Goalkeepers – who wins your starting place on August 5th?

Gallowgate Geordie
Darlow

When we signed Matz Sels at the end of June, I have to say I was one of the fans who was very confused with a goalkeeper being our first signing.

Admittedly for the past 2 seasons we have had to rely on our 3rd choice goalkeeper but all that did for me was show the great strength in depth we have in this position with Elliot and Darlow both shining when they had to step up.

Now we have had a number of quality signings through the door, and that I have had time to sit back and think, the signing of a goalkeeper did make sense (I think maybe it was the fact he was our first signing which maybe shocked me the most). As Rob Elliot is out with a long term injury and a number of rumours of Tim Krul being sold back up to the Premiership, we needed to make sure there was a number of players with strong coverage in front of the sticks.

It is safe to say Rob Elliot will be out of the running due to injury and even if Tim Krul does stay it will be touch and go too as to whether he will be back to full fitness in time, but with 3 other talented Goalkeepers now on our books, who would you like to see in the starting line up in our first game of the season against Fulham on Friday 5th August?

Matz Sels – The 24 year old Belgian who joined us in June of this year. We got to see him play recently in the first half of our first Pre-season Game against Bohemian FC which we won 6-0. Being honest, I had not heard much of Matz Sels before his arrival to the Toon, but having read up on him since, his talent is obvious.

He was the number 1 goalkeeper for KAA Gent when they won their first ever Belgian Championship in the 2014/15 season and on January 2016 he was voted Belgian Goalkeeper of the year for 2015. Last season he gained Champions League experience and was also called up to the Belgium national team for qualifiers against Israel and Andorra – now considering Belgium are ranked number 2 in the world, that does deserve some credit.

Karl Darlow – Personally I believe Karl Darlow was one of the few highlights of the latter stages of the season. With Krul and Elliot injured we saw Darlow recover from his poor debut in the Premier League against WBA. He stepped up to the occasion and showed fine form and performances throughout the end of the season. Newcastle signed Darlow from Nottingham Forest after he had spent 4 years at the club making 64 appearances, he was then loaned back for the 2014/15 season where he made a further 42 appearances for them in the Championship. It is this Championship experience which I think will be valuable to Newcastle this coming season if we rely upon him.

Freddie Woodman – Woodman is currently at the Euros with England Under 19’s where he has helped them maintain a 100% record. Last season saw Freddie start at Crawley Town in League 2 where he made 12 appearances before Newcastle had to recall him due to our injury problems. Over the past 2 seasons he has made it onto our bench a number of times but never quite making that debut – could this season see him finally make that first team debut?

For me the answer to the question depends on a number of things – will Tim Krul leave?

If he does stay, will he be fit in time for the start of the season? Does Rafa continue to use both Sels and Darlow in pre-season and if he does how do they perform in the pre-season games?

The start of the season is too soon to see Freddie Woodman make his debut but he is a big talent and I hope he continues in this way to the point where we one day see him as Newcastle United’s number 1!

If it is down to Sels and Darlow it is a battle between my head and my heart as to who starts – my head says Sels due to his experience and Rafa would have brought him in for that (IN RAFA WE TRUST) but my heart says Darlow for his end of season exploits in goal last year, alongside his Championship experience.

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123 thoughts on “Goalkeepers – who wins your starting place on August 5th?”

  1. Hi everyone,

    Back again! This is my new post.

    I’d be really interested to hear your thoughts on this one!

    Looking forward to the feedback.

    GG

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  2. Good article GG. We do look very strong in goal now. Someone will have to leave when they are all fit though. Possibly in the January transfer window? Surely it will be Tim Krul. Elliot will be the most experienced keeper with Sels and Darlow to provide the competition. No real problems in goal for the foreseeable future. And it seems Blackburn have accepted our bid for Hanley. Many saying he is not very mobile but a dominant size and good positioning skills.

