It’s only one game tomorrow, but it would be excellent if we can record a win before the international break.
It is even more critical after we lost a tough game on Monday night at Turf Moor and dropped to 9th place in the league table.
But that position is a lot higher than a vast majority of the so-called expert pundits were predicting.
Rafa has done a great job with the players he has, and hopefully, we can keep in the upper half by the end of the year.
At that time Newcastle will want to strengthen the squad by bringing in at least 3 new players in the January transfer window.
Rafa, as usual, is down to earth and will have prepared the players well for another close game tomorrow afternoon.
Rafa Benitez – we must keep a perspective
We must take 3 points at home against teams who are below us in the league table, and that includes the Cherries who are currently second bottom of the league.
Here’s some of what Rafa has said in his press conference this afternoon:
“I have told the players something they already know – we have to have perspective. Nobody was expecting we would be in the top ten.”
“We are fine. Maybe a draw at Burnley on Monday night could have been more fair but we have to concentrate on the next game.”
“We are much better than people were expecting. It could be better, but it could be worse. We have to improve the team every week.”
“Last week, we had Isaac Hayden with little problems but for this game he is fine. We have 3 or 4 players for that position.”
“Teams like Bournemouth know the Premier League now. They have a clear idea to stay in the Premier League as a target.”
3 points tomorrow will at least keep us well above the relegation zone for the next two weeks and then we have a chance to shock Manchester United at Old Trafford two weeks tomorrow in the late game.
Looking forward to that game but first of all we have to win tomorrow.
Comments welcome.
61 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Nov 3, 2017 at 3:58 PM
Comment #1Computer geniuses Ed and Kaspcer need to sort out this I phone virus, it’s getting bang out of order.
Jib
Nov 3, 2017 at 4:03 PM
Comment #2Jail
Have you tried turning it off , and back on , a couple of times ?
😎
bettyswallocks
Nov 3, 2017 at 4:12 PM
Comment #3http://www.bt.dk/sites/default/files-dk/node-images/471/471873-fartkontrol.jpg
Can anyone guess which country this is?
Jib
Nov 3, 2017 at 4:19 PM
Comment #4Deutschland
toonincheek
Nov 3, 2017 at 4:19 PM
Comment #5Denmark ?
Jib
Nov 3, 2017 at 4:19 PM
Comment #6Denmark
Jib
Nov 3, 2017 at 4:20 PM
Comment #7In Germany it would be
Fahrtkontrol
bettyswallocks
Nov 3, 2017 at 4:27 PM
Comment #8Quite right Jib . No h in the Danish version.
bettyswallocks
Nov 3, 2017 at 4:36 PM
Comment #9http://cdn.funnyisms.com/5bd738ef-c6ea-43e6-84f8-31fc8ba48781.jpg
I also stumbled across this which would explain Jesper’s confusion over the smileypooemoji stuff.
lesh
Nov 3, 2017 at 5:14 PM
Comment #10Jiblets
Sorry to hear you were caught up in a dispute that affected your trip to Spain. But you got compensation from the airline because your plans were disrupted? Which airline were you booked with? This one https://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/flight/future/poppi-imaginary-airline-innovate.htm
Bettys,
You’re right about the German verb cavern having an ‘h’ where the Danish word doesn’t. It’s similar to the silent ‘p’ in bath!
Jib
Nov 3, 2017 at 5:15 PM
Comment #11Benitez says he would rather use defender Chancel Mbemba as an emergency midfielder than recall Colback.
‘We have the international break now and we have enough players in that position, we have Chancel Mbemba who can even play in midfield,’ he added.
‘Without Merino, we can play Mo Diame, Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden and Henri Saivet.
‘If we need anything else, we can also play Mbemba, he played there in the Africa Cup of Nations.’
Jail for Ashley
Nov 3, 2017 at 5:16 PM
Comment #12Wearside Jack is being treat like a ginger stepson!
lesh
Nov 3, 2017 at 5:18 PM
Comment #13Bettys
* German verb cavern? Cavern should’ve read German verb ‘fahren”
Jib
Nov 3, 2017 at 5:22 PM
Comment #14The Guardians teams for tomoz
Jib
Nov 3, 2017 at 5:29 PM
Comment #15Colback has clearly put Rafa’s back up
with what he’s said.
It makes you wonder what sort of shite they got
away with saying , to Rafa’s predecessors.
