Welcome one and all to Newcastle United’s fist home game of the Championship season – and hopefully a first win of many. Things did not quite go to plan at Fulham last week and no doubt Rafa Benitez will be determined to get this side back on track.
History:
There have been 60 games played between these two sides in all competitions throughout the history of the game. Newcastle United have the edge in the head-to-head stakes, having won 25 compared to Huddersfield’s 20.
The Terriers have not met the Magpies in a league game for over 30 years, mainly because whilst the Yorkshire side have been treading water in the lower leagues, Newcastle have been knocking on the door of the top tier and at times challenging the very best the Country has to offer for top tier titles. That’s no slight on Huddersfield, I’m just trying to highlight what a big scalp Newcastle is for a Terrier’s side that already has 3 points on the board and will be extra motivated to pull off a shock win today. The Toon will have to be on ‘it’ from the very first kick of the ball.
The last time Huddersfield claimed a victory against United was over 50-years-go on 28th December 1963, a 3 Nil victory on that occasion. Back then the likes of Ice Dog were just coming up to retirement. Since then there have been 9 games in all competitions during which Newcastle have gone unbeaten. 10 has a better ring to it, no?
The last match between the two sides was a cracking game in the League Cup, during which The Magpies claimed a 4-3 victory in the 2nd round. During that game Huddersfield took the lead twice but Newcastle fought back and found a winner though Kevin Nolan in the 84th minute. The other goal scorers were Danny Guthrie, Geremi and Shola Ameobi for the Toon, whilst Robinson netted twice for the Terriers and Jordan Rhodes got in on the action too. On the day, the Yorkshire side had a great following inside the stadium in full voice. Their fans are just as passionate as Newcastle’s and despite St. James’ Park being a sell out today, I’m sure Huddersfield’s dedicate fan base will keen to make an impression in order to support their side.
Teams:
Newcastle United:
28 Sels, 22 Janmaat, 18 Mbemba, 6 Lascelles, 3 Dummett, 8 Anita, 14 Hayden, 12 Shelvey, 16 Aarons, 15 Diamé, 9 Gayle.
Substitutes: 2 Clark, 4 Colback, 11 Ritchie, 17 Pérez, 26 Darlow, 27 Gámez,32 Armstrong.
Huddersfield Town:
1 Ward, 2 Smith, 5 Hudson, 26 Schindler, 15 Löwe, 6 Hogg, 10 Mooy, 18 Lolley, 9 Kachunga, 17 van La Parra, 21 Wells.
Substitutes: 7 Scannell, 13 Coleman, 14 Cranie, 16 Payne, 27 Stankovic, 44 Hefele, 45 Palmer.
So after a lot of speculation, Moussa Sissoko is left out of the match day squad. I don’t think Benitez had a choice. There is a full house today and most fans are very displeased with the Frenchman’s ungrateful comments made about the club, most recently this week. If the fans had turned on him mid game, it could have affected the outcome of the game. A suprise is no Matt Ritchie in the side, who only makes the bench today. He was arguably our best player last week. Mo Diame makes his Toon debut and will hopefully add that thrust from the middle of the park that we lacked last week. Both Perez and Colback are dropped following poor performances last week, whilst Ciaran Clarke may make his debut from the bench. It also appears Mats Selz has nailed down the #1 shirt at the expense of Karl Darlow.
Lol my lass isn’t allowed to enjoy herself if I’m not. Tbh I’m not that surprised after watching the Fulham game…
Gashley(Quote)
Why are we persisting with ****king Anita in an attacking role? *****, *****, *****, well this is not going according to plan is it?
Gutted
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Munich, he’s still a Wednesday player mate. Derby bid for him but he’s still there. Sheff Wed fan, mate of mine reckons rumour he’s off to us.
Stuart79(Quote)
By the time Mitro goes searching for a new red card we could have lost 4….
Why were some thinking we’d walk it without seeing us play?? Just coz Rafa is the gaffa??
Total madness
Gashley(Quote)
I played radio newcastle over to my Dad in Corfu. Where bouts are you mate.
