Now that the club has a top notch manager on the books the Toon Army is awash with full blooded optimism. It’s a refreshing change for us but it’s important not to lose sight of the cold, hard reality of our dire current standing.
I’m still not convinced we are staying up ‘if I’m being honest‘ (to borrow a phrase from the Alan Pardew handbook of handy sentence closures). I hope Rafa can work miracles and we certainly stand a much better chance now than we did under Steve McClaren – who appeared tactically inept and seemingly lost the dressing room a long time ago.
The big concern like a few have pointed out, is far too many of our players are either simply not good enough or just dont seem to care. I know the Grin Reaper lost their respect and they were not playing for him, but they are very well paid professionals and regardless of a lack of tactics or an inspirational leader they should still have been displaying the basic principles of football such as pass & move, chase balls, close down the opposition and commit to winning the ball. It’s not rocket science and the absence of the concentration and/or will to get the basics right for large swathes of the last 18 months under various managers and coaches worries me.
This league has been a funny one and anyone can beat anybody else on their day. I know a lot of people have us down for victories against every one of our relegation rivals, but it will more than likely be the case that those teams will come fighing for their lives. They will want the points just as much as our players. Who saw Norwich picking up a point against title chasing Man City for example?
If we as fans expect and pin our hopes on wins against every relegation rival then I fear we are in for disappointment. Numerous people have pointed out that local rivals Sunderland have displayed fight in recent games. Newcastle have not. The Derby game is absolutely massive. A loss puts Sunderland 4 points clear of us but secure a win and we are right back in it, with a psychological advantage.
Its worth noting that every bottom half team has beaten us at least once this season with the exception of Norwich. We seem to fold when the pressure is on. More often than not, these games against relegation rivals come down to who wants it more and tactics go out the window. Do our lads have it in them?
No doubt Rafa Benitez will inspire a few individuals and bring a fresh impotus into the squad. He has been there and done it in several Countries and we could not have wished for a better managerial appointment. He has several big tasks to overcome. They include making our defensive unit more robust, making our forward line more potent and getting key players such as Gini Wijnaldum and Moussa Sissoko to perform consistently.
I just hope the lads listen keenly to Rafa’s instructions and actually go out with focus and determination. If they do, they will pull off a shock result or two against the better placed sides we are due to face such as Liverpool and Man City. It could well be those games that we will be relying on to stay up, not necessarily your Norwich City’s and Swansea’s.
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/03/16/rafa-benitez-admits-playing-papiss-cisse-would-be-a-risk-for-new/
kimtoon(Quote)
http://www.coventrycity-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/armstrong_meets_new_newcastle_boss_883662/index.shtml
kimtoon(Quote)
If Cisse is uninjured then he should at least be on the bench ahead of Riviere and Doumbia.
Even if he’s considered with 20mins left, he’s a goal threat and still probably our best chance of goals – which is just a crazy thing to say having spent £80m!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It’s good that Mowbray is saying that Armstrong was given a few days off by Coventry so he headed home and took the initiative to go in and introduce himself.
Good maturity shown from a young lad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Benitez will have looked things over carefully during the Leicester match. Who played well and who didn’t. Our defense was fairly decent. Our attack was poor and uncoordinated. It’s got to be a worry for him. I’m not sure why Doumbia is even with us. Is he fit? It’s a risk bringing Cisse in at this point, at least to start. I think we have to get the tactics right. I liked Colback at LB and Shelvey played a decent if uninspired game. A big worry is Sissoko. Don’t know what to expect there. Mitro can hold the ball up but we need more than that from him. I’m predicting a close one, but 2-1 to us. Perez and Wijnaldum to score.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
We need more from the midfield. I’m hoping it will come with Rafa. Sissoko has to be more consistent over the last 9 matches. The same with Wijnaldum. I’m not sure there are a lot of goals in Mitrovic. It doesn’t seem like it. He was a huge gamble to spend so much on. Very difficult to choose some of the starting 11.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Four wins. Mackems, Norwich, Palace, and Villa. Those are an absolute must. A couple of draws or a surprise fifth win would be brilliant.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I forgot about Swansea. Definitely beatable this season. That first win against the mackems is crucial for Rafa. Everything will build from there, including player confidence.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
4 wins and we stay up. A win on Sunday and we stay up. It will give us the impetus and confidence and will be a huge blow to Sunderland. Big IF!!
