Rafa seemed pleased with the way Newcastle played at Wembley today and after Salomon Rondon hit the post with a header after 60 minutes, we didn’t have much luck against a very good Tottenham side.
Martin Dubravka made one of his rare mistakes to concede a goal with just 7 minutes left in the game but before that, he was putting in another good performance.
New loan signing Antonio Barreca from Monaco made a late substitute appearance to make his debut for Newcastle.
And both he and Almiron will be available for our next game at Wolves a week on Monday night, so we must try to win that game.
And Newcastle should be a lot more effective on the attack with Almiron likely to start the game after a week’s training with the lads.
Martin Dubravka – in action today
It was disappointing today but we still played well and we thought last Monday that Newcastle would have easily lost the last two games.
“We worked hard.” “It wasn’t perfect defensively and they scored with a bit of quality from Son.”
“I was pleased with the attitude of the players, especially in defense.”
“I don’t blame anyone for the goal – anyone can make a mistake.” “It’s a goal that we could have avoided.” “We now have to look forward.”
“It’s been a positive week, but overall to get three points against Man City which no one was expecting was a big boost and to get new faces in will boost the competition.
“They can help sand improve the team and overall it is a positive.
“For sure, the target is still survival – get three points in next game and we are closer to staying up.”
This week has been a good week for Newcastle, the fans and Mr. Rafa Benitez.
Comments welcome.
84 comments so far
ronaldo aarons
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:09 PM
Comment #1When did Richard Keys join the blog?
nufcursed
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:11 PM
Comment #2Rafa nerds to show more guts! Perfomance ok?? If you play for 0-0 maybe.. still spurs were there for the taking, if we attacked them like we did in the last few minutes, we might have won! Playing that defensively won’t do almiron any good. If this is the way he wants to play next season i’d rather have a new manager
DubaiMicky
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:13 PM
Comment #3Catchy, you were nowhere to be seen for days after we won against citeh, you only come on here when we lose. Just F.O. under your bridge/fjord as that’s where trolls belong.
FYI, I’m not a Rafa apologist, he makes mistakes like all of us, I’d love to see ashLIE either F.O. or invest in our club, sadly i don’t think he’ll do either.
Speaking of ashLIE, I wonder which team he was supporting today.
Tsunki
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:13 PM
Comment #4Let me tell you how it will be
I’m the numbers man, that’s me – Catchy
’cause I’m the Stats Man
Yeah-ehhh I’m the Stats Ma-an.
Though they only seem to wor-or-ork for me…
To tell if a player is great
It’s forward pass times 3 plus 8
‘Cause it’s the stats, man!
Yeah-ehhh it’s the stats, ma-an.
Don’t forget to square and divide by 2 point 3….
ronaldo aarons
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:14 PM
Comment #5Actually think you’ll find almiron is at his best leading counters and breaking from deep. Today set up was tailor made for him.
Tsunki
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:15 PM
Comment #6Has anyone got a can of “Norse-Gon” handy? I sprayed the blog with it last week and it’s great stuff but the pests are slowly coming back.
Tsunki
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:19 PM
Comment #7For our younger viewers that song was to the Harrison-penned tune of “Taxman” taken from the critically-acclaimed 1966 album “Revolver” (EMI/Northern Songs).
Tsunki
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:25 PM
Comment #8Nufcursing. Spurs were there for the taking? Like Man City? What a dollop. I think Bournemouth had at them – how did that work out for them? It’s a game that might have gone our way at best. Go shows they are much better than us, therefore the tactic was set in stone. Were you crying about the last performance? 😐
And logic – if we are supposed to be “playing like that” next season, why did Rafa buy Almiron? As a defender?
Tramp
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:37 PM
Comment #9Anybody concerned by today’s result just doesn’t understand football.
Set up exactly how we should be. Team were very well disciplined and clearly followed instruction. Very well organised to soak up pressure, weather the storms and try to break on the counter.
I was very happy with this. Since Rafa came I’ve really started to appreciate the game from a more in-depth, tactical mindset.
We set up exactly how we should against a team like spurs. The only thing we had missing was some pace up top… Enter Almiron, he is tailor made for this formation and this style of play.
Rafa is a serial tactician who thrives on structure and organisation. I don’t always agree with him but today he got it spot on and apart from Dubravkas mistake we did enough to earn a point.
Bambams
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:38 PM
Comment #10Cardiff awarded a penalty, it’s a stupid deliberate hand ball which begs to question his betting slip in his jacket pocket.
It’s that bad
Jib
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:39 PM
Comment #11Directed at Harold Wilson
At the time the Beatles were paying 19s/6d in the pound supertax
Munster you there?
Good game or what ?
