Rafa Benitez has just given his press conference for the very vital game at home on Monday night against Preston where a win would almost guarantee us a promotion place this season.
Indeed if the Terriers don’t win at Fulham tomorrow and we get all 3 points against Preston we will be promoted.
I just wish the players would put us out of our misery and get the points on the board – after all our fans have been through hell and high water for a number of years now.
The good news is that it looks like Ciaran Clark could start on Monday night although Dwight Gayle is not fit.
Rafa Benitez – gave press conference
Here’s some of what Rafa said:
“When you have players coming back from injuries it’s good news for us. The competition increases.”
“We have to do our job. The only thing we can control is our team. We have to concentrate.”
“My message from the first training session this week was the same – concentrate on our job.”
“Keep supporting the team, stick together & we will be stronger. The fans are so loyal, so important for us”
“It is very clear to be calm. That is my message from the first training session this week.” “Concentrate and we can beat anyone.'”
“It would be nice to clinch promotion at home but other teams must do something to help. We can only do our own job”
“We have 3 games left in our mini league. Maybe we expected to get more points from the last games. Mistakes cost us”
“If we go up, then in 6 months time no-one will remember a blip. We are in the driving seat and we just need to stay focused”
“Promotion, it depends on us. Not social media or the newspapers or websites.”
“Congratulations to Brighton and to Chris Hughton. Well done to them. We need to go up, it doesn’t matter in what position.”
Very gpod stuff from Rafa there and a bit of class congratulating Chris and the Seagulls.
Howay The Lads!!
35 comments so far
WWSBRD
Apr 21, 2017 at 1:26 PM
Comment #1Huge to have Clark back (odd saying that considering where he was at the start of the season) hes superb with Lascelles, shame to miss Gayle again though
On previous Armstrong am yet to be convinced by him and Id be very surprised if he makes it but not sure how people can have much of an opinion on him, reckon he will get a chance in preseason and then we can see where he fits or if he fits more likely…rumors say we are after 2 strikers in the summer and I dont see Gayle leaving so he will have to really impress to get a chance
Bobbybee
Apr 21, 2017 at 1:26 PM
Comment #2That’s great news re Clark. No time to bed him with with a game on the bench, get him back in Monday night. The defence looks far better when he plays and the silly goals we’ve conceded in his absence speak for themselves. We look much tighter and far better balanced with him taking up one of the centre back places. He’s clearly been one of our star players this season and getting him back now should seal it for us. Buzzing.
WWSBRD
Apr 21, 2017 at 1:27 PM
Comment #3Spied someone compared him to Rashford last night as well though cant remember who it was but made me chuckle
one fine day
Apr 21, 2017 at 1:27 PM
Comment #4Clarke back is massive for us 🙂
Bobbybee
Apr 21, 2017 at 1:34 PM
Comment #5WWSBRD, twenty goals in his first professional season, at 18, albeit in the first division is not impressive? Beg to differ there mate. Very impressive. This season is understandable if you’ve watched Barnsley play when they’ve been on live. All high balls. Not his game. He’s not the finished product yet. England rate him very highly. They had a full page spread on him in one of the recent match day programmes. Rafa rates him. Said so himself. Glad it’s not down to any of us who makes it or not. 🙂
toon kk
Apr 21, 2017 at 1:35 PM
Comment #6Will be a great bonus having Clark back, just hope he hits the ground running. It can take several games for a player coming back to hit there previous form.
Bobbybee
Apr 21, 2017 at 1:40 PM
Comment #7WWSBRD, different subject, great to see Clark back matey. When you think what bitter Villa fans had to say about him when he dumped them, you’d think we were getting Bramble mk2 🙂 When Rafa bought him he said he’d seen a lot in him that he felt he could improve with the right coaching. That says so much about Rafa’s talent as well as Clark’s. He’s turned him into a PL centre back for next season. One place we don’t have to worry about.
Bobbybee
Apr 21, 2017 at 1:45 PM
Comment #8kk, We ain’t got a few games mate! 🙂 I think just being there will make a big difference. He helps to guide Lascelles and I doubt we’d have conceded the goal Leeds scored, or Ipswich’s second with him there. Best news we could’ve hoped for. Doubt we’ll see Gayle again this season though, except on the pitch after Barnsley when we celebrate promotion.
