It is difficult to recall a pre-season such as this one. It began with more unknowns than any other…would the popular and sought-after manager stay? Which players would be sold and who would be recruited? Who would be responsible for said recruitment? Would there be an overhaul of backroom staff? Would the owner dust his hands and call it a day after a second relegation? The possibilities seemed endless, and many of them, potentially devastating.
For one moment, imagine a summer where Benitez had said ‘No’. The miraculous positivity generated by Rafa’s decision to commit his future to the club in order to build a top side, would be nothing more than a twitch on the beleaguered foreheads of hardened fans as they faced another season of bitter negativity gleefully presented to the nation by its bloodthirsty media corporations.
Leeds United and Portsmouth are two clubs that immediately spring to mind in terms of what we could have been looking forward to.
Happily though Benitez began his ‘Rafamation’ and ‘Rafalution’ by signing on the dotted line after receiving the backing he required. It was difficult to predict how he would reshape the unbalanced and overpopulated squad as he no longer possessed the lure of Premier league football to attract the calibre of players desired.
Incredibly Rafa has persuaded three Premiership footballers and a Champions League footballer to swap their lucrative environments for Championship football at St. James’ Park. He has also now added another British player in Grant Hanley. He joins Dwight Gayle, Matt Ritchie and Isaac Hayden as a fourth British player to link up with the squad.
Now I am not one of these people who brandishes all foreign players as disloyal mercenaries who simply don’t give a **** about the club or its fans. I don’t buy that for one second. There have been plenty of British players happy to take huge wages and offer very little in return. Just as we have seen some excellent players from abroad give their heart and soul to Newcastle United. English players are often ridiculously overpriced, forcing clubs to look abroad to get the same quality for a fraction of the cost. It’s shopping at Aldi as opposed to Waitrose.
Benitez though knows the importance of buying players who know what it means to play for this huge club and are willing to fight for it. If we are to climb out of this division, it’s going to take more than players who can play a bit. It’s going require players with resolve.
It’s a case of buying players with character, hunger and desire to perform. These recent acquisitions are signings who want to play for Newcastle. Players who are going to be proud to pull on that shirt and will strive to keep it. The British quartet signed so far all appear to have these qualities.
There is a pragmatic element to this approach too with the FA announcing in March last year proposals that English league clubs are required to register at least 12 home grown players out of the permitted 25 man squad places.
For this reason alone it is no surprise to see Gini leave the club and it would be no great shock to see Sissoko also head out of Toon. If Newcastle receive more than £50 million for the pair, it makes perfect sense. There is no room for overseas passengers anymore and it is expected Riviere and Goofy will also be moved on. Goodness knows what the decision to leave the EU will do for future player recruitment.
As for now, Benitez appears to be getting it right.
Cheers SRF.
For too long we’ve relied on cheap foreign imports so it’s refreshing to see a good British core to the side this year. However like you say, there’s been plenty of foreign player’s who’ve given their all for the shirt – the key is having a nice balance between the two.
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
Cheers SRF. It just feels ‘fresher’ to have a core of UK players as opposed to a French core for example. I read somewhere that this is the most British we have gone during a transfer window for over 20 years, which is mental. Like you pointed out, the key is balance – not over doing it one way or the other. Rafa seems like he understands that and the importance of having a balanced squad in terms of cover in specialist positions – something the fans have cried out for, for years. Yet somehow the regime never listened or just did not ‘get it’.
Shamrock(Quote)
SRF. I enjoyed that. Thanks. I see that the Shields Gazette is reporting that the true amount we pay PSV following the sale of Wini is £500,000.
Groucho(Quote)
Sorry £400,000.
Groucho(Quote)
SRF another good thread mate keep them coming,yer British players needed more so at this end of the country even some of the southern softies cannot handle the weather here,the Scottish lads should fit in well
Icedog(Quote)
You here all sorts of **** mate,every rag has a different storey on all things footy
Icedog(Quote)
Good article SRF. The proof is in the pudding as they say. We’ll see how good these English players are this season. The signings look decent to me. A bit more flair at AMF would be well received I would think. Not sure whether De Jong is up to it but I hope so. I would like to see him succeed after all the injuries so far.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Gini now a confirmed Liverpool player in a 5 year deal, wearing the #5 shirt. He will do well there.
Shamrock(Quote)
Good read SRF and I agree, things look better for these signings. We have had some fine foreign players over the years though and many more than happy to stay at Toon and pull on the shirt. In recent times we have seen a distinct lack of commitment from a lot of our foreign players, I do not entirely blame them though as I am certain that most if not all were signed on with the promise of moving on to bigger and better if they did well, unencumbered by the club should an offer come in. This would seem in direct contrast to how we used to operate when we signed players pre- Ashley imo.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Bloody hell it’s a blood bath in that shopping centre in Munich 🙁
Kimtoon(Quote)
Nearly every day now there’s trouble somewhere in the world,pleased Ime not young kid these days it’s a cruel world
Icedog(Quote)
Thanks for the feedback all. Should still be plenty of movement in and out before the window closes.
