All strikers need the confidence to score goals, and that’s maybe one of the things missing from Newcastle’s new striker Joselu so far this season.
There’s no doubt the Spanish striker leads the line well and helps keep Newcastle’s shape during the games.
The 27-year-old is a good target man up front, and he has the technical ability to hold up play when he needs to.
Joselu has twice hit the woodwork this season and also missed two or three golden opportunities.
So he could quite easily have had more than the two goals he has so far this season in 8 total appearances.
We expect Aleksandar Mitrovic to be on the bench today in place of the injured Dwight Gayle, and come on for Joselu at some point in the second half – depending on how the game is going.
Joselu – after scoring against Liverpool
Joselu has been talking to Spanish newspaper Marca and is quick to point out he respects Rafa’s decisions:
“It’s what the boss decides and they are decisions that I respect.”
“Things are turning out reasonably well and there’s nothing to discuss.”
“Yes, I want to settle down and it seems like Newcastle can be the place.”
“I am very happy and I train to gain that stability in the future.”
Joselu is keen to stay long-term at Newcastle, but Rafa is also expected to bring in a new striker in the January transfer window.
And maybe sell Mitro or Dwight Gayle at that time too?
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
67 comments so far
AncientC
Oct 21, 2017 at 9:29 AM
Comment #1When Joselu drops so deep that Perez plays half of the game higher up the pitch than the main striker, something is off.
AncientC
Oct 21, 2017 at 9:30 AM
Comment #2“The 27-year-old is a good target man up front, and he has the technical ability to hold up play when he needs to.”
Mitrovic is 23.
The next Mike Williamson
Oct 21, 2017 at 9:34 AM
Comment #3I think Mitrovic deserves a chance. He’s looked a bit more clinical than Joselu and he holds the ball up just as good. It’s interesting to read an article the other week saying Benitez doesn’t think Mitro or Mbemba have the footballing intelligence to improve as players which is a shame as they’re two of my favourites.
Aside from Joselu, Atsu’s place must be under threat. I don’t think he’s done all that much the last few games and we have options down the left.
Munster Mag
Oct 21, 2017 at 9:34 AM
Comment #4I like Perez and think we will get more from him but with real investment guys like him and Joselu would be sidelined. Tend to agree with Sparky. It’s hard to rate him. But I like his hard work and honesty.
AncientC
Oct 21, 2017 at 9:42 AM
Comment #5Perez seems to be working on his weakness, that being his intensity. What can be said about his competitor. Diame has gone from being a mainstay, to being rotated, to mostly being a sub, and now not getting on the pitch as a sub whatsoever. You have to wonder what is the next phase for Diame—here on out.
wynsleap
Oct 21, 2017 at 9:49 AM
Comment #6At the moment Perez is vital to United’s cause. His relentless running across the back four from side to side, forever covering and putting pressure on the opposing defence is so important to Rafa’s tactics.
He really is key to our pressing formation until such times, hopefully, we are able to purchase much higher quality players up front.
Diame certainly can’t perform that role as he doesn’t have Ayoze’s perpetual motion ability.
The next Mike Williamson
Oct 21, 2017 at 9:58 AM
Comment #7Diame is good at bursting forward when there is lots of space for him. Could be useful in some games off the bench. But his ball control/ technique is shocking as is his decision making and effort. You can tell just by looking at him he’s definitely not a number 10.
Munster Mag
Oct 21, 2017 at 10:14 AM
Comment #8I remember saying about perez’ closing down ability a couple of seasons ago, maybe less. And getting grief for my opinion because he is light! What I like is how he runs at certain angles and makes defenders guess. Its not his pace that makes this happen, it’s just that he kind of works the angles. Just me tuppence.
Jib
Oct 21, 2017 at 10:20 AM
Comment #9Jail for Ashley
Jiblets,
“You seem to post with some sense of pride
about the Strawberry deal”
Jail
What a strange fellow you are to be sure
I posted with a sense of frustration that ,
although the land deal was done months ago
Ibiza and G2 still chirrup on about it like
a couple of real NUFC itk’s.
Jail for Ashley
Oct 21, 2017 at 10:21 AM
Comment #10Mitrovich will be on the bench by default. Do all these people not realise he has been given many chances, why not give Ben Arfa a 23rd chance!
