It looks like Chancel Mbemba and Papiss Cisse are the players who are now fit to play for tomorrow’s game against the Black Cats with Fabricio Coloccini still doubtful, and we will assume Colo is not fit to play tomorrow.
But it will be very good to have Chancel back in a back four that had only one regular starter at Leicester City – right-back Daryl Janmaat.
Gabby Obertan has also been training but we’d be surprised if he figures tomorrow.
Chancel Mbemba – fit again
Steven Taylor is a slight doubt for tomorrow after he seems to have suffered a slight knock in training, but we will assume he is fit.
So here’s the side that Rafa Benitez could play tomorrow afternoon in his home debut as the Newcastle manager at St. James’ Park.
Elliot
Janmaat Taylor Mbemba Colback
Anita Shelvey (c)
Sissoko Wijnaldum Townsend
Mitrovic
Subs: Darlow Lascelles Saivet Perez de Jong Cisse Doumbia
That’s a strong bench.
At center-back we think Taylor will just edge out Lascelles, because of his extra experience, although we have been impressed with the look of Jamaal when he’s played in the first team.
Now that Andros Townsend is fully fit, we prefer him to Ayoze Perez, although Rafa may not.
And who partners Shelvey in central midfield is a good question – we will stick with Vurnon Anita, even though he only had an average game on his return to the side from injury on Monday night.
Henri Saivet could get his chance tomorrow….
What would be your Newcastle team for what seems to be the most important derby game since 1990 – 26 years ago?
Certainly our fans are confident of a win.
154 comments so far
GeordieTwo
Mar 19, 2016 at 6:31 PM
Comment #81Have at it with the cheese cutter Tsunki. Show them no mercy! Huzzah!!!!
Tsunki
Mar 19, 2016 at 6:36 PM
Comment #82Back Door Man – well posted. I fear that the back lash against Mr T, as I said at the time, was precipitated by the wordplay of our practised insinuator and well-documented racial insensitive, the glorious Jeff.
Blackley and Brownlie
Mar 19, 2016 at 6:37 PM
Comment #83Tsunki
I just came on to say that, even if we win tomorrow, I can’t see us staying up. It will be a false dawn just like the Boro game the last time we were relegated. I see you’ve more or less said @17 what I am thinking.
Jib
Mar 19, 2016 at 6:39 PM
Comment #84I call a guy who has retired to Malta from South Shields a sand dancer , so that makes me a peddlar of hate ?
Oh dear !
Back door man get a grip for gawds sake, or is it a huge wind up and I’ve somehow missed the point ?
toon kk
Mar 19, 2016 at 6:39 PM
Comment #85We’re playing with striker’s not capable of scoring, it’s going to be tuff.
Another defeat on the way I’m afraid.
YoungMagpieFromBurnley
Mar 19, 2016 at 6:41 PM
Comment #86BDM
Who actually cares? Its a blog, in the grand scheme of things what happens on this blog shouldn’t be taken personally. Do you really care? and no, i dont condone his actions, what he says is very vile and what you say could be infact correct… But surely ignoring him is for the best? Right now everyone gives him the time of day- which is surely what he wants?
Bambams
Mar 19, 2016 at 6:50 PM
Comment #87Don’t chew me….
Heard today that Janmaat is trying to complete a move to Juventus in the summer and that Sissoko ‘simply does not want to be here’
We will know in the summer if it’s accurate re Janmaat. …
As for Sissoko I am already convinced.
Benitez has made a huge difference within the whole Newcastle United set up.
Time will tell….
Off out to watch the Rugby, enjoy your evening you lot
Tsunki
Mar 19, 2016 at 6:55 PM
Comment #88Ymfb – no offence lad but he’s got a right to not ignore him as well.
anthc
Mar 19, 2016 at 6:59 PM
Comment #89Both janmaat and sissoko are deluded if you ask me. Janmaat is far from good enough to play for June and sissoko nowhere near a champions league player certainly not for any pl teams. Plus he’s clearly shown his bad attitude too.
Anyhow nervous for the morra really hope we win, I certainly couldn’t handle another defeat!
YoungMagpieFromBurnley
Mar 19, 2016 at 6:59 PM
Comment #90Tsunki
Of course he does, but why? if he doesnt like what Jib puts then why get into conflict with him? Instead of creating pointless arguments surely ignorance would be better for the blog? Its not even debate, it looks to me like an agenda.
Mag52
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:01 PM
Comment #91Bambams
The departure of Janmaat and Sissoko next season won’t be the worst thing in the world.
