It’s good to see goalkeeper Rob Elliot get a few games towards the end of this season and he could keep his place for the last game of the season on Sunday afternoon, so at least he plays three first team games this term with Karl Darlow having been our number one goalkeeper this season.
Credit goes to goalkeeper coach Simon Smith for improving Rob Elliot last season and now Karl Darlow this season since he rejoined us in the summer of 2015.
But if the news is accurate today Newcastle are keen on signing 31 year-old Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton and the Lancashire club would want as much as £15M for him – which seems a lot but the transfers this season are going to be ridiculous in the Premier League, as Rafa mentioned in his press conference today.
Rob Elliot in training yesterday
Rob Elliot was always an upbeat and positive guy who loves living in Newcastle and he was true to form when he recently was interviewed in the Chronicle – he seems to be proud of everything and everybody at the club:
🙂 🙂 🙂
“This season has been a magnificent achievement.” “It’s a brand new squad we put together – there’s a few old faces and a lot of new ones.”
“We’ve got the club back to where we want to be.”
“The lads aren’t concentrating on the league too much.” “We want to put in a good performance – to finish the season off well.” “We just want to put in the right performance, win the game, then the rest is up to Brighton.”
“It’s testament to how well the lads have done that we are heading into the last game of the season still with a chance of winning the league.”
“Hopefully Sunday will be a great day for the players and the fans and you just never know we might even top it by winning the league.”
“The players have been magnificent and well done to them.” “There is an outside chance we can win the league – we are going to go for it until there’s no chance at all.” “It’s the first step towards what we are aiming for,”
“I’m immensely proud of everyone. The whole club, the whole city, from top to bottom. Everyone talked like it would be a simple thing to do at the start of the season, ‘Oh, Newcastle will go up’. But it wasn’t ever going to be that simple.”
“For a group of players that young, that have just been put together, to a league that not that many of them know, to do what they have done, I think, is a brilliant achievement.”
“Hopefully, this will just be the start and there’s a lot more to come from everyone.”
In reality it was never going to be a cake walk for us
It was what the national journalist were putting out so it was a no-win situation for Rafa Benitez and Newcastle.
If we did walk it then it was to be expected because we bought the league (whatever that ever meant – sounds like jealousy to us), but we expect they were really hoping we would struggle like Aston Villa and Norwich did.
That would have been great news for them – because it was bad news for Newcastle.
But we did very well in being where we are right now and in the top two since early October – the Championship is a tough tough league – it will be a much easier schedule next season in the Premier League.
But wait a minute – on second thoughts – we’ll have two long cup runs – so maybe not?
🙂
If Rafa does bring in an experienced Premier League goalkeeper in the summer then both Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow will have their work cut out to be the number one goalkeeper at Newcastle next season.
We wouldn’t have minded it if Rob and Karl fought it out for the number one position next season – they are both good goalkeepers who have shown they both can still improve.
But it seems Rafa wants to turn up the competition for the goalkeeping spot for next season – he’s a big believer in real competition for every single position and it pays off – as long as it’s friendly competition for the good of the team.
And it looks Rafa will sell Tim Krul too and will be a surprise as far as we are concerned.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
108 comments so far
cyprus
May 5, 2017 at 6:32 PM
Comment #1North East,
Would luv it if Ben arfa came over. Think ship has sailed
catchy in norway
May 5, 2017 at 6:33 PM
Comment #2FOOOKMEFOOOKYOU
Jib
May 5, 2017 at 6:35 PM
Comment #3Rafa said in his presser that he’s watched the speculation in the press about potential signings and money to be spent with much amusement.
They are all total fantasy and miles wide of the mark .
NezzaNUFC
May 5, 2017 at 6:43 PM
Comment #4Why oh why would we want to waste 15 mill on a 31 year old GK when we have 4 already?
3 of which are PL material in Krull,Darlow and Elliot?
I won’t be happy if Rafa takes all this time to get another GK when we all know what needs improved!
