Rafa Benitez’s side go into today’s game against Leeds United top of the Championship and brimming with confidence.
Almost every player in the squad is playing well, from back to front the looks organised and well structured, regardless of which players are selected, from the squad, to play on the day.
With everything going so well, each week the manager is faced with a slight selection dilemma, but Benitez, being the world class manager that he is, has gotten it right so far this season despite almost constant rotation.
The rotation however, is cause for discussion every week. While everyone is seemingly happy with it, it is always fun to try and pick a team when nobody knows what it will be.
With that in mind, could this be the likely team for today’s game?
GK: Karl Darlow
RB: Vurnon Anita
CB: Jamaal Lascelles (C)
CB: Ciaran Clark
LB: Paul Dummett
RM: Matt Ritchie
CM: Jonjo Shelvey
CM: Isaac Hayden
LM: Yoan Gouffran
Ten: Mohammad Diame
ST: Aleksandar Mitrovic
While not everyone will agree, the team has been laid out in this shape for the entirety of this season and it may not change for some time. As for the personnel, this is just speculation at this stage.
That’s a good bet Jake but I think he’ll play Colback instead of Hayden and possibly Yedlin at RB. He may also swap Mitro and Gayle. I’d keep Mitro in. Gayle would be a good sub if it doesn’t work. 3-1 HTL
georgio(Quote)
well i think he will go with Mitro because of the carry on with Gayle after getting four teeth knocked out very painful his head must still be ringing a sub at best imo
icedog(Quote)
you can get 6/1 for toon to beat Leeds seems the bookies think we will come un-stuck today
icedog(Quote)
Turns out I was wrong! In Rafa we trust!
Jake Swinburn(Quote)
6/1?!
Is that an enhanced odds offer you’re referring to?
Andy Magpie(Quote)
its a price only for first time you use the site to bet
icedog(Quote)
where is everybody,am i on the right thread???
icedog(Quote)
gayle 1 nowt
icedog(Quote)
Gooaaalll Gayle again…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
No indication on last thread that this one exists…. this will be a tough match I think, despite out current lead
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Said before the game I’d have taken a point as it’s a tough fixture but from being ahead would be disappointed not to win. Long way to go though…
Stuart79(Quote)
PLEASE Link new threads to old threads so we know a new thread is up!
Still backing Toon for 2-1 win. If we do win today, we will be looking very comfortable in the table.
Shamrock(Quote)
Leeds all over us as we approach half time. Sounds like we are being out done in the air.
Shamrock(Quote)
We got battered there at the end and could easily have been a pen against Colback… not going to be easy… hell of a pace in the first half.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
They have worked out our weakness there. Now Rafa has 15 minutes to put measures in place to counter their efforts, otherwise it’s just a matter of time until they score. We were hanging on by our finger nails just now.
Shamrock(Quote)
the goal
http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/teams/leeds-united/10665058/blog-only-newcastle-goal-0-1
icedog(Quote)
Any streams this week anywhere?
YouYew(Quote)
We play lovely passing football and then we score and then come under pressure. This has happened in a few games. We must stop kicking the ball aimlessly in the air. This gives their big men the chance to win the ball. We are best when we pass and move.
Groucho(Quote)
Well done Darlow.
Shamrock(Quote)
Quality goal.
Stuart79(Quote)
Be cracking win this if we can see it through. Haven’t played well at all but still 0-2 up.
Stuart79(Quote)
“Dwight Gayle, he scores with no teeth, he scores with noooo teeeeth!!”
???
Stuart79(Quote)
Well chuffed with that result.. we didn’t play well for big parts of the match and Leeds really put us under pressure as we thought they would, but another clean sheet and a comfortable 2-0 away win… 2 more for Gayle too… a nice gap opening up between us and third place now. Darlow did very well today when we were under pressure. Great result.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
No Kim today?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez on Sky Sports:
“We have another clean sheet in a very difficult stadium, the performance of the team defending and attacking has been brilliant.
“It’s good and all we have to do is keep doing the same thing, keep playing with the same intensity, no complacency.
