Newcastle will have a massive clearout of players this summer as Rafa now tries to build a squad that can challenge for the top six in the Premier League.
And the Chronicle is reporting today that local lad Adam Armstrong will be available for transfer this summer.
After doing really well on loan at Coventry in the 2014-2015 season when he scored 20 goals in 40 appearances, Adam has not done so well in the last two years.
His loan spells at Barnsley and Bolton were not successful, although this year at Blackburn Rovers in League One he did score 12 goals in a total of 44 appearances.
Adam Armstrong – will be sold this summer
Adam is 21, and it’s make or break time for him at Newcastle.
Benitez will bring at least one striker into the club this summer and Adam would appear to be way down the pecking order if he stays at Newcastle.
The report is that Rafa has made the decision to sell the young striker with two years still left on his contract.
Once a player reaches 21, he must be showing through at Newcastle in the first team, if he has a future career at the club.
But Adam would seem to be joining a long line of local lads who have not made it at Newcastle.
He reminds us of Adam Campbell who was also a promising young striker at the club.
Campbell left the club back in 2015 when he was 21 and had a short two-year spell at League Two Notts County (12 goals in 77 appearances) before joining Morecambe last summer.
That’s an area of the club that Rafa wants to improve in the years ahead as he wants more players coming through to the first team.
Comments welcome.
133 comments so far
jazzyp
May 21, 2018 at 7:38 PM
Comment #1Rafa’s gonna have to bring in more than one forward at this rate Edd
Gayle, Mitro, Arma and I wouldn’t be to bothered if Josepoo left either.
Would we except Torres on a freebie as one of the three new forwards ??
Essex Geordie Bill
May 21, 2018 at 7:43 PM
Comment #2Thought the bus had stopped for the day. 🙁
Essex Geordie Bill
May 21, 2018 at 7:46 PM
Comment #3I just posted a comment and it disappeared into limbo!
I said that Bradley Dack would slot into any EPL team straightaway but I can’t see Blackburn selling him.
Most definitely a player to keep an eye on.
In view of this latest news re wee Adam perhaps we could do a swap.
Jail for Ashley
May 21, 2018 at 7:46 PM
Comment #4Jazzy,
It was a shame about Joselu, he was doing quite until those lads brought that song out, the pressure of waiting to hear it in the stands cracked him up.
Bobbybee
May 21, 2018 at 7:47 PM
Comment #5Jesper, are you being deliberately obtuse? 🙂 What I’m saying is it represents nothing. The pass from Shelvey makes the goal, not the two yard sideways pass. Yet Shelvey doesn’t get a mention, Yedlin does for the assist.
So Shelvey’s assists are greatly reduced, despite him being absolutely crucial to the goal. Yedders wouldn’t be near the ball if Shelvey hadn’t picked him with the real killer pass. The two yard tap is a nothing ball, yet he gets the assist, not Shelvey. You must be able to see my point, I doubt I could explain it better.
We’ve seen examples of it time after time. It gives credit to a simple pass and nothing to a killer ball. So what’s, the point of them?
Jail for Ashley
May 21, 2018 at 7:47 PM
Comment #6*quite well
Essex Geordie Bill
May 21, 2018 at 7:50 PM
Comment #7I can’t help feeling we ditch the youngsters too quickly, Bigiramana for example had a great game for Motherwell in the Scottish Cup final. Might have made a big difference if he’d played the whole game and not just the second half.
Jib
May 21, 2018 at 7:50 PM
Comment #8Bobby
Welcome to the world of Jesper
He thinks good blogging is arguing black is white
Just be thankful there’s only him and not the full
crew of him and Ibiza and Catchy and Ruddy.
Bobbybee
May 21, 2018 at 7:51 PM
Comment #9The thing about Arma, is he doesn’t count towards the squad. He’s a complete free hit because he came through our academy. He’s, not one of the 25 limit.
Put him on the bench and say ‘there’s, your chance, show us what you can do’ when he came on.
carltoon
May 21, 2018 at 7:51 PM
Comment #10What a shame re Armstrong. About time we sorted the academy out. Mr. Ashley any time soon please.
Essex Geordie Bill
May 21, 2018 at 7:51 PM
Comment #11Perhaps assists to assists should be credited as well.
