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.
BB – That is one of the reason why the players will need time to adjust. I could see it yesterday that players were standing off and not wanting to make the challenge because in the PL it would be a free kick but in this league as we saw yesterday they’re not free kicks. The players will need time to adjust to that.
As for Dummett, he just isn’t a left back and he really holds the team back when we’re attacking down the left. Galloway will help there.
Stuart79(Quote)
I was trying to set out a decent, experienced starting 11 yesterday and realized with a shock that we are still short of good players at several positions. I wonder what Rafa makes of it. It shows what a shoddy mess had been created over the last several seasons by Ashley, Charnley and Carr.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I still think we’ll get this turned around but the idea that every match was going to be a walkover is long gone now. For me the biggest problem currently is Sissoko. How do we get rid and get a decent return for him?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 – it will happen on the last day of the window.
we will be made a low ball offer, but we wont refuse.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I thought Troy lived in Cruddas Park, errr. I mean Riverside Dean. 🙂
DJG(Quote)
How do we keep Charnley and Carr on at this point? They created this mess and they’re still there collecting their wage packets. Embarrassing and infuriating. Get them out and let Rafa bring in some people he knows and trusts.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
It could well work out that way BB mate. An offer around 20M or even less? I think it could happen. The man is a total disaster for us though despite what Rafa keeps saying. He will never play well for us at this point. His whining makes Cabaye look good.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Gashley, once Stargate tip is full in a few years (although they are squashing every last mouldy sock in that they can), the next tip will be in Crawcrook/Prudhoe area. That’s the rumor. 😉
DJG(Quote)
If he can manage it I think Rafa will move out several but only if we’re covered with incoming. Rivi for example should go but we desperately need another striker in. I would like to see De Jong go as well but who is our number 10? Tiote is obviously eager to part but again do we have another real attack destroyer right now? We can limp along but we aren’t going to dominate anybody without 3 or 4 incoming. I’ve finally realized that. My head is a little thick at times but I can work it out eventually.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Rafa will be busy re-evaluating the squad now and he may be in shock as much as we are. Some will clearly improve but the quality isn’t what it should be overall. Mitro will add some spine to the attack and if we can’t get a decent AM in we had better hope De Jong can get fit and stay fit. The left side has been a mess so far but if we do get Galloway and he’s as good as people say that might be covered. Not sure where Perez and Aarons will fit in. Is Gamez going to play and will he be any good? Lots of huge question marks…..
GeordieTwo(Quote)
If Riviere isn’t injured then I can only think he and Gouffran are completely out of favour with the manager and it’s a signal/hint to the players, that he wants them moved on. If they can’t get a game at the moment, with no physical CF and are behind Armstrong from the bench then they never will.
DJG(Quote)
early days but QPR top after away win at Cardiff
icedog(Quote)
GeordieTwo
I think Gamez was signed, partly on the presumption that Janmaat was one of the want-away squad. I do think he’ll get games, as we are playing two games a week a lot of the time and there is no cover for Dummett at the moment either (aside from Clark). He’s being used as cover at the moment and that’s because I don’t think he will offer as much going forward as Janmaat.
