Blackburn Preview: Could This Solve Two Dilemma’s At Once?

Rafa Benitez and his Newcastle United side travel to Blackburn Rovers today, with the hope and expectation of bringing back three points and maintaining their title hopes.

However, as Owen Coyle’s side proved last time that they met the Magpies, Blackburn will be no pushovers.

Newcastle will have to be on their game if they are to get anything from the game.

In the build up to this game, the debate about Jonjo Shelvey has died down a little bit, but no doubt waits to resurface as soon as the side has another negative result.

One argument that won’t go away though, is whether Jack Colback and Isaac Hayden compliment each other. Many fans think not, feeling that the side may need someone who can think forward more often, when in possession of the ball.

Someone who is good on the ball, is Vurnon Anita. Someone who has another fan favourite, in DeAndre Yedlin,  competing for his position.

So, why not kill two birds with one stone? Anita in midfield? Obviously the manager knows far better and works with them every day in training, but could it be food for thought?

229 thoughts on “Blackburn Preview: Could This Solve Two Dilemma’s At Once?

  1. Kim – I’m going off history in the Championship. Just because Sunderland managed to pull a few wins off last season has no baring on the history of the league were in. Yes, it means strange things happen, but they don’t happen that often. If you think Brighton and Reading will go on the rest of season winning game after game then fair play – they deserve to get promoted. It won’t happen though…

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  2. icedog: i agree mate,but is Rafa having nee luck in the market hence bringing Sammy back he kept getting dropped at Bolton because he wasnt up to it so hes going to be some help to us,not

    Early days m8. We don’t need many. I’d like to see another playmaker to keep the goals flowing and someone to compete with Diame. Rafa likes 1 up front. Someone in the Robbie keane \ Beardsley\ Bellamy mould would be ideal for rafas teams

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  3. Stu , no probably not but we won’t win loads either playing like today, all the possession in the world counts for nothing if you don’t score goals and get picked off with set plays. We have had a few games now where we ought to have won but didn’t.

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  4. Stuart79:
    Kim – I’m going off history in the Championship. Just because Sunderland managed to pull a few wins off last season has no baring on the history of the league were in.Yes, it means strange things happen, but they don’t happen that often. If you think Brighton and Reading will go on the rest of season winning game after game then fair play – they deserve to get promoted. It won’t happen though…

    Weren’t Derby flying under Super Mac a couple of seasons ago…they nose dived. Stats say well get promoted going off wins/points already by Christmas … but anything can happen. What would happen if Gayle broke a toe??

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  5. Gashley – What happens if Murray gets injured for Brighton? It’s, buts and maybes are pointless. Derby had no where near the same strength in depth as we had. No comparison.

    Kim – We’ve played like that all season! Today’s performance was no different to our wins against Bristol City, PNE, Rotherham or even QPR – we just happened to take more chances against them.

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  6. Stu, you asked the question where did people expect us to be at this stage. I will give you my answer. I expected with our squad and resources to be top with a fair gap from 3rd downwards. We got off to a terrible start but have picked up well since thanks in no small part to Gayle’s prolific form. But we have not been utterly convincing in any game apart from the qpr and brum ones . I don’t even blame Rafa, it’s a hard hard league this where any team can beat any team . You just can’t take anything for granted.

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  7. Stu, I thought we looked ok which is what worries me mate, it’s not like we were rank awful. We are not being clinical enough and prone to being hit with sucker punches . We can’t keep relying on Gayle either. Oh and what the heck has happened to Perez!!! so much promise gone in a puff of smoke.

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  8. Simple fix. Sell Mitro and Colback. Get in a decent striker, playmaker and winger. Job done for this season then look at upgrading the squad to PL standard in the summer. Our form has been irritating of late but I do believe we will be fine. It’s just frustrating watching us not perform as consistently as we should.

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  9. Oh and Perez can go too. He does not have a position. Would rather see him go and get somebody in who specialises in a certain position and is more effective as a result. 3 in, 3 out.

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  10. Kim – up until a couple of games ago we were 9 points clear of 3rd place – 10 with GD. So we’re not too far off your target.

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  11. Stu, yes we were, but not anymore and it could get worse instead of better but hopefully this is just a blip.