“We know that until the end everything can happen, so we have to approach every game the same.”
Shamrock(Quote)
Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles on Sky Sports:
“There’s a level of confidence and then there’s complacency, so we don’t want to get too much of either.
“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, so we’ll just prepare again for next week.
“We’re just going to take it step by step.”
Shamrock(Quote)
First capacity crowd at Leeds for 6 years…
Shamrock(Quote)
http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/10665170/leeds-0-2-newcastle
Highlights.
Shamrock(Quote)
This blog is really struggling for numbers these days.
Shamrock(Quote)
5 clear of Brighton, 9 clear if 3rd place and 14 clear of 7th. Very nice. Walking it! ?
Shamrock(Quote)
Yeah, not many on here today. Missing some of the regulars. Too many ads and empty threads that are posted just to boost revenue rather than benefit the fans and readers. For me though, it’s still my link to home… ?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
agree mate 100% even Kim and Eric missing today among others 😐
icedog(Quote)
Alright lads, cracking result that. Had family for lunch today so not able to get on. Had it on TV in background and jumping up from dining table when Gayle scored much to everyone’s amusement . We were great for first 25 minutes then they were all over us, I really thought it was gonna be a draw like. Very happy with the win and we march onwards and upwards.
kimtoon(Quote)
They haven’t shown it here yet, on in an hour, so I didn’t think i had much to contribute. Well done though, looks like mine and Shamrock’s assertion that we would walk the league is coming true. I know some of you will think I shouldn’t be counting my chickens but I have said it all along so why change when we are 9 clear of 3rd.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
this was the hardest game we will play this season imo, i would have been happy with a draw cannot see anyone that can beat us at the moment,we will have a off day at some point i suppose but in general there isnt a team that i worry about
icedog(Quote)
lets see how we go if Shelvey gets banned but Rafa hopefully has something up his sleeve
icedog(Quote)
I am actually a bit surprised by Norwich. They had continuity with Alex Neill and had money. They are still in the playoff places – just. I expect them to spend in January as they have the parachute payment and it is not just for this year so they can borrow against the next 2 years which is about 65-70 million. That gives them such an advantage over their rivals, apart from Villa, that they have to be favourites to go up still.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
i was not happy with Monk really after the game no praise for toon just blaming the ref and linesman for their defeat
icedog(Quote)
ERIC hopefully not Villa i hate them,hope they blow up over xmas,Bruce had Hull flying over xmas they died a death and had to rely on the play-offs in which they were very lucky
icedog(Quote)
If I was Dwight Gayle I would send Pardew a signed picture saying “MISS ME YET?”.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The fans at Palace have been moaning about losing Gayle all season, see it as a big mistake letting him go.
kimtoon(Quote)
I think after today, beating an in form Leeds side on their own patch tells you all you need to know.
I was one of the cautious optimism types in pre season and thankfully have been proven wrong (without tempting fate).
Andy Magpie(Quote)
Now watching the game and NUFC fans singing “Jimmy Savile, he’s one of your own”.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Some Palace fans quotes from their forums:
‘I would fire him now. He’s not a particularly good leader, has no eye for the detail needed to be a Premier League manager, doesn’t establish basics and has a misplaced arrogance. This is not the man to secure the long term future of our team.
That said, you need a plan to replace him. And I think our US shareholders are here to help formulate that.’
‘Yesterday was heartbreaking and what the team achieved came from ‘spirit’ rather than organisation or a game plan. But their body language and gesturing to eachother on the pitch suggests that even this is ebbing away. Benteke is begginig to look like a lost soul. Pardew has had the time, money and goodwill needed to establish us a secure mid-table team. And yet he we are discussing the same errors and deficiencies which have been a feature of his reign. It’s like groundhog day.
I don’t buy this Parish/Pardew best mates theory but if SP dosen’t act soon, I can’t see Blitzer and Harris twiddling their thumbs much longer. And if they do demand and secure a change of manager, we will see a shift of power at the club to them.’
‘I personally wanted him gone many months ago, after defeat to Liverpool back in March in fact.’
