Rafa Benitez has just given his press conference for the difficult game at Wolves on Monday night against a newly promoted side who are in good form at the moment.
There’s very good news in the injury front with only Jonjo Shelvey and Rob Elliott not fit – the rest of the squad is available for Monday.
So it looks like local lad Sean Longstaff will start the game – he’s been outstanding for us recently.
Rafa Benitez – at a press conference
Here’s some of what Rafa has said in his press conference:
“We are much better. Apart from Jonjo and Elliot, everyone else is fit and available.”
“They have been training. We have big decisions to make on both the starting eleven and the squad in general. It is good news and competition is good.”
“Always it’s important to have everyone fit if possible. Players can be more tired and it is a more risky time for everyone.”
“They accumulate so many minutes but it is good to have bodies and competition. Shelvey is close, he has trained outside, but one or two weeks.”
“I think he (Almiron) has adapted fine. Training has been OK. He is a fit, mobile, dynamic lad.”
“People talk about the physicality so we will see how he copes.”
“What I can say about Miguel is that he’s a nice lad, a worker and is very professional.”
“He will be fine.”
Miguel seems to be made to measure for Rafa Benitez and if the Paraguayan listens closely to Rafa, which he is already doing, the 24-year-old playmaker can become a top player in the Premier League at Newcastle.
Sounds great to us!
Comments welcome.
52 comments so far
AncientC
Feb 8, 2019 at 1:55 PM
Comment #1Jib, I doubt I shall be taking moral compass tips from somebody that laughs at children being the victims of domestic abuse. Which to be totally honest, is tame by your previous standards.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I am sure you have a lot of blogging to do. ^_^
Jib
Feb 8, 2019 at 1:58 PM
Comment #2https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/newcastle-united-takeover-inside-story-13969829
Ron Knee
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:02 PM
Comment #3RIP Albert Finney
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:05 PM
Comment #4read all the comments about Chuck Norris made me laugh … anyway
Chuck Norris is that hard Bruce Lee chinned him …
back to football cant wait to see Almiron play he may get 20 to 30 mins on monday night i think he will take a few games to adapt but you never know he might just hit the ground running and scare the hell out of other teams ( hope so )
Optimistic Magpie
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:07 PM
Comment #5It’s a strange world, look at Wolves a newly promoted side, backed the manager with some players he said he needed to be successful in the league and slap me twice and call me Barbara, they are safe in the league.
Mike please take note and look at what can happen when you back the manager, it’s not rocket science.
Wolves Monday will not be easy, but with some clever management from Rafa I am hoping for a 1-2 win for us.
Jib
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:08 PM
Comment #6Ron
That’s another icon from my youth gone
Tom Jones is still one of my favourite
all-time movies
Jib
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:12 PM
Comment #7I wonder if Shelves is really unavailable ?
He and Wolves have previous
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:14 PM
Comment #8well well Ashley has shafted us again…
sold the plot of land next to ST JAMES which was club property … transferred the lease to himself and sold it to property developers to build offices on there …
so now our ground cant be extended because of the fat barstool …
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:15 PM
Comment #9that was off the mag…
JP...from The Rock
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:17 PM
Comment #10That could be a hint from Rafa that Almiron might indeed be starting.
JP...from The Rock
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:18 PM
Comment #11I am really excited to see what he can do, and I don’t want to jinx it but I think we have a gem in Almiron.
Jib
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:18 PM
Comment #12Tom
That’s very old news
Unfortunately it was his to sell
RobLeenio
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:23 PM
Comment #13tom, I have a feeling it’s a sale of the long-term leasehold, rather than the sale of the property itself. If so, the owner of the land could step in and prevent the construction from going ahead.
Over to you, Freemen of Newcastle.
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:23 PM
Comment #14jib …
he’s still a C U Next Tuesday mate …
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:25 PM
Comment #15rob …
high rise offices and student accommodation …
sorry but it does me heed in mate…
Sad Frog II
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:28 PM
Comment #16Transfers 1 – 0 Takeover
Jib
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:29 PM
Comment #17Rob
Nope
Hall bought the land off
Nexus and had a feasibility
study done in which it was
reported a stadium extension
was unrealistic
It was just a useless piece of tarmac
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:30 PM
Comment #18rob …
it was the long term lease hold so the people who bought the lease can build as Ashley got planning permission for the land …
so he’s sold it with the planning permission makes it easier for the people having that in place i would imagine…
Jib
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:31 PM
Comment #19Tom I know he is but the Mag making up shit
helps no one
RobLeenio
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:33 PM
Comment #20Jib, that feasibility study was done 20 years ago. Surely modern building techniques and materials would mean that study is outdated? A new study may find the same result, but it may not and we’ll never know if this goes ahead.