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  12. We’ve got Brentford (a), Rotherham (h), Brighton (a) and QPR (h) next in the league. I think we need to win three of those (and beat Brighton if we are having a crack at the title).
    After that it’s Derby, Wolves, Norwich & Villa. Then Huddersfield and Reading in March. That won’t be an easy ride! The last four games, Ipswich, PNE, Cardiff and Barnsley, we might be needing to win most of those to get 2nd at this rate!
    Shelvey is back for Rotherham, I hope we have another midfielder also and have sorted things out by the time we play Brighton. I think Rafa will stick with the same stubborn system and it will start working again once Shelvey is controlling the ball and picking out forward runners! I hope Gayle and Shelvey don’t get injured, I can see some tackles coming in from Brighton players if Hoots has sussed this out!

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  13. We’ve already won this division before so I don’t care to win it again. So long as we are top 2, that’s all that matters.

    Half the fan base would have a stroke if we had to go through play offs. Not mentally strong enough for that pressure when losing an away game causes these conniption fits.

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  14. I agree, Funky. The hyperbole from some is staggering. We’re doing ok – better than most teams who get promoted have done at this time of the season. For anyone who thought this league would be a stroll you need a long hard soak in a bath along with a bottle of Smirnoff!

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  15. Today was hard to take but we’ll definitely still get promoted. It just shows what a huge loss Shelvey is. If we got cleverly in somehow, all our problems would melt away this season.

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  16. I hate to be that irritating ”told you so” guy but I must admit I had my reservations at the start of the season. Having said that, 5 weeks ago I pretty much said ‘I was wrong, we will walk this league by the looks of it.’

    Stuart79:
    I agree, Funky. The hyperbole from some is staggering. We’re doing ok – better than most teams who get promoted have done at this time of the season.For anyone who thought this league would be a stroll you need a long hard soak in a bath along with a bottle of Smirnoff!

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  17. I have no problem at all admitting that I was one of those that said we should be walking this league – and I stand by that – we SHOULD be walking this league.
    With the resources and players we have at our disposal, with the manager & coaching staff we have, I wholeheartedly believe we have more than enough to be walking this.
    Delusional? – well let’s put it this way, I doubt Rafa would have stayed on if he didn’t think similar. Along with the vast majority of the footballing world.

    Maybe this is more a case of not accepting mediocrity.

    I’m not and have never pressed the panic button. I get that we are still 2nd and things still look promising. I get that there is still every likelihood we will get promoted.
    But I want to win it, and I don’t shrug my shoulders when beaten for the 2nd time this season by a team in the bottom 3 – and I bloody hope Rafa & the players don’t either by the way.

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  18. I think we’ll walk promotion (ish) but not the title (not that it matters). It’s odd how well Brighton are doing – I spoke to a Brighton fan at a party a few weeks back and he was adamant they didn’t have the quality in their side to sustain a title challenge for the whole season. When you compare like-for-like players like knockhart (I can never spell his bloody name) to Gayle, it’s puzzling why we’re not a few points ahead.

    Stuart79:
    We still might walk it, Andy. We’re only half way through…

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  19. I said at the start of the season we need to win 2 out of 3. Even in the time of a blip that’s exactly what we’ve done, win 4 out of 6. Brighton and reading have been doing really well but they’ll dip at some point just like us after 9 wins on the trot. In 2010 Forest went 21 unbeaten and looked like going up ahead of us at one point.
    We do have problems. One is called Colback but Gouffrans done nothing at all lately and neither has Ritchie. Every left back in England now knows how to play him. He’s useless if he can’t cut back onto his left. With 3 players playing poorly you won’t win games.
    I’m with Stuart – we’re doing fine.

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  20. I think everyone is with Stu in saying we’re doing fine.

    I’m simply saying I want & expect us to be doing better than fine.

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  21. Lots of media reports linking us with the Cleverley move – I think that one may be more than just a rumour. Fingers crossed that one comes off, coz I think he could be a good addition for us.

    I’d be happy with either Ben Hogan or Callum Wilson – as the 2 forwards we have been linked with.

    But I think we also need to improve on Gouffran as a priority too. With Atsu heading off to the ACONs, we have very little – unless Sammy has just been fooling everyone & he’s coming back mint.

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  22. georgio:
    Not when you read some of the early comments on here Sharpy. ?