Jail for Ashley
Oct 21, 2017 at 10:21 AM
Comment #11Surely Nile Ranger deserves another chance upon his release
Ron Knee
Oct 21, 2017 at 10:22 AM
Comment #12How the NUFC team has changed since the last Palace fixture:
https://www.themag.co.uk/2017/10/rafalution-marches-newcastle-team-today-compared-faced-palace-18-months-ago-newcastle-united/
AncientC
Oct 21, 2017 at 10:26 AM
Comment #13Yeah, down with Mitrovic and Ben Arfa. Who would want them hanging around in a squad where Diame is a number 10, or previously Colback wore the number 4 shirt.
AncientC
Oct 21, 2017 at 10:28 AM
Comment #14But, but, but… Ben Arfa at Hull. When Steve Bruce cannot get the best out of Ben Arfa, what is the hope for him.
Tinman
Oct 21, 2017 at 10:28 AM
Comment #15Mitrovic is 10 times the player of Joselu. He could be banned for 10 games of the season and would stay contribute more than Joselu
Tinman
Oct 21, 2017 at 10:30 AM
Comment #16Ben Arfa would be a great buy. Sure it can’t be too hard for someone like Rafa to get inside his head.
hibbit
Oct 21, 2017 at 10:34 AM
Comment #17Ben Arfa would be a great buy LOL
Mindshaft
Oct 21, 2017 at 10:49 AM
Comment #18Ben Arfa hahaha , while we are at it why not sign Charlie Austin, we haven’t had any Ed posts about him for ages – Nile Ranger pmsl
Lindisfarne
Oct 21, 2017 at 11:11 AM
Comment #19We need to control the midfield today and stop them passing it out to Townsend / Zaha. Rafa may decide to start with the same side as last week as Lejuene will be more match fit, solidify the defence and hopefully less likely to make a mistake. I doubt Rafa will want to change much and will rely on his consistent formation to neutralise their attacking threat and brake down their rigid two banks of four. However, the question is do we actually have enough ability with the players at our disposal?
Joselu is taking an age to click into gear and does not look likely to soon despite being given every opportunity. Atsu is very sporadic, whilst Perez is working ever harder without fulfilling his early potential and Ritchie needs better players around him to maximise his unceasing drive and enthusiasm. Unfortunately there are few players really challenging for these positions, other than Mitrovic who may or may not deliver and is as much of a muchness.
So all we have to hope for is that Rafas tactical masterplanning will be able to exploit what must be the paper thin confidence of the C.Palace side. Perhaps the fans can assist by replicating the Icelandic Thunder Clap in order to send Woy Hodgson in to PTSD.
sparky55
Oct 21, 2017 at 11:12 AM
Comment #20I really don’t want to see Hayden dropped today…he works hard and harries and closes down angles really well…not something Merino and Uncle Fester are particularly good at.
I would have Hayden and Fester in the middle with Merino playing 10.
Stopping the Palace wide boys and harrying the sh!te out of Cabaye today will be very important.
Neither Zaha or Townsend can outrun Yedders so can see a lot coming down the right.
I see no issues getting thru the Palace defence today but I fear a couple of Palace goals being thrown into the mix so I think we’ll need to score 3 to be sure of winning the game.
All IMO of course 🙂 🙂
Jail for Ashley
Oct 21, 2017 at 11:16 AM
Comment #21I thought Merino coming on against Soton was going to be everyone’s wish of him playing the 10 but it was the opposite, surely he’s a better option than Diame and he’s got to make Perez realise he’s not unstoppable.
Jib
Oct 21, 2017 at 11:17 AM
Comment #22I wonder if Rafa still thinks Roy Hodgson is
“no poder ver a un sacerdote en una montaña de azúcar”
Ron Knee
Oct 21, 2017 at 11:20 AM
Comment #23Rafa won’t be expecting a walk-over today, but I think he’ll be p*ssed off if we don’t get three points.
ilovetoon8788
Oct 21, 2017 at 11:22 AM
Comment #24Our under 23 team is getting from bad go worse.
I hope Peter Beardsley gets replaced next season. He’s doing a terrible job at developing and coaching our youngsters.