DJG(Quote)
That could be it DJG mate. I thought Gamez was signed to start most matches and possibly Janmaat has caught them by surprise and doesn’t want to leave. Or they’re having trouble moving him on. I think most are dissatisfied with our entire left side. Dummett is never going to be a world beater and quick wingers are going to be able to take advantage of him. Not a starter at LB for me. The central midfield is still a mess as well. We’re in a pickle all over the place unless many of the players can settle in quickly. This is a gritty hard working division. Anyone who thinks they can just fall down and get an instant free kick is going to be in for a rude awakening.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
the players still think they are in the PL,you dont get the fouls in ccc that you get in the PL its a tough lge,the way Shelvey just wandered away from the guy who scored was unreal made no effort to try and close the guy down,Rafa needs to kick some butts
icedog(Quote)
DJG – that’s a problem at the moment I think – too many out of favour and need selling. It’s not just the Sissokos, Janmaats or Kruls that should bring in decent money – it’s also the likes of Riv, Goof & Saviet who’ll bring in very little but won’t get the wages elsewhere that they are getting here.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ice – I’m really pissed off with Shelveys attitude – it’s a complete disgrace IMO. He’s a lazy **** who needs a rocket up his **** never mind a kick – he’s workrate and disinterest is a joke. He can’t expect to sit there and let others do the running & tackling (all the dirty work) while he takes the champagne pass every time.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Spot on Sharpy. Time to shake that lad’s bell. He needs to be brought up short.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Spot on ice, I was only thinking last night that they look like a relegation threatened PL side at the moment. Quite simply a lot haven’t moved on mentally. The old confidence issues are still there coupled with the fact that they think the refs will blow for niggly fouls like in the PL. I would hope that they now realise things are a lot different in the championship, not least the standard of refs and pace . Every Championship team has their way of getting wins, whether it be a big guy up front, high pressing of the ball at pace or quality forwards. They have and are all adapting ways of getting wins. In many ways it makes this league much more entertaining since anyone can beat anyone . We can’t be sitting on the floor in disgust whilst play goes on cause the ref didn’t blow, that’s a sucker punch waiting to happen. We will face high lines that we can’t break down a lot of the time now that teams have seen the success it’s bought Fulham and Huddersfield . We will continue to flounder until we get a big guy for Gayle to play off and another winger and decent AMF who can bring the ball forward. Mitro can’t come back quick enough for me but then we have the problem of him not being match fit. 🙄 He has to learn to curb that temper of his or he is going to cost us badly.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Lets see what we look like with Mitro in the mix. And is Clark going to step into the lineup? We need size and power up front but somebody will have to be there to get the ball to Mitro. No hoofball please.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Spot on Kimtoon. This is a difficult division. Wake up lads.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Sharpy, Shelvey is a proper enigma mate, he has so much ability but his heads all over the place. If Rafa can get inside his head and sort him out with his application and attitude we’d have a proper player there. You just know it’s all there if he would apply himself better, strikes me he wants to be the main man but isn’t prepared to work for it.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Haha. Quite funny aboot my high class residential estate.
Winlaton is Whickham West I last heard. 😆
Gash
You are so jealous of Stargate. If you close your eyes you get the best of 3 worlds. The cry of the seagulls above the tip remind you of the seaside. Open your eyes and you’re in the beautiful scenic views of the Tyne valley. Breath in deeply and you could be in the slums of Calcutta. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
KIM yes Mito is not the quickest so it will take him a couple of weeks to get up to game fitness,Rafa knows what hes doing and he to will get up to how clubs in the ccc play ,to me it looks like hes set the team up to play PL games and so to do the players
icedog(Quote)
Have a great evening you lot.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Ice, I do think Rafa will turn it around, he’s a class coach, hopefully he’ll fix it quick enough for us to climb the table at least enough to play off positions.
Kimtoon(Quote)
GB, doing well for medals now, another two golds in the gym now 🙂
Kimtoon(Quote)
I feel a thrashing of Reading on Wednesday. Rafa will have the solutions. Mark my words or mock my warts. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
sorry but ive no time for it havent for a long time its drug infested,who has the best un-detected drug,no not fpr me,but if you enjoy it go for it mate
icedog(Quote)
Ice, I know what you mean about the drugs, you just hav e to hope ours are clean.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Looks like the stringent ******* testing is benefiting the British.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Let’s hope so Troy
Kimtoon(Quote)
Gold in Golf, Gold in Sailing just announced and Murray to play soon in final .
Kimtoon(Quote)
We started slow but flying now, let’s hope it’s the same for the Toon
Kimtoon(Quote)
arsenal fans their usual miserable selves 😀
Mark Mann-Bryans @MarkyMBryans · 3h3 hours ago
Plenty of jeers met the final whistle, as well as more than the odd “f**k off Wenger” shouts as #AFC fans trudge out of the Emirates
Kimtoon(Quote)
Would be nice to finish in the top four every season,what the hell more do they want plus the odd cup win,who the hell think they are ffs
Icedog(Quote)
I do understand the Arsenal fans in a way. Wenger really should spend some of the huge amount they have stashed but runners up last season and two FA cups in the last 3yrs. Not bad bearing in mind he hasn’t spent a fraction of other managers, several of which have lost their jobs cos they didn’t win anything and spent a fortune. Very astute is Mr Wenger.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Kim – yeah that’s why I’m getting pissed off by him, because I know it’s all there and it shouldn’t need anyone else to get into his head.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – I watched the golf, Rose showed great mental strength to hang on and see Stenson off.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, Didn’t see the golf, but watched the gymnastics and Cycling which is really entertaining.
