Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has just named his side for the fourth pre-season friendly of pre-season against Mainz 04 in Germany this afternoon.
We now have three friendlies coming up in a short eight days, and then the lads have a rest of eight days as we prepare for our first Premier League game of the season two weeks tomorrow against Tottenham at home.
It would be good to win this game this afternoon to get the lads into that winning mentality.
Here is the team as just reported on the Newcastle United Twitter account.
Subs at @Mainz05en: Woodman, Shelvey, Gayle, Hayden, Aarons, Mbemba, Perez, Gamez, Manquillo, Atsu, Merino. #NUFC
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) July 29, 2017
After his excellent showing last week at Bradford, Jacob Murphy gets a start, and it’s a big chance for him to further impress.
It looks like Rob Elliot has the day off today so probably 45 minutes each for Karl Darlow and young Freddie Woodman in goal, who played well at Bradford City last week.
We also expect there to be changes at half time although maybe not as many as usual in this game?
It would be good to get the win this afternoon against the Bundesliga side.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
198 comments so far
Chrisella87
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:32 PM
Comment #121Great save by Woodman
Sheikh MagToon
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:32 PM
Comment #12270 minutes and mackems 0.5 behind. Fast pass to League 1 with any luck.
Markaccus
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:32 PM
Comment #123TikiMackemKnacka
Refrain from calling everyone idiots just because our opinion is different from yours.
jazzyp
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:33 PM
Comment #124Mackems getting smashed which is a big bonus for the weekend .
Tikataka
Do you not think that Murphy should be given a chance to prove himself before writing him off
Bobbybee
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:33 PM
Comment #125‘I’ m not judging him on today… ‘
Murphy will be a dud, mark my words. He’s so, so bad. Make you mind up marra 🙂
TikiTakaAcca
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:33 PM
Comment #126Here we go.
Claims i’m a Sunderland fan now.
Just a realist Newcastle fan.
corkypants
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:34 PM
Comment #127TiciTakaAcca I was referring to ritchie’s ability to cross not Murphy you numpty!!
TikiTakaAcca
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:35 PM
Comment #128@corky
It’s fine having one slow winger, but you can’t have 2 with a number 10 who cries for runners either side.
It’s basic knowledge.
corkypants
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:37 PM
Comment #129That’s why we have Murphy Atsu and Rolando none are slow
SPRINGY
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:37 PM
Comment #130Mbemba having a decent half
Obertans_on_roids
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:37 PM
Comment #131Here comes the new boy
Markaccus
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:38 PM
Comment #132Tikitw@t
No, stop mistaking “realism” for “ultra negative”. Just because you (and apparently only you) thinl murphy is slow and crap, doesn’t mean we are all (just about everyone else on here) idiots because we don’t agree. The lad has looked decent so far and his 2 goals v bradford were both well taken.
Less of the keyboard warrior attitude.
corkypants
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:38 PM
Comment #133And I wouldn’t really call ritchie slow he ain’t the quickest but he isn’t slow
Bobbybee
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:39 PM
Comment #134Slow lazy sods, eh? Anybody would think they were playing in temp of 30 degrees out there… oh, wait…
Markaccus
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:41 PM
Comment #135Bobby
I just don’t get it. From what i have seen of murphy, he’s quite quick. It’s bizzare to call him slow.
jazzyp
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:42 PM
Comment #136Tikatakaknacker
Explain your opinion please when this is what best explains Murphy. Yet you seem to think he is slow as well as offers nothing out wide??
After making Atsu’s loan move permanent earlier this summer, the addition of Murphy will provide the Magpies with another creative threat out wide.
In Matt Ritchie, Newcastle have an industrious player who can not only provide goals, but who also has the ability to deliver quality into the box.
The former Bournemouth wide man isn’t blessed with pace, though, so Murphy, who is capable of playing on either flank, although he played predominantly down the right for Norwich, should provide a good balance if he operates on the left for Benitez’s side.
