Newcastle named 26 players that flew off to La Manga in Spain yesterday for a five-day training camp that ends with a game against Norwegian side Lillestrom SK on Saturday, with a 3:00 pm kick-off.
Missing from the squad is Aleksandar Mitrovic and also the fit-again Papiss Cisse was not on the plane, so we’re not sure why those two strikers are missing.
Aleksandar Mitrovic – not in Spain
Here’s the full squad of 26 players:
Rolando Aarons, Vurnon Anita, Daniel Barlaser, Jack Colback, Fabricio Coloccini, Karl Darlow, Siem de Jong, Seydou Doumbia, Paul Dummett, Rob Elliot, Liam Gibson, Yoan Gouffran, Daryl Janmaat, Jamaal Lascelles, Ayoze Perez, Emmanuel Riviere, Henri Saivet, Jonjo Shelvey, Moussa Sissoko, Jamie Sterry, Steven Taylor, Cheick Tiote, Andros Townsend, Georginio Wijnaldum, Callum Williams and Freddie Woodman.
When Newcastle return from the warm weather training they will still have about 10 days to prepare for the game at Stoke City on March 2nd followed by a home game against Bournemouth four days later.
If the news is to be believed then Newcastle will need to take at least 4 points from those two games if Steve McClaren is to keep his job at the club.
There’s no explanation on the Newcastle web-site why Mitrovic is not in Spain – maybe he picked up a knock on Saturday?
McClaren needs to use Papiss Cisse in the coming games, because of the strikers we have at the club he is the one that has had most success in scoring goals in the Premier League.
Comments welcome.
11 comments so far
Jib
Feb 17, 2016 at 1:47 PM
Comment #1The Chronic is trying to make a big deal out of Mitrovic not going with the squad to Spain.
They reported the other week that his girlfriend is due to have a baby in a few weeks.
They really are crap journos.
JamesToon
Feb 17, 2016 at 2:06 PM
Comment #2Let’s assess the options we have to replace mcclaren:
Rodgers-I feel like it’s a double edged sword with him, he did well with Swansea with a 4-3-3 system played very good football with average players, moved to Liverpool and did his best when he had the SASAS, however when he had balotelli/benteke they were bad. They eventually lost identity, the team became full of signings that weren’t his. But his teams couldn’t defend much like ours. Overall, would he be much of an improvement? Would maybe get us to attack more away from home and may be able to put a bit of confidence in our players, but I’m not sure our defence will be any better. He also comes across as quite deluded in his interviews which isn’t really a change from mcclaren is it
Moyes-don’t want him but he would bring stability and would be able to keep us around mid table, which is what we want but I don’t think he’d do it in the way that we would want. Kept Everton consistently top 7 but the football was quite dire for most of it. Could do like a 2/3 year job to tighten up the defence then bring in a more attacking manager to build on that.
Sampaoli-inexperienced in the prem, plays the right brand of football but his system requires hard working passionate players which isn’t what we’ve got. His system is also very continental and may not be able to adapt to the prem.
Pellegrini-don’t think he’ll come but plays good football but again not exactly known for having teams with solid defences. He may be a bit overrated as I think he has done well with city due to having world class players.
Monk-similar with Rodgers, Swansea lost a bit of their identity this year, they faltered, so not sure what he’d be able to bring here.
Unrealistic:
FDB-seems to have gone a bit quiet. Would command respect from the players and plays good football but would he be able to adapt? I don’t think he’ll come anyway
Eddie Howe-worked wonders with Bournemouth while playing some of the best football in the country. he’s a very bright young manager who is innovative, and has built his squad from nothing and would do very well at a club like Newcastle. But it’s very unlikely he will leave Bournemouth as atm they are showing more ambition than us and they have a solid team
mad-serb
Feb 17, 2016 at 2:10 PM
Comment #3Jib
This is my predicted table after those matches are played.points given and new total.
CP 3 35
Wba 2 34
US 8 32
Bour 3 31
Sun 7 30
Nor 2 26
Villa 1 17
Tsunki
Feb 17, 2016 at 2:16 PM
Comment #4So. They can even miss a plane.
Tsunki
Feb 17, 2016 at 2:18 PM
Comment #5>:(
Tsunki
Feb 17, 2016 at 2:19 PM
Comment #6X(
Tsunki
Feb 17, 2016 at 2:19 PM
Comment #7I’m Apoplectic that they don’t work! Ed! Enable more smileys! Raaahhhh!
lesh
Feb 17, 2016 at 3:10 PM
Comment #8The reason Mitro and Cisse Club’s private super-executive Dakota, only has 15 seats and there’s gotta be room left for the plonk and baccy on the way back.
So, Mitro and Cisse have to make their own way to Spain.
Oh, and here’s some secretly shot footage of our world-renowned Football Board
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baIhR1CdLHg
scout
Feb 17, 2016 at 6:32 PM
Comment #9Ed, do you realise the players will probably have to pay for this trip themselves. My friend is a Premiership player who was told his trip was 5k so he didn’t travel.
I’m not saying who he is but this is 100% genuine.
nufc 11
Feb 17, 2016 at 10:39 PM
Comment #10Maybe hiddink? I do like the look of Flores at Watford.
Blackstarbullet
Feb 17, 2016 at 11:36 PM
Comment #11Mitro missing due to leg injury in training. Out for at least 3 weeks and will miss Stoke & Bournemouth games.