Firstly, I apologise for the lack of a thread in the last few days.
The reasoning behind it was that today would be a good day to look forward to the Birmingham game tomorrow and also still close enough to the weekends win to talk about that.
So, let’s start with the weekends game.
It was a great win, especially after being in such bad form lately.
Brentford are by no means a bad side and even without Scott Hogan, they can be a real threat, as Lasse Vibe showed.
As always, Dwight Gayle didn’t fail to disappoint, opening the scoring before being withdrawn through injury.
Daryl Murphy came on for Gayle and scored the winner, which has filled many people with confidence, following the injury to Gayle.
Looking forward to the Birmingham game, I think everyone would back Murphy to lead the line well.
There has also been rumours that some youth players may be rewarded with a start, making the experience of senior players like Murphy essential.
Perhaps this is why Rafa Benitez has blocked Cheick Tiote’s move to Spain, or so the media are reporting.
Now, let’s finish with a quick piece of nostalgia. Nine years ago today, Newcastle played Stoke City and Kevin Keegan returned for his second spell as manager.
Hopefully this week, our current world class manager will take us into the next round of the FA Cup.
Did you really trust jabba to keep his grubby paws out of it,I never did and still think Carr is stirring it because his nose is getting shoved out
Icedog(Quote)
G2: I never wavered on thinking Pardew was an arrogant ******, here and at Palace. And before in every job he had. What sort of idiot does not play Tevez and Mascerano at West Ham?
Gashley was with me all along as well. We both said “just wait” and Pardew’s true colours would show at Palace. Gloating is not good, but we were so right.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Karanka has said today that he wants a pacey winger, as Boro only have one on the books. We will struggle to compete with them if that’s the case, unless it comes down to how much wages are on offer – as I suspect we can afford more.
Shamrock(Quote)
Look, lads and lasses. We have Rafa Benitez as manager. He has never failed at any club he has been at. He was sacked at Chelsea and Real Madrid but he didn’t fail there. He was 2 points off the top in La Liga when they sacked him. It was as bad as Freddy Sheppard sacking Bobby Robson.
We will be promoted.
We will be mid-table. Because that is the extent of Ashley’s ambition.
Rafa will leave, but may get us a much needed Cup.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
No wonder my friend is lost “off” now even Rafa saying transfer could happen in hours or days
Icedog(Quote)
? Ice I read that as well. He actually said Lee might have a surprise for me in a few hours or a few days – let’s hope the surprise is he’s getting nee one ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Don’t tempt fate mate jabba is knocking about 😥 😥
Icedog(Quote)
I think we’ll get somebody in. I’m pretty much in total agreement with you Eric. If Ashley doesn’t support Rafa fully, he’ll be gone and we’ll be back to tossers and idiots for a manager or a head coach as Ashley loves to call it. Head coach: somebody who will do what he’s told by Mike and spout bollocks whenever necessary. Just like the good old days with Carver, McMuffing and Pardew.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
When it comes to Townsend why is Rafa saying he would prefer a loan?? is it jabba saying there is no cash?
Icedog(Quote)
It doesn’t make sense to me ice mate. It sounds like the usual bollocks from Charnley. Is that what we’re back to? If so, it’s going to be downhill from here and Rafa will leave. There had better be some positivity from Ashley, Charnley and Carr very soon.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
totely agree bye bye Rafa was nice while it lasted
icedog(Quote)
nice try
http://www.thickaccent.com/2017/01/20/video-audacious-jonjo-shelvey-attempt-to-score-a-goal-directly-from-a-corner-during-newcastle-3-1-birmingham/
icedog(Quote)
good balanced take on things
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/15034248.Scott_Wilson_Column__Mike_Ashley_is_back___but_he_cannot_afford_to_repeat_his_previous_mistakes/
kimtoon(Quote)
Rafa
But asked if he is as happy with the situation at Newcastle as he was in the summer window, Benitez said: “I am happier now because we are at the top of the table.”
He added: “My understanding is that Mike Ashley is really, really pleased, really happy with the team, with everything that we have done for months, and hopefully he can be really happy with everything we will do now until the end of the season.”
In the past Carr has been responsible for targeting and recruiting players, but Benitez prefers to take the lead on that front.
Benitez said: “We had a meeting maybe one month ago or something like that and we had a meeting the other day: names, names and then we put all the names [down] and after, we decide.
“The fans, the media say ‘do you have the final say?’ Yes, the club cannot sign anyone without talking with me, but at the same time, ‘Can you sign whatever you want?’ We are trying to sign what we need, that’s what we are trying to do. We have to try to find the players that we need and after, the players that we want.”
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – wise words from Rafa. It’s something I guess when you are as good a coach as Rafa you get the best from what you have.
It would be nice to see some movement in the transfer window for us tomorrow like. Doesn’t have to be a signing, but a bid would be nice … hell a phone call to another club would be a canny start ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Rafa still sounds happy, suggesting something will get done. It will have to go a lot better in the summer if we get promoted. Surely we need 5 or 6 very good players. Some of what we have just won’t be good enough, even for mid-table or should just be gone. I’m thinking of players like Tiote, Colback, Gamez, and possibly Hanley and Haidara. That’s just for starters. Is Aarons ever going to stay fit for an extended period? It doesn’t look like it to me. We will have to have some serious investment from Ashley and there will be no getting around that or we’ll be in danger of going straight back down.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Was thinking last night. Maybe we are looking to loan Townsend coz Rafa wants Wilson as well. Maybe both can’t be bought with the £30m he has to spend. Buy Wilson now, loan Townsend and buy him with the promotion money. Probably have more chance of loaning Townsend than Wilson I reckon.
But if push comes to shove, I think the money would be found to buy both. I think the loan question is a fair one, but I don’t think we are that daft to miss out on players we need to get back to the PL.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Nice and wishful, Sharpy…
Stuart79(Quote)
Wouldn’t surprise me if he ended up at West Ham or West Brom.
Stuart79(Quote)
New thread up today guys, at 10:15
Jake Swinburn(Quote)