‘Pardew doesn’t do detail it seems what does he write in his notebook?
The excuse that they didn’t get a message to our players before the second goal is ridiculous
Can you imagine top managers like wenger and mourinho not having all sorts of contingency plans for who marks who at set pieces after any substitutions?
Even the silly dance after the cup final goal was revealing watch good managers they barely celebrate goals they are immediately thinking of what needs to be done next’
‘I’m still backing AP but my patience is being stretched. If there was an obvious better alternative I’d go with it, but I’m struggling to see one at the mo. I don’t want the club to jump from the frying pan into the fire.
AP’s under real pressure to get results now and he must change things to make sure that happens. No ‘ifs or buts’ as they say!’
‘He should go. In fact, he should have gone months ago. Our record is shocking, and he’s been well backed in the last window. He’s out of excuses.
But…
No obvious replacements available, while AP and SP appear to be very close personally. I’m not holding my breath.’
Shamrock(Quote)
Andy Magpie: no need to rename me Mystic Meg yet, I didn’t think we would get relegated last year and thought the Mackems would instead. I think the current bottom 3 will be relegated this season, but that is in line with most people.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
[email protected] pm
At least they can’t label us deluded anymore, they see it for what it is now.
kimtoon(Quote)
Sham: the Palace fans are saying exactly what the NUFC fans (minus Troy) said. The only thing missing is his constant excuses and and blaming everyone but himself. I am sure that is in other quotes on their boards.
The one Guy is wrong about other Managers not celebrating – Klopp!, Mourinho running up the touchline, even Lord Ferg with his incredibly awkward, but heartfelt, celebrations.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Rafa doesn’t get over excited when we score, just seems to be working out his next move to me.
kimtoon(Quote)
Each to their own Kimtoon, but Rafa is one of the few who don’t get really excited. I think that is just his calm demeanor which we have seen with everything he has done at the club so far.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Agree Eric, he is cool as a cucumber, so good for the club and oozes class imo.
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric, after that arrogant ****** he’s a breath of fresh air and I am enjoying being a fan again. It’s amazing what he’s building really, we should thank our lucky stars he decided to stay with us .
kimtoon(Quote)
He. cannot please all of players all of the time but he seems to be getting it right most of the time,,it’s no wonder the L/pool fans loved him
Icedog(Quote)
Ice, he just comes across as very genuine and professional to me and I think the players have respect for him and what he’s done.
kimtoon(Quote)
most of our up coming games are 3pm ko apart from wigan away on tues 13th dec at 7.45pm so I am guessing none will be televised with those times.
kimtoon(Quote)
Right here are our next lot of televised games on sky sports
Fri 2nd Dec 2016 v Nottingham forest at 7.45pm changed from sat the 2nd
Weds 14th dec 2016 v Wigan at 7.45pm changed from tues 13th
Boxing day 2016 v Sheff Weds at 7.45pm changed from 3pm timeslot
Mon 2nd Jan 2017 v Blackburn at 3pm no change
Mon 16th Jan 2017 v Brentford at 7.45 changed from sat 14th
Weds Feb 1st v QPR at 7.45pm no change
No further dates shown for tv as yet in 2017
kimtoon(Quote)
so that’s 6 televised games from now until 1st feb, not too shabby. 3 in December alone 😀
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: we have 7 games left this year and only 2 are against top half teams:
Blackburn (h) 22nd
Forest (a) 18th
Birmingham (h) 5th
Wigan (a) 23rd
Burton (a) 20th
Sheff Wed (h) 9th
Forest (h) 18th
You can’t be counting too many chickens but the turkey should taste good at Christmas by the look of that fixture list.
There aren’t even any long trips to the South Coast, London or West Country. Pretty much if you drew up the ideal end of the season in terms of games and travel, this would be it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I reckon we will have a 12 point lead at Christmas 🙂 Has that happened before 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There’s also the League Cup at Hull, which again is not a taxing Journey. I know it shouldn’t matter that much but when the fixtures come thick and fast not having 8 hour drives each way is important and is good for the fans.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Was at work today so recorded the game and watched it later.
