Florian Lejeune, our £8.8M signing from Spanish club Eibar, had a decent debut at Tynecastle on Friday night and he looked like a good steady center-back in his first appearance for Newcastle.
He went close a couple of times to scoring from corners, so it looks like he may be able to get some goals for us next season in the Premier League.
Currently, Florian is the only new addition from last season’s squad but Newcastle are said to be working hard to bring Jacob Murphy from Norwich and Sheyi Ojo from Liverpool to Newcastle. on permanent deals.
Florian Lejeune in training in the rain with Matt Ritchie
But it’s been really slow going this summer – so far.
Local lad Paul Dummett has been interviewed in the Chronicle and he has said some good things about new boy Florian:
“The lads will all agree with me that since the first day of training he’s fit straight in.”
“He’s comfortable on the ball as we saw against Hearts and he’s a big unit and he’s strong as well – he’s also good in the air.”
“He has a lot of attributes he can bring to our team and he can bring a lot of competition.”
“It’s important to get rid of the rustiness because we’ve had eight weeks off without playing football.”
“It’s about getting rid of the rustiness, building the match fitness up and it’s nice to win the game too because you don’t want to lose.”
“The main priority was match fitness.”
“It’s been intense but we’ve done a lot of ball work as well.” “The manager had us doing the same last season and he’s keen to use the ball early.”
“We’ve been training as normal with running on top so it’s been enjoyable, which is probably not something you normally hear a lot from players.”
“What you want to do as a player is play with the ball and we’ve already been doing that so that’s great.”
Our next friendly is at Preston North End next Saturday afternoon and the lads are now in Dublin on a week-long training camp at Carton House.
Rafa will be wanting to ratchet it up a notch or two this week although we thought the lads looked good at Tynecastle.
Siem de Jong, Rolando Aarons and goalkeeper Rob Elliot were outstanding.
Comments welcome.
69 comments so far
martoon
Jul 17, 2017 at 9:04 AM
Comment #1Ameobi – re season tickets – I haven’t received mine yet but the last time they changed them mine had not arrived by the first home match but you could use your old one for the first game so don’t throw it away yet!
martoon
Jul 17, 2017 at 9:06 AM
Comment #2On topic – difficult to see Dummett saying “the new signing is pants – I don’t know what Rafa was thinking when he signed him!” 😀
Ron Knee
Jul 17, 2017 at 9:10 AM
Comment #3Having watched the friendly on NUFC TV, I was pleasantly surprised by Saivet, especially with the corners he delivered.
Bobbybee
Jul 17, 2017 at 9:12 AM
Comment #4Season tickets posted out last week in July to first week in August according to the box office.
toontaff2
Jul 17, 2017 at 9:19 AM
Comment #5Ron, he’s like a new signing 😮
Ron Knee
Jul 17, 2017 at 9:31 AM
Comment #6toontaff
And SDJ!
Ron Knee
Jul 17, 2017 at 9:31 AM
Comment #7And Aarons!
Veltman
Jul 17, 2017 at 9:44 AM
Comment #8Although Sdj, Aarons and my favorite GK Elliott looked outstanding, you can’t rely on them the whole season as their fitness issue is a big worry.Of course I’ll be happy to survive in the upcoming season, but if he can’t add 2 or 3 proven & experienced players, it is going to be long, hard and struggling season I’m afraid.
RUNAWAY777
Jul 17, 2017 at 10:13 AM
Comment #9Toontaff2 are you still confident where going to get players in by the 1st league game where’s Jacob’s if he’s coming never knowing a club take so long to sign a player bro
martoon
Jul 17, 2017 at 10:16 AM
Comment #10I have to say Adam Armstrong must be pretty gutted – he was probably expecting to go to Ireland to try and impress and hopefully break through to the 1st team squad. Then he is told he is not going and to be sent out on loan. I know Rafa has tough decisions to make but when he decides against a player that’s it – same for Krul.
