There’s been some over the top reaction from some Newcastle fans who were understandably upset by our loss to Bournemouth yesterday.
A draw would not have been a good result but to lose the game at the death made it all very hard to take for Geordie fans.
But after calming down a bit we are still in a very decent position in the league table and hopefully, by the end of the year, we can still be around the middle of the league table.
The good news is that it’s obvious where our weaknesses are.
We need a couple of strikers in the squad who can regularly score goals and another midfield creative player plus a left back.
Rafa Benitez – Newcastle manager
If we can get those four players in during January to fill those positions we should be a much better side in the second half of the season.
Our players must also learn from the mistakes we are making – there are too many of them.
Even last season in the Championship we were beaten after dominating some teams because we didn’t take our chances.
And we did the same thing yesterday in the first half when we missed some very good chances that we should have been scoring from.
We are now paying for the meanness and frugality of Newcastle in the summer transfer market when somehow we missed out on a number of players, including Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham.
Rumors are that we were not willing to pay the loan fee.
These kinds of thrifty and short-sighted reasons for not bringing in new players will hopefully be gone once Mike Ashley sells the club.
But whether we have new owners or not in January Rafa must improve the squad – the very last thing we want is to be fighting against relegation this season.
Newcastle may need to sell players in January to fund new players coming in.
And it seems that Jack Colback, Henri Saivet, Dwight Ritchie, and Aleksandar Mitrovic don’t have much of a part to play in Newcastle’s future and are expendable in January.
[table “68” not found /]Comments welcome.
197 comments so far
posada
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:18 PM
Comment #1For yesterday I would give Rafa 3 out of 10.
His subs made no sense and cost us the game.
Perez and Murphy. Two light weights who have no confidence at all.
jazzyp
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:23 PM
Comment #2Damn right its not the time to panic Because some of the comments on here were an embarrassment to say the least.
Yeah we have lost a couple of games on the bounce and Benitez maybe didn’t get things right, But we all make mistakes. Lets regroup and move on, Accept where we at as a football club and pray a takeover is in the offing.
We have to accept that no major investment within the first team is gonna come back and bite us from the summer, As it appears to be doing now. We could win our next 2 games and all is forgotten again by the fickle few, so lets just stay strong for the course as we all knew this season would be a hard slog with the squad we have
posada
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:23 PM
Comment #3On Murphy.
Very worried. Looked totally lost.
His body language was all wrong. I could understand it if he was nervous in possession, but he could not even track a runner or try to get his foot in.
It was like we had gone into the crowd and picked a young man to go on.
Seriously it was that bad.
Why is he like that. He’s not a kid. He’s 22 I think and has been coached to play there for 10 years or so. He didnt play like that for Norwich.
Why does Rafa pick him over Aarons. In my view because he paid 12 million for him and nothing else.
posada
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:27 PM
Comment #4Jazzy.
If it’s pathetic and makes no sense I’m gonna say it was pathetic and makes no sense.
What’s fickle or embarrassing about that.
catchy in norway
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:31 PM
Comment #5Murphy,, i thinnk his problem is, its where his family is from, and he dosnt want to make a mistake, but by doing so, he looks feeble
bladeuser
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:34 PM
Comment #6Blog was a bit toxic yesterday thought I would carry that on.
Never been a fan of mitro but until a top class striker is brought in he needs to play as joselu Gayle and Perez are worse
Now the manager must take some of the blame the football is defensive that’s the type of manager rafa is the only team he never used these tactics was at madrid as they would have strung him up
The man is stubborn his excuse for not using mitro was pathetic
Rafa seems like a top bloke outside of football but he is not the be all and end all
Just saying
ASH OUT
Jib
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:35 PM
Comment #7posada
Murphy gave the appearance of someone
who was totally shocked to be on the pitch.
I think he was
The plan was to tug Gayle and bring on Mitro
shortly after Perez
and revert to 4-2-3-1 and nip a goal
Atsu’s injury threw a spanner in the works
and Eddy Howe went shit or bust and it
paid off.
AncientC
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:35 PM
Comment #8I thought Elliot generally did okay with his shot stopping, but I truly wish he would try and actually catch and hold the ball when he is making a save, every save does not have to be a theatrical spread-eagle dive. There are times the ball is close enough to him to catch, but he will ballet dive for a ball that is inches away from his hands.
JP...from The Rock
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:37 PM
Comment #9Ed – Who’s Dwight Ritchie? On a serious note, we were poor in the second half yesterday. We are now getting back to old habits of being very sloppy in possession and lumping it long. Our crosses are abysmal and need to improve dramatically. But as we all know our weakness is up top, with neither Joselu, Gayle, Mitro (in training), Ayoze nor Diame impressing. We are crying out for talent up there and I struggle to believe that Ashley will back Rafa in January for us to acquire that talent. Benitez may have a fair few bob left from the late sales of players in the summer but I doubt it’s much to allow us to buy a proper goalscorer.
