NBC Sports reported before the game today at St. James’ Park they were hearing rumors that Rafa Benitez and captain Jamaal Lascelles had a fall-out in training this week,
The news is Rafa wanted Jamaal to play on the right of a back three for the Chelsea game and Jamaal is reported to have refused.
We assume Rafa would play Federico Fernandez in the middle.
If that’s true then it’s the very last thing we want to happen – problems within the squad – self-inflicted.
Especially between the manager and captain who have both been outstanding over the last two successful seasons.
Rafa Benitez and Jamaal Lascelles in happier times
When you look at it – if the news is true – then Jamaal is at fault because he should play where Rafa wants him to play.
And Rafa seems to have quickly put his foot down and didn’t include Jamaal in the squad for today’s game against Chelsea.
There were even rumors this morning that Jamaal would not be in the squad.
Oh my – now we really need a win today.
Comments welcome.
173 comments so far
Toon Tang
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:33 PM
Comment #81Clumsy looking tackle tbh ball or not
RUNAWAY777
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:33 PM
Comment #82Robbed by the ref f..ling twet
catchy in norway
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:33 PM
Comment #83cheated
Geremi's Prosthetic Leg Fund
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:33 PM
Comment #84Was always going to happen set up like that. Really are back to the bad old days of pre Christmas.
Our Toon
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:33 PM
Comment #85We fully deserve to be behind for setting up this way, anti football, I used to hate pulis and fat Sam for similar tactics in the past, never thought my own team would set up that way
Wasn’t a pen but stupid to even make that challenge
ilovetoon8788
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:33 PM
Comment #86Good job. Pathetic by Rafa.
Chancel My MBembaship
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:34 PM
Comment #87Grinding out a 0-0 against the likes of Chelsea at home suits me, no matter how bad it is to watch. These are the games that see us grab those odd points and keep our goal difference healthy. Want to see us attack Chelsea gung-ho style and get hammered? That would be utterly foolish.
Munster Mag
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:34 PM
Comment #88If u play like that at home that’s what u get. This isn’t Halifax town v Chelsea you know. Where do we draw the line Rafa ffs???????
davetoon
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:35 PM
Comment #89Ahh ffs
ilovetoon8788
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:35 PM
Comment #90Why are we even worse than wolves and Brighton?? Why?
Pathetic anti football. We deserve nothing today.
Chancel My MBembaship
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:35 PM
Comment #91Oh well, this won’t be one of those 0-0’s. Damn it.
cyprus
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:35 PM
Comment #92Never a penalty. But we offered nothing to this game. But desperate defending.
Only a result would’ve justified this display.
toon kk
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:36 PM
Comment #93We shouldn’t be in the premier league IF this is our way to play football. Unacceptable.
ilovetoon8788
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:36 PM
Comment #94@chancel
In case your forget, we got battered by Cardiff too. We deserve nothing today playing like this.
davetoon
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:36 PM
Comment #95Terrible decision by the ref
Munster Mag
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:37 PM
Comment #96Dummett fool
jimiley
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:37 PM
Comment #9790% possession to Chelsea.
Thats a joke.
Talk about parking the bus in the penalty area.
We will never get a penalty. You have to go in the opposition penalty area.
Never a penalty but if you keep playing in the box you will eventually get something.
We deserve nothing.
Another cowardly performance which is even worse then the Man City farce.
manxpie
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:38 PM
Comment #98Our 2 best players out a strike force of 5 million and people are wondering why we HAVE to play like this!!
Have a look at mike fuskin ashley full stop
Our Toon
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:38 PM
Comment #99Get in joselu ahaha
Canuck Mag
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:39 PM
Comment #100Hahaha yea his! Good on ya lad
Our Toon
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:39 PM
Comment #101Amazing what happens when you actually have a go
Toon Tang
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:39 PM
Comment #102Boooooooooooooooooooooooooo om
Geremi's Prosthetic Leg Fund
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:40 PM
Comment #103lol get in Joselu.
manxpie
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:40 PM
Comment #104Get in joselu wat a header justice after that shocking penalty
Bambams
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:40 PM
Comment #105I don’t rate Joselu at all but that is a he’ll of a header
Hail Wor Ashley
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:40 PM
Comment #106WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
JOSELU-LU-LU!
😀
Shut up you sad-acts, you know who you are!
Go and support another club if you don’t already ( Ilovetoon looking at you)
Geremi's Prosthetic Leg Fund
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:40 PM
Comment #107Have to say, great great finish.
jane
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:40 PM
Comment #108what a goal
DaveD1000
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:40 PM
Comment #109C’mon Hoser loo
Geremi's Prosthetic Leg Fund
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:40 PM
Comment #110If only he could hold it up as well…. and use his feet.
ctommo
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:41 PM
Comment #111justice that is.
What a header by the hoss.
Munster Mag
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:41 PM
Comment #112Joserlooo yes!!! Now come on go for them toon
ilovetoon8788
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:41 PM
Comment #113Ffs. That was a super goal by Joselu. Though we deserved nothing this game.
TomaKaThor
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:41 PM
Comment #114Yes we have parked the bus, but we have lost for one reason,a terrible ref decision,disgraceful all that graft ruined by one man
Canuck Mag
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:41 PM
Comment #115Who would’ve thought. Joselu top scorer with 2 beautiful headers. He’s emerging from his cocoon
davetoon
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:41 PM
Comment #116Hahah get innnnn. Justice
TomaKaThor
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:42 PM
Comment #117On we scored when I turned game off ha
ilovetoon8788
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:42 PM
Comment #118That’s what rafa. If we actually gave this game a go, we could have won.
davetoon
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:42 PM
Comment #119What a header
Nicky the ball tosser
Aug 26, 2018 at 5:42 PM
Comment #120Oh God, please hang on.