Rafa Benitez is expected to make several changes from the side that was easily beaten by Chelsea 3-0 in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
A number of our top players were rested on Sunday and since we are out of the FA Cup again – Rafa can concentrate on getting as many points as possible from our 14 remaining league games.
We need at least 17 points to reach the 40 points mark which usually means safety in the Premier League.
Jamaal Lascelles – will lead the team tonight
This is the team we expect Rafa to field in a 4-4-2 formation.
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles (c) Clark Dummett
Murphy Diame Shelvey (Merino) Atsu (Kenedy)
Joselu Perez
What would your team be for tonight?
Kenedy is expected to start on the bench but he will definitely make his debut tonight – this lad is a natural talent and can make the difference.
Since Mikel Merino wasn’t even in the squad for Sunday’s game, it could be he has been given a rest and Mikel could start as the attacking central midfielder tonight in place of Shelvey.
The defense picks itself and we hope Joselu and Perez up front can cause some problems to the strong Burnley defense.
Burnley have the 4th best defense in the division having conceded only 21 goals in 24 games.
Most fans think we will lose this game tonight – most pundits too – so we have nothing to lose.
With the nonsense that’s happened in the transfer window this month, we need a win to lift the spirits of our fans everywhere.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
262 comments so far
lochinvar
Jan 31, 2018 at 9:41 AM
Comment #1The transfer window in England shuts at 23:00 GMT and at midnight in Scotland.
Does that mean we would still have time to sign Dembele if all else fails ?
lochinvar
Jan 31, 2018 at 9:45 AM
Comment #2Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clark Dummett
Murphy Diame Shelvey Kennedy
Perez
Joselu
Needs to start with Kennedy as he’s more physical that Atsu and would disrupt Burnley’s plans
Jib
Jan 31, 2018 at 9:49 AM
Comment #3Lee Ryder
?
Verified account
@lee_ryder
4 minutes ago
More
Aberdeen have a deal agreed in principle to sign Freddie Woodman on loan. Should Martin Dúbravka pass his medical and agree terms with #nufc
OneAlanShearer
Jan 31, 2018 at 9:50 AM
Comment #4Lochinvar – no.
Jib
Jan 31, 2018 at 9:51 AM
Comment #5Warm and sunny (19c)
Cloudless blue skies slight warm
breeze from Morrocco
Aaaahhh Spain
ShirebrookToon
Jan 31, 2018 at 9:51 AM
Comment #6What time is Dubravkas plane due in
ShirebrookToon
Jan 31, 2018 at 9:52 AM
Comment #7Jib
Lucky barsteward 😎
toon kk
Jan 31, 2018 at 9:53 AM
Comment #8Jeez what a run down club we are, no striker worth jack sht, we haven’t a strong team to put out. Defeats most weekends.
Well done Ash.
Mo Drysdale
Jan 31, 2018 at 9:55 AM
Comment #9Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles, Clark, Dummett, Kenedy
Murphy, Shelvey, Atsu
Merino
Mitro
jimmysmith
Jan 31, 2018 at 9:59 AM
Comment #10………………….Elliot
Yedlin Lascelles Clark Dummett
Murphy Merino Shelvey Kennedy
………..Joselu
……………..Perez
The team I’d like to see start.
Don’t doubt we can beat Burnley if the lads can get the crowd behind them early doors.
Shoulders knees
Jan 31, 2018 at 9:59 AM
Comment #11Morning,
Well here we are again, somethings don’t change, time to put all the rumours to bed, it’s a case of going with what we have and hoping that we don’t lose anyone,
hibbit
Jan 31, 2018 at 9:59 AM
Comment #12toon kk hope these can help
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/contact-us
Reilly
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:01 AM
Comment #13Bryan Swanson
@skysports_bryan
Told Anderlecht agree loan deal with Newcastle for Aleksandar Mitrovic. Bordeaux, Hamburg, Brighton wanted him. He prefers return to Anderlecht.
hibbit
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:04 AM
Comment #14anotherone on the way out !!
https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/newcastle-s-rolando-aarons-in-talks-with-championship-club-over-loan-move-1-8991197
ToonRich
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:04 AM
Comment #15Celtic enquring about Woodman too…could this pave the way for a Dembele bid?
Bianconeri
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:04 AM
Comment #16Dubravka and Slimani in and Woodman to Celtic or Aberdeen on loan.Looks like Raffa laid down the Gauntlet
Reilly
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:09 AM
Comment #17Keith Downie
@SkySports_Keith
We’re told Islam Slimani picked up a thigh injury in training this week that’s set to keep him sidelined for two weeks.