Chancel My MBembaship
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:39 PM
Comment #12Well, well, well, what a complete and utter surprise. We lose and look who crawls back out from under his dark little rock. It’s only Catchy! As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow and Donald Trump will tweet a load of old b*ll*cks, Catchy will guarantee to never, ever let you down and magically appear after a loss.
Not going to fault Dubravka for today’s defeat. It happens when you’re between the sticks. Played in goal for nearly thirty years so I know what it’s like to drop a clanger (any many, many occasions). You can get away with making a mistake in every other position on the pitch and not lose the game, but if you do it as a keeper, there’s a high chance you’re letting one into the net. Dubs had saved our skins in many a game this season (and last) so I’m letting him off the hook for today. Hopefully he gets over it and plays a blinder against Wolves.
Bobbybee
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:41 PM
Comment #13Reality Check. Spurs, are pushing for a CL place, we’re in a relegation battle. We’re there because Ashley has failed to invest repeatedly. Attacking wise, we lack talent. That results in the ball being lost and forcing us back all the time.
IT’S not a case of wanting to defend, its a case of HAVING to defend, which is why Rafa ensures we’re solid at the back. If we weren’t, we would get hammered. Rondon apart, who is a beast, none of our attackers would get anywhere near another PL team. That’s the reality. If you don’t have quality forwards, you have to play to your strengths. If you don’t understand this, you don’t get football or the tactical side of it. It’s obviously way over your heads. This is not FIFA. Or Football Manager. This is the real thing. The reason we, defend a lot is not through choice ffs.
Jib
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:42 PM
Comment #14nufcursed
Playing that defensively won’t do Almiron any good.
If this is the way he wants to play next season i’d
rather have a new manager
That’s why he’s bought Miggy
To give us some attacking flair
Doh !!!!!
Jib
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:44 PM
Comment #15Oh Miggy, we really understand your role
You set the place on fire when you take a run on goal
Oh Miggy, you’re so fine
You’re so fine you blow my mind, hey Miggy,
Hey Miggy
jordijohnty
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:50 PM
Comment #16Win some, lose some. That result is what happens with our set up. The only problem is that the ball didnt stick with the forward players. If the ball keeps coming back at you, then law of averages means a mistake will be made and you will concede
Chancel My MBembaship
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:50 PM
Comment #17Take on me (take on me)
Take me on (take on me)
Al-mi-ron
Grabs a goal or twoooooo!
catchy in norway
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:50 PM
Comment #18IM SO GLAD I WIND SO MANY OF YOU UP.
stats only back up what we all see,, just you all chose to ignore because you think he is on you side..
fools
clowns
booby micky, the heat has well and truly got to you, must be great being some rich Muslims biach
catchy in norway
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:54 PM
Comment #19i didnt think we could win today, and it dosnt upset me when we lose anymore,, why should it, it dosnt seem to bother any of you..
your all about supporting Rafa and not the team,, its always a players fault
Nufc 4ever
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:57 PM
Comment #20Scratchy your stats are what you make up
I proved you wrong months ago when you said Rafa had spent over 145 million I proved it was under 114 million. You are a total prat that it one statistic 100 % correct
Chancel My MBembaship
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:57 PM
Comment #21Catchy, if you’re all about supporting the team instead of Rafa, then where the hell were you after the lads did the business on the pitch against Man City the other day, eh?
Dondatta13
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:58 PM
Comment #22Catchy… you’re a caricature of a cliche…
Here’s a stat for you. 95% of everyone on this blog thing you talk utter sh*t…
As for your Islamophobic slurs, 100% you deserve a slap
Tramp
Feb 2, 2019 at 5:59 PM
Comment #23Any links for the rugby?
Tsunki
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:01 PM
Comment #24Use “Norse-Gon”! Eliminates 99% of Stats! 🙂
Jib
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:02 PM
Comment #25https://www.filmon.com/tv/itv1
DaveD1000
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:02 PM
Comment #26@OneESC
Follow Follow @OneESC
More
Replying to @NUFC_Index
. For me only stat that means anything is final score. If you enjoy the rest then great. #nufc
Mister Tuff
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:09 PM
Comment #27Unlucky not to get a draw today.
Jib needs more than a slap – a good straight left into his long snout, quality right into his slack jaw and a hard gut buster into his flabby belly.
Day might be salvaged if we beat the Finians – argumentative sods.
That would shut up Jibs’ new second in command.
Hail Wor Ashley
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:10 PM
Comment #28Only thing that goes through my mind when Catchy’s name pops up is………..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hds9tFMuU8o
Chancel My MBembaship
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:10 PM
Comment #29Look at the goal difference of the bottom three teams. Very worrying for them. If Rafa tried to ‘have a go’ at teams with the players at his disposal then our goal difference would be just as bad. Gutted we lost today, especially after we hit the post and forced a canny save from Loris, but at least we kept it respectable. Can’t wait to see what Almiron will bring to the team.
