Newcastle played a tough game on Wednesday night and we have another game at Stoke on Monday afternoon so Rafa will be making some changes to the side that went down 1-0 at home to Manchester City.
Henri Saivet was not even on the bench on Wednesday night and with all our central midfielders now available Rafa may want to go with them for the next two games.
That seems unfortunate for Henri who could be on the bench.
We expect Mikel Merino to start this game along with Isaac Hayden so we will have two fresh players in the engine room.
Mikel Merino – should return today
The in-form Christian Atsu should be back as should Matt Ritchie, who is due a goal after hitting the woodwork three times in recent games.
Rob Elliot has a thigh problem and he’s not available today.
Here’s a possible team Rafa could start in the game – we must take all 3 points today – and end our five-game losing streak at home.
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles (c) Clark Mbemba
Ritchie Merino Hayden Atsu
Gayle Joselu
That’s a strong midfield line and none of the four players started on Wednesday night.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
110 comments so far
Tsunki
Dec 30, 2017 at 10:39 AM
Comment #41Tbf Mitro getting sent off wasn’t a shock that day iirc.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 30, 2017 at 10:39 AM
Comment #42Kenny,
A lot of people seem to overlook we have the youngest side in the PL, that has to be a factor in our mental strength as well.
Bobbybee
Dec 30, 2017 at 10:40 AM
Comment #43Right chaps, away to Heaton to pick up my mate, go for a shandy or two and away to the match.
My deepest commiserations to those unfortunates having to put up with the misery on here during the game. Sadly, my thoughts will be elsewhere at the time, but be strong. 🙂
Enjoy watching wherever you are. Howay the lads to victory.
Vask
Dec 30, 2017 at 10:40 AM
Comment #44I get nervous when the consensus appears to be that we will thrash a team at home. Hopefully we can just get the win and keep building from that. I’d take a borning stalemate with a late goal to win. Not ideal but essential that we get three points.
Tsunki
Dec 30, 2017 at 10:41 AM
Comment #45If Brighton attempt to sit back against us today i think they know we will murder them.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 30, 2017 at 10:42 AM
Comment #46Catchy,
If you’re still about. Do you not realise how daft it makes you look calling people Rafa clappers after your embarrassing affair with tufty which no one has forgotten bout.
Vask
Dec 30, 2017 at 10:43 AM
Comment #47True tsunki
However the kneejerkers who claimed it was a malicious foul I could not agree with. Looked like a genuine move to shield the ball to me just that pesky defender got in the way.
Tsunki
Dec 30, 2017 at 10:43 AM
Comment #48Captain Catchy McClapper.
🙂
kennyg33
Dec 30, 2017 at 10:43 AM
Comment #49Confidence is key when those chances don’t go in – I’m not a Rafa knocker – sometimes we are a bit defensive, especially last season, but he’s better than we’ll ever get again – but there has to be a tactical guide behind the drop as we did the same last season and kept letting rubbish back into games – the number of times we sat back in the last 15 of first half last season had to be tactical but we then conceded in the last minutes of the first half too many times last year and threaten to do it again this year.
I just want the players to keep composed and keep pressing – when they need a rest keep the ball rather than lump it long then go again. It is about confidence but it’s definitely a mentality / tactical thing too as long ball becomes the default ball after 25 mins. Hope we score early today then confidence should be high and the crowd will be right up for it.
Tsunki
Dec 30, 2017 at 10:44 AM
Comment #50Yes I think the ref was between a rock and a hard place with that one. Brilliant game though after that ha ha I was crying laughing.
Tsunki
Dec 30, 2017 at 10:46 AM
Comment #51I think after West ham and city the process might be a bit more proactive. We will see, but i expect the speed to be back in midfield. I wonder if he will start with Aaron’s again, or go the other way round?
Transfer Sage
Dec 30, 2017 at 10:47 AM
Comment #52Jail
Age is a very good point.
