Newcastle will have their third pre-season friendly tonight at League One club Bradford City – when we take on the Bantams at Valley Parade – 7:30 pm kickoff.
We’re not sure what team Rafa will start tonight but he will probably start his best team and we should be able o win this third preseason game.
But Rafa will want to see a significant improvement in our play after the way the lads played at Preston on Saturday in the 1-1 draw – which was fairly mediocre following the first 15 minutes.
53-year-old Bradford City manager Stuart McCall
One of the things Newcastle are doing under Rafa Benitez is forging good relationships with a number of lower league clubs, who we can then send our up-and-coming players to.
And one of those clubs is Bradford City.
Stuart McCall is in his second management spell at the Bantams after he played for them for two spells.
The 40 times capped Scottish International midfielder played for Bradford City from 1982 – 1988 and then from 1998 – 2002 and he played close to 400 games for them.
Stuart is looking forward to the game tonight and this is what he had to say in the Chronicle yesterday:
“We go into Wednesday night knowing that we are going to be up against players worth tens of millions of pounds, so we have to be realistic.”
“Equally, though, we still want to go out there and put in the strongest display possible.”
“The result might not necessarily go our way, but we still have things we want to get out of the game.”
“We have a great relationship with Newcastle – they allowed us to bring Alex Gilliead and Haris Vuckic to the club last season.”
“We obviously now have Alex back here as well for this season.”
“We look forward to welcoming them to the stadium and to a challenging encounter.”
“Hopefully, it is one that we can get plenty out of.”
“We won’t be up against the standard of Newcastle’s quality once the league season starts.”
“But there is still the opportunity to use this fixture to keep building things up ahead of the new campaign.”
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
109 comments so far
Jib
Jul 26, 2017 at 1:14 PM
Comment #81Peter Beardsley
Doesn’t have the respect of the kids
He’s a dinosaur
Often contradicts himself
I wasn’t dissing him honest
G
You should give yourself a slap first
RUNAWAY777
Jul 26, 2017 at 1:17 PM
Comment #82I shirebrook toon I’ll be there glade to get back to the toon its to hot out here rather be back in Tenerife working bro
magspuggy
Jul 26, 2017 at 1:20 PM
Comment #83I think the issues with the u23s have nowt to do with pedro.
Years of underinvestment left the first team in s##t state so we can see that has also happened with the youngins
The blame should fall on fatties head not anyone lower down the chain.
Its one area i thought mash would be very keen to expliot buy them young stack them high and sell them cheap
Keep the pick of the litter .
Dam shame tbh
We all love to see the home grown lads pull on the shirt.
hibbit
Jul 26, 2017 at 1:24 PM
Comment #84there’s no doubt Beardsley was/is one of the clubs all time greats
but that alone doesn’t make him a great coach he totally lacks the ability to communicate with his charges
on results alone at any other club he would have been long gone from his coaching position
WWSBRD
Jul 26, 2017 at 1:29 PM
Comment #85Is it not fairly common knowledge about Pedro’s struggles with the young lads?
JP...from The Rock
Jul 26, 2017 at 1:30 PM
Comment #86Really want us to sign Allen and Samaris. That would instantly solve our midfireld problem. The a striker and we’re sorted unless Rafa still wants a keeper.
Make it happen Rafa! Please!
G
Jul 26, 2017 at 1:31 PM
Comment #87Fair enough guys, if you believe I was being disrespectful to PB, then apologies. Not my intention at all. He is without a doubt one of the finest players I have ever seen wear our colours. I was merely responding to a question, with reference to the popular opinion of the charges under his care.
Markaccus
Jul 26, 2017 at 1:37 PM
Comment #88G
You shouldn’t have to apologize because one or two people took it the wrong way. Sometimes people are too precious.
beermonkey
Jul 26, 2017 at 1:39 PM
Comment #89Are we going to be on TV anywhere tonight
hibbit
Jul 26, 2017 at 1:40 PM
Comment #90the people getting het up about beardsley obviously have no close connection to the club you’re making your point on what he was not what he is now and that’s a very poor coach and not the brilliant footballer we all remember
Markaccus
Jul 26, 2017 at 1:42 PM
Comment #91Read this morning that Batshoiyuiouiyiuy might be loaned to us, but seen nothing since.
martoon
Jul 26, 2017 at 1:47 PM
Comment #92G – I’m with Markaccus – you were simply expressing an opinion on the coaching abilities of PB – people can either agree with you or put up a counter argument – that is the point of this blog. If people have to apologise every time they disrespect a NUFC player then the majority of the Blog would have to for Jack Colback 😀
beermonkey
Jul 26, 2017 at 1:54 PM
Comment #93Martoon
Would be nice if the club apologised for colback
toon kk
Jul 26, 2017 at 1:55 PM
Comment #94It’s always very nervy when we’re 1 up and ginger comes on, you can almost guarantee he’ll give a foul away in a dangerous area to spoil the party. Risky player, not sure how many premier league clubs would even consider him.
