We only have three players out for tomorrow’ game at home to Crystal Palace.
Paul Dummett, Dwight Gayle, and Massadio Haidara are not available although Massadio is finally back in training after being out all season so far with a knee injury.
Newcastle played well last Sunday at the Saints although we did give away two goals through a lack of concentration and Rafa will have been working on that in training this week.
We should have won the game at St. Mary’s and we should win the game tomorrow against Crystal Palace although yes – it’s always difficult to get a win in the Premier League.
Florian Lejeune gave away a soft penalty with just 15 minutes to play, but we expect the 26-year-old to keep his place in the side.
Ciaran Clark – used at left-back
That seems hard luck on Ciaran Clark, but there’s a possibility Ciaran will be asked to play at left in place of Javier Manquillo – who also played well last weekend.
Then the question which two of the three central midfielders – Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden, and Mikel Merino will play and out suspicion is that Rafa will stay with Jonjo and Isaac for this game.
So this could be the side that starts in a game we have to win tomorrow:
Elliot
Yedlin Lascelles (c) Lejeune Clark
Hayden Shelvey
Ritchie Perez Atsu
Joselu
Some changes we could see is Mikel Merino in the number 10 position in place of Ayoze Perez – it’s the position he plays for the Spanish U21 side, and he scores goals for them.
But Perez had a good game last time out at Southampton and scored an excellent goal.
That looks like a strong side to take on bottom of the table Crystal Palace, and if we concentrate for the full 90 minutes, there’s a good chance we can get our 4th win of the season.
That would be terrific!
Comments welcome.
84 comments so far
lochinvar
Oct 20, 2017 at 7:51 PM
Comment #41Think Rafa might surprise us and will want to keep Palace on the back foot so Mitro back in with pacey attack
Mitro
Ritchie Perez Atsu
Shelvey Hayden
Mbemba Clark Lascelles Yedlin
Darlowc
welshgeordie9
Oct 20, 2017 at 7:58 PM
Comment #42ToonTaff
Sympathy, don’t think so somehow, jail asked me a question, I answered, simple really.
Ron Knee
Oct 20, 2017 at 8:00 PM
Comment #43Ibiza
Blackburn
https://twitter.com/lee_ryder?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Ibizatoon
Oct 20, 2017 at 8:04 PM
Comment #44Ron…Gracias!
Chancel be a fine thing
Oct 20, 2017 at 8:08 PM
Comment #45I don’t know if anyone else noticed the index finger swap over move that rafa gave Merino when he was brought on against Southampton. It was the movement normally used when the two strikers are played with one forward and one deeper, but interchanging. At first I thought that’s weird; him and Gayle interchanging, but once he was on, it was obvious that it was him and Shelvey, one advanced, one deep. I think we will see more of this Perez off defensive midfielder on sub in the future and if it looks good, we may see it from the outset.
I personally think it a very good option and it has got to be more difficult for the opposition defence to organise around marking/stopping a no.10 who is switching. I am looking forward to seeing more of this combination and how it looks.
OneAlanShearer
Oct 20, 2017 at 8:11 PM
Comment #46———————Perez
——-Ritchie—-Merino—-Murphy
————Shelvey—-Hayden
Clarke–lejeune—Lascelles–yedlin
——————-elliot
ShirebrookToon
Oct 20, 2017 at 8:51 PM
Comment #47Hello
lochinvar
Oct 20, 2017 at 8:55 PM
Comment #48Brighton 2 up away at West Ham.
Expect the press to suggest Bilic’s days are numbered and that Rafa is back on their wish list.
No.
Ron Knee
Oct 20, 2017 at 9:01 PM
Comment #49Lee Ryder
Full-time #nufc lose 2-0. United outfought by a third flight reserve side
Captained by Colback, plus Aarons.
jimmysmith
Oct 20, 2017 at 9:32 PM
Comment #50——————–Perez
——-Ritchie—-Merino—-Murphy
————Shelvey—-Hayden
Manqillo–Lejeune—Lascelles–Yedlin
——————-Elliot
That’s got a lot of good football in it, but it’s a bit radical.
We are at home. I think it’ll be
——————–Joselu
——-Atsu——–Perez—-Ritchie
————Shelvey—-Merino
Manqillo–Lejeune—Lascelles–Yedlin
——————-Elliot
jimmysmith
Oct 20, 2017 at 9:37 PM
Comment #51I think Gayle realises he’s surplus and so isn’t at the races. Shame for him because he seems to have given up the ghost without a fight, and you’d have to think he’s finished as an epl proposition as a result, at least for the foreseeable future. You have to fight and scrap for your opportunities first and foremost, otherwise youve got no hope.