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:33 PM
Comment #21jib …
its in the chronicle as well mate …
go look i’ve just read it on there …
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:36 PM
Comment #22its says the people who now own the land / lease hold . will be starting work in the middle of the year creating 1000 jobs …
Jib
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:44 PM
Comment #23Tom
That’s right it’s a property developer
from Doncaster
Newcastle city council will be delighted at more
student accommodation rather than an empty square
of tarmac
Bobbybee
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:45 PM
Comment #24Martoon, you’re absolutely right mate. I continued supporting Newcastle in the truly dark days of McKeag and I will now.
I want rid of Ashley as much – if not more – than armchair fans, I just don’t believe boycotts work as has been proven time after time. Why would be be different? Seriously, if I thought it would work I would do it, but going off precedents it’s never worked.
As I’ve said, before, following Newcastle is all I’ve got left from my previous healthy life. Gone are the martial arts, playing football, cricket, potholing dancing – the lot. All impossible now. Of everything I used to do religiously, supporting the lads is all I’ve got left. Even that I’ve missed a few games when my back has, fractured and I can’t even get in the car. I’ve missed two this season and it really bugs me. Hard to go when you can’t even get out of bed! 🙂
Away games are now a no no and that bugs me too, but I simply can’t travel that far.
I moved back up here for one reason only – the 320 mile round journey every game was killing me and the choice was two options – quit the games or move.
Do people realise what a difficult choice that was? Leave everything behind including friends and my partners family, having lived in one place for over 25 years? Moving to a small village where we know nobody?
Luckily my partner is my soul mate. As long as, we’re together we’re happy regardless of where we are. She understands my passion for Newcastle because she recognises it from my passion towards her. She knows how much I’ve had to give up and she wanted me to at least keep this alive for me. It’s all I’ve got left.
So as much as I hate Ashley, I love Newcastle United more. No single person will ever come between me and NUFC.
So yes, those price freezes were massive for me. Had they not happened, I’d still have gone regardless of the price, so why would I complain. I’m not a sheep or a happy clapper or whatever BS some call us. I’m Newcastle till I die. We’re not the only club with a w@*¿er as an owner. Try being a Blackpool or Coventry fan.
Anyway, I thought my ten year deal ran out this season and hadn’t heard from the club about renewing my ST, so I called the club to ask why.? I love my seat, I have one where I can stretch my legs right out. Not gonna lose that because they hadn’t contacted me!
Turned out my ten year deal had, been extended to a 15 year deal without even telling me. Or if they did I missed it – very possible, my emails went down for a time.
So for me personally, I’m more than happy thank you. 2009 prices until 22/23 season. What’s not to be happy about that if you’re going to go regardless? 🙂 Howay the lads!!!!
Optimistic Panda
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:46 PM
Comment #25Jib
Do you get danger money in case you stub your toe on the party line.
jimiley
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:48 PM
Comment #26I see that there is confirmation that Ashley has sold the land behind the Gallowgate end to a developer. The ground can never be more than 52K.
Disgusting.
Put more money in his pockets if you like but count me out.!!!!
Thats the deepest cut of all Mashley. Crap players can be replaced but the ground should be ours.
16 million fpr Almiron is NOT a record buy. The add ons upto 21 million are for performances. 15 Million for Shearer is the record buy in 1996. (16 million for Owen in 2005) is actually in real terms a lot less. In todays money that 15 million would be about 150 million. It seems 21 million can buy the crowd. If he is any good, the fat man will sell him for 50 million. Thats the main reason Almiron was bought. He can smell a profit. Nothing will change at this club until one man goes. But he is making sure the club is totally screwed by selling off our heritage.
Roll up roll up to keep the owner in situ. And if Rafa stays he will be complicit.
Munster Mag
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:50 PM
Comment #27So excited about almiron. His time in Argentina will stand to him and anyway, the English football obsession with physique has always been a bit misplaced imo. We have all seen physically smaller teams beat English teams in Europe. Technique pace and tactical understanding will always trump muscle. Modric iniesta etc would thrive anyway. I’m in the dark re barreca? Anyone got good knowledge on him? Pacy? Please god not another Santon. I was abused on here years ago when I panned him from early on. I cudnt give a monkeys if mourinho liked him!