Belfast
Jul 26, 2017 at 1:56 PM
Comment #95Very gingerist Blog so it is…
I think there’s no chance of them loaning out Batshit to be honest. Remy and Costa will both leave, so that leaves Batshit and Morata.
Belfast
Jul 26, 2017 at 2:02 PM
Comment #96Leaves them with two strikers and maybe Llorente who’ll cover for those two if Swansea sell him.
I would go for Perez from Arsenal myself,
good player, hasn’t worked out for him for whatever reason.
toon kk
Jul 26, 2017 at 2:02 PM
Comment #97Hibbit
I think if a few you lads had come out to be class players Beardsley would be getting some phrase. Is that his fault or are the lads simply not good enough.
magspuggy
Jul 26, 2017 at 2:02 PM
Comment #98Red headed step child for sale
Slighty soiled with red and white stripes
Black and white heart
Good at kicking things (apart from footballs)
Willing to trade.
Call 0800 toon toon
hibbit
Jul 26, 2017 at 2:02 PM
Comment #99still a lot of talk that Brucie wants Jack at Villa
we still plenty time to shift him he’s got to be worth £5m
Essex Geordie Bill
Jul 26, 2017 at 2:03 PM
Comment #100OurToon
‘Does the whole blog agree that Colback is pants? This could be a first for the blog’
Nope, I rate him and wouldn’t be surprised to see him get another call up for the England.
I was really impressed with the way he was getting forward in the Hearts game and was making a big effort not to give away daft fouls in both of the games so far. He could however be facing some stiff competition in getting game even with Hayden ( who will be 1st choice imo) and Diame currently the only alternatives.
Diame is looking better in midfield so I’ll ease up on my calling him, ‘heavy touch’ and ‘elephant leap’ for the moment. Hopefully for good. 🙂
Rafa hasn’t sacked PB yet so I wonder how he rates him.
bettyswallocks
Jul 26, 2017 at 2:04 PM
Comment #101Looks like an overwhelming landslide blog decision that Colback is not of the required standard to be in the team. A concensus of opinion of this magnitude with the exception of one Mr. Jib throws into serious doubt Jib’s contribution to the blog on football related opinion.
beermonkey
Jul 26, 2017 at 2:07 PM
Comment #102Hibbit
Think most of us would pay 5 mill to villa to get shot of him
Jail for Ashley
Jul 26, 2017 at 2:09 PM
Comment #103Swallocks,
Do I need to remind you that Jib once called out the footy know nowts for not recognising that Riverie was a top footballer who would shiNE under the top coach Mclaren.
Jib
Jul 26, 2017 at 2:11 PM
Comment #104Nobody was being precious
I just said his comments on Pedro (based on what he’d heard kids parents say ffs)
were rude and uncalled for.
No one requires an apology.
hibbit
Jul 26, 2017 at 2:12 PM
Comment #105toon kk good afternoon
i’ll have to let you decide that ?
hibbit
Jul 26, 2017 at 2:14 PM
Comment #106beermonkey wish i had £5m
YoungMag :P
Jul 26, 2017 at 2:35 PM
Comment #107What time is the friendly?
Markaccus
Jul 26, 2017 at 2:35 PM
Comment #108Jib
By that comment, you are clearly determined to continue being precious and deliberately still taking G’s comment the wrong way.
david stafford
Jul 26, 2017 at 4:55 PM
Comment #109I was at the Whitley Bay v Newcastle Utd U23s last night and as Kimbo mentioned in a earlier post if thats the best we have coming through things are looking bleak.
The goalkeeper was decent along with a couple of outfield players and the rest would struggle to get a game in a non league side.
As for Peter Beardsley he stood on the touchline with his hands in his pockets and he maybe shouted instructions a couple of times but he did yawn quite a few times,so maybe a fresh face to take over the U23s is needed.
The game itself was boring and Whitley Bay were the better side,oh and it finished 0-0.