Rafa Benitez has given his press conference for the FA Cup third round tie tomorrow after at St. James’ Park against Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
Rafa Benitez – at a previous press conference
This is some of what Rafa has said and we expect he will play a team involving several fringe players to give them a chance to shine tomorrow afternoon.
“Mohamed Diame is not available. Fede (Fernandez) has been training but is not available, Karl Darlow is very close but still not available. Clark if fit.”
“We will try to go through, but using the squad we have.”
“The main thing for us is to approach the next game trying to win – in this case, it’s the FA Cup. I won the FA Cup (with Liverpool in 2006) so for me, it’s a massive trophy, but I will not take any risks.”
“They’re doing well. They’re improving and watching games, they’re scoring goals, they move the ball well between the lines. If they’re playing against a Premier League team, they will give everything and it will be difficult.”
“It’s an opportunity for us to do well. We will play at home; we have to change things at home so it’s an opportunity to do that. Can we do it? I hope so.”
“There are two or three players that have to play. It will increase the competition in the squad.”
“This is an opportunity for some players to show what they can do and, and if we go through, they’ll have more chances to play more games.”
With Karl Darlow still not available, it looks like a second first team game for goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, after making his debut last season in the FA Cup 3rd round at home to Luton Town when we won 3-1.
It could be a game to give Manquillo, Longstaff, Clark, and Shelvey a start too.
It would be positive to win this game to give the lads some confidence for the tough league games coming up.
Comments welcome.
26 comments so far
jazzyp
Jan 4, 2019 at 1:59 PM
Comment #1“We are in a position we don’t deserve to be in terms of the potential of this club.”
Say no more
Lindisfarne
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:01 PM
Comment #2Rafa on changes: “I don’t know. I will decide how many changes. When you talk about fixtures and the calendar they (PL bosses) never listen to us. So we have to manage the squad.”
Rafa throws gauntlet down to those who are involved: “They can play more this season if we go through.”
Nostra Magpie
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:07 PM
Comment #3If I’m a potential buyer of the club there is no way I would purchase Newcastle right now.
Being in a relegation battle is not smart business, MA needs to put some money down so we can purchase players, if he does and we stay in the Prem then I am sure a buyer would then agree to purchase.
Simple math MA, your brand ( Newcastle United ) looks shite, like real estate, the outside can look awesome but if the insides looks shitty then no one will purchase your house.
Lindisfarne
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:07 PM
Comment #4Sky sports news clip
https://twitter.com/Skirgey
ronaldo aarons
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:09 PM
Comment #5Dissapointed Sorensen and Roberts won’t at least be on the bench tomorrow.
Lindisfarne
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:10 PM
Comment #6Rafa: “There are two or three players that have to play. It will increase the completion between the squad. This is an opportunity for some players to show what they can do and, if we go through, they’ll have more chances to play more games.”
Lindisfarne
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:12 PM
Comment #7Rafa on the FA Cup: “We have to give players the opportunity to compete and show their level. When you have so many games in a few days, you cannot take the risk with players with knocks or fatigue.”
ronaldo aarons
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:13 PM
Comment #8Why nostra, don’t you know the club, facilities, infrastructure and playing staff are all ‘fit for purpose’? What other club has hydrotherapy paddling pools? What other club has wheelie bin ice baths? Ahead of our time we are, changing the game completely!
That’s not mould or debris falling off around the ground or in the toilets, that’s character!
Lindisfarne
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:14 PM
Comment #9sorry – repition
geordietom
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:15 PM
Comment #10my take on this …
i think whoever the people are who are talking to ASHLEY are taking their time over lodging a bid …
as we are in a dodgy position in the league at the moment …
when we are looking safe i think they will come in with their bid for the club…
who can blame them for waiting…
who in their right mind would pay over £300 million when we are struggling in the premier league…
i dont listen to people on here coming on the blog and saying that they have inside info …
i make my own mind up on things …
i’am 65 in two weeks time followed wor team through thick and thin …
seen some shite at wor club but i’am NEWCASTLE UNITED through and through…
do i think we will get rid of ASHLEY YES but not as quickly as most of us want same goes for the TAKE OVER…
one thing i do know for certain i’ll be NEWCASTLE till the day i die …
i know its gloom and doom at the moment but as the song says THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:18 PM
Comment #112-2 At the U23s, Sorensen and Walters scorers.
