Newcastle were worthy winners at Stoke yesterday, and we were the better team for the first 75 minutes of the game, and at that time were ahead from a good goal by Ayoze Perez after 73 minutes.
The goal was set up brilliantly by winger Jacob Murphy who put in a superb cross from the right wing that beat Stoke’s defense, and Perez was there to stab the ball home.
But up to that point, we had wasted too many chances and should have been comfortably ahead.
Stoke came at Newcastle in the final 10 minutes or so, but we defended well and were (very) thankful for two brilliant point-blank saves from goalkeeper Karl Darlow to preserve the win.
Karl was superb in goal for us yesterday and deserves a lot of credit for that display.
If we can get two new strikers in this month that will go a long way to Newcastle winning games like this a lot easier than we are doing at the moment because of missed chances.
Jacob Murphy – played very well yesterday – so creative
But hey – we are not complaining (well not too much) – it was a fantastic team performance from our players.
Newcastle paid up to £12M for Murphy from Norwich in the summer, and he is showing the class he has, and he had an excellent game yesterday and got the assist for the winning goal.
He showed some class and that’s what has been missing from our team this season.
You cannot criticize the effort or pride shown by our players – they are giving everything they have in every game.
This is what Benitez has said about Jacob’s performance yesterday as reported in the Shields Gazette:
“He’s a young player who’s learning how to understand the game, and also learning about the pace of the Premier League.”
“He’s doing some good things, but he still has plenty of room for improvement.”
“We are trying to do our best, and we will see what can happen,” “But now it’s about enjoying the Stoke win and trying to concentrate on the next game.”
“Everyone has to do his job.”
“The fans were really good,” “We have seen the fans away last year and this year, they’re fantastic.”
“When they travel so far away, it’s a perfect day when you win and score and can celebrate in front of them.”
“They will go back home with a smile on their faces.”
“They were giving their support to our players, and maybe that made the players give a little bit more – if that’s possible.”
“I don’t like to see the team defending and not taking the chances that we had on the counter-attack.”
“But if you cannot do that, then you have to defend in the way that we did in the last few minutes.”
“That’s the kind of team spirit that you are expecting from a team that is desperate to avoid relegation and stay in the Premier League.”
Rafa will now be hoping for up to four new players coming in this month during the January transfer window to strengthen the Newcastle squad.
He must be supported by Mike Ashley.
Comments welcome.
150 comments so far
the white tino
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:14 PM
Comment #121Singing,wasn’t that market near white heart lane also listed?? But mysteriously burnt to the ground last year?? All the best to all toon fans
Bobbybee
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:16 PM
Comment #122C dog, I think the whole team their socks off matey. Been very impressed by the overall commitment and effort of all the lads. Just a pity most of them simply aren’t PL quality.
I hear Rafa bashers saying he should be able to coach them into better players and Tbf he has, but if it was simply down to coaching every Second Division player would be a potential PL star – which simply isn’t the case.
Most players have a cap on their potential and most of ours have reached that imo.
Effort? Excellent. Ability? Questionable.
I think that’s why the fans gave given them a break this season.
Mag52
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:18 PM
Comment #123Happy New Year to one and all.
Vital three points picked up v Stoke.
Expect a much changed team v Luton in the Cup.
Hopefully Saivet will come in, although if he doesn’t it’s because, like Mitro, he’s on his way out of sjp.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:19 PM
Comment #124The Luton game is very timely. I think young Freddie will be the first name on the team sheet and the lads will be able to enjoy the match away from all the pressure albeit a very different side. It will set us up nicely for the Swansea game which I’ll be home for.
dannitoon
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:25 PM
Comment #125The balls in the box were pretty poor all game.. possibly down to the fact we didnt have anyone in the box to pass too… its easier when you have 2 strikers moving defenders around creating space for the pass/cross
Bobbybee
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:26 PM
Comment #126Cheers Tsunki. In which case the sooner we do it the better. I’d hate to move from SJP and safe standing appears to be the answer.
Not sure I’d make the away section safe standing. Make them sit down and enforce it. 🙂
Always bugs me how if our fans stand up they get booted out, but away fans are allowed to ignore the rules and spend most the game standing up. Double standards.
If it was down to me I’d make the entire level seven safe standing and get the noisiest fans up there. Being closer to the roof helps carry the sound a lot better.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:26 PM
Comment #127I wonder what people like kimbo, catchy and ilovetoon9876 get from predicting a defeat before every game. In general, people as a whole don’t like being wrong. Therefore those lot must be a tad disappointed when their predictions don’t come true. I just don’t get it.
c-dog
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:29 PM
Comment #128I agree bobby. That’s why I’m happy to see Big Mo in the middle. His passing and mad runs can be frustrating but he’s just so industrious for us in there. And against hammers, city and stoke he was a colossus. He doesn’t have a long term future with us but for now he has exactly the attitude we need.
Lascelles is a real player. Give that man an extended contract now says I. Reminds me off kompany.
SPRINGY
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:32 PM
Comment #129Said it the other day but since theres alot of people came back to blog after after Christmas and new year hiatus,i would just like say again hope all enjoyed a merry Christmas and good health and fortune in the year ahead,all the best everyone.
