Dwight Gayle made the opener for Joselu for the Spaniard’s third goal of the season, and Dwight equalized in the second half to set us up for a point that we didn’t take and ended up losing again.
That was Dwight’s third Premier League goal, and he’s coming into some good form at a crucial time of the season for Newcastle.
Dwight got 63% of the vote for his assist and goal yesterday.
There are reports he will be sold in January but why sell a player who can score goals when we are so short of natural goalscorers in the team?
Second in the voting is 21-year-old Mikel Merino (10%) who is slowly getting back into the form he showed before his back injury.
Dwight Gayle – one goal and one assist
Third in the voting is 22-year-old Jacob Murphy (8%) who started the game brightly but then tailed off before being subbed in the second half.
But Jacob has shown he can become a good player at Newcastle once he gets more games under his belt.
Next up for Newcastle is an in-form Everton side who have been buoyed by the experienced Sam Allardyce coming in as manager.
We must try to get a win on Wednesday night at St. James’ Park.
Why Jonjo Shelvey is not being played these days is a little bit of a mystery – maybe he will get a chance on Wednesday night against the Toffees.
Comments welcome.
193 comments so far
Our Toon
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:00 PM
Comment #161A decent keeper could have saved that shot, it was quite reminiscent to the Watford goal darlow conceded in the relegation season. He’s far to low, Shay Given even said that he didn’t use his legs and that the shot was virtually down the middle. He made a pigs ear of one earlier to that when the lad shot straight at him and he fluffed it out for a corner.
On Perez I ontiappy felt bad for the lad, it was then highlighted from behind our goal that Perez was watching what was happening between vardy and Lejeune and Okazaki who Perez was right next to set off passed the Spaniard, Perez waited for a few seconds and then realised the danger which was far to late. He got punished for switching off, no excuse for that unfortunately. Apparently players who don’t follow rafa’s instructions can’t be trusted and as such don’t get picked, Ritchie and Perez switch off time and time again and yet make appearances.
RUNAWAY777
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:01 PM
Comment #162I was one who wanted darlow back in goal but that first goal was hard not save so dont think hes improved enough if any so dont think darlow is the answer
GeordieTwo
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:01 PM
Comment #163Well said Our Toon @155.
Our Toon
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:02 PM
Comment #164Anyway we have massive game midweek, we need 3 points. Before Leicester game I said we need at least 4 points, that’s now gone but 3 points is absolutely crucial against Everton
TyneMouth
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:05 PM
Comment #165R777
Read your post, everything OK, Cheers, be lucky…
jimmysmith
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:10 PM
Comment #166I think Rafa has tinkered with something that was working, if only barely, and the wheels have fallen off. I think he should go back to starting Joselu Perez, or give Mitro and Perez a go, but the players now shaken confidence make anything he does seem unlikely to get wins. Massive January window, but of course even if money is made available you still need to get the right ones in, and transfers don’t get done for all sorts of reasons, even when there’s a real willingness from the buying club. There is no guarantee that even if we do get our primary targets, it’ll be enough. Never a dull moment.
GeordieTwo
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:14 PM
Comment #167Spot on jimmy @166. It’s the continuous failure to spend well over several windows that is really hurting us now. We do have a few promising young players but the core of the squad is far too weak to guarantee we won’t go down again sad to say.
RUNAWAY777
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:19 PM
Comment #168Team for everton match
Elliot
Mbemba
Clarke
Lascelle
Dummett
Shelvey
Merino
Astu
Murphy
Gayle
Mitro
Subs
Ritchie
Perza
Dalow
Hayden
Aarons
Lejeume
Ritchie from the beech in the second half could be a good call
GeordieTwo
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:20 PM
Comment #169Yes I think Perez is just too weak to contribute too much offensively. I always worried about that with him. Often easily taken off the ball which we can’t afford. I would go with the stronger players. I would like to see Aarons given another chance but the next few matches might not be the right time. A real quandary and everyone wants to see different players tried. I hope whatever Rafa tries works.
GeordieTwo
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:22 PM
Comment #170Not a bad lineup to try Runaway. But will Rafa trust Mitro and Shelvey?
ShirebrookToon
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:27 PM
Comment #171Runaway
That’s the team I’d play. Maybe have Perez instead of Gayle though. Mitro and Perez seem to link up better
jimmysmith
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:30 PM
Comment #172That 11 is very open, and the fear would be that Everton would just overrun us in midfield, and despite a solid looking back four, outscore us even at home. Dummett still a way off starting too I think. maybe too early for Lascelles to start also.
jimmysmith
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:33 PM
Comment #173Yeah Perez would help shore up the midfield, but you’d still worry about a lack of bite in their.
ShirebrookToon
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:47 PM
Comment #174Runaway
Ritchie from the beech. He looked like he was having a stroll on the beach yesterday lol
jimmysmith
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:53 PM
Comment #175That midfield is a far cry from Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Tiote and Guttierez at their height, isn’t it? 442, bit of a worry.
ShirebrookToon
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:57 PM
Comment #176Basically we need a battler in the middle of the park. Someone to grab the game by scruff of the neck. Someone that will break up play/do the dirty work.
Sooner this takeover is complete the better!!
Let’s get behind the lads and Rafa. End of the day they’re only human just like us (most of us).
