Local lad Paul Dummett is back in the starting lineup on Tyneside, and he has talked today on nufcTV about the Newcastle fans.
On Monday night at the Emirates Newcastle again had some fantastic support from our fans but the team did not play well, and we went down 2-0.
The form of Newcastle was the disappointing thing in that game, and the 2-0 scoreline could have been worse.
Newcastle now have a tough game against Crystal Palace on Saturday at St. James’ Park, and we can make it six successive home wins.
Paul Dummett with manager Rafa Benitez
This is what Dummett has said to nufcTV today:
“The support has been amazing all season, home and away.” “They travel away brilliantly.”
“We always take our biggest allocation, and I can’t thank them for their support enough.”
“It was a pity we couldn’t get the three points for them traveling all that way on a Monday night.”
“Hopefully we can get the next win in the Premier League as soon as possible to make us safe.”
“We have been in good form with the wins we’ve had.”
“We know it will be a difficult game (against Palace) as they have some good players but we’ll be ready.”
“We had a rest, but we will work hard in training.”
“Hopefully we can get that sixth win and make ourselves safe in the Premier League .
“Then we will try to get other results and try to push on and finish strongly like we did last season.”
Paul has appeared 20 times in the Premier League this season and in total has played 162 games with 3 goals and one assist for his home town club after coming through the Academy. 1
Rafa will have the lads ready to go against Palace and if we ever needed to get a win – it’s on Saturday.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
55 comments so far
Lindisfarne
Apr 4, 2019 at 8:26 AM
Comment #1TOON TOON
Lindisfarne
Apr 4, 2019 at 8:39 AM
Comment #2I am not confident about the match this weekend and consequently full of questions.
G
Apr 4, 2019 at 9:19 AM
Comment #3I’m hoping most of the Palace team are still knackered from playing last night. 3 points for us I reckon.
ilovetoon8788
Apr 4, 2019 at 9:41 AM
Comment #4Ritchie and almiron 2 individual good players but are a disaster playing together on the left.
Ritchie doesn’t pass to almiron for whatever reasons.
Both are totally out of sync with one another even though they have played and trained together for months.
Geordie-john
Apr 4, 2019 at 9:42 AM
Comment #5It will be a good victory for us at the weekend. Show Townsend what he has missed out on.
martoon
Apr 4, 2019 at 10:02 AM
Comment #6ilovetoon8788 @4 – After all the publicity about and Rafa actually being asked about it I’ve a feeling we’ll see Richie passing to Almiron a lot more often now! 😉
Bobbybee
Apr 4, 2019 at 10:26 AM
Comment #7OFD? What have I done now?
Don’t see why we can’t beat Palace at home. They probably have a slightly better squad than us but we have Rafa. Rafa or Roy? No contest
Bobbybee
Apr 4, 2019 at 10:32 AM
Comment #8I do think Rafa needs to get the best from Almiron though. Playing two defensive midfielders does nothing for the lad. He keeps having to come back too deep to be effective where it matters.
No idea what the issue is with Jonjo but whatever it is, it needs putting aside until we’re safe. He’s by far and away our best midfielder and needs to be playing. Almiron has electric pace over 20-30 yards and it needs exploiting. That 20 or so yards needs to be the final 20 yards, not near our own penalty area. Nobody can exploit that better than Jonjo with his killer passes. Time it happened.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Apr 4, 2019 at 10:42 AM
Comment #9I agree with Bobby we need to get back to being a bit more forward thinking we need Shelvey to provide the ammunition for Perez and Almiron!!
I actually think the conditions suited us rather than Bournemouth and we could have really struggled if they could have got their passing game on properly the windy pitch was a leveller!!
Palace are good at counter attacking which is always the worry that we will be too cautious again
Bobbybee
Apr 4, 2019 at 10:43 AM
Comment #10Ilovetoon, we’ve been talking about it where I sit since the second game he played. It was obvious from the start. At first we were joking about it tbh, as you do, but it slowly became less of a joke. It’s bad enough Almiron having to come deep to collect the ball without him making run after run only to be ignored.
