One thing is certain tomorrow and that is that Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez will field a much stronger side then he started against Blackburn Rovers at home over six weeks ago when Rovers won 1-0 and ended our nine game winning streak.
Rafa made six changes to the side that had just beaten Leeds United 2-0 the week before at Elland Road.
Newcastle have not played well in the last couple of games without Jonjo Shelvey but we don’t think Rafa will make many changes for tomorrow’s game.
Mo Diame – could start tomorrow night
Here’s the side he could start against the former Premier League Champions:
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles (c) Clark Dummett|
Colback Hayden
Ritchie Diame Atsu
Gayle
So there’s just one change from the side that started against Nottingham Forest and won 3-1 with Mo Diame coming in as the withdrawn striker in place of Ayoze Perez.
Both Yedlin and Atsu played well on Saturday and we expect them to keep their places.
It will be the last game for both Mo Diame and Christian Atsu before they go off to play for Senegal and Ghana respectively in the African Cup of Nations in Gabon.
We may even see former Blackburn captain Grant Hanley get a start at the back against his former club.
What team would you start tomorrow night?
Comments welcome.
123 comments so far
JamesToon
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:11 PM
Comment #1Welsh
You actually aren’t happy with rafa as our manager?!
JamesToon
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:13 PM
Comment #2So pathetic, deluded and embarrassing some of the fans we have.
WWSBRD
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:16 PM
Comment #3James
Am not that bad eesh haha
On topic that’s the team I’d expect but I’d maybe have Hanley or Mbemba in for Clark and Lazaar over Dummett
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:17 PM
Comment #4So would we rather have Mitro, Murphy, Perez or Danny Graham if Gayle was injured?
cyprus
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:19 PM
Comment #5On Sammy. Bring him back, Rafa take a look at the lad. Tallest winger in the world, which is intimidating to little FBs, bags of talent, home grown. Only 24.
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:19 PM
Comment #6Is it Bingo time – Belfast I’m sure I have at least 25 points, if you could check back to last season!
posada
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:19 PM
Comment #7We need more strength/stature in the side if the Forest game is anything to go by.
I’d play Diame with Hayden in central midfield.
I’d bring back Goufran for Atsu.
I’d play either Murphy or Mitro with Gayle.
A second striker could not possibly be less effective than Perez.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:21 PM
Comment #8I haven’t checked but I take it there were no bingo winners from the Forest game.
Mine for tomorrow
Darlow, Anita, Lascelles Clarke Dummet Ritchie The Gouff Colback Diame Gayle
lesh
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:21 PM
Comment #9For you guys away from Tyneside, here’s an app that’ll enable you to listen to BBC Radio Newcastle……
iRadio Player https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9nblggh5jvmh
welshgeordie9
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:22 PM
Comment #10James
Only his tactics, nothing else.
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:24 PM
Comment #11Darlow
Yedlin Lacalles Clark Dummett
Hayden Anita
Ritchie Diame The Gouff
Gayle
Toonfan8
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:25 PM
Comment #12JamesToon
who are you, that if somebody has other opinion than you, you will call him like that? People are people and have their own opinion. We are here, to talk about our loved club, nobody wants bad for our club. So please stop attacking if anybody has their view.
On S.Ameobi – no, not good enough for EPL and top championship side too, has his chance and wasnt good enough to be in the team.
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:25 PM
Comment #13Rafa Bingo:
Darlow
Yedlin Lacalles Clark Dummett
Hayden Anita
Ritchie Diame The Gouff
Gayle
1-3!
Jail for Ashley
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:25 PM
Comment #14toontaff22,
I’m in the lead with 192 points so far.
WWSBRD
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:27 PM
Comment #15Tonnfan8
Ur defending a troll to someone who actually talks football on here. It’s not opinion vs opinion it’s a reaction to a trouble maker
WWSBRD
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:28 PM
Comment #16Jail
U won’t get the points tomorrow as am pretty sure Rafa will put 11 players out
JamesToon
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:29 PM
Comment #17toonfan8
i dont mean to come across as “attacking” someone, but it feels like some fans just will never be happy.
welshgeordie9
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:30 PM
Comment #1815WWSBRD
Defending a troll, what for having an opinion that some might not agree with, grow up.
AncientC
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:30 PM
Comment #19With Benitez playing zonal, wouldn’t it be difficult to switch formations, as the zones that each player are carefully drilled in covering would become confused with a formation change.