WWSBRD
Apr 21, 2017 at 1:45 PM
Comment #9Bobby
League 1 isnt particularly high in quality, if he’d followed that up with another good season in the championship then Id be impressed but he hasnt. England do rate him highly which is a good sign but there is a long list of similar who came to nothing…am not writing him off but hes going to have to be incredible in preseason to get a chance with us in the PL next year after a average/poor season at Barnsley
WWSBRD
Apr 21, 2017 at 1:50 PM
Comment #10Bobby
On Clark I didnt expect him to make our squad most weeks when we signed him Lascelles was captain, mbemba came off a good PL season and Hanley was coming in had experience grit and leadership…Clark was that lad who Villa rated years ago but had massively gone off the boil remember people laughing at Villa that we’d signed him and now hes probably my player of the season tbh I dont know if he will make the step up next year but hes certainly earned a shot
Bobbybee
Apr 21, 2017 at 1:50 PM
Comment #11Love those two paragraphs: If we go up, then in 6 months time no-one will remember a blip. We are in the driving seat and we just need to stay focused”
“Promotion, it depends on us. Not social media or the newspapers or websites.” Well said matey. You know it makes sense. Sounds like he’s not been impressed by some of the garbage spouted. Maybe he does read some of the comments on here after all lmao! 🙂
toon kk
Apr 21, 2017 at 1:55 PM
Comment #12Bobbybee
Yep that what I mean mate, not many games left. But like you say his presence will be a great boost for the team.
Your right I think Gayle’s season is over (shame) although he’s been a class player for us this season.
Bobbybee
Apr 21, 2017 at 1:59 PM
Comment #13Only time will tell, but the one thing a striker relies on in any team is service. Without it none of them can score. He got it at Coventry. You can say League one ain’t much, but first season, aged 17/18? You can’t seriously knock that. It’s very impressive by any body’s standards. This season I agree, but I’ve said from day one this wasn’t a good loan move for him and I maintain that stance. They had their own strikers in situ and have always played a certain way that simply doesn’t suit his game. We’ll see though. He’s still young. Some players, do burst through early, but most burn out early as well. I’m happy to see him pace it right. He’s only JUST 20, that’s no age. Even if he goes out on loan again – which wouldn’t impress me, but hey ho – that talent isn’t going away, it’s natural. Goal scorers are born, not made. Plenty time for him to come through yet.
Bobbybee
Apr 21, 2017 at 2:03 PM
Comment #14Hear about those Manure fans watching a game on TV? Electric cable fell on the roof of the place they were watching and has killed about a dozen of them. Crap punchline I know, but sadly it ain’t a joke, it happened. Been on the news.
Bobbybee
Apr 21, 2017 at 2:14 PM
Comment #15https://youtu.be/8WFHsSEDiZg
One of my favourite ditties. I think everyone should play this at least a few times a year just to make you smile. LOVE IT!!!! HOWAY THE LADS!!!!
Mister Tuff
Apr 21, 2017 at 2:15 PM
Comment #16Benitez – has made the judgements about Armstrong in pre-season. Long before he even kicked a ball for Barnsley.
Also I think it is a bit naughty to suggest that his poor season is down to the way Barnsley play – big boot football is suggested but is not a true depiction of how they play.
We will be getting another striker in the summer and may be sell either Mitro or Murphy. So Armstrong is probably not going to get a game – so I think it is out on loan again.
Benitez -a respected football professional has made his judgement on the matter. As he is human he could be wrong but in this case I do not think so.
RUNAWAY777
Apr 21, 2017 at 2:21 PM
Comment #17Ed Huddersfield are at home tomorrow not away
Mister Tuff
Apr 21, 2017 at 2:28 PM
Comment #18waiting, waiting.
JP...from The Rock
Apr 21, 2017 at 2:28 PM
Comment #19If Huddersfield draw and we win then that is us promoted right? Clark will shore up a leaky defense and hopefully boost our points tally by a further three come monday. Then we can all relax knowing we are finally safe.
posada
Apr 21, 2017 at 2:29 PM
Comment #20Without Clark the problem we have is this.
Play 2 slow CBs in Lascelles and Hanley or play 1 slow CB with Mbemba, who keeps making the odd mistake.
