Considering our recent relegation, there are a lot of reasons for Newcastle fans to be cheerful ahead of next season: Rafa’s at the helm, apparently with money to spend, and we’re seemingly in no position to let first team players go on the cheap.
Inevitably some of the current crop will leave – players such as Sissoko, Janmaat, and Wijnaldum are expected to be among the main movers – but what’s left is enough to fill fans with a bit of confidence that we’ll make a decent fist of coming straight back up.
Discounting some of the more likely ones to depart from Tyneside, here’s how the team should line up for the coming Championship season. Obviously this doesn’t include any potential new signings that could come in before the end of the transfer window on 31st August.
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: Karl Darlow
Chosen because he’s the more likely of the three current keepers to be fit at the start of the season, Darlow also deserves the nod for his displays towards the back end of the season. Given Krul’s contract situation – his deal runs out next summer – he could be one of the ones we move on in order to avoid losing him on a free next year.
Darlow has more than proven his worth as a Premier League keeper and deserves a decent run in the first team. He’s also got the benefit of a few years’ Championship experience with Forest. Elliot will be unlucky to lose his spot, but seeing as he’s not likely to be fit for the start of the season it’ll be difficult to shift Darlow once we get under way.
Left back: Massadio Haidara
If he’s fit, Haidara has to be first choice at left back. That’s an ‘if’ the size of Mike Ashley though given his injury record over the past few years. Haidara has been chosen over Dummett due to the fact he’s more comfortable on the ball and doesn’t try and boot it the length of the field every time he gets it, two pretty handy abilities. Dummett is a more than capable deputy though.
Central defence: Jamaal Lascelles
Lascelles got a lot of praise for his performances towards the end of the season, when he was brought in out of necessity having barely featured since moving from Nottingham Forest. Worryingly he’s likely to be the club’s oldest centre-half season if the expected departure of club captain Fabricio Coloccini goes through. At 22, that’s a lot of expectation to carry on your shoulders. Unlike the rest of the defence though he does have experience of playing in the division which is a reassurance. Plus his partnership with Mbemba means these two are likely to be our first choice no matter who comes in over the summer.
Central defence: Chancel Mbemba
Mobile and with an uncanny ability to tackle oncoming players by simply standing on the ball, Mbemba has emerged as one of the club’s best signings over the past few seasons. Not that he exactly had much competition, but he was arguably the club’s best performing outfield player last year as well. He only committed 21 fouls during his 33 appearances, which is impressive for a defender, as well as leading the club’s interception stats with 96 across those games. Fingers crossed we can keep hold of him as several foreign clubs are rumoured to be sniffing around.
Right back: Kevin Mbabu
As current first choice right back Janmaat is rumoured to be on his way out this summer Mbabu makes the cut as again he’s more likely to be here once the season kicks off. That’s no bad thing though if his five first team appearances are anything to go by. Having shackled Chelsea’s Pedro on his debut despite playing on the left, he then put in several committed displays before succumbing to injury. Again there are questions around about whether or not he’ll manage to stay fit long enough to have a run in the team.
Click ‘2’ to view which midfielders we believe should line-up for Newcastle next season
Left midfield: Rolando Aarons
Sharpy, all good mate.. at least Eminem is not having a crack about the bloody rugby! 😯 😐
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
BIG DAVE!a man of common sense
Icedog(Quote)
Don’t worry mate a bit more practice and it should come right 😆 maybe
Icedog(Quote)
Hoping for better footy today.
I fancy ROI to give the Frenchies a good game.
Sharpy17(Quote)
OMFG!
Shamrock(Quote)
Ireland could be this year’s Greece. Come on! ☘
Shamrock(Quote)
??
Shamrock(Quote)
?
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham – France are working them hard like mate. Hope they can hold out in this heat.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yeah we will be ok..almost scored a second!
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham – they remind me a lot of Leicester in their belief & team spirit.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Oo that was close.
