Now that Rafa has given his press conference for the game tomorrow against Watford we have the very good news that Mikel Merino is fit to start the game.
And that’s exactly what we think Rafa will as Isaac Hayden is suspended for this game after picking up his 5th yellow card of the season at Old Trafford last Saturday night.
And with Newcastle losing our last three games the lads have to stop the rot at St. James’ Park tomorrow – a win would be terrific
Mikel Merino – fit to start tomorrow
This is the side we think Rafa could start tomorrow afternoon and it includes both Mikel Merino and Chancel Mbemba in the starting line-up in a 4-4-2 formation.
Elliot
Yedlin Lejeune Clark Mbemba
Richie Shelvey (c) Merino Murphy
Gayle Joselu
We don’t know if Rafa will play a 4-4-2 formation but having Joselu with Dwight Gayle up front helps Dwight, and the striker has to start since he’s the only natural goalscorer we have right now.
We will also have to hope that our defense plays a lot better than of late, and surely Chancel Mbemba deserves another chance at left-back in place of Javier Manquillo who had a bit of a nightmare second half at Old Trafford last Saturday.
Some time on the bench would do Javier good, and we also have to play on Tuesday night at West Brom and then the following Saturday in the late game at Chelsea.
The talented Mbemba deserves his chance, and he can also play as a defensive midfielder.
We would think Chancel would be a very useful squad member at Newcastle because he can play in so many different positions but it doesn’t appear that Rafa rates him too highly – for whatever reason.
Rafa may even sell him in the January transfer window.
What would your team be for tomorrow’s very important game?
Comments welcome.
94 comments so far
Jib
Nov 24, 2017 at 6:56 PM
Comment #41What the Grauniad thinks
hibbit
Nov 24, 2017 at 6:59 PM
Comment #42night lads just can’t be arsed with this crap,
sing in the corner
Nov 24, 2017 at 7:36 PM
Comment #43We have made great strides reducing the number of injuries and players’ time out on the treatment table. They clearly know their stuff!
But I’m a bit concerned at speculation Merino could be starting. I am eager for him to get back, but a lower back injury of this type can flare up again and set him back further.
He’s only been training 2 days after a few weeks doing very little.. Fingers crossed..
It might be better to start Diame and hive him half an hour at the end..?
sing in the corner
Nov 24, 2017 at 7:40 PM
Comment #44Saivet maybe deserves a shot instead of Diame? By all accounts he has been getting his head down and working hard.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 24, 2017 at 7:44 PM
Comment #45sitc
Agreed, but he doesn’t seem to figure on Rafa’s favoured list for some reason. Can’t help thinking that given a chance he could do a Gouffron for us.
Jib
Nov 24, 2017 at 7:45 PM
Comment #46sitc
Merino has been back in Spain working
with specialists
I think Rafa and co know what they are doing.
He looks fine in the training pics some kind
blogger posted
sing in the corner
Nov 24, 2017 at 7:53 PM
Comment #47Yeah Jib, who could that kind benefactor be?
We really need him back. We really don’t need him to do his back and be missing til the new year. Decisions decisions…
Rafa is not one to play players unless fully fit..
Bill
He seems steady to me when he plays.. Not sure what he has done.
Jib
Nov 24, 2017 at 8:08 PM
Comment #48W Ham vs Leics
I wonder if Carroll will make it
to half time
Foxes go one up
Jib
Nov 24, 2017 at 8:09 PM
Comment #49zabaleta missed his man completely
sing in the corner
Nov 24, 2017 at 8:20 PM
Comment #50West Ham are clarts.
‘They have got too much to go down’….. Haven’t they??