Jib
May 21, 2018 at 7:52 PM
Comment #12BTW it’s Pirlo’s testimonial tonight
carltoon
May 21, 2018 at 7:53 PM
Comment #13If only we had a stronger team and we could blood the young players in.
chicousa
May 21, 2018 at 7:54 PM
Comment #14Contrary to most people’s assumptions that Rafa will sell Mitro this summer, I hope he gives Mitrovic another look. Although he has failed to hit Rafa’s target for him while on loan (20 goals was the target and Mitro managed “only” a paltry 12 in 15 starts), he might deserve another shot. Add the 2 goals Rafa scored in limited minutes for Newcastle and I think the young Serbian has shown he has more than a little potential…
Mag52
May 21, 2018 at 7:55 PM
Comment #15Am I seriously missing something about Rafa getting a new contract ?
Why is everyone implying that it must be sorted by this summer ?
Is it not possible that Rafa will stay on for next season, make a success of it in one way or another, and then, around say April next year, be offered another three years by fat Mike ?
Bobbybee
May 21, 2018 at 7:56 PM
Comment #16Ruddy submit button! 🙂
The idea of letting him go without even giving him a chance smacks of stupidity. Give him a go. If he fails, sell him. He can’t be on that much a week and all that potential wasted without even a chance?
He would score the sitters Gayle’s missed, I guarantee that.
Put a sell back option in or a resale percentage at least. But I’d definitely give him chance to shine.
Maybe a good Toulon Torno might help his cause. There’ll be no shortage of takers I know that. Madness. Still, wouldn’t be Newcastle otherwise would it!! 🙂
AncientC
May 21, 2018 at 8:13 PM
Comment #17Assists is a useful stat, just a very basic one. Professionals such as football managers have access to much more in depth statistics, everything pass and move is analysed on football pitches with the data given back to managers. Shelvey splitting a defence and setting up an assist is another stat, it’s just that we as average football fans don’t get to see all of that information.
magic hat
May 21, 2018 at 8:15 PM
Comment #18The reason why 21 years old is make or break is because under21’s don’t count for squad places. So if they aren’t good enough for the squad then they get sold or go out on loan. That’s just the way it goes. He’s not a free hit and would count as a squad place even though he’s from the academy. A buy back clause and sell on fee percentage in his contract would both be worthwhile. In case he comes good. But we need to clear the decks and anyone over 21 not in the main squad or on the fringes of should now be leaving. That includes Ivan Toney and Jamie sterry. Etc
Bobbybee
May 21, 2018 at 8:24 PM
Comment #19Magic hat, he’s still classed as U21 mate, hence his place in the England U21 side. It all has to do with a cut off point re when you were born in that year. He was born in February and is still viewed as U21.
lochinvar
May 21, 2018 at 8:24 PM
Comment #20Arsenal are set to appoint Unai Emery as their new manager.
Manchester City assistant Mikel Arteta had been a strong favourite to succeed the outgoing Arsene Wenger. Well there’s always Sunderland, Swansea and Stoke to talk to.
AncientC
May 21, 2018 at 8:24 PM
Comment #21What was the point of sending Adam Armstrong to Blackburn if he could go there, have a great loan spell, only for him to be sold regardless of how well he did or didn’t do at Blackburn. It makes zero sense. What is the incentive for any players out on loan to do well if that is the case.
Bobbybee
May 21, 2018 at 8:29 PM
Comment #22The reality is Arma should’ve been blooded a long time ago. Getting relegated didn’t help and we can see now from the figures that getting promoted was more important.
We have quite a past of letting promising youngsters slip by. It’s only the odd one that makes it aged 17/18 after all.
When you compare the sheer quality of his goals to some of the bizarre strikers we’ve signed, the mind truly boggles.
Get a buy back clause inserted, you know it makes sense.
Bobbybee
May 21, 2018 at 8:34 PM
Comment #23Loch, I heard that on the radio mate. Seems whoever it is, they’re only getting 50m smackers too in the summer and it’s putting prospective managers off.
£50m plus sales seems like a canny pot to me, unless you’re owned by a small country or have credit limits that… Well, have no limits 🙂
I can’t wait to see what Rafa can do with his money. Not done too bad so far.
Mag52
May 21, 2018 at 8:36 PM
Comment #24Bobbybee.
I hope he stays and gets a chance with us, but if he goes don’t let’s forget – In Rafa We Trust, don’t we.
AncientC
May 21, 2018 at 8:41 PM
Comment #25I wouldn’t like to think Armstrong will be flogged, meanwhile Joselu gets held on to because Charnley isn’t prepared to cut losses and lose face. We saw what happened with Riviere in that regard. You could keep Armstrong on a small percentage of what Joselu earns, and with other clubs subsidising his wages out on loan.