Shamrock(Quote)
Randolph having a good game. We need to change something though because they are knocking on the door now.
Shamrock(Quote)
And there it is…. come on lads don’t let your heads drop.
Shamrock(Quote)
Football is rubbish anyway.
Shamrock(Quote)
Quick turn around
CC(Quote)
There’s time yet Sham & you know Ireland won’t buckle
Sharpy17(Quote)
What a bloody shame,not finished yet like
Icedog(Quote)
Aaah! C’est La Vie. ??
Shamrock(Quote)
Duffy has played well today as well.
Don’t worry Sham, we’ll revenge yous in the QFs 😛
Sharpy17(Quote)
I know why Benzemas not there but I’m still amazed watching every France match that Giroud is the 1st choice striker ahead of Lacazette, Martial, Remy & Gameiro
CC(Quote)
Hopefully Sharpy. I’m duel Nationality so have the luxury of following 2 sides in these Euros, but Ireland gets me more emotional probably because we are such underdogs in these tournaments. That plus USA 94 and the performance there was just unforgettable.
Shamrock(Quote)
CC I think Ground is there for a physical presence to open up space for the embarrassment of riches France have in the attacking midfield areas.
Shamrock(Quote)
Unlucky for Ireland there. They should take pride in the fact they gave it their all.
Beaten by one of the best forwards in Europe at the moment.
I hope we see the same effort from England coz that French defence is very average IMO.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Shame I thought Ireland were gonna do it with that start, ah well if we get past the Icemen we can hopefully get revenge for the Irish.
Kimtoon(Quote)
No trouble for the Germans getting past that Slovakian defence
Kimtoon(Quote)
well, well
Kimtoon(Quote)
Seems everyone can break down Slovakia but England, nice second from the Germans.
Kimtoon(Quote)
What’s the crack with the German manager dressing his assistants in the same clothes as him?!
I noticed it in the last game they were in the same shirts, and tonight the same black jumpers – weirdos!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Are you watching England “how” to score goals against a defensive side 🙂
Icedog(Quote)
Special offer from BHS
Icedog(Quote)
So what sort of England is going to turn up today? Iceland have done well but surely England should be winning comfortably?
Germany showing England how you break down Slovakia.
Shamrock(Quote)
Good goal from Draxler
Kimtoon(Quote)
Makes a mockery of our huffing and puffing v Slovakia this.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Ice – should we expect the same of Rafa when Cashley buys out BHS then mate? 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Nowt wrong with what Hummels did there imo
Kimtoon(Quote)
It’s crazy how good the German national side has been through my lifetime. Nearly 40yrs and I don’t remember them ever having a slump or a poor side. They just continue to produce top class players & every tournament they are a real force.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I also think the German manager has a bit more tactical nous in the modern game than Woy will ever have who got it wrong with group he chose in a number of places how he picked Stirling and Whiltshire ect,not picking players that were in form taking players by club name,and then to change six players wtf,
Icedog(Quote)
It seems every tournament there are question marks over the German team from their home nation, yet they always turn up and do well. That was an excellent performance from them today, I hope Roy was watching and picking up a few tips on how to break down a defensive team.
Kimtoon(Quote)
I would take their ball scratching/sniffing, nose picking manager over our gaffer any day.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Never noticed those things Kim,trust a woman to spot it lol
Icedog(Quote)
I think it is obvious now that Mr. Roy dropped the wrong players from the 26 man squad. He had previously said he would not pick injured or our of form players and even went as far as to say he would not pick players who were not playing for their clubs. Then who does he pick: Wilshere, Henderson and Sterling. This was total vindication for his former stance but shows that if you have the right name and play for the right club everything goes out of the window.
Plus, Henderson was never good enough to start for England anyway, let alone after being injured. They’re going to play Lalana on the wing and he scored like 1 in 25. Same for Henserson, even for Liverpool. And Sterling isn’t much better in terms of goals and even assists. He runs fast and then misplaces the final pass or tries to take on one player too many – at least for England.
