This summer has seem a remarkable change on Tyneside.
The bleak mood induced by the spectre of relegation has been replaced by a sparkling optimism over promotion. Absent is any sign of arrogance; supporters know promotion is not a God-given right but requires hard work, yet they are confident of achieving that aim.
What a difference three months makes.
At the heart of it all is Rafa Benitez. His decision to stay at St James Park may yet prove to be the best signing of the summer. The Spaniard has set about remodelling the squad, signing a mixture of youth and experience, and imbuing those players who remain with a sense of purpose.
This morning sees talk that the Magpies have triggered the release clause for Aston Villa’s Ciaran Clark. Landing the Northern Ireland captain would be a major coup for the club, particularly with many seeing parallels between Benitez’s tenure and the arrival of Roberto Di Matteo at Villa Park.
Coming twenty-four hours after Newcastle employed the same tactic with Hulls’ Mohammed Diame and there’s a sense of purpose building in the days leading up to the opening game at Fulham.
It’s not a one-way street. Georginio Wijnaldum moved to Liverpool, Andros Townsend to Crystal Palace whilst the experience of Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini left holes in the defence. Benitez addressed these departures with Grant Hanley, Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle. He may yet lose Tim Krull but Matz Sels is already on board to cover that eventuality.
The transfer ethos has been underpinned by the requirement for Championship experience. Even Isaac Hayden, £2.5m from Arsenal, spent last year on loan at Hull City. Everything is geared toward promotion.
Translating that momentum onto the pitch is a different matter. For the first time in two decades, Newcastle United were undefeated in pre-season. That has to be tempered by the standard of the opposition but some useful sides in Vitesse Arnhem and KSC Lokeren, were also beaten as well as the chaff.
The one black cloud hanging over the club remains the future of Moussa Sissoko. The French international was issuing ‘come and get me’ pleas even before moving centre stage at Euro 2016. Newcastle’s board weren’t slow to try and capitalise on his performances for his country, upping his valuation to £35m.
Interested clubs from Europe’s elite have steadfastly refused to meet that price tag – or come even close to it – which suggests that Benitez’s biggest task may be motivating a player who doesn’t want to be at the club.
Sections of the travelling support made their views clear at Doncaster and Sissoko won’t be the most popular player in black and white this season. A few goals and good performances may change that view…
Crucially for Newcastle, Rafa has prepared the squad for his absence and with the club still active in the transfer market, could emerge even stronger.
The bookmakers are rarely wrong on these matters and Newcastle are overwhelming favourites with most, head and shoulders clear of the field with 15/8 at Paddy Power the most generous through to 7/4 at Skybet. For those looking to have a bet, make sure to check out SaferGaming for tips on how to stay responsible whilst gambling.
Thanks Andy, yes we are all feeling more optimistic I think but we still need an injection of realism here. We need 90 odd goals with not much over 45 conceded to win this league. 70 would likely get us the playoffs. I still don’t see 90 goals coming from us even when spread over the whole team. Therefor I think we need a proven prolific striker. I would like to think Arma could do it given his exploits last season, but not so sure. Could Mitro and Gayle form a lethal partnership, maybe.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Were Madrid really ever interested in Sissoko?
I mentioned the other day that before the Euros we were hoping to get 20 million but clubs had valued him at closer to 12 million. Do we now hold out for an unrealistic number? Possibly, because of all of the other crazy transfer **** going on, but who will buy him?
I think he would suit Arsenal because they have no-one really to run at a defense and Wilshere is injured again, this time his knee. I saw an injury chart during the Euros and that was the only part of his lower body he had not injured so I guess it was inevitable as he seems to be held together with bits of string and duct tape.
Other than that there only seems to be passing interest from Juve and PSG and who is to say that is not just paper talk.