I still find it hard believe it’s deliberate, but it’s definitely something that needs addressing. As a joke, it’s starting to wear a bit thin. 🙂
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Apr 4, 2019 at 10:52 AM
Comment #11If we start with Shelvey is it not worth pushing Almiron into the centre next to Rondon and use his pace to the full,
and maybe put Perez in front of Ritchie?????
Bobbybee
Apr 4, 2019 at 10:53 AM
Comment #12Lee, we’ve won the last five at home so surely confidence must be high? High enough to take the game to Palace, surely?
To be completely honest, I think we’re safe now. Eight points – to all intents and purposes – is a lot for Cardiff to pull back. Too much IMHO. They’ve got some tough games coming up anyway, I really can’t see them winning three games, let alone winning three without us getting another point. It’s just so unlikely I doubt it’ll happen.
So that should give us licence to attack. Yes, we can’t be too complacent and can’t throw caution to the wind, but with confidence at home high, get Shelvey on and go for it. Until his injury he was our best player and has been since he arrived. Are we to believe he’s gone so far backward he can’t get his place? Not having it myself. Like I say, if Rafa’s got a problem with him, he can deal with that in the summer. Until then, he’s still our best midfielder and he’ll get the most out of Almiron. I’ve been licking my lips waiting to see them together.
Bobbybee
Apr 4, 2019 at 10:58 AM
Comment #13Charlie, I couldn’t agree more mate. He’s a No10 after all, not a winger. I don’t understand why you scout a player for quite some time as a No10, then have a fight to buy him, win the fight then stick him on the wing!! Play to his strengths. He made his name as a No10, both scoring and assists and you can see why. Pace and skill. Get Jonjo feeding him the way he fed Gayle. It will bring results.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Apr 4, 2019 at 11:11 AM
Comment #14Bobbybee
My thoughts entirely – stuff him defending stick Almirante next to Rondon – scare the shit out of their defence with his speed
Got to play Shelvey Saturday and Schar
Me drop Lascalles and have a central back three of Schar, Dummett and LeJuene with Yedlin/Maquiilo and Ritchie as wing halfs
G
Apr 4, 2019 at 11:12 AM
Comment #15Bobby @ 13. My take is this. Rondon and Perez up front have a good thing going on, and it would be criminal to separate them. Rafa has the dilemma of breaking them up to accommodate Miggy, or play him elsewhere, as leaving him on the bench would be pretty much telling MA there’s no point in signing new players, as Rafa won’t play them, which would be pretty much telling him not to spend cash. Just my take on things, but I agree we should be playing Miggy in the number 10 role.
barkel
Apr 4, 2019 at 11:16 AM
Comment #16It’s great that we have proper competition for places. For me this weekend we definitely need Schar back in the team, it might not be popular but I think Lascelles will have to sit this one out. I’d be going with
Dubs
Schar Lejeune Dummy
Yeds Ritchie
JJ Ki
Miggy
Rondon Perez
one fine day
Apr 4, 2019 at 11:17 AM
Comment #17Bobby bee
🙂
Was just reminiscing back to when you first discovered the emoji 🙂
Like to see Cher and lejune back for this one .
The Richie thing is interesting …maybe seeing it live and been able to watch what happened off the ball gives a better perspective but often thought it was more miggy was running into channels to pull player with him creating space .
Just don’t think it’s Richie’s natural game to look for a killer pass which is why he has never been a number 10 even when we screamed for one.
But accept pitch side it can look very different
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Apr 4, 2019 at 11:19 AM
Comment #18I knew when we signed Almiron he was going to play as a winger but I actually thought it would be as a right winger which would get the best out of him if Rafa is still going to be cautious!!
Reminds me when Man Utd signed Kagawa was amazing for Dortmund in a free role and Fergie slapped him on the left wing and he was half the player……
martoon
Apr 4, 2019 at 11:28 AM
Comment #19barkel @16 – I’d go with that team except I think Rafa will favour Diame or Hayden alongside Jon Jo.
Bobbybee
Apr 4, 2019 at 11:46 AM
Comment #20The goals started flowing with the addition of Miggy. He’s added a new dimension but we need an attacking midfield to get the best out of him. When you look at his games in the MLS and for Paraguay, it’s clear where his best position is.
