Rafa Benitez has just named his side for the tough game against West Ham United this afternoon where Newcastle will be trying to get their first win of the season after three defeats in a row.
đ
Here’s the side as put out on the Newcastle United twitter account.
TEAM NEWS: Here’s how Newcastle United will line up against @WestHamUtd in the @premierleague this afternoon (kick-off 3pm BST). #NUFC pic.twitter.com/JlI1cNoGl1
â Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 26, 2017
With Lejeune not being fit, Rafa keeps with the same defense that played last weekend at Huddersfield in the 1-0 defeat.
And with Dwight Gayle being sick Joselu starts up front for Newcastle in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Merino and Hayden again the two central midfield players in Shelvey’s absence through suspension.
Only about one in three fans think we can win this game this afternoon and almost half believe we will lose again.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
362 comments so far
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:25 PM
Comment #81The Russian site is working ok although I can’t get full screen.
hellodjo
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:27 PM
Comment #82Joselu only problem is he’s the one putting the balls in the box, possibly mitro and him might be an interesting option to bully teams
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:27 PM
Comment #83Brilliant it’s now buffering like mad!!!
Canadian Mag
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:27 PM
Comment #84I wonder the same. Perez used to be full of flicks and tricks and now he can hardly pick a pass
hellodjo
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:28 PM
Comment #85West Ham look terrible on the ball
Munster Mag
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:30 PM
Comment #86Good man joselu
Ketsbaia9
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:30 PM
Comment #87Try first row sport link 4
Hail Wor Ashley
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:30 PM
Comment #88Mbemba bottled that 50/50.
AncientC
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:31 PM
Comment #890-0 written all over this. Games against West Ham are always dour affairs.
Hail Wor Ashley
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:32 PM
Comment #90Canadian
He used to have a bit of unpredictability about him. It’s like his improvement in being a better team player and increased work rate has sapped some of the magic.
expatmag
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:34 PM
Comment #91Boring as buggery.
On a side note, Toney and Longstaff have scored early goals for Wigan and Blackpool respectively
JP...from The Rock
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:35 PM
Comment #92Why the hell are we playing so many long balls!??
Shot Bru
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:35 PM
Comment #93martoon
Can I change my final league position prediction from 17th to 20th?
Pure pish!!
JP...from The Rock
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:35 PM
Comment #94Oh yesss get in Joselu!!!
davetoon
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:36 PM
Comment #95GET IN!!!!
JP...from The Rock
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:36 PM
Comment #96Well played Merino and Atsu for Joselu’s tap in. Nice one lads.
ilovetoon8788
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:36 PM
Comment #97Atsu is really a decent player.
manxpie
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:37 PM
Comment #98Get in joselu, Ritchie and atsu
toon kk
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:37 PM
Comment #99Get in
AncientC
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:37 PM
Comment #100Delightful pass from Merino…
Hail Wor Ashley
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:37 PM
Comment #101Get in there!
Good pressing, good pass by Merino and very composed, unselfish from Atsu and Joselu applied the finish.
ilovetoon8788
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:37 PM
Comment #102Good goal. We have been shi* today. But I’d take 3 points however it comes.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:37 PM
Comment #103Joseluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
ronaldo aarons
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:37 PM
Comment #104Good pressing and counter! Don’t know who that rice is for them but if he’s a youngster, keep on him!!
Hail Wor Ashley
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:39 PM
Comment #105Merino still getting caught out by the pace of games in midfield situations, too casual. He will learn eventually I hope.
hellodjo
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:39 PM
Comment #106Antonio there only threat in open play except set plays
willowdalerez
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:40 PM
Comment #107Beautiful link up great goal!
Munster Mag
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:41 PM
Comment #108Good stuff Joselu
ronaldo aarons
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:41 PM
Comment #109This is merinos second start. He’s a young player in a new league. Give him time man.
JP...from The Rock
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:43 PM
Comment #110Much better effort from the lads compared to our last match vs Huddersfield.
davetoon
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:44 PM
Comment #111At least we have some quality. Ritchie and Atsu
JP...from The Rock
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:45 PM
Comment #112WTF has Elliot been taking kicking lessons from Krul or what!?
ilovetoon8788
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:46 PM
Comment #113The crowd are really useless. No singing what so ever. Like a morgue.
JP...from The Rock
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:49 PM
Comment #114Gotta love Ritchie lol
manxpie
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:49 PM
Comment #115Why the hell was atsu on the right last week!
JP...from The Rock
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:50 PM
Comment #116ilovetoon8788- don’t know what match you’re watching. We’re winning cheer up mate.
ronaldo aarons
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:52 PM
Comment #117Would like to see atsu shoot more often, didn’t catch that one too cleanly but he can shoot!
YoungMag :P
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:53 PM
Comment #118I really like Atsu on the left. I feel like we would be much better with a number 10 that knows what he’s doing. We should try Aarons there, Atsu doesn’t deserve to be dropped.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:53 PM
Comment #119So great to see one of our forwards scoring! Just what we need ?
…well done Atsu and Hoosy Loo
davetoon
Aug 26, 2017 at 3:54 PM
Comment #120Great first half apart from first 10 mins. Cmom lads more of the same and things will start to look a lot better.