The Newcastle U23 side overwhelmed Sunderland 5-0 at St. James’ Park last night in a terrific display.
With Sunderland now in League One, this is the highest level of a Tyne-Wear derby, and it certainly got a lot of coverage in the local Newcastle press.
One player who had an excellent game and looked a cut above the others in the Reserves was local lad Jamie Sterry.
He was disappointed he was even in the squad for Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Cardiff where Javier Manquillo deputized for the injured DeAndre Yedlin, and then midfielder Isaac Hayden replaced Manquillo in the second half.
Jamie Sterry – had excellent game last night
Jamie reacted to his disappointment in the right way and let his play last night do the talking.
This is what he said on the Newcastle website after the game last night:
“For me, it was good to play. I want an opportunity to play in the first team and all I can do is give my all.”
“I feel like I’m good enough and last weekend I felt like I could have had a chance, so it was a bit disappointing.”
“But you’ve got to keep your mental strength really high and try to be positive about it.”
“All I can do is give 100%, and I asked to play in the game because I want to play football and show everyone what I can do.”
“I’ve got a great family around me, great friends and girlfriend, so they help me to be positive about everything and tonight I feel like I gave a good account of myself.”
“It was great seeing a lot of the lads getting a taste of playing at St. James’ Park, which is the best feeling in the world, and I thought we did really well.”
“We put on a good show and showed people what we can do. If you start well in a game, get an early goal, you can kick on and it makes everything more relaxed.”
“Everyone was psyched up but you have to not let the moment beat you. You’ve just got to focus and do your job.”
“All the lads coped really well tonight; before the game, everyone was buzzing, a couple of them were a bit nervous because some of them probably hadn’t played in front of so many people.”
“But I thought everyone was really good.”
In the last couple of seasons, Jamie’s been on loan at Coventry City and Crewe Alexandra, and he may be loaned out again this season.
But the lad wants to stay in the Newcastle first team squad and fight for a place in the first team.
He made his debut late in the game when we hammered Spurs 5-1 at St. James Park two years ago – after we had been relegated – when he came on for Moussa Sissoko.
Jamie has played 4 times for the Newcastle first team and a combined 29 games on loan at Coventry and Crew.
The next two years are vital if Jamie wants to stay at Newcastle and break through into the Newcastle first team – his current contract runs out in June 2020.
Given Manquillo’s poor performance on Saturday Rafa may keep Jamie with the first team squad at least through the end of the year.
We expect reinforcements to be brought in during the January transfer window.
That’s the hope in any case.
Comments welcome.
154 comments so far
Moonraker15
Aug 21, 2018 at 9:06 PM
Comment #121ToonKK
Rafa ALWAYS sets up not to lose you must know that by now whoever we’re playing! And we didn’t ! Under previous managers we would’ve lost that game and as I said earlier, only a missed penalty denied us the win! I agree we were awful and I squirmed and shouted abuse throughout at the tv but I think Rafa has usually got them playing above themselves and they can’t overachieve every week!
Optimistic Panda
Aug 21, 2018 at 9:10 PM
Comment #122I’ve just read that joselu did a pole on Twitter, was Arters challenge a red or yellow 82% red.
Just a fan
Aug 21, 2018 at 9:11 PM
Comment #123The thong thing is a bit boring not even funny
Just a fan
Aug 21, 2018 at 9:12 PM
Comment #124As is the lady wrestlers
ronaldo aarons
Aug 21, 2018 at 9:14 PM
Comment #125So it seems Rafa can have ‘every penny generated’ but he certainly ain’t getting any of that bitcoin. Proper snake that Ashley. As for the pennies, that was just a joke, you ain’t getting anything Rafa. So when you signing the contract?
Just a fan
Aug 21, 2018 at 9:20 PM
Comment #126The rumour was Gerard never went to Chelsea was because of the bad guys in liverpool.no idea if it was true.
Nicky the ball tosser
Aug 21, 2018 at 9:36 PM
Comment #127Muto is much more a direct replacement for Gayle to my mind, rather than direct competition for Ayoze. Both Muto and Gayle play off the shoulder of the last man and in behind and run the channels more than between the lines of the oppositions defence and midfield like Perez. Don’t see us playing Muto and Rondon in tandem too often. It’ll be Rondon up top, Perez behind with Muto off the bench, and Muto pushing for a start anywhere among a front two if Rafa does change it, but more likely somewhere in a front three.
