Newcastle has a lot of work still to do in this transfer window.
We hope the club is successful in bringing in at least four new players before the end of August but also we have to sell players like Tim Krul, Achraf Lazaar, Henri Saivet, Manu Riviere and Sadio Haidara and it’s hard to see all those players leaving the club in the next 10 days.
And that would cause Newcastle a bit of a headache as far as the wages go, although it does look like Lazaar will move on loan with an option to buy to Italian club Genoa.
Henri Saivet – who will buy this player?
After our second successive defeat yesterday at Huddersfield yesterday Rafa was asked about the status of the transfer market, and this is what he said, as reported in the Chronicle:
“We’ll see what happens. “It’s still 11 days until the window closes. It’s not an easy window.”
“There is nothing to say about transfers at the moment – there’s no news,”
“I haven’t seen the latest names linked with Newcastle.” “We have to wait.”
“Obviously, we are working behind the scenes trying to do things, but I don’t know what our position is at the moment.”
It’s not too surprising that the manager hasn’t had the latest news since Lee Charnley is the one doing the negotiations.
And for the last day or two Rafa will have been busy preparing the team for yesterday’s game at the John Smith’s Stadium – so Rafa’s comments are not as gloomy as they may appear.
Two players in this week and a win against West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday would quickly raise the spirits of Newcastle fans everywhere.
That’s the least we are hoping for this week.
Comments welcome.
176 comments so far
EllaGuru
Aug 21, 2017 at 8:13 AM
Comment #1My conclusions from watching the game yesterday:
1. It does not matter whether you play Atsu left or right wing, he is not good enough, not smart enough and not consistent enough to play in the Premier League. He has no end product, he does not recognize basic things like an overlapping runner. He overruns the ball 70% of the time and the other 30% gives it away cheaply.
2. Merino was a big disappointment yesterday for me. He looked off the pace completely, so I hope it is just a question of getting him up to match fitness. What was really worrying was how sloppy he was in possession. I dont know how many times he gave the ball away, but he showed a range of ability to do this, from a misplaced 5m pass to an aimless 50m lofted one.
3. Mbemba was quite solid on the right. He also showed a willingness to get forward, although was missed time and time again by Atsu.
4. Lascelles is a time bomb with the ball at his feet. He is 100% committed, great in the air and a solid tackler, but we are a disaster waiting to happen when we try to play it out through him.
5. Clarke was solid. Didnt really but a foot wrong.
6. I worry about Manquillo defensively. It was hard to say how was specifically at fault for the goal. I suppose either Merino or Hayden should have been closer to Mooy from the start, but it was a one-two down our right that did it.
7. Perez was anonymous. He can not and should not start in the 10 role, particularly with Gayle up top, who was equally absent.
I really think we have to get smart about life back in the Premier League. We should have been bullying their back four, who to be fair did not look that great. We just did not really test them at all until Joselu came on. Yesterday’s game was winnable had we showed some more ambition.
I am a massive fan of Rafa, but he got it wrong yesterday. Maybe to make a political point or maybe just stubborness, who knows. But we were dog awful to watch. If this is the prognosis for the rest of the season, then it is going to be a long one…
beermonkey
Aug 21, 2017 at 8:31 AM
Comment #2is it safe to post yet or will there be another thread
gorgonzola ( former Pecorino former to gorgonzola)
Aug 21, 2017 at 8:37 AM
Comment #3Relegation form for sure so far. Didn’t watch game, but thank the dear lord I didn’t.
Assuming this is the weakest team in the PL, we are for sure going to find it really difficult to score any points.
The sad reality is that things need to go bust at NUFC before they need to get better. I don’t want late signings of once again ANYBODY just so that fat c+nt can say see I delivered. No you didn’t deliver you liar. It was left too late once again.
If they don’t pull out some miracles, and I mean miracles on the transfer front I really don’t see much of an improvement. Can you imagine the results at Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, City. They really would be Merson’s cricket scores.
Our Toon
Aug 21, 2017 at 8:37 AM
Comment #4We looked like Boro from last season, try to nullify the opposition and next to zero threat going forward. It didn’t work for Karanka who eventually, start having a go at the opposition to win the game rather than hoping to nick a goal
Mag52
Aug 21, 2017 at 8:40 AM
Comment #5With the benefit of hindsight how this window seems to be working out, it would have been good if Anita were still on the books. ALways rated him.
Mbemba was another whose days looked numbered a little while ago. Fortunately we still have him.
Rafa probably got a few things wrong in terms of who to play where yesterday. What manager doesn’t ? We do however need to keep behind him solidly because it’ll be the difference between him leaving and him staying. The latter is unthinkable.
Mag52
Aug 21, 2017 at 8:42 AM
Comment #6Correction: the FORMER in unthinkable.
Too early for me to get blogging.
