One of the players who is improving very quickly at Newcastle is holding midfielder Isaac Hayden, who we signed from Arsenal for a low £2.5M in the summer and the 21 year-old, born in Chelmsford, has already made 12 appearances (8 starts) for Newcastle with one goal.
Isaac seems to be rotating with Jack Colback to play alongside Jonjo Shelvey, who has started the last 12 games for Newcastle and is having a great season for us.
In the summer before he signed for us Isaac had a meeting in London with manager Rafa Benitez and as soon as that meeting was over he knew he wanted to join Newcastle.
Isaac Hayden in action this season
Isaac was enormously impressed with the manager who had discussed his strengths and weaknesses as a player and areas in which he could improve.
Issac has talked in the Chronicle about when he knew he had to leave Arsenal to further his fledgling career:
“I was a player who was in or around the squad, I wanted to get away from that. I want to develop,”
“Even Jack Wilshere had to go on loan as he’s not getting opportunities at Arsenal.
“So if he can’t get them when he’s an England senior international then I had no hope.
“I noticed that quite early on in pre-season and looked to rectify it, and Newcastle was an amazing option for me and I jumped at the chance.”
And it’s turned out to be a great move to Tyneside for Isaac who has a terrific temperament and is just a smashing lad.
In fact Rafa has not only brought in some good players this summer but they all have excellent characters and are willing to roll up their sleeves and fight when things get difficult on the pitch.
That’s a huge difference from last season when far too many of our players gave up the ghost when we went behind in a game – especially away from home.
Newcastle have won five of the seven road games this season and only conceded two goals on our travels – a huge difference to last season under Steve McClaren.
16 points from seven away games is not too bad after losing the first game at Fulham.
Isaac Hayden looks like a tremendous player in the making for Newcastle and he’s in good hands with Rafa Benitez
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
3 comments so far
Budge123
Oct 25, 2016 at 9:19 AM
Comment #1Odd story about Watford and forged bank letters.
As long as it’s not Ashley in the news!
Imagine the reaction if we had a points reduction due to his commminguling.
StuW
Oct 25, 2016 at 12:50 PM
Comment #2Reckon Haydon will be in squad permanently before long. Clearly much more quality than colback. Reckon his price was a bargain too. Under Rafa will be near England squad in a couple of years without a doubt. Cracking lad and professional, nice change after players such as Jenas, moussa sisso-go and Cheick bank balance.
TyneMouth
Oct 25, 2016 at 3:04 PM
Comment #3RAFA BINGO. Confirmed Team for Cup-tie.
………………….Darlow
Anita… Mbemba… Grant…Dummett.
………….Heyden……Colback
…..Atsu………….Diame……..Gouffran
…………………..Gayle.
…don’t think Rafa will rotate goal-keepers, he will most likely select Sels for an away game, perhaps Saturday at Preston…