:12 PM
Comment #18*Should be playing prem football lol
Rotonda heights
Apr 15, 2017 at 2:17 PM
Comment #19Sorry to not see Colback and Diame at the very top of the list.
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 15, 2017 at 2:17 PM
Comment #20Fact is Colback took the easy way our unnecessarily. It’s a spineless move dressed up as taking one for the team.
There are scenarios that is the right thing to do, but out on the wing on half-way, with 4/5 back to their 3 isn’t one of them. Particularly when you’re a freshly introduced player and should have plenty left in the tank. This wasn’t a well-judged move, it’s his go-to tactic because he’s otherwise shite.
It allows them to throw everybody forward. Gives them one last filip to their spirit. On the other hand the pause pervades a sense of nervousness around the ground and into our players.
As for Ed’s list and where I differ:
Mbabu – really have no idea where he stands and what the intention behind loaning him out was, but loaning him out again would see pointless.
Sels – needs to be sold.
Lazaar – again no idea where he stands. Rafa seems reluctant to play him at LB, which you’d have thought would be where he’d have been given a sustained shot at some stage if he were to ever acclimatise to English football. Will be more difficult in the PL. Doesn’t look good on Rafa to those that control the purse string that he’s bought such players and simply not played them. Possibly convert to LW?
Murphy – should be easily able to sell to a Championship club. Loaning him out would be futile.
Anita – new contract or backup RB, anothe one that appears 50/50 to me.
Gouffran should be sold.
SDJ should be given one final chance to prove his fitness and I think he will be given that, because it’s preferable to forking out £20m for a Sigurdsson, if he can indeed stay fit. He possesses quality and he had a canny knack of making the whole team more composed when he was on the pitch from the start of games.
Krul will be kept but shouldn’t be no1. Needs to earn it again because he declined sharply before his injury layoff and subsequent loan. Teach him how to bloody kick a ball would be a start.
Hanley I doubt will be loaned out.
JamesToon
Apr 15, 2017 at 2:33 PM
Comment #21Typical we’ve haven’t got out of first gear with our performances last 2 months and getting points then when we actually dominate we only get the point
JamesToon
Apr 15, 2017 at 2:33 PM
Comment #22Mitro or Murphy v Ipswich?
Moonraker15
Apr 15, 2017 at 2:40 PM
Comment #23Well Lads, bottom line is we now need 2 wins and a draw maximum to secure promotion assuming Huddersfield win all their remaining games!
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 15, 2017 at 2:59 PM
Comment #24c-dog I think you should get a grip on your opinions on my opinions!
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 15, 2017 at 3:06 PM
Comment #25Hull go 1 down early once again.
If they do stay up they’ve made a right slog of it. Night and day between their home and away form.
Blackley and Brownlie
Apr 15, 2017 at 3:08 PM
Comment #26Moonraker
You say, “Don’t criticise the team or coaches for the 1-1 result. Let’s face the facts, we murdered Leeds and they got lucky.”
The facts are we did not “murder” Leeds. Murdering Leeds would be Mitro and Perez putting them to the sword. Sorry, but we were a million miles from that. Never looked remotely likely.
Yes Leeds got lucky. Lucky in the sense that Colback gave them a gift of a lifeline.
Why shouldn’t we criticise the manager or the team for a 1-1 result if we “murdered” them? Yes, top marks for effort. But we’re stumbling towards the line like Johnny Brownlee.
AncientC
Apr 15, 2017 at 3:08 PM
Comment #27I don’t think I would blame the Sunderland fans for walking out now. What a depressing club.
lesh
Apr 15, 2017 at 3:12 PM
Comment #28Hail
If memory serves me well, I think Mbabu was packed off on loan following an incident with him and Aarons involving a young lady.
Hasn’t he also said that he sees his future away from SJP?
I may be wrong though on both counts
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 15, 2017 at 3:14 PM
Comment #29What this run in blatantly exposes is our lack of leadership and experience on the pitch.
Remember last time we were promoted this was the time of the season we were going into overdrive, swatting off all comers, galloping to the line. This season we’ve seen the finish straight and began to tighten up and lose confidence.
