Rafa Benitez gave his press conference earlier today for the tough game at Wolves on Monday night.
Everybody is fit except Jonjo Shelvey and fourth choice goalkeeper Rob Elliott.
And Rafa will not take any chances with Jonjo with local lad Sean Longstaff playing so well in central midfield.
Left-back Paul Dummett (hamstring), goalkeeper Karl Darlow (elbow), and central midfielders Ki Sung-yueng (hamstring) and Mo Diame (hip) are all available to play.
That’s good to have them back for the 13 game run-in to the season – and the bench on Monday night at Molineux will be strong – not to mention the starting eleven.
Miguel Almiron – in training yesterday
Rafa was upbeat as usual and he has talked about Wolves, and new signing Barreca and Almiron:
“They have a good manager and some very good players – they have players who have been champions of Europe and internationals at every level. They are doing really well.”
“He (Antonio Barreca) knows what we want and we’re working on that. The week away will be another opportunity for him to get to know his teammates.”
“He will need some time but he is very focussed.”
“When you have so many days without a game – especially with new players – it is important for everyone to know each other better.”
“We’re not going there on holiday – we’ll be doing double sessions and we’ll have time to adjust things.”
“He (Almiron) has been talking with the nutritionist already – he’s quite professional. Everything we try to do with every player, we will do with him.”
With almost a full squad now available, Sean Longstaff looking like a budding star for us, and getting in new signing Almiron and Barreca to the club, fans are naturally upbeat.
Now we need to get some wins on the board.
Comments welcome.
101 comments so far
Blaydon-Toon
Feb 8, 2019 at 4:25 PM
Comment #1Munster – from previous thread – always puzzled me the love Santon got …. very poor defender was not that great goi g forward either as he alwYs had to cut back very easy to defend against – would have been a half decent RIGHT WINGER
RobLeenio
Feb 8, 2019 at 4:25 PM
Comment #2“He (Almiron) has been talking with the nutritionist already – he’s quite professional”
Only ‘quite’ professional? Who else reckons he’s been over eager on his sampling of his Mamma’s Mbejus whilst the MLS has been on a break?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbeju
Optimistic Magpie
Feb 8, 2019 at 4:38 PM
Comment #3Here’s the good thing for Newcastle United, we now hopefully have another Al to sing about.
I’m praying to the gods that this kid scores on his debut which I hope will be Monday, I would love to see him slip past a couple of defenders and riffle one on the top corner.
Im looking at his pace, seems quick, have that weird feeling also that one of Wolves defenders will not cope with that and bring him down for a pen which Ritchie will score.
Jib
Feb 8, 2019 at 4:46 PM
Comment #4A couple of Brit journals who know the MLS well
say Miggy is bit of a master at drawing free kicks
Jib
Feb 8, 2019 at 4:47 PM
Comment #5Journalists even
Bobbybee
Feb 8, 2019 at 4:48 PM
Comment #6Bobbybee
Feb 8, 2019 at 4:37 PM
Comment #51
Whoops, caught napping by Ed .
Ledge, I’ve said it before mate, I have no grief with any fan who decides to stop going to games. It’s your money mate, I have zero right to even suggest how you spend your money.
I would point to clubs like Blackburn, Blackpool and Coventry, who’s fans have boycotted games yet still have the same owners. Despite dropping to Division One and Two.
That said, if you believe you’re doing the right thing, I can’t knock you. I won’t knock you. You have that right and I understand why, I just disagree because of the clubs I’ve highlighted.
I would never ever believe I have the right to demand anything from you matey. You say your piece respectfully, unlike some on here. We see things differently, but can discuss it without name calling and attacking each other.
Boycotting has never removed an owner,but if you think it can I respect your right to go that way. Me, I just can’t mate. You know why, even when we lose, just being there watching my team, the one I’ve watched for over 50 years, thick and thin – mainly thin lol – is my life. Games are what I live for. If we ended up in the second division, I’d still be there. I was there in crowds of ten thousand – and that was long before Ashley came along. ?
But like I say, I fully respect your stance, I just ask people to respect mine. We disagree it’s not the end of the world is it?
I look forward to the time we can both sit and watch our team Ashley free. The Sky money is what keeps him here. Time they took a stand. And the PL.