Murphy, a boyhood Newcastle fan, is quick, direct, and also has an eye for goal.
When asked what he can bring to his new club, Murphy took the opportunity to outline these qualities and underline his suitability as a Fantasy asset.
SPRINGY
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:43 PM
Comment #137Oh oh
Markaccus
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:43 PM
Comment #138Oh dear. Good goal, mind.
Bobbybee
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:44 PM
Comment #139Mark, just our clear lack of basic knowledge mate. 🙂 The sort that says don’t judge players in pre season friendlies as well.
Sloppy goal again, but that’s what these games are for though.
SPRINGY
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:44 PM
Comment #140Bollicks….good finish like
magspuggy
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:46 PM
Comment #141Here comes the first meltdoon
Take cover
Tin hats oot
Rafas lost the plot murphys a slug fattie out
Etc etc etc..
Markaccus
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:47 PM
Comment #142Mags
Hahaha yeah. Dortmund reject should have a hat trick et.c lol
GeordieTwo
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:47 PM
Comment #143How good are Mainz 05? Are they the equivalent of a mid table Prem side?
SPRINGY
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:48 PM
Comment #144Lejeune looks decent and is looking like he’ll be the main cb with one of the others playing with him, mbemba had decebt half,de jong some nice touches but overall and blunt up front….early days tho
GeordieTwo
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:48 PM
Comment #145Just looked it up. They were 15th last season in the Bundesliga. Oh oh….
SPRINGY
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:49 PM
Comment #146Atsu looked bright since he came on
RolandoOverhead
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:50 PM
Comment #147Atsu = greased lightning
Markaccus
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:50 PM
Comment #148G2
Not sure. Wouldn’t really make a difference if you look at our starting line up anyway. Very mix and match. We haven’t done too badly imo. We have looked decent on the ball, just a bit loose at times defensively.
BenArfa the magician
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:50 PM
Comment #149Atsu has the been the best out there since coming on.
GeordieTwo
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:51 PM
Comment #150Still everyone is getting some minutes. As everyone has said repeatedly on here we need a striker. Rafa must see it as well. Where we’re going to get one for a small fee and small wages is a bit of a puzzle…… Is Shefki Kuqi available???
Obertans_on_roids
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:52 PM
Comment #151Ya’ll don’t really want it now (BOOM!)
Here comes the (DOOM!)
Markaccus
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:52 PM
Comment #152G2
I wouldnt read much into freindly results, mate. You even said the same after we beat bradford. Its more about match time and fitness. As long as we dont get outplayed, which we didnt.
Ron Knee
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:53 PM
Comment #153G2
Do you seriously expect Rafa to pick today’s starting eleven for Spurs?
RolandoOverhead
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:53 PM
Comment #154Such a shame we couldn’t match the skill and magnificence of the unwashed and their glorious 5-0 drubbing at the hands of some Glasgow schoolboys. 😀
GeordieTwo
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:53 PM
Comment #155Shefki Kuqi!!!
Boom boom!!!
Boom boom boom!!!
Markaccus
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:54 PM
Comment #156G2
If nufc sign Shefki kuqi again, i will personally hunt you down and fong you in the vitals.
Markaccus
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:55 PM
Comment #157Rolando @ 154
Good job i have finished my cuppa, otherwise it would have been everywhere after that comment ?
Markaccus
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:56 PM
Comment #158Should have been a 😀
GeordieTwo
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:56 PM
Comment #159We do need a striker though lads. Keep selling wor duds Rafa!!! We need those pennies!!!!
Bobbybee
Jul 29, 2017 at 4:58 PM
Comment #160G2 it’s a pre season knockabout in temperatures of 30° against a team further into a preseason and means nothing. Just like the other night meant nothing.
Three games in a week means careful management and he’s just starting to decide his starting eleven – and this wasn’t it. Don’t get excited when we win these games and don’t when we lose either. These are not about winning and losing, they’re about preparation and trying something different.