TacoFlavoredKisses ForMyBen-arfa
May 5, 2017 at 6:45 PM
Comment #5im hearing 10Bet is the new sponsor
JackBall
May 5, 2017 at 6:46 PM
Comment #6You know it fantasy when you hear 15 mil for a GK. I think we will have money to spend, but certainly not limitless, and no way Rafa will blow 1/4 to 1/5 of it on a keeper when so many other areas are much more needed. As for Gouf, he is a good worker and maybe good to have as a squad player, but the wing is one of the top three positions (#10, wing and back) we need to improve ASAP.
ron burgundy
May 5, 2017 at 6:49 PM
Comment #7pl to ban betting sponsors
JackBall
May 5, 2017 at 6:50 PM
Comment #8Lesh,
You are probably right that we are a couple of productive years away from a truly class sponsor, but I was hoping and, of course, my opinion of the team is a bit higher than the rest of the world. But, if it is good money, it could be a step in the right direction.
giimps
May 5, 2017 at 6:51 PM
Comment #9I just hope we get the right positions filled rather than buying 4 midfielders when we needed strikers and defenders, Rafa will bring in the right players, theyl have the right attributes and qualities as well as real ears, not painted on like some players.
Since hes come out and dismissed the list of potential transfers and money to be spent, im even more intrigued to see who we bring in by the start of the season
JackBall
May 5, 2017 at 6:55 PM
Comment #10Glinps,
I would add a striker to the list, but for some reason, I’m still convinced Mitro will be good next year. If Rafa disagrees, a striker will come from the sale of Perez and, Mitro or Gayle. I would still first strengthen the players that need to get the ball to the striker.
JackBall
May 5, 2017 at 7:04 PM
Comment #11Good thing Im not a manager, if I were I would sign Atsu just for the article in the Daily Mail. https://goo.gl/gZ8gBo.
Jail for Ashley
May 5, 2017 at 7:08 PM
Comment #12Don’t particularly like or dislike Anita so not fussed if he is given a new deal or was shown the door, like him more than dislike him though so if Rafa wants him good luck to him. Would be disappointed if The Gouff was here next deal but has been excellent this season and hopefully gets a great send off on Sunday, would be devestated if Sammy Ameobi got a new deal or even loaned out and who’s the other one?
Jail for Ashley
May 5, 2017 at 7:10 PM
Comment #13Oh aye, Atsu, not really taken by him after that great performance against Cardiff.
Jib
May 5, 2017 at 7:10 PM
Comment #14“Atsu’s twin sister, Christiana, is studying nursing at university and hopes to join her brother in Newcastle for a masters degree.”
You have to look for clues and you learn
Atsu is staying at NUFC
Mister Tuff
May 5, 2017 at 7:12 PM
Comment #1510bet are criminal scammers. hope it’s not them.
welshgeordie9
May 5, 2017 at 7:15 PM
Comment #165Jail for Ashley // May 5, 2017 at 4:20 PM
giimps,
It all boils down to one thing and that is ambition. There has never been a desire to finish higher than tenth or have a cup run, that fifth was a fluke not quite on the Leicester scale but a fluke non the less, that will have to change with assurances that a middle ground can be found.
How was that a fluke when we finished 5th.
Jib
May 5, 2017 at 7:22 PM
Comment #17Welshie
Only a pr!ck like Jail would see a fluke in a season of 38 games
Jail for Ashley
May 5, 2017 at 7:24 PM
Comment #18Jib,
Had you not seen the pictures of Riverie hauling rocks on slopes by ropes before announcing he would become a top striker under the guidance of a great manager like Steve Mclaren. You need to watch and learn!
ronaldo aarons
May 5, 2017 at 7:24 PM
Comment #19I would be happy for Anita to be given another 2 years. Squads need utility players like him and to be fair he’s not bad at rb, even in the prem league. Of course he has his bad games but he’s good and dependable for the most part. I’d personally like him and yedlin fight for rb again so sterry can go out on loan for a full year. Afterwards, yedlin and sterry would compete for the position. I do think sterry will be a good player, just needs opportunity.
Jail for Ashley
May 5, 2017 at 7:27 PM
Comment #20It was a fluke, we played a right sided midfielder at LB for a quarter of the season, played without a broken Steven Taylor for most of it not bringing in a much needed CB in the January when desperate, maybe fluke is the wrong word but it certainly wasn’t planned or intentended.
Jib
May 5, 2017 at 7:28 PM
Comment #2110bet is a British betting company that was founded in 2003. The Curacao Gaming Control Board regulates the organization’s online activities.
ronaldo aarons
May 5, 2017 at 7:29 PM
Comment #22We keep getting linked to keepers for some reason, what’s that about? I like Heaton but no thanks. People on here seem to rate hart too but I’ve never liked him and think he’s well overrated. I would probably loan out woodman, sell selz and keep Elliot and darlow. Krul is a tricky one, if we sell him then yes we would need a keeper. Either way Rafa has a difficult choice for no 1 keeper.
