What an incredible night at St James’ Park.
Only we could have a rotten home record, losing to nil to the likes of Brighton, West Ham, Watford and Leicester, yet go and beat the champions after going 1-0 down within 30 seconds!
Pep and Man City may not be able to be out-bought, but tonight they were out-thought and out-fought, with both Benitez and the players getting it absolutely spot on.
It’s a day that summed up the black and white nature of Newcastle United. We woke up to damning quotes from Rafa, with him refusing to rule out him walking BEFORE the end of the season, yet between 5pm and 10pm we’ve agreed a deal to sign top target Miguel Almiron for a club record fee and beaten Man City. Incredible!
I feared an absolute mauling when Aguero gave City a 1-0 lead after 24 seconds, but we were absolutely brilliant in the 94 minutes that followed.
We limited them to few chances, got in their faces, defended superbly, competed ferociously in midfield and made the most of just about every scrap we were given up top – with Rondon putting in yet another invaluable display up top.
EVERY player did their bit, with them all deserving huge credit for their efforts and level of performance here, but Sean Longstaff was phenomenal – especially when you consider he was up against a £115m midfield. What a moment tonight must have been for him.
The scenes inside St James’ Park at the full time whistle were electric. A rare big win in a season filled with disappointment and a victory that now takes us 5 clear of Cardiff (18th), 7 clear of Fulham (19th) and 13 points clear of Huddersfield (20th).
Here’s how the table looks after today’s results:
Fulham were 0-2 down at home to Brighton but turned it around to win 4-2, but on the flip side, Burnley were 0-2 up at Man Utd with a few minutes to go – and they only got a point. Cardiff also lost at Arsenal and Huddersfield were beaten 1-0 by Everton, but I couldn’t care what happened elsewhere on a night like this!
Next up we’ll face a trip to Spurs on Saturday, with four far ‘winnable’ fixtures to come after, giving us a huge chance to kick on:
- Tottenham (A)
- Wolves (A)
- Huddersfield (H)
- Burnley (H)
- West Ham (A)
Just like the win over Man Utd around this time last year, THIS feels like the moment that could turn our struggling season on its head.
HWTL!
Batshuayi going to Palace on Loan. I’d have certainly been sending Kenedy back in return for him.
Stuart79(Quote)
160grand a wk they can have him
Icedog(Quote)
Well Kenedy has some graft to do to convince me that Rafas loyalty in him isn’t misplaced.
I really think he should have been sent back and another loanee brought in his place – Rafa said no and has kept him. Down to the boy to repay his trust now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I hate the snow 👿 Lew had respite this weekend but now cancelled cause transport can’t get him in. Wouldn’t mind but it’s first break for 5 months as was too ill for previous ones 🙄 next break is 8 weeks time 👿
Wonder if the game will go ahead tomorrow .
kimtoon(Quote)
ah hell mate.hope it gets better very soon
icedog(Quote)
Well, just as I thought, the 2 incoming was all we’d get. I’d have rather kept Murphy and Roberts actually, and let Hayden go. Disappointed to see Joselu staying…
Well, this is it now,unless we find any free agents… let’s hope it’s enough and that Almirón hits the ground running and stays fit.
I’m actually hopeful we can get something from Spurs. If ever there was a good time to play them, it’s now with no Ali, Son or Kane.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Kimtoon: Wembley should be OK, right? I am sure it has undersoil heating and the terraces are mostly covered. It is the National Stadium so there must be plans to deal with a couple of inches of snow.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Transfer window thoughts:
1. We did the bare minimum to keep Rafa interested, but it will probably be enough, especially with players returning from injury and an easier schedule – on paper.
2. It is a good thing that Murphy, Aarons and Lazaar went out on loan for their careers. But I doubt we will ever see them in B & W again. Even Murphy.