The Frenchman’s heart hasn’t been in it for most of this season, and Janmaat’s awareness of where a defender should be is comical.
If we survive the drop, Rafa will have a few names in his little black book considerably better than these two.
lochinvar
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:04 PM
Comment #92We paid McClaren to get us into this mess and then paid him off because of the mess .
We paid Charnley and still pay Charnley – let’s see if he’s earned his keep with Rafa and his team .
Not long to go now.
Jib
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:05 PM
Comment #93YMFB
Very astute
There certainly is an agenda
Wayayman
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:14 PM
Comment #94G2, thanks for sending us the Victory Thong. I have it in as we speak. That’s not a typo, it’s a lot smaller than it looks.
Sir Braveheart
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:18 PM
Comment #95Norwich result isn’t a killer unless we lose tomorrow. If we do were four points behind both Norwich and Sunderland. The game in hand against City is probably one we can’t get points from.
Win tomorrow and we’re back in touching distance, albeit it then places massive significance on the Norwich game.
Squeaky bum time.
Mister Tuff
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:18 PM
Comment #96Back Door Man – thank you for your post of support. My record on here is that of having a go a racism if I see it and also those using gutter language. Also I have spoken out about words such a spackas and mongs. Try to keep a standard.
as far as the latest “sand dancer” post is concerned I have no doubt that there will be many who are not aware of any debate about the subject.
Certain big gobs -not just Jib – should know more about their home town – and what the possible origins of these phrases are. Research it and then make an informed decision about it.
There is however no point in discussing matters if there is a total refusal to expand ones mind/knowledge further to the potential of alternative origins.
It is not me who is inventing matters – there is plenty of material by folk cleverer that me who have highlighted this issue on the web over the years.
Mister Tuff
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:21 PM
Comment #97Don’t shoot the messenger!
Tsunki
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:27 PM
Comment #98Ymfb – there is a saying about the damage that can be caused by remaining silent when a voice is required.
Tsunki
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:29 PM
Comment #99Jeff yes there is a agenda. Yours is an insidious and unpleasant one that encapsulates your character.
Jib
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:32 PM
Comment #100Mr Tuff
Are you a muslim ?
Jail for Ashley
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:37 PM
Comment #101Well I know all about the Sand dancer nickname, from soldiers from modern day Iraq to the Yemini sailors and our miles of golden beach that you can dance on and not for one minute have I ever thought of it as racist, I’m proud to be called a sand dancer as it is hardly offensive bo matter what context used in.
Dennis Twice
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:38 PM
Comment #102Attack Toon attack, attack!
Back Door Man
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:38 PM
Comment #103ymfb – perhaps you should care:
Can you recall what Pastor Martin Niemöller said?
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Hail Wor Ashley
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:42 PM
Comment #104Thankfully Dennis Twice has punctuated BDMs pompous nonsense with some sense.
Munster Mag
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:45 PM
Comment #105Watford season league wise isnt that hot now . I think they are down by palace so maybe their manager isnt as great as we thought. I think i read his career before going to watford is average. Re tomorrow i reckon 2-2. If that happens i think us and the wearsidecnuts will go down. I am worrried guys. Rafa will tighten us up but we lack balls. Carr should be strung up as i started saying a long time ago for saddling us with these players. And ashley for his stupid sell for profit foreign policy
YoungMagpieFromBurnley
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:50 PM
Comment #106BDM
You’re having a laugh surely? This is a blog, why do you take it so seriously? Jib has been around for ages no matter how much speaking out you do it wont change that. The latest sand dancer comment to be ridiculed is absolutely absurd, jib has history with a similar subject when he used the term nig-nog, furthermore i understood the criticism there. But here? Sand dancer? Thats not offensive to south shields people and thats where it originates from. Jib has said some bad things which i dont agree with in the slightest but this agenda doesnt help the blog. It just clogs it up with dross that in the grand scheme of things doesnt affect anyones life at all. This is all tedious, pointless and damn right childish. Every time i read its Jib this and Jib that, just move on with your lives people. Let bygones be bygones, Ed will sort him out if Ed feels that this is the appropriate action. And look at whats happened, now im talking about Jib lol.
Back Door Man
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:50 PM
Comment #107Yep, all we should be concerned with is footy but,
oh no, he’s at it again. Muslim? Muslim? Hardly crafted, nuanced criticism but naked hate speech.
Jib
Mar 19, 2016 at 7:52 PM
Comment #108Jeepers
I didn’t realise Mr Tuff was a member of the Munich White Rose movement.
Tsunki is your surname von Stauffenberg.