Jib
Aug 21, 2017 at 8:52 AM
Comment #7Lazaar was in Milan this weekend but left without any offers
However the club are willing to offer him and cash for Genoa’s Uruguayan , Diego Laxalt.
http://www.ilovepalermocalcio.com/corriere-dello-sport-ansaldi-al-genoa-laxalt-da-gasp-tutte-le-trattative-del-giorno-in-serie-a/
Also loads of Italian media still linking us with Dennis Praet
hellodjo
Aug 21, 2017 at 8:53 AM
Comment #8Don’t really get the doom and gloom to be honest we were clearly the better team for most the game they basically had one shot and scored whereas we had much more opportunities and threat in comparison to Huddersfield and they were the home team, think if we started Joselu we might if won that game we got so much better when he came on. Do people not remember last season? We lost the first two it doesn’t mean anything, the performances haven’t been bad we’ve created chances and looked like we can score easily, and we will in games to come.
hellodjo
Aug 21, 2017 at 8:55 AM
Comment #9I’ll also add it doesn’t really help when you have practically every pundit being extremely negative about us, can’t understand why
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 21, 2017 at 8:56 AM
Comment #10Rafa can do nothing but to get on with things and prepare the team…his job is to get it right on match day…maybe even to accept something need to change!
…there’s always next weekend and it seems a perfectly good week for tactical changes…
catchy in norway
Aug 21, 2017 at 8:56 AM
Comment #11OT
how much of yesterday’s game was by design?
i know for a fact Tafa is more intelligent than that we witnessed yesterday, a blind man and his dog could see those 2 up front offered nothing, and from pre season form Mitro was fit, Joselu was fit and in form from Stokes pre season.
Huddersfield were not good yesterday, i don’t think they really tested us, but Mooy was head and shoulders above everyone in the first half.
Rafa made us toothless yesterday
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 21, 2017 at 8:58 AM
Comment #12I do find it a huge mistake to disregard Mitro…I truely hope Rafa can see that now…but doubt it!
With Hoosy been chosen yesterday sends a clear message…
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:01 AM
Comment #13We weren’t all bad it’s the fact that we are toothless that’s the worry…
…and that we are predictable in the way we setup and approach the game…static in our changes or lack there of…
Though Rafa got the subs right more or less…Atsu should have left the game instead of Perez…he gets far to much stick I think (Perez that is)
Phil K
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:11 AM
Comment #14Good summing up jesper – some build up was OK. Defending was poor, very predictable. But up front was where we were at our worst. Utterly appalling. The one clear chance we had unfortunately fell to Perez. Who was awful throughout. At least I suppose he got into positions. Gayle was just brushed off like he was of no accord.To me Ritchie was best player. 5 out of 10.The rest 4 or less
Mister Tuff
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:13 AM
Comment #15no doubt we will improve – but a must is a decent forward who can score goals.
No goals = no points/draws.
Most folk come on here for a bit of news/put forward their thoughts and ideas – surely that is what the blog is all about. I read most posts – skip some as after reading the authors input (previously) realise they talk rubbish/guff.
Hoy in bluster from the windbags and overall the blog is an interesting and illuminating place for your Toon “fix”.
The greatest whingers are the ones who whinge about others whinging (when really they are just saying how the feel)
Ron Knee
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:16 AM
Comment #16jesper
Perhaps we’ll see Mitro start against Forest.
Overall, August feels like a continuation of pre-season. Rafa having to experiment with a makeshift defence and trying to integrate new signings Merino and Joselu.
I’m hoping (praying?) for better in September.
lochinvar
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:16 AM
Comment #17Either Rafa isn’t in control of transfers or is a very clever poker player when he says
” I haven’t seen the latest names linked with Newcastle.” “We have to wait.”
A strong, experienced and authoritative keeper is a must and Reina can do that job. Elliot looked adequate yesterday but that’s not enough and Reina could command the back four to be more up for it as well.
Why Diame was bought on is beyond me . He looked unfit and totally disinterested apart from a few Sissoko like spurts that seemed I effective.
Gayle looks despondent and it’s difficult to know why, injury niggles maybe, head in wrong place, fed up with Perez and others leaving him isolated and out of the game for much of the time or us that Rafa’s tactics in question ?
Reina, Townsend , Laxalt and Praet would now seem to be the absolute minimum that we need plus Kenedy and another physical mobile striker – if Perez can’t back the challenge and tempo of the Premier league then that’s his call. What became of Das Bost ?
A failure to sign credible new players this week could be disastrous and it’s in Charnleys hands now so he needs to deliver and put the tiger back in the tank.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:18 AM
Comment #18Phil…I do think the unwillingness to change things are biting us in the …. so to speak!
…and yes Gayle and Perez are not a match that’s clear! And neither is Gayle as a lone striker in a PL team probably fighting relegation…
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:21 AM
Comment #19Morning senor Tuff…I couldn’t agree more and we really need someone brought in who can deliver goals…that was my beef with the Joselu signing!
