Newcastle are lucky to have a player like Mikel Merino on the books, and he also seems to be just a smashing lad.
And he seems to like the beaches close to Newcastle even though he admits it can be a little bit cold in Newcastle – although of course, he has never yet been through a Newcastle winter.
Mikel is a confident and determined young man and because of his temperament, character, enthusiasm, and passion – he is almost assured of an excellent career in football – hopefully at Newcastle.
There’s a lot of discussion going on about what the players have to do, what Rafa has to do, and what Mike Ashley has to do to right the floundering Newcastle ship.
Mikel Merino – explains what players have to do
But from the players’ point of view, Mikel hits the nail on the head with these few sentences: as reported in the Chronicle:
“We have another match. We’re all together and we will carry on.” “It’s hard sometimes. Football’s about momentum.”
“You will have good periods of momentum and bad periods. “Now we’re in a difficult period, but we have to carry on, and I’m sure the moment we win one match, then a lot more will follow.”
“We have another chance to be ourselves, and we will do our best to win this match.”
The good news is that Newcastle have all 26 first team squad members available to play against Everton on Wednesday night at St. James’ Park.
There are no injuries which is very unusual for the Magpies – but also good.
Maybe our captain Jamaal Lascelles can return to help steady the ship against Everton?
A win in that game against what is now a good side under Sam Allardyce would be a tremendous win and raise the spirits of everybody on Tyneside.
We need that next win as soon as possible.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
9 comments so far
catchy in norway
Dec 11, 2017 at 1:40 PM
Comment #1nufc 83
Rafa does get credit for us scoring goals, that part of the game in my opinion is fine, it’s not world class but good enough, creating chances was ok, the problem is who he is picking, Joselu has missed a lot of chances and still given game time, and trying to fit Joselu into the team he is prepared to move the whole team around.
there is no logic to him continuing to play both Manquillio and Yedlin when Mbemba could play one of those positions, one week he gets a game the next not in the squad.
do these things and win you get away with it, but if you lose, questions should be asked, and when you keep repeating it you start to lose credibility.
but it’s not just on the pitch i’m not happy with him about, it is his treatment of of the players, i genuinely am disgraced in his treatment of Mbemba Mitrovic Colback Gamez saviet. so if he has created enemies with these players the atmosphere around the place cannot be that good.
martoon
Dec 11, 2017 at 1:52 PM
Comment #2Catchy @1 – I often don’t agree with you but I think I you do make a couple of valid points. It is a mystery why Mbemba can’t get a full back slot especially ahead of Manquillo? I also don’t understand why he outlaws players and never lets them back in. Surely he should be big enough to say to people like Colback – you’ve been punished now come back and show me what you can do! (I’m not suggesting Colback is our saviour but just using him as an example!)
martoon
Dec 11, 2017 at 1:55 PM
Comment #3I also thought Merino had his poorest game for us (but he may not be fully fit yet) so I was baffled when Lee Ryder gave him MotM!
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 11, 2017 at 1:57 PM
Comment #4Catchy
Not sure that enemies is the right word but if I was one of the players you’ve mentioned I’d be wondering why some of Rafa’s favorites get picked ahead of me. Especially given the current run of form and i’d be particularly annoyed if the Lazy HT keeps getting in and I don’t.
Disgruntled rather than enemies perhaps.
Hail Wor Ashley
Dec 11, 2017 at 1:57 PM
Comment #5My team for Wednesday:
________________Elliot_______________
Mbemba__Lascelles__Lejeune___Clark Tell defenders to stay put and just bloody defend as a unit.
Murphy_____Shelvey___Merino__Atsu
__________Mitrovic___Gayle
Start as we did last time and continue playing that way. Everton played 24hrs after us and are having to travel up here. Fresh legs down the spine, solid, balanced back 4. Natural width. No players playing in inverted positions which is a massive problem to fluidity of moves when the players in those positions don’t have the requisite quality.
Get ball into the box – high or low, we have the players to attack the ball. Gayle coming into some form, Mitro has to be given a chance. Rather a tough nut Serb during the cold winter months than a flimsy Spaniard who has been given more than enough chances.
I fear it won’t be anything like that, however. Joselu, Manquillo, Ritchie, Yedlin and Diame all likely to start, despite their tiredensss/lack of form/being ill-suited to position.
Moonraker15
Dec 11, 2017 at 2:24 PM
Comment #6I think we will brad Everton. They won’t sit as they did v Liverpool and they have a poor defence when they come out! Plus I think our lads will perform!
RUNAWAY777
Dec 11, 2017 at 2:28 PM
Comment #7Hail Wor Ashley same team i put up last night bar one would have dummett in if fit and lejeune on the bench he was not good on sat.
RUNAWAY777
Dec 11, 2017 at 2:31 PM
Comment #8Iam more worried that mackem pickford might have blinder against us just for them down road lads
Nufc 4ever
Dec 11, 2017 at 4:09 PM
Comment #9Well I have been reading this blog for a long time and have now decided to put my own thoughts in. Being a season ticket holder for forty years I don’t live to far away from Hibbett. There are some good bloggers on the site and a fair few I dismiss after one line. I have seen a lot over the years home and away . The current squad do put the effort in but if you shop in poundstrechers this is what you get. Ashley has only helped myself as a fan with reasonable ticket prices that’s where it ends. The quicker he goes the better he’s like a leach on the club. All I want to see is my team to be able to compete in the division I enjoyed the championship because we could win. The takeover can’t come quick enough . I will always go to the game no one will ever get myself to boycott any game them so called fans wouldn’t go anyway . Looking forward to put y thoughts over on a regular basis. Ps I do miss Bobbylee thoughts hope he comes back