Having experience helps with mental strength as you’ve seen everything before. It also helps with game management, knowing when to ease off, when to push on, when you can exploit a situation.
It’s crucial to have that experience as a manager can’t do everything. Good, experienced pros make a huge difference in and off the pitch.
Tsunki
Dec 30, 2017 at 10:48 AM
Comment #53Btw thanks kennyg for the jazz saxophone earworm. 😐
hibbit
Dec 30, 2017 at 10:54 AM
Comment #54enjoy the game that’s us off to the toon
good luck toon army
Jib
Dec 30, 2017 at 10:55 AM
Comment #55Anthony Taylor , matches reffed this month
Dec 9, 2017 West Ham v Chelsea
1:0
Dec 13, 2017 Swansea v Man City
0:4
Dec 17, 2017 West Brom v Man Utd
1:2
Dec 26, 2017 Huddersfield v Stoke City
1:1
fairscup
Dec 30, 2017 at 10:59 AM
Comment #56Jib
Very good
I will settle for 3 points and Shelter from the Storm tomorrow
Howay the Lads
Jail for Ashley
Dec 30, 2017 at 11:01 AM
Comment #57Schteve Rattle Clackers 😀
hibbit
Dec 30, 2017 at 11:12 AM
Comment #58?
@lee_ryder
Understand that #nufc takeover bid from PCP Capital Partners has not collapsed. Talks ongoing between lawyers. Mike Ashley not back in UK until next week.
8:43 AM – Dec 30, 2017 · North East, England
definitely away now
lochinvar
Dec 30, 2017 at 11:24 AM
Comment #59Jib@2 had four sweet hearts – best comment of the day ( so far ! )
I would also say that…
Hang on a mo she’s calling me from the lounge.
“Amanda – what ? ”
“You want more chocolate biscuits with your morning cocoa ? ”
“Just haad on a moment, be a good lass I’m busy writing to Jib”
“You want to tell him and everyone about the deal now ? ”
“No way pet – remember that letter of confidentiality we signed, the one on the mantle piece that says not to be opened until the 21st January, well let’s keep stum”
” Hob nob or chocolate digestive ? You choose ”
” Oh and don’t forget to have me tea ready for when I get back from the match – ta muchly xxxx “
catchy in norway
Dec 30, 2017 at 11:33 AM
Comment #60not sure how that happened
sparky55
Dec 30, 2017 at 11:59 AM
Comment #61Brighton are a much better team than last year and we were lucky down at the Amex last year and got what we deserved this year by being soon negative.
I understand we were playing away but Rafa’s negative approach is proving to be our downfall.
At liverpool or wherever, the “don’t lose the game in the first 30 minutes” approach is fine when you’ve got proper premiership players who can score goals at the other end of the pitch but if we go 1-0 down we very rarely rescue the point or get the win like we did against West Ham.
Against fellow relegation rivals we need to get ahead rather than come from behind so I hope to god we go for it today and bury them early
Frank pingles come sock
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:03 PM
Comment #62Is anyone scared that this takeover will actually collapse and we will get relegated and only get loan signings in January
It’s sad to think how much of a hold Ashley has over our future
Literally on a knife edge
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:10 PM
Comment #632nd Guess Rafa time.
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clarke Dummett
Shelvey Merino
Ritchie Joselu Atzu
Gayle.
2-1 to us
Wouldn’t be very surprised to see Diame start instead of Shelvey as he seems to be flavour of the month for some reason known only to Rafa.
And it looks (as someone else mentioned) that Saivet after his one very good game cameo is back among the rejects? Again, why is down to Rafa! His strange (at times) reasoning is what makes it hard to try an second guess his choices.
And I see that some one used my “Rafa (All Hail Him)” term, no problem with that but I’ve put my use of it on hold pending him showing us that’s he’s worthy of God like adoration once more.
2 Hours 49 Minutes to KO
sparky55
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:13 PM
Comment #64Frank
No danger whatsoever…the deal is done.
