With Adam Armstrong being injured and not being able to play for the England U-19 side in Germany in the U-19 European Championships this summer, he’s had almost a full pre-season with Rafa Benitez and the first team squad at Newcastle.
He’s also had a few run-outs in some friendly games, but whether Adam will remain on Tyneside this season in the first team squad or be shipped out on loan to get more first team games under his belt is still undecided.
Rafa will be taking a close look at him this month and will make the choice based only on what is best for Adam’s developments as a player.
Adam Armstrong in action against Vitesse last Saturday
This is what Rafa told the Chronicle today when asked about Armstrong’s situation:
“Maybe he will start with us. He is training well and he is doing fine.”
“We don’t know what will happen, he is a young player who has the potential, but I want to be sure to do my best for the team and the best for the players.”
We should be getting an experienced striker in before the end of August and once Mitrovic serves his four game suspension he will be back before the end of this month.
And that would make Adam the 5th striker on the totem pole behind both Dwight Gayle and Ayoze Perez as well as Mitro and the new striker.
So if we were to hazard a guess, we would say Adam will be sent out on loan if we do being in another striker before the end of August.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
87 comments so far
Mister Tuff
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:08 PM
Comment #1Mr Tubbs………………………………………OOT
Multiple Entries to Martoons predictions…..OOT
Spoof
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:09 PM
Comment #2I very much doubt that Armstrong would go anywhere soon seeing that Mitro is banned for the first four matches, once Mitro is back then Armstrong may go out on loan again but I expect him to start the season with us.
magscar
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:11 PM
Comment #3Repost and test of my cut and paste skills 🙂
magscar // Aug 3, 2016 at 12:07 PM
Shot Bru
Wondered how you knew.
The only family who I recall posted re someone’s passing was Jimmy Magpie’s – may have missed it but I do read most days and catch up when I have missed.
Belfast
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:12 PM
Comment #4I predicted this weeks ago, quick somebody distract Bobby.
JP...from The Rock
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:13 PM
Comment #5We should go in for McCormack for 12m. Proven at this level and a freekick specialist.
Belfast
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:17 PM
Comment #6I agree and we’d also be stealing our two rivals top target.
Jib
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:18 PM
Comment #7McCormack having a med at Villa unfortunately
Spoof
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:19 PM
Comment #8Belfast
yeah, I can’t see Bobby being too happy about Armstrong going, if he does and I think he will, when he gets on I might take cover for a while lol
Jib
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:20 PM
Comment #9http://www.90min.com/es/posts/3554777-el-real-madrid-ofrece-dos-jugadores-al-newcastle-de-rafa-benitez-a-cambio-de-sissoko
One of the kids mentioned as part of the Sissoko deal – Mariano Diaz – scored a worldy against Chelsea in Michigan the other day !
Spoof
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:23 PM
Comment #10Who are likely to be our rivals this season, I’m going to stick my head on the block here but I doubt that it will be Villa, I really can’t see them finishing top half, they were worse than dreadful last season and from what I can gather they are possibly weaker now than what they were last season, Derby, Norwich and Brighton are the ones I fear the most, possibly Sheff Wed if they can build on last years showing.
Nufc-83
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:23 PM
Comment #11Maybe I am mistaken but I am sure Torq has been on the blog more recent than a few years ago (like im thinking months??).
It was jimmymagpie who poetntially passed away and the family posted a few years ago but I will leave that there before Tsunki gets a hard on and Jumps on it.
Nufc-83
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:25 PM
Comment #12Would love the Real Madrid youngsters to be part of the Moussa deal but they are highly thought of and so if this was the case it would almost certainly be loan deals which i would not want.
I really cant understad the big desire for another striker to be brought in as between Perez, Mitro and Gayle we will be ok (I even think Riviere could do a job in the champ).
magscar
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:26 PM
Comment #13Wouldn’t surprise me if we were in running for McCormack but as with other transfers are staying well under the radar. Our opening game could be a complication if a deal is being mooted? Will he play if no deal already made with Norwich or Villa- hmmm?
Not sure he is worth more than £10M though but we need cover for Mitro and he offers different abilities to Gayle and we are in the market for an experienced striker. Can’t see Riviere or Toney ( or Armstrong given Rafa’s reported comments) figuring much in his plans.