But surely we can beat Sunderland, Palace and Swansea at home and Villa away????
Stuart79(Quote)
These stupid international friendlies have come at the perfect time for us. It means Rafa has 2 weeks between Mackems and Norwich to
– Assess the players
– Work with the players in training
– get some of the players back who are close like Coloccini, MBemba and MBabu.
– analyse Norwich and set up a tactical plan
I doubt we will have too many gone. Sissoko, Gini and Janmaat maybe. Will Shelvey make the England squad? Elliot, but he is not important for training.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I also looked at the Mackem team that Don Hutchinson put up in the Chron as likely to face us. It is unrecognisable to the one we faced earlier in the season, even down to the goalie.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This is who started Sunderland’s last game: Mannone, Kaboul, van Anholt, Yedlin, Kone, Kirchoff, Rodwell, Mvila, Borini, Khazri, N’Doye.
There are only 3 players that started against us at the SOL: Yedlin, Kaboul and M’Vila.
I don’t what this means but we will not be playing the same team. Hopefully we not have a dumb Ref who misses a clear penalty and sends off one of players.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I can’t see us beating Man City or getting the better of Liverpool at Anfield (when do we ever get anything there). If we are still in the mix with three games to go, Palace at home(now they’ve been Pardewed) Villa away (already relegated and hopeless), even Spurs at home is where I think we might stay up, IF we improve a lot and the Leicester performance becomes the norm.
DJG(Quote)
Sunderland have Chelsea, Everton and then Watford away in their final three. Not teams that you want to really on winning if you ask me. Norwich, their whole run in looks tricky. It’s not impossible for us to stay up and we’re only one point behind, it’s not like we’ve got to make up six points first.
DJG(Quote)
It’s all ifs and butts.. Truth is we can’t score. Rafa needs to find a winning formula starting v Sunderland.
I feel a bit sick thinking about it if we lose. I’m keeping a low profile this week trying not to think about our next game?
Gashley(Quote)
@eric
The friendlies will work great for us, players returning and as you say, gives Rafa more time to work his magic.
Gashley(Quote)
Eric is right. Even more so if we win on Sunday. A two week break for Rafa to get coaching and injured players to return to come back firing against Norwich Boyed by the win against Sunderland.
Probably the biggest game I can ever remember us having, taking into account the money at stake next season, our place in the league and our future with or without Rafa.
Quite simply – WE MUST WIN!
Stuart79(Quote)
Sunderland haven’t won many of late but have got some decent draws, draws we’d probably struggle to get 😈
Gashley(Quote)
Gashley – That is one of the things that is really getting on my tits recently. These pundits seem to think Sunderland are odds on to stay up yet they seem to forget that although they’ve been playing well they haven’t been winning! We’ve lost 10 out of 14 and we are only one bleeding point behind them!!!!
Stuart79(Quote)
I agree Stu.
Sunderland are ****.
They’ve become a bit harder to beat and could scrape enough draws together to gain vital points.
We just need to smash them and get more wins. As much as I don’t rate Cisse this season, we need his eye for goal. Doumbia doesn’t seem to be the answer
Gashley(Quote)
Gash: have you watched Sunderland recently? As I said above they have a whole different team. I haven’t bothered watching much and don’t know a lot of these players that Fat Sam is now picking. It used to be O’Shea, Brown, Cattermole, Johnson, Fletcher. Now it is not.
We have to beat them because our goal difference is so bad. Of course, I would take a 1-0 but if be could pad it to 2 we would narrow the GD gap a lot.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric.
I read shay given saying the lack of British players might effect our chances of winning on Sunday 😯
We have plenty English players, a lot more than Sunderland.
