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.
Kim is right we are far too slow. Did Haydn make a forward pass today? In the first half Janmaat didn’t look interested. I thought Shelvey and Mbemba had good games as well as Richie when he came on.
Groucho(Quote)
OptaJoe Verified account
@OptaJoe
3:35 – Paddy McNair scored an own goal just 3 minutes & 35 seconds into his Sunderland debut. McNightmare.
😆
Kimtoon(Quote)
Icedog 94 was the last time mate, im building up to another blow out this year probably. The framed 5 pound note is still behind the bar.. 😎
Munich Mag(Quote)
Sham bonny lad, we obviously have a few players who don’t speak English !!
Thanks for helping the blog out again today mate…
Munich Mag(Quote)
kimtoon, great result for the makkems today, pity it went awry at the last minute.
The makkems are light years in front of us mate.. 😕
btw just checked out flights to bristol from minga …350 euros return, giveower man 👿 way out of order.
Looks like you’re going to get the biggest gate ever at Ashton Gate when the toon come to town, great stuff !! You must be a happy camper !
Munich Mag(Quote)
Just a thought but, where the **** is Tiote ? it’s like where’s wally
Kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon…great point, he is just what we need in the Championship. Maybe he’s left the planet for a while, there is something not quite kosha with Tiote like 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
Bristol City playing well at the moment 2 out of 2. Tell you what mate they have loaned a belter in Tammy Abraham from Chelsea , lad looks a class act and 2 goals in 2 now. I won’t be at the match sadly, was hoping my brother could get us a box through his brewery rep pals, but no go and Lew is home too next weekend too. His seizures are a bit awry at the mo so best not take him down there.
Kimtoon(Quote)
MM, reckon Tiote would make a difference in this league
Kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon, lets make no doubt about it, the toon are a group of players where the majority of the players seem to be passing the responsibility and expecting someone else to “make it happen”. Tiote on his day would do a brilliant minder job to let the rest play the good football… ffs we’re still paying his salary aren’t we ? That’s 2 senior pros, Sissoko and Tiote being paid loads of money to do …errr… nowt. I wish I had a job like that !!
Munich Mag(Quote)
Me too mate
Kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon, fingers crossed mate, hope you can get a ticket to see the game…must be possible though ? Good to see City doing well.. Bristol is a hotbed of football actually, with Rovers and City both good teams with a lot of pedigree…
Munich Mag(Quote)
It’s all a bit depressing really, feel a bit deflated. Perhaps we’re giving everyone a head start and we are really fantastic and will start playing in a few games time just to make I that bit more exciting. 😉
Kimtoon(Quote)
MM, used to go everywhere with City when younger, when I started work I had to do Saturdays so kinda stopped going plus I get fed up with the clubs lack of ambition and **** owners and players. Newcastle were my second fav team from late 70’s onwards but ended up liking them more. Still follow City but can’t quite get the love back somehow. Like being on good terms with an ex, you get on well but you wouldn’t wanna shag em like 😀
Kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon, tell it like it is bonny lass ! ?
I think we all have a really bumpy few months in front of us…think how it might have been if rafa had of knocked us back… 😯
Munich Mag(Quote)
Bookies still have us favourites to win the league. 😯
I could take the defeat against Fulham philosophically but getting beat at home today was very hard to take.
I’m normally astute and always spot on with my predictions and of anyone other than Rafa was in charge I woud say we were doomed.
Not likely Senor, Rafa delivers the goods like a Spanish waiter.
Keep the faith.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy, everything hangs on a good signing for up front and a decent playmaker whether that’s a amf player or a winger who knows. Still trust Rafa to right the wrongs though.
Kimtoon(Quote)
If those Insigne links are true we need to stop such nonsense and get on with signing players who will come to a Championship side in trouble.
Ritchie looked decent again today when he came on I thought, and it highlighted our need for better quality on the wings.
Rafa has to see that 4-2-3-1 just doesn’t work for us – it never has!!!.
Go back to 4-4-2 with proper wingers & 2 forwards – it’s not rocket science man.
Sharpy17(Quote)
“Rafa has to see that 4-2-3-1 just doesn’t work for us – it never has!!!.
Go back to 4-4-2 with proper wingers & 2 forwards – it’s not rocket science man.”