AncientC
Jul 17, 2017 at 10:21 AM
Comment #11It is a little disappointing on Armstrong, but not unexpected. Contrary to what some people say about Benitez bringing through younger players, Rafa mostly prefers senior players and rarely develops academy players into seniors. A writer over the ‘The Mag’ a few weeks ago did an analysis of the all the players Benitez has brought through, paying specific attention to the numbers, and it wasn’t very many. Although, to be fair, Benitez has not been in a situation like the current one for some time – being able to spend large on Higuain at Napoli, and having funds at the clubs he has been with since Valencia.
Budge123
Jul 17, 2017 at 10:23 AM
Comment #12Martoon surely better for AA to get to the loan club ASAP and settle there and have a bigger chance of success?
By similar theory – has our world cup winner travelled to Ireland? Will be be back up this year?
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jul 17, 2017 at 10:29 AM
Comment #13ANOTHER ONE TO ADD TO THE LIST!!!
Newcastle United are in talks to sign Harold Voyer according to reports in France.
The 20 year old defender is with PSG and so far has only played at various youth levels before making seven appearances for their reserve team last season.
jayphoto
Jul 17, 2017 at 10:29 AM
Comment #14@Ancient – my view on Benitez developing players seems to be he’s often tended to sign young players that made the breakthrough elsewhere, players around the 21-22 mark. His team are very efficient in progressing players in their early 20’s.
Personally don’t think Armstrong is good enough. Not now at least. Didn’t set the world on fire at Barnsley and definitely got the games, starting up top more than not after xmas. Telling that he’s off to Bolton and not a reading/leeds/Boro
jayphoto
Jul 17, 2017 at 10:34 AM
Comment #15Just wonder if Ojo and Murphy could both sign? Pretty sure one plays on the left and the other on the right?
They are both lazy when it comes to tracking back. Don’t know much about murphy but Ojo sounds like he could develop into a real star? If its 22m to sign both, I think that’d be good business outlay for 2 young England prospects aswell as giving us 4 strong options from the wings. In this economy, 30m for Lejeune, Ojo and Murphy is stellar business but find it hard to believe Liverpool will sell ojo for just 10m when they got 16m for Ibe a year ago and the development of the 2 is near identical
martoon
Jul 17, 2017 at 10:47 AM
Comment #16Budge123 @12 – Yeah Woodman has gone to Ireland as well as a couple of other youngsters such as Sterry and Fernandez – I just thought Armstrong would be given a chance in pre-season and then sent on loan if he didn’t impress!
kc2012
Jul 17, 2017 at 10:48 AM
Comment #17Sheyi Ojo looked different class in Englands u20’s games in this years tournement but thats nowhere near prem level obviously. Would love to see him sign because he has serious potential and we could have some real flair and cover on the wings for once with Aarons, Atsu, Murphy and Ojo. I’d like to see Ritchie in a more central attacking-mid role this season aswell as I think he’d add a few more goals.
lesh
Jul 17, 2017 at 10:54 AM
Comment #18Charlie
You’ll have to get out of bed earlier if you want to beat Jib – he was on the Voyer case hours ago. 😉
I wonder if J knows what it’s like to lead a normal life away from Google! 🙂
Rotonda heights
Jul 17, 2017 at 10:57 AM
Comment #19You have to start wondering about Armstrong’s character and make up a bit.
I’ve heard he’s a cocky, arrogant, ”don’t you know who I am ” type who has possibly rubbed people up the wrong way, who knows.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:06 AM
Comment #20In the brief appearances for Newcastle first team Armstrong looks lost on the pitch like he doesn’t know where he should be or what he should be doing !? Even against Hearts he looked lost although he was in an unfamiliar position but he just doesn’t seem to do the basics well enough?
Contrast that to when he plays for England or at Coventry he looked a different player maybe its the pressure of playing for his hometown team gets to him and he just freezes?