Still a distinct lack of character in the squad. Ritchie should have the armband.
09/10 team had it spades.. Just checked, we won 8 of our last 10 that time and went unbeaten from mid February.
Jail for Ashley
Apr 15, 2017 at 3:20 PM
Comment #30How would we know if it was common knowledge behinds the scenes that Rafa was so cheesed off about being undermined in January that he’s off in the summer?
cyprus
Apr 15, 2017 at 3:30 PM
Comment #31I thought we’d draw but never like that. We played so well all over the park. Had the ref not given 6 extra minutes, or given that penalty, it would’ve been a different story.
Though many people played well – mitrovic, Hayden, Anita, Ritchie, Perez outstanding, but none played poorly- the best player on the pitch was their goalie. He kept them from an embarrassing score, they were so outplayed.
Congratulations to all players and thanks for that. Tough luck.
Moonraker15
Apr 15, 2017 at 3:32 PM
Comment #32BandB
If we played like last night every game we would win 9 out of 10 games. I am a big critic when we don’t put in a performance but the Leeds goal was under siege last night. Yes Colback made a mistake but if he hadn’t brought the man down and they had scored we would all be saying he should have fouled him!
Hail,
last time we were promoted we had far more quality because the main players stayed after relegation. This team had to be thrown together by Rafa and I think getting promotion this season is a major achievement. It’s a much stronger league now although the PL is even stronger and we need to spend a lot to stay up!
Blackley and Brownlie
Apr 15, 2017 at 3:33 PM
Comment #33It would be surprising if Rafa had not wanted signings in January. There was lots of talk of Townsend. I’d be surprised if Rafa wasn’t pushing for him. Just the sort of player we need. No surprise the club wouldn’t pay up. Just the type of club we are.
Bambams
Apr 15, 2017 at 3:36 PM
Comment #34You could see it coming last night. I was accused by my better half moments before they scored that i was once again pessimistic !
I just knew they would score.
Lascelles was missing in the middle but I was a little disappointed in Mitro who had been doing a ‘Shearer’ at the opposite end of the pitch at the corner flag, he tried to make something and lost the ball….goal kick, foul followed you know the rest.
Diame is not good enough either, came on and didn’t know where the player or the ball was.
I will be shout down here but I thought last month we might not go up automatically but once Huddersfield started dropping points I was more optimistic.
We need to finish our chances because you can guarantee the opposition will punish us.
Mind you the level of officiating is absolutely terrible, we don’t get many penalties compared to Brighton and Huddersfield
Moonraker15
Apr 15, 2017 at 3:37 PM
Comment #35Cyprus
Well said! I totally agree. I was proud of that performance last night cos Leeds were dead lucky! And they know it they’re not stupid! Apart from the tw@t who came on the pitch adding time on!
Moonraker15
Apr 15, 2017 at 3:41 PM
Comment #36BandB
To read your depressing comments you’d think we were heading for relegation rather than the premier league.
Have you ever been happy with our club? What is success to you?
toon kk
Apr 15, 2017 at 3:49 PM
Comment #37Have to say I thought we played really well last night, we just lacked a fit Gayle, meaning little cutting edge.
Difference between us and Brighton is knockaert .
YoungMagpieFromBurnley
Apr 15, 2017 at 3:52 PM
Comment #38Maybe Toon kk. But Leeds keeper had an outstanding game and the Wolves keeper… Well. Enough said I suppose. Ritchie has been just as good imo.
Moonraker15
Apr 15, 2017 at 3:58 PM
Comment #39Toonkk
Gayle is a great goal scorer but I wonder if we would have been able to pressurise Leeds without Mitro causing mayhem in the Leeds central defence. He also made our goal with his aerial assist!
I think we miss that when Gayle plays so we have to adapt to accommodate him.
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 15, 2017 at 3:58 PM
Comment #40Ritchie’s 2nd half last night was outstanding. Pinging long diagonal passes, some great touches and feints to beat his man, always seemed to make the right decision and epitomised the energy throughout the team.