The millions of fans across the country who don’t even support us are keeping all owners rich and happy. So if anybody is to blame, you could argue its the armchair fan! ? I won’t though. It is what it is. Thank you for being respectful and honest about your stance. You embarrass some on here.
Bobbybee
Feb 8, 2019 at 4:50 PM
Comment #7Those ? were smiley faces by the way. Forgot to change them – Der.
martoon
Feb 8, 2019 at 4:54 PM
Comment #8The ledge – what Bobby said 😀
Tsunki
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:00 PM
Comment #9Nutritionist? Ok. Down the hill, ignore Gregg’s on your left, see where Chicken Cottage is on the right? Well, go through the Chinatown gate turn right at Debenhams then down PAST Dicksons and there’s a Taco Bell in Grainger Street it’ll be like you were back in America!
Bianconeri
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:02 PM
Comment #10Ron Knee from a few posts ago RIP Albert Finney,really sad to hear that.
I had the pleasure of drinking with him when I worked in London for a bit.I drank with him for 2 nights before the penny dropped,every one kept calling him Finney.I remember saying nice name that and the whole bar took the mick till the penny dropped.He did a good Geordie accent at the end of my stay down there.Told some great stories,and he turned down a knighthood,he said “tell the queen I’m out of the country” a real top bloke with no airs or graces,and always popped in to see us despite the noise we were making modernising a house 2 doors from him.Sorry not football related but it saddens me to hear that news.
the ledge
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:08 PM
Comment #11bobbybee As they say we will agree to disagree we all want the one thing hopefully some day we will have it.
Jib
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:08 PM
Comment #12Bianconeri
Good anecdote that
Careful though
Some on here seem to be mortally offended
by such tales
Ron Knee
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:15 PM
Comment #13@10
His “Under the Volcano” is worth seeing – if you haven’t seen it already.
Bianconeri
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:23 PM
Comment #14Jib say nowt I might have got away with it 😉
Loads more stories but seeing how you were slagged I just keep them to myself 🙂
After all the memories remain mine.
Been very lucky to meet some really top people through work.
The thing with Mr Finney or as he said to me” friends call me Finney”,was that he was more interested in us and listened to our tails of Newcastle,as I said Top chep and very funny too
.RIP Finney
Fancy a hard earned point on Monday
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:24 PM
Comment #15bobbybee …
i like you remember the days when i got up early on a saturday morning to go to oldham in a old white transit van …
to watch Keegan and Varadi think thats how you spell his name play up front …
the pirate owner cant bring my self to say his name …
then we got Alan Shoulder from blyth …
or when i was younger going to watch the matches in the Fairs cup with me mate WYN DAVIES and BRYAN (POP ) ROBSON straight from school …
i like you can go on and on mate i dont get to games i’am only a Fan unlike you mate your a supporter of WOR TEAM …
but i’ve like you have seen some dross play for wor team but it will always be WOR TEAM …
NEWCASTLE UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB…
Bobbybee
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:26 PM
Comment #16Anybody who refuses a knighthood has my respect. I’d refuse one but there’s less chance of me getting one than Ashley buying Hazard from Chelsea so it’s a moot point – but you get my drift. 🙂
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:27 PM
Comment #17should of said to watch POP ROBSON and WYN DAVIES #15
Bianconeri
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:29 PM
Comment #18Aye me too Bobby.
