Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has just named his side for our first Premier League game of the season against Spurs this afternoon.
Here’s the team as put out on the Newcastle Twitter account.
This is how Newcastle United will line up against @SpursOfficial in the @premierleague this afternoon… #NUFC #125YearsUnited pic.twitter.com/9XykxBRZ8Z
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 13, 2017
This is the team we thought Rafa would start and it’s not a big surprise but it’s also good to see Dwight Gayle fit – let’s hope he can score some goals for us this afternoon – Dwight is going to be a key player for us again this term.
Javier Manquillo in for the injured DeAndre Yedlin and Florian Lejeune will make their debuts for Newcastle this afternoon in what promises to be an excellent game.
Mauricio Pochettino – Spurs excellent young manager
The Newcastle fans seem divided on the outcome this afternoon – let’s hope we can get the win – that would be a terrific start to the season.

If we win this game this afternoon we will celebrate for a week!!
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
386 comments so far
catchy in norway
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:35 PM
Comment #1time to shine boys
Lindisfarne
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:36 PM
Comment #2Gayle is playing.
Newcastle XI: Elliot, Manquillo, Clark, Lejeune, Dummett, Hayden, Shelvey, Atsu, Perez, Ritchie, Gayle
Dennis Twice
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:36 PM
Comment #3Attack Toon attack, attack!
krijo
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:36 PM
Comment #4Article written a little to fast ? HWTL
Jib
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:37 PM
Comment #5Dwight Gayle is playing Ed
Ron Knee
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:37 PM
Comment #6No sign of De Jong.
Nufc-83
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:39 PM
Comment #7It’s a no brainer to start Gayle when you only have mitro as back up. It’s not an option to go with anything else tbh mind games or no mind games.
Nufc-83
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:40 PM
Comment #8Strange no de Jong when we are weak at no10
Tenbytoon
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:40 PM
Comment #9Just waiting for the negative talk from p45dew and sourness
firebug666
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:41 PM
Comment #10I fancy us to win this game, 2-1, and maybe Sissoko to go off crying before half time, can’t see him sticking with the abuse he will no doubt receive.
Guess I’m a bit jealous not being able to be there, but I take comfort from having the benefit of action replays in slow motion, and close – ups of the action so it’s not all bad.
HWTL!
AncientC
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:42 PM
Comment #11Lloris (C), Walker-Peters, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Dembele, ***Sissoko***, Eriksen, Dele, Kane
ilovetoon8788
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:42 PM
Comment #12Sisokko to play a worldie and on the scoresheet.
Nufc 0 spurs 4.
Tenbytoon
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:42 PM
Comment #13Just watch sissoko have a stormer today
Mr Funk
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:44 PM
Comment #14If we are looking at strikers from other leagues such as Olarenwaju Kayode, maybe we should have a look at Takumi Minamino. Seems to be well thought of, good goal scoring record and can play as an AMC or ST. Also in last year of contract so could be got cheaply.
With De Jong not in the squad may be he is going to Crystal Palace – one way to get more transfer funds.
I still hope we don’t do for Joselu – would rather take a chance on another striker.
Hail Wor Ashley
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:45 PM
Comment #15Dummett or Hayden to put an early reducer on Sissoko, crowd to hound the twat, Atsu to rip him apart and finally it’ll all end in his dismissal as The Toon go on to win – here’s hoping!
Howay the Lads!
Thump
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:45 PM
Comment #16Surprised Gayle is starting, fully expected Mitro to get the nod.
Also no Colback. Looks like he’s properly huffed Rafa.
@Tenbytoon: don’t even joke, mate!
Lindisfarne
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:46 PM
Comment #17Krijo – #too
toon kk
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:46 PM
Comment #18I wonder if De jong has picked up another injury, wouldn’t be surprised.
