Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has just named his side for the second last game of the Championship season at Cardiff City tonight, after the lads magnificently gained an automatic promotion spot on Monday night by easily defeating Preston North End 4-1 on a memorable night at St. James’ Park.
That’s only the second time any club has been relegated and come straight backup in an automatic promotion spot in the last six years.
That’s some achievement, but we don’t think Rafa will get the credit he deserves for what he’s done for the club – not that it will bother the Spanish manager one little bit.
Rafa has made several changes for tonight’s game due to slight injuries to various of our players.
TEAM NEWS: Here’s how Newcastle United will line up at Cardiff City tonight (kick-off 7:45pm BST). #NUFC pic.twitter.com/ZF1NIJtiNQ
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 28, 2017
One surprise is the introduction Jack Colback for Jonjo Shelvey in central midfield – that was completely unexpected.
And in comes Chancel Mbemba to partner Ciaran Clark in central defense and the wingers are Christian Atsu and Ayoze Perez with Mo Diame getting a start in the number 10 position.
As expected Daryl Murphy starts up front and we hope the big Irishman can score another goal for us tonight.
American DeAndre Yedlin is back in at right back for Vurnon Anita and a rare appearance for Achraf Lazaar on the bench.
Newcastle can set a club record for the most away wins in a season tonight and that would be great – and it would be the second record f0r Rafa this season – his first full season as the Newcastle United manager.
That’s after he went 9 successive wins to equal the existing record, before we surprising lost at home to Blackburn Rovers last year.
We are proud of what Newcastle have achieved this season in what is a very difficult and tough league and it’s not easy to get out of the league at the very first attempt.
Aston Villa and Norwich City have proved that this season, with the other two relegated clubs last season not even making the playoffs for the third promotion spot.
This is what Rafa said yesterday about tonight’s game:
“If we win our games and Brighton make mistakes, we will be champions. We will try to do it.”
“Cardiff are very competitive. It will be a difficult game.”
“We will challenge Brighton and see what happens. We have two games, and we have to do our best.”
Howay The Bonnie Lads!!
Comments welcome.
225 comments so far
ShirebrookToon
Apr 28, 2017 at 6:47 PM
Comment #1Well well well
Ron Knee
Apr 28, 2017 at 6:49 PM
Comment #2Shelvey not starting?
Jib
Apr 28, 2017 at 6:50 PM
Comment #3A few players in that team being told by Rafa:- “convince me to keep you”
ShirebrookToon
Apr 28, 2017 at 6:51 PM
Comment #4Put that in ya bingo pipe and smoke it.
Jib
Apr 28, 2017 at 6:53 PM
Comment #5If that team plays fired up and to it’s potential –
Welshie is in for a treat at Cardiff City stadium tonight.
Nufc-83
Apr 28, 2017 at 6:58 PM
Comment #6Not sure how we will create anything but let’s see.
lochinvar
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:03 PM
Comment #7Shelvey looked all in after the Preston game so the change is a typical Rafa move – rest tired one, pkay fresh one.
Just follow the Mitro- Murphy pattern
wynsleap
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:04 PM
Comment #8Would rather see Jonjo playing on one leg than the Ginger Pirlo. Look forward to our defence having to deal with some tricky free kicks near our box when the dubious tackle sgo in from our midfield ‘maestro’.
WWSBRD
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:11 PM
Comment #9Elliot in goal, Perez on the wing and no Shelvey…well am expecting the worst
Sazzer
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:11 PM
Comment #10By experience we know that our transfer budget even if it’s bigger than usual is going to be a lot more restricted than other clubs and that Rafa is going to have to be creative with budget he gets.
Probably have to take some gambles on players that used to be stars in midtable teams in past but ended up out of favour at big clubs. We talking players like Nolito and Delph at Man City or Paco Alcacer and Denis Suarez at Barcelona. Forgotten talents like Chalobah at Chelsea.
And already mentioned Chicarito. Nani from Valencia could be another that maybe still could have more to offer at Premier League level than Atsu. I wouldn’t mind players like Ashley Young, Gael Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta, Valencia that have been consistent performers with good attitudes that might be offloaded this summer.
Sturridge is similar but I don’t think his attitude and injury record would benefit us even if he’s will get you goals when in form.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:13 PM
Comment #11Never mind the RAFA bingo hows about the Colback Bingo
Which minute will he get booked in
mine 38th minute.
Strange kind of team as some one has posted last chance saloon for some – in particular Diame
Tad worried about the right side with Yedlin and Atsu – might be quick but both cannot tackle.
