Newcastle got back to business last night, and with an outstanding defensive display in which Dubravka and Fernandez were outstanding we picked up a valuable point at Goodison Park.
And right at the end with two minutes of regular time to play Christian Atsu was straight through on goal but was denied by a good save from Pickford, the former Sunderland goalkeeper.
The defense is Newcastle’s strength, and they had an off day (in the second half) against West Ham on Saturday.
But the lads were back in form last night – a dogged and courageous display against the odds.
Marco Silva and Rafa Benitez on the touchline last night
But Fabian Schar picked up a late yellow card – his 5th of the season – and he will miss the game at home to Wolves on Sunday.
Wolves beat Chelsea 2-1 last night at Molineux.
Paul Dummett could return on Sunday, and Rafa was asked about the situation:
“In terms of center-backs we have Jamaal Lascelles who was coming back.”
“We still have Ciaran Clark, maybe the worst for us is left-back.
“We don’t have another left-footed player to play there. “The worst for us is when a player is doing really well and he cannot play.””
“To be fair, Atsu did a great job, the same with Jacob, they did really well,”
“It is always good to have a very good goalkeeper,” “He is doing a great job for us, a very good professional.”
“If he is busy, he can do like today – some good saves.”
It was an excellent away point last night, and it was the 7th away from home this season.
We didn’t expect anything from last night, so a fighting draw was what the fans and the players really needed.
Rafa and the lads will go all out for a win on Sunday afternoon at St. James’ Park in the 4:00 pm kickoff game.
We need a win in that game, and we could get one too.
The Magpie Group have sensibly postponed their planned protests against the owner until February and hope the club will be sold by then.
We all have to hope Ashley will sell the club as soon as possible – and then we can celebrate.
Maybe we can get a full house for Sunday’s game?
Comments welcome.
20 comments so far
DubaiMicky
Dec 6, 2018 at 8:55 AM
Comment #1Magpie Group have cancelled all action until the end of January – they must listen to Jib.
simon376
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:02 AM
Comment #2Thanks Rob
Let’s just hope we get some good news again today on the take over front
simon376
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:06 AM
Comment #3Micky
Think that is a sensible idea, really don’t see how it’s going to make Ashley do anything different. As I keep saying got to do something I just don’t think the inside the ground stuff when he already has the cash will work. Let’s just hope something on the takeover front happens very soon and we won’t have to worry anymore
Any more news from your side? Well that’s if you can say anything within being shot down by some on here or breaking confidence?
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:08 AM
Comment #4Cant believe they have once afghan let FatAsh off the hook. A boycott would keep the pressure on – once again the PR machine works against the gullible. More than happy to admit I was wrong if the sales does go through – but I bet those now cancelling the boycott swallow the guff from FatAsh when nothing materialises.
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:09 AM
Comment #5afghan = again
Jib
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:11 AM
Comment #6Micky I believe the Saudi group were the front-runners
until the dumb bastards murdered one of their own
dissident citizens in Turkey
DubaiMicky
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:13 AM
Comment #7simon 376, I live in the Middle East (not far from Iran) – I’m used to getting shot down 😉
Thing is with TMG, if ashley thinks the storm is over, wait and see what happens if he fails to sell this time, in the (kinda) words of Bachman Turner Overdrive “He ain’t seen nothin’ yet”.
As I said yesterday, there’s a couple of rumours of groups/individuals with wealth funds here one has a bit more traction than the other, providing we’re rid of ashley i don’t much care.
Jib
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:14 AM
Comment #8BlacknWhiteBarmy
A boycott would keep the pressure on
on what exactly
Rafa
The players
A potential buyer
talk sense man
one fine day
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:14 AM
Comment #9Jib
Would ask you your thoughts on the bohemian rhapsody movie but maybe I have used up my weekly blog quota of non football related contributions ?:)
DubaiMicky
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:16 AM
Comment #10Wor Hyem 1892 have followed The Mag and also publicly stated they are withdrawing support from TMG.
Isn’t it great being United.
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:20 AM
Comment #11Jib – sorry for not following the party line – I thought free speech was still ok.
I take it you will be there on Sunday – cheering on the team not the regime ….. YAWN
Jib
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:23 AM
Comment #12one fine day
Fcuk ’em
As you watch it you know a lot of it
is nonsense but it still gets you , it’s
so well made .
A bit like the (superb) SBR movie
not a dry eye in the house at the end
Jib
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:24 AM
Comment #13BlacknWhiteBarmy
It’s you following a part line – you plug
Jib
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:25 AM
Comment #14party even
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:29 AM
Comment #15You look really stupid when you put a typo in a put down!
Mag52
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:31 AM
Comment #16Blacknwhite.
The TMG has made its point and rightly now called off its action to see whether or not Ashley is really listening.
Boycotts can be resumed at pretty short notice if need be. Sales of a club, if indeed there is one in progress, aren’t helped by that sort of obvious discontent in the club, and we wouldn’t want to give Ashley any excuse for why the sale didn’t go through, would we.
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:35 AM
Comment #17Mag
Trouble is we all know Ashley is a liar and probably doing this to manipulate the fans
Geordie-john
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:48 AM
Comment #18Hang on , Reports now saying that Cashley doesn’t think that whatshisname doesn’t have the funds. This is starting to sound fami LIAR again.
On the Almiron report that the deal is almost done, That’ll be LOAN deal no doubt with the chance to back out or complain that much about the price tag that we will lose out again.
Need to go back to bed I feel like I’ve got the wrong side this morning after reading this shite again.
Geordie-john
Dec 6, 2018 at 9:53 AM
Comment #19Welcome to the 2018 version of Mike Ashleys smoke screen for the January transfer window.
one fine day
Dec 6, 2018 at 10:02 AM
Comment #20Jib
Yeah
Was same reviews were not great other than the lad in the lead roll but just the sense of what they were doing music wise does draw you in.
As for the SBR movie had lad here in Aus all watch it ..zero connection to north East and all were blown away at how a geniene nice guy achieved so much