Ron Knee
Oct 20, 2017 at 9:38 PM
Comment #52Looking bleak for Bilic.
jimmysmith
Oct 20, 2017 at 9:54 PM
Comment #53Got a mate whose a West Ham fan, and he’s been quite patronising toward us in the unspoken belief that his lot are bigger and better. It isn’t true of course, though I can’t be bothered getting into it with him, he loves his club of course, and while I think they are historically a fine club, it’s hard for me not to enjoy their hapless performances of last season and this at their new ground as a result, particularly since the nonsense of abandoning the Boleyn Ground. They have totally sold out. Actually though that ground could really be made into a monumental football stadium if they lowered the pitch, adding to the capacity and bring the fans closer to the pitch. I suppose then it would be too big.
TyneMouth
Oct 21, 2017 at 1:02 AM
Comment #54What killed the blog?
Spooky!
Dreaming of Mandy, perhaps…
(be carefull what you wish for)
Jail for Ashley
Oct 21, 2017 at 1:41 AM
Comment #55Did someone seriously kill the blog ?
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 21, 2017 at 1:43 AM
Comment #56Looks as though Beardo is working his anti-magic on the U23s.
How can Blackburn have a better set of younger players than us.
In the words of Sheldon Fsssht. Excuse me if I got the word wrong.
Don’t know why the club doesn’t do a deal with Gateshead and develope the Stadium on that side of the river.
It’s to all intents part of greater Newcassel anyway.
On the nostalgia side of things I used to run there as a Gateshead Harrier hundreds of years ago, I remember after training going to this chemist for real sarsasparilla it were loverley.
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 21, 2017 at 1:48 AM
Comment #57Jimmy
I like the look of your 1st team but that aint going to happen.
More likely to be closer to Eds selection.
Elliot
Yedlin Lascelles (c) Lejeune Clark
Hayden Shelvey
Ritchie Perez Atsu
Joselu
3-0 to us.
Although I reckon Merino might start but who he’ll drop? Perez I don’t think so!
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 21, 2017 at 1:50 AM
Comment #58That’s my contribution for tonight, goodnight chaps, match day tomorrow, hooray 3 points and a step up the league for us. 🙂
Veltman
Oct 21, 2017 at 4:16 AM
Comment #59Beardsley should be the first one to go when the new owner takes over.What’s the craic on Merino.
Hoping to see him partnering Shelvey again in the middle.Will Amanda be at the game?If she is,it’s a done deal.
Veltman
Oct 21, 2017 at 4:27 AM
Comment #60Looks lazy saturday and long one..
sing in the corner
Oct 21, 2017 at 6:47 AM
Comment #61Interesting team sheet today..
If Mitro isn’t in the squad today that’s it for him, I think it’s safe to say. And will Rafa be tempted to bring Clarke back in for Lejeune? I don’t think so personally..
It seems an ideal game to have Merino and Shelvey paired in the middle again, but Hayden did pretty well against Saints..
Manquillo did enough to get the left back spot.
It’s just nice that Rafa has these choices!
Atmosphere will be great. Although Hail Wor Ashley etc will declare it is rubbish, watching on computer, I suspect.
sing in the corner
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:04 AM
Comment #62Anybody witness the West Ham game last night? Painful..
Bilic apparently said after the game he is ‘not worried’. Coulda fooled me. Beleaguered would maybe a better word. He looked like a pigeon amongst the cats.
sing in the corner
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:07 AM
Comment #63Weather report…
Take your coats today lads. A bit of rain and swirling wind around St James’. Keep those raking passes on the deck Jonjo!
(Don’t switch your tellies on for any other weather forecast lads n lasses. Storm Brian, plague of frogs and doomsday reports abound!)
sing in the corner
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:11 AM
Comment #64Good job I’m CPR trained. We can revive the blog.. But my arms are tiring.
Breaths…compressions…breaths…compressions…
Somebody bring the defib FFS!
Howay Jib, have you not got an untranslated Italian article to post..that should do it!
🙂
sing in the corner
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:13 AM
Comment #65Someone bring me another strength 5 Colombian dark roast, quickly!
toontaff2
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:16 AM
Comment #66Sing, the happy clappy matchday bus is pulling in!