So, that leaves West Brom, Everton and Palace who do not stand much chance of Champions League football given the competition this year. Maybe Wor Moussa might have to adjust his sights a bit and NUFC fans were premature in banking the 30 million for him?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Send him to Palace, where he can wallow in self pity and enjoy playing under Pardope
Karmas a ***** 😆
Kimtoon(Quote)
Sissoko is such a divisive character. What to make of him.\? He is a powerful runner with the ball. No doubt about that. But his end game is poor most of the time. He can get us possession and take it into the opponent’s half and then what? I would drop the asking price unless we really want to keep him but then he’ll spend the entire season moaning and whining.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Kimtoon: realistically, who else would buy Sissoko? Man U, Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea and Spurs have midfielders coming out of their arses. For the rest the price is too steep I would say. Dortmund? Inter? But not at 30 million.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
canny read mate
all the players we have signed given 5yr conracts, Diame is given only 3yr???why
icedog(Quote)
Good read Andy for me Rafa has been the best signing we have made in many yrs, yeah we have lost a few ( quality players) but I have always believed that an average player that always gives 100% is a lot better than a star player that only gives 100% in a hand full of games .
I 100% believe that we will win the championship and I have never been more sure or optimistic about the season ahead as I am about this season?
Big Dave(Quote)
Ice – probably coz Diame is already 29 and all the other signings have been mid twenties or younger.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Cheers folks, might be slightly out of date as I scheduled in yesterday i.e. the bit about Clark.
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
Ice I agree with Sharpy
Big Dave(Quote)
Some have said it’s because Diame is already nearly 29 ice mate. That would put him at 32 when his contract is up. That’s usually when the legs start to go.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
could be mate,we can always increase it if hes still good enough at 32
icedog(Quote)
Oops already been said. 😳
GeordieTwo(Quote)
your still going well at 80 😆 😆
icedog(Quote)
theres still another thread up,Diame at sjp?????whats ganning on
icedog(Quote)
Diame got 10 goals in 45 games last year in the Championship. That is about double his PL strike rate. Maybe Bruce played him in a different position or maybe The Championship IS a big dropoff in quality. I keep seeing people hedging saying The Championship is a tough nut to crack, don’t count your chickens and other metaphors to justify their sitting on the fence (another metaphor 🙂 ). That’s just being chicken, we will walk it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Rafa has spent the Wijnaldum/Townsend money really well, equipping the team with senior pros and experienced internationals. I look forward to seeing Sissoko in the starting line up on Friday ?. My moneys on a draw.
I also reckon well spread the goals through the team, and Mitro will finish top scorer with 20 goals, Perez also on 15..
Munich Mag(Quote)
ice I agree with Big Dave
Munich Mag(Quote)
There’s quite a lot of goals in this side Kimtoon mate. I think Mitro, Perez and Gayle will get at least 50 between them. Ritchie should be good for 10-12, Diame might get 8-10, and the rest of the midfield will probably get 10 or so. With a few goals from set pieces that would get us 75-80 goals. The defense is much better now so we should be able to keep it to around one a game against. That’s a +30 goal difference. We’ll be up near or at the top with that.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I’m quite optimistic but still greedy. I want more decent players in and all whingers in the squad oot! Yes I’m talking about you Moussa and you Thaujam!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Speaking on bbc radio just now Rafa says he wants two or three more signings,you happy now mate?
Icedog(Quote)
were going to make big bucks on Sissoko, but this whole Thauvin thing has me baffled. the bloke has been a failure everywhere hes been yet we still blagged 15 mill on the bloke. madness.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Yes that’s sounds excellent ice mate! And well said Munich. What a waste of money Thauvin’s been. Wildly overrated.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
He will be off by the week-end loan then 11mil so still losing money on hair brain Carrs buy
Icedog(Quote)
Some interesting stuff on Radio Newcastle. They said there were 7,000 going to Fulham. Squad numbers and captain to be announced tomorrow morning around 9.30 am. Also, they will give the number 9 shirt to someone in the current squad (my guess is Mitro because he wants it the most).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Mitrovic makes the most sense to get the No. 9. On paper, he’s an awful lot like Andy Carroll – a bit of a wild card, but big, bags of talent and a real chance to make a name for himself this year. Dropping down a level could be exactly what he needs, and then he can kick on in the PL next year with that experience under his belt.
I’m most interested to see if Sissoko keeps the No. 7 shirt.
Charlie Prince(Quote)
I agree with you mate ? . Also looking forward to the squad numbers and captain being announced
Big Dave(Quote)
When Newcastle announce Lascelles as the new Captain tomorrow, will they also name vice captain? Also naming the new #9, which leaves me with seeing if a new striker is actually on the agenda? Rafa has said Armstrong will likely get game time this month so that’s 4 forwards in the senior books.
