We need some good news after picking up just one point of the last 18 played for, and that good news is that both Paul Dummett and Christian Atsu are now fully fit.
The two just missed out on making the trip to London for the Chelsea game on Saturday so it will be interesting to see if Rafa will start either player against Leicester City on Saturday.
But the main man is captain Jamaal Lascelles, and he is still doubtful for Saturday and Rafa will be waiting to see how he does this week.
But it’s clear we have missed Jamaal’s play and his leadership of the team on the pitch since he’s been out of the side with an ankle injury.
If we were to hazard a guess, we’d say he can play on Saturday with Physioroom.com listing him only as a slight doubt for the next game.
Jamaal Lascelles – scoring winner against Stoke City
Rafa played five at the back at Chelsea, but he may go back to his more familiar 4-2-3-1 formation for Saturday’s late game with Leicester City.
This is what Rafa has said about the injury situation:
“They are closer but we will see on Tuesday how they feel. They are getting better.”
“I don’t know about Lascelles. We will see this week. Atsu was very close, Dummett was very close.”
“Jamaal was better but we will see how he feels during the week. They are closer but we will see on Tuesday how they feel.”
“They are getting better.”
It’s a little alarming we have made so many defensive errors in the last few games, and that’s the first thing that needs to be fixed.
Rafa Benitez ‘s sides have always been built on a solid defense that allows his team to win even if they score just one goal.
That’s what we need at Newcastle again – clean sheets – but Rafa has said it could take a little time.
Generally, defensive problems can be sorted out by good organization, and we are hoping once Jamaal and Dummett return we will be stronger defensively.
That will help the team a lot.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
9 comments so far
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Dec 4, 2017 at 9:36 AM
Comment #1This is good news although I wouldn’t say both will be match fit to drop in against Albrighton, Mahrez or Gray on the wing
Leicester will be a tough nut to crack Vardy will be looking forward to playing against Lejuene, Clark and Mbemba as none of them track runners for balls over the top
Optimistic Panda
Dec 4, 2017 at 9:40 AM
Comment #2Ron
I can understand some of the remarks on match days and afterwards but some just like to whinge and are completely lacking in any sense or reason.
I can’t be bothered with it and go to the pub and reflect over 10 pints or more and I still don’t get as emotional or angry as a few I could mention
JohnJ
Dec 4, 2017 at 9:42 AM
Comment #3Can I please make Three observations……..
No 1 – Please give Ed a break! He provides us, the followers of NUFC, the very best information on all matters relating to our team every day even though he is seriously ill. His page is the first page I look at each day for unbiased updates on our team if, for instance you don’t like “Twitter” then move on to the next page! Please don’t knock a man when he’s down.
No 2 – Rafa Benitez! He’s our manager and we should be VERY GRATEFUL for that fact! So exactly WHO would those doubters have in place of quality manager who is a class above most of the others around? The others who may or may not be better, do you really think they’d wish to come to manage our team as things stand with an owner who is so reluctant to support team building! Just be thankful that Rafa has been loyal to our team! If we lose Mr Benitez we’ll be heading in one direction and that’s not up.
We all have our opinions about who should be in or out of the starting eleven but at the end of the day the manager selects who plays who’s on the bench & who’s not in the match day squad! We are on the outside looking in and don’t always know all the facts about injuries or whatever else is going on behind the scenes. Rafa tells us he only thinks about the next game but I feel he must also have an eye on the one after the next.
No 3 – There has been a complete lack of support and many broken promises from the owner with cash for new players on the recent transfer windows – We need new players to have a chance of moving up into to the top end of the Premier League just pray like I do that a takeover happens sooner rather than later!!!
I’ve followed Newcastle United since 1957 and when they lose it hurts badly! As a fan I’ve been through some tough times, thick and thin, but thankfully was at SJP in 1969 to witness of Fairs Cup wins – I still don’t know why the final away leg was only on Radio and not TV I was glued to the radio like everyone else at that time! I even dreamt the result against Setubul when they won 5 – 1 in the snow (dreamt the snow as well even though it wasn’t snowing on the morning of the game!) I wish I could dream a few more wins at this time. The lowest point for me was the defeat at Hereford in the cup ?
Average_Contents
Dec 4, 2017 at 9:49 AM
Comment #4Decent article. Maybe should of gone with Amanda though
http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/913625972?-11058:809:0
Toonfan8
Dec 4, 2017 at 9:57 AM
Comment #5I dont know, but I couldnt see some criticism as a bad thing, we have to tell that something is bad, yes we criticise MA, but this is completely different story. We have right to criticise RB, when we think we have better players available on the bench sitting there, when Joselu keeps playing. Me and 90% of the critics dont want to remove Rafa out of our club. We are glad that he is our manager, but he isnt God, like some of our fans make of him, he is our manager and we back him, but we have to tell when we feel that some changes can help our team. And Mitro can help for suer, some keep saying that he is mad and waiting red card. Sergio Ramos had 19 red cards in Spannish league and he is still the best CB in the world or one of the best, and always make difference on the pitch.
hibbit
Dec 4, 2017 at 9:58 AM
Comment #6A_C
well worth a read and a good assessment of how things stand
i just have the feeling this is the make or break week
Rotonda heights
Dec 4, 2017 at 9:58 AM
Comment #7Charlie
Those stats don’t add up at all as has been pointed out no one will want to buy us in the championship and certainly not for 225M.
Sadly I think you may be right about a non sale though as all the mood music seems to point at fat lad wanting too much, which I suspect many of us had anticipated. Desperately hope I’m wrong.
For those knocking some of Rafa’s sales. Lazaar and Gamez were peanuts, not expensive flops. Sels was, but still only cost 4M. If Rafa has to operate with the lowest wage ceiling and minimum spend in the whole division, who is he going to be able to attract apart from the Joselu’s, manquillo’s etc? These were probably 6th/7th choices. To put in perspective Walker went to city for 50M.
To those who want a change in system we’ve recently gone from 4231 to 442 and then 3 at the back at the weekend. Hardly rigid. There does seem to be an issue with Mitro which will probably come to light in January, but Darlow and MBemba have been brought back in, so again hardly rigid. Wasn’t that long ago everyone was playing Rafa bingo. talk about short memories and fickleness.
hibbit
Dec 4, 2017 at 10:02 AM
Comment #8Toonfan8
but your presuming Rafa is not playing Mitro for the sending off’s i honestly think it goes far deeper than that
bladeuser
Dec 4, 2017 at 3:53 PM
Comment #9Yeah,What fantastic news hail dummet and atsu we can now storm up the league with these two
Walker and sterling. Eat your heart out man city fans bet you would swap us for our two class acts ! NOT
ASH OUT