The bandwagon rolls on with Ipswich Town arriving at St James Park. Whilst no-one wants their team to lose, the Tractor Boys will take comfort from Newcastle keeping Norwich off the top of the table with a victory. Not quite a ‘win-win’ situation but as close as football gets to it.
The last two wins have answered the question of whether momentum would be lost by the international break. And now with Newcastle’s Championship title odds crashing to 4/6 or lower, the answer is emphatically not; Brentford was a good performance, expansive football against a team which wanted to play.
Barnsley saw how Brentford were beaten and decided to play compactly. They hassled, harried, niggled and narked but the lads were patient, kept their heads and when the moments came, took their chances. In all honesty, it was probably a better win for the squad than Saturday’s; one which gives them belief that they can overcome all obstacles and obduracy.
Ipswich, especially with Mick McCarthy at the helm, will follow Barnsley’s lead and set their stall out to defend. Their 2 – 0 win over Burton in midweek was the first win in seven. They hadn’t scored for 5½ games before Luke Chambers got their first whilst Freddie Sears got his first in 38 games. McCarthy said afterwards, “I said I’ve watched three seasons of ‘Scandal’ since he last scored. It was probably four actually!”
Rafa has a busy few weeks before the next international break and Matt Ritchie’s return from illness was welcome at Oakwell. The Scot has been in scintillating form this season with his absence emphasising his importance to the team.
The key word there is ‘team’ and I think that’s been the most impressive feature on the current run of good form: teamwork. Some players are important and drive the form forward – Lascelles, Shelvey, Ritchie, Gayle – but the rest of the squad is responding to that, improving their performance levels as well.
Darlow, for example, has come in and performed consistently and it’s that kind of response which will please Rafa more than having a specific player being more responsible for the points than others.
A win against Ipswich puts real pressure on not just Norwich but also Brighton; they have to win to stop a little gap opening but crucially with the pair meeting next weekend, a little gap could become a big one quite quickly if they take less than three points from the two games.
We can take a grip on this division if things go our way, the most important of which is for us to win our games. Do that and the rest will take care of itself.
Excellent write up ATM, can see another three points tomorrow to keep the pressure right on there… Ipswich won’t roll over though, so we need to keep at them..
Munich Mag(Quote)
thanks Andy. It’s typical that Ipswich suddenly find their mojo before facing us but the truth is that every team see’s us as a cup final. It’s up to the lads to just keep taking every game as it comes and not get complacent about things. This month has the potential to be a good one for points haul, and I do feel we will get stronger as time goes on. A few players still haven’t really got going yet like Diame, Perez and Mitro and Rafa will need to decide if he wants to keep faith or go with others. We know that Perez has stacks of ability so he should come good . The bigger question is Mitro who hasn’t really had the game time I would of thought he’d get and I really don’t think Rafa trust him tbh. Diame has had plenty of chances to shine but thus far is somewhat underwhelming for me, likewise Sels has struggled and I think Darlow has the spot to loose now.
kimtoon(Quote)
As you mentioned, Andy, Ipswich have been awful going forward, but they will be difficult to break down. This could be the type of game where a creative No. 10 would have come in handy, to help unlock a deep-sitting team.
A lot of people on here have been calling for a lineup featuring Gayle and Mitrovic, and I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing it tomorrow. Rafa’s been sticking with Diame, but he stuck with Sels for a while, too, and eventually changed his mind. With Ipswich’s lack of firepower and the likelihood of them sitting deep, we may not need that third midfielder to control the middle of the park.
Charlie Prince(Quote)
I reckon Rafa will stick with the same team as in midweek, including Diame, Rafa is giving him the chance to play himself into some form. Gayle has the lone striker spot, and Rafa won’t change his tactics so that sees Mitro on the bench…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Yeah, I certainly wouldn’t bet against Diame being in the starting lineup.
I really want Mitrovic to start doing well, though. I don’t know if it’s because of the fee we paid for him, or because of some similarities with Carroll the last time we went down, or just because it seems like he SHOULD be able to dominate at this level, but it burns me up that he’s not playing and scoring, in a way that it doesn’t bother me as much about a player like Perez.
Charlie Prince(Quote)
Totally agree Charlie, I think it’s because we can see the passion he has for the club. We so want him to do well.
kimtoon(Quote)
What about Murphy? He was their best striker so maybe that accounts for their lack of goals and he may want to do well against them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
He’s not fit yet mate,Rafa will not go two up front so guess Mitro sitting on the bench again
Icedog(Quote)
It’s hard on Mitro not getting much playing time but it’s a long season so he should still have lots of time to impress. I’m a bit concerned about Murphy though. Lots of little injury niggles is it? I would like to see what we can do with him in the lineup as well. Good article again Andy mate! Well done!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Cheers guys!
I’d like to see Diame rested but feel as long as we’re winning Rafa will keep playing him. It’s a shame as a mitro/gayle combo is something I’d like to see.
Andy Magpie(Quote)
It’s a question of who plays where though isn’t it? Mitro off Gayle or the other way round. Both want to be the No 9 and lead the line. It seemed significant to me that our best performance had Mitro up top with Perez off – 6-0.
georgio(Quote)
Cant score but dont concede .. sure i read somewhere ipswich have conceded least goals in championship this season.. happy to be coreected tho’.
Close game seems likely as others have said but we should (must ?) prevail.