Can’t believe the formations and selections. If rumours are to be believed Rafa wants to sell Mitrovic!! He’s our saviour in my eyes.
Biffa(Quote)
Gash- from what I saw today Mitro will need to take a machete to someone to get sent off
Stuart79(Quote)
Exactly Stuart. Too many ppl getting hung up on Mitro’s hot headedness. We need a focal point to the team and he is the man. Gayle is not a number nine and should never have been given it however I think him or perez would work well combined with Mitro. We need to stop the fear and play two up top and let teams worry about us.
Biffa(Quote)
Sidari mate. Nice place
Gashley(Quote)
Think of what we would have been saying on the blog if this was McLarens, Pardews, or Carvers team. bet there would be a ton of non complementary comments towards them.
Lets be honest we have spent 45million and nothing has changed,take a poll on wherethe weakness are and we would all have named Dummett, Colback Anita within the top 5 and they are till there.
Hopefully Benitz will catch on soon, but his buys bring nothing to the table as I see it. and those left from last season are not even Championship class.
ash1001(Quote)
Stuart79, if he’s any good we need to get him in bonny lad…
It seems to me as if we are failing as a group. Relying on bit players like Anita, Dummet et al who were at the best squad players is ludicrous !! Maybe Rafa needs to take a good hard look at himself in the mirror and question what he is doing, I mean from Ronaldo to Rolando Aarons… is he trying the wrong tactics with the wrong team, or the right tactics with a poor team ? Poor plaers are at the end of the day…poor… Lascalles wouldn’t normally be anywhere near the team, now he’s captain ffs and giving it large, and the Chronny are lapping it up. I’m having none of it though, Gallowgate flags or no flags…
Man for the good old days when we had Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Sissoko, what a MASSIVE fall from grace !!!
Munich Mag(Quote)
Ash1001, we couldn’t give the players away who you mentioned. They wouldn’t make the squad of any of the Premier League clubs. Only we were daft enough to buy them, then we wonder why we’re shoyt !! Because the players are shoyt !
Munich Mag(Quote)
I think I’ll have a couple of pints then go on Youtube later and watch that angry Geordie bloke. It’ll be hilarious to see his HEEED explode after that crock !! 😆 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
Lascelles was not even a regular at Forest, but its all of the bunch that are ****, and its time some questions were asked of Benitz by someone. his signings are very poor, added to the dross that left we have nothing to offer.
ash1001(Quote)
Boro lost 2 by October. They lost 9 in total… let’s put things into perspective….
They scored loads and didnt concede many….
We’ve conceded 3 already and have lost our first two, by **** teams who boro beat, 2-0 at Fulham and 3-0 at home v Huddersfield…
Let’s face it, playoffs are way off…
Gashley(Quote)
Will Grigg scored again today – 12 in 12 for him at Wigan. We need something and we need to finally get rid of this 4-2-3-1 system coz we have NEVER got support to that lone forward!!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Everyone still feeling confident then? We’re absolute gash. Oh how much better things are in the Championship. **** sake.
Newkie(Quote)
? was Arrons bad enough to be taken off at HT, with Dummett and Anita playing the whole game.
ash1001(Quote)
Perspective required. Two games in with lots of new players and a totally different division.
Stuart79(Quote)
This is Benitz’s Team, up to now he has bought nothing but squad players, for which league I am not sure, and the Colbacks etc that were left from the PL, well least said the better.
Rafa I know its only 2 games but the ice is melting.
ash1001(Quote)
Need a left because Dummet isn’t one and we need one who can attack. Need a winger because Anita isn’t one and we need a focal striker because Gayle isn’t one. Still time to rectify it and we will.
Stuart79(Quote)
Sweet. We should be ready for next season in the championship if Rafa’s still here
Gashley(Quote)
As far as im concerned we need one good holding midfieder and from recent games this is the kid Isaac Hayden in front of the back four where Gamez should be used as a right back. Janmat is not a good defender so he should be deployed as a winger in front of Gamez. This then leaves us with room to play a second striker which would be an either/or between Gayle/Perez to partner the only player we have that plays with passion Mitrovic.