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  3. Very disappointed to say I didn’t get to watch Whitecaps vs Crystal Palace. All I know is it ended 2-2. Both Caps CB’s scored (David Edgar was one of them, you may remember him from some time ago). Both Palace goals were scored by Frazier Campbell).

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  4. Hi GeordieTwo,

    Thank you. Definitely looking strong in goal. I agree, if Krul doesn’t go this window then someone would have to in January if they are all fit.

    Who would you see in goal first game of the season if Krul and Elliot were still injured?

    Good to see Hanley is nearly over the line. I like what I have seen of him and think he will be a good replacement if Mbemba or Lacselles can not play.

    GG

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  5. I would think Sels will start against Fulham if both Krul and Elliot aren’t ready GG mate. It will be a challenge to provide enough playing time for the 4 top keepers once they are healthy. I can’t see that lasting for long. Krul will never agree to be anything but the starting keeper I would think. I’m still betting he’ll be off before the close of the summer window. I think the club knows it and that’s why Sels was brought in.

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  6. Good article GG, During the season I did an article called’ Is Elliot a keeper’ so impressed was I at his exploits in goal. I compared him with Krul putting up their stats head to head and there wasn’t a great deal between them, though for me Elliot pipped Krul mainly cause his distribution is better imo. Ofcourse we didn’t have Sels then and Darlow hadn’t really figured yet and Woodman no where near the first team. For me it would be Elliot starting but if injured I would give whom ever is impressed in pre-season. Having said that Darlow does know this league better than Sels, yes bit of a conundrum for Rafa. Woodman needs to go out on loan for more experience.

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  7. GG, Do you think Hanley will want to be a starter? I think he will, what with being Captain of Blackburn he won’t fancy being second fiddle to Lascelles or Mbiwa , it will be a tough choice for Rafa , what with Jesus as well, unless he plays him at full back.

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  8. Hi Kimtoon,

    Thank you.

    Yes I agree Elliot was exceptional last season and I think we should cash in on Krul now. As he is injured I would love to see Darlow start but I think Sels will.

    Hanley will want to start I think your right, with Mbemba being dropped, but one of the positives from last season was him and Lacelles partnership at the end so that would be a shame. I think we will see Jesus Gamez played in a full back position.

    GG

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  9. I wonder if we could play three at the back with wing backs? Lascelles, Hanley, and Mbmemba as the CB’s. Gamez and Janmaat or Anita as the wing backs. Ritchie, Shelvey or Tiote,and Colback across the middle. Mitro and Gayle or Perez to start up front. 5-3-2 could be worth a try with the players we have. I think both Wini and Sissy will be off before the end of the window.

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  10. GG, Yep agree on Jesus, I reckon Janmaat is off which I’m not too sad about, very good bombing forward but not so hot defensively. I actually like Anita at RB I think it suits him more than MF where for me he’s a little too slight in build. Anita has worked hard to bulk himself up but he is what he is and I prefer him at RB. Also nice to see him saying he’s ready and up for the fight. Krul doesn’t want to leave either despite being transfer listed.

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  12. Reckon we’ll see Sissy, Gini , Janmaat and Krul go and wouldn’t be surprised if Thauvin goes too, maybe even Perez.

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  14. Ta Kimtoon lass. I think Perez will stay just to get the Rafa touch. I’m not bothered about Thauvin. He was one of several poorly chosen targets last season. The money wasted was ridiculous. How Carr and Charnley still have jobs is beyond me. Either that or it points to Ashley having too much say in the football side of things.

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  15. Andy The Magpie:
    That’s a great idea for a thread though! Mind if I nick it Sham?!
    Yeah crack on Andy. I used to do a few player comparison articles here. I will do another one this summer when I get time.

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  16. Good read GG. I can see the new keeper being first choice this season. Krul to leave. Elliot likely to be 3rd choice by the time he’s back fit.

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  18. We’re in unbelievably good nick in the keeper dept. Reckon Sels will start and he’s got a good reputation so let’s see.

