NBC Sports reported before the game today at St. James’ Park they were hearing rumors that Rafa Benitez and captain Jamaal Lascelles had a fall-out in training this week,
The news is Rafa wanted Jamaal to play on the right of a back three for the Chelsea game and Jamaal is reported to have refused.
We assume Rafa would play Federico Fernandez in the middle.
If that’s true then it’s the very last thing we want to happen – problems within the squad – self-inflicted.
Especially between the manager and captain who have both been outstanding over the last two successful seasons.
Rafa Benitez and Jamaal Lascelles in happier times
When you look at it – if the news is true – then Jamaal is at fault because he should play where Rafa wants him to play.
And Rafa seems to have quickly put his foot down and didn’t include Jamaal in the squad for today’s game against Chelsea.
There were even rumors this morning that Jamaal would not be in the squad.
Oh my – now we really need a win today.
Comments welcome.
173 comments so far
jane
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:15 PM
Comment #1“NBC Sports reported before the game today they were hearing rumors that Rafa Benitez and captain Jamaal Lascelles had a fall-out in training this week,”
strange that if this happened on Thursday it only surfaces when the team was announced.
jane
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:16 PM
Comment #2keeping Chelsea quiet so far.
Fulham 1 Burnley 1 after 10 mins
The next Mike Williamson
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:27 PM
Comment #3Footballers argue jane. Not always serious
Toon Tang
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:29 PM
Comment #4I wouldn’t wanna get into a running race with yedlin for the last custard slice
Hail Wor Ashley
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:30 PM
Comment #5Wicked cross from Dummett.
Bit more like it.
No shots on target for either side yet.
Yedlin’s recovery pace stymied that attack there, was 2 on 2 for a moment.
Chancel My MBembaship
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:30 PM
Comment #6Fantastic run by Yedlin on the outside of Rondón there. That’s what we need to see. On the Chelsea front, even if Hazard can’t continue with that niggle, they have Willian and Loftus-Cheek on the bench. Scary.
Sliema
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:31 PM
Comment #7Well I guess it’s to plan so far. Just got to shift our line up when we have the ball and take our time a tad.
I can see us nicking one on the counter though if we can hold them out long enough.
jane
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:32 PM
Comment #8no lack of effort
Munster Mag
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:37 PM
Comment #9Ksy looking like neither a defender nor a creative player
Hail Wor Ashley
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:37 PM
Comment #10God save from Dubs, down early makes it look comfy.
Bit more open now. Not sure it’s what we want, but need to pose a threat.
RUNAWAY777
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:38 PM
Comment #11Mitro makes it 2.1 fulham
Our Toon
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:39 PM
Comment #12Mitro make it 3-1, double for the serb
Canuck Mag
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:39 PM
Comment #132 headers in 2 mins for mitro
Sliema
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:39 PM
Comment #14Forget about Mitro already 😛
RUNAWAY777
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:40 PM
Comment #15Mitro makes it 3.1 2 for him ffs
Hail Wor Ashley
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:40 PM
Comment #16Mitro at the double for Fulham 🙁
Howay Rondon, get 1 from this freekick.
RUNAWAY777
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:41 PM
Comment #17Why should i forget him he was never giving a chance he’llcome back to get us belive me
Canuck Mag
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:42 PM
Comment #18Wow 5 goals in Burnley Fulham. Neutrals chose poorly if they are watching us
Hail Wor Ashley
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:43 PM
Comment #19Ki not committed to that, could’ve got there first and taken a clattering for a penalty.
Good deliveries from corners to the back stick, nobody positioned for the nod back across though on both occasions.
Sliema
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:43 PM
Comment #20It was a joke mate relax… Plus I disagree. 😛
RUNAWAY777
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:44 PM
Comment #21If true about Lascelles he’ll be gone in the jan transfer window teams falling part lads time will tell if its true or not.
Sliema
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:45 PM
Comment #22Chelsea look really dodgy defending set pieces.
catchy in norway
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:45 PM
Comment #23can anyone get there head around how we are crying out for a striker, he deemed Mitro not good enough, then sold him for the bargain price of 22 million.
ctommo
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:46 PM
Comment #24good for Mitro, let’s hope that game ends a draw though.
Personally I like what Rondon has done so far, plenty of effort in what must seem an impossible job up there by himself. Need to see a bit more from Ki on the ball, hopefully he can bring Murphy into the game too
Hail Wor Ashley
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:47 PM
Comment #25Dummett teeing it up for Pedro there unbeknownst to him. Somebody should’ve give him a shout.
davetoon
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:48 PM
Comment #26Would be alright if we actually spent the Mitro money
Sliema
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:48 PM
Comment #27Davetoon
Story of our decade
Our Toon
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:48 PM
Comment #28This has been shocking to watch, really disappointed by our tactics for a home game. Hopefully we actually attempt to be an attacking threat rather than hoping to pinch a goal.
Last season we were more attacking against Chelsea and fully deserved the win
RUNAWAY777
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:49 PM
Comment #29Sliema it just pissing me off that we sell a player who i knew would come good with a run in a team not as a sub or 1 game in ten and a manger that belive in him thats the difference bro
Hail Wor Ashley
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:49 PM
Comment #30A very boring game, just as Rafa would want it I think short of us pinching one.
They seem intent on trying to hypnotically pass us into a lapse in concentration in search for the perfect chance.
Muto and Perez 2 high-energy opportunists on the bench if it’s still the same with 30-20 left.
jimiley
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:52 PM
Comment #31You are finished at the Toon if you fall out with Benitez. Does he hold a grudge. You better believe it.
lesh
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:54 PM
Comment #32Ed
Hail Wor Ashley
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:55 PM
Comment #33Edd
DaveD1000
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:55 PM
Comment #34Chelsea possession coming to nothing.
The Right Murphy doing good.
Rondon and yedders link could grow.
For a team who have no JohnJo or Capt Marvel and a bunch of new guys we are doing ok.
Mister Tuff
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:55 PM
Comment #35Cannot keep chasing the ball surely – they’ll crack eventually. Must be knackered.
Team = sporadically 1 or 2 forward – no midfield – packed defence.
Lindisfarne
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:56 PM
Comment #36What an enthralling edge of the seat game, we look likely to conceed but have also had chances at the other end.
Mister Tuff
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:57 PM
Comment #37Squad does look a bit threadbare. Do not like the rumours of a bust up between Rafa and Lascelles.
Pottsclock
Aug 26, 2018 at 4:58 PM
Comment #38I cannot honestly believe that Lascelles would refuse to play in a back three. I can imagine, though, that he would argue if not selected because Rafa wants to rest a small injury that Lascelles has. Lascelles as captain and the personality he is would want to play against Chelsea.
Jib
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:00 PM
Comment #39Rafa: “Jammal had an ankle problem and we decided we had enough with what we had. That’s it.”
Moonraker15
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:00 PM
Comment #40If we get to 70 mins we’ll push out, Chelsea will be knackered. Rafa is a genius getting our lads organised like this he really is!
1-0 to us !