Rafa explained his team selection after the game, and it’s always tricky when you have 4 games in 9 days and two in the last three games.
Players will be tired and prone to pick up injuries.
Rafa elected to play Ayoze Perez and Christian Atsu up front together, and they did quite well with both Joselu and Gayle on the bench.
Rafa says he knew Atsu could play in that position because he knew him before he came to Newcastle.
It all worked well today, but the primary element in the win was the determination and work-rate of our players.
And that came after what was a disappointing display at home in the 0-0 draw against Brighton.
Mark Hughes meets Rafa Benitez – before the kick-off
But they turned things around today to their credit.
This is what Rafa said in the Chronicle after the game:
“We started really well this season then we had a bad run and lost confidence, but still the team was working hard.”
“It is one thing for me as a manager saying the players are working and don’t give up, but you could see it today.”
“It was an example of a team working hard.” “Stoke worked so hard and it was difficult for us.”
“It was really good. The way that the players were working on the pitch and trying to do everything was really pleasing.”
“It was difficult for us. The team selection was tough because the players were tired after Brighton.”
“We had to mix it a little bit and it worked quite well.”
“I knew that Atsu can play in this position and Ayo has clever movement.”
“The understanding was good between both (Atsu and Perez).”
“The rest of the team helped with good passes and after they defended all together, that was the key.”
“We needed to cope with Stoke’s pressure. They put in crosses and we did well.”
“We had two or three counter-attacks that could have finished the game.”
We now have 22 points out of our 22 games, and we need 6 wins in the last 16 games to reach the (hopeful) safety of 40 points.
Comments welcome.
186 comments so far
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jan 1, 2018 at 8:45 PM
Comment #41toon22…does he have money to spend?
Shoulders knees
Jan 1, 2018 at 8:45 PM
Comment #42Jib
I always try to be positive about the toon so
Don’t look back in anger
Nufc-83
Jan 1, 2018 at 8:46 PM
Comment #43Well done to the travelling fans today was fantastic support from what I could tell (like always)
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jan 1, 2018 at 8:47 PM
Comment #44Jib…haven’t you got the memo?
No one listens to you Jib…sometimes I don’t know why I respond to you (maybe there’s a hint there…ohh well)
expatmag
Jan 1, 2018 at 8:47 PM
Comment #45Just seen an interview by Allardyce after the Man Utd game. After the usual waffle, he admitted being Tosun but didnt seem confident of getting him.
Online Guy
Jan 1, 2018 at 8:48 PM
Comment #46Jib
Was that you dancing with the hari krishna lot on the Quayside after the fireworks !
Orange really works for you ..Naa ..seriously …had a few jars in 2 favourite bars, Redhouse and the one next door..great pa and great music. Atmosphere was good .. Got hit on by two amazing looking women in quick time . And there’s me with tinted shades . Shook a lot of hands. Great night on the Quayside..The world was there.
lochinvar
Jan 1, 2018 at 8:49 PM
Comment #47Jib and Pitmatic
Good of you to join in ….I just feel that supporting NUFC at away games is sometimes like being in the 5th Dimension
Up up and away
Think I’ll stop there otherwise it’ll be a long night
Online Guy
Jan 1, 2018 at 8:59 PM
Comment #48Jail
I ain’t never reported anyone .
Behave yerself.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jan 1, 2018 at 9:01 PM
Comment #49If it’s all it takes Jail then thanks for the heads up…no one should ever be too proud to report you if needed!
Online Guy
Jan 1, 2018 at 9:02 PM
Comment #50I just sent in an appeal to anyone who attended Scun##rpe United match in 1974 at the old show ground one freezing January day .. and got moderated.
As within the name Scun*horpe.. is a dodgy expletive ..? Feels good getting moderated .
toon22
Jan 1, 2018 at 9:07 PM
Comment #51Rafa has players who wish to leave (Mitro)
So he has money from the sale atleast,well a far as its been so far.
Point is there is a market for players who want regular football itll the summer,everyone can see the chances we create and missed by our strikers.
