YES! A massive win in yet another relegation six-pointer and one that was thoroughly deserved. The 1-0 scoreline flatters Huddersfield, but I couldn’t care less in the end. It’s a huge three points and yet another win at St James’ Park, putting us in touching distance of Premier League survival.
Huddersfield approach shocked me, but as much as they were poor, we were good. We did everything but put the ball in the net in the first half. I was chatting to someone at half-time and counted 5 or 6 clear goalscoring opportunities that we squandered, with Dwight Gayle being the main culprit (he could’ve had a hat-trick today).
I fully expected them to get in our faces, go for the win, unsettle our centre-backs and try to mark Shelvey out of the game, but they couldn’t have been more negative if they tried and did none of that. I’m just glad we eventually got the goal our general play deserved, as a 0-0 draw would’ve been hard to bare given the first half alone.
HUGE result… pic.twitter.com/n4MfEOBNEo
— Total:NUFC (@Total_NUFC) March 31, 2018
They didn’t have a shot on target all game and we had 63% of the ball – our highest share of the ball all season. That says it all.
The win puts us up to 12th and 7 points clear of Southampton in 17th (who got hammered at West Ham today) and 8 clear of Stoke (practically 9 with goal difference), who play Arsenal at the Emirates tomorrow.
- Perez gets plenty stick but he deserved his goal today – he worked his socks off and was a constant thorn in their side.
- Another outstanding display from Diame, whose partnership with Shelvey continues to thrive. Diame was particularly impressive though – I genuinely don’t think he put a foot wrong for the entire first-half.
- Slimani looked lively during his 15-minute cameo. Made runs short and in behind, put himself about and looked pretty mobile given his two-month absence. Got a good ovation and made a positive contribution. Good to see!
- Dummett solid as a rock again. Lascelles and Lejeune tried to be a bit too clever at times and it nearly cost us late on, but overall it was another steady defensive display (despite them throwing so little at us). Yedlin my only concern – he isn’t really a footballer and always has a defensive lapse in him (even though he has progressed under Rafa).
- Gayle spurning three or four clear cut chances is a worry, but Slimani’s return is a timely one and takes the pressure off his shoulders. That being said, he won’t be able to play against parent club Leicester next weekend.
- Dubravka barely had a save to make, but it marks his THIRD straight clean sheet in three appearances at St James’ Park.
Overall a great day for NUFC. We’ve come out on top in yet another relegation six-pointer and results elsewhere couldn’t have gone much better at the bottom.
Up to 12th, 7 points clear of safety (with a vastly superior goal difference), hitting form at the right time at home and looking anything but a team that’ll be in the drop zone come 5pm on May 13th.
Get in!
Well done lads and Rafa your a genius. Was Merino injured or out due to two international games ?
Decca63(Quote)
Lee RyderVerified account @lee_ryder · 1h1 hour ago
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Mikel Merino missed out on the squad today due to intense competition for places according to Rafa Benitez. #nufc
kimtoon(Quote)
Olly I think you are being a bit hard on Gayle. Yes he might have had a hat trick and on another day luck might have been with him. He worked his socks off harrying the Huddersfield defence. As for Pérez apart from scoring he was absolute pants. He rarely runs but jogs. Loses the ball nearly all the time and spends nearly as much time on his **** than being upright. Diame was terrific and Shelvey put in a good shift. But how come a man who can make such pin point passes can’t hit the space between the sticks? Lejeune is now the main distributor of the ball from the defence. I think Callum Roberts in the reserves would do better than Atsu and Yedlin is not brilliant. Apart from putting no real pressure on the Huddersfield goalie we did play some good football but I came away from the game with a feeling of relief more than anything else. My joy comes from the league table tonight. Slimani looked good in his small cameo role. Looks to take up good positions.
Groucho(Quote)
I should have said that none of Gayle’s chances were easy.
Groucho(Quote)
Thanks olly.
We are pretty much safe now. Happy to declare. In fact with our game in hand we are 1 win away from being in the Top 10. WTF.?!
Shamrock(Quote)
Good result was right to be worried about who would score but we got there
SHAM you would get a drink y/day? First time in over 90 yr for good Friday
Icedog(Quote)
Yeah saw that Ice I am in Dorset but no doubt a fair few took advantage of the change in law across the sea ?