Kimtoon(Quote)
5th Olympic gold for Jason Kenny, wow
Kimtoon(Quote)
2nd in the medal table, not bad for a small country
Kimtoon(Quote)
http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/2/844565506?-11058:809:0
Shelveys stats from yesterday. He didn’t win a single bloody tackle!!!. How is that even possible – surely if you are putting the graft in you win a couple of tackle. That’s annoyed me even more seeing that like!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – I’ll tell you why, because he did virtually nowt for 90 mins.
casually sauntering around, pointing to other players for his team mates to pass to.
Diame was exactly the same.
Honestly, neither wanted the ball. I was totally losing me rag at the pair of them.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
does anybody else realise there are 3 new posts up today from AMF ?
You can’t post on them, but they are there.
I really don’t understand this new blog sometimes.
I can’t even find them on the home page.
No reference to them in the active thread
seems like a lot of effort for nowt really.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Boots – disgraceful. Diame can get out of that habit as well. But if that’s the attitude then you can understand why Rafa opts for Colback – he may not be as talented but at least he puts a shift in and puts a tackle in. That maybe why he looks so poor as well to be fair to him – he’s doing the graft of 2 men.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Colback did naff all graft against Fulham. He managed one cross, zero successful tackles from only one effort, lost his only aerial duel, made no interceptions, one clearance, two blocks, zero take on’s, zero key passes and Only 9 passes forward. He was total *****.
Anita made more defensive contribution to the side than Colback despite being g played as an AM.
Shamrock(Quote)
Anita is all graft…….. but no end product unfortunately.
I really like his effort and commitment, but it alls worthless in the end.
His attitude is spot on tho.
But that’s it.
If only most of the others were prepared to work as hard.
Richie is well committed but he can’t do it all on his own.
But his colleagues are well happy to hang him out to dry.
Time for a few to grow up and face the music.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
We need a target man who’s prepared to graft up front – Hal Robson Kanu did that job for Wales in the Euros & is still without a club.
I don’t expect him to score 20 goals per season, but if he can do us a job on a free then why not?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim
It’s amazing how many ex champions from Germany, Russia and China now seem to be out of form. The drug testing has definitely worked.
The UFC (cage fighting) (not an Olympic sport obviously) has been affected the same way. Both men and women who were once considered invincible are now getting beat and their physiques have drastically diminished.
Absolute nothing but cheats and totally unfair on those who are genuine athletes.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
We are obviously finding it difficult attracting a forward. Rafa bought early and now we’re scratching our heads a bit to who we can get.
Might have something to do with the Sissoko saga. Funds needed?
Gashley(Quote)
Shelvey, Diame etc thats why they are not achieving owt, cos they are warm weather players. 12 mill for Shelvey, Swansea must be pinkling themselves… If these players were any good we wouldn’t be getting conned into buying them, they’d be a force at there clubs and irreplaceable..
Munich Mag(Quote)
Gashley, you might find that it is quite simply that we are in the Championship mate, and noone in thre right mknd would voluntarily leave the big spondoolicks and the chance to play in the EPL.
The only players we will pick up are other Champilnship players who have had thee heads turned, and cos the toon have loads of money will snatch our hands off for 10 mill for average players.
The club is knackered mate, and Rafa cannot fix it.
Look at how many big money signings we have who cant get near the match day squad, bleeding the club dry sitting on the bench contributing nowt. We should be bankrupted by now, Ashley has more money than sense..
Munich Mag(Quote)
Gash, is the sun shining on Kos bonny lad ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
I’m glad I only share 8% of your misery 😛
We will not walk it but once we get another forward we’ll be ok.