…nothing personal but that quickly got distorted! Same shit on here as always! Thought things had changed? Guess not!
kimbo
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:23 AM
Comment #20Well well well, Rafa`s tactics need questioning, Gayle and Perez are championship players and we wonder why we are struggling to score goals in the PL.
Rafa will be gone after the WestHam game if we win or lose as if we win WestHam will sack their manager and offer the job to Rafa.
Ashley pull your finger out now or we are finished and you will lose £200million.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:24 AM
Comment #21Morning Ron…nothing Rafa could do with the defence…his hands were a bit tight…
But there was no need to introduce both Merino and Joselu yesterday…that had me a bit worried!
Maybe we’ll see Mitro against Forest, but I hardly think he’ll start…a shame really!
Ron Knee
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:26 AM
Comment #22I don’t think Rafa will leave just yet, although he would probably love to!
Jib
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:26 AM
Comment #23This item says that news of Reina’s move to the Toon originated with the Sun so has to be taken with a pinch of salt (they clearly know all about the Sun’s reputation in Italy)
However they do not dismiss it – they maintain that the beautiul relationship Pepe had with Napoli , has never been the same since , De Laurentiis’ remarks about Pepe’s missus on social media . Attempts by the Napoli owner to heal the rift with personal meetings may have failed.
Although I must say Reina semed like a true Partenopei against NIce in the CL last week – but that could just be him being a good pro.
http://www.calciomercato24.com/2017/08/20/newcastle-rafa-benitez-vuole-reina-lo-spagnolo-puo-lasciare-napoli/
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:27 AM
Comment #24loch…Diame was brought on because Hayden was not working…there was no other options…
…Atsu should has been off as well! But as some mentioned yesterday, Rafa should have changed tactics instead of just changing players…
Our Toon
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:28 AM
Comment #25Catchy
I think fans are hoping yesterday was in part design, we got it wrong. No meltdowns but an honest assessment. 2 weeks in a row we’ve looked toothless with Perez and Gayle as partners. Hopefully it’s the last we’ll see of that combo. Our tactics were to sit back and nullify but they had full backs high up the pitch, we struggled with that as we were very compact centrally.
We very rarely put pressure on Mooy. It’ll be a different looking side against forest. A chance for a few to stake a position
kimbo
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:28 AM
Comment #26One more point we have only signed players that no other PL team would want !
Sell Gayle and Perez for £20M and try and loan a world class striker using the money.
martoon
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:28 AM
Comment #27I know it is a big ‘if’ but if Richie or Perez had taken there chance and we came away with a 1 – 1 draw then things would look a whole lot rosier now!
toontaff2
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:28 AM
Comment #28I would add to 14,that the worst culprits like to try to bring others on board, with their petty arguments, ganging up on certain posters, joining in with their little clique, dragging up issues from many moons ago. Often these issues are from long before many of us ever visited the blog. Often they are just disagreeing with certain posters, agreeing with their pals, to score points. Bit like schoolyard bullies.
Ron Knee
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:30 AM
Comment #29jesper
I think Rafa will want to keep Mitro “on board”, but it’s complicated now. Will he give Gayle a start to hopefully score some goals and boost his confidence? Experiment with Joselu and give him some playing time? Quite a headache.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:33 AM
Comment #30Martoon…I think your right about that…a point or even three would have meant no one would care how bad it looked…
…maybe losing a few games now is not all bad then ?
Jib
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:33 AM
Comment #31Martoon
I think Ritchie’s effort was the harder of the two shots (his and Aaron Mooy’s) to save.
Our defence had actually shuffled the midfielder across limiting him to that one corner but Elliot’s footwork was crap.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:34 AM
Comment #32*you’re
Ron Knee
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:34 AM
Comment #33OT
Against Forest our attack should look very different.
toontaff2
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:34 AM
Comment #34Toon 13 shots to 7 for ‘Udders.
5 on target to 3.
According to Wagner, we never threatened them.
hibbit
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:35 AM
Comment #35still think we wont know what kind of season we will have till the window closes
also think Rafa is playing mind games with Ashley which isn’t helping
Jib
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:35 AM
Comment #36Should have said Jonas Lössl’s footwork was far superior to Elliott’s
hibbit
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:36 AM
Comment #37anybody else finding the blog very slow to load ??????
Ron Knee
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:37 AM
Comment #38hibbit
Still, it makes a nice difference from yes-men Pardew, Carver and McClaren!
beermonkey
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:38 AM
Comment #39hibbit
sorry site is fine for me
toontaff2
Aug 21, 2017 at 9:40 AM
Comment #40😆
Must have gone into the moderation queue!
Daily Star running an interesting article on Gazza’s pre-match rituals! Sir Les!!!
😮
http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/898780373?-11058:809:0