Newcastle are coming into some good form at the right time, and Rafa seems to have found his best combination of players.
And its surprising with Longstaff and Hayden playing so well in midfield and a back three of Schar, Lascelles, and Lejeune.
Schar is the one who scores those fantastic goals!
Matt Ritchie is in the side, and his upbeat personality, never-say-die attitude, and energy epitomize Rafa’s new look Newcastle side.
Matt was some signing for us from Bournemouth almost three years ago, and he’s played 115 games for Newcastle with 21 goals and 21 assists since then.
Rafa Benitez with Matt Ritchie
Matt is playing left wing back in Rafa’s new 3-4-3 formation which shows real promise and has a lot more threat up front with Miguel Almiron in the side.
We have 13 points from the last six games, and we’re sure Rafa wants the same or better from the next six games starting tomorrow afternoon at West Ham.
We have 31 points from 28 games, and at the same stage last year we had 29 points.
This is what has said as reported in the Chronicle today when asked if we can do better than last season:
“I’ve been told we’re two points better off than at the same stage last season so of course, it is possible,”
“Every season, your aim is to improve on the previous one. No one really believed me back in August when I came out and said our aim was to finish higher than last season.”
“We had a fantastic year and everyone was telling us we overachieved but look, within the group, we didn’t think that.”
“The league table does not lie and we deserved that.”
“I’m not getting carried away, there are some tough, tough games ahead, a lot of work to do to continue to perform as well as we have been doing.”
“Hopefully with that, will come the wins we need to keep climbing the table.”
“Burnley was a fantastic win for us but it’s all about small margins.”
“It certainly wasn’t easy for us because they had not been beaten in the league this year so that just shows what a good performance it was from us.”
“We’re really pleased. Once again, everyone performed really well, the system is working for us. Everyone feels really comfortable with it.”
“That win at home to Manchester City was big at the time but looking back, it’s proved massive,”
“You look at our results since but not just results but performances too – Tottenham, we got beat but really good performance, Wolves, another good one then Huddersfield and again today.”
“We’ve done what we had to, strung together five or six really good, solid team performances and that’s what we needed and always thought we had within us.”
“But the work doesn’t stop just because we’ve given ourselves a bit of breathing space.
“The job’s not done. We’ve given ourselves a platform, nothing more than that.
“We’ve got to reach 40 points as soon as we possibly can and then once we get there, look to kick on.”
Those are some excellent comments from Richie, and we can do a lot better this season if the lads keep taking one game at a time.
And once we are safe to keep trying to win every single game.
Last season we lost four of the final five games and finished with 44 points and in 10th place.
We can beat that this season.
Here are the next four games we have:
Sat 02 Mar West Ham vs Newcastle 5:30pm
Sat 09 Mar Newcastle vs Everton 3:00pm
Sat 16 Mar Bournemouth vs Newcastle 3:00pm
Mon 01 Apr Arsenal vs Newcastle 8:00pm
Comments welcome.
8 comments so far
wartongeordie
Mar 1, 2019 at 9:53 AM
Comment #1Hopefully we can take our confidence to the London stadium at take all 3 points, was so good on Tuesday to hear “Toon toon black and white army” being belted out for long periods, the passion is back HTL for Saturday.
RobLeenio
Mar 1, 2019 at 10:00 AM
Comment #2What an inspiring interview from our vice captain. The lad’s a leader, on and off the pitch, and he’s set some very high standards, by himself and the fans.
He doesn’t always meet those standards, but it’s never for a want of effort.
Nice one, Matt, proud to have you at the club.
hibbit
Mar 1, 2019 at 10:02 AM
Comment #3Charlie in the Gallowgate
how you of all people can put up a post like that has me totally baffled your ridiculous reasoning is so off course its laughable, how anyone who over the years has put up so many match reports pointing out on numerous occasions the inadequacy of our squad/team can use the failings of other teams to justifie Ashley’s none spend is crazy
Nadeem
Mar 1, 2019 at 10:03 AM
Comment #4cyprus – Jib has opened a property in Spain.
I doubt he ever comes back.It is better to stay where he is looking after his new property.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 1, 2019 at 10:07 AM
Comment #5Although Richie lacks the pace which would have made him a top top level player he has a desire to win and never gives up which does rub off on the rest of the team !
Man Utd under Fergie seemed to have players like this all over his team and Rafa seems to be able to find players who are strong and determined as Schar is of a similar type as well.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 1, 2019 at 10:08 AM
Comment #6Charlie in the Gallowgate
Has your account been hacked today?
geordietom
Mar 1, 2019 at 10:21 AM
Comment #7for me Matt Ritchie wears his hart on his sleeve gives everything for WOR club …
geordietom
Mar 1, 2019 at 10:21 AM
Comment #8heart #7