Krul To Be Kind
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:08 AM
Comment #21Ibe had made a significant first team contribution in the PL before going to Bournemouth for 16m Ojo has barely featured in the first team with the exception of a few cup games, Ibe was good to go Oji still needs some development but definitely a star on the rise, another player that if he fulfills his potential will be some player, but 10m is a lot of money for a development player when the readies aren’t readily available as he might not be first team ready yet IMO.
G
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:09 AM
Comment #22RH, I haven’t heard that about AA, I do however, believe that you require arrogance and self belief to thrive as a pro footballer. Met very few of them that have any kind of humble nature.
martoon
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:15 AM
Comment #23Lee Charnley Bunga Party @20 – You make a good point – Arma doesn’t look the same player when he has played for the first team – maybe the step up in class or maybe pressure as you say.
lesh
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:27 AM
Comment #24According to the Chron, Murphy’s in Germany with Norwich. They’re really playing hard all and I wonder about that reportedly acceptable bid of £10m plus a conditional £2m.
And for me, that suggests that the reported bid for Ojo is either genuine or a leak to put pressure on Norwich. Any thoughts??
Jib
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:29 AM
Comment #25I do believe we have some none too subtle BobbyBee chain yanking going on this morning
He won’t bite.
It’s sunny.
I’ve noticed he always goes off on one when its overcast.
😀
Ron Knee
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:33 AM
Comment #26Miles Starforth
Understand interest in Sheyi Ojo doesn’t mean proposed deal for Jacob Murphy has fallen through. Talks ongoing. #nufc
Tsunki
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:37 AM
Comment #27As if it requires any effort, jib 😀
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:37 AM
Comment #28Maybe Rafa has given up on his main targets so has thought getting some wingers in with pace and potential is the next best option ?!
Ojo and Murphy with Atsu , Richie and possibly Aarons is decent especially with rotation etc
Tsunki
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:39 AM
Comment #29I wonder if it’s because overcast weather affects ol’ bobby’s bones adversely? Perhaps we should check the barometer before posting…
expatmag
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:40 AM
Comment #30Tsunki
He is either at the RVI having an ECG after the AA news or he has signed up to the Bolton blog……lol
Tsunki
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:40 AM
Comment #31All very nice talking about tricky wingers an stuff buuuuuuttttt…. What about that midfield powerhouse and a badly needed striker?
Tsunki
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:41 AM
Comment #32Expat ooh you are awful…… 🙂
Jib
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:42 AM
Comment #33England will be pushed to make it until tea-time
28 -2
expatmag
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:42 AM
Comment #34Ron
As we already have Aarons Atsu Ritchie and others who can play the flanks, I cant see us going for both Ojo and Murphy. It will be one or the other
Mister Tuff
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:46 AM
Comment #35Woah – Doctor Jib now making a diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder over the net. Most impressive.
Rotonda heights
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:46 AM
Comment #36yes i agree a bit of arrogance is no bad thing, especially in a striker. However, AA hasn’t made it yet.
RUNAWAY777
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:47 AM
Comment #37Yorkshire lad just told me Huddersfield have signed 10 players
My not be best players but gives there fans a lift with some intent for the coming season.
Ron Knee
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:47 AM
Comment #38expat
Ojo would be a loan deal, apparently.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:48 AM
Comment #39One of the main problems we had last season was when Shelvey was suspended we couldn’t adapt but if we have wingers who can stretch the play on both sides of the pitch it means if Shelvey is absent with no replacement we can change it up a bit more
Would still like to see us sign a top quality defensive midfielder to go alongside him as I worry against some of the better pressing teams like Spurs and Liverpool I can see us getting outworked and dominated in the middle and then Shelvey getting frustrated and doing something daft ……
Jail for Ashley
Jul 17, 2017 at 11:57 AM
Comment #40I thought a strong AM who would be able to compete with and replace Shelvey and the No 10 role would be ideal, not sure who that would be though. Dame should have been that player but obviously isn’t good enough.