NBC Sports Network has a show called Men in Blazers which is hosted by two Englishmen Michael Davies and Roger Bennett.
It’s meant to be a light-hearted show where the hosts talk about soccer here in the states.
And would you believe it, but Newcastle’s one American player DeAndre Yedlin has been interviewed on the show and that’s because Newcastle are now back in the land of the living – also known as the Premier League.
Serious looking Michael Davies and Roger Bennett
Hosts of Men in Blazers TV show on NBCSN
Smile – you’re on Candid Camera
Our players are now likely to be seen more often on shows linked with the English Premier League – NBCSN only covers the Premier League in the US.
In his interview DeAndre has talked about Rafa Benitez and the Newcastle fans.
This is some of that the 23 year-old had to say:
“He almost just simplified it.” “When I first got there I didn’t know what to expect.”
“Every footballer in the world knows Rafa Benitez.” “But I didn’t know his exact coaching style.
“He has a way of simplifying everything.” “He tells you things that you know but things you kind of need to hear again so that they become second nature.”
“In training we work a lot on shifting when to press and when to stay back.”
“Returning to the Premier League was a great feeling.” “It just felt like my career was back on the up.”
“Not only that but the fans, the Geordies, are loyal and great fans.”
“Everybody knows them.” “They were behind us at away games and it was always sold out.”
“It’s great for the city as they are where they belong.”
DeAndre played 32 times for us last season with one goal and he continues to be covered regularly in the press in his native Seattle.
That press coverage should increase in the coming season since Newcastle are now back where we belong in the Premier League and we can watch every Newcastle Premier League live again.
🙂
DeAndre improved his overall game last season under Rafa and we expect even more improvement this season in England’s top division.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
27 comments so far
Salmon Fish
Jun 9, 2017 at 9:57 AM
Comment #1Guess he’s French. If anyone interested;
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/who-florian-lejeune-closer-look-13144187
hibbit
Jun 9, 2017 at 10:05 AM
Comment #2Salmon Fish are you Kabul Fish ??????????????
jimmygscot
Jun 9, 2017 at 10:12 AM
Comment #3When was the last time NUFC had a decent French Defender, they don’t exist. They need to have alook at the Celtic CB.
SPRINGY
Jun 9, 2017 at 10:22 AM
Comment #4Jimmy
I think celtic would want double what we are looking likely to pay for this lad and lejune is playing against a better quality opposition weekly,so can understand ya doubts as we have struggled to find a good french cb, but can also understand why we are after him,he mau fail but so myt the lad from celtic but would cost a lit more.
WWSBRD
Jun 9, 2017 at 10:24 AM
Comment #5jimmy
Good French defenders don’t exist?
Celtic players are hard to judge because they play is a terrible league
jimmygscot
Jun 9, 2017 at 10:32 AM
Comment #6Springy
WWSBRD
Yea point taken.
I just hope moves are being made behind the scenes to bring in new players and soon.
Exciting times.
WWSBRD
Jun 9, 2017 at 10:42 AM
Comment #7jimmy
For the first time in years am completely relaxed about this window mate I’ve no doubt Rafa is tapping up players left right and centre with plans to build a competitive NUFC and plenty will be interested
ShirebrookToon
Jun 9, 2017 at 11:11 AM
Comment #8WW
Totally agree with your last comment mate. Great times ahead 🙂
martoon
Jun 9, 2017 at 11:22 AM
Comment #9Jimmy – Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal is quite a decent French defender (I’m not suggesting we buy him – just saying).
I know the transfer window opens today – I think Sky phrased it as the English Transfer Window. So is it for all transfers involving English clubs or just between English clubs or were Sky wrong and it’s all clubs – well at least in Europe anyway?