Clark is quick enough, reads danger, covers for others etc.
Ipswich first goal. I thought they were going to back off all the way to our goal line.
Darlow comes out too far and gives himself no chance of saving the shot.
posada
Apr 21, 2017 at 2:33 PM
Comment #21Also, I don’t get this Arma debate.
He’s played for England at every level. He’s already played a good standard and got goals. If he was your son or nephew you’d be well proud of him.
If he does not become a Superstar then that’s life. It happens.
Bobbybee
Apr 21, 2017 at 2:39 PM
Comment #22Ha ha ha ha! So you really rate Arma Then? Are you going down to watch him again this week? Ha ha ha ha! He did make a judgement, I’ve quoted it. ‘He’ s a good young player with a good future in the game. It would be wrong of me to put the pressure of promotion on his young shoulders, I will be using experience this season and for that reason.’ If your following Newcastle involved anything more than coming on here cracking puerile comments, you would know that – but that’s your lot innit? Only yesterday, in a pathetic attempt to cover up your barefaced lie about travelling to Coventry and Barnsley ON A REGULAR BASIS, to watch him play – ha ha ha ha! You got all upset when I pointed out you don’t even rate him. The dummy came out and you were yelping ‘prove it, prove I don’ t rate him’. Well, you just have you spanner. A man who can’t be bothered to move his backside to cross town and watch Newcastle, claiming to have been keeping more than just an eye on Arma by travelling to Coventry and Barnsley five or six times each, is just absolute humiliation. Ha ha ha ha, priceless! Pinocchio! Oh yeah, whilst visiting friends down south. Barnsley ain’t actually south and Coventry is west Midlands. You have, on many occasions, made a complete fool of yourself on here. The red cards was hilarious, but this latest delve into the fantasy world of Tuff was just unbelievable. You ain’t even seen the first team play live, why would you go put of your way to watch a young kid you don’t even rate? You wouldn’t. You haven’t. Your telling porkies again. You’re making a huge fool of yourself and say it or not, nobody would seriously swallow that garbage. I’ll say it though, you clown. I thought after yesterday you’d not carry this on, but thank you so much for making my day. Maybe go to Kilmarnock this weekend eh? Watch those loan lads. Give us a report on Roberts & Co. Oh no, you don’t, do you. You certainly didn’t mention going to watch Arma five or six times at both clubs. Clever trick though, watching Arma live whilst being on here at the same time. I’d love to know how you do it. Physics laws? Pfwaw, Nay bother for our Tuff. Run along Tuff. You’ve totally exposed yourself this time as being a bare faced liar. I wasn’t even going to bring it up today, but you decided to get the JCB out and carry on digging that hole. Classic.
Jib
Apr 21, 2017 at 2:43 PM
Comment #23Mr Tuff
Bobby seems to be away
I’ll take up the bludgeon on his behalf
https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/142/Show/England-Barnsley
The above stats seem to bear out the contention that Barnsleys 4-4-2 – bish bosh style does not suit Arma’s game.
The young England team that Adam plays for on a regular basis would most likely hammer Barnsley.
Jib
Apr 21, 2017 at 2:46 PM
Comment #24Whoops
Bobby wasn’t away – he was busy writing War and Peace.
ha ha ha
😀
Bobbybee
Apr 21, 2017 at 2:49 PM
Comment #25Posada, bang on mate. I made my judgement on the kid at 16/17, by bothering going to watch the academy play. He was the best by a mile. Problem here is Tuff doesn’t like me – thank God – so everything I say, he goes opposite. Like you did at junior school, remember. Yesterday I was accused of being an armchair fan for not watching him live the last two seasons, which is stupid because I watch Newcastle live when Arma plays for Barnsley. Ha ha ha! Sorry I can’t be in two places at once, but I’m only human.
Why people who’ve never seen him play are so determined for one of our own to fail I find a bit sad. I want him to play for England whilst in our shirt. He’s played at every level so far like. Good young player getting pelters off a man-child who can’t be bothered to watch his team when he lives here is a bit strong. Made a complete tit of himself yet again.