Shamrock(Quote)
Great win today and we are probably safe already on just 35 points.
West Brom 6 games left include Man U away with Liverpool and Spurs at home , they will be lucky to end on 25 points.
Southampton 7 games left with Chelsea, Bournemouth and Man City at home and away to Swansea, Arsenal, Leicester and Everton. I Expect them to get 6 points at the most from those games ,a maximum season total of 34 points.
Stoke 7 games left with Spurs, Burnley and Palace at home and Arsenal , West Ham ,Liverpool and Swansea away. Cannot see them getting 8 points and overturning our goal difference from those fixtures.
sidekick(Quote)
My mistake Sham?
Icedog(Quote)
There are sure to be a few more twist and turns with unexpected results to come yet. All the same you would hope that win eases some pressure on the lads and another win and draw 39 should be enough.
kimtoon(Quote)
There are still 21 points up for grabs
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM I think 37 will do it mate
Icedog(Quote)
There is no way we will lose the next 7 on the spin unless we appoint Ugly John as Manager so we are safe now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Troy Stavers: Arrogant Alan and Ugly John have lost 9 games in a row.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The Daily Mirror predicted us and West Ham to go down earlier this week. FFS. I didn’t even think West Ham were going down. I was hoping but not expecting.
It really does look like WBA, Southampton and Stoke now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
On the PREM-O-METER we are safe now. He thinks 33 points, He is wrong. It will be 36 to be safe.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I disagreed with Olly yesterday on the assessment of Pérez performance. To put the record straight I think there is as many fans and maybe more who would agree with Olly as would agree with me. Pérez is our Marmite player. I thought when Pérez first came he was excellent scoring some class goals. I don’t see that player now as often as we should. Agreed he made a very fine run against Southampton which ended in a good goal. But I do find him frustrating and not consistent. He also pulls out of fifty fifty balls. Enough of my moaning because I am overjoyed with the win and how lucky we are to have Rafa.
Groucho(Quote)
Great result. We deserved it. They were so poor and negative. Wonder if the pundits are as cutting with them as they are with us for displays like that…
I agree with most on here, we’re about there now. One more win for sure but 7 points clear is a lot at the bottom of the table. Especially with so many below us. Hopefully we will be planning for next season. Although I still have this nagging doubt that if Jabba is here Rafa won’t be. I’d also say if Jabba’s here it’s likely to be another dour and ambitionless season.
Stuart79(Quote)
Paul Merson was singing our praises after the game yesterday. Great, I thought, that makes a nice change. Then he had to ruin it by when talking up Lascelles performance, go on to say ” He moves to a bigger club and well….” Why do pundits do this? Have some respect, he’s our captain ffs.
If and it’s a big if, Ashley sells up to someone with some bloody ambition we could just maybe build a club where someone like Lascelles would be happy to stay.
Now is not the time to be making suggestions like that. If Ash stays and Rafa leaves then fair comment paul, until then kindly keep your big gob shut.
kimtoon(Quote)
Slimani looks the proper centre forward we lacked. Would £20m buy him?
It was a bloody feisty game which I didn’t really expect. There could have been 3-4 red cards. Kenedy would have been one. The lad has that one attribute that makes special players – composure on the ball. Most players would have just whacked the ball goalwards but he killed it, looked up and played in Perez. Would £20m buy him?
I, like Stuart, are already reading the runes for next season.
georgio(Quote)
Well the way I look at it is Rafa has set up a new scouting system,now would new guys come and work for Rafa if he was only going to be here only a few months,I think Rafa knows the club is going to be sold otherwise why bother
Icedog(Quote)
I think it is clear that Ashley wants out. The only return he can get since he alienated the fans is financial, and so he is holding out for a return. I doubt that he is interested in who he sells to and whether they will be good for the club or not. It is tempting to think that whoever buys will be an improvement, but there is plenty of experience to show that there are worse owners about.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Good win and in the main a good performance. Gayle could have had a hat trick and really should have done better with that Shelvey quick free kick chance IMO – a shot on target or make the keeper save it at the very least.
The stand out for me was the quality of the loan players – Kenedy in particular.
I really think that if that was Gayle, Joselu or Atsu, they would have snatched at a shot rather than squaring it for a Perez tap in. That calmness and quality got the points – and I agree with those who think we are as good as safe now. Another 2-3 points will guarantee it, but I don’t see WBA or Saints getting out of it now. Still can’t decide who the last place goes to though.