SRF(Quote)
Ice, agree, I was thinking our security service must need eyes in the back of their heads trying to stop something happening here.
Kimtoon(Quote)
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/georginio-wijnaldum-says-sorry-relegation-11653537
Kimtoon(Quote)
With all my heart I want to thank every Newcastle fan for the support love and respect you showed me whilst at your great Club. I can understand some of you will be upset with me for leaving. I promise you though I did give my all for you. It does not sit well with me that we were relegated and I say sorry again for that. What I do know is that in Rafa Benitez the Club has a World Class Manager who I am confident will return you to The Premier League. I must also say a very big big thank you to the Board of the Club, they gave me my chance in The Premier League. The process of leaving a club who didn’t need to sell me can be difficult, however the Club have been very understanding in allowing me to join Liverpool. Playing for your Club Newcastle has made me a stronger person and has educated me as a footballer. I take with me special memories of you the fans, the Club and the City. My family and I thank you for making us so welcome and we wish nothing but love and success for you. Georginio. #Newcastle United Championship Champions !
Shamrock(Quote)
Is anyone worried about our lack of attacking midfielders that can create\score?
I’m sure we’ll keep spending but 2 weeks today we’re at Fulham ?
Gashley(Quote)
Gashley(Quote)
What a load of bollocks from Gini! I wish they’d say nothing instead of this drivel they come out with. He has a responsibility to NUFC because we got relegated and he was a key player, yet at the first opportunity he’s off! He’s a got a flawed character and for that reason I doubt he’ll be a real success at Liverpool.
I also notice Real Madrid are in for Sissoko! I’ve heard it all now!
Stuart79(Quote)
Sissoko said to be desperate to join RealMadrid who are apparently in for him. Funny that last week he was desperate to join Arsenal 🙄
Kimtoon(Quote)
Gash: the death penalty is not a deterrent for religious fanatics and nut cases. Some police should be armed though. I don’t think that will be a deterrent either but it may save some lives by killing these crazies before they have a chance to harm more innocent people.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think Arsenal are the best fit for Sissoko. They do too much tippy tappy and his direct running could help them out. They support in numbers as well so he could lay it off with a short pass to negate his lack of end product.
They need someone for when Wilshere is injured. He is a one trick pony anyway, playing a few one twos which look good but rarely pay off. He flatters to deceive in defense as well, doing a lot of pointing and then clattering into a tackle and injuring himself. I think Sissoko would do well there. Come on Arsene send us the 35 mil, you know it makes sense.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
SRF – yeah mate, good article & some good British signings from Rafa – were starting to get an identity back a bit & hopefully a bit of grit about our play again.
Bad that we went 2-0 down to Donny but good that they came back & didn’t just write it off as a friendly.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Couple of sites linking us with Alex Pritchard from Spurs as Ginis replacement.
He had a good season with Brentford last season with 12 goals and about 10 assists – they reckon he’d cost around £8m.
Another young British player with Championship experience – I could go with that like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric, Sissoko’s a real team player mate I agree. Look how well he did for France. A real team player that never gives up. Arsenal would have to be idiots not to sign him and a real bargain at 35 million.
Terry(Quote)
Lee Ryder say’s real madrid are interested in Sissoko. I wouldn’t want them to steal Arsenal’s man for 35 million. His the sort of player that could help them win the league.
Terry(Quote)
Terry: I know you are saying that tongue in cheek mate. I think there is more to Sissoko than NUFC were able to get out of him. Remember he played most of his time under Pards, Ugly John and Schteve. Still he should have had the desire to rise above that and to offer more in the regular games.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Not really happy with the Pritchard link. He did well in League 1 in the 14/15 season but was out from September to February last season injured then went in loan to west from and did naff all, making 3 appearances. I don’t expect a like for like replacement for Gini as we are in the Championship, but I’d hope we can do better than Pritchard. He should be realising his potential at the top level by now being 23. May as well bring Sammy back in if we are looking at him.
Shamrock(Quote)
Eric I know what you mean mate but I can’t help but take the ****. I can’t see us getting an offer for him, let alone 35 million. Lee Ryder reckon’s Real Madrid are interested in him ? I doubt that very much.
Terry(Quote)
Where’s Troy these day’s ?
