Brentford this weekend is the final match of Jonjo Shelvey’s five-match ban and the way the other four games have gone, his return can’t come soon enough.
Have we played well for ninety minutes in his absence? No, me neither. Definitely not Sheffield Wednesday or Blackburn Rovers when we were just the right side of lacklustre. Not quite awful but heading down that path.
The lack of guile and ingenuity from midfield was very evident. Without Shelvey’s influence, we were one-dimensional and not very good at that either. But if we’re truthful – and as football supporters, we are top-notch self-deceivers – this run hasn’t been just through his absence. We were out of sorts when he was in the side.
One defeat in fourteen became four in eight; the Championship proved to be a scorpion with a hefty sting in its tail. No matter what our expectations – and mine were genuinely higher than the play-offs – the season has broken them. We’re good enough to go up automatically on our good days but we’ve been decidedly average too often in recent weeks.
Losing your key player is a problem a lot of clubs struggle to overcome. You can’t fit two Shelvey’s in the team, and if you have a player equally as good, they sure as hell aren’t going to sit on the bench week in, week out, and be happy.
However, we could do with a Plan B. We’re a more than a bit predictable now and quite a few teams have worked out that if they sit deep, we lack the guile and wit to break them down. Plan B must be more than the usual meaning in football parlance which reduces it to slinging on another forward or defender.
Rather than that, we need a genuinely different way of playing. Rafa’s done well to get us into the top two – even if our expectations saw that as a minimum – with a huge churn of players in the summer.
It took a few weeks for it to gel, but this recent patchy form has been an eye-opener in certain respects.
There are two solutions for Plan B: new tactics or new players.
While we play and naturally smooth passing and moving game, there are a lot of variations to use without being overly sophisticated to the point where Rafa should be able to look at the bench and switch mid-game from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2 or vice versa. We do it by fitting a series of square pegs into round holes.
I welcome the talk of Tom Ince from Derby but dipping into the market is a double-edged sword for Rafa. He has an immediate problem to solve – getting back to promotion `form – but also looking at players who will improve the side so that we stay up next season rather than becoming a yo-yo club like ‘Boro or the Mackems.
We’re on the cusp at the moment; our season could go either way. Refocus, re-find our form or be dragged back into the chasing pack. It’s about this time of year where one team usually starts to open a gap at the time. For a long time, it looked like it would be us.
Now, we might be vulnerable because of predictability. Time for Plan B to emerge.
Colback you ****
kimtoon(Quote)
We don’t deserve it today but neither did Blackburn!
DJG(Quote)
Someone has given us a few “get out of jail free” cards today. Need to that ref a pint or two ?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
TFFT
kimtoon(Quote)
Relax ladies and gents 🙂
Stuart79(Quote)
Get the cheque book out fatty
kimtoon(Quote)
I know it did not look good, but I adore the fighting spirit. No matter what, we never give up, right?
funrafa(Quote)
Well a wins a win and I’ll take those 3 points all day long, especially with Brighton dropping points.
Concern with Hayden & Anita coming off injured – but maybe that might kick us up the **** in terms of transfers.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yeah too true. We are going to need that a lot this season and it’s a quality we’ve lacked in the PL.
Brentford will feel robbed today, but we were against Bburn so tough tittys
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sounds as though we had a lot of luck today. Makes a pleasant change. Listening to the commentary Colback was as usual giving stupid free kicks away and Lascelles and Yedlin weren’t too good either. Personally I prefer Anita at RB but that may be out of the question now. Still I’m happy to take the three points and that may settle a few nerves. I agree with Kim we must strengthen now and worry about the Premiership if and when we get there.
Groucho(Quote)
Hoots has two of his better players out injured today just shows what Injurys can do to your team,we might struggle with Injurys after today
Icedog(Quote)
Crisis over or still in the midst? 7 points clear with GD it’s 8.
Stuart79(Quote)
Ice – It just goes to show that every team has players missing at different times and they all suffer. We aren’t a special case. I would still back our squad over everyone else’s.