Benitez could spend his time coaching different formations into the side, but using a zonal system, he wouldn’t be able to dedicate as much time to getting his preferred system correct.
I do not find 4-2-3-1 to be easy on the eye myself, but it is a bit of a one size fits all, and better to be master of one formation, than a jack of of them all.
Perhaps when the sides has had more time together, and better players are brought in, a bit more flexibility could be introduced.
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:30 PM
Comment #20Only thing wrong, in my opinion, with James Toon’s comment was actually calling them fans!
We’d all agree it is great to have different opinions, but no point a WUM stopping the flow of these opinions, spouting such crap, just for the sake of it.
Anyone who actually believes Pardew, Pullis, McLaren or Carver are anywhere close to Rafa’s level, should seek help!
JamesToon
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:31 PM
Comment #21I’d put gouffran back in the team ahead of atsu but apart from that i’d agree with eds xi
WWSBRD
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:32 PM
Comment #22welsh
I am a grown up and u are a trouble making troll
toontaff2
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:33 PM
Comment #23WWSBRD at 16
Time to check into this! No wonder he is leading!!
welshgeordie9
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:34 PM
Comment #24Yeah will like i said.
Mag52
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:35 PM
Comment #25WWSBRD
Footballers all want to play, of course they do. That’s what rotation is all about.
Rafa appears not to rate Mitro or Murphy. So what’s plan B should we lose Gayle for some time ?
WWSBRD
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:36 PM
Comment #26toontaff
Aye have to keep a keen eye on that Jail fella he’ll pull a fast one haha
WWSBRD
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:38 PM
Comment #27Mag52
If Gayle gets injured it’ll be one of Perez, Mitro or Murphy
Toonfan8
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:38 PM
Comment #28I know that some opinions can be annoying, but there is no reason to attack someone. I am not in love with Rafa too, but I am not saying he is bad, he is good thing to this club, because he brought stability, but if you ask me, if I like his style, the answer is no. Am I worse fan than any other on this blog because of that? I am waiting for these next two windows and how we will perform in EPL and then I will say if he is good or bad, now its too early I think…
chicousa
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:44 PM
Comment #29Even with only 10 players listed on Jails lineup, I’m sure he will still get 5 more points! 🙂
Mag52
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:45 PM
Comment #30My team v Blackburn:
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clark Dummett
Hayden Colback
Ritchie Diame Gouffran
Gayle.
welshgeordie9
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:50 PM
Comment #31Toonfan8
Well said.
chicousa
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:51 PM
Comment #32Rafa bingo lineup for Blackburn away
Darlow
Anita, Lascelles, Clark, Dummet
Ritchie, Diame, Hayden, Atsu
Gayle, Mitro
Highly unlikely but one of these days Rafa will surprise us and start both Gayle and Mitro up top!
Score: 1-2
HWTL
Belfast
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:54 PM
Comment #33Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clark Dummett
Ritchie Diame Colback Gouffran
Gayle Mitrovic
posada
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:54 PM
Comment #34I don’t think we do play 4/2/3/1.
Spurs play that.
You need an attacking fullback with pace on each side.
That’s not us.
Mag52
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:54 PM
Comment #35WWSBRD
In which case we’ll have as lone striker a player who Rafa clearly doesn’t have much confidence in, unless he changes his formation, which I suppose he might.
The alternative is to have a nippy little poacher type goal scorer brought in which wouldn’t disrupt the system the team are used to.
Belfast
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:58 PM
Comment #36It has to happen at some stage
bettyswallocks
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:58 PM
Comment #37http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3e/e2/02/3ee2020bbea7fd24b9fae606e75e5870.jpg
This might explain some of Welshies over assertive behaviour.
WWSBRD
Jan 1, 2017 at 6:59 PM
Comment #38Honestly if people aren’t happy with Rafa am not sure they will ever be happy with NUFC. I mean he’s a top level manager and he likes the club enough to be in the Championship with us when he could walk into another job
Am not sure who people think we should have instead? Rafa isn’t going to change(he’s more than proven he doesn’t need to with his CV) he is up there with the best we have ever had man
chicousa
Jan 1, 2017 at 7:00 PM
Comment #39Belfast,
With Jonjo out it is a good time to give a 4-4-2 a shot! Come on Rafa, give it a go!
Jib
Jan 1, 2017 at 7:02 PM
Comment #40Betty
You are a tedious pr!ck
back off you cretin