The system is at fault. If Benitez is as good as they say he should realise this however after playing utter ***** against fulham then playing the same system against Huddersfield I’m not sure what to make of Rafa.
Biffa(Quote)
If only Stu, he looked excellent the other day when I watched them
Kimtoon(Quote)
We are not fast enough, tenacious enough or smart enough from what I have seen and heard so far. We are utterly desperate for a commanding big front man of quality and someone to supply him with quality crosses. Already I don’t see Gayle as a number 9, he hasn’t the quality for it.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Does the shirt and expectation weigh heavy on them? You would think with 52,000 behind you they would fly, it’s truly baffling . Are Huddersfield that much better pound for pound, no, but they play with a quality forward in Wells and we don’t. Goals win this league and right now we don’t have any.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Kim thats part of the problem, we have not bought anyone who was doing it at the highest level, possibly the only exception been Ritchie, what have we got for 45 million, nothing it seems.
ash1001(Quote)
The Rafa bashing begins.
It would be funny if most of the morons who claim to be fans of this club weren’t so pathetically predictable.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Considering we are in profit this summer, we haven’t spent a penny.
The worst you can say is we’ve got nothing for nothing.
People always overlook the whole making more than spending bit and act like we’re Man City.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Just seen Gayles pen on SSN, absolutely dreadful , lucky with the rebound. If that’s our number 9’s quality Pards can have him back.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Well, two games in and I can sense some are questioning Rafa as a manager.
YCMIU. 🙄
The results are certainly worrying but two games in. Howay.
The man is a top manager and he deserves a longer crack of the whip before the haters do what they do best. Drive good managers out.
RIP SBR.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
It’s a bad loss. I admit it. Just had my heed bashed in on another blog trying to defend the club and get people to calm down. Might as well have a go on here as well. Anyone who wants Rafa out after 2 losses had better think about who still owns the club and what he might do. This is the time to stay calm and let the club settle and get to work improving. We have good experienced pros to come back into the side and we have Mitro as well. But if people start a Rafa Out campaign I think they’ll wish they hadn’t.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Funky, it’s not Rafa, it’s the players, too light weight, no self belief and too slow STILL.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Spot on Troy. I can’t believe some of the bollocks already being spouted.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Troy, you found your way out the laundry basket then I see. How did you enjoy the Euro’s by the way?
Kimtoon(Quote)
We will have to turn a corner quickly though cause the feelgood factor that we have will soon evaporate if we lose one or two more. I would think it highly unlikely we get promoted if we loose say 4 in a row.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Not a moron by any standard, a season ticket holder for over 50 years, so thin i have earned the right to be critical – we have spent $5 million, does not matter where it has come from, thats what we have spent on players, and are any of them an improvement, up to now it does not look that way.
ash1001(Quote)
Mark Douglas Verified account
@MsiDouglas
Understand Carlos Carvalhal has confirmed Foriesteri refused to travel with #swfc today. Could be a big move in the offing there!
Could be Villa, Derby or Toon apparently
Kimtoon(Quote)
Understand Huddersfield played a very high line today which Toon struggled with just like Fulham last week .
Kimtoon(Quote)
G2
Please tell me there really aren’t people on the other blog calling for Rafa’s head already. 😯
Kim
Euros? I built them up and they let me doon. What more can I say. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Why would anybody want Rafa out? Not sure if I’ve seen this yet?
We have to wonder why we’ve waited so long to bring in a forward who Rafa admits he needs?
We look toothless and vulnerable at the back
Gashley(Quote)
There are such people out there Troy mate. It’s ugly over there. It’s not just teeth gnashing it’s complete out and out lunacy. Saying we’re doomed, we’re not going to win at all under Rafa, he’s clueless and hopeless as a manager…. It goes on and on. I’ve rarely seen anything so pathetic.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Go on Ed’s blog and have a look Gashley mate. The vultures are already circling over Rafa’s head over there.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Luke Edwards @LukeEdwardsTele · 55m55 minutes ago
I’m on holiday. By the time I return I expect #nufc and Rafa Benitez to have done something to justify the hype. Cheerio
What an ****, it’s the bloody media and pundits who ramped up the hype and pressure.