If we don’t shape up soon we will be in trouble. After such a promising start it really is disappointing and worrying. But still it’s early days and there’s plenty more footie left to play.
Rafa though has to drop his favourite (Spanish) players and give others like Aarons, Mitro, Mbemba a try. He’s being too stubborn there and it’s costing us dearly.
jazzyp
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:38 PM
Comment #10Posada
Ya comment makes no sense as it was aimed at the Rafa out jokers on here yesterday or the wums that jumped on the blog.
Hope that clears that up for ya
martoon
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:40 PM
Comment #11posada – I agree with you about the subs but 3/10 is harsh. The way the team was set up with Gayle & Joselu was pretty good especially in the first half and with a bit of luck we could have been a couple of goals up at half time.
jazzyp
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:40 PM
Comment #12Bladeuser
I think that’s about one of your most sensible and spot on posts on here mate….Well done
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:45 PM
Comment #13Firstly, most of the Panic has appeared on this Blog! Rafa is luke a breath of fresh air and before Burnley last monday everything was Hunky Dorey, also on here! It takes one wrong Linesman,s decision and a host of chances, ( not taken ) to have a group of people on here going back to being Doom Prophets again! Benitez is the best trainer we have had since Hoots who is doing a dam good job at Brighton! Swansea are now relegation candidates after Abrahams chose them instead of us, he was their best player yesterday but they are now in the bottom three, Abrahams was a much wanted player RAFA in the summer but could,nt close the Deal! The Owners did,nt back him which may not be a problem with a possible takeover coming?? I don,t see a problem here apart from some on here wanting us to run before we can walk, we have only just been promoted and until now have been doing above my expectations ! Merino is a big miss and is hopefully on the Mend? Meanwhile all the fanbase in here just need to freeking CalmDown ! Its months since i,ve been on here and it will be probably months before i,m on again so don,t expect a reaction if feathers have been ruffled!!
jazzyp
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:45 PM
Comment #14JP
Shape up with what tho pal, That’s our problem that Rafa has a limited amount of talent at his disposal and we have to accept that. Were not a top 10 team as some may think, And to be frank have been second best with teams expected to be around the bottom half of the table.
We have no forwards of credibility who will struggle for 10 goals a season nether mind the 15-20 that most clubs need to succeed in the PL.We are lightweight at left back and have nothing within the squad to break teams down.
Granted we are hard working and busy on the pitch but that will only get you so far in the league
JP...from The Rock
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:48 PM
Comment #15The sooner Merino is back the better, he makes things tick and creates spaces that we can exploit. Also he is a good passer of the ball that is something we have hardly been good at. We’re missing him badly and for our next game he will probably be back so that is great news.
jimmygscot
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:50 PM
Comment #16Could Toney & Armstrong be any worse than Joselu & Perez?
Surely Aarons is as good as Murphy who looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights.
lochinvar
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:51 PM
Comment #17If Abrahams is on loan to Swansea for how long ? Maybe he would like to rethink his club choice in January.
Yesterday Murphy looked like one of the ball boys who’d slipped onto the pitch by mistake – he’s better than that surely but why he’s so hesitant I’ve no idea. Think he’d be better in Lodgings like players used to be, get a few good breakfasts in him and told to get stuck in.
Novocastrian66
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:53 PM
Comment #18It was very disappointing yesterday. A decent tirst half performance but the second was poor. Shelvey’s passing was poor, he gave the ball away too often even when he was not under pressure. One superb ball by him in the second half put Gayle in and his first touch was poor. I think if he had more game time he would have controlled the ball and would have been in.
Again we created chances and a combination of good goalkeeping and poor finishing meant another game without a goal. Rafa needs to solve this problem or we will have a few more of these 1-0 results on top of the ones we’ve had already.
jazzyp
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:54 PM
Comment #19Booing and abusing the most committed team we’ve had in years is sad & pathetic. What happen to the I demand a team that tries mantra
martoon
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:55 PM
Comment #20Jib – I saw that about Atsu being injured – to be honest I never saw him limping or anything but even if he was why Murphy? I’d rather have seen Perez move out and still bring on Mitro.
posada
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:59 PM
Comment #21Jib at 7.
Atsu did not come off until the 83rd minute ?
Stick by my statement. Subs were dreadful.
posada
Nov 5, 2017 at 1:59 PM
Comment #22I’ll predict Atsu is not too badly injured.
Wanted off.
AncientC
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:00 PM
Comment #23bladeuser @6, I watched a few Real Madrid games when Benitez was manager, and he was still deemed defensive then too. Real Madrid leaked less goals, but were also scoring less at the other end. Atletico Madrid fans would probably love Benitez, but Real Madrid fans like their football played a certain way.
Dondatta13
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:00 PM
Comment #24Makes me laugh when people say Rafa is not the be all and end all… let’s get this right. Rafa IS the be all and end all for this football club. Because for years, NUFC hasn’t been a football club, it’s just been a club masquerading as a football club.