I don’t not what the reason is for it not being announced (it might be as reported to stop agents taking the pi55 in this window but doubt it to be honest) but I can assure everyone the deal is done.
DubaiMicky
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:16 PM
Comment #65hinnit, re Lee Ryder – I don’t actually think anything has been done over the last week, waiting for the fat man to return in the New Year to sign it off.
Munster Mag
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:17 PM
Comment #66I’m hopeful but not confident for today. As someone said earlier we need to keep up the level of aggression, attack, press and if we get a goal, don’t drop off. Only rafa and the players know why we sometimes look awful and hit long balls but given the amount of control rafa is known to exert, it may be tactical on a effort to stay compact with a strong defence. Who knows, cud be inexperience as jail suggests. This is why Gayle has to play, not just for his ability to stick the ball away. It’s the other main reason to give mitro some game time- to allow the team transform from defence to attack quickly. A decent win could transform us but I fear a slightly unlucky 1-1. Another West ham effort wud be mint. Htl
AncientC
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:22 PM
Comment #67I hope this story of Shelvey to West Ham is somebody’s idea of an elaborate wind up. Why would the club sell its best player. It would have to be £20 million+ and paid all upfront so that Benitez could reinvest it. Take Shelvey out of the squad and things really would start to look bad. He is one of the very few jewels in the crown.
c-dog
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:27 PM
Comment #68I’ve always been a fan of Shelvey any technically he’s pure class. But his mobility is looking dreadful. Is he overweight, is he carrying an injury, is it just a patch of bad form or is his body just in decline at an early age? Hoping it’s some underlying injury or just bad form that can be resolved. Miles off the pace this season.
Munster Mag
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:36 PM
Comment #69Ancient shelvey isn’t looking our top midfielder, not to mind top player. He seems too slow these days 🙁
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:37 PM
Comment #70Not looking forward to today
Not confident could be an Everton/Bournemouth type of game/result.
Go for a 1-0 2-1 reverse – Hope not as we have a great chance in the next three games to pick up points.
ARGHHHHHHH!!!!!
Frank pingles come sock
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:37 PM
Comment #71Cheers sparky , hopefully it’s a way to keep prices down in January
Rafa saying he doesn’t want to speak transfers which could mean he doesn’t want to give anything away
catchy in norway
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:38 PM
Comment #72Jonjo is being wasted, he plays way to deep, i think half of his problem is he has been asked to do that dirty job at the expense of his creative side,
he see himself as the No10 type of player, sliding passes through or shooting from around the box.
merino is more suited to that deep lying playmaker role, as his temperament seems better and has great tackling and passing ability.
instead we get a a lump called Diame playing that no10 role, which is strange because he falls over the ball and cannot pass very well.
sparky55
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:42 PM
Comment #73Shelvey IMO is one of the few people who can pick a pass that makes a difference…and that’s a priceless commodity in a team that lacks invention and with not enough premiership quality.
I can however see him going depending on who Rafa brings in
consettmags
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:43 PM
Comment #74Going to have to go for it today , get a win and confidence will keep growing from Westham game,good luck nufc and enjoy the match those who are going , I’m going for a 3-1 win today
DaveD1000
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:43 PM
Comment #75agreed sparky
sparky55
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:44 PM
Comment #76me too…3-1 win
Tsunki
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:44 PM
Comment #77Shelvey is also one of the few that gift hopelessly speculative long balls to nobody and back to the opposition.
Frank pingles come sock
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:45 PM
Comment #78I want
Shelvey
Merino
Atsu
Gayle
Ritchie
All to play from the start today
Slank
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:45 PM
Comment #79Essex Geordie Bill
I will be very surprised if it isn’t:
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clarke Dummett
Shelvey Merino
Ritchie Joselu Atsu
Gayle
Frank pingles come sock
Dec 30, 2017 at 12:46 PM
Comment #80My team would be
Woodman
Yedlin
Lascelles
Lejeune
Mbemba
Atsu
Merino
Shelvey
Ritchie
Gayle
Perez