Rafa Benitez has been talking about his goalkeepers, and he has individual plans for each one of them.
Rob Elliot is number one, but the manager is still trying to bring in an experienced stopper to challenge Rob for the starting position at the club.
It’s a surprise that Karl Darlow is still available for transfer after he played so well for us last season in the Championship, and seems to be a goalkeeper improving all the time at Newcastle.
Rafa has indicated he will let Woodman go out on loan but only in January, and Woodman himself seems to want a season long loan so he can get as many first team games as possible.
Freddie Woodman – a great prospect at Newcastle
This is what the manager has said about his goalkeepers:
“I was explaining to our three keepers the situations. Rob knows he must compete to be number one. Darlow: he knew we were open for offers and at the moment.”
“He knows he must stay and fight to do his best to compete.”
“Freddie is more difficult. We don’t want to lose Freddie. He is a goalkeeper with great potential. A good ‘keeper, still a young ‘keeper with great potential.”
“The idea is to protect us as a club and make sure he progresses, to keep him until January and then he can go on loan.”
“He can play with the U23s and stay with the first team and work with the first team ‘keepers every day.”
“Then we are covered if we have any problems because he has the quality to play in the first team.”
“Personally he thinks he would like to play because he wants the experience. I told him he can play with the U23s and we don’t want to lose him.”
“We have decided that he will stay with us and can go on loan in January if he needs more experience.”
“In the meantime we are looking for a goalkeeper with more experience to compete against them. After that we must decide what to do with our goalkeepers.”
While Rafa wants to bring in a new goalkeeper, it seems strange that he would keep Woodman at the club until January rather than send him out on loan for the season.
Maybe that will only happen if Rafa cannot bring in a third goalkeeper in the next 11 days – that would seem to make more sense.
Also if we bring in a third goalkeeper but also sell Darlow – we would need Freddie to stay to be the third goalie in that case too.
It seems a little complicated with our goalkeepers at the moment with only 11 days left in the transfer window.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
105 comments so far
ToonTime
Aug 20, 2017 at 10:33 AM
Comment #41Ancient, maybe that’s where Rafa’s master plan comes into play. With Woodman on the bench getting used to the action until Elliott picks up his usual injury and wham, Woody for England!
bladeuser
Aug 20, 2017 at 10:34 AM
Comment #42The rules are buy a keeper if he is better than the one you have.
Stop making a song and dance of it.
Jesus
ASH OUT
ToonTime
Aug 20, 2017 at 10:37 AM
Comment #43Is Jesus available then? Sign him up Rafa!
ToonTime
Aug 20, 2017 at 10:39 AM
Comment #44The rules are also get a better owner only if he’s better than then one you have.
Ron Knee
Aug 20, 2017 at 10:41 AM
Comment #45Cashley: Who could improve on perfection!
SPRINGY
Aug 20, 2017 at 10:43 AM
Comment #46For me krul hasn’t looked a good keeper for about a year before his injury…he seemed to stall….and his distribution is the worst of elliot,darlow and krul…woodman has potential apparently never seen much of him tbh….but unless theres injuries he cant be expected to step into a struggling premier side, especially at newcastle where the pressure is huge…but if he is as talented as believed he could do it….elliot is the best choice out of the keepers we have.
ToonTime
Aug 20, 2017 at 10:44 AM
Comment #47I’m always happy with an upgrade in any position. But there’s some seriously dodgy owners out there…
ToonTime
Aug 20, 2017 at 10:50 AM
Comment #48As far as goalkeepers are concerned Woodman reminds me a lot of David de Gea who Rafa will know a lot about. He made his debut for Atletico when he was 18 and became their number 1 keeper at the age of 19.
He became number 1 at ManYoo when he was Woodman’s age now.
Ron Knee
Aug 20, 2017 at 10:52 AM
Comment #49“And always keep a-hold of Nurse
For fear of finding something worse.”