JP...from The Rock
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:27 PM
Comment #14Where the hell is Mo Diame and Ciaran Clark ffs!? We always take ages to confirm a signing does my head in.
magscar
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:27 PM
Comment #15Jib
Just seen your post at 7 – where is this from SSN?
Nufc-83
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:29 PM
Comment #16No need for McCormack we wont be in for him.
magscar
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:35 PM
Comment #17Spoof all 4 named are in my thoughts as competition and as dark horses Leeds if Cellini can stay out of it!
Sooner or later Leeds will make a strong comeback and Monk is a good appointment but under Cellini? – he needs an Ashley moment 🙂
Hail Wor Ashley
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:36 PM
Comment #18Not bothered by McCormack.
Start of the summer I was very keen, but our recruitment has been great and I no longer think £14m on a ST would be money well spent.
Glad he likely won’t be turning out for Fulham on Friday. He will carry a great burden at Vila because the rest of their team is shite. Can see them struggling to make top 6.
hibbitt
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:37 PM
Comment #19Nufc-83
if Rafa wants him why not ?
we don’t have anything like him on the books
hibbitt
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:41 PM
Comment #20Hail Wor Ashley
you dont want McCormack but your glad he wont be playing for Fulham that must mean you rate him
magscar
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:42 PM
Comment #21Nufc83
In a 4231 Perez doesn’t fit as a striker for Rafa and Riviere hasn’t had any game time so I can understand why we are reportedly after another experienced striker but probably more like Mitro than Gayle.
Wayayman
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:43 PM
Comment #22@ Martoon
My predictions
Final league position 4th
Final points 82
League cup 4th
Fa cup 5th round
Player of the season (blog) Ritchie
Top goal scorer (tgs) Gayle
No of goals (tgs) 19
Thanks mate.
Jib
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:43 PM
Comment #23http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36962299
SPRINGY
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:43 PM
Comment #24dont think arma will go out on loan till end of august,if he does,we need cover while mitro’s out,toney will be loaned out more then likely, and rivvy only just back from injury so he’ll not exactly be looking anywhere near fit or sharp for a little while yet,dont like the idea of loaning players would rather buy out right.
Belfast
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:44 PM
Comment #25Yeah he’s gone to Villa by the looks of it.
Nufc-83 He’s scored 42 goals in 100 games for mid table championship side. Not a bad record like.
Big Archie
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:45 PM
Comment #26Rather odd assumption.
Arma’s featured in the pre-season, trained well and played well.
Mitrovic is out for a month and Rafa says maybe he will start.
But your headline says he’s likely to go out on loan?
Where is the logic?
Nufc-83
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:45 PM
Comment #27Magscar Why does Perez not fit? Are you saying the striker up top needs to be a target man type? If so then Gayle does not fit the bill so we only have 1 in Mitro who is not available. I dont think Rafa is looking at only playing a target man up top and Perez and Gayle will play up there many times this season and score plenty of goals for us.
Jib
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:47 PM
Comment #28http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/10521063/fulham-accept-bid-from-aston-villa-for-striker-ross-mccormack
Nufc-83
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:47 PM
Comment #29Belfast I am not saying he is a bad player at all and his goal record shows he knows where the net is however i believe with our recruitment we now have enough up top and should focus on getting someone in to provide competition for Aarons and Richie on the wings.
Our Toon
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:48 PM
Comment #30Spoof
For the first game I’d line up with
Selz
Anita, Mbemba, lascelles, dummett
Nufc-83
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:48 PM
Comment #31Hibbit if Rafa wanted him then he would have got him i guess so the point is he likely did not go in for him so stop believing all of the rumours.
magscar
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:48 PM
Comment #32Jib
Thanks but linkmerely mentions a bid accepted but nothing about a medical although that would often follow ( or indeed whether McCormack is even agreeable to move)
Trying to start a bidding war?
Bobbybee
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:50 PM
Comment #33As long as Arma goes to a Championship club, i can live with it. Regardless, he needs games and if it isn’t here then he’s better off on loan. I’ve every confidence he’ll do damage to our rivals whether it’s for us or not. Still think he’d be better off learning under Rafa, but such is life. Six months will do, then bring him home to finish the season off. Even on loan he’ll score more than some of our strikers though, that much i do feel safe saying. Time will tell.
Martoon.
Finish top.
Points 103
Lg cup 5th round
FA Cup 6th
Best player Ritchie
Tgs. Arma if he stays, or whoever replaces him. (Don’t see any of our current lot being prolific tbh).