Keeping Armstrong for another couple of years doesn’t appear to represent a large risk, especially factoring in his future potential. Pros outweigh the cons.
Bobbybee
May 21, 2018 at 8:41 PM
Comment #26Mag52, in Rafa we trust indeed. Doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything he does though. I think he’s making a mistake but I don’t count anyway. None of us do. If this is part of a greater scheme then who am I do disagree? If he brings in bloody Torres though, I won’t be so happy about it! 🙂
Chancel My MBembaship
May 21, 2018 at 8:47 PM
Comment #27Assisting an assist is called a ‘secondary assist’ and they are recorded too. They’re just not talked about much.
Bobbybee
May 21, 2018 at 8:48 PM
Comment #28Ancient, definitely in agreement there mate. The sheer quality – and quantity – of his goals tells you there’s a real player there. To let him go without even giving him chance is madness to me. Nothing to lose.
Yes, he had problems at Barnsley and Bolton, but he was played out of position. A striker is only as good as the chances he gets. Clearly, supply him chances and he finishes them off. Even half chances he turns into chances. I fail to see what we have to lose, by at least trying him out. If he fails, fair enough, let him go. But to let him go without even trying is, bordering on reckless. Especially if he goes on to prove us wrong. Can’t help but feel we will live to regret this one.
Jib
May 21, 2018 at 8:48 PM
Comment #29Bobbybee
If he brings in bloody Torres though, I won’t be so happy about it!
Until the third hat trick
Australian Pie
May 21, 2018 at 8:49 PM
Comment #30Player of the season: Lascelles
Flop of the season: Joselu
Surprise of the season: Big Mo
Disappointment of the season: Mitro (the fact I really wanted this to be the year he got a long run of games to show us what he can do)
Mystery of the season: Mbemba (played well I thought when he played then was just removed from the squad)
Bobbybee
May 21, 2018 at 8:56 PM
Comment #31Jib, when was his last hattrick? 🙂 He’s a has been mate, he struggled last time and I doubt he’s improved over the last few years. He’ll be heading for one last big payday in China or the USA. Good luck to him, but I’m done with giving ex great players a cushy retirement plan. I simply don’t want to see him in a Newcastle shirt. It’s a backward step imo.
Mag52
May 21, 2018 at 8:56 PM
Comment #32Bobbybee.
Spot on.
For me, Armstrong, Mbemba and Mitro are the players who look as if they’re off and where I would respectfully disagree with Rafa, but what do I know ?
Toonces
May 21, 2018 at 8:58 PM
Comment #33Chancel, Bobby: I like you discussions about assists.
In other sports- mainly ice hockey – the second assist is awarded and counts for a player in their normal assists total. As to your argument bobby – this initial assist comes to a player who sees the scoring play develop ahead of the final pass and goal so they get credit for it.
Basketball has a similar discussion about this because they only award the final assist and not award the play just before that set everything up. Same as PL football. That is for the stats book though, as you can see with your own eyes how good the player is that makes the unrewarded killer pass.
But to say assists don’t matter at all is a bit too dismissive as someone still needs to make the final ball to the would be goal scorer and that is important too.
Bobbybee
May 21, 2018 at 9:01 PM
Comment #34Mag52 he’s the manager and we have to accept his decisions, whether we agree or not. He lives and dies by those decisions, we just get pissed off! 🙂
I agree with more than I disagree and that’s how I make my judgement of a manager. If you agree with every single decision he makes you’re tending towards being a sicophant. 🙂
Bobbybee
May 21, 2018 at 9:06 PM
Comment #35Toonces, I didn’t say it doesn’t matter, I just think they only tell half a story. I don’t even agree that a two yard pass to a striker who then slams in a thirty yard screamer, classes an assist. Mostly I think it’s just a way of making players feel important. We’ll be buying them birthday cakes next!
Bobbybee
May 21, 2018 at 9:10 PM
Comment #36Anybody got a dark horse for the World Cup?
Jib
May 21, 2018 at 9:10 PM
Comment #37A Psycho Phant
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
May 21, 2018 at 9:11 PM
Comment #38In that case Jib…over and out to you on that one! Enjoy!
Essex Geordie Bill
May 21, 2018 at 9:11 PM
Comment #39Another mystery is Saivet, was outstanding against WH and didn’t get another game for us!
Essex Geordie Bill
May 21, 2018 at 9:13 PM
Comment #40Bobby
How about England? 🙂