Dwight Gayle’s performances this year have been good, and he’s not only started scoring some goals for us, but in the last two homes games, he’s had an assist in both games – brilliant assists too.
Rafa Benitez had mentioned in January how he was pleased with the attitude of the striker and that \he was doing well in training.
Dwight has looked good, and one thing we’ve noticed is that he works his socks off for the side.
Rafa believes maybe the uptick in Dwight’s form is due to extra competition up front since Slimani arrived, even though Islam has been injured.
Islam Slimani – still has to show us what he can do
This is what Rafa has said about how the arrival of Slimani has affected Gayle – as reported in the Chronicle today:.
“He’s fine, he’s doing well,” “Joselu has not been playing too much at the moment, but whenever he is on the bench he is positive too.”
“Joselu plays 10 or 15 minutes at the end of games, he is giving us control and something different.”
“The competition now is quite good. And Islam Slimani, when he comes back to fitness, will have to compete with them.”
“Islam has confidence in himself, which is positive, but he has to show us this in the training sessions and with his country.”
“Then we will see what happens against Huddersfield.”
Rafa is a great believer in having as much competition as possible for first-team positions.
It seems to be working, and hopefully, we can get our third successive home win against the Terriers on Saturday.
If we do win, it will be only the second time this season we have won two games in a row.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
80 comments so far
Optimistic Panda
Mar 27, 2018 at 7:28 PM
Comment #41No idea what’s going on with Slimani but a good win should see us within sight of safety, I don’t want to be depending on him at this late stage.
Jib
Mar 27, 2018 at 7:28 PM
Comment #42Jail what you have boggling at the moment
isn’t large enough to be dignified with the
title “mind”
Jail for Ashley
Mar 27, 2018 at 8:46 PM
Comment #43OP,
We’ll hopefully see him for twenty minutes against ‘Udders when we’re 3-0 up.
Dagwoodz
Mar 27, 2018 at 9:18 PM
Comment #44The Udders game is lining up to be interesting…they may only have 2 central midfielders available, as Mooy just came back from his Australia international game injured. While I’m glad he will most likely not be involved, I have a feeling that it will make Udders act like a cornered wounded animal…a dangerous fixture just got more dangerous from a psychological standpoint.
A Pain in the Blog
Mar 27, 2018 at 9:19 PM
Comment #45Graham Porter in The Mag is reporting that both Aaron Mooy and Philip Billing have been sent home early from international duty (Australia and Denmark) with suspected injuries. Terence Kongolo and Michael Hefele are already out with hip and knee injuries respectively.
It’s not looking too good for Huddersfield right now ahead of Saturday’s match.
Offkey
Mar 27, 2018 at 9:55 PM
Comment #46Mitro with 2 against Nigeria
ronaldo aarons
Mar 27, 2018 at 10:17 PM
Comment #47Both mitro goals
https://mobile.twitter.com/MagpiesRelated/status/978731886301405184
ronaldo aarons
Mar 27, 2018 at 10:19 PM
Comment #48This one is better for second goal.
https://mobile.twitter.com/WhiteNoise1879/status/978736759214428160/video/1
ronaldo aarons
Mar 27, 2018 at 10:21 PM
Comment #49Saw this comment also on twitter lol (don’t mean to flood the site). A few posters made this comment on here.
Serbian Football
@SerbianFooty
Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored 11 goals in his last 16 games for Serbia. To quote some of the Newcastle fans from my mentions “He’s found his level”.
ronaldo aarons
Mar 27, 2018 at 10:25 PM
Comment #50Was robbed of a third goal too as ball deemed not to have crossed the line.
chicousa
Mar 27, 2018 at 10:33 PM
Comment #51It will be interesting to see if Rafa will clear the slate clean and take a fresh look at Mitro this summer. I doubt it, but wish he would! Mitro doing this well for Serbia and Fulham should see his price soar, so is good for us whether he stays or goes.
ronaldo aarons
Mar 27, 2018 at 10:40 PM
Comment #52Yeah reckon his time with us done unless Rafa is not manager next season. He’s seen as not needed and is a player that can bring in good amounts of funds. Think he’s only got 2 years left on contract after this season so would need to be sold this summer to get as much as possible for him.
ronaldo aarons
Mar 27, 2018 at 10:42 PM
Comment #53Not one for wanting players injured but I’m glad mooy looks to be missing our match, guy has been a pain on past couple matches v us. Just need to let the ref know that they tend to go for head high challenges so watch out for it.
ronaldo aarons
Mar 27, 2018 at 10:50 PM
Comment #54Watching the Italy game and quite disappointing to see the lack of quality in the team, know they didn’t have full team out, verrati, marchisio, balotelli but they have potential good young players coming through like berardi etc Hopefully they can find their way and finding a system that will work for them. Insigne for example was pretty much non existant on left but belotti came on and he pushed closer to him and looked a different player. Always been a fan of their national team and regularly watch Italian football, underrated league though I understand people have their opinions and see their league as boring etc.
ronaldo aarons
Mar 27, 2018 at 10:51 PM
Comment #55Blog is quiet like.
RobLeenio
Mar 27, 2018 at 11:00 PM
Comment #56Just got in from a night at el Torero – not sure what Merino’s on about, that is a fantastic Spanish restaurant.
RobLeenio
Mar 27, 2018 at 11:02 PM
Comment #57Ronaldo, not seen the Italy match and the missus is watching some pants Jack Nicholson romcom. I’ll hope to catch the highlights and watch out for some kind of quality
RobLeenio
Mar 27, 2018 at 11:04 PM
Comment #58You reckon Mooy is really injured or is Wagner pulling the same kind of fast one that Rafa is potentially pulling with Ritchie?