Pompous pr!cks alive and well and living in blogland.
Jib
Mar 19, 2016 at 8:01 PM
Comment #109“Back Door Man -oh no, he’s at it again. Muslim? Muslim? Hardly crafted, nuanced criticism but naked hate speech.”
–
You simpleton
I asked him if he was a Muslim to try to get an understanding of why he’s so hung up on Yemeni’s in South Shields.
All my life South Shields folk have been called sand dancers.
Until Mr Tuff launched his tirade – racism in this context had never crossed my mind.
So to ask him if there is a deeper reason for his nonsense is valid.
benjohnsen
Mar 19, 2016 at 8:03 PM
Comment #110I do not believe it’s too late for Newcastle to make a great escape this year. The positive thing with stats is that Newcastle cannot do much worse and normally teams do not have whole seasons with consistent bad results. There are of course exceptions like Aston Villa, but even they will start to pick up points now in the end.
You have team like Swansea and Crystal Palace which you cannot exclude from a relegation fight either. If they drop further it is easy to get nervous about it.
If Newcastle can focus on their own games and start picking up points I am sure we will survive.
21st Century Schizoid Man
Mar 19, 2016 at 8:06 PM
Comment #111Some posters prejudices are clear to everybody on here. Claiming innocent usage is not enough.
YMFB .. Burnley has had a local tradition of active, even popular National Front groups and their ilk in recent years, so you’ll have surely encountered this already. BDM is right.
We are living in a very fragile world order, with too many parallels with the mid 1930s and it only take one nutter in high places. As we all know there are already more fruit cakes in high places than on Bake Off and an extra one or two could easily tip the balance. Just look at Trump and the recent German elections. We have to be vigilant. Making jokes about words, phrases, and connotations that are mired in intolerance, persecution or hatred of any sort, even historically so, have to be resisted. Rant over.
Jeff/JIB – you have claimed to be have been a lecturer in modern European History I believe, presumably retired, – so you’ll know exactly what I mean.
Football has always been a recruiting ground for racism – viz the Chelski fans in Paris last year, so Toon fans, with our tradition of black and white, should show others the way.
Mister Tuff
Mar 19, 2016 at 8:08 PM
Comment #112Jail – there’s another aspect of the debate. Could/should a phrase which has possible dubious origins -with the passage of time – be transformed into a phrase which is acceptible to ALL.
I really do not know the answer to that.
it exists in local knowledge that the term was used by folk in the surrounding towns/villages to Shields as a form of insult because of the large Yemeni population with the town.
Now it is accepted by a lot in the town that they are proud to be known as sand-dancers.
So can a phrase that was originally an insult transform into an acceptable phrase where no insult/offence is associated with it.
I do not know.
Away to watch the rugby.
YoungMagpieFromBurnley
Mar 19, 2016 at 8:10 PM
Comment #11321st
So you believe that Jib had intentions of using the term ‘Sand dancer’ in a discriminating way?
AncientC
Mar 19, 2016 at 8:16 PM
Comment #114Rafa’s Conquistadors vs Big Sam’s Neanderthal Cave Entrace Parkers. Mitrovic in a human size catapult should do the job.
bettyswallocks
Mar 19, 2016 at 8:25 PM
Comment #115I would like to speak up as an advocate of the first amendment which encourages free speech. Blatant racism is unacceptable in any walk of life or any forum. A bit of innuendo and banter is very healthy on a footy blog as it’s designed to air one’s views and let off steam without getting bogged down with political correctness .
Back Door Man
Mar 19, 2016 at 8:26 PM
Comment #116ymfb – he’s got form for this stuff. Perhaps, he’ll be out burning crosses on his neighbours front lawns tonight.
It’s a shame really, I like quite a bit of what he writes about when dealing with footy.
bettyswallocks
Mar 19, 2016 at 8:36 PM
Comment #117Back door Merchant………….. Bernard Manning would turn in his grave listening to your boring self-righteous twaddle and Chubby Brown would have you for breakfast .
welshgeordie9
Mar 19, 2016 at 8:36 PM
Comment #118Come on France, ffs.
Thump
Mar 19, 2016 at 8:41 PM
Comment #119Last time we went down, everybody was slating Ashley for “forcing” Keegan to walk.
This time we’re debating how racist other commenters are.
This fscking blog, man.
Jib
Mar 19, 2016 at 8:44 PM
Comment #120Welshie at the risk of being called racist – Les Rosbifs have Les Bleus en le merde – and I must say I enjoyed the Celts who hate us so much knocking lumps off of each other in an ill-tempered Ireland v Scotland game.