They back line is pretty weak, Van Aanholt like to attack but defensively he’s poor, we should attack him at every opportunity. , Kaboul is ***** and apart from his goal, Kone looks slow and cumbersome.
Gashley(Quote)
Gashley: the pundits don’t ever think before they open their mouths. Even Shay 🙂
Likely starters for us are Elliot (from London even though he plays for Ireland), Taylor, Lascelles, Colback, Shelvey, Townsend. So that’s 6. I am not saying they are all first choice in their positions but they are British.
Of the starters for Sunderland against Southampton Rodwell was the only British player.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The French contingent is now down to Sissoko and Saivet because all of the rest don’t play. I would include Haidara in that as he is always injured.
WE ARE NOW ESSENTIALLY ANGLO DUTCH.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
In the summer we will be down to only one African, Mbemba, as Cisse and Tiote will leave. So it is Anglo-Dutch with a smattering of Serb and Spanish.
Probably good for PL mid-table but not for the cuisine 🙂
Yeah I know British food has picked up a lot since I left.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Rafa has admitted, his problem is getting us to score.
He can sort the defence out relatively easily as we have already seen against Leicester, but not so easy to get us to score goals when confidence is all but broken.
IMHO we have to ditch this lone striker approach, I’ve been saying it for years. It has never ever worked for us. I would go back to a basic 4-4-2. Keep it tight at the back and attack in numbers when the opportunity arrives. But we MUST have 2 strikers on the pitch. Mitro and Perez will do.
Still no news on Cisse ?
Maybe he will make the bench.
Is there any news on Arrons ?
We really need this win above all else. A draw is no good.
If we can start scoring goals again, I think we will be ok.
MASSIVE MASSIVE game on Sunday.
Howay the Lads
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I agree, 442 has always been my preferred formation, have never liked the lone forward approach.
kimtoon(Quote)
Maybe a lone striker if you are up against a top side but not in all games.
kimtoon(Quote)
Beats me why Scum players are saying the pressure is on us. Unless I’m mistaken we are only one point behind them with a game in hand, oh and we have home advantage too.
kimtoon(Quote)
BB: Aarons came on against Bournemouth but I think Rafa went with experience at Leicester.
I doubt if we will see much change to the starting lineup except to get Townsend into it. That would probably mean dropping Anita and shifting Gini to Midfield, or a straight swap for Perez.
Unless someone like Saivet or Doumbia really impresses in training I just can’t see that many changes to the starters.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Who will play in the midfield for Sunderland? Rodwell and who? I’d back Gini and Shelvey against them, especially at home where we should have most of the ball. Townsend and Perez out wide with De Jong behind Mitro.
Stuart79(Quote)
STUART I agree the pace on the wing is a must,pace will hurt them imo
Icedog(Quote)
KIM has the budget hurt you and Lewis any way??
Icedog(Quote)
Ice, He gets DLA at the moment, he was awarded it indefinitely due to the severity of his disorder. He will eventually go over to PIPS as I understand it in due course. They can look at his claim anytime to see if anything has changed. I am about to read up on the budget to see if the cuts effect him now or in the future when he changes to PIPS. Hazel and I were discussing the fact that people like Lewis can’t vote ( His mental capacity means he’s unable to physically do it or understand it) and how it’s wrong that he and others like him can’t fight back. It’s a direct attack on the vulnerable and for a PM who had a disabled child, quite staggering to be honest mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
Ice, Having looked at it, I don’t think it effects Lew as he’s not in the work related group for ESA since he’ll never be able to work. See Link below
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35749078
Ofcourse the fact Lew could be safe from the cuts doesn’t make it right. There are plenty in the work related group who realistically will never hold down a job. Just think it’s outrageous and they need to stop giving tax hand outs to their rich friends, that’ll save a bit of money.
Anyway I’ll say no more as don’t wanna hijack the footie talk.