It’s going to be a very difficult season. There are some big teams wanting to scalp us.
The team is definately weaker than last year. Norwich etc have kept the core of their team.
Gashley(Quote)
I’m in Corfu mate. Aye it’s lovely and sunny. Off to Corfu town today in my shitheap punto I hired.should be fun ?
Gashley(Quote)
How much did shelvey cost us??? Neither a defensive mid or a decent attacking mid..should of cashed in and bought quality
Gashley(Quote)
Dead right Troy, makes you wonder how many medals decent athletes have been cheated out of over the years.It’s the sheer joy of winning because you have achieved something amazing unenhanced by drugs. How can the cheats enjoy the win when they know that without chemical help they wouldn’t get near a medal. For me, I couldn’t enjoy it, you would be looking over your shoulder always worried you could get caught. Thankfully there are sports where drugs won’t really make much if any difference, like shooting, golf, and archery .
Kimtoon(Quote)
Troy’s a hypocrite.
By the look of his Olympian physique he has obviously dabbled with serious ******** for numerous years… 😛
Gashley(Quote)
the majority of top athletes use haemmeroid cream and fluoride infested toothpaste.
How would they know that they were filled with performance enhancing drugs…
I blame the farma industry, and the doctors advising the poor souls…
Munich Mag(Quote)
This time last year Troy was springing out of the washing up basket like a linty from the bigg market on a friday night. Now he can’t even get in there due the width of his shoulders…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Width of his tits more like
Gashley(Quote)
Gash, only 8% , with the Corfu sun on napper ?
I’m still peeved that we let Pep loose on the EPL, and the mags have to put up with Fulham, Hudd and Burnley fans ripping it out of us.. how did we end up with a clueless gazillionaire, and a chief bottle washer who recruited a waster like Steve McCLaren (he’s a brilliant coach apparently).
Rafa has his hands full that’s for sure, but cos him and his family all love the toon, and Ashley has given him loads of money to play with, I’ll support him to the hilt. At the same time the bloke isn’t out on the pitch, surely he’s realised how woeful our squad is, and that his hands are tied cos no-one wants to come to the toon…apart from championship subs…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Put big bids in for Knockaert and Forestieri or remain as season strugglers .
Hayden, Anita, tiote, collback, shelvey, diame… 6 midfielders with no creativity…we should of addressed this but didn’t now clubs won’t depart with players
Gashley(Quote)
Rafa likes defensive midfielders. Maybe he needs to tweak his style
Gashley(Quote)
What position does forestierre play? He’s 5’7”. If he’s a striker then no thanks, we need a big lump. Robson Kanu would do. If he’s a LW then fine – if that’s hiss preferred position and he’s effective there?
Shamrock(Quote)
Shamrock, 5’7 is way too tall for the toon. Ashley has a bunch of M size home strips which he needs to get rid of.
Lilliput Mags, though it didn’t do Barca any harm, Messi, Iniesta, Villa all lightweight playrs, though they also had Piquet in there to chin the big lads when called upon. The toon had Williamson, and his protege Lascelles who got heading lessons from Sissoko and Staylor… ☺
Munich Mag(Quote)
Gash, don’t forget that Rafa is working at consolidating us as a top ten team ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
hes a play maker mate,and quite good at it they say
icedog(Quote)
Fair enough Ice. Just looking at the game stats and yet again it all points to a big striker required up front.
Shamrock(Quote)
we may have to hold out until Mitro is back but my worry is he wont be game fit so theres another couple of weeks gone,yes we need some big match fit guy in now
icedog(Quote)
Sham, he looked very lively when I watched him the other day. 15 goals last season I believe. But yes we need a big forward without doubt. Douglass says we have not bid for him anyway.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Jesus, you guys seen this this morning??
Dalian Atkinson tasered by police and died
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/emergency-services/2016/08/15/man-dies-after-being-tasered-by-police-in-telford/
Andy Magpie(Quote)
Nowt like a dose of pessimism on a monday morning. Lighten up guys it’s not as bad as you’re painting. Rafa will put it right.
Georgio(Quote)
Yeah, must of had a heart condition.
Kimtoon(Quote)