I see that sea life centre in Newbiggin is closed.It’s been a turtle disaster (Brendan Healey)
Bobbybee
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:37 PM
Comment #19Geordie Tom, aye, what was it with Tranny vans? 🙂 Bloody Oldham. That plastic pitch and that horrendous car park. Dunno about you but one season it had been snowing and the car park had no flaming tarmac on it, remember? It was grass. Or was grass until it turned into a mud bath. Nobody could get off it! Turned your wheels and it just sent mud flying everywhere. 🙂 Everybody was just sliding all all over the car park, it was hilarious looking back, but not so great at the time. Everyone had to push and the mud was flying everywhere. Only clean person left was the driver lmao! Everyone else was covered in mud from head to foot. Couldn’t even get in a pub for a pint on the way home because we were covered in clarts from head to foot. 🙂
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:42 PM
Comment #20bobby…
remember it like it was yesterday ( well may’be not ) …getting escorted of the cops before we hit oldham …
but Bobby the smells in the back of the old tranny’s on a early saturday morning good thing we did’nt have kebab’s then mate … lmao …
anyway bobby we have our memorys mate …
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:47 PM
Comment #21booby you will remember back in the day the old leazer’s end you could’nt move everybody had scarves …
you could’nt get to the toilets so you had a slash where you stood ( not me by the way lmao ) so when we scored everyone waved their scarves god you got soaked …
geordietom
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:47 PM
Comment #22bobby #21 not booby sorry mate …
Online Guy
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:54 PM
Comment #23Mr Tuff previous page #5
Agreed , the Ashley apologists are creeping in , in fact I was surprised by one post..blatant.
Always thought it was a bit of a myth on here that they exist .. they are at large it seems.
Spot on Tuff.
martoon
Feb 8, 2019 at 5:59 PM
Comment #24Bobby – I loved reading your story about moving back to Newcastle but I have to ask – why Ashington and not somewhere in Newcastle itself?
Online Guy
Feb 8, 2019 at 6:01 PM
Comment #25Bianconeri
So your saying Geordie 2 is boring ..I may have read you wrong but I will say he’s anything but boring .
Hes a good writer .
Perhaps you don’t like the humor ?
Each to his own I suppose.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 8, 2019 at 6:07 PM
Comment #26Pubog,
Not sure if anyone replied but you’ll get tickets for Everton no bother don’t worry about memberships. How many seats do you need together.
hibbit
Feb 8, 2019 at 6:19 PM
Comment #27The ledge from previous
the stadium has never been full this season and for your information the figure the club releases is for tickets sold not the actual attendance which of late has been considerable lower,
I’ve also been told that season ticket renewals on the 10 year + extension scheme have not met the clubs expectations.
the ledge
Feb 8, 2019 at 6:24 PM
Comment #28hibbit there will still be 40 k plus fans there every game no matter what happens .
But as i said if people want to go its up to them i wont lose sleep over it .
Bobbybee
Feb 8, 2019 at 6:26 PM
Comment #29Maroon, family mate. I was from Morpeth originally but my mam and dad split up when I was a bairn, about three or four. . We moved to Darlington first, then Richmond.. Used to come up to my grandma and grandads’s and he took me to my first game.
My mam poisoned me against my dad so I had no contact at all, but when I was about 52 I had an urge to find out about my roots so I got in touch by tracking him down.
Arranged a meet up and the whole lot of us went to the Cibebtry ganec
Tsunki
Feb 8, 2019 at 6:32 PM
Comment #30Cibebtry ganec? Is that a Romanian restaurant? 🙂
Online Guy
Feb 8, 2019 at 6:33 PM
Comment #31Strawberry place .
Historic buildings in Newcastle and land that could be put to better use is being used up to build more and more Student accommodation. The City vista is changing long term for transient people and money in the coffers of Newcastle City council .
There should have been a new feasibility study on the expansion of the Gallowgate end as the city council and Ashley are taking away from the people an area where public amenity should take priority.
The recent study on Newcastle United’s importance to the community and the local economy should have been taken into account and any discussions on the sale of land or lease at Strawberry place should have been open to public debate and scrutinisation .
I think the councils eagerness to help Ashley get this deal done smacks of cahoots and dirty money.
They should now make a statement as to who benefits the most out of this land deal. All parties should be named who have benefitted from it .
Newcastle City Council receive serious money for the provision of Student accommodation so seem to have prioritised this instead of prioritising the needs of the people of the city and region.
The Councils silence on this is deafening.
Chi ?
Bobbybee
Feb 8, 2019 at 6:34 PM
Comment #32Bloody hell! Coventry game. There was, me, our lass, my two lads, my dad, my half brother I didn’t know I had! His two bairns. It was, magic. Hadn’t seen him since I was seven and as usual, he had a different story to tell.
All got on great. So when it came to a decision where to go, I wanted to be close to my brother – we became very close very quickly – so he lived in Ashington.
Sadly my dad died before I moved up here but I got to know him and I’m glad I did.