Now then, this Mitro situation. Maybe Rafa could use his vast management experience to solve this issue. IMHO, we pay Mitros wages every week. He IS the best option upfront we have. he SHOULD play. That said, Rafa is the boss and what he says, goes. I trust him.
Solve this situation Rafa, please, you have the skills to make this work.
Now, i’m off to watch Super Sunday while the Mackems are getting beat off Boro lol
RUNAWAY777
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:02 PM
Comment #25Rotonda heights i was mot drink yesterday as i was working do doing a wedding party from 4 till 12 if anyone wants to look back they’ll find itwhere i said i was working and gave a lad my ticket for the game i said iam done with rafa thats for me and no one else still waiting for that tosser jib to show me where i want his head and I’ll keep asking every time hes on ?????????????
lochinvar
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:02 PM
Comment #26See The Sunday Sun gave yesterday’s referee -4 in their ratings. Does he go back to the Championship then ?
Hail Wor Ashley
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:02 PM
Comment #27There were so many options on the bench.
Mitro/Joselu being the obvious oversight.
Perez could’ve come on for Atsu and played on either wing, he did after all start out as RWF for Tenerife.
Gamez could’ve come on for Atsu, a steady head, experience and leadership which we lacked as soon as Lascelles departed – move Yedlin to the RW and Ritchie over to the LW, Yedlin got plenty of time there last season and has done well.
Oh and it was a failure in leadership by Rafa to allow Lascelles to emerge for the 2nd half – the 10 minute period he was struggling shifted momentum in the match.
Our Toon
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:06 PM
Comment #28Martoon
Spot on, why Murphy, more importantly why is he even on the bench instead of Aaron’s?
The issue we have is we can’t score but are likely to concede at least 1. Could and should have been alot more yesterday, Wilson clean through fluffed his lines, Clark heroics and ball hit post. They created far more in the 2ne half than we did in the first half.
Mitro in his debut season got 9 goals in the league which is a decent return for a kid (At the time). So far he has 1 goal in 30mins of league time and a goal in the cup. Time for rafa to stop the subborness. Manquillo is another that needs to go, awful player
lochinvar
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:06 PM
Comment #29Boro still 1-0 up against Mackems, goal scored by Marcus Tavernier , brother of James.
What with Sammy scoring for Bolton against them the other night you can take heart that while we’ve had better weekends it’s as miserable as sin down by the Wear.
AncientC
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:11 PM
Comment #30Dondatta13, if only man can keep this club afloat, things are being done wrongly anyway. It’s still NUFC, not the Benitez ‘cult of personality’ legion. The club has to move in a direction whereby Benitez is backed, but should Benitez go for whatever reason, it’s not the absolute end…
It is a dangerous premise to put so much faith in 1 person. Other things needs to be put right.
hibbit
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:30 PM
Comment #31AncientC
” but should Benitez go for whatever reason, it’s not the absolute end”
it would be the end of any takeover this season as rafa is the big plus it would also make relegation a distinct possibility
Hail Wor Ashley
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:30 PM
Comment #32Sunderland looking like they have every chance of going the way of Portsmouth, just without the FA Cup win beforehand. Free fall.
hibbit
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:34 PM
Comment #33AncientC
“It is a dangerous premise to put so much faith in 1 person.”
that is in deed right Mr Corbyn a very dangerous premise
AncientC
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:36 PM
Comment #34hibbit, I was speaking generally at some point in the future—in regards to life after Benitez. I wouldn’t have thought he is going anywhere this season.
AncientC
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:39 PM
Comment #35hibbit, I am glad you can differentiate from Benitez fighting against a toxic owner, and the current “leader” of the Labour party who controls party policy. Very much the same thing.
sparky55
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:39 PM
Comment #36All rafa has to do is get us to 23 points by xmas eve…then he gets to wisely spend the new owners money and we finish on 55 points in 9th position
…and then we make our move
Our Toon
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:40 PM
Comment #37Hibbit
Potential owners will not look at the manager as the be all and end all in terms of a takeover mate. Having rafa at the helm is a added bonus but a new consortium / owner will have enough funds you’d think to bring in a top class manager, or a manager that is up and coming like a Silva at Watford
AncientC
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:44 PM
Comment #38hibbit does not have any inside information about the proposed take over, he is going on his gut feeling, but almost everybody knows this already. The fact he has to keep repeating his prediction like has has inside knowledge kinda gives the game away. Repeating ad nauseam about knowing something other people don’t smacks of attention seeking.
AncientC
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:50 PM
Comment #39Not looking good for Arsenal. A new manager, or maybe the same old one, could present an opportunity to knock them out of top 4 contention for the foreseeable future. Tottenham will lose players because they do not pay the going rate, so that will be another one out of the way. Liverpool is the same old Liverpool for about the past 10 years. Chelsea struggling with Conte. Will there ever be a better time than now to buy a club and attempt to break up the established top 4/5 clubs.
hibbit
Nov 5, 2017 at 2:51 PM
Comment #40Our Toon
please read my post again