Rafa Benitez had just named his side for the vital home game this afternoon against Southampton.
And for the first time in a long time we got the team right and indeed Jonjo Shelvey is back in the team for Mikel Merino.
It looks like Rafa will play 4-4-2 with Perez and Gayle both up front as we try to get some goals to improve our goal difference.
Matt Ritchie returns to side too.
We really need a win today.
TEAM NEWS: Here’s how Newcastle United will line up against @SouthamptonFC in the @premierleague today.
Rafa Benítez has named the same that that beat Manchester United last time out at St. James’ Park. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/hgoiZTEXih
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) March 10, 2018
Rafa Benitez – Newcastle manager
This is what Rafa has said about the Southampton game:
“Every game is important for us. This one against Southampton is the most important because it’s the next one. Every game is a final now.”
“Against a team that’s close to us, we must be sure that we try our best to get three points. We will realize where we are in April or May, there are a lot of games to play.”
“When you play against a top side, the difference is massive. Everything has to be perfect. Against other teams, you can make mistakes and still win.”
“My message is always clear – fans being fantastic for the team. For the players, just be sure that we give the fans something to support. If you take your chances, everything is different.”
“We (Rafa and former assistant Mauricio Pellegrino) have a good relationship. He knows me really well, I know him really well. It will be difficult to do something that the other one is not expecting.”
7 in 10 Newcastle fans think we will win the game this afternoon.
We must win this game!
258 comments so far
JP...from The Rock
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:02 PM
Comment #41Ohhh yesss well done Kenedy!!
manxpie
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:03 PM
Comment #42Shelvey vision again brilliant
Hail Wor Ashley
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:03 PM
Comment #43WOOOOOOOO!!
Mega start!
Looked right up for it. Perez won it back 2 or 3 times already high up the pitch, good advantage by ref and Shelevey lifts it over for Gayle who held his nerve after an iffy touch.
Jib
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:03 PM
Comment #44I think Ayoze has used the whole chip-pan on his heid
ilovetoon8788
Kenedy has been woeful
ha ha ha
Hail Wor Ashley
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:03 PM
Comment #45Kenedy rather!
davetoon
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:03 PM
Comment #46Dream start
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:04 PM
Comment #47Can’t believe it the stream buffered as we scored.
davetoon
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:05 PM
Comment #48Shelvey on fire. Shame about Gayles first touch
Hail Wor Ashley
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:06 PM
Comment #49Gayle fluffs his chance, that should be basic for him. Another great ball by Shelvey.
manxpie
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:06 PM
Comment #50Terrible touch from gayle from another great shelvey ball they’re the chances we need to take
AncientC
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:06 PM
Comment #51Lovely control on the chest. That was Bergkamp like.
Nufc-83
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:06 PM
Comment #52Shelvey outstanding!!
JP...from The Rock
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:06 PM
Comment #53Oh come on Gayle, should have done better. We can’t let them get back into this. We need to finish them off and win comfortably for a change.
Come on!
HWTL!
davetoon
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:07 PM
Comment #54This high line they are playing is perfect for our counter attacking game
chicousa
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:10 PM
Comment #55Shelvey looks healthy and up for this match!
West Lancs Geordie
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:11 PM
Comment #56Thanks for the Links Boys – Appreciate it!
manxpie
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:12 PM
Comment #57Swansea down to 10 already
Munster Mag
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:13 PM
Comment #58Come on the mags!!
Hail Wor Ashley
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:14 PM
Comment #59Gayle did well there as we were getting hemmed in.
davetoon
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:14 PM
Comment #60@manx Hopefully they hold on for a draw and we can move above both of them
JP...from The Rock
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:14 PM
Comment #61We’re playing too deep here. Need to push up and not invite unnecessary pressure.
manxpie
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:15 PM
Comment #62Pretty much their best player too
Munster Mag
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:16 PM
Comment #63Rafa please don’t do the “sit back compact crap
manxpie
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:16 PM
Comment #64Who’ll miss 4 games now as its his second i think
AncientC
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:22 PM
Comment #65I have never understood why people claim Ritchie is slow. He is flying around the pitch with pace here.
Hail Wor Ashley
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:22 PM
Comment #66Perez is piss weak.
manxpie
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:26 PM
Comment #67Should have let perez take that
Canadian Mag
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:26 PM
Comment #68That’s poor from our supposed striker
Hail Wor Ashley
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:26 PM
Comment #69FFS!
Gayle and Perez talk to each other!
Massive waste. That’s 2 golden chances for Gayle now. Diame winning it back well high up created it.
manxpie
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:27 PM
Comment #70Great from diame tho
davetoon
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:27 PM
Comment #71Couple of good chances for Gayle now
Uncertain Toon
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:27 PM
Comment #72Gayle’s conversion rate can’t be too clever like!
Hail Wor Ashley
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:28 PM
Comment #73Not worried yet, but the amount of times we’ve squandered a 1 goal lead after missing chances is beginning to come to mind.
AncientC
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:29 PM
Comment #74Southampton are woeful. Gotta punish them while the going is good. They won’t come out in the 2nd half playing like that.
chicousa
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:29 PM
Comment #75Kenedy 2nd!!!
davetoon
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:29 PM
Comment #76GETTR INNN Great team goal
manxpie
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:29 PM
Comment #77Kenedy again get in
Dagwoodz
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:30 PM
Comment #78GET IN KENNNNNNEDYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
Canadian Mag
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:30 PM
Comment #79Keneddddddyyyyyyy
davetoon
Mar 10, 2018 at 3:30 PM
Comment #80Hope they pay you out double Micky!!