Rafa gave an injury update this morning, and center-back Ciaran Clark and goalkeeper Karl Darlow are still not fit.
But the manager did pass along some good news – that Jonjo Shelvey is fit again and will be in the squad for tomorrow’s tough game at Watford.
If we are get anything out of this game, we will need to play near our best against a side that are in 10th place with 27 points – 10 points more than we have at the moment.
We’re not sure if Jonjo is fully fit to start the game, but we’ll assume he is.
Fabian Schar should come back into the starting lineup, and Rafa will be keen to get something out of this game.
Fabian Schar – should return tomorrow
Here’s the team Rafa could start tomorrow:
Dubravka
Yedlin Fernandez Schar Dummett
Diame Shelvey (c) (Longstaff)
Ritchie Perez Murphy
Rondon
There are 5 changes to the side that lost 4-0 at Anfield on Boxing Day.
So in comes Fabian Schar for captain Lascelles who has not been at his best lately.
We have started Shelvey but if he cannot make it we’ll guess that Sean Longstaff could get his first ever start for the club after making his debut at Anfield.
Perez comes back in for Muto, and maybe Jacob Murphy could start on the left wing in place of the out-of-form Kenedy.
What team would you field tomorrow afternoon?
Only one in four fans think we can win this game tomorrow.
Comments welcome.
272 comments so far
jazzyp
Dec 28, 2018 at 4:41 PM
Comment #153% voted to lose
Lindisfarne
Dec 28, 2018 at 4:44 PM
Comment #2————————Rondon
———————–Longstaff
——Ritchie — Diame —Hayden — Murphy
Dummett — Fernandez — Schar — Manqulio
————————-Dubravka
toon22
Dec 28, 2018 at 4:46 PM
Comment #3If MA could sell the stadium and replace it on loan he would
He’s no intention of selling
Jail for Ashley
Dec 28, 2018 at 4:47 PM
Comment #4Munster,
Any new owner would be completely crazy to get shot of such an experienced top level manager like Benitez who is loved by the vast majority of fans, a manager who can pretty much guarantee success which is, after all what new owners would be after.
jazzyp
Dec 28, 2018 at 4:47 PM
Comment #5#NUFC sources have played down talk of a takeover and the Premier League refused to comment when approached regarding Steve Howey’s claims. [The Chronicle]
c-dog
Dec 28, 2018 at 4:49 PM
Comment #6Can’t be close. Not when Mike Ashley is involved.
Jib
Dec 28, 2018 at 4:50 PM
Comment #7I’ve just see Keith Downie’s interview
with Rafa – he clearly knows what’s
happening and been told to say nowt.
davis_toons
Dec 28, 2018 at 4:51 PM
Comment #8You think MA would go on holiday and just let whoever sell the club ? – toon22
…that tell us all.
Ron Knee
Dec 28, 2018 at 4:51 PM
Comment #9“Munster Mag
Dec 28, 2018 at 4:22 PM
Comment #4
If new owners let rafa go, they must have plans in place for a pretty top level coach.”
We already have one, Munster.
kc2012
Dec 28, 2018 at 4:56 PM
Comment #10I’d love to see who this ‘pretty top level’ coach is who would replace Rafa. I doubt there’s such a top coach out there who’s keen for a lovely relegation battle, unless he’s confidant he can get Hayden and Joselu playing faultless tiki taka footy overnight
yorkymag
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:00 PM
Comment #11I have been very dubious about the takeover
However ,I have just started to feel very optimistic,based on the response from the premier league to the chronicle questions
I think that if there were no truth in the rumours they would have said exactly that
Refusing to comment seems possibly in my hopeful mind to be
Very very positive
c-dog
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:01 PM
Comment #12Rafa knows it’s a dud and has been gagged by Ashley.
Jib
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:08 PM
Comment #13https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rafa-benitez-shuts-down-newcastle-united-transfer-talk-93fnzmb0p
toon22
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:10 PM
Comment #14Same lie as last year for exactly the same reason
It’s never MAs fault
toon22
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:15 PM
Comment #15They are ramping up the PR as the transfer window is opening
And Rafas contract is almost up
It’s the reason they needed this years lie
yorkymag
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:17 PM
Comment #16Froggy
There are only two types of people in this world
1.those that give energy
2.those that take energy
You can I am sure guess which one you are
Jib
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:21 PM
Comment #17The same week as Ashley’s notorious
interview with Sky , Leonardo Jardim
dramatically terminated employment
discussions with Al Nassr in Saudi.
Belfast
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:21 PM
Comment #18The Premier League would give the same answer if you asked the same questions about any other club Yorkymag. No comment will be the usual procedure.
I think Steve Howey has just repeated a rumour he’d heard, probably regrets it and he’s now backtracking.