Been saying this for years Sharpy
like whistling in the wind.
But we also need players who want the ball, and I just didn’t see that today from most of our midfielders.
on their heels most of the time and always pointing to other players to pass to.
No one barring Richie wanted to take it on.
Right now I think we are in a bit of poo. Not a cat in hells chance this squad will get promotion playing this way. Rafa or no Rafa, we look all at sea and completely lost.
Gonna be a long old struggle of a season.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Kim
I get the fact you didn’t challenge me about me being astute in my predictions means that you agree. 😎
Gee thanks. 😆
Ive got to say again. For me, your most important signing at a football is your manager. He can make average players excel and achieve things way beyond expectations.
In Rafa I trust.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Boots – it’s like the midfielders just don’t want to score goals. I’ve not seen many other sides who’s midfield players are so reluctant to get into the box & support the CF.
Gayle had nowt again today – it was woeful to watch. Ritchie came on and showed a bit of urgency but we need the same on the other side too. I’m pleased Aarons is staying on, but he’s very young & inexperienced and we need more than that this season.
I’m sick and tired of this Sissoko **** now – sell him or play him, but stop him taking the limelight.
We have a small net spend thanks to the sale of players, so let’s shell out on a quality LW and CF and give ourselves half a chance.
But switch to a formation that gives us half a chance too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Betsy.
What a load of tosh.
Systems suit the players you have.!
Are you suggesting that because 4-2-3-1 hasn’t worked for us in the past it won’t ever work. ?
We’ve played two games. A brand new squad with many new recruit’s.
New season. Same old mistakes from you. 🙄
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I’m sure there is no need to be getting on the managers back already.
He is a proven quality manager and will get it right in the end.
But I think it is going to take longer than most thought.
Time we just don’t really have the luxury of, with so many games coming up.
Steep learning curve all round.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Troy – well those new recruits don’t make the 4-2-3-1 system work then.
Sharpy17(Quote)
dont be dim Tory Boy – 😳
All I’m saying is we have been trying this 4-2-3-1 for years now, and I have NEVER seen us make a decent fist of it.
Historically, at home anyways, we do better playing 2 strikers up top. Its simple yet effective and gets the fans on their feet.
Why its gone out of favour I do not know
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Sharpy
Maybe not in the past. Maybe not in the last two games.
Are you ruling it out? I’m not.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
no ones ruling it out, but by the time Rafa has it working like it needs to, ie winning matches, we will be so far behind we will be lucky to finish mid table.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Good to see you back Troy.
Shamrock(Quote)
Rafa needs to drop the 2 defensive midfielders and let one be more advanced.
Until we have another forward/outlet we will struggle playing this system.
Which players bought have improved our squad??
Gashley(Quote)
Troy – I’m not a fan of it mate. We haven’t recruited the players to make that formation work yet either.
Spurs play that formation very well, but they have Kane as the lone striker with the likes of Alli, Eriksen & Lamella behind him. They brought in solid CB and good holding midfielders and have 2 full backs who provide the width.
They have, and have bought players to fit that system – Everton did the same. But we haven’t. We don’t have that CF, our left side is still a big problem (if he wants to continue with 4-2-3-1) and I think (with respect) the players aren’t able to understand and stick to their role in that formation.
IMO 4-4-2 simplifies things and we have players that would fit that system better.
But whatever formation we go with, the left side needs urgent strengthening for me.
Sharpy17(Quote)
lets be honest, apart from a hiccup season when we had Cabaye, Cisse and Demba Ba all firing on all cylinders, we’ve been decidedly shiyt for the majority of the Ashley reign.
can’t see Rafa fixing this so easily.
I read a blog post somewhere yesterday that Rafa always manages to get the defensive side right, but when it comes to breaking down teams who sit back, then he struggles. time will show if there is any truth in this. sitting back and letting lower championship clubs dictate the tempo of the game, especially at sjp is most definitely not what I want to see.
good to see your back Troy
Munich Mag(Quote)
I hate the close season. I lose interest in the blog as it’s all speculation talk.
I like the cut and thrust of the season which gives me a chance to educate the uneducated on football matters.