Im thinking Sturidge,Walcot etc
No cash outlay other than wages
Lindisfarne
Jan 1, 2018 at 9:10 PM
Comment #5220 is on the cards then….get in there lad.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jan 1, 2018 at 9:10 PM
Comment #53toon22…there are definitely players who want playing time, but they command a transfer fee. If we have to sell players to spend money then I am not sure we’ll buy any in January (you remember how the summer went 😉 )
If you are thinking about a loan deal then we can only loan two PL players…maybe that will do it if it’s the right one
RUNAWAY777
Jan 1, 2018 at 9:14 PM
Comment #54Shire wheres hibbit its like giving these daft little shits a load gun hibbit you better get your arse on here good mate
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jan 1, 2018 at 9:20 PM
Comment #55Superb win for us it might end up being our away record that keeps us up this season!
Rafa has come in for a slating recently (myself included) but he got it correct today! He does need to stop tinkering though should keep with a winning side for a few games in a row so to build some momentum and understanding!
Good to see Perez back as a striker which is where he looked best for us early in his career hes been deployed as a no 10 , winger and defensive midfielder etc it then allows us to play 3 behind him so we don’t get outnumbered and we look solid at the same time
Diame needs to play all the time while he is in this rich vein of form he is playing how I thought he would when we signed him but he struggled for ages as a no 10!!
Dagwoodz
Jan 1, 2018 at 9:25 PM
Comment #56Unfortunately, it looks like Hibbet is keeping to his word for the time being and staying off the blog. I’m sure he’s lurking…
Regardless of what some of the WUM’s might say, the vast majority of us appreciated the information that he, Shire, Sparky, Dubai and others have passed on…with the understanding that it is second hand information, and very well could be subject to change. (this is Fat Ashley we’re talking about)
Amazing what 3 points has on the mood on here…long may it last. One match at a time…Swansea is another 6 pointer for us…plus it will put us at 25 from 23 games. With matches against Citeh and Manure following, the assumption is that we’ll be at 25 from 25. The way things are going this year, I think a point a game should be enough for safety…that’s what we should be shooting for.
Happy 2018 to everyone on here….
Dubaimickey, I might be in your neck of the woods this coming weekend. Not sure if I’ll have time to get outside of the airport, but if I can would love to catch a pint if you’re up for it.
HWTL
lochinvar
Jan 1, 2018 at 9:28 PM
Comment #57Onlineguy@10
If Sparky gets his marching orders then Chris The Coalman might be an option as I bet he wishes he’d never taken the job down the road
But then agin Mr. Tufty is back in the country with his brolly as it rains a lot in Stoke
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2018 at 9:30 PM
Comment #58Pub. Dodgy stream. Ringside seat, Toon dominating.
Heard ‘fans’ booing our players at 0-0, 0-1.
Whinge, whinge, whinge.
Very sad state of affairs.
What is wrong with some of our ‘fans’?
Did tell them.
Must have landed the trawler in North Shields.
Sorry, but if that’s support, like some doughnuts here – please go elsewhere! 💡 Found somewhere besides The Denton, where they talk a good fight!
Sheikh MagToon
Jan 1, 2018 at 9:38 PM
Comment #59Ketsbaia is about to become World Darts Champion. Or could just be his doppelgänger
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2018 at 9:39 PM
Comment #60Runaway, mind your language!
Mr and Ms. Tuff/Online Gay/Jester are here and they are busy knitting Frank’s new anti-come socks! 😆
lochinvar
Jan 1, 2018 at 9:46 PM
Comment #61Andreas Samaris rumours are back in circulation with suggestions that a £10m Euro bid has been made possibly by NUFC or WBA
If he was to come is he to replace Saviet in the squad ?
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2018 at 9:46 PM
Comment #62JIB, Jester just needs to look in the mirror and say :’Online Gay, I just cannot stop my foul mouth, it’s my xenophobia!’ 😉
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2018 at 9:54 PM
Comment #63Atsu with a couple, Clark. Should have been 0-3 at half-time!