This weekend will be another tactical battle, just like the two matches in the Champo and the one earlier this season. It won’t be easy, but Rafa has had the better of the duels so far.
RobLeenio
Mar 27, 2018 at 11:06 PM
Comment #59If Rafa was ever to leave the Toon, or move into a board position, I wouldn’t mind seeing David Wagner pitch-side. Really good coach in my book.
RobLeenio
Mar 27, 2018 at 11:20 PM
Comment #60So Germany lost at home to Brazil. Big turn around from the World Cup 5-1 Germany win in Brazil 4 years ago. Very brave playing that game right before the new World Cup
Jib
Mar 27, 2018 at 11:32 PM
Comment #61https://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-towns-aaron-mooy-injury-14464504
RobLeenio
Mar 27, 2018 at 11:35 PM
Comment #62Jib, the article says nothing, confirms everything. Expect Mooy and Ritchie to be available for selection come Saturday
RobLeenio
Mar 27, 2018 at 11:39 PM
Comment #63Just seen the penalty decision for Italy. Essentially Tarkowski is running in a straight line, the Italy forward puts his leg out and Tarkowski stands on his foot in his natural stride. Makes no move towards the player, no attempt at a tackle, the only lateral movement is from the Italian. This VAR is total BS. If it’s going to be implemented, we need a complete re-write of the rules around intent and purpose.
Jib
Mar 27, 2018 at 11:41 PM
Comment #64Team for Saturday
RobLeenio
Mar 27, 2018 at 11:47 PM
Comment #65woah, Jib, no Diame or Kenedy? You’ve got to be crackers, surely? Also, even if fit, Slimani won’t start when Gayle has been training with the squad for 3 weeks.
Jib
Mar 27, 2018 at 11:52 PM
Comment #66RobLeenio
I’m doing a Rafa
thinking of Leicester and Arsenal after this game.
There’s more to this than people think
Munster Mag
Mar 27, 2018 at 11:55 PM
Comment #67No chance of that team Jib
RobLeenio
Mar 28, 2018 at 12:02 AM
Comment #68Oops, my posts aren’t appearing, am I being moderated?
RobLeenio
Mar 28, 2018 at 12:04 AM
Comment #69Nope 🙂
Dubravka
Lejeune, Lascelles, Dummett
Murphy, Merino, Diame, Shelvey, Kenedy
Perez
Gayle
Jail for Ashley
Mar 28, 2018 at 6:13 AM
Comment #70RobLeenio,
A 3-5-1-1 (2) can’t see that at all, I think that is tinkering for the sake of it, maybe in a friendly.
Jiblets,
Thinking of Leicester and Arsenal??? It’s not like they’re two or three days after. Huddersfield is the must win game of the three yet you have our two most in form players dropped and a guy who’s played 27 minutes in two months starting. Mmmmmm
Jib
Mar 28, 2018 at 7:05 AM
Comment #71I can see where Robleenio is coming from
Yedlin will be jetlagged from his trip to the States
and Huddersfield do try to overrun teams in the midfield.
Anyhow it’s all thrown out there for discussion and perhaps
may not be all that serious mmmmmmmmm
😛
RobLeenio
Mar 28, 2018 at 7:24 AM
Comment #72Never really meant a flat 5 more like Diame sitting deep, shelvey and merino in front of him and wing backs with Murphy and Kennedy. Very fluid system. Didn’t Rafa play 3 at the back recently, maybe vs Man U? Rafa does prefer to play those that haven’t travelled as far, so maybe Ritchie for Merino or Murphy, but was taking into account his ‘injury’
lochinvar
Mar 28, 2018 at 7:43 AM
Comment #73This is shocking. Ageism at it’s worst.
Protest now, contact your MP, bombard Goodison Park with protests.
It mustn’t be allowed.
Fans around the country need to ensure that Everton are stuck with Mr. Allardyce and his hoof ball tactics for a very long time.
That’s only fair.
Everton have set their sights on Shakhtar Donetsk’s Portuguese manager Paulo Fonseca, 45, as a replacement for current boss Sam Allardyce. The Toffees are believed to want a younger man at the helm. (Mirror)
lochinvar
Mar 28, 2018 at 7:50 AM
Comment #74Can’t see Rafa tinkering with the selections despite the Internationals.
Back four to start the same, maybe sub Yedlin if he tires later on.
Ritchie injury a smoke screen, he’s too important not to start, Murphy or Atsu as his sub cover. Merino will get on later as well.
Dubravka
Yedlin,Lascelles,Lejeune, Dummett
Ritchie, Diame, Shelvey, Kenedy
Perez
Gayle
Jib
Mar 28, 2018 at 8:16 AM
Comment #75The player in the .com quiz ?
Lucky Luuk
martoon
Mar 28, 2018 at 8:17 AM
Comment #76I had to smile when the pundits after the England game were saying “We need someone who can spray passes around from midfield”. I just can’t think of an English player who can do that – can you? 😀
Jail for Ashley
Mar 28, 2018 at 9:18 AM
Comment #7722K for the U21’s at Bramall Lane, that’s pretty good that mind, I wonder how many we’d put in at SJP.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 28, 2018 at 9:21 AM
Comment #78RobLeenio,
Did he play Murphy as a wing back against Chelsea in the cup?
Little h
Mar 28, 2018 at 9:30 AM
Comment #79I personally think the slimani thing is down to a loan fee being x amount on x amount of performances and y amount on y performances it makes more sence then a good old conspiracy theory
Phil K
Mar 28, 2018 at 5:39 PM
Comment #80This deal doesn’t “seem strange” it stinks like week dead fish
Odd he went to Tunisia’s friendly