    Georgio – my comments will be in there mate, but just coz I think we will be fine doesn’t mean I can’t or shouldn’t be critical.

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  23. Sammy- tried and found wanting. Not consistent enough. Would rather see Roberts given a try to see if he can make the step up. Am I right in remembering Sammy did no good at the Smoggies? Not a bad player though but not good enough for us.

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  24. If anyone is coming back from loan I’d rather see Armstrong back.
    Perez isn’t doing it for me and I wouldn’t mind seeing Armstrong getting a chance personally.

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  25. Would love that Sharpy but can’t see it happening.
    Agree about Armstrong. Surely he deserves a chance instead of someone like Murphy.
    Cal Roberts too. The lad has 6 assists and 2 goals in his last 4 games. Will be better than Gouff or Sammy.

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  26. georgio:
    Would love that Sharpy but can’t see it happening.
    Agree about Armstrong. Surely he deserves a chance instead of someone like Murphy.
    Cal Roberts too. The lad has 6 assists and 2 goals in his last 4 games. Will be better than Gouff or Sammy.

    Georgio – it depends on which Benny we’d be getting for me to be honest mate.

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  27. georgio:
    A half fit, half motivated Benny would be better than Gouff or Ritchie ?

    I like and rate Ritchie personally mate. Think too much is being expected of him coz Gouffran, Diame & Perez are offering sod all.

    I think Benny would have had a field day in the first half yesterday.
    He’d be perfect for games like that where defending isn’t as urgent and we need someone to open up a defensive team.
    Not sure I’d want him in the PL like so a 6mth loan would be it for me.

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  28. I would bring Ben Arfa back on loan for 6 month’s. I would also loan Cleverly to keep Colback out the team.

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  29. Are we even looking in the free transfer window for next season ?
    We shouldn’t be standing still in this window.

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  30. Vuckic is a weird one. Logic would say he has had chances and never made it but he is still only 24 of 25, right?

    We’ve got guys like Jamie Vardy “arriving” at 28 years old so we really should see if Vuckic is worth it. If Rafa’s medical team can work on his injury issues, we might possibly have a player yet.

    We have to try.

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  31. I think Rafa is getting them back in case we struggle to get players in this month and we are left short coz of Atsu & Diame – if you think, Sammy & Vukic are those positions.

    If he gets who he wants, them they will likely be sent off again.

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  32. Sharpy or it could be Ashley telling Lee to inform Rafa that there’s no money to spend this january. The Thauvin and Sissoko money will cover the cost of relegation. We still owe Fatty 129 million it’s probably more now. It doesn’t matter that he’ll get his money back when he sells the club or the free advertising that the 45% of share holders don’t pay for.

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  33. Take over?

    Don’t be silly!! Put your trust in fatty..
    Vuckic, Sammy etc is exactly what Rafa needs now..?

    I don’t even like cleverly.. is he really a target?

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  34. Gashley I don’t know about Cleverly just paper talk. The Mike Ashley fan’s quickly disappear on this blog so I applaud you. T.D.S and I Love Mike Ashley looked like fool’s for believing in him.

    Best of luck to you thou 🙂

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  35. i see Cabaye was fighting with fans last night from kick off and after game,get him back on loan i say,he still loves the toon

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  36. icedog:
    i see Cabaye was fighting with fans last night from kick off and after game,get him back on loan i say,he still loves the toon

    yep I would like him back too, a fit and motivated Benny is defo worth having

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  37. I noticed that Roberts didn’t turn out for the reserves today. Might that mean he may get a place on the bench on Saturday or does it mean that he is going on loan to Kilmarnock and Lee Clarke? On the other hand Longstaff played today and he was also wanted by Clarke.

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  38. Groucho:
    I noticed that Roberts didn’t turn out for the reserves today. Might that mean he may get a place on the bench on Saturday or does it mean that he is going on loan to Kilmarnock and Lee Clarke?On the other hand Longstaff played today and he was also wanted by Clarke.

    i would give young Herdman a chance in two under 23 games hes scored two hatricks in a week

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  39. well lost the mother-in law today to cancer,mind the old girl would have been 90 in march,r.i.p. pains gone for you

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  40. Stem:
    Gashley I don’t know about Cleverly just paper talk.The Mike Ashley fan’s quickly disappear on this blog so I applaud you.T.D.S and I Love Mike Ashley looked like fool’s for believing in him.

