Karl Darlow will start off as the number two goalkeeper behind Martin Dubravka this season.
Rob Elliott has been pushed down to the number three goalkeeper position although he started as the number one last season.
But Martin Dibravlka is clearly the best goalkeeper in the squad and has raised the bar significantly at Newcastle with his performances this year.
Rafa has also said that Darlow has improved this year through training with the Slovakian, who can play as a sweeper goalkeeper and the 29-year-old has looked fantastic at Newcastle.
But Karl epitomizes what you want in a professional footballer and he will help Martin as much as he can while he himself tries to improve himself at the club.
Rafa Benitez congratulates Karl Darlow
Here’s an interview with Karl reported in the Shields Gazette today:
“It feels a bit different this summer.”
“I think Martin,coming in and doing so well last season, he’s obviously the main man, so it’s about pushing him and helping him, but also selfishly trying to push past him.”
“It’s a different situation to the one I’ve been in in the past, but it’s one I’m relishing. Hopefully, I can do my best and show what I’ve got.”
“We’ve got an abundance of keepers here, but, as far as I know, I’ll be staying at Newcastle. I love the club, I love the fans and St James’s is a great place to play football.”
“It’s always packed out, and it’s unbelievable to play there, so it’s a place I wouldn’t leave in a rush.”
“I still feel like I’ve got a lot to give here and I want to prove that.”
“I think we’ve got great competition all around – it’s a good group,”
““Martin came in and did fantastically well last season so I can have no complaints. “
“It’s one of those where you have to take it realistically what’s going on at the club.”
“But I’ll just carry on doing what I’m doing.”
“We’re professional players, and we’re paid to work hard and stay professional throughout,”
“For myself, I just carry doing what I’m doing and I can look myself in the mirror and be proud of what I’ve done.”
“It would be nice for it to settle down a little! ” “I feel like I’ve achieved a lot here in a short period of time, which was the reason for the move in the first place.”
“I’ve played in the Premier League, had the low of going down to the Championship but then bouncing straight back up, and winning the Championship was so special.”
“Even last season was a success, finishing 10th in our first season.”
“There are lots of positives to be taken from what I’ve achieved and the team’s achieved so far.”
“We’ve just got to carry on as we did last season,” “We’ve got a great set of lads who are up for the challenge.”
That’s a great interview with Karl – who will likely get a chance in the League Cup this year to show just how much he’s improved at Newcastle in the four years he’s been at the club.
He’s just the type of player you want in a squad with a tremendous attitude like that.
And it’s usually your attitude more than anything else that determines just how successful you can be in any profession,
Comments welcome.
24 comments so far
Marzy
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:00 AM
Comment #1New poster so please take it easy. Been a avid reader for a number of years but feel the time is now to have my say.
I’m not a season ticket holder nor do I live in Newcastle, but I use to watch all north west away games and a enjoyed a good 3rd of home matches each year until the Kinnear/Pardew era! My son who’s now 7 is really wanting to decide what team to support, I’ve tried very hard not to influence him in anyway, as most of his school friends are Utd, City & Lpool. He loves Harry Kane and followed England recently in the World Cup with passion. We live in Cumbria and his friends are aware that Newcastle have never won a dime, are a poorly managed football team and play unattractive football so trying to score points was impossible against 7/8 year olds. Previously I echoed the passion, the once great atmosphere at St James and the former players to grace the turf, also had to explain why I have only taken him to one game which was a boring 0-0 against West Ham.
I’ve promised him a club shirt of his choice with his name and number on after he attended Carlisle City football club for a week and won the best attitude award and a winners final medal!
WHAT DO I ADVISE HIM under are current predicament??? Advise welcomed!
Marzy
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:03 AM
Comment #2Re post
New poster so please take it easy. Been a avid reader for a number of years but feel the time is now to have my say.
I’m not a season ticket holder nor do I live in Newcastle, but I use to watch all north west away games and a enjoyed a good 3rd of home matches each year until the Kinnear/Pardew era! My son who’s now 7 is really wanting to decide what team to support, I’ve tried very hard not to influence him in anyway, as most of his school friends are Utd, City & Lpool. He loves Harry Kane and followed England recently in the World Cup with passion. We live in Cumbria and his friends are aware that Newcastle have never won a dime, are a poorly managed football team and play unattractive football so trying to score points was impossible against 7/8 year olds. Previously I echoed the passion, the once great atmosphere at St James and the former players to grace the turf, also had to explain why I have only taken him to one game which was a boring 0-0 against West Ham.
I’ve promised him a club shirt of his choice with his name and number on after he attended Carlisle City football club for a week and won the best attitude award and a winners final medal!
WHAT DO I ADVISE HIM under are current predicament??? Advise welcomed!