ToonTime
Aug 20, 2017 at 10:54 AM
Comment #50Fair point Ron!
magspuggy
Aug 20, 2017 at 10:55 AM
Comment #51The biggest issue i think we have with our goalies is neither elliot or darlow can play the ball quick enough to start a counter attack. This squad is built for it and both struggle and there for need to either get better now or need to leave. Woodman is young and has a great future ahead of him but if he feels he cant get his break here he will want to be away. Rafa has to be carefull how he handles the youngin and i think he will give him his chance in the cup games and that will push darlow out.
AncientC
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:10 AM
Comment #52De Gea had a tough old time of it in his first season. Man Utd basically lost the title that season by keeping faith in De Gea, although it day pay-off in the end, but worth the cost of a title? debatable. I believe that was the season they lost the title on goal difference.
toontaff2
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:11 AM
Comment #53Blade, what team will we put out, today?
We’re gonna win 1-5, you know.
😛
Dagwoodz
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:11 AM
Comment #54I’m guessing we’re going to have better luck on the road this year, as we did last year. Ever the optimist, I’ll say 1-3, with new signing Joselu scoring the first goal.
Not sure if we’re playing Rafa Bingo this year, but predicted line-up:
Elliott
Manquillo M’Bemba Clark Lascelles
Hayden Merino
Richie Joselu Atsu
Gayle
Bench: Darlow, Gamez, Diame, Aarons, Mitrovic, Murphy, Perez
toontaff2
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:11 AM
Comment #55Gone for:
Elliott
Manquillo Lascalles Clark Jesus
Hayden Merino
Ritchie De Jong Atsu
Gayle
subs: Darlow, Mbemba, Diame, Murphy, Aarons, Joselu, Perez
1-5 Toon.
toontaff2
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:12 AM
Comment #56Belfast’s running the Bingo, this year. 💡
RUNAWAY777
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:13 AM
Comment #57What you been on toontaff2 I’ll have same pmsl shirebrook you at the match bro
toontaff2
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:13 AM
Comment #58More positivity, everyone.
😮
toontaff2
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:16 AM
Comment #59Fresh air, caffeine and watching the mackems lose!
Runaway, ‘Udders are a bit too cocky -we’ll show ’em!
Ketsbaia9
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:21 AM
Comment #60I would like to see us sign some flair. Allan from Napoli would be a great signing. I think Shelvey should be utilised as an impact sub.
We need a striker with pace, a playmaker, 2 left backs and that’s it until January. Joselu, Perez and Mitrovic don’t have pace. Gayle should be a sub and no more.
Bianconeri
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:22 AM
Comment #61I’m not sure Raffa trusts Mbemba which is a shame so I think we may see
Elliott
Manquillo Lascalles Clark Gamez
Hayden Merino
Ritchie Diame Atsu
Gayle
magspuggy
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:26 AM
Comment #62250/1 for toon win 5-1 get you some of that. Im going for Elliott
Manquillo Lascalles Clark gamez
Merino
Murphy Ritchie De Jong Atsu
Gayle
5-1 the toon. Hwtl
Munster Mag
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:27 AM
Comment #63The cautious game plan v Spurs will work today so we will be well prepared . A defeat and tame attack would put serious concern into the fanbase. We need something from today even if we stand 5th last. 1-1.
ToonTime
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:28 AM
Comment #64Ancient: In fairness that is selective memory. He indeed had a well documented difficult first season but as a 21 year old keeper playing his first season in the EPL, they conceded 4 more goals than City across 38 games (6 of those were in one match against City) and De Gea had 8 clean sheets out of his last 11 games.
My point which you are entitled to ignore if you wish is that he was first choice goalkeeper for a top 6 La Liga side from the age of 19 and for arguably the biggest club in the world from the age of 21 where he has remained. Given that he reminds me of the style and build (and potential) of Woodman then I think it is a reasonable comparison.
That’s why I think Rafa is not looking for a new number 1 keeper but someone with a lot of experience who is happy to be number 3 after Elliott and Woodman.
