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
Blimey Italy should be 2 up. Great goalkeeping by De He’s.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sharpy: Mane got 11 goals in 37 games last season. Southampton usually get a bit more than their players are really worth. The exception is Wanyama because of his contract situation.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
A Conte masterclass so far.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Aye KIM doesn’t seem much in it if that’s the storey
Icedog(Quote)
Well Italy deserved that, played great, Spain poor, bit better second half but not good enough in the end. What a good goal keeping display by De Gea , bar the goals of course.
Kimtoon(Quote)
So pleased for Italy they played really really well
Icedog(Quote)
Another 6 changes by Roy, Kane and Stirling back in
Kimtoon(Quote)
Ice, always had a soft spot for all things Italian, so happy for them
Kimtoon(Quote)
Six changes by Woy ” again”
Icedog(Quote)
They can defend all day long,great to see some lovely attacking play from them
Icedog(Quote)
Right, c’mon then England let’s get this done. In style preferably .
Kimtoon(Quote)
Pen
Kimtoon(Quote)
Get in Shrek 😀
Kimtoon(Quote)
FFS, WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT 😡
Kimtoon(Quote)
Oh dear. Dodgy defense or what.
Shamrock(Quote)
Well, well, well
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hate following England
Kimtoon(Quote)
It’s not like PL players have never encountered long throw merchants, remember Rory Delaps
Kimtoon(Quote)
Looks like a pattern is developing. England pressure down the right and Iceland waiting for set pieces. Sterling isolated on the left, where he technically won the penalty but had miscontrolled it and the ball was going out before the goalie clattered him. Hope he proves me wrong but I have no faith in Sterling.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That was fizzin from Ali
Kimtoon(Quote)
Sturridge lost that far too cheaply
Kimtoon(Quote)
FFS
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hart again.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Makes it a lot more interesting than I thought it would be.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
**** off just **** off, ridiculous , Hart you idiot, that’s poor
Kimtoon(Quote)
I knew our defense was questionable, but really? If we progress, France will flatten us.
Shamrock(Quote)
fair play to Iceland. If we do by some chance go on to win this France will be delighted.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Sham, Snap
Kimtoon(Quote)
They are well up for it now and we are shrinking
Kimtoon(Quote)
How many vids must they seen on their long throws great tactics there Woy ffs
Icedog(Quote)
Christ what has Kane got to do to score
Kimtoon(Quote)
Exactly Ice, it’s been spoken about enough
Kimtoon(Quote)
McManaman is saying it is not fair on Walker that he is England’s main attacking threat is to have Walker run 50 yards to chase the ball and then have to run back 50 yards to get back into position. I wonder if there is someone who was dropped from the final 26 who could have helped out there 🙂
Yeah I know, I am dwelling on the omission of Townsend but…
Joey Barton was pretty scathing on Sterling saying all he has is pace and he wouldn’t even be a professional footballer if it was based on his technical ability.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/status/747510604244598785
Kimtoon(Quote)
Didn’t Hart have that miskick as well. I also remember another goal in qualifying that he let in and another couple for Man City this year.
Has to be dropped if we get through.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
😆
Icedog(Quote)
Only long range shots again.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t mean to be ultra-critical but these weaknesses have been identified by everyone:
No width, except for Walker
Can’t break teams down and resort to long range shots
Sterling lacking confidence
Hart a weak link
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Steve Mac commentating for sky
https://twitter.com/SkyFootball
Kimtoon(Quote)
ERIC I said it against Russia Kane can not hold the ball up at this level,I wouldn’t want Sterling at the toon,pace but no ability
Icedog(Quote)
These Euros England have played against 4 teams ranging in the world rankings between 24 and 34 compared to olEnglands rank of 11 – and yet England are drawing 4-4 with those sides in goals scored. Wtf.
Shamrock(Quote)
Unbelievable. On their second goal not one England defender was marking his man properly. Terrible display really from us. I would bring in Rashford and Vardy. The pace of our buildup is far too slow. It allows Iceland to get everyone behind the ball.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I wouldn’t be surprised if Sterling comes off for Vardy at half time. Or that Mr. Roy puts on an 18 year old for Sturridge on 60 minutes putting the hopes of a Nation on a kid who has played about 15 games.