Terry(Quote)
Sham: Spurs always overprice their players so I might want to steer clear of Pritchard as well. Even Townsend was not a bargain given he had been in the reserves for 6 months. It turned out that it appeared to do him no long term harm and he put a shift in for us but at 12 mil that was still a gamble at the time. If you looked at his stats they weren’t THAT impressive for Spurs.
I would say Pritchard is on a par with Hayden in terms of experience and potential so he should cost about the same.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also, Pritchard has not even been taken on the Spurs pre-season tour. He has been given notice he will not be in the first team picture so 8 million is an absolute joke. You could sort of understand their price for Andros because he had 11 England caps at age 24. But 8 mil for a 23 year old reserve, yer avin a laff Mr. Levy.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Something from Liverpool fans reminiscing about one season under Rafa. I think it serves to show we have someone special managing us now and not the likes of Pardew or Carver:
http://www.thisisanfield.com/2016/07/200809-liverpools-best-team-since-glory-days/
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The thing with Pritchard though is that Levy will see Ibe going for £15m and he’ll think £8m is perfectly reasonable.
Yes the lad do ok in league 1 but he did better in the Championship with Brentford last season.
I’m not saying he’s the answer or the best option. I just think he’s a decent shout.
Sharpy17(Quote)
sorry not with you on this one,got to be better players out there at 8 mil,i dont rate the guy very much only seen him play
icedog(Quote)
sorry not with you on this one,got to be better players out there at 8 mil,i dont rate the guy very much only seen him play a couple of times did nothing for me
icedog(Quote)
I’m not sure on Pritchard either especially at £8m. It’s a genuine playmaker type we need and they’re very thin on the ground especially for a relegated team. Rafa may well surprise us though with a big surprise signing.
Anyone know what the situation with Aarons and his contract is? The kid could still be a really big player for us. I could see him getting a lot of goals in Gini’s position. From what I remember his contract runs out at the end of the season but maybe that has moved on now.
Georgio(Quote)
Buying British. Oh dear, should be buying Icelandic. 😆
I think it’s an interesting rebuild going on. Looking forward to seeing how it works out, and looking forward to seeing who else comes in.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Good one Brisvegas 😀 Icelandic player’s definitely showed our national team a thing or two.
Terry(Quote)
It’s amazing how a team of part time football player’s beat England. England played like Sissoko did for us last season.
Terry(Quote)
WBA bid 7 mil for Dunk,he a good c/b pity we didnt get him but at least our forwards wont have to face him its a blow to Chris like if he goes
icedog(Quote)
they were not all part timers they did play lge footy mate only there manager ect were part time
icedog(Quote)
This McCormack from Fulham seems a strange call to me as well. Speculated at 13 million and he turns 30 in a month. Maybe it is just Ed overhyping it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Icedog learn something new everyday mate. Although I don’t know much about the Icelandic league to be honest. The whole England team seemed more interested about there holiday’s to me than actually trying to win the tournament. It wasn’t impressive at all and they only just beat Wales.
Terry(Quote)
Hope you’re right Eric – there’s a lot of talk about him today though. Not for me.
Georgio(Quote)
The Premiership is where it all happens, not slumming it in the Championship.
What a pity we’re not in there, but we’ve had this relegation coming for the last 5 years.
Not particularly optimistic for the coming season, too many new players coming in which will need to gel quickly. The Championship shouldn’t and won’t be underestimated by Rafa, I hope the players have had that drummed into there heads, because the majority of the wasters who blew it last season are still there. I’ll sit on the fence until I see a semblence of order being brought into our pimped up and preening squad.. stuttering friendlies against mighty Bohemians, Donny, Darlo and the massive Belgian heavyweights Lokeren are not where I believe we belong… oh how the mighty have fallen, the only ray of light is the coach Rafa…and the lad has a massive burden on his broad shoulders…
Munich Mag(Quote)
So Ryder is off on another junket, this time to watch NUFC in Belgium. It would be good to have his job travelling all over with the Toon and writing reports using a template from John Gibson circa 1976. Just fill in the blanks with the scorers and times and tell us 5 stupid things you learned.
He has managed to get all the freebie trips and probably keeps all the free NUFC stuff to himself as well. Coming to a Sunday market near you, Lee Ryder’s Wonga car boot sale.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There’s a few in the lower legs here,Burnly have just signed from Charlton I think 2mil
Icedog(Quote)
Eric, Lee Ryder is the chief at the Chronny, he’s not going to give that job up too easily 🙂 His audience isn’t too demanding either 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
Hendly not playing,Richie has “slight”injury Mito on bench,Armstrong Perez up front I think
Icedog(Quote)
Has anyone spotted Cheik Tiote over the last 4 weeks ? Does he still play for the toon ? Lovely day out in Lokeren for our old Belgians Mbemba, Mitrovic, Stel etc no sign off Tiote…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Aye mate might as well be a ghost writer,doe heed?
