We have signed Nabil Bentaleb on loan from Schalke 04 for the rest of the season with an option to buy for €10M this summer.
That’s an excellent deal, but our other immediate target – right-sided Austrian International midfielder Valentino Lazaro may prefer to sign for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
Lazaro is said to have enjoyed playing in the Bundesliga with Hertha BSC and would like to return to the German league in preference to Newcastle in the Premier League.
We’d be surprised if we can get the Inter-Milan midfielder to Newcastle on loan with an option to buy this month – but it’s still possible if not probable.
Neil has a report out today that Leipzig are not happy with the €23M transfer fee so he could become available – but we only want players who want to play for newcastle as their first choice.
Bentaleb, on the other hand, was very eager to join Newcastle, and that’s always nice to see, and he is physically fit but not match-fit.
So it seems a perfect time to give him a game against Oxford United on Saturday in the FA Cup 4th round tie.
Newcastle have a chance to get to the 5th round of the FA Cup for the first time in Mike Ashley’s 13 year tenure as the woeful Newcastle United owner.
Nabil Bentaleb– almost certain to play against Oxford United on Saturday
The Chronicle are reporting that 42,000 tickets have already been sold for the game, so it looks like the lads will get the backing of a nearly full house on Saturday.
It follows their heroics of the last three minutes of last night’s Premier League game at Goodison Park.
We looked a well-beaten side – down 2-0 – until substitute Florian Lejeune turned up with two goals right at the death.
Cristiano Ronaldo would have been happy with Florian’s first goal, which was an acrobatic overhead bicycle kick with the ball whizzing into the back of the net.
The Everton defenders seemed stunned that a Newcastle player had tried to score a goal!
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has been keen on Bentaleb for a few years now, and the Algerian International could make his first start for the club on Saturday with Bruce needing to rest some players after another hectic spell of games.
This is what Steve Bruce said about the 25-year-old Algerian after last night’s 2-2 draw at Goodison Park:
“With the problems with what we’ve got, to keep it under wraps for a few weeks, he’s somebody who we identified and he’s a very good player.”
“The kid’s played at the highest level for Spurs and particularly impressed as a young player when he first burst onto the scene.”
“Then he gets a big-money move to Schalke, where he’s played probably played 90-100 times at the top end of the Bundesliga so he’s a good acquisition for us.”
“A good player.”
Now we need to make no mistakes on Saturday and beat Oxford United, who eliminated us at the same stage back when we were in the Championship in 2017 by an embarrassing score of 3-0.
We must win this game to keep the momentum going.
Howay The Lads!!
Who Was Newcastle's Best Player In 2-2 Draw At Everton?
- Florian Lejeune (64%, 1,662 )
- Martin Dubravka (17%, 433 )
- Miguel Almiron (11%, 296 )
- Matt Ritchie (3%, 67 )
- Federico Fernandez (1%, 24 )
- Fabian Schar (1%, 18 )
- Isaac Hayden (1%, 18 )
- Ciaran Clark (1%, 17 )
- Jamaal Lascelles (1%, 16 )
- Joelinton (1%, 16 )
- Matty Longstaff (1%, 16 )
- Sean Longstaff (0%, 11 )
- Emil Krafth (0%, 11 )
- Christian Atsu (0%, 8 )
Total Voters: 2,613
Comments welcome.
231 comments so far
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 22, 2020 at 6:57 PM
Comment #81This new virus that is spreading throughout the blog is getting really serious.
It’s the ‘With Useless Menace’ virus of WUM virus for short.
Be on your guard chaps (and chapesses) it’s very contagious and caused by reckless keyboarding!!
RobLeenio
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:01 PM
Comment #82Been a mass outbreak today, Bill. Maybe it’s come from China?
Symptoms: rambling baseless accusations, acute paranoia, aggression and severe tedium for those as yet unaffected.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:03 PM
Comment #83Rob
It’s probably to do with the Howay thingy that China are filtering onto the blog!
Bills Son Is Back
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:04 PM
Comment #84OP,
The saddest man on the blog.
You can just feel the bile spewing out of his fingers as he belts out his blog crap.
Mr Angry must surely have been based on OP.
