The Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is again hoping the Newcastle crowd can support the lads tomorrow and create a great atmosphere at St. James’ Park.
We have one of the best grounds in the country and the best fans in England, so the fact that we haven’t won a game since back on October 21st against Crystal Palace is shocking.
It’s also a significant reason we are now just one point above the drop zone.
Rafa has been training hard with the players this week, and we could see all three loan players – winger Kenedy, striker Slimani, and goalkeeper Dubravka start this game.
Mr. Benitez knows what the atmosphere has been like at Newcastle in days gone by.
Rafa Benitez – wants a good atmosphere tomorrow at St. James’ Park
This is what Rafa has said in a lengthy interview, as reported in the Chronicle today:
“Hopefully it will be like that again.” “If we can create this type of pressure from the beginning and have an atmosphere it has to be a positive for us.”
“The only thing is we have to be sure we don’t lose our heads because we are too open because they will punish you on the counter-attack.”
“But if we can keep the atmosphere hot it will create pressure for them.”
“We want to be on top of them and be on the front-foot from the beginning that will be fantastic.”
“We have seen our team playing against the top sides like Chelsea and Manchester United, scoring early and before them.”
“We have been competing but not having enough to hold on to the result.” “So we have to learn to do that.”
“If we start with a high tempo, push, and score a goal we need to keep doing it.”
“People think when we score a goal we are then defending, no we are not defending – it is the opponents who then come at us and attack.”
“If we try to continue going forward in the same way you scored the opening goal it will be hard and Crystal Palace last weekend is a great example.”
“We scored, then they changed Wilfried Zaha to the left and put James McArthur in the middle.” “That meant we had more problems to manage.”
“They sent their full-backs forward and they were attacking us even more so we had to defend.”
For us, it’s always the same – if we can control the game and attack we will do it.” “But if we can’t we have to control the game in another way.”
“It’s easier to be strong in defense than be too open in attack because when you are too open against a team like Man United who have so much pace they can kill you in games.”
“The other day against Huddersfield when Pogba came on the pitch and made a pass that led to a penalty which made it 2-0 for them.”
“After that, it was all about Rashford and Martial who made the difference with the pace that they have.”
“It’s easy to analyze the stats.” “The reality though is that every game is different so it’s not the same as playing Newcastle United as three years ago.”
“You can put the stats the way you want, but there’s nothing you can do now because of stats from the past.”
“We’re playing against a top side, who are second and have just signed Alexis Sanchez in the transfer window.”
“They’re very strong but we have to manage the atmosphere and the anxiety.”
The game will be tough for us – but we have to start winning some of the three home games left against top-six opposition; maybe we can do that tomorrow?
Comments welcome.
96 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Feb 11, 2018 at 7:41 AM
Comment #81Jespers blog record:
2015-2016 – 274 posts – 1 relevant post
2016-2017 – 0 posts – 0 relevant posts
2017-2018 – 230 posts – 0 relevant posts
sing in the corner
Feb 11, 2018 at 7:50 AM
Comment #82I would be astounded if Rafa sets us up to go at Man U from the start,despite what he has hinted at.
Doing that we could get an early goal, but also could be 2 nil down early on. One thing Jose is good at is getting ahead in a game then stifling the opposition.
I think it’s most likely going to be a familiar tactic today. Stay in the game first 45, try to gain some control. We should be able to have more chance of doing this against Utd than, say, A Man City.
sing in the corner
Feb 11, 2018 at 7:55 AM
Comment #83Going at teams from the start is good for the home crowd’s nerves. But Man U outgun us hugely in midfield and attack. We have to try to hold them, they want us to come forward and leave the spaces for Sanchez, Pogba etc etc
Just my opinion.. I am aware it’s not what we want to face, but all out attack will be suicide.
Howay the lads!
OneAlanShearer
Feb 11, 2018 at 8:03 AM
Comment #84Yep we have to keep it tight and close down and fight for everything. Hope to pinch something on the break or from a set piece. Playing an attacking game would fall right into their hands and see our go difference badly dented.
I’m just hoping the lads are all over them. We have 2 weeks before we play Bournemouth. Leave it all out there on the pitch. I’d take a draw now and I’d love a win but expect to lose against them.
Jib
Feb 11, 2018 at 8:04 AM
Comment #85I see Jail has this stat malarkey nailed
🙂
OneAlanShearer
Feb 11, 2018 at 8:09 AM
Comment #86We need to keep Sanchez quiet and leave no gaps.
I’d start Dubravka as his distribution will be vital on the break.
I’d start this line up
Dubravka
Yedlin Lascelles lejeune dummett
Murphy Shelvey diame merino Kenedy
Slimani
If Clark is fit start him instead of Lejeune.
Jib
Feb 11, 2018 at 8:10 AM
Comment #87I watched the N London derby yesterday
After so many years how can Wenger be so stupid
The other week he accused Mike Dean of bias and
being a cheat.
Now
The Gooners don’t get the lickings of a dog off of match officials !!
sing in the corner
Feb 11, 2018 at 8:11 AM
Comment #88OneAlan
There’s nothing I would love more than seeing us take apart Man U, Jamaal striding forward and chipping De Gea from miles out. 5.0 happy days and so on.
However, in reality, the circumstances we are in right now the last thing we need is a heavy defeat. The team are lacking confidence and could do without 60 minutes of Man U away fans gloating at full volume.
It’s Rafa percentages today, best chance of points. Crowd to stay with the team through a battling performance.
GPPaweyyekna
Feb 11, 2018 at 8:12 AM
Comment #89Picked up my mood this morning and feeling bold. Going for a draw with Man U to come out the blocks and winning by 2-0 into the second half and Slimani makes his debut scoring – 2-2
Jib
Feb 11, 2018 at 8:14 AM
Comment #90Talking of the N London derby
Hopefully Yedlin has been studying vids of this game last Spring
http://www.squawka.com/news/spurs-keiran-trippier-hailed-for-marking-alexis-sanchez-out-of-north-london-derby/942746#iygPkTiOEicyATee.97
Jib
Feb 11, 2018 at 8:23 AM
Comment #91The last time Craig Pawson reffed at SJP
was a Sunday
01/October/2017
We drew with Liverpool 1 – 1
and a certain Ms Staveley was in the stands.
ShirebrookToon
Feb 11, 2018 at 8:37 AM
Comment #92I’ll be looking forward to Diame clattering Sanchez today.
That’s if Diame is ok to play of course.
ShirebrookToon
Feb 11, 2018 at 8:39 AM
Comment #93Mo, Mo
Mo, Mo, Mo, Mo
Mo, Mo, Mo, Mo
Mo, Mo,
Mo Diame!
ShirebrookToon
Feb 11, 2018 at 8:53 AM
Comment #94Bill, Jib
How long till Kick Off lads??
GPPaweyyekna
Feb 11, 2018 at 9:04 AM
Comment #95Slimani Presser I like the interpreters slight Geordie twang. He’ scores plenty goals with his head, strong holds the ball up well and he can finish. Let’s hope he can handle the arena.
GPPaweyyekna
Feb 11, 2018 at 9:05 AM
Comment #96Slimani Presser