Blofal
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:47 PM
Comment #19I suppose De Jong is not really an impact sub. So if he is not going to start you’d rather have a couple of wingers on the bench. Still I thought he looked good in pre season and hoped to see him today.
chicousa
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:47 PM
Comment #20No Diame or DeJong on bench. Diame must have been the player who Colback refused to replace in practice(?). Disappointed DeJong not even on bench. Wonder if he has picked up a knock or on his way out?
TyneMouth
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:50 PM
Comment #21Memories about the last time we played Spurs, May 2016.
Would like see an improvement this afternoon!
A clean sheet this time, please!
HWTL…
catchy in norway
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:54 PM
Comment #22a little warm up
https://youtu.be/cnfq6y63Qdg
5-1 again
Pitmatic
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:54 PM
Comment #23Strong bench. As weak a Spurs line-up as you could hope to see. HWTL!
TudorCrisps
Aug 13, 2017 at 12:56 PM
Comment #24GANNIN A LONG THE SCOTCHY ROAAAAAAD
Nufc-83
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:00 PM
Comment #25Ilovetoon why would you post that even if it is realistic. I am one of the people on here who thinks we really need to add quality to survive this season but you have to go into today full of hope and at least thinking positive. Leave them thoughts for other days not match days (or at least afterwards).
brklyngeordie
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:05 PM
Comment #26Here we go so many talking points before the game
-Lascelles the Captain not in starting 11
-Gayle gets the nod over Mitro despite injury concern
-No Diame,De Jong or Colback ( already known ) on bench
– Sissoko out the cold comes to start at SJP
The way I see it we need good game from Atsu and Ritchie vs their fullbacks.
Will be tough for Gayle to get on end of any crosses with there CB and Dier sitting in front of them but perhaps with speed can get behind them.
Ayoze is a wild card usually does well vs Spurs but if not effective in first 60mins Mitro deserves a chance and can offer something in the air to keep there backline honest.
Should be interesting as always hope the CB’s are going to be ready we will need them and Hayden to be superb as well.
Howard The Lads!!!
ilovetoon8788
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:05 PM
Comment #27It’s basically the squad that won the championship. This season will hinge on all of them stepping up to Premier league level.
Tenbytoon
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:05 PM
Comment #28ilovetoon
We’re all aware that the squad isn’t as strong as it should be, which is why us fans need to give our absolute everything to the lads this season, they don’t need people doubting them, they need us roaring them on!
brklyngeordie
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:07 PM
Comment #29Lol Howay The Lads!! damn spell check
SPRINGY
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:07 PM
Comment #30Ashley interview coming on sky after the break if anyone interested
RUNAWAY777
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:09 PM
Comment #31That me off till after the match later lads enjoy .
RUNAWAY777
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:13 PM
Comment #32De jong injured already if not why’s he not playing lads
bettyswallocks
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:14 PM
Comment #33Fancy us to catch them a bit cold and nick awin today. Plenty more deals in the offing me thinks as we get near the end of the window. Time for positive support as its what happens on the pitch that matters surely.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:14 PM
Comment #34I didn’t pick Gayle as I was under the impression he was a bit sus injury wise, just wonder if Rafa was keeping him in cotton wool pre season.
So 10/11 Rafa has done it again for a lot of us, anyone get it right?
15m 40s to KO
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:16 PM
Comment #35The bench is:-
Karl Darlow, Jamaal Lascelles, Chancel Mbemba, Mikel Merino, Rolando Aarons, Jacob Murphy, Aleksandar Mitrovi?.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:18 PM
Comment #3611m 40s to KO
studsy
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:22 PM
Comment #37Alright lads – worth looking at
https://youtu.be/BmZEddSbeWo
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:23 PM
Comment #386m 30s to KO
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:24 PM
Comment #39Time to go and help on the upkeep of Murdochs yacht.
Bobbybee
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:25 PM
Comment #40Sat in my seat and raring to go. Atmosphere building nicely. Sissoko got a nice welcome when his name was read out! 🙂
Off to a flyer with my bingo selection. Gonna add 3-2 for the bonus point. The eternal optimist. HOWAY THE LADS!!!!