Sharpy17(Quote)
PREM your dead right there is some stinking owners out there,Blackburn, WBA even Barnsley have multi millionaires owners to name just a few,careful what we wish for
Icedog(Quote)
It is Stoke for the last spot unless there is a miracle. They have 20 point and minus 29 GD which is worst in the PL. Stoke were really the only competition for anyone wanting a PL club and if you remove them then it puts the Fatman in a better bargaining position. He will probably get his 350 million now, especially since Southampton cost 250 million for 80% of the club.
Stoke’s fixures look difficult but they do have some “relegation six-pointers”.
Arsenal away
Spurs home
West Ham away
Burnley home
Liverpool away
Palace home
Swans away
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – that doesn’t look promising like does it, and Lambert doesn’t look like the bloke to save them.
Stoke or Swansea I reckon but looking at that run in, yeah Stoke will need a miracle.
Sharpy17(Quote)
And what were Huddersfield doing yesterday? Wagner always plays the Klopp high press game and went pragmatic looking for a draw. It threw me off. I am not going to go all Carra and Neville but I was surprised as I don’t think that suits the team. Carra and Neville are idiots because the keep it tight and hit them on the break is Rafa’s bread and butter whereas I have never seen Wagner play that way. It nearly worked but I think if we had scored earlier they would have gone back to the high press.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think Rafa will get the TV money plus player sales funds in the summer, regardless who has the club.
Sharpy17(Quote)
27 points
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: that’s what Fatty promised – every penny generated from within but nowt from him. The problem is that 100 million only gets you a Deli Alli nowadays.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Georgio: Slimani is 29 so I think we could get him for maybe less than 20 million. What did Giroud cost Chelsea? The problem with Kenedy is that Conte will probably be out and a new manager may want to look at all of his players. However they do have a director of football who may want to generate some cash as it seems Abramovich is done putting his own money in.
If they keep on playing this way we should go for it. You never know what you will get from a foreign league and at least we have had a look before buying and they do have PL experience. Realistically we should be looking at 7-10 in the PL and need more TV money after that to go further.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also, Leicester have given up on Slimani. He has been there under 3 managers – Ranieri, Shakespeare, Puel – and hardly played.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hi all, I was in Shanghai for the match last night, watching in a bar with no commentary (the Man U game was on too) and no internet access so couldn’t comment Also had to get up at 3.30am to fly home to Dubai. Just got back and can finally comment… great win but lots of missed chances. A good day overall for us I think. Onwards and upwards.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
What the hell are Arsenal doing? No wonder there are so many empty seats. Stoke are absolutely **** and Arsenal are playing down to their level. Of course Captain Oompaloompa is doing his usual of literally walking around the pitch and pointing. I think he has touched the ball 3 times on 40 mins. All the talk over here was about Wilshere and his contract but all he has done is block the space where Ozil should be. Roy Keane is right but me and Icedog have said it for years.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And Southgate should beg James Milner to come out if retirement.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – you’re right mate, but Spurs only paid around £5m for him & that’s the future for Rafa – I think he understands and accepts that.
I think that’s already started with the likes of Merino & the keeper. It may not offer the same chance of success as spending £30-40m on a player, but that’s what we’ll have to do. Spurs did it and it’s worked for them.
If we can get £15m (or more) for Mitrovic, that should cover buying Kenedy (if we can make that happen). The keeper is £4m – but the sale of maybe Sels or Darlow will cover some of that.
So that £100m, plus selling fringe players and maybe the likes of Gayle – that’s a canny wedge on forwards & attacking midfielders.
We won’t cover everything, but it should give us a good foot up.
But again, I think Rafa is the key!!. Everton for example have spent big, but without the right manager to gel them, they are just a group of players. Rafa will gel them I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: Everton bought the wrong players. 4 number 10’s. Of course Big Fat Sam doesn’t help but he will be gone anyway. Can you believe they spent 250 million over 2 years!!!!
CAPTAIN Oompaloompa gets subbed off. I think he touched the ball 10 times but he did do a lot of pointing which is always helpful. Arsenal had a break and he was running full tilt down the middle. Within about 6 strides the Stoke player had caught and passed him meaning the break stalled. I can run faster than him, but then again I do not have a 14 inch inside leg measurement.