Well played Diame, Shelvey, Murphy, Perez, Atsu, Darlow, Manquillo, Yedlin, Ritchie, Lascalles, Clark – and Gayle, Dummett, HAyden 💡
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:08 PM
Comment #64Speaking of low life – As I took to the Shields car park, checking my 6 shooters, lined up v the neggars 6, I heard ‘watch oot for the back-shooter’ – yep, you guessed it, there he was – OG! 😆
Mister Tuff
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:12 PM
Comment #65Online Guy – good effort today in trying to stop the foul abuse aimed at posters. I would think that reasonable and decent folk would applaud your efforts – probably silently – not risking to put their heads above the parapet -for fear of them becoming targets themselves. Surprised as there are one or two vociferous posters who never use bad language – thought they might have lent some support – but there we go.
Funny how the messenger, reminding folk of ED’S POLICY – becomes the target.
Blog has definitely been more respectful -even before the game. As suggested by another poster it will possibly not last long.
One thing is true is that by natural gravitation “ya shyte and scumbags” will stick together and some of the decent folk are retiscent about getting involed.
Our Toon
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:16 PM
Comment #66A massive 3 points, rafa did a superb job with the changes but more importantly the set up. Have we found a new no10 in atsu?
I wanted 7 points from Brighton, stoke and Swansea. We have 4, and need a good window. Hopefully Ashley doesn’t gamble.
Slimani with a good performance today as well, hopefully we make a move for him on loan
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:18 PM
Comment #67toontaff…I see your NYs Eve resolution was not to quit boozing!
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:18 PM
Comment #68Ms Tuff, you forgot to thank Senor Jester! 😉
Our Toon
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:19 PM
Comment #69Tuff and online guy. I agree the blog has been a nicer and more respectful place. I agree with lesh online guy, good work in helping it become that way
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:22 PM
Comment #70Jesper, you’re back 😆
Mister Tuff
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:23 PM
Comment #71toontaff2/welshie – indeed.
Jesper – Happy new year – and dare I say it a very decent bit of Danish humour @67
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:25 PM
Comment #72Jesper, did you watch us? We were immense!
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:25 PM
Comment #73Senor Tuff…sadly it’s the curse of the blog to wind your neck in when decent posters voice their concern…
…maybe people are afraid of “risking their heads above the parapet” as you put it, but it just adds to the problems when that is your stand!
Eventually Ed will intervene seeing as it’s his responsibility in the end (it’s his blog and basically his mess). With everything he’s going though will he keep up appearance or will he eventually shut it all down? In the end someone has to look themselves in the mirror (you’re excused toontaff seeing as you’ll probably see double 😉 )
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:26 PM
Comment #74Were we toontaff? Have you been drinking again?
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:26 PM
Comment #75Tuffs are funny, in a Scandinavian way. So are piles for cyclists 😆
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:28 PM
Comment #762 pints during the game – 1 each half -pub dodgy stream.
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:30 PM
Comment #77Jester @73,blog is not real life. Tuff is you is online gay, I get that, but we actually won a game.
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:31 PM
Comment #78Did someone who drank beat you, in a cycle race? I get your pain.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:32 PM
Comment #79Senor Tuff…and a happy NY to you and yours as well mate! I hope you entered the new year in great health and spirit 🙂
…well I have been told I apparently lack a sense of humour, but I suppose I have to take in to consideration who gave me that advise (he might have been sipping at the bottle a bit too much)
Mister Tuff
Jan 1, 2018 at 10:33 PM
Comment #80Jesper – indeed it is Ed’s responsibility but we all know he primarily has his health to worry about.
This blog is the best Toon blog by a mile – generally good posters, excellent format.
There has been however a lot more discussion in the press recently about the abuse/threats on social media becoming worse – would be interesting to know exactly why.
I must compliment you again on another Danish gag – the mirror joke – very good.
OT – good man for stating your position.