RUNAWAY777
Oct 21, 2017 at 11:25 AM
Comment #25In toon with the lads for few drinks before the match toon to win 3..0 and 4..0 £20 on each enjoy the game lads.
RUNAWAY777
Oct 21, 2017 at 11:29 AM
Comment #26Just got 3..0 13/1 and 4..0 40/1 game on
Jail for Ashley
Oct 21, 2017 at 11:38 AM
Comment #27Jiblets,
For the record I don’t agree with your current moderation.
Mister Tuff
Oct 21, 2017 at 11:40 AM
Comment #283 -1 to the Toon.
A nice 3 points and it’ll shut up that ex Palace bloke Simon Jordan who has been slagging off the Toon/Toon fans. It’ll hopefully shut up Wrighty as well.
shaun83
Oct 21, 2017 at 11:44 AM
Comment #29Why is everyone excited about a private equity firm (staveley) buying us! They are in it for a profit, full stop. Much better some Middle East or Russian owner who doesn’t give a toss about the money but wants it for the prestige! Which apparently there are one or two of in the mix!
Jail for Ashley
Oct 21, 2017 at 11:47 AM
Comment #30Hope Murphy comes on and shows Townsend here’s what you could have won. What type of reception will Townsend get Wijnaldum or Sissoko?
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 21, 2017 at 11:47 AM
Comment #31Ilovetoon
I agree re Beardo, but the few times I’ve seen the U23s on NUFC TV they have looked to be the better side even though they’ve lost.
Same problem as the 1st team can’t get the ball into the net.
It’s wet and windy here in Essex how’s it up there.
I thought NUFC were going to be showing live home games this season?
Jail for Ashley
Oct 21, 2017 at 11:48 AM
Comment #32Shaun,
Do you go to work to save dying Etheopian people or help Syrian refugees.
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 21, 2017 at 11:49 AM
Comment #333 Hours 10 Minutes to KO
hibbit
Oct 21, 2017 at 11:56 AM
Comment #34enjoy the game lads & lasses that’s us off to the toon
good luck toon army
Bambams
Oct 21, 2017 at 12:01 PM
Comment #35Ben Arfa rumours applent
Bambams
Oct 21, 2017 at 12:02 PM
Comment #36Aplenty*
The next Mike Williamson
Oct 21, 2017 at 12:05 PM
Comment #37We might as well ditch the youth team & reserve teams the way Beardsley & Watson are handling it. It says something that two of the most talented geordie youths have left us for other teams. Gibson went to Everton & the younger Longstaff brother went to Liverpool. What makes this more telling is both those players had older brothers who went through Newcastle’s system and were presumably advised by their brothers and parents who have inside knowledge that our system is a joke. Not only do we have inept coaches, and send players on bad loans, but we don’t recruit very much often taking players Everton and Celtic released, and even if we do get good players we don’t play them the way Koeman, Klopp, or Pochettino do. And none of our young players ever improve one dot, except the goalies.
The next Mike Williamson
Oct 21, 2017 at 12:15 PM
Comment #38I don’t care where our next chairman comes from as long as they have a bit football knowledge and some sort of long term plan. The Americans only come for a profit but seem to leave clubs completely ruined, the Qataris are corrupt and have ruined football, and nobody knows much about the Chinese yet but they seem the best option of the three. Even if Stavely is after a profit, at least she seems to be a football fan so hopefully she’ll have some idea what’s needed and that’s primarily putting a good manager in charge. Hopefully our decade long run of rescuing the careers of terrible has-been managers (Benitez excluded) is over.
AncientC
Oct 21, 2017 at 12:18 PM
Comment #39shaun83. Club’s make the bigger profits from sponsorship. If Staveley wants to come in, grow the club, and make profit through club value, all power to her and her backers.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/premier-league-ownership-rules-changes-a7781036.html
^ There are new protections in place regarding buying PL clubs.
AncientC
Oct 21, 2017 at 12:34 PM
Comment #40https://www.themag.co.uk/2017/10/premier-league-form-table-must-see-newcastle-fans-newcastle-united/
Maybe Garth Crooks can inform us when the bubble is burst. A month later, and it’s still in tact.