We all make mistakes. People blame Rafa people blame Fat lad. Still doesn’t change anything though. All we can do is support those 11 lads on the pitch on the day. That’s where our input can make the difference.
HWTL!!!!!!
WE ARE UNITED!!!
NEWCASTLE UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED!!!!
ShirebrookToon
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:58 PM
Comment #177And on that bombshell
It’s goodnight
Sleep well fellas!!
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 10, 2017 at 11:58 PM
Comment #178Rafa has to trust Shelvey, he’s the one player in the squad that can turn a game with a single pass.
I also will be very surprised if Lascelles doesn’t start.
And for my money Darlow is much better than Elliot, I very much doubt if Elliot would have got close to touching that ball never mind almost saving it
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 11, 2017 at 12:00 AM
Comment #179Shire if you are still there, you don’t by any chance mean Colback for the dirty work?
ShirebrookToon
Dec 11, 2017 at 12:04 AM
Comment #180Bill
Yeah cleaning the toilets. That’s about it.
RUNAWAY777
Dec 11, 2017 at 12:19 AM
Comment #181jimmysmith think i would 4411 gayle just behind mitro to run on to flicks or passes its near enough to 442 mate
jimmysmith
Dec 11, 2017 at 12:31 AM
Comment #182Yeah, far too near haha!
lesh
Dec 11, 2017 at 2:22 AM
Comment #183Beermonkey
I can’t recollect reading of Cathro and the other guy being replaced. Maybe Ashley’s ploy of running a football club on as little as possible impacted on Rafa’s support resources as well as player recruitment. If Rafa’s two down in his staff, then it might explain why he can’t be everywhe.
Essex
Coincidently, Ed’s main photo of Ashley shows him trying to explain to a Parliamentary Committee why SD had been underpaying a lot of its employees. As you say, he’s been forced to compensate underpaid SD employees and pay the minimum wage.
In the east, they refer to Karma but here we say ‘What goes round comes around
I hope I’m around to see the greedy one get his comeuppance.
cyprus
Dec 11, 2017 at 6:53 AM
Comment #184Not much to post about these days as it’s becoming a bit cliche.
‘Rafa lovers’ vs. ‘pragmatists’ and little use of the rafalution term.
Amanda vs. Mike.
Another loss.
Come on lads, break the spell, WIN against everton. BTW, Hibbitt, setting up not to lose sounds like a good plan for a promoted team. But, it’s very risky. It invites pressure and makes the opposition look like world beaters. It’s not working anymore…
If we’ll lose, give it a right go. That’s the Newcastle way.
Veltman
Dec 11, 2017 at 7:09 AM
Comment #185Saturday was a pile of garbage.Worst performance I have witnessed this season.Players look given up.Rafa looked disinterested and waiting to collect his million check with the sack.Started well,scored,made pressure for first 10min then completely downhill.Started to feel we’ll never win another game again.
hibbit
Dec 11, 2017 at 7:24 AM
Comment #186cyprus
unfortunately for fans like you and me the Newcastle way has not worked
we should have one aim this season stay in the Prem no matter what
but at the moment the club has relegation written all over it
RUNAWAY777
Dec 11, 2017 at 7:33 AM
Comment #187Well up early to take the daughter to durham for jury service then hope for some good news later on about the takeover well we can hope.
Wayayman
Dec 11, 2017 at 7:39 AM
Comment #188We definitely lack a leader as Shire said. It’s not a coincidence that it’s fallen apart since Lascelles has been off the pitch. He’s the only one in our team that i’d be worried might lamp me if I didn’t put a shift in. Ritchie puts the miles in but looks to have dipped massively since Lascelles’ absence. I wonder if he feels the pressure of being the leader on the pitch too much and it takes away from his natural game?
Somebody mentioned Hughton doing better than Rafa when we last went down. Apart from the massive gulf in money clubs spend being barely anything compared to today, Hughton had a team of leaders, Harper,Barton, Nolan, Alan Smith,all hard lads and competitors who got where they were through graft and wouldnt accept anything less than 100% from the team mates. Thats how Hughton’s team did well. He was decent, but he left those leaders do what they did best. Rafa only really has Lascelles in that role, possibly Ritchie.
Wayayman
Dec 11, 2017 at 7:40 AM
Comment #189Morning by the way!
Here’s hoping for positive news and positivity on here as we head into a massive run of games.
Thump
Dec 11, 2017 at 8:04 AM
Comment #190I hate saying it, but given Hayden’s “performance” against Leicester, Colback seems like a viable option for once. Might even provide a voice in midfield.
I feel dirty.
Bambams
Dec 11, 2017 at 8:05 AM
Comment #191Binney
Sorry mate I didn’t see you post from last night, I posted and switched off
I am back to work tomorrow and I will be working on him to find out more.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 11, 2017 at 8:09 AM
Comment #192TOON on Saturday was like a Jigsaw puzzle – Loads of bits – bits joined together – bits missing – bits don’t fit and a Manager not sure how to fit the bits together
EllaGuru
Dec 11, 2017 at 8:11 AM
Comment #193We need to go and fix our main problem right now and that is a porous defence. Chuck out Lejeune and get back in Lascelles. Get rid of Manquillo and DeYedlin and get in Dummett and Mbemba. A solid back line will breed confidence. Manquillo and DeYedlin really are terrible defenders and have no right being near our starting 11.