SColl
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:21 PM
Comment #12Im starting to believe Ashley is not a willing seller. i remember this time last year the league position was a sticky point for a potential new owner, here we are a year later and its the issue.
If Ashley was genuinely interested in selling the club he would have made it public in the summer, or when we were confirmed as safe for discussions to begin. Ashley will sell if someone stumps up a stupid amount of cash upfront which will only come from middle eastern money not the american rumours that have been floating.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:23 PM
Comment #13Team
Huuhtanen
Walters Bailey Watts Gibson
M Longstaff Sangare
Allan Roberts Wilson
Sorensen
Lindisfarne
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:23 PM
Comment #14S-O-R-E-N-S-E-N
Lindisfarne
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:27 PM
Comment #15So, the “two or three players” that have to start will likely be Shelvey, Hayden and…Perez.
RobLeenio
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:32 PM
Comment #16Bill, it’s been a good comeback by the lads from 2-0 down. I hope they can finish it off.
ilovetoon8788
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:35 PM
Comment #17No one in their right mind will buy us when our Premier league status is not guaranteed. It makes absolutely no sense.
Takeover is not happening. The plan now is to find a way to get rid of the fat b*strd. Enough of this takeover nonsense as we are on the way to the championship on current form. No one will buy us now.
welshgeordie9
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:37 PM
Comment #18Same shit, different season.
With toon22, jail and co, same shit, different day.
Ron Knee
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:37 PM
Comment #19MISSED! Cal Roberts’ spot-kick is blazed over the crossbar and the scores remain level. 2-2. #NUFC
RobLeenio
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:46 PM
Comment #20Get in! 3-2
RobLeenio
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:48 PM
Comment #21Rosaire Longelo with what should be the winner
RobLeenio
Jan 4, 2019 at 2:49 PM
Comment #22Didn’t want to lose that one, given we’re playing their first team next week.
GeordieinOhio
Jan 4, 2019 at 3:08 PM
Comment #23Happy New Year All!,
Sad sad sad days, months and years…as we all have witnessed the repetitive lies on transfers and so-called-takeovers the same old story time and time again…ugh….makes me wanna cry really (and I am being honest about crying) i am sure we are allllllll of the same mind, all we want is to see the club at least compete ….I am 46 and never seen us win a damn thing, I am also aware there are people old than me who can say the something….it just never seems to end (I guess thats the price we pay for supporting NUFC) we are the PANTOMIME CLUB so it seems always a drama at the club never a Cinderella story , I am not saying I GIVE UP before anyone makes that statement, its just so hard to watch the club we all adore go up and down like a yo yo, see fans on here be horrid to each other because of their difference of opinions, why? because the club is in a total SH@T state , I truly believe if we were in a position of the likes of arsenal or liverpool we would all be laughing and joking ……and not so many bitter words between bloggers……so heres to a dream, a wish for this torrid guy who calls himself a business man to be gone from the club we all love, and for a new owner to come in and wine and dine us to the stars!
Transfer Sage
Jan 4, 2019 at 4:04 PM
Comment #24Very disappointing news on the takeover… if as Ashley said, a deal was likely before January then how on Earth are they still so far away from agreeing a price. Show’s yet again the man is lying through his teeth.
If however, the information reported is true (£200 million + £100 million extra if we reach the champions league in 10 years), then Kenyon must be an idiot if he thinks that will be accepted. There are 6 big teams that are dominating the top 4 positions, even Arsenal who were regulars can’t get in there at the minute.
I just can’t wait for it all to be over and for Ashley to be gone…whenever that might be.
Transfer Sage
Jan 4, 2019 at 4:06 PM
Comment #25Also has much been mentioned here on the controversy with the Leazes Flags group and how they club have acted? I haven’t seen an article and I haven’t read through all previous comments.
beefman13
Jan 4, 2019 at 4:36 PM
Comment #26It just feels like an obstruction the FA cup, not to me like, what a shame it all is, the club won’t give a monkeys chuff if we go out, lets us concentrate on another relegation fight.