Hope Arsenal play Wilshere against us, he really pulls them out of shape and negates their good players by literally walking around the pitch all game and taking up space.
NOT A PENALTY!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Great set of results this weekend. Even West Ham who were always unlikely to go down even with crowd trouble and Dour Dave.
Worst 3-0 win in the history of football for Arsenal today.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stoke have conceded 61 goals and have a minus 32 GD.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Another good result for us there. Arsenal were ***** and got really lucky with that first penalty call (surprise surprise) but still managed to win 3-0.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
People might think I have a bee in my bonnet about certain things but it all relates back to one thing – how the press and pundits build up and defend their favourites when it is as clear as the nose on Phil Tompson’s face that they are wrong. That is why I go on about Pards. All of his Pals said that we were wrong to “railroad” him out of town. How has that worked out for Palace and WBA? Rooney was obviously past it and the Oompaloompa is still getting lauded as possibly England’s savior at the WC. What has he ever done for England to deserve such enthusiasm and praise? What has he done for Arsenal for that matter. I hear so many times that a fit Jack Wilshere is shear class but I have never seen it. He must give really good blowjobs under the pundits’ desks.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And I see Ugly John is picking fights with Baggies fans 🙂 Can they suspend him? I think that is their only hope for survival, but then again they would still have Pards. Can he get a retroactive ban for that dance at Wembley?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stoke are gone in my opinion. Their run in is very difficult. They need to win at least 50% of their remaining games and considering their win record at the moment is less than 20% it’s a tough ask! Southampton’s run in is bloody tough but out of the teams down there they have some decent players so are capable of winning 3 games I’d say. I’d go Huddersfield or Swansea as the last team. Swansea have had a fabulous run which give them a chance. They’re due a bad run now and it’s a bad time to have one of them. Huddersfield just look toothless.
Stuart79(Quote)
Liverpool derby and Manchester derby are the big games next weekend.
I think the Brighton v Huddersfield game might be more feisty than both of them.
sidekick(Quote)
Just watching Spurs Chelsea match… I’m puzzled about Girhoud. He’s just swapped Arsenal’s bench for Chelsea’s bench… obviously it’s only about the money. He could come to the Toon on loan, played 90 mins every week and banged in goal after goal. Still a great striker but surprised he doesn’t get starts…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Stu – you haven’t mentioned WBA who are currently rock bottom and 7pts adrift. Do you think they can make those points up and more to achieve safety?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ali having a good day isn’t he.
3.1
kimtoon(Quote)
Looks like we dodged a bullet with Cabelero. Only one game but that was a bad misjudgement for the 1st goal, should have come further for the second and left his goal for the 3rd when he didn’t need to.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Birmingham Mail’s 5 things they learned yesterday. It is eerily reminiscent of Pards’ time at NUFC. All we need is a headbutt of a player on the sideline to make it complete. Just recorded a record 8 game PL losing streak. I think he also lost in the FA Cup to make it 9 in all comps.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alan-pardew-plays-down-john-14480383
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim – that’s Chelsea not getting top 4 now I reckon. Which will likely mean the end of Conti. That could be good for us coz a new manager coming in will want money to spend. But with as many players on their books, Roman will be telling the new guy to sell first I reckon – that could mean the likes of Kenedy, Loftus and Abrahams are made available.
I really think Kenedy would be happy to stay with him getting regular footy and the love of the toon.
That’s my theory anyway, but I do have a reputation for being optimistic ???♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
Looks as though we have a good chance of getting something from the Arsenal game in a fortnight ‘s time.
Groucho(Quote)
Please Arsene play Welbeck, Wilshere and Chambers.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’ve basically assumed they’re gone, Sharpy. Along with Stoke and then either Huddersfield or Swansea
Stuart79(Quote)
I think you’re right mate, it’s not an uphill battle for them anymore it’s bloody vertical.
I see Shakira has been pissing his team mates off with his comments too – that won’t help, and I don’t see where their goals are – hell they have depended heavily on a 37yr old Peter Crouch for large parts of the season.
But for me, Saints is that 3rd team heading down. They just look so disorganised and their heads drop so quickly when they conceded.