    On another note I notice Alladyce is to be named England manager tomorrow. That’s great news as I think he’d have got the Mackems in a decent position so now hopefully it’s back to relegation scraps… 😳 😀

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  20. I agree, Sham. Well at least an improvement! But then again is that hard?

    I reckon he won’t take any **** and might actually surprise a few with the way we play. Hopefully he can encourage them to just play and ignore the consequences.

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  21. dont want to pinkle on anybody’s cornflakes, but we are consolidating in certain positions where we have struggled for a long time. weve needed a centre half for the last 7 years, Hanley will do the business in the Championship, time will show if he is good enough for the Prem, I reckon yes, cos as poor as Scottyland are internationally, he is their captain at the end of the day…welcome on board and good luck bonny lad…show the right spirit and the toon fans will help you become a legend.
    Rafa will have the Belgian lad as first choice in goal, Timmy will get the stick or twist decision…I reckon he will move on. Good luck to the lad, he bleeds black and white and grew up on the Tyne, but will move to Palace or somewhere to get game time. Rob Elliot, who got my player of the year last season, will sit tight for max 1 year to prove his fitness, but will then be involved in a battle to be number 2 goalie with Krul…… due to his age, hell sit tight and nurture the young goalies through the ranks. Woodman will sit tight for a while before joining his dad at Palace.

    Gallowgate Geordie, welcome to the blog mate, good post, and keep up the good work !

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  22. GG I think Krul will be number one as well. Elliotte number 2 unless Rafa think’s otherwise. For the first time in years we have a real manager and that still surprises me to be honest. Darlow will be number 3 and Sel’s could be a injury back up option. Injurys over the last 2 season’s might be the board coming to there senses.

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  25. Kimtoon:
    GG, Do you think Hanley will want to be a starter? I think he will, what with being Captain of Blackburn he won’t fancy being second fiddle to Lascelles or Mbiwa , it will be a tough choice for Rafa , what with Jesus as well, unless he plays him at full back.

    ime maybe thinking Rafa may go with three at the back??

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  26. Stuart79:
    We’re in unbelievably good nick in the keeper dept.Reckon Sels will start and he’s got a good reputation so let’s see.

    On another note I notice Alladyce is to be named England manager tomorrow.That’s great news as I think he’d have got the Mackems in a decent position so now hopefully it’s back to relegation scraps…

    Moyes getting interview over the job now so the storey going

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  27. cheers GG we dont want to forget we have a great young keeper in Woodman whos having a blinder for England under 19s,its through his great displays we are in semi-finals

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  30. Icedog, if you ever get the chance to go you should. Its absolutely brilliant bonny lad…

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  31. Terry you think we have shelled out £5m for a championship winning international prospect only for him to be 4th choice? I highly doubt that will be the case.

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  32. wehey, Brexit, Boris Johnson, Cameron commiting hari kari, now Allardyce as national team manager, no wonder we are the laughing stock of europe

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  33. Munich Mag:
    Icedog, if you ever get the chance to go you should.Its absolutely brilliant bonny lad…

    worth a thought mate,starting to look at places i have!nt been too,before its to late lol

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  37. Munich Mag:
    Ice Sydney is brilliant, Cape Town is right up there mate..

    been to every state in aussie mate lived there 3yrs,new zealand,states,china manila denmark,holland malta spain ect ive been aboot a bit

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  38. Moyes was a notoriously slow starter at Everton although I think he did a good job overall with a limited budget. Man U was just too big for him but he did fail at Sociodad. I think the Premiership is much, much stronger than in his Everton days so he may struggle with the Scum and not having much of a budget when everyone else is throwing cash around.