3. Can Sky just stop this deadline day nonsense now. They act like Jim White is some sort of star. And Big Fat Sam was a parody of a bloated, know-it-all dinosaur football manager. He was probably there to give his insights into what went on with his last minute deals but he was so smug about it sitting back in his chair and pontificating like he was king.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And Phil Thompson was on Sky. Every time I see him I keep thinking he is going to shake his head from side to side to make his nose wobble. Like in those nature documentaries where the bull elephant seals attack each other.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Disappointed to see Roberts leaving. He’s way too good for Div 2 especially from a place in a PL squad and it’s possible that’s the last we’ll see of him.
georgio(Quote)
I hoped we would have kept Roberts but in reality he would have been lucky if Rafa had given him a few minutes in a premiership game. A run of games in division 2 may be better for him.
He lives near me and I sometimes see him in our local corner shop so I can ask him how he is getting on next time I see him.
sidekick(Quote)
Almiron won the Paraguay league and then the Argentinian League twice, followed by the MLS in only the second season of existence of Atlanta United.
Would all of these skeptical pundits be so dismissive if he had moved here directly from Argentina as a 21 year old? He hasn’t just done it in MLS, he has been good everywhere he has been and having lived in Paraguay, Argentina and the US before age 24 he should be able to settle.
I will be surprised if he comes out and says he wants to move to be near his family.
I am not saying Hayden and Ritchie shouldn’t miss their family but all the footballers are in the same boat and either suck it up or have their family move to be close to them. Colleen Rooney and the kids moved to the US. My cousin is married to an airforce navigator and every few years they have to move and she goes with him and has to make new friends and the kids go to new schools. It is the way it is in some jobs including for most footballers.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
it is interesting to see Rafa list Elliot as a player close to fitness in his press conference. Does this mean he has seen enough of Woodman? I never really saw what Elliot did wrong. He seemed as good as Darlow, they both flapped a bit but Darlow always seemed fragile with a deer in the headlights look about him.
Hopefully Dubravka stays fit. You can see what a goalie means when you look at Burnley. Their form has turned around since Heaton came back.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Elliott’s slow and flat footed. For all his faults Darlow’s a better keeper. However they’re both better than Woodman at this stage.
Can we get something tomorrow? We almost did last season.
georgio(Quote)
Now that I have seen Rafa’s statement about Hayden and that Diame is not fit I think it will be an unchanged team. Has Rafa ever put out an unchanged team for NUFC?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And, after the statements on fitness we are going to be spoilt for choice against Wolves with Almiron and Bereca having more than a week of training. Muto will be back with a week’s rest and then Shelvey, Diame and Dummett will all be available. That’s our full squad.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Forgot Ki. Rafa says he is near as well.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, it’s not the pitch i’m worried about it’s the area outside and whether it’s clear and safe, often times games get called off because of getting in to them not the pitch itself .
It’s clearing here a bit but more snow forecast later.
My help can’t get in to help tonight either, so no break or help now. Feeling very sorry for myself at present. If game gets called off too i will be even more miffed as this is our best chance to beat them with their injuries.
kimtoon(Quote)
I really need a bungalow and on a flat road if possible, oh and a busy one that gets gritted 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
If it wasn’t for bad luck ,i’d have no luck at all. 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: I doubt there is any chance the game will be called off mate. There’s easy transportation and Wembley Way which will be cleared off. You have to realise it is London and Spurs. That’s where all the money is in the UK so they look after their own.
I think this is Spurs’ last season in the top 4. They will probably lose Erikson and Poch and there is no way that they will be so lucky with transfers in the future. There is always an ebb and flow when you don’t pay top dollar. That stadium will kill them. I don’t care how many NFL games and cheese rooms they have, a billion pounds is far too much to spend. That part of London is not even that affluent, even though the houses cost a fortune.
I played cricket up there 30 years ago and it was yer basic terraces and saw a few bands and the pubs were well rough as they say there.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Had a email saying google is going to close down anyone know anything?
Icedog(Quote)
its ok its google plus thats shuting down,google is ok
icedog(Quote)
NEW THREAD
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2019/02/01/tottenham-a-pre-match-thoughts-team-news-predicted-line-ups-2/
Spurs preview..
Olly Hawkins(Quote)