Jib
May 5, 2017 at 7:30 PM
Comment #23Jail for Ashley // maybe fluke is the wrong word but it certainly wasn’t planned or intended
Wriggly wriggly little wormy worm
welshgeordie9
May 5, 2017 at 7:33 PM
Comment #24Jail
We play players out of position every season, if Rafa was in charge that season would you have said that was a fluke as well,
welshgeordie9
May 5, 2017 at 7:34 PM
Comment #25I bet you won’t say that this weekend if we win the championship.
JackBall
May 5, 2017 at 7:35 PM
Comment #26Not taking sides, but I too don’t think we expected to finish 5th. Regardless, that was a fun season, the last fun one until about last week. This season as a whole was fun, but a bit painful as well.
Jail for Ashley
May 5, 2017 at 7:38 PM
Comment #27No wriggling, fluke is the right word:
an unlikely chance occurrence, especially a surprising piece of luck.
bettyswallocks
May 5, 2017 at 7:42 PM
Comment #28Keep fantasising Welshie
https://static-secure.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/audio/video/2014/6/2/1401708631921/Sheep-World-Cup-018.jpg
dazza
May 5, 2017 at 7:44 PM
Comment #29Admittedly most of these come from Teamtalk rumors, FIFA, and Youtube but some good players at clubs we might be able to convince to sell.
Maguire, Dunk, Tierney, Chambers, Kalas, Garay, Zouma, Tah, Gaya, Grimaldo, Baba, Riedewald, Semedo
Christensen, Mooy, Keita, Cairney, Grosicki, Talisca, Weigl, Agay, Tolisso, Koziello
Iheanacho, Abraham, Ramirez, Aboubakar, Embolo, Zivkovic
Jail for Ashley
May 5, 2017 at 7:45 PM
Comment #30welshgully9,
Players like Gamez and Murphy were bought this season under a different set up so we didn’t have to play right wingers at LB or draft in Shefki Cuckoos at the last minute to fill gaps, you simply can’t compare the previous set ups with this season.
ronaldo aarons
May 5, 2017 at 7:51 PM
Comment #31Lol finishing 5th wasn’t a fluke, that’s very harsh to say that just because we didn’t expect to finish that high. After a full season of football you finish where you deserve to finish.
Jib
May 5, 2017 at 7:53 PM
Comment #32F@cking hell Betty your first post for ages.
You take the prize as blog knobber
You leave Mrs Tuffty and Jail (2 prize dicks) standing
welshgeordie9
May 5, 2017 at 7:54 PM
Comment #33Jail
Doesn’t matter what you say, can’t believe your fluke comment.
Seriously you couldn’t make it up.
WWSBRD
May 5, 2017 at 7:55 PM
Comment #34Jail
U really trying to have a debate with Jeffery and the fake fan? Haha have u not learnt by now
welshgeordie9
May 5, 2017 at 7:58 PM
Comment #35That season we played good attacking football, but that was a fluke according to you.
This season boring frigging football, scrape to get over the finishing Line, and i bet in your little world that wasn’t a fluke.
welshgeordie9
May 5, 2017 at 8:01 PM
Comment #36Fake fan my arse, you pretend everything’s rosy when there’s a big test to come for Rafa this season.
Jib
May 5, 2017 at 8:02 PM
Comment #37You have to fear for West Ham tonight
Spurs look a really serious side at the moment
Mister Tuff
May 5, 2017 at 8:05 PM
Comment #38Friday night cider slugging and the gutter abuse starts already.
I anticipate fair minded folks -who are not lackeys and brown nosing snivellers will also comment that this gutter abuse is not acceptable.
There again they’ll probably not and will behave as they normally do.
Same types of folks that would look the other way and walk on by if they saw an old granny getting beaten up in the street.
WWSBRD
May 5, 2017 at 8:05 PM
Comment #39welsh
Haha ok treacle big test for Clement aswell deciding whether to go back to Bayern or become a championship manager again
Jail for Ashley
May 5, 2017 at 8:15 PM
Comment #40ronaldo,
Not saying we didn’t deserve it but look at what ‘fluke’ actually means, and the fact that they deliberately set out to finish tenth the season after it proves it was a “chance unlikely occurence”.