Bobbybee
Apr 21, 2017 at 2:53 PM
Comment #26Jib, did you hear his claim yesterday? That despite being on here every game, Tuff has been to watch Arma about a dozen times whilst on loan. Never bothered to mention it until yesterday like, after accusing others of being armchair experts! Ha ha ha! He’s not, of course. He went and watched him a dozen times – liar! Never been near those grounds. Never been near ours and he lives here ffs. What a tool
Jib
Apr 21, 2017 at 2:56 PM
Comment #27Bobby
No I didn’t – I just got back last night – after 3 weeks of sampling the fleshpots of Spain.
Bobbybee
Apr 21, 2017 at 3:04 PM
Comment #28Ha ha, good for you. Did you bring one back? 🙂 Please, don’t miss it mate, it’s only a few threads back. Classic blog comedy platinum, let alone gold. Apparently we don’t know anything about Arma, because we haven’t been to see him live whilst on loan. Unlike him, who – get on this – has bothered to go and watch him a dozen times whilst visiting friends down south. Long drive to Barnsley from south, for someone who can’t make the effort to cross Newcastle and watch the first team. Decent drive to Coventry from ‘south’ – West Midlands. A dozen times eh? 0.5/100 on the believable scale. If he had one minute scrap of credibility on here – which is debatable – blatant lies pretty much destroy that I reckon. Ha ha ha ha. Wonderful entertainment.
Bobbybee
Apr 21, 2017 at 3:13 PM
Comment #29I need to go to the toilet before a wet myself laughing, then sadly have to take my lad across town. Still, give Tuff a chance to have the last say eh? Not that it matters now. He’s a busted flush now. Finished. Credibility GONE. You must have a sad life, to have to lie about it to try and get some sort of credibility on a blog where nobody even knows each other. I honestly can’t imagine anything sadder than that. Walter Mitty eat your heart out. 🙂 Glad I’ve got a decent bladder. Unbelievable, honestly. Write a book Tuff. Oh no, too late, I think The Life And Times Of Walter Mitty has been done to death. How about The Fantasy Life Of The Toon Blogger? Comedy best seller.
Oh gawd, I’m getting shouted, better go. Later chaps. Magic times.
LewSpi v2.0
Apr 21, 2017 at 3:21 PM
Comment #30DING DING…ROUND TWO
Jib
Apr 21, 2017 at 3:31 PM
Comment #31Bobbybee would appear to have handed
Mr Tuff
his ass
😀
lesh
Apr 21, 2017 at 3:32 PM
Comment #32Bobby
That Dirty Macke link’s priceless.
Now, if you can fix it have it played at SJP when promotion’s confirmed……..
Mister Tuff
Apr 21, 2017 at 3:45 PM
Comment #33Hahahaha – I knew I would get an abusive response I dared to challenge a big mouth and got the expected abuse. Called a liar as well.
Everything said is twisted and/or invented. As an example I said “Luckily, with relatives living further south” this in then formed into ” Oh yeah, whilst visiting friends down south. Barnsley ain’t actually south and Coventry is west Midlands.”
If I live in North Northumberland both Barnsley and Coventry are further south.
You are really thick if you cannot see this – what a dope. Really cannot argue against this level of ignorance.
You’ve got the lip on as I do not see Armstrong breaking through this season or next. I dared to go against “Super Supporter” and got the abuse.
It is then revealed that up to date reviews of Armstrong are video reviews – Denise Wise style.
And that he has not been seen in the flesh for a couple of years.
In other words the Ashington Adam Armstrong Armchair Appraisal Association.
Comfy reclining armchair assessor – watching the telly – probably wearing 3D glasses to get the experience of being there.
Super supporter outed – armchair assessor.
Have to correct you on further shyte – you posted Fulham have bigger crowds than Forrest. Not so. got that wrong as well.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/2a/f9/f2/2af9f216818ff83486a5e5d1f316cf50.jpg
Get into it and fall asleep.
Mister Tuff
Apr 21, 2017 at 3:49 PM
Comment #34What about these Bristol City supporters you chat to in Ashington. A known hotbed for City supporters – what a porkie.
Mister Tuff
Apr 21, 2017 at 3:54 PM
Comment #35It can be a bit tiring posting on here and sometimes a little break/rest is needed. I note you posted ” I need to go to the toilet before a wet myself”.
I certainly do not object you sitting down for a few moments.