It is about time the midfield chipped in with some goals which is why they are crying out for Townsend. And an in form Drinkwater was always a better choice than Wilshere who has started 1 game in a year and with his injury record would not be going all out until he got his confidence back that his body could take it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Even with these mistakes it will be a travesty if England do not beat Iceland before going out “heroically” on penalties to France.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Oh, and Wilshere is a step slower than before he was injured. He was never fast but he looked like he was running in porridge. It will take 10 games at least for him to get back to where he was and I don’t see how they didn’t know that. They mention that he was man of the match in a few of the qualification games, but that was against **** teams and he didn’t dominate, although he played OK.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC correct on every point,Ime right to say we were in the weakest group and still couldn’t top it,we are still getting a advantage over a lot of teams as we are good rest time between games unlike some others
Icedog(Quote)
Ice,Did you not see it! was all over the press, he actually said sorry about the the ball rubbing & sniffing thing which was caught on camera for the world to see. In the world cup he was shown mining for gold with his finger up his nose. Got some iffy habits that guy but a good coach.
Kimtoon(Quote)
https://youtu.be/7YGAK5-ZFS0
Ice – for your viewing pleasure mate 😕
Sharpy17(Quote)
https://youtu.be/7yzBvHe4j9U
This one is even better – and by better I mean disgusting!!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
KIM don’t buy any newspapers,very rare I watch the news it’s always “bad” news,papers are full of ****,only thing I read is sports pages,I know Ime a sad sod
Icedog(Quote)
My god what a scruffy swine,Ime not going to thank you for putting it on,could happily lived without it lol
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – sorry mate but it’s one of those things that you wouldn’t believe it if you hadn’t seen it!!.
If you don’t like that one, defo don’t watch the 2nd one 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, God it doesn’t get any better second viewing does it. Tell you what I would think twice about shaking his hand like 😆
Kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – my 7yr old lad isn’t and has never been that disgusting.
This guy is doing it on camera!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I will get back to NUFC and the topic of this thread as I do not want to think about how complicated Brexit is and have even less interest in Low’s extremely strange behavior.
Gayle and Richie would be good signings in my opinion as long as we also keep Townsend. That should have our attack sorted along with Aarons and Armstrong to add to Mitro and Perez. If we could find a proven 20 goal striker that would be icing on the cake, but for the life of me I don’t know where he would come from, and just as importantly, if he would come to a Championship club. We probably have to hope that one of the above becomes at least a 15 goal striker and I have high hopes that Mitro would.
Defense depends as much on injuries as anything else. Keeping MBabu, Haidara and Dummett fit would help immensely. Still need a left back and centre back, as we have done for at least 2 years.
I do not think Gini and Sissoko will stay. If they could get motivated we would walk the Championship. However, they failed to be motivated in the PL and we may as well get the money to fund replacements and the other additions. The problem is that they were both ever-presents so would have to be replaced unless Shelvey and Saivet could step up.
Hopefully we will see some movement on transfers. That should give a better idea of the direction we are going.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That’s the thing Eric. Rafa says he has 4 lined up. On top of that we know several will go. So we know there will effectively be a big change in personnel but we don’t actually know what positions. Therefore, I think it’s pointless thinking about what the line up is going to be come the start of the season. All I know is we have Rafa. What he deems good enough will do for me, so I’m really not fussed about following the gossip this window. What will be, will be.
Shamrock(Quote)
Eric – I’d like to see us go for Alan Judge rather than Ritchie personally. Judge got 14 goals & 12 assists in 39 games as a winger last season for Brentford.
If we could add that kind of contribution to what we already have then good times.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I bet your dog is not that disgusting never mind your boy
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – he’s tried picking his nose a few times but it never ended well 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – I still think we should consider Leigh Griffiths from Celtic as well – he is such a clinical finisher & although most of his goals have been scored North of the border (so arguably a lower standard) he still managed 12 in 26 games for Wolves.