Rather odd seen Mitrovich playing behind Murphy as he seemed to play a more withdrawn role on Monday night
toontaff2
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:14 PM
Comment #12Ginger Pirlo with hat-trick! 1-5 HWTL!
See WelshBluebird9is there in the home end, wearing his Swansea top 👿
anthc
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:14 PM
Comment #13I hope we stuff this lot as Warnock is a right knacker. More or less said we were shi*e for the money that had been spent. Had his tongue lodged right up Brightons hole.
Lindisfarne
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:17 PM
Comment #14If we went 433 we would really cause the trouble. I was close to calling out Colback but thought he would be out the door, looks like he has a chance to hold on to his place in the squad….if the last two games go well.
geordie157
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:20 PM
Comment #15Expected changes but was hoping Colback wouldn’t start.
Lazaar could have started with Diame alongside Hayden giving the side more balance.
Munster Mag
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:21 PM
Comment #16Elliott is a good choice. Much better in air. 6000 fans there. Awesome
The next Mike Williamson
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:22 PM
Comment #17I can see goals being hard to come by without Gayle & Ritchie. The rest of our team are lucky if they’ve got 15 between them. Defence should be solid.
Mister Tuff
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:27 PM
Comment #18Subs.
Aleksandar Mitrovic, Jamie Sterry
Yoan Gouffran Jonjo Shelvey
Karl Darlow Achraf Lazaar
Massadio Haidara
Jib
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:31 PM
Comment #19Jeepers
Warnock is starting to really look his age!
All those years of alchoholic excess catching up with him.
jimmygscot
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:31 PM
Comment #20cannot see any goals in that line up. But shouldn’t concede any either unless stupid free kicks are given away.
TudorCrisps
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:32 PM
Comment #21Any streams lads?
Jib
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:32 PM
Comment #22Mister Tuff
Thanks
They’re listed at the top of the page
Thicko
Mister Tuff
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:33 PM
Comment #232 – 1 to the Toon.
Jib
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:34 PM
Comment #24Mr Tuff
If the Toon win it will be 1-2
Thicko
toontaff2
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:35 PM
Comment #25Saylor on Sky 😀 Don’t get another injury, Stevie!
Warnock looks very red – is he doing a Jokinnear?
Jib
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:36 PM
Comment #26TudorCrisps // Apr 28, 2017 at 7:32 PM-Any streams lads?
Aye loads
Mister Tuff
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:37 PM
Comment #27Jib Jibberish -this is a league game – so if it is level at 90 mins there will be no penalty shoot out.
Have you learnt any more rules of the game after you said there was going to be a penalty shoot out after 90 mins in one of the cup games.
What a divvy. Johnny come lately supporter.
toontaff2
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:39 PM
Comment #28JIB @19 – he looks a bit like he’s going to be up early….
.Warnock….
http://www.backyardchickens.com/content/type/61/id/6337140/width/350/height/700/flags/LL.
Douglas
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:39 PM
Comment #29Chaps: any links?
ronaldo aarons
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:39 PM
Comment #30Would have really liked sterry to start.
I’m going 49 mins colback yellow card.
Sazzer
The only problem with that is the wages of those players but I agree with you, we’ll get a player or two of the ilk you mention. Supposedly we are quite interested in Delph but Man city may keep him just to fill their quota.
Jib
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:40 PM
Comment #31Mr Tuff
Shouldn’t you be watching Adam Armstrong ?
Or reporting peeople for making racist comments like “Sand dancer”
Ha ha ha
Thicko
toontaff2
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:43 PM
Comment #32Where’s Dennis Twice?
Mister Tuff
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:43 PM
Comment #33Jib – how are Brazil United getting on.
F***ing Brazil United – what a knacker.
Jib
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:45 PM
Comment #34http://brazilianunitedfc.com/
WHOOPS
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:49 PM
Comment #35Looking at ease in the opening minutes. Hopefully an enjoyable performance ahead.
swemag
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:49 PM
Comment #36Radio link? Stream link?
toontaff2
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:49 PM
Comment #37Ginger Pirlo! To be fair Ayoze wasn’t expecting it!
Jib
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:50 PM
Comment #38Lively start
And the away support is f@cking PHE- NOM – E -NAL
toontaff2
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:52 PM
Comment #39Outsinging WelshBluebird9.
Toondog2
Apr 28, 2017 at 7:52 PM
Comment #40Listen to the fans singing
HWTL