And, by the way, contact my solicitors if you don’t like this post…
Soue, Grabbit & Runne
Northumberland Sq
North Shiekds.
c-dog
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:05 PM
Comment #85Steve Bruce must be patient zero?
lochinvar
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:08 PM
Comment #86Surely Lazaro’s agent is doing the rounds and trying to be a deal breaker for his player. All the press comments about the players supposed preferences are designed to play one deal off against the other.
There’s plenty of evidence that many overseas players priority is join a Premier League team.
Deal or No deal remains to be decided.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:10 PM
Comment #87c-dog
Not sure if he is a blogger on this blog, if he was I’m sure he’d have booked a flight to Portland by now!!
posada
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:11 PM
Comment #88Class Bills.
It’s great to see a supporter on the blog.
Careful though.
Don’t mention anything positive.
Don’t mention it if you are looking forward to the game.
Don’t dare enjoy yourself.
Otherwise you will be part of Ashley’s PR team.
lesh
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:11 PM
Comment #89BoycottAshley
C’mon, spill the beans about Posada’s porkies. You’ve got us all on tenterhooks.
B&W blood
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:11 PM
Comment #90Posada – looks like it is going to be closer to 50k than 40k as i think oxford have sold over 4k which is a good part of the leazes leaving only a couple of blocks to sell as good part of level 7 has sold since released
JDdubai
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:12 PM
Comment #91Martinez would be top choice for CF for me, theres a risk there but we arent going to get someone who has 15-20 goals in the big leagues anyway so give him a go.
Martinez
LWB
winger
please Mikey.
Ron Knee
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:13 PM
Comment #92Grant Hanley in the Norwich defence this evening.
Ron Knee
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:15 PM
Comment #93Celebrations:
https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/1220043710232236032
c-dog
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:16 PM
Comment #94Going to the Oxford match
And that’s that
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:19 PM
Comment #95Jd
Miggy needs to drop a couple of hints to Brucey
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:20 PM
Comment #96RIP
Terry Jones, brilliant actor, comedian and Monty Python originator.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:26 PM
Comment #97Bills
Glad you crawled out from under your rock.
Half truths again?
I don’t come on the blog calling people names, I respond, not very mature but a lot better than addressing multiple posters as idiots etc with your first and every post after.
You like Posada are a shit stirrer, a coward who because he doesn’t like me takes every opportunity to jump in with a half truth or snide comment.
Another of the victims.
The three of you are like the three stooges except more sad than funny.
Mister angry, lol, you’ve no idea you bitter old man.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:29 PM
Comment #98Bill’s
Why would I be contacting a solicitor, it was a member of your gang that didn’t like my post
Keep up, borrow Munsters Zimmer frame of you need it.
posada
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:30 PM
Comment #99B&W blood
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:11 PM
Comment #90
Posada – looks like it is going to be closer to 50k than 40k as i think oxford have sold over 4k which is a good part of the leazes leaving only a couple of blocks to sell as good part of level 7 has sold since released
*********************************
Aye, that’s right. When I said 5 or so sections of level 7 had sold out I was not counting the away sections.
I’m glad I read on here that 42K had been sold. If I had waited until Friday I might not have got one.
Up for the cup !
Tell me ma me ma ……………………………….
posada
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:32 PM
Comment #100c-dog
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:16 PM
Comment #94
Going to the Oxford match
And that’s that
*******************************
Ok but don’t dare enjoy yasell. You Ashley PR team member you.
Lindisfarne
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:33 PM
Comment #101Team to face Oxford:
Maximin—–Sorensen——Allan
Shelvey——————–Bentaleb
————-S.Longstaff
Lejuene–Clarke–Scharr–Krafth
—————–Darlow
I figure ASM will have got over his soreness and will need a run out.
Not sure Carroll will be 100% fit (maybe sub), don’t want to see Joelinton and although I don’t think Sorensen will be ready he may as well try.
Allan deserves another chance.
Nearly left out Shelvey, but if he shows he can play higher up the pitch then hopefully he has a future at the club.
Bentaleb get him started, probably will need subbbing with Matty at some point.