If we could get him for round £5m id take a punt on the kid personally.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sham: I understand what you are saying about not speculating about the team until we know what we have. But there is another 2 months to go so we really wont know what we have or need. We have more than 3 weeks from the 1st game until the transfer window closes.
We know there will be a massive overhaul because certain players have said they will leave and Rafa has been given money and complete control. I think it is a bit of fun to speculate based on these factors as it is looking forward to better times and I really would like to erase most of the last 3 years from my mind 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: I only really watch the PL and La Liga so I don’t know much about Championship or SPL players except what I read. I have seen Richie and Gayle which is why I feel I can comment on them. I agree with Sham to an extent, but when it is slow like now, a bit of speculation can keep things ticking over on here.
I think after the first few signings and departures and/or rejections we should have a clearer picture of where Rafa wants to take the club (or where he CAN take the club given the restrictions of us being in the Championship). Will our transfer targets drop down a division or come from abroad to a non-PL club? We will find out shortly.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Fair enough Eric mate. I usually find summer window speculation as boring as watching paint dry but each to their own ?
Shamrock(Quote)
You know when Arsenal offered the 40 mil buyout for Suarez Liverpool refused to sell. They said the clause only allowed a club to talk to Suarez. They ended up getting 60 mil+. I think I have said this before, but can we take the same stance on Townsend? I am resigned to the fact Gini and Sissoko will leave and without buyout clauses we should get as much as we can. I think they will be in demand given the money being spunked on similar quality players.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The speculation continues. Now it’s four clubs wanting Perez. Will Rafa sell? £10m quoted.
Rafa actually has a patchy record on signings if I remember rightly from his Liverpool days. For every Alonso there was a Riera, Traore, Smicer, Morientes, Babel etc. None of them worked out fully at Anfield.
One thing is clear – convincing players to stay (like Sissoko) is a lot more preferable than finding similar quality players to drop into the championship. He might have to offer them an opt out in January if things aren’t going well. The team that beat Spurs will walk the league.
Georgio(Quote)
So Rooney falls out with Vardy,over Vardys wife wtf,we there to play footy ffs
Icedog(Quote)
If Saido Mane is £34m then I wouldn’t be taking anything less that £20m for Sissoko, Gini or Townsend that’s for sure.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m not at all sure we can keep hold of Townsend, read yesterday that Watford are the latest to want him behind a queue of 5 PL clubs. If Rafa convinces him to stay on he’ll of done really well as I can only imagine the silly wages PL clubs will offer him,not to mention the cut his agent could get.
Kimtoon(Quote)
What is it they fell out about Ice?
Kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – from what I’ve seen though those 5 clubs are Swansea, West Brom, Watford, Stoke & Palace.
Yes they can provide PL footy this season – but I reckon most of them will be bottom half – does he really want that?!.
I hope the answer is no and he wants to stay & build with Rafa.
Sharpy17(Quote)
KIM I just saw the headline on yahoo mate Ime not a big news reader plus I cannot stand shrek
Icedog(Quote)
KIM I can guess it will be shrek passing remarks about Vardy Mrs,he’s known as a creep when it comes to women more so older ladies
Icedog(Quote)
Ice, Ah right
Kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy: I thought Townsend might leave for Southampton but they have already signed Redmond to replace Mane. I still think West Ham will be a strong contender if they lose Payet. As for the rest that you mention, he may as well stay with us and see how it works out until January.
I suppose that would depend on whether there is a time limit on that release clause as well.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ice, this is all I can find but it seems nothing to me
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/euro-2016-wayne-rooney-jamie-vardy-wife-rebekah-twitter-distract-england-squad-a7096996.html
Kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy: Mane has some very good stats. 21 goals in 67 games for Southampton.
Eric Sykes(Quote)