Jib
Nov 24, 2017 at 8:26 PM
Comment #51Fuchs spielt für die Füchse
Jib
Nov 24, 2017 at 8:34 PM
Comment #52The Falcons getting a spanking
at Kingston Park off Gloucester
RUNAWAY777
Nov 24, 2017 at 8:38 PM
Comment #53Hibbit shirebrooke catch you later got long night ahead my get home about 2.30 not get to the toon before 1pm tomorrow.
jimmysmith
Nov 24, 2017 at 8:39 PM
Comment #54Saivet or Mbemba alongside Shelvey if Merino isn’t match fit to start, and even maybe if he is, considering the length of time he’s been out. I think Rafa does rate Mbemba because of his youth and versatility. He’s useful and still has the capacity to improve, and I think not on the outer as some believe. He’s an important part of the match day group, more so than Diame. Manqillo I think gets the nod because he is a specialist full back. Gayle up top will mean Mitro on the bench, and game time to press his case. It’s important he puts in a shift when he gets his chances, because all the forwards are playing for their Newcastle futures over the next few games. Murphy I expect to play and improve again. He I think will prove an increasingly good buy as the season progresses.
Jib
Nov 24, 2017 at 8:44 PM
Comment #55Mikel Merino has been in Pamplona for the past week or so at the Tajonar training complex of Osasuna (his old club)
One assumes his back problem is an old one and his former club have knowledge of it.
http://www.noticiasdenavarra.com/2017/11/17/osasuna/mikel-merino-se-recupera-en-tajonar-de-su-lesion
jimmysmith
Nov 24, 2017 at 8:49 PM
Comment #56A win will help get the takeover over the line. All but the six senior clubs represent a genuine risk because their epl places can not be guaranteed. Newcastle in the epl might well be worth 380 million or more. Probably less than haif that in the Championship. Every point gained at the moment carries great importance for the future of the club. There’s so much at stake, and Rafa is key.
jimmysmith
Nov 24, 2017 at 9:08 PM
Comment #57I’m sure the warmer weather, sunshine and being around family and friends was also a big part in sending him home to recover. Much more conducive to health and happiness than Benton for a young Spanish lad in his first North East winter.
jimmysmith
Nov 24, 2017 at 9:14 PM
Comment #58Perez doesn’t even make the Guardian’s bench. Which gives you some idea of how well informed the national media are on any club outside the top six. A waste of time paying any attention to it.
ShirebrookToon
Nov 24, 2017 at 9:17 PM
Comment #59RUNAWAY
you going the game tomorrow?
Jib
Nov 24, 2017 at 9:28 PM
Comment #60The Hammers look a lot livelier under
the much maligned David Moyes
You have to wonder if Slaven Bilic
had lost the dressing room.
jane
Nov 24, 2017 at 9:58 PM
Comment #61drop 1 position to 12th but only because Leicester have got a 1 better goal difference.
like Brighton v Stoke on Monday a draw tonight suits us quite nicely.
jane
Nov 24, 2017 at 10:04 PM
Comment #62still think West Ham are going to struggle can’t remember them having many clear chances.
jane
Nov 24, 2017 at 10:09 PM
Comment #63i’ve got a theory why Rafa hasn’t played Mitrovic and some others and that is that the team he has been playing has been picking up enough points so why change it even if some players aren’t setting the world alight and see how long he can string that out and when it seems to be petering out which could be quite soon if they don’t start to pick up points again then at least he can change things then whereas if he changes things sooner he won’t have the options to change things later on. does that make sense?!
Jail for Ashley
Nov 24, 2017 at 10:12 PM
Comment #64lesh,
Just tried opera browser, within seconds that game thing popped up. I hate to say it but I think Ed is taking payments on these rogue hits. How on earth otherwise Kàcper, a web designer and Ed a computer inventor allow such a simple malware to infiltrate the site.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 24, 2017 at 10:15 PM
Comment #65Do they want us to start paying $7.99 for ad free use of the place. I asked Ed about this about six weeks ago and he blamed my phone?
jane
Nov 24, 2017 at 10:15 PM
Comment #66when i started on the blog i had a strange file so i posted a message asking what the file was but the post didn’t appear on the blog which i guess was because there was a rule that messages with that file name couldn’t be posted which i thought was suspicious.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 24, 2017 at 10:17 PM
Comment #67If this carries on I’ll start commenting on the Mag, probably do my marriage and DIY around the house the world of good 😮
lochinvar
Nov 24, 2017 at 10:19 PM
Comment #68Raise your cups tomorrow to Kath – amazing that she worked with 26 Managers !