Perez is our only proper withdrawn second striker, a bit like Pedro in where he operates best, and that is how Rafa has most often preferred to set us up. He might lose his spot due to an extended run of poor form, or if the team is struggling for a worrying length of time and Rafa feels he needs to change the formation, but right now he’ll be among the first names on his teamsheet.
Muto right now is plan B off the bench to play off the last man, get in behind against tired legs and run the channels, and try and nick a goal. Perez has the starting shirt, and probably a quite secure hold on it as things stand.
toon kk
Aug 21, 2018 at 9:49 PM
Comment #128Moonraker
Fair comment I can’t disagree with you, but we were playing Cardiff and never really looked like scoring or as if we wanted to score. I know the sending off didn’t help.
Anyway hopefully we will preform better in our next game.
Nicky the ball tosser
Aug 21, 2018 at 9:54 PM
Comment #129Rafa sends us out to gain maximum points over the course of a season. Not inflexible, not defensive, but appropriately in regards to our own strength and the oppositions, or at least that’s what I think he tries to do. If he had a top-six side he’d set them up a little differently and play with more abandon against lesser sides, and more cautiously v the other senior sides. He’s tactically very aware. If he played a more expansive game with us right now, I’m sure it would cost us points.
Moonraker15
Aug 21, 2018 at 9:58 PM
Comment #130Catchy
With great respect you spout a load of bullshit on this blog. You ain’t got a clue on so many levels.
#rafagoeswego
Moonraker15
Aug 21, 2018 at 10:00 PM
Comment #131ToonKK
I think (and hope) we get a performance v Chelsea although it will be tougher than last season!
jane
Aug 21, 2018 at 10:34 PM
Comment #132“Rafa sends us out to gain maximum points over the course of a season.”
give an example i suspect Rafa brought on Hayden in both matches not because he was the best player in the situation but to encourage him because over the course of the season that will be more beneficial than gaining a slight edge in those matches with better substitutions.
jane
Aug 21, 2018 at 11:00 PM
Comment #133“So when you signing the contract?”
before the end of the season is my guess. he doesn’t need to hurry.
jane
Aug 21, 2018 at 11:13 PM
Comment #134March or April
Nicky the ball tosser
Aug 21, 2018 at 11:16 PM
Comment #135Yeah, there certainly is still time and the wriggle room for the club to secure his signature. It being so imperative they do will also drive forward the process.
Online Guy
Aug 21, 2018 at 11:35 PM
Comment #136G2
Thanks for your kind comments .
And thanks for your creativity . Always brightens the place up .
RUNAWAY777
Aug 21, 2018 at 11:39 PM
Comment #137Just watching the toon v Chelsea from 29.12.01 Garry speed was some player back then and wor bobby on the side line good old day on chelsea tv
Online Guy
Aug 21, 2018 at 11:46 PM
Comment #138Who is the Guy , Newcastle Fan who was interviewed by Pete Gravesend on Skype Sports who was supposedly representing the if Rafa goes we go group . ..There’s a few vids of him on
You tube ,( appropriate for him , You tube ! ) spouting shite and effing and blinding …
If you read this blog mate that’s not the way to do it .. Your an embarrassment to Newcastle Fans.
I appreciate what you are striving for but no one is going to listen to a Radgee Gadgee in a fkg baseball cap with a stupid earing.
You don’t represent me . Sort your arse out.
Online Guy
Aug 21, 2018 at 11:47 PM
Comment #139Peter Graves.
Sky Sports.
dig-n-dig22
Aug 21, 2018 at 11:59 PM
Comment #140Diame hasn’t dominated the midfield like he did last season when we played well, he gave the defence a lot of protection and helped create space for Shelvey . Think we were lucky Cardiff didn’t have a bit more quality. If Dieme can’t get some sort of control against Chelsea then we will struggle,Ritchie will have to double up on Hazard down our right flank because that’s where the action will be, Perez has slotted into his comfort zone again and offers zilch but you can guarantee he will start on Sunday.