Shamrock(Quote)
After all the **** over two years Proga says he’s staying at the club
Icedog(Quote)
WTF, you have to be joking, after all the mind numbing ***** we have heard and read, he’s staying put 🙄 dear oh dear oh dear
Kimtoon(Quote)
You would think Mourinho would have put his foot down and given an ultimatum by now. I can see us having our own mini-me Pogba situation with Sissoko.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Lascelles would be my Capt with either Colback or Ritchie as vice.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric youre missing someghing fundamental fom your argument mate. The mega stars like Pogba etc, no manager or coach can “put his foot down” with thiy type of player, they are ones that dictate the terms. I also reckon Mourinho will come unstuck at Man Utd, just wait and see, Peps total full speed posession football will eclipse Mourinho in Manchester, what he achieved in Bayern, and the football they played was immense… Mourinho has run his course, he’ll bottle it at Man Utd then disappear into the dust…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Lascelles for me as well unless Rafa sees somebody else like Hanley in that role. If so then Lascelles as vice.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
dear me, we have an absolutely massive first team squad. Is this all allowed ?!
I reckon Hanley will become club captain…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Martinez now manager of Belgium!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I’m a bit shocked. This could make him or break him. Sorry for the split post.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I agree mate.
Shamrock(Quote)
I see you’re all in shock as well! 😯
GeordieTwo(Quote)
So a lot of the stories now we have Clark & Diame is that we are looking for a forward & winger.
With Knockeart & McCormack looking unlikely for us now – who could we see possibly coming in?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Munich its not that much bigger yet 8 in but 7 out ,what it has is more quality and balance . For me i would love for Rafa too try and tempt Liverpool into a swap deal Sissy for Benteke .
Life is Black and White(Quote)
MM: Pep can make Man City the best team in the world but Mourinho still only has to play them twice a year. I wouldn’t be writing Jose off just yet with them having Ibra and I think Rooney will be lucky to last this season.
I doubt Citeh will eclipse Barca either while they have Messi, Neymar and Suarez together.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
LIB&W – I think I’d rather take £15-20m plus Danny Ings than Benteke personally mate.
I think Bentekes heads gone, and whilst he’s a good forward, im not sure about that side of his game.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I know it’s highly unlikely we can get him – but what about a cheeky bid on Saido Berahino? – £20m I’ve read Stoke are bidding.
I know the chances are he’ll want to stay in the PL – but come and play week in week out for Rafa? – worse thing he can say is no innit.
Same goes with that Januzaj – the scum have been quoted £10m. He probably sees himself at a higher level – but again PL wages playing week in week out for Rafa – worst he can say is not.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Januzaj would be a great signing, as unlikely as it is. If he were looking at us vs Sunderland then it’s a question of short term v long term because whilst they are in the PL this season, I’m certain we will be finishing higher than them every year for the foreseeable once this season is out the way.
Sharpy I’d be happy with Wings albeit he has had a bad time with injuries. I think Berahino is out of the question now tbh.
Walters would not be a bad buy for a year or two.
Shamrock(Quote)
What about Victor Moses as a winger? I reckon he’d do a good job in tye championship – and with regular footy this season, might help him in the PL next season.
Offer Chelsea Sissoko for Moses & Bamford & £10m
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sham – Walters is 32 now though mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Aye, we couldn’t go wrong with Jesus and Moses in the team 🙂
Kimtoon(Quote)
😆 😆 Kim I never made that connection, but you’re right, the good lord would certainly look kindly on us then ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Wow…Benteke? Berahino? Are you guys familiar with those players? They have huge heads and have wanted to move to bigger clubs rather than stick around and really prove themselves at Villa and West Brom. Do they really strike you as players who will get stuck in at Championship level and then be part of the PL Rafalution next season and beyond? They seem like players who are always looking at the next step up, rather than just knuckling down, doing a really good job where they are, and knowing the next step up will take care of itself in time.
Gayle, Mitrovic, Perez, SDJ and Arma as options up front. That’s pretty bloody good in this division. I can’t fault anything that the club (Rafa) has done so far this window though, so I’m 100% behind whatever he does.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
The problem with all of the player speculation is that it’s hugely going to be about them having the right mentality for this promotion push and to really fit in with the team that Rafa is building. Leicester proved that you don’t need a team of world class players to do well in the PL, but you do need a lot of hard work, exceptional team work and a few top class players to provide the spark. Really Leicester only had Kante, Mahrez and Vardy who were top class. The rest are just average or good players who overachieved due to Ranieri, brilliant team work and the confidence that success brings.