I actually live in Newbiggin and he’s now moved to Blyth – well, Newsham – but it’s not far. We go to games when he’s not working or got his youngest who he dotes on. Happy endings eh? 🙂
jane
Feb 8, 2019 at 6:35 PM
Comment #33tonight’s picks/predictions
Valladolid 1 Villarreal 1
Newcastle U23 4 Southampton U23 2 (7pm)
Aston Villa 0 Sheff Utd 3
Bobbybee
Feb 8, 2019 at 6:36 PM
Comment #34Bloody spellcheck. Sorry Mart, you ain’t a maroon mate. 🙂
Tsunki
Feb 8, 2019 at 6:39 PM
Comment #35Just be glad you don’t have my spellchecker it’s a nightmare. 😐 I’m sticking with that excuse.
Bobbybee
Feb 8, 2019 at 6:47 PM
Comment #36Tom, the Leazes End was where I used to go for all home games once I started paying my own way. I don’t count when granddad took coz he was paying. I think you become a real fan when it comes out your own pocket. 🙂
The Leazes was amazing. That sway where you could start at the top and finish at the bottom! 🙂 The big hole when a fight started – every game regularly!
“We are mad, round the bend, no one takes the Leazes end, na na na na, na na na, na na!” 🙂 Crazy days, but that was football then. Take it or leave it. I took it and loved it 🙂
Online Guy
Feb 8, 2019 at 6:48 PM
Comment #37Ashley is going to sell off the goods and chattels that is StJames’s Park and return the land to pasture .
He will build a new ground and move the club south .
We will become Shirebrook Rovers .
magicmac54
Feb 8, 2019 at 6:52 PM
Comment #38It would be great if we had more true fans like Bobbybee, i love reading his posts as everything he says makes a lot of sense, he is obviousy a very good and loyal Newcastle supporter, he is also very intelligent, he shows a lot of wisdom, if he doesnt agree with other fans posts he doesnt insult or make rude remarks about thier comments, he shows respect, everyone can make comments about Newcastle and the way its being run by Ashley, apart from one or two posters on this blog who are clearly in Ashleys back pocket, we all know who they are, we are all united in the fact we are all Newcastle fans, we might not all agree with each other, but i think its important to stay united in our support of the club and not feel the need to be rude or insult other fans on this blog. HWTL.
Corv
Feb 8, 2019 at 7:06 PM
Comment #39https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/business-news/mike-ashley-st-james-metro-15800502.amp
Stuff Nufc and their fans!
The fat parasite getting richer at the expense of our club yet again with zero investment in SJP and our archaic training complex which is a total embarrassment to our club.
We buy one player for less than what we got for Mitrovic and the fans fall silent. Not that the majority made much noise anyway.
Bobbybee
Feb 8, 2019 at 7:22 PM
Comment #40Magic mac, thanks for that mate, made me blush! 🙂
Nobody wants Ashley here. He’s horrible, and we all have different ways of expressing it. We don’t have to agree on how, but I honestly can’t see us driving him out without 300m smackers behind us.
But there’s no need for the sheep comments just because people refuse to be driven away. I could think of some choice names in return but what’s the point? It just goes tit for tat and gets childish quickly.
Sometimes you can’t have what you want. I want a rich owner who will back Rafa. We all do. But I also want to support my team, regardless of our situation. I won’t stop going because of one man. I was here before him and hopefully, I’ll be here when he goes.
Nobody makes, me go to games. Nobody makes people stay at home and give up their ST. We’re all grown ups and capable of making that choice ourselves. Frankly, what each person chooses is nobody else’s business. And that’s it. Period. Nobody has ever told me what I can and can’t do since I grew up. At 61, they’re not starting now! 🙂 Nor would I be so presumptuous, to tell anybody else what to do.
Football’s my life. Newcastle is everything to me. Good Times, bad times, any times.
As long as those players are giving it their all, I’ll support them.
But I understand why people don’t go. For one, we’ve been crap. Shocking to watch at times. I get that.
Another, they feel it keeps Ashley here. I don’t. I think Sky keeps him here. But I get their stance and wish them luck. No need for nastiness, because we can’t agree. Just agree to disagree like Ledge says. It ain’t hard.