Kimtoon(Quote)
At least you are man enough to admit you over egged the England omelette Troy 😉
Kimtoon(Quote)
I can’t believe myself and Troy are on the same team here but it is what it is, I guess.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Rafa will ignore all the bollocks and just put his head down and get to work with the lads. That’s the only sensible thing to do right now.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I’m hoping Munich isn’t right though. He keeps saying we’re too lightweight even for this division. He called for a loss or a draw today. Others saying similar things. I won’t be sure of anything until we’ve played around 10 matches. But I won’t be demanding Rafa’s heed even if we’re struggling by then.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I’m going to place a bet that Mitro will be our top scorer and score 25 goals minimum! With the amount of crosses we put in the box he will be a real asset to us.
Stuart79(Quote)
I’m off. Worn out already. If we ever lose another match it could be the end of the world as far as I can tell.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Luke Edwards is coming across as a bitter and twisted old hack. Shame as I think he is a good Journo too.
Stuart79(Quote)
No time for panic but this is a wake up call.
I was called out earlier in the summer for suggesting we may have our work cut out this season. I still think we will go up comfortably but we have to find that cutting edge and quick!
Andy Magpie(Quote)
Rafa has won everything there is to win. We know the problem is not him. We also know this is a new team in a new league, with different refereeing standards. The players need time to adjust. I’d say 2.5 months adjustment period. After that, we will fly.
Until at least February I think Anybody calling other fans out as clueless for expecting us go do well this season needs to shake their head and calm down. It’s early days yet, as disappointing as it has been so far. We bossed the 2nd half and got caught out by dodgy refereeing, a foul and nativity by our players expecting the ref to stop play for a foul like would have happened in the PL. They will learn to play to the whistle and will learn the pace is a lot faster in this league.
We will also bring in more quality yet.
Shamrock(Quote)
Also worth noting Derby have had a bad start and everyone fancied them too.
Bit early for the hyperbole. It’s like Brexit all over again!
Stuart79(Quote)
Correct, Sham. Could see today that most of our players weren’t very strong because in the Prem it would be a foul and clearly in this division it isn’t a foul. They can and will need to be strong. It will take a few games for sure.
Stuart79(Quote)
Not after Rafas head in any way, just very disappointed at the start we have made, and he needs to take a good hard look at the players at his disposal, there is unfortunately not a lot that gets one going in my opinion. Was expecting a lot better.
We need a LB, a tough skillful guy up front, also a midfielder who can find the pass forward, not a couple of journeyman footballers, we have enough of those already, with the most not good enough.
ash1001(Quote)
Teams that buy a lot of players and put them in the team at the same time generally struggle unless they are superstars and can play with anyone, but even top sides that do that can struggle as well.
Things aren’t going to plan but that’s where a top manager fathoms things out.
Keep the faith.
You can trust me. I said we woud get to the finals of the Euros or even win it. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
What was the attendance today? I’m abroad so haven’t heard.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Miles Starforth
@milesstarforth
Rafa Benitez bemoaned Newcastle’s ‘mistakes’ against Huddersfield. Felt the only ‘positve’ today was the fans. #nufc
Kimtoon(Quote)
Ross Gregory @rossgregory9 · 2h2 hours ago
Interesting quotes from Carlos Carvahal saying chairman has told him Forestieri WON’T be sold after striker refuses to play amid #NUFC link
Kimtoon(Quote)
I said last week that we will not start winning , or winning regularly , until Mitrovic and De Jong are playing together in the team.
If we can keep one on the pitch and one off the treatment table we will get a top ten finish but I doubt we will make the top six this season.
Playing one up front with a midfield of defensive minded players is only going to result in more embarrassing defeats .
sidekick(Quote)
I’m starting to wonder whether we have wasted our money on Sels as well from what I’ve seen. Can’t say I’m overly impressed & would question if he’s any better than what we already had.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Siem De Jong is wrote off as lightweight for the division yet Wes Hoolihan has ran it for Norwich for several years in their ups and downs.