At the moment, Mr. Roy’s inability to select players for a plan B is hurting us. Carroll, Townsend, Drinkwater would give us more options than Henderson, Wilshere, Sterling and Barkley.
PROVE ME WRONG ENGLAND.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Spot on mate. This is just embarrassing and our defence is a joke
Kimtoon(Quote)
Hart needs to stick to adverts
Kimtoon(Quote)
Roy said he would not pick players unless fit and on form. Then he goes and does the complete opposite. Numpty.
Shamrock(Quote)
Actually, I am not sure what Plan A is. All of the teams we played have set up the same way and we have struggled to create decent chances. Plenty of long range shots and especially blocked shots which count in the stats as goal attempts but aren’t really.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It’s not just Hart. The whole defense is shocking. Out of position, lacking conviction. One of their lads had a long range shot, which swerved in and out just after they scored their second. Our defender (maybe Dier, not sure) actually dodged out of the way. Harts view will have been obstructed giving him less reaction time. It’s the defenders job to stop that ball going through. You would never have seen Tony Adams or Terry Butcher ducking out the way.
Shamrock(Quote)
If Iceland get a third we’re done. Can you believe it? I’m talking about Iceland getting a third!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Shocking. Giving up two against Iceland in one half of football. Roy oot!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
We will see now if Wilshere is match fit.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This is either ballsy or stupid.
Do you know Wilshere was injured last August and was supposed to be out for a month. Then had to have an operation and was expected back in Feb. Had his usual setbacks and eneded up playing one game in May. Mr. Roy is betting the tournament on him and Sterling though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Plus Harry Kane is taking free kicks again.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
our build up is so ponderous, where’s the pace
Kimtoon(Quote)
Is Kane really our beat dead ball specialist? Because he is not up to much with our free kicks so far.
Shamrock(Quote)
Don’t know about keeping the faith, keeping the tv on is a challenge right now
Kimtoon(Quote)
Clearly Iceland are the better side! I can’t believe this.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
need Shrek to step up and fire in a long range screamer
Kimtoon(Quote)
They will defo get a 3rd I can feel it
Kimtoon(Quote)
We’re playing fcking Fat Sam’s Bolton and have no clue what to do about it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Nice to see England knocking on the door this second half against a bunch of semi professionals.
Oh hang on. No. It’s Iceland knocking in the door.
Shamrock(Quote)
Roy obviously doesn’t know his best team
Kimtoon(Quote)
Even if we go on to win this it will still have been a joke.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Vardy for Sterling
Kimtoon(Quote)
That’s a surprise. Sterling off.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Indeed Eric and I will be gobsmacked if we do
Kimtoon(Quote)
There have been so many little errors by our players in terms of misplaced passes or touches that set us back that extra second or two and allow Iceland to recover. Technically our players are very poor. It’s really not good enough with the amount of money sloshing around in the PL. There is no excuse for it. The players that make it to International level really should be technically better. England clearly has fundamental issues developing players from youth sides onwards.
Shamrock(Quote)
Roy being outwitted by a coach who’s day job is a dentist 😳
Kimtoon(Quote)
The other fck ups that Mr. Roy has made makes you forget that Rooney had never played midfield for England before.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kimtoon: I don’t think I would be going to a part time dentist 🙂 Be almost like going to a part time brain surgeon.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Too many long balls. Extremely poor from us. What is the plan Roy?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
If it stays like this, along with Brexit, it will cement our place as the idiots of Europe.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And that is our best dead ball specialist??
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham, I have long said that the hype around the PL is unwarranted, most of the truly great PL players are not British. That’s why fans only seem to get excited by foreign signings and when England do produce some talent they get unbelievable pressure placed on them effectively stunting their progress.
Kimtoon(Quote)
I have concluded Stureisge is a liability on the wing. He holds into the ball too long, gives away possession or misplaced passes. He should be up front or not in the side. Roy has picked the wrong players for the squad and the wrong players for the system he is using.
Shamrock(Quote)