The next Mike Williamson
Jun 9, 2017 at 11:25 AM
Comment #10I always have my doubts about defenders coming from the Mediterranean leagues. I’ve never seen this guy but on his whoscored profile, it says weakness is tackling (not a good start), his style is playing long balls, and his strength is headers (although he’s probably not playing against beasts like Lukaku and Crouch that often. I expect the three we already have will keep him out the team.
martoon
Jun 9, 2017 at 11:31 AM
Comment #11I’ve just seen that Monk is Boro’s new manager – I can’t decide if that is a good appointment for them or not?
nightfa11
Jun 9, 2017 at 11:40 AM
Comment #12French had some top defenders.. Desailly, gallas, thuram,.. More than England tbh..
Our Toon
Jun 9, 2017 at 11:43 AM
Comment #13Rafa might well be tapping players up but he’s not the one negotiating fees, that’s Charnley and with him I have a lot less faith.
I’d like to see key signings made early so that they have time to bed in and more importantly settle into a new city/ club. Get to know teammates and rafa style of play.
It’s been a poor showing so far in the market, not looking promising if we can’t even get a loan deal tied up for Tammy
JP...from The Rock
Jun 9, 2017 at 11:43 AM
Comment #14Possible good news on this transfer:
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/06/09/highly-rated-west-ham-and-newcatsle-target-drops-major-hint-on-h/page/1/
Love his attitude and would be a star.
One of the most promising players we’ve been linked with and still only 20.
Would be a star for the toon!
Our Toon
Jun 9, 2017 at 11:47 AM
Comment #15There’s a few very good French defenders playing now.
Zouma
Varane
Koscienly
Umtiti
To name a few, then there’s Blanc, Gallas, Desailly of recent time. They produce better defenders than us in England
Jib
Jun 9, 2017 at 12:10 PM
Comment #16The Spanish media is reporting that the Colombian sporting press are annoyed thst
the darling of their football
team – James – was ignored by Zidane all season
It has been suggested that he should be loaned to a PL club
to get games for the next WC
Rafa is the only coach in the PL to have worked with him!
The next Mike Williamson
Jun 9, 2017 at 12:11 PM
Comment #17Lebouf too. But the difference is that Lejeune didn’t prove himself in France where there are a lot of big, fast, powerful forwards; he had one good season in Spain against smaller players with good football intelligence and passing skills etc. I’m not wholly convinced by this one.
corkypants
Jun 9, 2017 at 12:15 PM
Comment #18Lizarazu
Thuram
Lebouf
Desaily
Sagnal
Abidal
Evra
Blanc
Candela
Mexes
Varane
Just to name a few
Ron Knee
Jun 9, 2017 at 12:17 PM
Comment #19Claims by Spanish publication EuropaSur that #nufc will play a friendly vs Real Balompedica Linense (Chris Waugh)
corkypants
Jun 9, 2017 at 12:20 PM
Comment #20I know all aren’t centre backs but still good french defenders
Any more news on Lejuane
WWSBRD
Jun 9, 2017 at 12:28 PM
Comment #21Rafa knows what he’s doing with defenders it is one of his main strengths afterall pretty sure we will be alright remember no one wanted Clark last season now hes lauded as our best CB
That young lad seems to be saying good things but I can’t see him turning Arsenal down tbh
Salmon Fish
Jun 9, 2017 at 1:17 PM
Comment #22Corky, are you trying to upset The next Mike Williamson with that comment ha ha.
Seems he isn’t happy with the potential signing of Lejeune.
Salmon Fish
Jun 9, 2017 at 1:20 PM
Comment #23Didn’t like the new look of the blog.Slow and complicated.Needs some amendments if possible.
Salmon Fish
Jun 9, 2017 at 1:52 PM
Comment #24Anyhooo 😉 it’s a month of Ramadan and I’m fasting.Don’t have further energy following and debating if any.
Good day.
Son of a Geordie
Jun 9, 2017 at 2:10 PM
Comment #25Yedlin is a smashing lad. Deserves all the praise he gets. Needs someone to push him to keep the RB spot when Anita is released.
Son of a Geordie
Jun 9, 2017 at 2:13 PM
Comment #26WWSBRD the French would benefit from converting some of their rugby players to football players, at least their rugby players put on a mean tackle in defence ?
OneAlanShearer
Jun 9, 2017 at 3:37 PM
Comment #27Has anyone seen the official released and retained list yet?