We need players who would do the same. Maybe Lascelles, Mitrovic or Perez turn out to be top class, maybe Sissoko can knuckle down under Benitez and be top class consistently. I love that we’re building a team now, not just buying individuals who have the potential for good sell-on value.
Our squad used to look good on paper, but we all saw the proof that the team was weak. I expect it will be the opposite for the next few seasons…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
how fifty faced can players be,Proga stood in front of the fans and said ime not leaving this great club,next minute theres talk that the deal is done with M/U at 109 mil wages of 247,000 a week,the agent gets 25 mil,something must be done the worlds gone crazy
icedog(Quote)
Pritchard to Norwich confirmed.
Shamrock(Quote)
Lascelles is captain
Big Dave(Quote)
McCormack to villa confirmed. Good signing to be fair.
Shamrock(Quote)
Jamaal has proven himself to be a leader and a big personality in the dressing room and on the pitch.
At the end of last season he really developed as a character and a man.
– Rafa Benitez
Shamrock(Quote)
@Lascelles16: It’s an unbelievable feeling for a manager like Rafa Benitez to give me the captain’s armband at a club like this.” #nufc
Shamrock(Quote)
“It is a lot of responsibility for a young player but I will always give my all because I want what is best for the team and the Club.
“It is such a proud moment for me and the biggest in my career so far.
“It is nice for someone to show that much trust in you, and I want to repay the manager’s faith by leading this team back into the Premier League.”
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham the young lad really has an old head on him, I expect good things from him.
Big Dave(Quote)
Great to see Lascelles as captain! I quite like a centre back as captain because they can see everything that goes on on the pitch. He must also have a tactical mind in terms of positioning of players relative to other players. And…it’s great that he’s just 22 and can talk with such passion about football and the club! Basically, he seems a bit like Steven Taylor with a football brain and (hopefully) without the injury problems.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Well done Lascelles, well deserved, if only for being the only player to front up and say it how it was last season.
Hope he has a blinder this year.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Thanvin gone, at last,good bye
icedog(Quote)
So Gayle has been handed the No 9 shirt, there is something about him that reminds me of Bellamy .
Big Dave(Quote)
Lascelles, Thauvin, Gayle…3 more decisions I can’t object to. Would have been great to see Thauvin succeed but I don’t think his heart is in it. Number 9 shirt is down to personality in my opinion. Cisse didn’t have it, but presumably Rafa believes that Gayle does. Good challenge for him. Now go and get 20 goals to prove you’re worthy!
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Lascelles would have been my captain too. He really came to the fore last season after the Southampton game and backed his words up with solid performances.
The squad looks like it’s full of people who actually want to be here and with something to prove.
Still think we’ll add another couple and Sissoko will obviously leave, I suppose it’s just a case of how much.
Stuart79(Quote)
Ice – whilst I agree, I can’t say I’m pleased it’s another loan deal like. If he doesn’t want to be here then sell the kid – Marsielle have the money and I’m not arsed if we took a hit on him.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Really pleased Lascelles is captain.
Really pleased for Gayle getting the no. 9 shirt – shows we are putting faith in him.
Really pleased Pritchard & McCormack have gone elsewhere – fees were too high IMO.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Are they holding off on giving Diame a shirt so that he can take Sissoko’s No. 7?
Charlie Prince(Quote)
me too mate
icedog(Quote)
we are taking a hit mate,final deal will be 11 mil
icedog(Quote)
Conte has said he wants to reduce his squad – I say if we want a winger & forward, then we should be taking Moses & Bamford or at least one of them.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Farewell Florian Thauvin, it was almost like you were never here ! We will always have Northamton.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That’s the only reason I can think of ?
Big Dave(Quote)
As a Newcastle supporter, it’s extremely odd to be more worried about getting rid of someone (Sissoko) than about who we’re bringing in. I think I’d honestly rather end the transfer window with our current squad minus Sissoko than to bring in another player or two and still have him in the locker room. I don’t care how much we get or where he goes, just get it done.
Charlie Prince(Quote)
they say we have brought 8 players in and shipped out 15 surely that must include kids in the 15??
icedog(Quote)