Jib
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:23 PM
Comment #19Belfast
He was emphatic it was a reliable source .
toon22
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:24 PM
Comment #20Rafas a professional
He will act accordingly,he will see out his contract and leave
MA will simply not back him as he has no ambition for the club whatsoever
It’s obvious the sales a lie
yorkymag
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:25 PM
Comment #21Belfast
You may be correct
But I think they would have been much more empathetic if there was nothing to it
May be my hope taking over
But I now believe
toon22
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:26 PM
Comment #22JIB
Maybe you could switch to one of alts,maybe OLG and hint at some kind of coberating evidence of the fakeover
Jib
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:26 PM
Comment #23toon22
It’s obvious the sales a lie
only to you it would appear
hibbit
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:28 PM
Comment #24Steve Howey was George best man ❓
Jib
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:29 PM
Comment #25whoops Yorkymag has a geographical location
in his moniker !!!!
He’s one of they shills the wee bugger.
yorkymag
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:31 PM
Comment #26Jib
Now now
CJ
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:33 PM
Comment #27Shearer was apparently invited to the Liverpool game by Dalglish…I don’t believe the keegan/shearer dream team rumour, however I am concerned about Rafa. I think a take over is on the cards and don’t think rafa is involved in any discussions hence his negative attitude in the interview. Worse could be he does know what’s going on and he doesn’t believe the new owners will either keep him on or give him the free rein he’s looking for.
Ashley being on holiday in the states is not necessarily negative if the new owners come from the states. He can easliy be involved in negotiations over there. rol on the man u game. we may know where we are by then, crying, smiling or just confused
Jail for Ashley
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:35 PM
Comment #28Pochetino still favourite for Man U job, be a real kick in the stones for them if he took that job as they must see themselves as one of the big boys now.
Jib
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:35 PM
Comment #29https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DqNO2WnVsAEn9XH.jpg
hibbit
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:36 PM
Comment #30Steve Howey was George Caulkin’s best man ❓
LOL
toon22
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:39 PM
Comment #31JIB
I’m sure a few of your alt accounts agree
Hiya KBA
c-dog
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:51 PM
Comment #32Jib is the king of the alternative account
Wonder if he is also that nutter Paully
hibbit
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:52 PM
Comment #33with all of today’s modern technology being in the states wont be a draw back to AshLIE doing a deal for the club he also has a Dassault Falcon 7X at his disposal
there’s enough problems with this deal without trying to make distance a new one, if he wants the deal to be done it will be done no question of that 😉
Jib
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:54 PM
Comment #34I’m actually toon 22
😀
toon22
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:56 PM
Comment #35If it’s a bit of PR or disruptive
It’s likely JIB
Hiya KBA
toon22
Dec 28, 2018 at 5:56 PM
Comment #36No JIB
One of your alts thinks I’m AGI
Lmfao
lesh
Dec 28, 2018 at 6:01 PM
Comment #37Hibbit
Ain’t suggesting for one moment that Steve Howie’s done nothing other than pass on what he’s heard in good faith. However, the question is where did the information his reliable source passed on, originate? Bishop?
Shadow Shearer
Corporate law firms, like banks and, work 24-7 if required. It’s the nature of the big money corporate world.
As far as Rafa’s concerned, his demeanour is down but no surprise – he’d have been hoping for positive signs (a transfer kitty) from Ashley but has heard nowt – SNAFU.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 28, 2018 at 6:02 PM
Comment #38Can anybody explain why exactly Rafa Benitez would be involved in the takeover, unlike his hapless predecessor he is not on the board. He will not be getting involved with SD tat signs dotted around SJP.
If Online Guy knows about the takeover then 100% Rafa does. In fact if Rafa really doesn’t know anything about it, there isn’t one. Also he is contracted till May, he has publicly stated his desire to stay here and any new owners will know that, the ball is in their court and they will also know they have a top, top manager who now knows us inside out and the world of football even more, they have the proverbial gift horse sat there gift wrapped, I doubt Rafa is very worried what the new owners will do with him.
geordietom
Dec 28, 2018 at 6:03 PM
Comment #39toon22 @ comment 3# …
never heard so much shite in my life … ASHLEY COULD SELL THE STADIUM… he cant sell it …
why because we dont own ST JAME’S PARK … ITS OWNED BY THE FREEMASONS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT … correct me if i’am wrong …
getting really ticked off with the negativity THE FROGS DOING A NUMBER ON PEOPLE ON THIS BLOG …
me yes i believe the club will be told because i dont think KENYON OR THIS COOK bloke would lend themselves
to ASHLEY’S lie’s … ASHLEY WILL BE GONE IN THE NEXT 2 WEEKS IN MY OPINION … TO MANY THINGS LINING UP FOR THE TAKEOVER NOT TO HAPPEN …
geordietom
Dec 28, 2018 at 6:06 PM
Comment #40sold *