JP...from The Rock
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:12 AM
Comment #18Mitro to go out on loan?? That makes no sense since we are desperate for cash.
toon kk
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:13 AM
Comment #19Hibbitt
Ha ha ha ha!
barkel
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:15 AM
Comment #20JP … optimistic way of looking at it is freeing up space in the squad for a new arrival
toon kk
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:17 AM
Comment #21Aarons is actually a decent player, just needs plenty of game time, but as soon as the lad picks up speed he picks up another injury. Shame for the lad.
Rotonda heights
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:18 AM
Comment #22Why is there no mention whatsoever of Iheanacho?
Wants out, would come on loan, has goals in him, good age if loan made permanent etc, ticks a lot of boxes, but not a word.
Shoulders knees
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:18 AM
Comment #23Maybe I spoke too soon, looks like we may be losing some.
JP...from The Rock
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:19 AM
Comment #24Barkel- with Aarons leaving on loan to Hull and Saivet leaving we have space now.
Yet we are starved for cash and what arrival can we afford without the Mitro cash? No one knows but we all know it can’t be much.
hibbit
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:20 AM
Comment #25toon kk
glad you liked it,
keep ya chin up, we’re all feeling the pain
Bianconeri
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:24 AM
Comment #26@ Rotonda heights it was reported he wanted to stay and fight for his place 🙁
A deal must be close if Mitro is going.A loan will be a good move I think as if he shines and grows up a bit he will be worth more in long run,unless the chuckle brothers have already agreed a loan with option to buy,to you to me
hibbit
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:24 AM
Comment #27JP…from The Rock
if we are to believe the press the only offer we’ve had was £8m from Brighton
he’ got to be worth more than that ??
toon kk
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:25 AM
Comment #28Hibbitt
It’s torture Mate!! and very frustrating!!
ToonRich
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:25 AM
Comment #29Mitro to Anderlecht, maybe…just maybe Rafa fancies asking for Dendonker in that deal!
I’m hoping there was a couple of players travelling late last night or early this morning! Can just imagine 7pm tonight NUFC announce player X due on tyneside but wont make it before the deadline!!
DubaiMicky
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:28 AM
Comment #30Anderlecht agree loan deal with A Mitrovic
(Sky Sports)
Rotonda heights
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:29 AM
Comment #31bianconeri thanks for update, that’s a shame though.
hibbit
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:29 AM
Comment #32toon kk…… for us all
keep the faith !!
Cardiff NUFC
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:32 AM
Comment #33When was the last time we signed someone on deadline day?
JP...from The Rock
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:33 AM
Comment #34Hibbit- Aye worth more than £8m at least £12m but still a loan won’t give us thr cash needed to fund a move for example Slimani whom we’re now allegedly after. They want £20m at least, where we gonna get that from?
For that price there’s quite a few good strikers available. Iheanacho is one I would like to see. Chicharito is another.
What I’m dreading is that we let these players go out but then don’t manage to sign the Striker we crave in time. Clock is ticking and fast.
Bianconeri
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:33 AM
Comment #35Aye Rotonda,he was one I hoped we would get too.
ToonRich
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:33 AM
Comment #36How long would it take to get a work permit for anyone requiring one?
Does the permit need to be in place before a deal is finalised??
jimmygscot
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:34 AM
Comment #37Celtic won’t sell Dembele with Griffiths injured.
IMO Ashley is not impressed with Rafa’s judgement in the transfer market and to be fair we have players on the books who can’t be shifted.
Poor show all round but I don’t expect any movement today.
Shoulders knees
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:38 AM
Comment #38So, just say Mitro, Saivet and Aarons go, all three have appeared this season all be it briefly, we must have someone coming in, we’d be stuffed if we didn’t, it’s almost neglect!
lochinvar
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:40 AM
Comment #39If Mitro is off to Anderlecht then Rafa already has the new striker in his back pocket.
Torres – under the radar, everything else a smoke screen, agreed ages ago, record breaking fee, plays for two seasons, joins Rafa’s management team, sanctioned by PCP, old school big reveal for long suffering fans.
Might even involve a helicopter.
Still 8/1 at bookies
ronaldo aarons
Jan 31, 2018 at 10:41 AM
Comment #40Incoming Czech keeper so woodman goes on loan. This is important because woodman needs games, if he gets upset that he’s not being looked after then in all likelihood he would push for a move away and there would be no shortage of takers.
Mitro out on loan. I prefer that to be honest. Think he’ll have a good World Cup and price will rise. Plus I don’t think Rafa will be here after this season so mitro will be back with us. Selling him now just means, money that will not be used for signings will be used elsewhere, within mash holdings probably lol. We don’t seem to be looking at permanent signings so cash is not important.
Slimani, decent signing but hardly different to mitro other than experience. Liked him at sporting and he’ll do well. Injured for a couple weeks like lol, typical of us.