    Best of luck to you thou

    I hope we dont get Cleverly. We have enough “average” players on the books.

    If we do get to the Prem we’ll have to spend a canny bit to change our squad. We’ve sold all of our profitable players when we got relegated.
    Will Mike sanction the money needed to keep us in the Prem and Rafa at the toon?

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  41. icedog:
    well lost the mother-in law today to cancer,mind the old girl would have been 90 in march,r.i.p. pains gone for you

    Sorry to hear that Ice. Condolences to your family.

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  42. Big spending usually isn’t on for Ashley Gashley mate. I think he will sanction enough to keep us up (in his mind). It probably won’t satisfy Rafa for long. If Rafa keeps us up he’ll probably be off after the 3 year contract expires. Can’t see Ashley being ambitious enough to keep him long term but I hope to be proven wrong.

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  43. icedog:
    well lost the mother-in law today to cancer,mind the old girl would have been 90 in march,r.i.p. pains gone for you

    sympathies to you and your family ice, send my best wishes to your wife, losing your mum is awful .

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  44. icedog:
    well lost the mother-in law today to cancer,mind the old girl would have been 90 in march,r.i.p. pains gone for you

    Ice – sorry to here that mate. Good innings but cancer can be brutal. Remember her when she was well mate coz she’s at peace now.

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  45. Cheers bud

    Sharpy17: Ice – sorry to here that mate.Good innings but cancer can be brutal.Remember her when she was well mate coz she’s at peace now.

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  46. icedog:
    well lost the mother-in law today to cancer,mind the old girl would have been 90 in march,r.i.p. pains gone for you

    Condolences ice m8.

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  47. Gashley Iagree mate. We do need to spend a canny bit of money but if history has taught me anything Ashley will alway’s like to go for the cheapest alternative’s. Hiring Rafa is the best thing his ever done.

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  48. Saw this in the mirror yesterday.
    Previous Championship champions and losses and points total

    2016 Burnley ( 5 defeats ) 93 points
    2015 Bournemouth (8 defeats) 90 points
    2014 Leicester (6 defeats ) 102 points
    2013 Cardiff ( 9 defeats ) 87 points
    2012 Reading (11 defeats ) 89 points

    Defeats seem to be in single figures in the main, with us being on 7 already with half the season gone we need to start turning potential losses into a draw at least. Even Reading who had 11 defeats still got 89 points, 2 more than Cardiff who only suffered 9 defeats .

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  49. If we don’t buy in Jan or only get loan players – is that Ashley not backing Rafa or is it Rafa not panic buying, or not bringing in players he doesn’t want?! – just a thought.

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  50. Sharpy17:
    If we don’t buy in Jan or only get loan players – is that Ashley not backing Rafa or is it Rafa not panic buying, or not bringing in players he doesn’t want?! – just a thought.

    imo mate Rafa has the say on to buy or not to buy,but i think he wants to keep a large slice of the cash for the summer its now down to his judgement if they can get up to the PL with just a little tinkering,i say this as some of the the players have been saying he does not want just to stay in the PL he wants to have a real go at it thats what he told them to sell the club to them,he will not be happy to sit mid-table,if true we have good times to look forward to

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  51. Sharpy17:
    If we don’t buy in Jan or only get loan players – is that Ashley not backing Rafa or is it Rafa not panic buying, or not bringing in players he doesn’t want?! – just a thought.

    no – not at all. What decent player (prem ready) would drop down a division for the sake of 5 months? we might not get promoted

    Safest bet is loans and its risk free for the players too

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  52. Kimtoon:
    Saw this in the mirror yesterday.
    Previous Championship champions and losses and points total

    2016 Burnley( 5 defeats ) 93 points
    2015 Bournemouth (8 defeats)90 points
    2014 Leicester (6 defeats )102 points
    2013 Cardiff ( 9 defeats ) 87points
    2012 Reading(11 defeats )89 points

    Defeats seem to be in single figures in the main, with us being on 7 already with half the season gone we need to start turning potential losses into a draw at least. Even Reading who had 11 defeats still got 89 points, 2 more than Cardiff who only suffered 9 defeats .

    how many did they draw tho? going off our win ratio, we’ll end up with around 99 pts

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