Chancel be a fine thing
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:34 PM
Comment #130West brom’s lack of points under the dynamic duo is clearly due to science.
Tsunki
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:34 PM
Comment #131I remember from when I was a young whippersnapper the story of the Ibrox tragedy and how it highlighted the inadequacy of the barriers to stall a falling crowd. From that it was concluded that more barriers not less were required and not only strengthened but staggered to allow gradual easing of people surging forward.
That’s just from recall so don’t shoot ha ha. Personally I think if it’s done right it would add to the dynamic of games, singing etc but it might allow easier movement for the purpose of starting fights lol which might be minus 🙂
SPRINGY
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:34 PM
Comment #132Wasn’t there talk b4 Christmas that lascelles was already to sign a new contract?….did it happen?
Tsunki
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:35 PM
Comment #133I wonder if grass length has been examined in full? Or over enthusiastic support? Can’t leave it too late to consider all the options. I’m sure Messrs P and C are in control.
toonincheek
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:39 PM
Comment #134Looking at the votes on the Best Player at Stoke –
bit disappointed for Diame – only 5% of the votes.
He would have been my second choice (after Darlow)
Bobbybee
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:42 PM
Comment #135Nezza, I’d take Wilshire tomorrow mate. Happily drive down there and fetch him myself.
And I know Big Andy is injury prone, but he’s another I’d have back at the drop of a hat. On his day he’s simply unplayable, as he showed when he came on against us.
I just hope Ashley has the nous to protect his investment and give Rafa a workable budget. Or Staveley steps up and agrees the deal in time to stick some money up front.
Despite the win yesterday I still think we’re woefully short and without at least a decent striker – preferably two – we could well get relegated. We’re definitely not out the woods yet.
Ron Knee
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:42 PM
Comment #136Liam Twomey
“Conte confirms it will be “impossible” to sell or loan out anyone unless Chelsea replace them in the January market #cfc”
Tsunki
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:43 PM
Comment #137https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/skipper-signs-new-contract
Tsunki
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:45 PM
Comment #138http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/11069626/newcastle-captain-jamaal-lascelles-signs-new-long-term-contract
Tsunki
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:45 PM
Comment #139There you are springy. Just filling in while jib is on lunch break
c-dog
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:48 PM
Comment #140Lascelles is a proper leader
Jib
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:51 PM
Comment #141Tsunki
from memory
The 60+ that died at Ibrox
were on the exit stairs.
They were leaving early
and a late goal was scored
and folk tried to get back
onto the terraces
Tsunki
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:54 PM
Comment #142Better memory than mine jib. Horrible story when you are 9.
Fluffy handcuffs for Amanda
Jan 2, 2018 at 1:57 PM
Comment #143design very similar to the old gallowgate
Jib
Jan 2, 2018 at 2:04 PM
Comment #144http://l7.alamy.com/zooms/b46fe863a789400c984430158c255079/jan-04-1971-where-the-spectators-died-in-saturdays-disaster-at-ibrox-e0yp4c.jpg
Belfast
Jan 2, 2018 at 2:04 PM
Comment #145Nezza
I think Corzola is finished by all accounts mate. Nine ankle surgeries in fifteen months or something. I think he was close to losing his foot to a really bad infection at one point.
Shadow_Shearer
Jan 2, 2018 at 2:05 PM
Comment #146Need to give credit to murphy and the rest of the lads. But a quick point i wanna make is stoke were so poor yesterday, if they were playing any team with good strikers it would have been roughly 5-0.
Stoke made us look good. They gave us to much respect and didnt apply any pressure. We couldn’t even pull of that performance against brighton.
But credit to our players for taking advantage, but games wont always be this easy.
jazzyp
Jan 2, 2018 at 2:08 PM
Comment #147Kennedy deal off.
Conte just said it’s impossible to sanction any loan or sales unless somebody brought in to replace them.
Thump
Jan 2, 2018 at 2:09 PM
Comment #148@Bobby: the only people who hear level 7, are those on level 4. Not a place to create an atmosphere at all – sound travels straight over the east stand and the Gallowgate.
Realistically you’d want a singing section in all four of the stands, but the slap back makes it an absolute nightmare to organise (see: Strawberry Corner vs. Gallowgate – by the time one group starts, there’s a couple seconds of delay before the other group starts)
Well behind safe standing though. Atmosphere is always better when you’re not bollocked for getting up out of your seat.
Nufc 4ever
Jan 2, 2018 at 2:09 PM
Comment #149I think in my opinion Ritchie top notch Championship player but not premiership. His dead ball kicks are there but only got 3 goals in a season for Bournemouth in premier. He is like a lot of players we have not up to premier. But they have gave Rafa everythimg. I will never boo or call players who give there all unlike Shakiri yesterday InRaga we trust
martoon
Jan 2, 2018 at 2:27 PM
Comment #150toonincheek @134 – I was thinking exactly the same myself but it could be a lot of voters have not actually watched the game yet. I watched the whole game and thought it was Diame’s best ever game for us – he was immense for us in midfield.