Jib
Nov 3, 2017 at 5:30 PM
Comment #16they – being the players
Jib
Nov 3, 2017 at 5:34 PM
Comment #17It’s looking like John O’Shea to take the scum to new depths.
https://www.oddschecker.com/football/football-specials/sunderland/next-permanent-manager
Fostino
Nov 3, 2017 at 5:37 PM
Comment #18Its clear to see where we struggle. Lb. Am and an st. Goalkeeper could be improved too but you can’t fault the lads in there elliot..manquillo..perez..joselu. it’s clear that some players need to he moved on such as gayle. .mitro..darlow..good..haidira..colback..and I’d nearly day mbemba too although I wouldn’t mind seeing him play dm instead of diame
Jib
Nov 3, 2017 at 5:38 PM
Comment #19This guy is 1000/1 to manage the Mackems
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/15634303.Forget_Sir_Alex_and_Wenger___this_Oxford__Football_Manager__is_a_record_breaker/
Jib
Nov 3, 2017 at 5:39 PM
Comment #20Fostino
The twice I’ve seen Chancel in the flesh
I noticed he’s got a canny eye for a pass
Rotonda heights
Nov 3, 2017 at 5:41 PM
Comment #21It’s great to see Rafa getting ruthless like that. Bang average player taking a lot of money out of the club every week, refusing to train when needed and turning down moves from relatively nearby for ”geographical” reasons!
I long for the day when we get taken over and I won’t have to take the flak from my Arsenal and Chelsea supporting mates for having players like Colback any more.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Nov 3, 2017 at 5:43 PM
Comment #22Jail…the issues you are experiencing are not a problem everyone are experiencing…
…Ed cannot safeguard the blog completely unless he has a third party doing the real time virus protection.
Those who want to cause harm to other people with phishing and so on do so…
Protect yourself that’s the best solution.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Nov 3, 2017 at 5:47 PM
Comment #23Betsy…there were actually no confusing about the meaning of a pile of poo emoji…
…which you would know if you read my comment!
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Nov 3, 2017 at 5:49 PM
Comment #24lesh…that made absolutely no sense what so ever!
Jib
Nov 3, 2017 at 6:49 PM
Comment #25I waited one hour
Danish blog breaker strikes again
AncientC
Nov 3, 2017 at 7:32 PM
Comment #26Jib, the blog breaker, strikes again.
AncientC
Nov 3, 2017 at 7:33 PM
Comment #27The Guardian look to have the predicted line up correct—aside from Gayle in place of Joselu–in my opinion.
AncientC
Nov 3, 2017 at 7:35 PM
Comment #28Joselu up against Begovic. It does not bear thinking about.
welshgeordie9
Nov 3, 2017 at 7:46 PM
Comment #29It’s been a shite year.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Nov 3, 2017 at 7:50 PM
Comment #30Ancient…Joselu has used his 9 lives mate…
…it’s time for Rafa to turn a page in his book of tactics
jane
Nov 3, 2017 at 8:02 PM
Comment #31as Rafa says we are doing better than expected.
jane
Nov 3, 2017 at 8:03 PM
Comment #32there will be defeats and poor performances though.
jane
Nov 3, 2017 at 8:04 PM
Comment #33Bournemouth will be difficult as they are largely the same team that are established in the Premier league.
jane
Nov 3, 2017 at 8:06 PM
Comment #34Bournemouth have played Man City, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea only losing by 1 goal in 3 of them.
toon22
Nov 3, 2017 at 8:06 PM
Comment #35Aint it funny how the old site didnt have all the virus issues this one does.
jane
Nov 3, 2017 at 8:10 PM
Comment #364 difficult matches in November (Bournmouth, Man Utd, Watford and West Brom), more than 3 points from these matches will be doing well probably.
jimmysmith
Nov 3, 2017 at 8:37 PM
Comment #37Was beginning to think the Guardian didn’t know Lejeune played for us, It didn’t have in in the matchday squad, or listed as injured or suspended for the last two weeks. Their predicted 11 is generally pretty terrible, but this week it looks on the money.
I’d be astonished if Gayle starts. Gayle and Perez up top doesn’t have the gravitas, Gayle and Diame doesn’t have the quality. I think we’ll go Perez and Joselu again. I think these two train well, and Rafa places a lot of stock in that. Joselu seems to have a little performance anxiety, but I suspect Rafa likes the way he prepares for matches and conducts himself personally, same with Perez. Not sure he quite has the same regard for Mitro and Gayle. Not sure I do either.
jimmysmith
Nov 3, 2017 at 8:53 PM
Comment #38On Mitro. I think Joselu gets the nod because he’s the better pro, and Gayle because Rafa likes something different off the bench. Mitro I think is edging closer to a start the longer Joselu struggles to find his mojo. I think he’s number 2 in the actual pecking order. Like for like to start, and at the moment Joselu has the shirt, so on match day Mitro is in the stand, but not on the outer.
jimmysmith
Nov 3, 2017 at 9:15 PM
Comment #39“Sunderland’s natural position is seventh in Premier League”, says Ellis Short.
Pull yourself together man!
jane
Nov 3, 2017 at 9:18 PM
Comment #40if Joselu and Perez start tomorrow and we win i can see them starting up to Christmas.