Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has just named his side for the third pre-season friendly of pre-season at Valley Parade in Bradford.
The manager in charge at Bradford is Leeds-born Stuart McCall (shown above) who was a player for two spells at Bradford City and is in his second management spell for them.
Here is the team as just reported on the Newcastle United Twitter account.
Subs at @OfficialBantams: Woodman, Gamez, Manquillo, Mbemba, Saivet, Colback, Diamé, Aarons, Murphy, De Jong, Mitrovic. #NUFC
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) July 26, 2017
Mbemba, Hanley, Dummett, Aarons, Mitrovic and de Jong – who started the last game – are on the bench at the start of this game.
We also expect it to be all change again at half time, as Rafa gives as many players as he can a run-out tonight.
It would be nice to get the win tonight against the League One side.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
212 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Jul 26, 2017 at 7:46 PM
Comment #81toontaff,
Aye they’re a bit flat but hey ho.
RUNAWAY777
Jul 26, 2017 at 7:47 PM
Comment #82Toontaff2 will be in the east corner bro on match day
Our Toon
Jul 26, 2017 at 7:48 PM
Comment #83Markaccus
I was wondering why you were the voice of reason on here, all makes sense now
Wwsbrd and markaccus I think the most important attribute for a no10 is a footballing brain, knowing when to move into space, picking a pass etc etc
toontaff2
Jul 26, 2017 at 7:49 PM
Comment #84http://images17.fotki.com/v374/photos/5/538804/2513971/lastword4-vi.gif
😆
RUNAWAY777
Jul 26, 2017 at 7:50 PM
Comment #85No hibbit it me out in the red hot sun cant wait for some toon air bro
Ron Knee
Jul 26, 2017 at 7:51 PM
Comment #8618mins: Rafa is getting a little frustrated with some sloppy passing from #nufc. Has thrown his arm around in frustration a couple of times
Ron Knee
Jul 26, 2017 at 7:54 PM
Comment #8721mins: Bradford enjoying more possession in last few minutes. Home side growing into the game a little more #nufc
toontaff2
Jul 26, 2017 at 7:55 PM
Comment #881-0. Hand of God
willowdalerez
Jul 26, 2017 at 7:56 PM
Comment #89Offside ;-( Good to hear Shelvey is in form though!
Ron Knee
Jul 26, 2017 at 7:57 PM
Comment #90Shelvey puts ball in net from an extremely acute angle, but it’s been ruled out by the referee for handball. Looked a tough call. #NUFC 0-0
willowdalerez
Jul 26, 2017 at 7:58 PM
Comment #91Clear audio link:
https://www.nufc.co.uk/nufc-tv/live/live-audio
Working just fine for me in Canada
willowdalerez
Jul 26, 2017 at 7:59 PM
Comment #92Ritchie from Shelvey off crossbar… Need to finish these. Wish I had a video link to see if it was a sitter or not.
Moonraker15
Jul 26, 2017 at 7:59 PM
Comment #93Under difficult circumstances Rafa is slowly but surely getting the players he needs to compete in the Premier league. What a difference a top manager makes; we are lucky to have this man and I feel this is the start of something big! Happy happy happy!
Markaccus
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:03 PM
Comment #94Sounds like we are pretty much in control now. Shelvey really seems in good form. Good job the result isnt important as that sounded like a dubious call for no goal.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:04 PM
Comment #95Moonraker,
All those that went out of their way to slate his every move last season need to realise how lucky we are.
Markaccus
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:04 PM
Comment #96Willow
Just going off what i heard, it was a looping ball that could have dropped in. I agree though i would like to see some chances going in
Jail for Ashley
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:06 PM
Comment #97Apparently Manquillo is a great passer as is Lejuene, it’s supposed to be a strong point of Merino as well, another top class striker and we could be laughing.
willowdalerez
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:07 PM
Comment #98BBC commentator just echoed my previous thought… We are not putting our chances away and we won’t this many in Prem. wish I could see this. Anyone at the match?
shearerclass09
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:07 PM
Comment #99Any one else feel as though Raffa is building a very young bright squad. A lot of under 21 internationals i think it will be a struggle this year but i feel he is looking for the long run in a few seasons some of these players will be full international’s hopefully ?