Icedog(Quote)
Sorry it’s Perez and Gayle up front,Armstrong on bench
Icedog(Quote)
He’s on the bench today mate
Icedog(Quote)
http://www.themag.co.uk/2016/07/jamaal-lascelles-captain-newcastle-name-team-v-sporting-lokeren-newcastle-united/
Team and subs
Icedog(Quote)
http://mob.afternoongossip.com/33-photos-of-people-taken-seconds-before-having-horrible-accidents/13/
I cannot believe how stupid some people are,pics of people seconds before they die,it’s not sickening just plain dumb
Icedog(Quote)
Perez one nowt
Icedog(Quote)
Ends four nil to toon,two sent off for clash
Icedog(Quote)
Gamez sent off
Icedog(Quote)
Looks like a nice, tidy 4-0 win over Lokeren. We’ll manage well in the Championship with Rafa. I’m optimistic about the season.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Got to feel for Leicester mind, Mahrez going to Arsenal according to the Sun. If only they could of held on to the likes of Kante and Mahrez. Knew the big boys would start cherry picking their best players once they won title. It’s like the spoilt kid who has everything but still wants to take the poor kids toys because he can. Wish Leicester would of told them all to **** off. Vardy must be gutted having committed himself to a new contract.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Makes you sick at times these so called “big”clubs,was really pleased Leicester stuffed them last season,it’s all well and good to have grafters in the team but you still need a bit of quality in the group
Icedog(Quote)
Ice, The only consolation for Leicester is no one can take that PL title away from them.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Perez standing out as a striker again. He went off the boil last season and I was not sure what his best position was, but looks like Rafa has worked him out. Fingers crossed he carries this form into the new season. Did Armstrong make it on today and how did he do?
Few reports have Saylor joining Portland Timbers…
Shamrock(Quote)
That’s life kim. Big clubs wouldn’t be deemed big clubs if they didn’t recruit the best. It’s up to Leicester to be big themselves and knock bids back or sell and spend the money on another quality player
Gashley(Quote)
Defensively we look better and we have back-up players for all positions.
Midfield, we have lost Gini and Townsend. We’ve bought Hayden and Richie. Decent buys but we can’t rely on the likes of Aarons being fit all season. Still missing a play-maker type player.
Up front, we still miss a natural goal scorer. 12 days to go before Fulham away….
Gashley(Quote)
It does amaze me reading predictions from alleged experts tipping Leicester to be in & around the European spots this season.
Without Kante/Mahrez & the added strain of european football they will be back to worrying about getting 40 points imo
CC(Quote)
Did anyone see the game at all yesterday?
Just wondering who the stand out players were and how Janmaat got on as a right winger?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Nope, wish we could of had one or two televised. Apparently Perez looked good.
Kimtoon(Quote)
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/532348/Sam-Allardyce-England-manager-best-XI-Sunderland-sportgalleries
Kimtoon(Quote)
Looks like Janmaat is still up for it, there again anyone would look good against average Belgian sides…
now things are really warming up in the prem, Pep and Jose handbags at 20 paces, Wenger, Klopp and Pochetino, Koemann, all strengthenkng for the new season. Rafa must be looking on in envy….
By the time we get back up well be 2 light years behind the big clubs, and be slugging it out in the bottom 6 just to get reestablished. thank goodness charnley, moncur, beardsley and the rest are a safe pair of hands to steer us through troubled waters…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Didn’t know Janmaat played as a winger. If he stays and Rafa sees him as a winger then great. Janmaat and Ritchie on the right, Aaron’s and Thauvin in the left ( if Thauvin is sold, he needs to be replaced). Just a playmaker, striker and left back needed – with ideally Heidara, Gouffy, De Jong and Rivi to be sold.
Shamrock(Quote)
Kim – I know, a couple of home games would have been nice too. I was hoping to take the little un coz he’s still not fully into footy just yet so the cheaper friendly tickets are ideal to ease him in, but also walk out if he gets too bored.
Hopefully Rafa is working on Perez to make him more ruthless as a forward. I’ve just watched the clips of the goals & there was only him busting a gut to get into the box – which was great to see.
Aarons looked dangerous again, and Janmaat could be a good option as a right winger – providing we want to keep him & he’s not playing in the shop window.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sham – totally agree mate. I think Ritchie & Janmaat form a strong right side, but the left side is unstable at the moment. Thauvin in form & Aarons in fitness.
I agree with the additions still needed as well though mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yep would prefer Janmaat as a winger, actually makes more sense.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Aarons looking really good but then he always does early in the season. Can he stay fit this time? He’ll be some player if he can.
Georgio(Quote)