GlosMag(Quote)
Another good result for us last night. A win today puts us 8 points clear of Birmingham which will be a lot to make up. Huddersfield also have a tricky game too. I reckon we will have a good idea who’s going to last the pace and who isn’t over the next month. Our fixtures are kinder too. 😀
Stuart79(Quote)
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Karl Darlow; DeAndre Yedlin, Jamaal Lascelles (c), Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett; Jack Colback, Jonjo Shelvey; Matt Ritchie, Ayoze Perez, Yoan Gouffran; Dwight Gayle
Substitutes: Matz Sels, Vurnon Anita, Chancel Mbemba, Isaac Hayden, Christian Atsu, Mo Diame, Aleksandar Mitrovic
Premandup(Quote)
Perez, Yedlin and Colback back in. 3 changes but no weakening a good sign of a good squad.
Georgio(Quote)
Any TV links?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think Sissoko is going to have a few detractors at Spurs if he picks up a ban. Already dropped to the bench and that is with Kane not available. Best 30 mil we ever made 🙂 🙂 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Is there any plan for a match thread? Too much to ask? Looking forward to another good win today. 4-1 ?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
DT: This IS a match thread/preview. Premandup just added the teams so it is just like when Toonsy or Sham did it before.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
you get a link on facebook ,rafas black and white army .
batty(Quote)
Thanks Eric…
Anybody know of any
links for this one? Or is it going to radio again?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
http://Www.mixlr.com/rarestpepe radio link
Dubai Toon(Quote)
https://www.spreaker.com/user/onnradio/newcastle-v-ipswich?tab=messages
Radio
kimtoon(Quote)
GetinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnPerezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
kimtoon(Quote)
Goooaaalllllll…. that’s an early one… Ayooooozzzzzeeeeeee
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Now they have to come at us and hopefully we can counter and grow our goal difference.
kimtoon(Quote)
For once I want West Ham to win.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
nearly another
kimtoon(Quote)
Best hits the bar… close! ?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Don’t know if this will work for anyone
periscope.tv/w/1YqxoVnbeoyJv
kimtoon(Quote)
need to get a couple more while they are all at sea here
kimtoon(Quote)
Hiya Kim,
Thanks for that, but it seems to be showing earlier stages of the game rather than a live stream.
Anybody else have luck in Periscope or Facebook? Links, por favor!
Fans Should Own the Club(Quote)
it’s only us and Barnsley who have scored so far
kimtoon(Quote)
Only a radio link working for me.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Should have had a pen then!
Newkie(Quote)
ffs denied a stone wall pen yet again. Jesus the refs in this league are pants 👿
kimtoon(Quote)
Dislocated finger 🙁 ouch
kimtoon(Quote)
Well 1-0 at half time… ***** ref, should’ve been 2-0.. let’s hope for a few more goals in second half
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Well it should be 2.0 really but for that ref, truth is should be more chances we’ve had.
Lets hope Mick doesn’t instil some fight into them for second half .
Hope someone shows the ref his blunder for the pen
kimtoon(Quote)
FA seriously need to address the level of refereeing at this level, too many poor refs.
kimtoon(Quote)
That free kick we got towards the end of the second half was cause the lino flagged not from the ref. He misses a stone wall pen and a hand ball too. Numpty
kimtoon(Quote)
I said before the season started that a lot of would be spoiled by 3rd rate refs in the ccc
Icedog(Quote)
first half just two goals in championship and both scored by Toon players.
Arma for Barnsley and
Perez
kimtoon(Quote)
Sounds pretty flat… needs a change… Mitro for Ayoze for me like
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Don’t know why Rafffa leaves his subs so late
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Perezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
kimtoon(Quote)
Ayoooozzzzeeeeee, goal…. get in there
Dubai Toon(Quote)
C’mon Ayoze get a hat trick son
kimtoon(Quote)
Phew…prefer 2-0…
1-0 is never comfortable, even though it does the trick.
NorCal Toonfan(Quote)
Plus Norwich getting beat 😳
Icedog(Quote)
Atsu on for Goofy
kimtoon(Quote)
Well, and that’s even better!
NorCal Toonfan(Quote)
3 – 0. Game set match. Hitting our stride now?!
Newkie(Quote)
Yeeeesssssssss get in. Ritchie. 3-0
Dubai Toon(Quote)
ritchieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
kimtoon(Quote)
Mitro on, c’mon lad do your stuff
kimtoon(Quote)
The boro are doing canny against the **** like, still 0-0. At the Emirates
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Hammers look to have snatched it 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
??????????? scum losing
Dubai Toon(Quote)
**** late winner for hudders too
kimtoon(Quote)
That’ll do me. 3-0.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Our goal difference is always going to be worth an extra point too…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Villa got the win today too, that’s a draw and a win to start for Bruce
kimtoon(Quote)
Only got the radio feed but it didn’t sound like this game was ever in doubt. How many clean sheets now?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Top 4 is still tight but we are beginning to string a lot of wins together. Need to pull away and then I will start cheering for Hughton and Brighton.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
DT: I was watching the Boro game and they were very unlucky 1st half.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yeah Eric I had it on too… the Boro came close a few times Chech kept **** in the match
Dubai Toon(Quote)
I think that’s 7 clean sheets in the league now Erik mate. 😀
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Great to see Perez back amongst it. A brace will do his confidence the world of goos.
And on we go…….
YouYew(Quote)
Ha. World of Goos. Sounds like a great pudding restaurant.
YouYew(Quote)
Andymag, Suffolkated indeed 😉 🙂
kimtoon(Quote)
30 goals for already with only 11 allowed. It’s looking very decent indeed. Preston next in the cup. Keep it up lads!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Poor old Rotherham lost again after sacking their manager didn’t they?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I like the way Rafa says he shouldn’t be compared with Sir Bobby. I would say it will take time but eventually he’ll be right up there. Here’s to great things ahead!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Enjoy the rest of the day lads and lasses…
GeordieTwo(Quote)