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM pleased it didnt hurt you,yes the whole lot stinks,yer dont want to spoil it for footy
dont like the way the sneaky way hes cut 2billion off nhs budget,it needs more but them swines are on private care so dont give a ****
icedog(Quote)
Ice, Agree totally, the NHS is almost bankrupt as it is, they want us all going private really. I have already switched to private dental care, I had to after years of dodgy practice at my NHS dentist left me in a mess, Hazel too (same place). Long story short, now paying the cost of a car to fix my teeth!!! The place I was at was employing fresh out of dental school practitioners, mostly from outside the uk and the dentist kept changing every 6 months or so and one always disagreed with the last one over treatment. No hygienist for 6 years after the regular one left along with the only decent long serving dentist they had. End result, poor care and only the basic work (badly done ) 👿 I would take it further if I had the energy but I will settle for getting it sorted now. This country is a mess.
kimtoon(Quote)
I think we can and should win this derby game (but then I thought that of the past 6).
I think the main thing is not to loose. A win or a draw going into the international break gives us something to work on. Obviously the win would be huge for confidence, putting us above the scum going into that break and going into Norwich. But a draw would be OK.
Defeat would be disastrous.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy little nervous about this derby game tbh. I know Benitez will want to win his first home game with us. We must not give away silly foul’s. Sunderland play dirty and will try and cheat like the scum they are. We must have 11 player’s on the pitch.
Terry(Quote)
Mitrovic isn’t a very good striker either Sharpy, Troy is right about that. Perez must start for me because his a winner imo.
Terry(Quote)
We are surely due a win now, would be beyond cruel to lose again, simply cannot be allowed to happen.
kimtoon(Quote)
Saw this and it made me smile. A slight aside to hopefully ease the pre-Derby jangling nerves
http://www.tynetshirts.com/catalogue/tshirts/all/geordie-dad-and-lad-tshirt.html
GlosMag(Quote)
😆 too right
kimtoon(Quote)
Should Charnley be given credit for bringing in Beneitez? He received a lot of stick for Schteve but was that totally deserved? It dawned on me a couple of weeks ago that Carr had made a massive power grab and had become de facto DoF, influencing Lee on the selection of Schteve. When Schteve turned us down in January I believe it was it was Carr who wanted Ugly John as a seat warmer until he could have another tilt at Schteve in the summer.
Schteve is a friend of Carr’s and I believe Charnley deferred to Carr too much on football matters. Perhaps Carr’s influence kept McClaren there in place too long, who knows. However, Beneitez has said he has not spoken to Ashley and only to Charnley.
Charnley is not blameless for McClaren but I believe Carr made a successfuI power grab and Charnley wasn’t confident enough in his football knowledge and connections to say no. A monumental f-up, but should Charnley now get credit for Benitez?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It’s 2-1 to us mates so don’t worry. Perez and Wijnaldum to score.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 it’s that little **** Defoe I worry about
Icedog(Quote)
not to mention Borini, he likes to score against us 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM wish we had the same goal threat
Icedog(Quote)
Mbemba and Colo back soon. Sunday probably too soon but good news all the same
Gashley(Quote)
A new thread would be good. 2-1 sounds good G2. I’m worried Mitro and Shelvey will get sent off amidst the heat of the atmosphere. Hopefully they hold it together and turn it on.
Shamrock(Quote)
Mirror reporting Colo and Mbemba both in contention for Sunday. What a boost that would be providing they’re properly fit.
Stuart79(Quote)
Ime really hoping for a level headed ref,he can make or break the game,let’s at least hope that 22 finish the game
Icedog(Quote)
Ice you can hope for 22. I’ll hope 19. 11 Toon and 8 Mackems thank you very much Mr Referee!
Shamrock(Quote)
Stu I don’t think Colo and Mbemba works. Too similar. Neither dominates in the air. Tough call but I’d keep one on the bench and the other alongside Saylor. Maybe even Lascelles, who is decent in the air and beginning to show his potential IMO.