With Rafa talking about upgrading the attack, I think we may be seeing Perez departing if Rafa stays. That may explain Perez’s recent comments in the Spanish media. He clearly has zero intention of selling Miggy so maybe Perez knows something we don’t. I’ve wanted an upgrade on Perez for some time and I think it was maybe get Miggy in before selling Perez? I truly think Miggy is playing in shackles where he is, having seen clips of him from abroad. Breaking through behind the striker seems to be his best position. That sudden acceleration is better suited through the middle than on the wing. And he finishes well as a rule. He hasn’t had many clear cut chances apart from that lovely dink that came back off the post and that stinging strike that resulted in Perez scoring the rebound.
Just the wording from Rafa about upgrading the attack for me is the writing in the wall. We need it if we’re to go to that next level.
barkel
Apr 4, 2019 at 11:57 AM
Comment #21Martoon,
To be honest I wouldn’t be too surprised if it was Diame instead of JohnJo. I’m assuming the knock Hayden took will rule him out at the weekend
Bobbybee
Apr 4, 2019 at 11:57 AM
Comment #22OFD 🙂 Nay bother 🙂 I’m just a happy guy 🙂 OK, I’ll stop now. LOL.
On a serious note, you do see more off the ball movement being there, even if the close up views are better on TV. There have been audible groans from the crown tbh when Miggy has gone down the wing and clear, only for Ritchie to pull up play and go backwards or sideways. At first it was just seen as a choice by Ritchie, but it kept happening! Even Miggy was starting to look skyward as if to say ‘are you seeing these runs’? I’m sure it’s nothing personal – at least it better not be – it just happened too often to be ignored. Now it’s being mentioned in dispatches there maybe something in it. Bizarre if there is. I hope not, I’d hate to think there was any sort of disharmony in what’s been a pretty tight squad.
cyprus
Apr 4, 2019 at 11:57 AM
Comment #23Perez may be better than most people think.
Notice that when he gets the ball he is immediately surrounded by two three opposition players. He has skill, so sometimes he… escapes. Other times he loses the ball because there’s no one around to pass to. And often, he does get fouled, though refs don’t protect him. Anyway, he’s stronger now.
Conclusion: he needs a good MF near him, plus a bully to protect him
I’d like us to try playing with three MF s, so we don’t always get overrun in that area.
That may provide room for Shelvey to do his thing. As it stands, he’s surplus to requirements.
Bobbybee
Apr 4, 2019 at 11:59 AM
Comment #24OFD I gave you a heart rather than another smiley 😉 Damn!!! Sorry.
Bobbybee
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:07 PM
Comment #25Cyprus, not sure how a player goes from being the best by a distance, which he was, to being surplus to requirements because he’s been injured? Longstaff has got a lot to learn yet and Ki had a few good games. Shelvey is still our best positive thinking midfielder and that’s shown even in the couple of cameos between injuries. His worst crime is being over eager to get back from injury too quickly.
Unless Ashley is thinking of splashing the cash and bringing in an upgrade, we need to keep Shelvey – and that’s pretty unlikely.
lochinvar
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:10 PM
Comment #26Ashley take note and we don’t need a £1bn stadium financed by loans. A lick of paint around SJP and the new Gallowgate extension to take capacity to 60,000 should do the trick. Something nagging me about the last point but it will come to me in due course.
Tottenham Hotspur made a world-record profit of £113m after tax last season.
The figure tops the £106m profit posted by Premier League rivals Liverpool earlier this year.
Yearly financial results for 2017-18 reveal Spurs’ income climbed from £310m to £380m thanks to player sales, bigger crowds at Wembley Stadium and reaching the Champions League knockout stages.
The figures were released as the club opened a new £1bn stadium – though much of that cost has been met with loans. Premier League matchday revenue more than doubled from £19m to £42.6m thanks to playing in front of larger crowds at Wembley while the new stadium was under construction.
lesh
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:11 PM
Comment #27Maybe I misheard the news but Tottenham have reported announced a profit of £130m for last year.
According to Ashley, there’s no money to be made in football. There must be something wrong or illegal with the way they’re doing things surely?