Markaccus
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:07 PM
Comment #100Jail
What i found strange was that people were questioning the defensive style….when Rafa is known for building from the back and counter attacking. Winning by the odd goal or 2. His whole career he does that, but for some reason people wanted him to play all out attack here.
Markaccus
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:09 PM
Comment #101Jail
So defenders and holding players who pass well. Again it looks like Rafa is sticking to his tried and tested style.
Ron Knee
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:10 PM
Comment #10233′ – Applause from the away fans as Florian Lejeune traps a high ball expertly and loops it over an onrushing forward. Superb play. #NUFC
Our Toon
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:11 PM
Comment #103Markacuss and jail
That approach will suit us this season, not fussed on the missed chances or results in friendlies, wanna get through these with players learning and building up fitness
Markaccus
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:12 PM
Comment #104Right. Phone is dying. Be back later. Hopefully to discuss a comfortable freindly win
toontaff2
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:13 PM
Comment #105Expert Newcastle summariser, Mal Bamford 😮
willowdalerez
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:14 PM
Comment #106Markaccus @ 101 – That is why I think Colback isn’t automatically out just b/c it looks like Merino is in. Colback sits deep and can control the ball and passes well enough (no flair but he fits Rafa’s style of play and love of a deep bench).
ShirebrookToon
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:15 PM
Comment #107Runaway
Where abouts in east corner you sitting mate?
Jail for Ashley
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:15 PM
Comment #108Ron,
You listening to .Co. uk or .com
willowdalerez
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:17 PM
Comment #109Halftime and memorable quotes…
“That’s another chance to Newcastle gone too waste” / “hung on for too long a time” (from BBC)
This is Bradford come on boys take your chances!
I look forward to the change up at half time as those on the bench must be chomping at the bit to show Rafa what they can do.
ShirebrookToon
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:18 PM
Comment #110Jonjo is running the show form the sounds of it.
toontaff2
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:19 PM
Comment #1110-0, half-time, Runaway.
Commentators saying we played well. Missed a few chances. 1 disallowed for handball. Hit bar. Reckoned Rafa has us well drilled.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:20 PM
Comment #112Atsu has been well involved, Aarons is going to seriously keep him on his toes, same with Ritchie and Murphy. I still can’t believe that people like Beardsley, Moncur etc allowed this purple policy to exist. How on earth can a team expect to do well if a player plays shite and knows he will play next game regardless. The aMount of five plus hiding we suffered due to this is an absolute disgrace to the club.
Our Toon
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:21 PM
Comment #113Decent 45mins by the sounds of things on here, no injuries which is key. Let’s get those subs on and give everyone much needed minites
willowdalerez
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:23 PM
Comment #114Shirebrook – Shelvey is indeed running the show and that’s why I think we need another proven CM in. If Shelvey goes down with an injury where will the creativity come from? Merino sits deeper and is unproven in top flight football.
Ron Knee
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:24 PM
Comment #115Jail
Just lifting tweets from the Chronic, etc.
magspuggy
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:25 PM
Comment #1166 left footed players on the park for nufc
I wonder if that some sort of record..
We sound canny in the first half.
Well drilled and quick to counter attack..
ToonTime
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:25 PM
Comment #117The chronicle have confirmed that it’s a permanent deal for Merino. It’s a loan with an obligation to buy at the end of it which is ‘a permanent deal dressed up as a loan’. It’s a way for Newcastle to spread the cost of purchases while we wait for the TV money to come in.
Bobbybee
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:28 PM
Comment #118Canny first half by the sounds of it. Total control, as should be against these. Scoreline irrelevant but we do need to take chances. They’ll come though the sharper we get.
Waiting for Murphy to score. Sometime during the season we’re almost guaranteed to see the headline ‘Jacob’ s Cracker’. Or, if he gets a red card, ‘Jacob’ s Crackers’. 🙂
Pleased Rafa is bringing a lot of young players in. Reading between the lines tells you that he’s going nowhere as he’ll want to see the fruit of his labour.
G
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:29 PM
Comment #119Jail mate, don’t slag Beardsley off, apparently thats a massive blog no-no. So I am told anyway.
firebug666
Jul 26, 2017 at 8:30 PM
Comment #120Miles Starforth? @milesstarforth 16s17 seconds ago
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Jacob Murphy, Javier Manquillo and Mohamed Diame will be coming on for the second half. #nufc