We are starting to get some of our players near the top of their form.
One is Sean Longstaff, but the top of his form seems to go up all the time!
🙂
Fabian Schar is another player who has put in some terrific performances for the team.
The players and fans are getting over a disappointment on Saturday after we were beaten by a late goal at Wembley against Spurs.
But who would have thought we could get 3 points from the last two games – which means we had to have a win against either Manchester City or Tottenham.
2 points would have been excellent.
Fabian Schar in action for Newcastle
So we are not doing too bad at all, with six points from our previous three league games – yet we are still only 2 points above the drop zone and Cardiff City who beat Bournemouth at home yesterday.
Here’s what Fabian has said in the Chronicle today:
“There’s not much you can say really. We played a good game and we had our chances to win it.”
“It is unlucky to concede so late in a game like that.”
“We can take some positives from the week after beating Man City but the frustrations after the game were big.”
“We now need some time to think.”
“It was a good performance against Man City and at Wembley, but we must keep working like this.”
“It’s our way to play.” “We’ll continue being hard to break down and make it hard to play against us.”
Rafa wants to play on the counter-attack which is why he holding center-back like Salomon Rondon who is excellent at holding up play.
And we have now brought in a couple of speed merchants – Miguel Almiron and Antonio Barreca – who can play in the number 10 role and left wing-back position respectively.
It’s going to be very interesting to see how the two perform at Wolves next Monday night where we need to get all 3 points.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
61 comments so far
RobLeenio
Feb 4, 2019 at 7:11 PM
Comment #1Fabian schaer is a conundrum. Possessed of ridiculous skill he can fling a pass 40 yards, dispossess an attacker who looks like he’s left him for dead and is capable of outrageous moments of skill. That goal line clearance on Saturday will live as long in the memory as his first goal Vs Cardiff.
Then there’s the other side of him who’ll trip a player on the edge of the box or leave a player he’s supposed to be marking or try a pass out of defence that is never on.
I don’t know if it’s a concentration thing but if he can cut out the errors he’ll be an amazing player.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 4, 2019 at 7:16 PM
Comment #2@Robleenio
Yeah I would probably term him as a bit of a maverick hes always involved in the game and does provide entertainment value!
As you say if he could cut out the silly mistakes you could be looking at the bargain of the season !
Oldgit1
Feb 4, 2019 at 7:33 PM
Comment #3@RobLeenio, to think it was only 5 years ago Schafe was working in a bank. Didn’t appear to have come through any academy that I’m aware of.
dig-n-dig22
Feb 4, 2019 at 7:36 PM
Comment #4OLG 36 previous thread
Pompeii 2016 ,Comfortably Numb , amazing !!
RobLeenio
Feb 4, 2019 at 7:43 PM
Comment #5Oldgit1 I didn’t know that. Funny how you just automatically assume all footballers have come through an academy these days.
LCBP Maverick, I like that. Hopefully he becomes our Top Gun…..
😀
Ron Knee
Feb 4, 2019 at 7:49 PM
Comment #6Re Schär:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/nov/25/fabian-schar-basel-chelsea-champions-league
DubaiMicky
Feb 4, 2019 at 7:56 PM
Comment #7I love a maverick, and Schar is defo one of them. I loved Hatem too, maybe I’m deranged.
Am thinking ashLIE’s statement will be we tried but couldn’t get it over the line. Again.
When will the Geordie Faithfull protest and hurt sd? That’s the only way to evict him.
That said, if Rafa is happy and signs a new 3 year contract then, who are we to know, Rafa ain’t thick (another maverick), so if he signs a contract to make us as his project successful, then who are we to argue.
lesh
Feb 4, 2019 at 8:00 PM
Comment #8Online Guy @36
You bidding for Strat #1 or going for the lot?
Gilmore must be feeling the pinch after overstretching a bit at Christmas with too many sessions at ‘Spoons.
Hey ho.
ronaldo aarons
Feb 4, 2019 at 8:02 PM
Comment #9Just recently found out there was a goal 3 movie. I don’t recommend watching it at all, I never, it was horrendously bad.
But did not realise mike Ashley was actually in it and had a line in one of the scenes.
Unbelievable Jeff!