YKWYA (You Know Who You Are) 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
looks like Lascelles was aaal ower the shop for both of the Hudd goals…last week too…
It just shows what a state we must be in when an average young lad who couldnt get anywhee near the squad, gets the nod ahead of seasoned pros like Shelvey, Anita etc etc… A distinct lack of leaders throughout the group.
Lascelles has stuck his neck out, aided and abetted by the Chronny bigging him up..
Can he walk the walk ? Good job it wasn’t Aguero, Giroud or some big makkem aal ower him yesterday…
In Rafa we trust…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Troy, the close season is ower mate, yesterday was the real deal….
things might be different in Swalwell though ☺☺
Munich Mag(Quote)
Munich – that’s lower Whickham now mate ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpster, if that puts another 10k on the house prices so be it matey ☺
In Troy we trust.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Munich – my mate moved into one of the new builds (that was built on Swalwell cricket club if you know it) and called it lower Whickham – jokingly like.
Another mate lives in Sunniside – or upper Whickham as its now know ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
I was born in the historic old town of Swalwell and now live in Ryton, a designated area of outstanding beauty, Ryton & Stargate ponds is twinned with Bowness & Windermere.
I feel privileged. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Sharpster, I’m from the other side of the tyne but worked 5 years in the Heed and in my sprogdom played cricket at Swalwell …. what a pity its gone…
Whickham’s quite nice from what I recall ? What do the houses cost there these days ?
Since Brexit and the collapse of the pooond I might pick up a couple of hooses on the cheap ??
In Rafa we trust
Munich Mag(Quote)
Troy Stavers alias the Laird of Swalwell. One of Gatesheads finest sons… ☺
Munich Mag(Quote)
Is Sissoko’s love nest on Elswick Road up for sale ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
Back to footy. It’s a worse feeling contemplating a failed first season in the championship than facing a relegation battle in the premier league.
Who suggested it was best that we went down last season. Step forward Stu. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
No doubt Stu will deny he ever suggested it. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy, neebody in there right mind would make a daft suggestion like that though surely ?
A cute one Ashley, got together with Rafa to work out a deal, 5000 extra season tickets sold to the unsuspecting hordes… we’ll be doon for 2 years at least, playing in front of 30,000 crowds with Rafa long gone.
You heard it here first
Munich Mag(Quote)
Didn’t manage to see any of yesterdays game, so please can anybody let me know if Aarons was subbed at HT because he was not up to his new 5 year contract, and was Diame any good?
Premandup(Quote)
I’m a Winlaton lad by origin but was educated in Ryton. A footy team I played for a long time ago had their home games on the pitch at Stargate ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy. You say you were educat ed? 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy – yeah but I did say in Ryton – it’s a bit of a double negative ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
How old are you?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
A young 37 ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
sharpy 17, isn’t Winlaton the up market area on the banks of the tyne ? somewhere where people from swalwell aspire to ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
It was when I lived there mate, it’s now know as the asylum on the hill. ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Prem , never saw it only had radio coverage but apparently commentators suggested he was losing possession quite a lot so maybe that’s why Rafa subbed him. Diame still finding his feet they said, had little impact. I have recorded football highlights on 5, will try to watch later. You can probably get it online on 5 on demand mate if you missed it.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Thanks Kim.
Premandup(Quote)
Cant be bothered to convert this into an article.
Here’s pt 1
Trying to sort out this mess of a team.
Working from the back forward. We have keepers, we have centrebacks, and we have Right Backs. At left back we have Dummett, OK defensively, not so hot going forward. At CDM we have Hayden and Tiote apparently. However, something is not working as 3 goals in two games is not acceptable. Buying a new LB in Brendan Galloway is not going to solve it, although his height might help.
Premandup(Quote)
yes Aarons was hauled off kept giving the ball away every time,Diame was very quiet,Anita is no winger,my worry was we didnt have one chance in the whole first half apart one in the 3rd min the defence needs a lot of work once again their mistakes cost us,all in all a very poor show
icedog(Quote)
It took Rafa four games last season to sort it out so maybe that’s what’ll happen this time. Mitro back (there’s a very simple reason Gayle couldn’t get into a Palace team desperate for goals) and a new winger/attacker, LB probably Galloway.
I wondered back in June if we really needed a new team and I’m still wondering. I’d welcome silly Sissoko back. Did we really need a new goalie? We had 5 new players yesterday and Anita way out of position. Could be xmas before that lot gel.