I think Huddersfield & Swansea (under that new fella) have a bit of fight about them and may well nick enough points to see off Stoke & Saints.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Good to see that. Will be nice to have him and Lingard competing for the number 8/10 role as it looks like Lalana is now made of glass. Lingard has come on leaps and bounds in the past 18 months. I know I sometimes take the **** out of England but I still want us to do well and we have drawn such an easy group and 1st knockout game that we have been virtually handed a bye to the quarter-finals, just like we were handed the easiest qualifying group. I think it is a Putin ploy to keep the English fans there long enough so that the Ultras and Riot Police can inflict maximum harm.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC dead right no way was that a pen
Icedog(Quote)
KIM Ali is a dirty filthy scumbag on and off the pitch
Icedog(Quote)
Alli is inly just approaching 22 years old. He is a bambino! Guess that explains a little bit why he acts like such an immature idiot. Might give him a bit of Lee way. Makes you appreciate how far behind the likes of Armstrong etc are when you look at what they have achieved so far.
Shamrock(Quote)
Ice: we better make sure our lads don’t breathe on Ozil. Arsenal have 12 penalties this year. The Refs definitely favour certain teams. I think Man U went like 3 years without conceding a penalty at Old Trafford under Lord Ferg. It is not a conspiracy THEORY when it is actually true!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I remember a few yr back when Rafa spent ten min on tv telling all such as that Fergi nose went real red
Icedog(Quote)
SHAM he should be in the slammer for what he did
Icedog(Quote)
Ice: was the “FACTS” rant that he was unjustly ridiculed for? They were all true but Fergie had the press by the balls so they just said yes Sir Ferg, no Sir Ferg, three bags full Sir Ferg as they always did.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Did you see that Sunderland have released Darren Fletcher? Strange really. He obviously has an alcohol problem but other clubs have helped their players who have the same issue or a gambling problem. The Mackems keep on a player and cover up grooming of a 15 year old and then turn their back on one who has a problem that many people suffer from and is not illegal (well drunk driving is, but alcoholism isn’t).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Why stop at Armstrong? Our whole academy is a joke. It kind of explains everything about Jabba and his nonsensical and illogical ownership. He wants everything on the cheap but ignores the cheapest way of getting players.
Stuart79(Quote)
Darren gibson eric
Toonfan(Quote)
ERIC yes that rant mate
Icedog(Quote)
Sorry about that. My point is that I don’t understand what the Mackems are up to with their policies regarding their players. I am guessing they sacked him to save wages but they didn’t do the same with Johnson. Different Chairman I know but this looks like opportunism to get his wages off the books because he is not the player he was. If he was a good player they probably would have fined him and put him in rehab.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Toonfan: There are just too many bloody Darrens nowadays 🙂 do you think they would have sacked Gibson if he was a 20 mil player? He would be in a clinic the following day. We have seen a blind eye turned to this behavior many times – Gazza, Bryan Robson, George Best. It usually doesn’t end well but if they are worth it to the club financially they are not sacked.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
THat is also the club who had Peytar Reid as Manager who has been known to be drunk on the pundits couch.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Nowt wrong with that, Eric. Some of these games are boring as *****!
Stuart79(Quote)
Just watched one Stuart mate, Arsenal/Stoke. I think we have them coming off the second leg of the UEFA so hopefully they will play a full strength team for that as there is not much to play for in the league. They have the sixth place trophy pretty much in the bag which means European football but they can get in the CL through back door like Man U did. They have some good players like Ozil, Lacazette and Audamayang who I hope are knackered when they play us.
One thing, possibly the only thing, that Pardew was right about was that playing in the UEFA Thursdays is not ideal for League form.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And guess what! Arsenal’s second leg against CSK is in Moscow, 3 days before they play us. That is a 3,600 mile round trip. 4 hour flights each way. I know seasoned travelers like Stuart and DT could handle it but what about these soft pampered London ninnies?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It gets even worse. I just looked it up and we are the early Sunday kickoff at 1.30pm. So my guess is they will not get back to London until early Fraday morning at best and then have to get up to Newcastle probably on the Saturday. Even with a private jet that will be a hassle. Plus they would have had no training or prep for our game as the Moscow game is so much more important to them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It would make sense to fly from Moscow to Newcastle (private jet or charter) to get a Saturday training session in at Gateshead or somewhere. I wonder if they are smart enough to do it?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
wonder if many fans will make that Moscow trip.
kimtoon(Quote)