Magpies boss Rafa Benitez took to the press this morning to laud his finally ‘balanced squad’ in the wake of our recent away wins against Brighton and Huddersfield.
Among other more pertinent things, balance has been something that hasn’t always been achievable this season, despite our healthy league position. Our reliance on human metronome Jonjo Shelvey as well as goal machine Dwight Gayle is still there for all to see and their absences from the side are always heavily felt.
But on Saturday, the script was different. In a Newcastle side that was not used to seeing so little of the ball, the call of duty fell upon some of our less notorious stars to bring home the bacon (and the three points).
In arguably the toughest game we have faced all season (an odd thing to say when we won the game 3-1, I know) it was captain fantastic Jamaal Lascelles and his centre back sidekick Ciaran Clark who perhaps stole the show with their resolute defending. Of all the talk of which players could survive the step-up to England’s top tier (trying my best not to tempt providence here), I’d lay down a case for those two to be among the first names to appear on Rafa’s 23 man squad this summer.
Clark, who’s been a steady Premier League performer (sans his last season with Villa) and Lascelles who looks to be maturing every day after being given the armband would, at least in my opinion, make a solid foundation in Newcastle’s defence if the last few weeks has been anything to go by.
Tonight, I imagine, will be a slightly easier game for our English stalwarts. Despite a win against lowly Wolves last weekend, tonight’s opponents Reading will no doubt still be feeling the effects of those two recent defeats to Huddersfield and Brighton. It never bodes well for a side to be looking over their shoulder, but Jaap Stam’s men will know another defeat tonight and a win for play-off chasing Fulham will certainly put the proverbial cat among the pigeons where the play-off places are concerned (see league table below).
Predicted Line-Up:
Karl Darlow
Ciaran Clark
Paul Dummett
Jamaal Lascelles
DeAndre Yedlin
Jack Colback
Jonjo Shelvey
Mohamed Diame
Yoan Gouffran
Matt Ritchie
Dwight Gayle
How would you see the Magpies line up tonight? Have your say in the comments below.
HWTL!
not much heart in them though mate it has to be said.
kimtoon(Quote)
I agree with you Thatcher, mate. 7 from 9 away is always a good haul.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If you walk like a Thatch, quack like a Dame and act like a Margeret, then you are a duck.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
great result. 3 hard games and we managed them superbly.
Its been a while since we’ve had an organised back four 😛
Sad to say but i think this spells the end for Mitro. Had high hope for this season with him dropping a division but he just doesnt cut it… he should of played a big role in these big game..
Great heart and passion but doesnt read the game as he should.
Gashley(Quote)
Disappointed that we didn’t win last night but if you had offered me 7 points before the last three games I would have bitten your hand off.
Groucho(Quote)
I can see why Reading have the best home record. I think they pushed us harder that Brighton & Huddersfield – but then they also had those games to analyse and get an idea of how we would approach it.
I agree with those saying 7pts from those 3 away games is an excellent return. They were also 3 solid performances defensively and that was really pleasing to see as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We always seem to front up when we play the better teams in the div it’s the lower teams we really need to kick *** but it just seems we struggle against them,is it a attitude problem?,or is it they tend to lift their game because it’s Newcastle
Icedog(Quote)
Next four games very, very winnable. That would out us on 89 points.
Stuart79(Quote)
Just watched the highlights and it seemed to me we did enough to have won it – except for lady luck taking a back seat this time. With the kind of luck we had in the last two wins we would have come home with all 3 points again. Not really disappointed as it’s all gone a little flat after last week, the tensions gone with us within touching distance now.
georgio(Quote)
I see Colback was his normal nightmare against Reading again how the hell he gets a game beats,we have done really well in the last three games and only improved when he went off in two of them games and went on to win
Icedog(Quote)
Just watching SSN and had a little chuckle at Lee Clark being on the short list for manager of the month.
All this **** Wenger is getting is bollocks now though – the media are hounding him out – running a vote for Wengers worst defeat ever. It’s just wrong imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree mate, they may not of won the league in some time but he delivers them top 4 every season. The fans want them more competitive though which I can understand given their income.