Munster Mag
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:10 AM
Comment #3Mary, stuff the ‘I don’t want to influence him’ lark. Bribe him. My son and daughter are toon fans. The son does like Liverpool and I can’t blame him but all is far from lost. I’d rather see him support Leeds wolves etc than follow the crowd and be a man u fan. Our football isn’t that bad by the way. That’s a misnomer.
hibbit
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:14 AM
Comment #4Carlisle City football club ?????????????????
Ron Knee
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:16 AM
Comment #5Lee Ryder
#nufc have resumed talks with #wba over Rondon and Dwight Gayle is still part of the conversation.
Rotonda heights
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:16 AM
Comment #6Munster
Moyes said from day 1 sunderland were going to be relegated. Slight difference is 3 years on Rafa has earned the right to say we may be. Rafa has tolerated Ashley’s antics for a long long time now and way more than he should have to. Besides Moyes is sh–e and has failed dismally at his last 4 clubs.
sing in the corner
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:17 AM
Comment #7Marzy
Go ahead, infect his mind with the Toon virus.
After all, why should he get away with it??
🙂
jane
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:17 AM
Comment #8“Carlisle City football club ?????????????????”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlisle_City_F.C.
Marzy
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:18 AM
Comment #9Thanks Munster Mag, I was born in Preston and all my friends where Utd & Lpool fans, I was the only one who supported the Toon and I loved the KK & Robson years but truly depressed since Ashley has taken over. My son keeps asking me who to support but I feel i need to allow him to make this decision himself as I did!
jane
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:19 AM
Comment #10most teams outside the top 6 have a risk of being relegated.
Marzy
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:19 AM
Comment #11Hibbit, to fair Carlisle doesn’t excite him!
The overrated Frenchman
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:20 AM
Comment #12What are you wearing today jane?
c-dog
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:21 AM
Comment #13When sky and whoever report that Ashley’s net transfer spend per annum at Newcastle is 4 million pounds they haven’t factored in agents fees.
^^^ jane style garbage objectivism right there.
Marzy
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:22 AM
Comment #14Problem is there is no where in Cumbria to buy a NUFC shirt other then online. We visit local sports shops and they stock everything but the Toon, so instantly he’s influenced by what’s in the shops! Arghh
jon.c
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:25 AM
Comment #15Ashley will never sell the club and has no intention he just goads at our blogs and laughs aloud let us now forget the sh-t and concentrate our full support on Rafa and the squad and finish top half of the table.
jane
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:26 AM
Comment #16“concentrate our full support on Rafa and the squad and finish top half of the table.”
my thoughts too
Pottsclock
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:27 AM
Comment #17Like all of us, I’m sad about the lack of transfer funds. Same every year. But…..
…when we stuff one of the those big spending teams that have no soul, such as when we stuffed Chelsea last season, it is so so much sweeter. How can one of the big 4 be stuffed by us when we spend nothing and have players who not £20m+ transfers?
That’s what you need to explain, Marzy. It’s about passion. It’s about soul. It’s about keeping the faith and belief when everything seems against you. It’s about team spirit, fight and wearing the badge with pride no matter what the circumstances and what the odds are. It’s epitomised in the fans. That’s the difference. No plastic fans at NUFC, no successes on the pitch that are bought.
jane
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:27 AM
Comment #18“^^^ jane style garbage objectivism right there.”
often needed on here 🙂
dig-n-dig22
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:27 AM
Comment #19Ron Knee 4
Someone posted on an earlier thread yesterday that Gayle was offered as a sweetener behind Rafa’s back to secure the Rondon deal and that Rafa wanted to keep Gayle, so the fat tw@t can fcuk off.
TomaKaThor
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:31 AM
Comment #20To be honest I am getting so desperate, I hope we can still swap Hayle for Rondon and then bring in the young French striker as well, would all seem very simple and practicable if this was any other club than Newcastle, if we managed to get Rondon we won’t get any other striker and we will be one dimensial
Nicky the ball tosser
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:32 AM
Comment #21Your mistake was giving him a choice. Should just go out and by him a full toon replica kit, with “Shelvey” on the back, and then take him to Benton to get Shelvey’s signature in big red marker emblazoned on the front. That’s my advice. Throw in a new pair of Gola’s while you’re about it, and a subscription to Shoot.
c-dog
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:33 AM
Comment #22@jane, to quote king Théoden, “You have ever been a herald of woe. Troubles follow you like crows, and ever the oftener the worse.”
SwissSte
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:34 AM
Comment #23It’s slightly worrying is that Freddie Woodman only has two years to go on his contract, gets regular playing time for England u21, won the u20 World Cup, is from London and will potentially move back there when his contracts up if he’s still nowhere near the first team squad. Even less likely to stick around after Rafa leaves. Isn’t he about to go on loan to Charlton this season?
Btw, £20 for a ticket to a friendly is a total rip off. Should never be above £10!
Jib
Aug 4, 2018 at 9:51 AM
Comment #24c-dog
Very apt that you reference Gandalf
I think I’ll call you Frodo because you
have clearly had your ring destroyed.