Online Guy
Aug 22, 2018 at 12:05 AM
Comment #141Trying to make myself feel better after loosing 2 points against Cardiff , thinking if we had gained a point at old Trafford with ten men we would have been rejoicing , it’s just because it’s Cardiff City we have a downer on it.
A point is a point isint it ? . No matter the name of the opposition .
toon kk
Aug 22, 2018 at 12:21 AM
Comment #142Online
Your right a point is a point, its be we know we have a average side although better than some including Cardiff a game we should be winning. There is tougher opposition to come, I can accept a loss every so often as long as we give our all.
GeordieTwo
Aug 22, 2018 at 12:24 AM
Comment #143We’re in a very strange place. We finished last season comfortably midtable, we have a terrific manager and we should be aiming up the table. But we have the same horrific owner, we didn’t spend anywhere near enough in the window and we already have seen the results of that, which is a weak squad and a difficult time beating even a terrible team. Which way will it go this season? Right now I feel it’s anyone’s guess.
GeordieTwo
Aug 22, 2018 at 12:27 AM
Comment #144No, thanks for your kind comments Online Guy…
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 22, 2018 at 12:48 AM
Comment #145Lesh
Did you read the DT article, regardless of it’s source it made a lot of sense to me. But I never take anything at face value and don’t believe everything I read from any source.
So your criticism may well be valid, I doubt that neither you nor I know what is really happening in the world, we can only assess things on what information we get from any of the media sources.
No I don’t see Brexit as a joke, it’s going to affect generations beyond us.
So have as many digs at me as you want it doesn’t alter how I feel about being a member of a club ran by faceless bureaucrats and overpaid civil servants under the aegis of one dominant country that’s pulling all of the strings.
Oh and 🙂
toon kk
Aug 22, 2018 at 12:50 AM
Comment #146G2@142
Exactly where do we go.
I know any team can have a off day, my concern is Rafa’s subs timing and sticking with Joselu who offers Fk All and Perez who’s often invisible.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 22, 2018 at 12:51 AM
Comment #147dig-n-dig, don’t worry about Diame, his twin brother is back from his hols so you will see a 100% improvement next game.
dig-n-dig22
Aug 22, 2018 at 1:07 AM
Comment #148Nicky 134
So what’s Rafa going to do, Withhold signing a new contract until Ashley agrees spend some money on quality players like Rafa was expecting during the last window, or has it not sunk in yet that the F@T TW@T has totally owned Rata ever since it became obvious we were headed back to the Prem. Rafa had all the ammo the needed to demand the backing to take the club forward like Ashley promised after a well earned 10th place finish, instead, Rafa has buckled and caved in instead of growing a pair and meeting Ashley face on. I don’t think Ashley will be bothered either way if Rafa signs a new contract or not because Ashley has won the battle of will’s and is in control and will be doing all the dictating. Rafa has only himself to blame he has made a rod for his own back.
lesh
Aug 22, 2018 at 2:09 AM
Comment #149Essex
😉
chicousa
Aug 22, 2018 at 6:20 AM
Comment #150The graveyard shift has clocked in and wants to send message to GeordieTwo: let your freak thong fly high, brother!!! Keep on rockin’ the thong!
The overrated Frenchman
Aug 22, 2018 at 6:42 AM
Comment #151I agree chicousa. I don’t really “get” Geordie Two’s humour, but I enjoy the fact that it obviously irritates some of the more unpleasant posters on the blog.
Optimistic Panda
Aug 22, 2018 at 6:44 AM
Comment #152https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/whys-mike-ashley-still-here-15056618
Worth a look from Micky Quinn
lochinvar
Aug 22, 2018 at 7:53 AM
Comment #153R.I.P. Robbie Rotten of Lazy Town.
lesh
Aug 22, 2018 at 8:26 AM
Comment #154Essex
……… ‘it doesn’t alter how I feel about being a member of a club ran by faceless bureaucrats and overpaid civil servants under the aegis of one dominant country that’s pulling all of the strings’
So you’re a remainer eh? 🙂