Here we come!
Before my pal, Jeremy, gets worried where I am on matchday!
😆
toontaff2
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:20 AM
Comment #67Elliot
Yedlin Lascelles (c) Lejeune Manquillo
Hayden Shelvey
Ritchie Perez Atsu
Joselu
But maybe need about 10 goes to get today’s line up!
Obviously Clark, Mbemba, Mitro and Merino in with a shout.
Darlow, Murphy and Diameto kake the bench.
A banana skin game? 😮
But of course, 5-1 the Toon!!!! 🙄
jazzyp
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:22 AM
Comment #68Morning All
Nerves are setting in already, Getting ready for the long drive up the A1 through storm Brian.
Going for a 2-0 win today for the boys.
If there is a new takeover will that spell the end of Charley??
jazzyp
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:23 AM
Comment #69Charnley
sing in the corner
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:23 AM
Comment #70Morning taff
It’s gonna be raucous in the Gallowgate this aft. Good old fashioned Saturday 3pm kick off, crowd hopes and dreams, and the chances of a bit of billionaire spotting, mixed with lashings of broon ale. A heady mix!
sing in the corner
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:26 AM
Comment #71Charnley will be first against the wall, come the revolution, I hope. Diame can join him, as well as Barnes, just for starters..
sing in the corner
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:31 AM
Comment #72100 lashes with a large SD advertising board would be my choice of punishment.
toontaff2
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:33 AM
Comment #73WelshGeordie, I do not mince my words when irritated, as many have seen!
I have had recent loss, preceded by obvious issues and with obvious issues to follow – however, the BLOG is actually somewhere I can come and lighten up – clearly the Toon is in my blood and I enjoy banter.
If we cannot enjoy a joke, especially at our own expense, what is the point?
I don’t really want to know about other bloggers’ family issues, children, dining habits, religion and anti-alcohol policy. As our erstwhile legendary blogger, Bladeuser, put it – this is not a dating site! I’m sure ED can pass details between bloggers who want to be bosom buddies! 💡
toontaff2
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:46 AM
Comment #74I blame our resident PC and Faux Outrage Crew for whipping up Brian!
I hope the gusts don’t blow my black and white tea towel off my heed, or cause my black and white goat haired thawb to lift – revealing my black and white thong, of course!
Were people really offended by JIB’s quip? If so, I’ll get my thawb 😆
LGFUAD21
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:47 AM
Comment #75Got to say im nervous about today.
Dont know whether im just a cynic or that palace pose as a real bananna skin.
Good result for Brighton last night. Bilic is in trouble. If Snodgrasses comments were correct it doesnt paint him in a good ligt. I always thought he sounded knowledgable when doing punditry.
I cant see west ham pinching Rafa. I think everton would struggle down to the liverpool bond between rafa. But west ham certainly have far more ambition than to let the current trend continue. Could we nick hernandez though? Hes a Rafa striker down to a t.
toontaff2
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:50 AM
Comment #76Jazzy (and Hibbit) are you closest to the directors’ box? We need updates on the shenanigans going on there and the result of you bombing Charnley with the prawn sandwiches!
Don’t forget that line from Hibbit’s link to the metro and the song:
‘Oh Mandy, you came and you f***ed off Mike Ashley………………..
hibbit
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:52 AM
Comment #77interesting take on the situation
https://www.themag.co.uk/2017/10/dont-want-spoil-amanda-staveley-love-doesnt-make-sense-newcastle-united/
toontaff2
Oct 21, 2017 at 7:53 AM
Comment #78It’s good we have some options – Clark/Mbemba/Manquillo at left back, Clark/Lejeune at centre half, Merino/Hayden/Shelvey, Joselu/Mitro – I’m sure Rafa will have worked out the best options to beat Palace.
Jail for Ashley
Oct 21, 2017 at 8:01 AM
Comment #79Jiblets,
You seem to post with some sense of pride with that land deal news, is that because you’re genuinely happy that Mikey has made an extra 10M or because it’s a poke in the eye for Newcastle fans that don’t like him?
sing in the corner
Oct 21, 2017 at 8:03 AM
Comment #80A good start is going to be decisive. Ok, Palace broke their duck, but any confidence is still very brittle for them. They have had a disasterous run, no question. A goal first for us, and their bubble will be punctured.
There is merit in Rafa’s way of establishing control though, of course. The crowd will be a big obstacle for Palace early on, and I think they aren’t up to that just yet. We will see…