Here is the clip of his line.
https://mobile.twitter.com/AdamClery/status/577186631041593345
Bobbybee
Feb 4, 2019 at 8:09 PM
Comment #10I like Schar. Thought he excelled when he had to play in the midfield as well. Seems quite a versatile player tbh.
We’re blessed with central defenders right now with strangely enough, Lascelles the captain, being the least comfortable with the ball at his, feet. Who’d have thought that two seasons ago? 🙂
Schar’s ability to ping a ball sixty yards onto a sixpence has got to be a bonus with Almiron capable of finding space and then getting on his bike.
With Yedders always capable of overlapping down the right and Barecca down the left, we’ve now got some seriously rapid counterattacking threat waiting to burst into life. I’m really excited at the prospects and what they will mean for Rondon getting decent crosses on his napper.
Also happy to see some of our future prospects, getting out on loan to experience competitive football at lower league levels. U23 games are fine, but there’s nothing like the real thing to blood these lads.
Anyway, gonna relax back and watch this game now. Liverpool need the points, for sure. Any sign of weakness will only spur City on. This fight for the topos far from done with.
lesh
Feb 4, 2019 at 8:12 PM
Comment #11It seems that the Nissan news has helped the Brexit penny to finally drop in Sunlun – too late now though the damage’s done.
lesh
Feb 4, 2019 at 8:18 PM
Comment #12ronaldo aarons
The Goal series must be akin to the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire.
Ashley acting deserved an Oscar – rammed down his throat!
lesh
Feb 4, 2019 at 8:21 PM
Comment #13Bobbybee
Enjoy what good times there are to be had – before Ashley screws things up again.
Keep smiling bonny lad.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 4, 2019 at 8:34 PM
Comment #14When you see Declan Rice pretty much running the midfield for West Ham in games there is no reason why Longstaff can’t continue to do that for us!
Similar kind of players except Longstaff is ours!
Mag :P
Feb 4, 2019 at 8:48 PM
Comment #15Have you ever seen a more useless linesman than in this west ham vs Liverpool game?
Haha can’t get a decision right to save his life.
RobLeenio
Feb 4, 2019 at 8:49 PM
Comment #16Ron Knee thanks for posting that article really interesting context on Schaer. Just goes to show he’s been admired for a long time and credit to Rafa for bringing him in.
I had no idea he’d been a team mate of Mo Salah.
This lob though…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr8-L3tWaOU
bettyswallocks
Feb 4, 2019 at 8:50 PM
Comment #17You’re wasted on here Lesh. Did you never consider a career in politics?
lesh
Feb 4, 2019 at 9:12 PM
Comment #18bettyswallocks
Politics? No thanks, there’s too many nasties on the inside and too many mugs to be manipulated by lies and bigotry!
toonluvva
Feb 4, 2019 at 9:14 PM
Comment #19@Lesh I thought the blog rules were no religion or politics.
Keep it to football please.
Optimistic Panda
Feb 4, 2019 at 9:48 PM
Comment #20Its going to be a long week waiting for the Wolves match.
Oldgit1
Feb 4, 2019 at 9:51 PM
Comment #21@ Ronknee I would like to add my thanks on you putting up the article re Schaer. An interesting read. Well done mate.
Ron Knee
Feb 4, 2019 at 9:54 PM
Comment #22You’re both welcome!
jane
Feb 4, 2019 at 10:50 PM
Comment #23Newcastle’s remaining home games:
Huddersfield
Burnley
Everton
Palace
Southampton
Liverpool
fairly reasonable
jane
Feb 4, 2019 at 10:53 PM
Comment #24Newcastle’s remaining away games:
Wolves
West Ham
Bournemouth
Arsenal
Leicester
Brighton
Fulham
not too bad either
Munster Mag
Feb 4, 2019 at 11:15 PM
Comment #25Great article on schar… Thanks for that. Nickson and rafa are getting a lot right on the transfer front now. Three more needed…. Two fast wingers and a pacy tall back up striker?
Munster Mag
Feb 4, 2019 at 11:16 PM
Comment #26Er….. And a pacy back up right back?
Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 4, 2019 at 11:20 PM
Comment #27Yeah, over the worst. We’ve done quite well since Rondon came into the side after missing that tough opening run of fixtures. Solid enough mid-table form really, points wise, and that should improve a little more now with the two new attacking additions. Still miles away from the senior sides, but very decent recruiting by Rafa when you consider the net spend, and clearly the side has been well prepared and set up for the task at hand. See us finishing on around 45 to 48 points.
Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 5, 2019 at 12:01 AM
Comment #289th in the form table over the last 17 games, with a points haul of 22 and goal difference of -5.
DubaiMicky
Feb 5, 2019 at 4:19 AM
Comment #298 years ago today the Arse at home, after 26 minutes we were 0-4 down, came back to 4-4 and even had a goal disallowed – probably the best ever EPL game, and in the end we should have won it.
cyprus
Feb 5, 2019 at 5:28 AM
Comment #30It’s true that we are hard to break down. In fact, I would be hard pressed to swap our back 3-5 with most teams.
The point haul we have is ok, given our terrible start. But, we’re still right in the relegation struggle. If we continue at the same rate, we’ll end up with 35-36 points which may, or may not be enough.
We need a few three pointers, wins and those only come with attacks and goals. And we don’t get enough of those. At City we had 100% conversion rate and that’s a rarity, for any team.
I think we’ll get more chances in the near future. We’ve been needing a 10 forever, hope Almiron hits the ground running.
I see many people have put Ritchie back in the right. When he’s there he can cut in and fire bullets with his left. But, he’s been very effective on the left, especially with his crosses. I’d keep him there.
Perez, who’s been excellent lately, can be a false 7, with Yedlin providing the pace and width.
cyprus
Feb 5, 2019 at 5:39 AM
Comment #31Perez, who has an excellent engine, has been very effective helping out our often overrun MF. Because we play with 5 in back, such is the fate of those poor MF guys. Perez can and has been helping out.
Schar can also play a double role, between the back and MF.
So that, at least at times, we can play a more commanding and demanding 4-4-1-1.
Let’s see more attacking football, along with our robust defence.
cyprus
Feb 5, 2019 at 5:53 AM
Comment #32Dub,
Yedlin, Fernandez, Lascelles, new guy,
Perez, Schar, Ki, Ritchie
Almiron
Rondon.
Useful subs, to get plenty of game time: Clark (can score), Atsu, Longstaff, Dummet, Hayden, Diame.
I’d sell Shelvey in the summer. Joselu too. Focus on buying a new Bellamy.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 5, 2019 at 5:56 AM
Comment #33Munster always with the back handed compliments, really can’t help himself. Decent recruitment NOW! Pretty much saying in the past hasn’t been. So despite making a brand new team that got us promoted, then having the rug pulled from under his feet every window since, and still finishing tenth with a net spend of pretty much zero, Munster can’t let go of Lazaar, Selz and Murphy. Oh and that crap Scottish bloke who now captains Norwich. Jeez.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 5, 2019 at 6:01 AM
Comment #34cyprus,
I don’t think we’ll be able to sell Joselu, last year of his contract and devoid of any type of confidence and zero potential. The best we’ll do with him is a La liga 2 outfit paying half his wages.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 5, 2019 at 6:16 AM
Comment #35Rondon isn’t ours. There needs to be an outlay of around 40M on two strikers at least in the summer, plus 10M on a LB. Mikey will have a heart attack! (Hopefully 😀 )
Optimistic Panda
Feb 5, 2019 at 6:35 AM
Comment #36Jail
The sale will have gone through by the summer 😉
Nadeem
Feb 5, 2019 at 6:51 AM
Comment #37Has Almiron paperwork done and dusted yet?
Anyone one know?
In other news, Roblen blog party is on full swing, on course and going according to plan.
beermonkey
Feb 5, 2019 at 6:57 AM
Comment #38The squad still lacks cover well decent cover in places but once we lose rondon berraca Kennedy were back in the brown stuff
We are along way from being a mid table team and build from there
More so if we are borrowing to buy
Dubai wasn’t that when tiote got his one and only goal apart from the other screamer some ref disallowed
Lindisfarne
Feb 5, 2019 at 6:57 AM
Comment #39What about Lejuene?
If we don’t buy / extend loan Rondon then we get Gayle back.
Schar can ply in midfield but much like Shelvey, his best attribute is playing long diagonals from the defensive line.
Whilst 541 is the way to go for the remainder of the season, Rafa will need to develop the system again next season.
firebug666
Feb 5, 2019 at 6:58 AM
Comment #40Almiron’s work permit and visa are expected to be completed by Wednesday.