AncientC
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:30 AM
Comment #65ToonTime, what is “selective memory” about De Gea having a difficult first season at Man UTd in which he made some errors, leading to Man Utd losing the title on goal difference. Please, explain it to me. I am very interested in your definition of “selective memory”.
AncientC
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:32 AM
Comment #66You do realise that goalkeeping errors actually lose games, not just change the goal difference?
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:35 AM
Comment #67Lochinvar
Post 6 well put you I couldn’t sum up the transfer situation any better.
How long will it be before the “Cartel” will bring up the idea of the top teams breaking away to form European Super League.
toontaff2
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:40 AM
Comment #68Positivity, MagsPuggy, more positivity!
😉
magspuggy
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:45 AM
Comment #69We got this taffy we got this. Ying 2 the yang . Mind you its only a little bet i wont be putting my house on it 🙂
Todays the day we show the prem we are back. 😉
Ketsbaia9
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:47 AM
Comment #70Haha Alderweireld thinks £50k per week isn’t enough. Great defender though
Ketsbaia9
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:51 AM
Comment #71At the moment the following teams are worser than us:
Brighton
Bournemouth
Huddersfield
Burnley
Swansea
West Brom?
Watford?
Ketsbaia9
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:52 AM
Comment #72Anything above 13th would be an okay season.
Bobbybee
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:53 AM
Comment #73Their fans, the pundits and bookies all expect them to win comfortably. How quickly they forget what a good coach Rafa is.
We had Spurs in our pocket until broken brain stood on Alli’s foot. (It was never a stamp, he trod on it). They should’ve been down to ten men anyway, which may have been something winding Shelvey up. (Who knows what goes on in the head of his?).
Either way, we, can beat Huddersfield imo. We’ll set up the same way, suck em in and hit them on the break. These ain’t Spurs and we ain’t Palace. Bring it on.
AncientC
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:56 AM
Comment #74I have to say, I am enjoying watching Liverpool make Barcelona squirm over Countinho. If the reports are true, them seem to think they can barge in and offer a basic price, then pay the rest in add-ons. If they want him, they will have to pay through the nose, just like everybody else. It would be good for the Premier League if Liverpool hold their nerve.
ToonTime
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:56 AM
Comment #75Ancient: I’m here to debate NUFC not to point score. I was pointing out that if Woodman was to become our number one this season then he has the perfect example set for him. Out of De Gea’s 8 year career to date you choose to pick out a couple of games in his first season when he was criticized in the media.
Saying he cost them the title is nonsense. His clean sheets more than balanced out his errors in a couple of well documented fixtures and City won the title with two goals in injury time. End of.
toontaff2
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:56 AM
Comment #76Bobby, hopefully we’ll catch them out, being so cocky!
Carragher on Sky, reckons we’ll lose!
Tinhat time.
TyneMouth
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:58 AM
Comment #77BENITEZ M’BINGO
________________Elliott.
Manquillo____M’bembo ___Clark___ Jesus
_________Hayden______Merino
__Ritchie _______De Jong ___________Atsu
________________Gayle
VIVA BENITEZ! HWTL…
AncientC
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:59 AM
Comment #78ToonTime, that is because Woodman would be playing in the Premier League, not La Liga. Why would I be worried about De Gea’s record in Spain – Woodman will not be playing in Spain. It makes zero sense.
Bobbybee
Aug 20, 2017 at 11:59 AM
Comment #79Toontaff, just his voice winds me up, let alone his opinions mate. Wor lass makes me turn the volume down when he’s yapping. 🙂 The scouse accent is made for whining though innit?
AncientC
Aug 20, 2017 at 12:02 PM
Comment #80ToonTime, one error that costs points = the difference between 2 sides that both have the same points at the end of the season. De Gea made those errors. Ferguson decided to blood him in, and held his nerve when others said he should have been dropped. De Gea has come good, but nobody can argue over the small margins that season, and how De Gea’s mistakes affected those.
If anybody has selective memory here, it is you.