Thought the back 5 were very good today and Darlow pulled off some good saves. No coincidence that we start keeping clean sheets when you keep some consistency in your back 4.
Thought Colback played well today as well & Shelvey was solid.
But the player for me was Dwight Gayle (surprise surprise). His 2nd goal was excellent, but for me his first was something we’ve missed for some seasons – no not the **** up from Robert Green ? – but a player following the play in and anticipating the mistake. A little goal poacher.
A cracking win after a few weeks off. It could have been easy to loose momentum, but business as usual.
Sham – you were right mate ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: I agree on Gayle, he reminded me a bit of Bellamy, without the gobbyness, the way he hassled their players and chased every loose ball. That first goal was a lot harder than was made out and he took it very well.
Thought Colback had a good AND bad game. He was generally solid but it could have been a hand ball and he gave the ball away and didn’t block another shot in the box that Darlow had to get down smartly to save.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I do like Gayle and his killer instinct, but I’ll point out we are only a Championship side. Give him next season and fingers crossed he delivers, as he has a point to prove at the highest level. Lascelles and Benitez are right to not count their chickens. It’s very early days and we have a long way to go until we can consider ourselves as having turned the corner.
Shamrock(Quote)
Watched the game live.. the team played well with no real stand outs. Thought Colback was poor, other than some dogged tackling. He slows our play down too much. However, the worst player by some distance was Perez. Too weak on the ball and pretty much gave up possession every time he touched the ball. When he was not falling over, he was simply kicking the ball into the player in front of him due to the lack of vision to actually find a team mate. Really disappointed with his apparent lack of development after a promising start to his career.
Would not be stressed to see both those players given no pitch time going forward.
Good win at a tough ground, so happy days. .
Aussie(Quote)
Aussie, I really can’t work out why Colback has been starting games over Hayden, who had a solid start with us.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sorry to dwell, but this England day off is getting quite funny. You have Rooney and Pals crashing a wedding until 5am and having pictures whilst shitfaced taken with strangers that they should have known would have been sold to The Sun. The only surprising thing is that there wasn’t an oil painting of Wayne naked with a fig leaf like Vince Vaughan in the movie Wedding Crashers. Then Lalana and Pals drive 100 miles each way to go to a strip club in Bournemouth! YCMIU. Mr. Roy goes sight-seeing during the Iceland game in Paris and Fat Sam gets caught in a newspaper sting giving Agents suggestions about how to get around FA and FIFA rules. What a shambles.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And that’s only the stuff we know about….
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Agree Sham, maybe Raffa is protecting Hayden a little due to his age and the amount of games being played. Would rather see him start over Colback.
Aussie(Quote)
IF PEOPLE DO NOT START COMING ON HERE AGAIN SOON THERE WILL ONLY BE UNCLE ED’S LEFT.
NUFC.com don’t have a forum.
The Chronicle is snippy.
Ed writes 45 blog posts a day from North Carolina, and it is impossible to follow.
I have seen many people in the past few months saying this blog is dying. It will die a death if you don’t contribute and all you will be left with is Ed’s.
DO YOU REALLY WANT TO SAY ANYTHING ON “THE MAG”?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Blogs are always quiet when there is nothing to whinge about.. 😉
Aussie(Quote)
brilliant win yesterday, Gayle’s goal was immense, the bloke is a real livewire and anticipated the goal superbly. Darlow a real steady lad, did well, well done the toon !
Munich Mag(Quote)
Yes, Gayle’s first was a classic poachers goal but he still had to anticipate where to be. Really impressed with the lads displays of late and if he can carry this form forward should we go up then Pards will be left with a very bitter taste in his mouth. Especially given the player he took from us (townsend) is now being subbed or dropped by him. Can see Andros regretting his decision to jump ship soon, if not already.
kimtoon(Quote)
Hoping we are top at xmas as I have a humdinger of an article title in my head 😀
kimtoon(Quote)
New article up.
Sharpy17(Quote)