G
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:11 PM
Comment #28Ki and Shelvey in the middle would be my choice on Saturday. They seemed to be playing well together prior to Ki going to the Asian Cup.
lesh
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:13 PM
Comment #29* Ah, I did mishear…..£113m…….still a helluva lot of money
G
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:16 PM
Comment #30My Preferred line up for the weekend:
Dubravka
Schar, Lejune, Dummett
Yedlin, Shelvey, Ki, Ritchie
Almirion
Perez, Rondon
Bobbybee
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:23 PM
Comment #31Perez’s problem is now and always has been his inability to play with his head up. He gets the ball, head down and runs with it, totally unaware of who’s around him. Then he gets tackled and throws himself on the ground, where he lies there complaining.
His best play is when he gets a chance where he doesn’t have to think too much and hits or heads the ball first time. Clever flicks that either come off or don’t. Just look at the goals he scores. First time shots.
Rafa talking about upgrading the attack has to include Perez. I think if he keeps him he won’t be first choice like he currently is and I don’t think Perez will want that tbh. That said, his talk of Barcelona, Real, or Atletico are likely to be none starter’s. He’s not Spanish top four for certain, so if he goes to Spain he needs to lower his sights imo. He came with great potential but I personally don’t think he’s progressed as much as I hoped he would. He has a few great games, then a couple of months of average games.
If Rafa intends to stay and aim for top eight, as he’s talking about now, then I honestly can’t see a place for Perez. That said, for what he cost, he’s been a good servant and we’ll make a decent profit on him.
TomaKaThor
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:26 PM
Comment #32Is getting rather concerning the way Rafa is asking Almiron to play, its nerfering his ability and it will drain his confidence, he could of been used well against Arsenal because they had huge holes and where playing high, we should of combined this with Shelvey. I really hope Rafa starts giving Almiron more freedom or i could see him being considered a dud when there is an extremly dangerous player there.
ronaldo aarons
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:33 PM
Comment #33See Leicester are planning a new training ground development. Wonder if they’re going to incorporate the state of the art wheelie bins and paddling pools.
Bobbybee
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:34 PM
Comment #34My team would see a return to a back four. Not sure we need a fluid five against Palace tbh. Maybe a return to 4231?
Dubravka
Yedders Schar Lejeune/Fernandez Dummett
Shelvey Diame
Perez Miggy Ritchie
Rondon
ronaldo aarons
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:34 PM
Comment #35I don’t think Benitez is looking to sell Perez. He even said in response to his interview in Spain that when they discuss his future, it is his future at this club.
Bobbybee
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:38 PM
Comment #36Ronaldo, of course. Ashley sets the fashion and lesser mortals follow suit.
ronaldo aarons
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:42 PM
Comment #37This almiron position is difficult to pin down as he is almost playing as a winger when we don’t have the ball, so formation is essentially 541. When we have the ball it transitions to almost a 343 with Perez and almiron either side of rondon. Unfortunately didn’t manage to see enough of it v arsenal but that’s been our way for the past run of games and has done us well to be fair especially at home.
It’s not almirons natural position and neither is it Perez but has been beneficial to the team in many of our recent games. At the end of the day, that’s what counts right now. I would stick with the same for palace game but I would definitely be looking to play shelvey.
Although I imagine the tactics by palace will be sit and counter so perhaps there may be a justified reason for ki to start. Not what I’d do but then again I’m just your typical keyboard manager/part time warrior.
Reckon Diame needs to start if Hayden is out, need someone to help snuff out counters.
Bobbybee
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:42 PM
Comment #38Second choice then Ronaldo? Because if we’re to go to the next level he’s simply not good enough. Would he get into Everton, Wolves or Leicester’s team? Can’t see it myself,vut that’s the magic of football – we all have different opinions. 🙂
martoon
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:43 PM
Comment #39barkel @21 – I hope not – I understand in an away at Arsenal but in a home game we need to win surely not – there has to be 1 forward thinking CM in there.
DubaiMicky
Apr 4, 2019 at 12:45 PM
Comment #40Interesting item in the torygraph today about why Premier League clubs are sacking managers less often and less successfully.
Bournemouth, Newcastle and Brighton are among the teams that have teetered too close to the drop zone this season but are now enjoying the benefits of trusting in their current manager.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/04/04/continuity-king-premier-league-clubs-sacking-managers-less-often/