We need to try De Jong.
funkyjesus(Quote)
De Jong , laugh, I almost got the beers in. The bloke belongs in the RVI for goodness sake. Deary me, comparing an absolutely fantastic player like Wes Hoolihan with our one paced sick note is absolutely ridiculous. De Jong will get ABSOLUTELY BATTERED in the Championship !
Munich Mag(Quote)
steady on there mate you got the beers in before 1994 i think ,bloody money bags
icedog(Quote)
There was no balance to the side and the attack was not good enough again. Anita playing as a winger? Aarons was bullied off the ball and never really got into the game. Diame was leggy and neither got forward enough to support Gayle, nor dropped back to receive the ball. Too many players hid and hoped that others would do the work. The defence looked good to begin with but to concede two goals at home was poor. I missed the first goal but the second was just a sucker punch on the break, perhaps Lascelles could have done better, he looks like he has a mistake in him at the moment. Mbemba was very good and I think we’ll do well to keep him for long in the championship. Again it wasn’t until the second half that Richie played in front of Janmaat. (This time from the bench). Why not start them down the right? It is our best outlet by a mile. Lesson not learned from Fulham. Gayle has been disappointing although the system doesn’t suit him. He ended up getting frustrated and fouling defenders. I know Rafa is a cautious and defensive manager, but why start so negatively at home against Huddersfield? The longer the first half went on it just gave them confidence.
I think we need another CF to challenge Mitro, a good winger, (Aarons is unreliable and Richie can’t do it all) and Galloway on loan to challenge Dummett. Dummett is a good, belt and braces LB who can put in a half decent cross if he gets space and time, but that is the limit of his attacking contribution. If we don’t get those three players and have Mitro back and playing well then I don’t even think we’ll finish in the top 6. Apart from Ritchie, I can’t say I’m thrilled with Rafas signings so far, some of them look bang average to be honest. Hayden played well in patches but none of them are an improvement on what we already had. It feels like they are playing with the hand-break on at the moment and no goals from open play is worrying.
DJG(Quote)
Agree my team today had Darlow in goal as don’t see Sels as a step up yet
Kimtoon(Quote)
Perez is used to getting the ball, taking a touch, fannying about, dropping to the fool and winning a free kick. That isn’t a foul in this league and the ref just plays on whilst he’s rolling on the floor, losing the ball. He’s done that a couple of times now and it shows the difference between the prem and this league, where it’s just an honest, gritty league with less fancy Dan players. ❗
DJG(Quote)
Why did they bring Gamez to the club if they’re not going to play him? What is the problem there. Is he injured or not bothering to get fit or what? Surely he should be in the side. I don’t understand playing lesser players….
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Go back to 4-4-2 Rafa. Keep it simple. Play the experienced players. Forget Aarons, Arma and Perez for now except late in matches. Use a side like
Darlow
Anita Mbemba Hanley Gamez
Colback Tiote Diame Ritchie
Gouffran
Gayle
It’s actually quite shocking to realize we’re still short of quality and experience at several positions. This was about all I could come up with until Mitro is back.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
There were over 52K at the match Troy mate.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2, I don’t see Colback or Hanley making any difference at all. It’s a big man up front and a better supply to him that’s needed. Though I would have Anita at RB over Janmaat.
Kimtoon(Quote)
If we’re already afraid of putting our senior experienced players out there, what are they doing at the club? I can make allowances for young’uns like Aarons and Perez having a difficult start in this division but the older players should be ashamed if they can’t get out there and produce.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
It just blows my mind that we haven’t tried Gamez Kimtoon mate. What did they bring him in for? He’s not getting any younger, he has to play now to have an impact. I don’t get it at all.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2, I put him in my team today, surprised he’s not got a game yet, fitness an issue maybe?
Kimtoon(Quote)
Does Gamez speak English? He probably needs an adjustment period too.
Shamrock(Quote)