S.Longstaff needs games to rediscover his form and not be playing with his brother, so he can concentrate on his positioning.
4 centre backs in the back line and Darlow should be safe, although I know nothing about Oxford players.
jane
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:36 PM
Comment #102won’t be Sorensen. Bruce will play a strong team.
jane
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:36 PM
Comment #103or is he our only striker? still won’t!
toon22
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:39 PM
Comment #104Posada
Nobodys interested in just anther one of JIBs alts
😉
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:40 PM
Comment #105Hakan Calhagnoglu Attacking mid
Frank Kessie Midfield not sure where.
Anyone seen any links to these two, seen them mentioned on a couple sites.
toon22
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:40 PM
Comment #106Lets all just enjoy Jabba asset stripping the club for another 13 years ?
Lets just enjoy never competing in the league ?
What asset do you think he will sell off next for his own personal gain ?
jane
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:42 PM
Comment #107hey toon22 have you been trying post politics?
Lindisfarne
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:45 PM
Comment #108jane
I would say Almiron, Hayden and Fernadez need a rest.
Ritchie, Lascelles should not be starting 3 games in two weeks, as returning from injury and similarly Clarke.
I certainly don’t want to see Atsu or Joelinton.
That leaves the Longstaffs, Scharr, Lejuene, Krafth and new arrival Bentaleb.
We do not know the fitness of Shelvey, Maximin and Carroll.
That gives us 5 midfielders, 3 defenders and 2 attackers.
Am not concerned which GK starts.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:48 PM
Comment #109OLG,
Excellent fair and well balanced post @27 told it how it was in reasoned and educated way. Well done.
Lindisfarne
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:48 PM
Comment #110# 4 midfielders
jane
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:51 PM
Comment #111i think he’ll find 10 outfield first teamers to start in our usual formation like against Rochdale.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:51 PM
Comment #112Frank the tank, just watched him on YouTube.
Players bounce off him, looks like they’re running into a wall.
Can’t use the Wise mode for scouting but I did enjoy watching him knock people over and take the ball with ease in most challenges, he must give a few free kicks away.
Reports say hes available and we’re interested, no idea how true.
Munster Mag
Jan 22, 2020 at 7:58 PM
Comment #113OP, you call me a WUM but your own Mr angry personality brings all your anger out. I don’t have to say much. I can reason and discuss with guys like OLG, and it can get bit testy. But I will read his stuff and he will read mine. He has a brain. But you are definitely, in my opinion anyway, at the lower level of smarts on this blog. Basement brains, basement personality. Glad not to interact with a dimwit so jog along pal.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Jan 22, 2020 at 8:00 PM
Comment #114https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/steve-bruce-newcastle-squirming-safety-21338264
Sums things up.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Jan 22, 2020 at 8:02 PM
Comment #115Give the dog a bone
Lindisfarne
Jan 22, 2020 at 8:07 PM
Comment #116I wish we would sign Lookman and Bowen, then we would be set for the rest of the season.
Munster Mag
Jan 22, 2020 at 8:08 PM
Comment #117OLG at 60, thanks for the reasonable post. I accept some of what you say, for sure, and thanks for taking the time. In my defence however, I am roundly abused on here by maybe 10-15 guys so I think you can appreciate my aggression at times. As for last night, you know well that all the guys who hate the manager (although many deny it) were bitchfesting all night and going for doubles after. I think some of these guys are more interested in hammering the manager (who we know isn’t the best) than cheering a result. Contrary to the views of a dimwit like OP, I gave supported nufc for years, with no nufc mates to go to games with and be on the beer with etc. I don’t support nufc for the craic. I support them because of all the other reasons a guy supports a club. And by the way, if u can get others to shut up about Benitez, I will too, but every post harks back to him. I’ll do my best OK? And cheers for a reasonable post.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Jan 22, 2020 at 8:10 PM
Comment #118Hahahahaha hahahahaha hahahahaha
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Jan 22, 2020 at 8:12 PM
Comment #119At this rate I’ll be able to get a restraining order by Tuesday.
Stalker alert
jane
Jan 22, 2020 at 8:27 PM
Comment #120good that West Ham are losing and their game in hand is against Liverpool.