Georgio(Quote)
Pards got rid of Gayle cause he couldn’t lead the line, any Palace fan will tell you that. If we use Gayle then he needs a partner, he won’t work up front on his own.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Aarons giving the ball away all the time. The bloke is early 20’s, why is he still committing elementary mistakes ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
thats true but imo what makes it worse for him is the build up is oh so slow not something a guy with pace needs defenders have all the time in the world to cover him,quick build up is needed for a lone striker,needs someone to work off quickly
icedog(Quote)
Gayle is not a long striker. Anyone with a brain can see this.
He is a “fox in the box” type with pace.
I suspect Rafa is stuck with this until Mitro is back then we try them both together.
If not then I’m baffled.
funkyjesus(Quote)
funkyjesus
I’m struggling to see what Gayle will give us that Armstrong and Perez can’t. Maybe those two haven’t quite got the pedigree of Gayle’s championship experience but they are all capable of playing as a second striker and scoring goals. We would have done better to sign someone like Forestieri or McCormack in my opinion. They are not giants but they seem to have better all round centre forward play. The problem at the moment is that we have been used to being attacked and then having space to break with players like Perez (getting more time on the ball), Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Cisse etc. We are now playing against teams who will put 10 players behind the ball and play compact. This seems to have completely baffled them and they are just going from left to right and then running out of space. If we don’t sign another CF (which will be suicidal) then we are relying on Mitrovic and Diame to show for the ball with their back to goal and/or win flick ons that the likes of Gayle and Perez can run onto. But it will require good forward play and a plan to get little triangles working together. At the moment they are tying to lump it forward to 5’7” Gayle and he is never going to win enough takedowns.
DJG(Quote)
DJG absolutely.
Premandup(Quote)
Hence pt 2 the last
Working from the front back we have One big man up front, and he’s not available. It’s clear we need cover here, and fast. Idrissa Sylla or Luc Castaignos will do. We have three secondary strikers in Gayle, Armstrong and Perez, so we want to be playing at least one of them, and why we are looking at another in Forestieri I have no idea. Out wide we have Ritchie and Aarons who is so good that he was subbed at half time. We don’t have a playmaker, and in box to box midfielders, we have Diame and possibly Sissoko, do you want to count Colback and Shelvey? So how do we make a formation out of that.
1CF, 1SS, 1W, 1B2B, 1PM or do we double up and drop one, given the lack of a CF and Playmaker. Perhaps we just play Anita and hope for the best.
Premandup(Quote)
Don’t forget Diame is also away for up to 2 months from jan 2017
Kimtoon(Quote)
talk that toon have offered 12 mil for Shef/Wed striker but their chairman has said no even though the player refused to play for them,not a way to act imo but he wants to come to toon
icedog(Quote)
Another small striker, just what we need
Premandup(Quote)
Prem – these 2 performances have been so poor it’s now hard to tell what we need. Too many changes Rafa is my theory. How he thinks Anita can morph into a winger is beyond me.
Georgio(Quote)
Lol is that stargates cesspit that you can smell from prudhoe. Proper dump 😛
Gashley(Quote)
Don’t understand all the panic to be honest. Personally think we only need two additions to the team and we will be a very good side in this division. A good winger opposite Ritchie and we will have a lot of threat down both flanks and another strong striker, taller than 5ft to compliment Mitro and we will be very good.
Let’s wait until 1st Sept before we know what kind of squad we will have.
Stuart79(Quote)
i agree Stu Rafa knows whats needed lets hope he gets them,quickly
icedog(Quote)
I’m betting Sissoko stays and plays on the left leaving a striker needed and possibly a better LB than Dummy. Where they’re going to find a suitable striker willing to play in this league is anyone’s guess. Is Ings happy at Pool?
Georgio(Quote)
Tht Alberto should be banned from entering the box for Liverpool. Always giving pens away
Gashley(Quote)
Dummett was very poor yesterday. And I was very disappointed with how easily Mbemba was pushed off the ball just before their 2nd goal.
It’s a lot more physical in this league and the whole squad need to toughen up.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Liverpool score 4 away from home and their £25m attacking midfielder hasn’t scored one of them. Shock that!
Stuart79(Quote)