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  40. Eric, Moyes might struggle with scum in the Premier League, meanwhile the Mickey Mouse club are losing to the mighty Donny…. Give yer heed a shake bonny lad :-)… having said that we did thrash Bohemians 3rd team at the weekend 🙂 The only way is up 🙂

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  41. icedog: been to every state in aussie mate lived there 3yrs,new zealand,states,china manila denmark,holland malta spain ective been aboota bit

    Ice, I always said you was a man of the world

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  42. Icedog, you’ve been aaaal ower the place….twice. Not bad for a canny lad from Condy Road 🙂

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  43. Don’t see Moyes doing as good a job as Fat Sam did, if they go on a slide I don’t see him halting it.

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  46. ‘For all of their pretty possession, Newcastle have lacked a cutting edge – and a goalkeeping howler has also seen them fall behind.
    Sels will have nightmares when he replays the incident which led to the penalty in his head; his mis-hit clearance forced him to try and punch it clear, only to foul the Doncaster striker.
    Armstrong has been lively, as has Mitrovic, though the pair have not quite been on the same wavelength so far.
    ‘

    Jonjo Shelvey has probably been United’s most constructive player – he really looks up for this

    Maybe not start Sels on 5th of august then 😳

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  52. Kimtoon: Ice, I always said you was a man of the world

    most places i went because of the job i had,the place i really loved was China great people very humble,worst place Italy only 5days playing footy under 16s,sent off twice in 4 games 😥 😥

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  53. Ice: Moyes was faced with an impossible task following Ferguson (much like now following the fat toad 🙂 ). Man U had an easy CL group and beat Olympiakakos to get to the QF. Not much of an achievement there as Olympiakakos are usually Europa League Group casualties.

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  54. Eric, but what about the mighty toon, and the even mightier Donny, currently cuffing our pimped up bunch of poseurs …
    You can’t slag the makkems off, they’re in a different league to us…

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  58. Munich Mag:
    Icedog…seems you weren’t that keen on Italy then ?

    they learn how to defend from a early age and how to upset players,couldnt take being spat in the face all game but held it until 89 min then i lamped him 😆 😆

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  59. Icedog, very noble of you mate, waiting until the 89th minute :-)…I wouldn’t have gotten that far !

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  60. well, what a brilliant start…. a fully pumped up toon full of heavyweights being humbled 2-0 by the mighty Donny 🙂

    What a mickey mouse club 🙂

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  64. Munich Mag:
    well, what a brilliant start…. a fully pumped up toon full of heavyweights being humbled 2-0 by the mighty Donny

    What a mickey mouse club

    We got slaughtered pre-season last time we dropped but look what happened

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  65. “We want you to stay, Gini Wijnaldum we want you to stay” can be heard from the away end #NUFC

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  66. Hahahaha! “Gini Wynaldum we want you to stay.” And then “Moussa Sissoko we want you to go.”

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  67. Munich Mag:
    Icedog, very noble of you mate, waiting until the 89th minute :-)…I wouldn’t have gotten that far !

    domt worry mate i dished out a fair bit their shins and ankles would keep then out a few weeks,i never minded a hard game,just thought i would leave them with a sore heed lol

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  68. Jill:
    “We want you to stay, Gini Wijnaldum we want you to stay” can be heard from the away end #NUFC

    Jill are you watching it?

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  69. MM: I haven’t slagged off Sunderland today. Just wondering how they will get on post the fat toad.

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  71. Oh God, I just thought about Fat Sam. We had to put up with him at NUFC, then he saves Sunderland at our expense and now England. It is like a recurring nightmare.

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  72. Kristan Heneage ‏@KHeneage · Jul 19

    Interesting. Got a tip that #NUFC were looking at Che Adams, with Toney going to #SUFC on loan. He’s now not in the squad for tonight.

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  73.  NUFCThreatLevel Retweeted

    Liverpool FC ‏@LFC · 30m30 minutes ago

    61: Lucas pulls up and comes off immediately. [0-1]

    Oh dear, that’s a no from us then

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  74. Well 2-2 from 2-0 down at least they have Some fight in them thats already an improvement . 😀

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  75. So Fat Sam for England would love too see the grinning one replace him at the scum

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