Jib
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:51 PM
Comment #28Panda
That’s a good lad attack the messenger
Cos
You cannot muster a counter argument
Facts are facts
The integrity of St James Metro station
will not be compromised
Jib
Feb 8, 2019 at 2:55 PM
Comment #29Jim Iley the ground has never been the
Club’s
Fake argument
Bobbybee
Feb 8, 2019 at 3:01 PM
Comment #30Geordie Tom. A player with true pace scare the crap out of all defences mate. A player who has that pace with the ball at his feet, scares them even more. One who has
that pace and skill combined – there’ll be nasty messes all over the pitch! 🙂
We’ve had/have players, with pace who were not so clever with the ball. A certain French player we all knew with tremendous pace (answers on a postcard) could do nothing with the final ball. Fast as a greyhound but basically useless.
Almiron has pace and skill with the ball. If he adapts to this league quickly, we’ve got a real gem.
Steve Howey confidently predicting a 2-0 win for wolves on Monday night on Talksport – let’s hope his prediction is as accurate as his ITK definitely takeover BS before the Manure game.
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 3:11 PM
Comment #31bobby…
obertan…
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 3:13 PM
Comment #32Steve Howey has shares in Ashley’s bull shit farm …
jimiley
Feb 8, 2019 at 3:14 PM
Comment #33Jib
Please explain about the ground and the land behind the Gallowgate end.
If Ashley has sold the land, who did the land belong to?
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 3:17 PM
Comment #34Bobby know what your saying pace running with the ball scares the crap out of defenders …
pace running with the ball under control hurts them even more …
i think he’s gonna be a star for us i really do we need something to cheers us up cant wait till monday night …
but it’s gonna be a long weekend for us …
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 3:19 PM
Comment #35jim … it belonged to Ashley mate …
our ground belongs to us …
the land it sits on does not it belongs to the freemen of newcastle …
Optimistic Panda
Feb 8, 2019 at 3:24 PM
Comment #36Jib
I was not only referring to your stance on the ground but your article from the mirror old chum.
There’s no argument to be had about the land, it was the clubs the club should get all proffit not Ashley, it was bought with club funds not your pal.
I wonder how much fat lad pocketed and how much if anything the club got.
Optimistic Panda
Feb 8, 2019 at 3:24 PM
Comment #37I should say land not ground so jib doesn’t get confused
Bobbybee
Feb 8, 2019 at 3:25 PM
Comment #38The ground’s never been ours ffs. It was a shit hole before SJH made it what it is but you hate him as well. The man who gave us the ground and the entertainers and you hate him. Anybody you do like? 🙂 Wtf has somebody to do to get your approval? Rhetorical question, I don’t actually care.
So don’t go. Seems to me you’ve spent more time ‘boycotting’ than actually attending games anyway. It’s your money you do what you want with it, nobody’s actually asking you to go. No doubt you were one who hounded SBR out but now deny it. They all do.
You’re one very bitter person. It comes across loud and clear in your posts. You must be extremely unhappy and nothing to do with NUFC. I hope you find a bit of happiness, before you die. Life with that much hatred and bitterness can’t be fun. It’s football. It’s a game. You can’t have everything you want in life, you just have to make do with what life throws at you..
Fortunately you don’t get to dictate what other people do with their lives and their money and their time. Who the **** do you think you are?
We’ve only ever had one truly good owner and you even hate him. We’ve had bad owners all my life. From Westwood the pirate through to Ashley. They all just took from the club. Only one truly gave us hope and a team to be proud of – and you despise him.
Please promise me this: you’ll never step foot inside SJP again. You’ll Poison the place with you bile and hatred of everything black and white. SJH saved us from oblivion pal. We were going down to the third tier for the first time in history and he came to the rescue. He built the stadium from a toilet to a cathedral. Bought us, great players and backed KK to the hilt. Still not good enough for you. Your a joke
the ledge
Feb 8, 2019 at 3:39 PM
Comment #39If i lived 5 min from st james park i wouldnt go with ashley in charge ,the crowds that show up are the reason he is still here .
The fans that turn up every week are like a batterd wife that just keeps going back to husband that beats her they cant help it .
martoon
Feb 8, 2019 at 3:45 PM
Comment #40Bobby – I think people don’t like the fact SJH made a lot of money from the club especially when he sold to Ashley. As far as I’m concerned he earned it for all the reasons you said – he completely transformed the club and the football was great.
If only Ashley had the same vision we could be a top 6 club and Ashley could still make money!