Two sugars please pet.
Touching tribute to be unveiled for Newcastle United tea lady Kath Cassidy
Kath Cassidy worked at St James’ Park for half a century and was adored by managers, players and staff alike. Newcastle United will unveil a touching tribute to the club’s legendary tea lady Kath Cassidy this weekend.
The club has refurbished the catering area in the press suite and have renamed the kitchen “Kath’s Kitchen”.
Kath retired in 2015 after serving beverages to dozens of players, managers and journalists at St James’ Park since 1963.
Kath, from Wallsend, North Tyneside, sadly died in March this year at the age of 90.
Some of her family will be attending the Magpies’ home match with Watford tomorrow, where Kath’s Kitchen will be unveiled.
Kath worked in a number of jobs, including in a court, as well as raising her six children before becoming part of the furniture at the home of the United.
There she worked under 26 different managers, including Kevin Keegan, Sam Allardyce and Alan Pardew, before retiring after 49 years due to ill health.
She worked in the press suite on match days and became a popular figure with local media.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 24, 2017 at 10:19 PM
Comment #69Jane,
I don’t think a single soul on here trusts you! 😮
jimmysmith
Nov 24, 2017 at 10:19 PM
Comment #70Yeah, I think he picks a percentage 11, with an eye on the end game of squeezing out on balance the maximum points possible over the course of a season without taking unnecessary risks. He wants to play his bankers.
jane
Nov 24, 2017 at 10:21 PM
Comment #71would you like me to list your faults Jail?
jane
Nov 24, 2017 at 10:23 PM
Comment #72if we get too close to the relegation zone Rafa can play Mitro then.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 24, 2017 at 10:24 PM
Comment #73Jane,
You’re yellow and I don’t care, I think you come across as an untrustworthy blogger but that is just my opinion.
jane
Nov 24, 2017 at 10:25 PM
Comment #74well i think you have an agenda Jail.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 24, 2017 at 10:37 PM
Comment #75What is my agenda, my Ashley Out agenda is hopefully well and truly spent by next Monday. Against a lot of adversity I believe I was right to be so against Ashleys running of the club. I’ve taken so much grief on here because of my stance I deserve more grief.
jane
Nov 24, 2017 at 10:43 PM
Comment #76is there a danger that you could be obsessed and lose objectivity? if the take-over doesn’t happen would you just blame Ashley?
RUNAWAY777
Nov 24, 2017 at 10:47 PM
Comment #77Shirebrooke yip with mates for a couple before the match i hope got a disco to set up first for night time, got the car back today good as new and not got to pay owt teach them a lesse.
ShirebrookToon
Nov 24, 2017 at 11:02 PM
Comment #78Runaway
I’ll meet up with ya for a pint one day. Friendly pint though lol
Ketsbaia9
Nov 24, 2017 at 11:30 PM
Comment #79I think we need to start with Saivet, Aarons and Mbemba. They’re all decent players. Ritchie is a decent player but he’s been off the boil a bit. Drop him. Hayden and Manquillo are championship players. Aarons has pace, creativity and can hit the ball. Good player. Mbemba and Saivet and good ball players.
lesh
Nov 25, 2017 at 12:17 AM
Comment #80Jail for Ashley
I too tried Opera but it much reduced the screen size on my phone and I reverted to MS Edge, which won’t take Adbock. Maybe you should try installing Firefox as your browser.
Don’t you if you’ve tried The Mag recently, but it’s got pop-ups by the shed load. The Chronic’s a pain in the Rs too. The only pop-up free site I’ve come across is Nufcblog.co.uk – it’s ads are fixed and don’t obscure the articles. There’s not much chat though.
I don’t for a minute think that Ed’s got owt to do with these frustrations but they’d not look too good against Kasper’s CV.