Bobbybee
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:13 PM
Comment #30Continued – Rafa now has the defence he needs. The midfield is coming on. Almiron will provide The link between midfield and attack and hopefully, in the summer, he’ll get better wingers who can keep the ball and cross it.
Basically, we’re not far short of what he needs. His vision is materialising slowly and when it does, we’ll see a much more attacking style of play..
We’re Liverpool defensive when they won the CL? We’re Chelsea when they won the Europa Cup? No. You know why? Because he had better players than he has, now.
The truth is, he’s performing a miracle with a team of loanies and extremely cheap or free transfers.
Like any manager he makes mistakes. But overall, he’s been amazing. Pep couldn’t have beaten City with our team – not a chance. Nor could Klopp. But Rafa could win the league with their teams.
Stip effing whinging. Call yourself fans? You’re nothing like fans . I don’t like Southgate. Think he’s a yes man and weak. I believe the FA told him not to take Shelvey because of that made up racist charge and his reason that ‘he would upset the dressing room’ proves it for me. He’s never been in a dressing room with Shelvey, so what does he base that on?
Despite that, I’m 100% behind England. I hate Ashley, but I’m 100% behind NUFC. You don’t stop supporting a team because of one man.
You either support Newcastle or you don’t and clearly, some of you don’t. You offer zero praise for a win and attack us when we lose.
If that’s support – shove it.
Today we played a top team and nearly got something but for, once again, an individual error. As usual. Nowt to do with tactics, they were spot on. Dubravka, made an unfortunate mistake, but his heroics in other games means real fans, can forgive that.
Jog on cry babies, you ruin this blog. It’s been great since the city result. Just pure football chat day after day because you lot were absent. WUMS. PURE WUMS.
So Young Mag is gay and proud – as he should be. Leave him be. This is 2019 not 1919. I think he’s right about the closet. Crawl back in it, nobody wants you here anyway. NEWCASTLE TILL I DIE. Win lose or draw. As it should be.
Rant over. Jog on. 🙂
Mag :P
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:16 PM
Comment #31It’s okay guys.
Catchy hates rafa because he doesn’t play attractive football with a team that costs peanuts.
The guys a joke.
Just a fan
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:22 PM
Comment #32Bobbybee.im not a newbie.
Been going for over fifty years.
The lowest league game I recall was against leicester.
The leezes end was crammed the Rest sparse no roof.
It was peeing down and I caught soaked.
ben.g
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:26 PM
Comment #33Depends on your idea of attractive football. I enjoyed watching the team great their guts out.
Top 4 team we were playing. With what is our b team midfield
ben.g
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:27 PM
Comment #34Great – graft
Tsunki
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:27 PM
Comment #35Unfortunately statistics have clouded Captain Catchys mind and he appears to have descended with a cloying fug into a morass of despond. That and he’s a twerp who doesn’t know what he’s watching so tries to work it out with a calculator.
It’s plain to see that Benitez has crafted a solid defence with depth of support that leaks very few goals and confounds some of the best in the business. We have an impressive goal difference not offset by our own goals scored, think about that! It means he needs to build his midfield, which if not for injuries and international stints would be about there. A helper for Rondon (or his replacement) and Perez will probably mean next season’s team will be a dark horse for European places. Of course, if joselu was accidentally put into the wheelie bin ice bath wrong way up…
Tsunki
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:29 PM
Comment #36Ah. Bobby said in a hundred words what i could only do in 20 ha ha. Beat me to it – rats, curses!
lochinvar
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:32 PM
Comment #37No blame attached to Dubrovka.
The Son got in his eyes.
Chancel My MBembaship
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:37 PM
Comment #38Bobbybee – well said sir, well said. Best post of the day. Sadly, the likes of Catchy will never disappear from here because they crave the attention and we happily provide them with what they want. You’re always going to get lowlifes online, it’s where they’re most easily seen and noticed. Each and every time we say his name, it gives him a little ego boost. The rest of us will get our pleasure from supporting our team, through thick and thin. Fair weather ‘fans’ are free to embarrass themselves on here on the days after we lose I suppose 🙂
Chancel My MBembaship
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:40 PM
Comment #39And did someone seriously give another poster grief for their sexual orientation on here? Don’t know why I’m acting surprised, I’ve seen it all on here over the years. I won’t bother asking who the offender was. Too many usual suspects on here.
Binney
Feb 2, 2019 at 6:47 PM
Comment #40Cardiff winning 2-0