No. of goals 23
Martoon, let me know if that’s acceptable marra. 😉
Spoof
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:51 PM
Comment #34magscar
I think Perez will be our number ten against Fulham, long term I expect our number ten to be Diame but not against Fulham, if we do get another striker I would expect it to be another who’s strength’s are pace and movement as those appear to be the strikers which Rafa prefers so with us already having a targetman in Mitro I wouldn’t be expecting another targetman, I can see Mitro struggling for games if we do get another striker and can see him being used to change games when it is going against us, a secondary striker with pace and movement could in my eyes me really bad news for Mitro.
Hail Wor Ashley
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:51 PM
Comment #35Hibbit
Yeah, as I said, was very keen at the beginning of the summer because he is undoubtedly the most proven ST in this league, that’s whilst playing in struggling teams too., however, all things considered and the fact we bought Gayle to replace a hapless Cisse, I understand why we’re not in for him.
Of course I’m glad he won’t be turning out for Fulham, they’ve just got significantly weaker and it will also be a blow to the morale of their players.
magscar
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:51 PM
Comment #36Jib
Apologies – hadn’t seen your earlier link to Sky just the BBC one when I posted
martoon
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:55 PM
Comment #37Just as a heads up I have predictions so far from:
martoon
clinath@ed
StuW
JamesToon
SUTTY1978
Average_Contents
Spoof
firebug666
Belfast
Bambams
JP…from The Rock
Goromagpie
ShirebrookToon
SPRINGY
Offkey
JAMSHA
geordie157
toontaff2
Our Toon
manxpie
Jail for Ashley
welshgeordie9
YoungMagpieFromBurnley
dannitoon
Tsunki
jimmysmith
Termijn
Charlie in the Gallowgate
jasper
Mag52
nico
bosamuelson
outside the box
funlovingexpress
ROSHAN MAGPIE
YouCouldn’tMakeItUp
one fine day
southeast magpie
WWSBRD
Fatman_joe
RolandoOverhead
nut meg
The overrated Frenchman
Bearsize
Oleg G
Very Terry
Essex Geordie Bill
Jib
CAC
The American
BoyNUFC
emperor
Budge123
G
Toon_Tom
sparky55
Rafa Revolution
MadisonToon
Back Door Man
toon kk
the white tino
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
bettyswallocks
Kabul Fish
Toon fm Exeter
Matt
Teamstoof
lewisnufc
Spotlight Kid
barkel
totsy
roblee7
expatmag
mickybraham
thatmatt
Toonboy
sirjasontoon
TacoFlavoredKisses ForMyBen-arfa
Legolas
Hail Wor Ashley
Mister Tuff
Yo-yo
dok – the horrid colonial
magscar
loonie-toon
north_country_boy
Fostino
Setchell
geordiesteve520
jane
archaeomag
mad-serb
El Sleeve
Jammy-D
Blofal
Munster Mag
ScoopSouthAfrica
OneAlanShearer
off the ball
Oldgit1
The one and Ayoze 17
Shot Bru
Laurent Robert 32
Wayayman
Apologies if I’ve missed anybody but if so could you repost them.
Oh and Tuff I can’t see any of Ian’s known aliases in the list but you are more of an expert on them than me – can you see any of them?
Spoof
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:56 PM
Comment #38Our Toon
I’d go for exactly the same with one exception, this probably won’t surprise you but the exception is Anita, I just cannot see Rafa playing Anita out of position when he has two experienced right backs to choose from, the anchor men for me would be Hayden and Shelvey but I think that Shelvey will lose out to Colback.
martoon
Aug 3, 2016 at 12:57 PM
Comment #39Bobby I’ve got yours you must have posted them as I posted the list!
LGFUAD21
Aug 3, 2016 at 1:04 PM
Comment #40Agree with many on here.
I wouldve just paid the £15m for McCormack.
It is an inflated fee but he is by far the best striker in the league and would snap him away from rivals.
I think Armstrong should go out on loan. He had a cracking season but he’s not ready for regular first team action here as has shown from his appearances here. If he’s not going to play regularly then lets send him out and allow him to keep developing at such a young age.
Definitely need another Winger and a Striker. May also need to replace Mr T as I’m not confident we have that covered with Haydn and Saivet (unknown and looks to be off).
Perez is decent but he cannot play up top alone. He disappears.