Right couple of issues with this site, as I type this the print is tiny ( everything else is normal size ) it posts normal size too, just isn’t when I type ???? typing on other sites and on my search bar is normal size. Also taking forever too type this post and having problems scrolling down page, really jumpy . Anyone else have this going on?
kimtoon(Quote)
Aye mate when I come to type it’s quite hard to see the comment it comes out normal when it posts,even more strange it types ok when Ime on tablet,it only happens on my laptop I just thought it was the new laptop I have bought so pleased you said something
Icedog(Quote)
Agree it’s wrong but at least the parasites are not stirring **** at SJP .. ala January .. so I’m grateful for time out of the limelight
GlosMag(Quote)
You make an excellent point mate, yeah **** him ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
That Barca game was just unreal,PSG were in panic
Icedog(Quote)
😆
kimtoon(Quote)
mental Ice, mind that first pen was dubious to say the least .
kimtoon(Quote)
Ice They did have the benefit of a “home” ref. Still made it exciting for those who were there.
Groucho(Quote)
agree bud
icedog(Quote)
Kim – I had problems yesterday too. However, got to say the site’s been a lot better since the storm of protests a while back. It’s possible the main problems and glitches come from it being a WordPress blog and not a full website.
Is Fulham a banana skin approaching or will my prediction of not losing another game hold out?
georgio(Quote)
this is the side ive always feared,they play nice football can score goals and got a canny defence,if we can over come them we are home and hosed imo,i fear a draw like
icedog(Quote)
Georgio – Shef Wed & Leeds will prove a tough challenge too I think mate.
I can’t see us going the rest of the season unbeaten personally – and as daft as it sounds, I kinda hope we don’t. I don’t want to go up over confident, coz next season will be a lot more difficult.
Promotion will give confidence, but I don’t know that forgetting the taste of defeat is a good thing or not?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just thinking of players for next season. I would love to see us offer Hull money for Harry Maguire & Andy Robertson.
But forwards wise – do we think Bony is done now or worth a second chance?. His best days were obviously at Swansea – when he had Shelvey supplying him. Could he get back to his best by reuniting him with Shelvey – he’s on 28 and maybe City would consider another loan move as he’s been on loan to Stoke this season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
it’s a pity we didn’t sign Conor Hourihane from Barnsley before Villa got their mits on him, he has 10 assists this season, more than any other Championship player, Shelvey and Ritchie have 7
kimtoon(Quote)
Print is still tiny when typing ? very strange
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy – I would like us to stay unbeaten. Next season will see a different team and a much bigger challenge.
As for players – Bony’s worth a shout, so is Bojan. I liked Mooy last week (on loan from City) too. Maguire apparently is a good prospect. Sturridge? Syggurdesen? Renato Sanchez on loan from Bayern? There’s probably a load of others I haven’t thought of and certainly abroad there will be. HTL!
georgio(Quote)
aye mate mine is strange. Conor Hourihane dont think he is good enough for PL mate,good ccc player like
icedog(Quote)
Couple of reports suggesting we could go back for Ben Osbourne at Forest in the summer.
I’ve seen him a couple of times and he does look canny, but still early to say if he’s good enough for the PL I reckon – still they seem to rate him like (if true)
Sharpy17(Quote)
Could be worth considering looking at loaning Rashford or Ianacho next season as well if Man Utd do go for Griezman and City linked with PEA.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The guy I would go for is Billing he’s young and gave M/City a right tough game in the cup game and broke everything up and drove his side on,City only came on when they took him off to save him for game against us
Icedog(Quote)
Who does he play for Ice mate?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hudders mate, and yep he does look good, he’s Danish
kimtoon(Quote)
I see Yedlin out for two weeks with a small thigh tear
this site keeps freezing, I will give up for now and try later 🙁
kimtoon(Quote)
you must have missed the city game mate he was the stand out player,he plays for Hudders,dont worry KIM will keep you right she knows the game 😆 😆
icedog(Quote)
Billings did really well against City but not so hot against us. Kid’s only 19 and for me not yet what you need for a PL midfield.
Happy Anniversary Rafa!!!!
georgio(Quote)
New thread
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2017/03/10/newcastle-united-v-fulham-waving-the-lilywhite-flag/
Kim – saw your comment re the small text, it’s doing the same thing for me too! Will look into it.
Andy The Magpie(Quote)