Shamrock(Quote)
SHAM you could be right if they take notice of these brain dead fans
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/03/17/sunderland-star-sends-message-ahead-of-derby-fans-urge-him-to-ge/
Icedog(Quote)
Ice there’s more riding on this Derby than ever before. I’d be amazed if everyone keeps their head if they actually care about the club and it’s future.
Shamrock(Quote)
I guess that makes it even more important to get a good start. The team that falls behind is clearly more likely to allow the pressure the get to them.
Shamrock(Quote)
Did I mention we will win 3-0…
Stuart79(Quote)
Sham – The atmosphere will be so great. I can’t see us not starting well. But we will need an early goal imo.
Stuart79(Quote)
http://dailym.ai/1McbhZ6
Good, about time they had to work!
Stuart79(Quote)
That fills me with hope Stu. Rafa gives me the impression he simply will not allow the team to be relegated. He’s a winner and he will drag the squad with him kicking and screaming if needs be. I can’t believe McC was letting the players do half days when they were losing every week. What a weak bloke.
Shamrock(Quote)
The man just exudes class and a winning attitude. I can’t believe his appointment, manner, quality and experience won’t inspire the players. It’s just whether we can take the chances we create because I think maybe we will be more solid at the back – which gives us half a chance.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu/Sham: was McClaren trying to be the players’ friend rather than Manager giving them all that time off? He kept changing the bloody tactics so they should have been in in the afternoons to learn what their role was.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric I think he was just a happy clappy. Always seeing the positives and being resolute that it would work out in the end. In other words, stark raving mad! Another concern though is the lack of leaders in the squad. No question the squad will have known that it was not working and more effort was required between games, but it seems there was no group of players that stepped forward to set Schteve straight on a few points. Just not bothered or afraid to upset Schteve, as in a kind of shooting a puppy kind of way? Either way it was allowed to go for too long and ultimately it may cost us.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham: lack of leadership extended to the boardroom. I have said this a few times but I think Charnley finally realised that he was joined at the hip to Carr if something wasn’t done about Schteve and realised his own job was on the line due to him following rather than leading. I actually think he took this step and might have finally found his balls – maybe too late, we shall see.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think Ashley should go to the game. There will be enough good will for Rafa that Fatty can show his face and also he has finally began funding the club properly.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I just thought of something, Rafa will be taking us to Anfield. A lot of the fans still love him there. It will almost be like Keegan returning as player and Manager although Rafa will obviously not have much time to have moulded our team.
Should be interesting to see if they can find some of the old banners. I read a few comments on match reports under Rodgers and quite a few wanted Rafa back.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
As has been said I can’t believe how easy the players got it under Schteve, not a bit of wonder the players wernt giving their all as they were getting rewarded for failure.
I am sure the players have had a real wake up call from Rafa.
Big Dave(Quote)
http://mobile.newsnow.co.uk/A/2/821553505?-11058:809:t
I reckon I’d let this fella loose on our forwards for sure.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree that an early goal is needed to calm the nerves and force Scum to attack, then hopefully we can pick them off. If they get an early goal I can see them sitting back to protect it. Reckon it will be a tight nervy game.
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy, agree mate, nice words from Patrick
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I reckon he could certainly develop Mitrovic – similar style of forward I reckon.
Patrick obviously had a very successful career, but he worked with some world class managers & coaches. We have one of a world class manager now but it’s clear that Mitrovic needs work.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think it’s great Rafa making them train twice a day,not even a lunch break they have to sit down and talk tactics,why shouldn’t they put a full shift in like we do plus it should make them fitter,it works well for Leicester (being fitter),just hope it’s not to late
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – the beauty of Leicester this season is they have 11 players in a 4-4-2 playing simple football.
Each player in each position understands their role & what is expected of them. They keep it simple & play at an intense pace.
You watch them and you can see exactly what they are doing. Something that could not be said about Newcastle under McClaren.
Hopefully Rafas double sessions can get our lot organised and difficult – that might give us a better chance of winning games.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Not sure source is reliable but this sounds positive. It’s nice to see interest in the he club from a positive view. Possibly some reputation boost from having Rafa on board
GlosMag(Quote)