Stuart79(Quote)
5LIVE said gayle went off with hammy problem but other places say knee problem
kimtoon(Quote)
funrafa(Quote)
Gayle has a hamstring injury and Hayden has a groin injury. Could be a few days, a week or a couple of weeks I suppose.
Looking back on reflection, I suppose we through away a great chance to draw today! ??
Stuart79(Quote)
* Threw
Stuart79(Quote)
Rafa said it looks like Gayle will miss some games. Could cope on Saturday probably but will want him back for Brighton…
Stuart79(Quote)
Trust it to happen when Mitros out! Good job Murph is scoring.
DJG(Quote)
Transfer rumour of the century is we are interested in re signing Townsend. Apparently Palace don’t have the money that Sam wants and want to raise funds…
Stuart79(Quote)
yes there are a few reporting it,istill think will now go for wilson as well
icedog(Quote)
Townsend back would be perfect, and I see it is doable. And yes, go get Wilson as well because we have only one forward available now.
funrafa(Quote)
Been at work, glad to see we are back to winning ways. Concerning injury news. Hayden and Gayle would be big losses. Have we not sold Colback yet?
I’d take Townsend back if it were true. He was our best player at the end of the season. If he could get anywhere near that level again with is then we would be a lot more dynamic going forward.
Shamrock(Quote)
Come back Townsend, all is forgiven!!!.
Haven’t Palace just signed Shlupp from Leicester – which would could be Townsends replacement already in. Townsend hasn’t been getting regular football at Palace, and numerous games he’s started, he’s been brought off. He’s not feeling the love he felt at the toon, that’s for sure and I reckon he could be up for a return like.
I’d hoy Palace their £13m back but nee more than that.
If we could get Wilson and another midfielder – maybe Delph on loan with an option to buy … I reckon that would be a top notch Jan window.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Rafa hinting at a few weeks for Gayle 😥
Icedog(Quote)
20 goals in 22 games cannot be replaced in any transfer window Ime afraid
Icedog(Quote)
3 of our next 4 games are at home. Can we take advantage?
Stuart79(Quote)
Not so sure Stu, we’ve looked better away from home a lot of the time this season.
kimtoon(Quote)
We have, Kim. Although if we don’t beat Rotherham then it’s a bad do. QPR also aren’t much cop. But hopefully we will have had some luck in the market by then and Shelvey also back gives everyone a boost.
Stuart79(Quote)
If we are missing Gayle, Hayden and Anita it’s gonna be tough regardless whether it’s home or away – 3 of our better performers this season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – Yedlin for Anita is fine and Shelvey for Hayden is ok by me too. Gayle will be a miss obviously but if Mitro is back in a couple of weeks we might only miss Gayle for the Rotherham game.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – happy with Yedlin for Anita. Would have preferred Shelvey for Colback – but those pick themselves now I guess. Gayle will be a big miss – but Murphy is 2 for 2 now so pleased he’s scoring and playing with confidence.
I don’t think Rafa will have too many selection headaches for the next few games. Unless we have a busy transfer week of incomings.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Fat Sam loosing to his old club today would have hurt. He won’t want to loose his ‘save our club’ tag, and he will want players to do that – Townsend could be a quick sale to raise cash ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
Forest sack Montanier then.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – that club is in such a mess. I saw the consortium looking to buy the majority share has pulled out as well. They’ve lost their captain and manager in the same week.
Sharpy17(Quote)
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-chief-mike-ashley-reinstates-9624734
I really hope this is bullshit journalism and holds no truth, otherwise we could be looking at a new manager before long and a ***** next 5 years playing yo-yo again..
Shamrock(Quote)
And we thought things could change, more fool us. Well I suppose we’ll soon see this window and the next.
kimtoon(Quote)
I’d love it if he went down with the mackems. The problem that they’ve both got is that usually, by now, one club has done a ‘Villa’ and is totally gone at the bottom. But this year both Hull and Swansea have still got some life left in them and have brought in wildcard managers. In twelve months Allardyce will have gone from the pinnacle of his career and helping relegate us, to being an absolute loser and forgotten man.
DJG(Quote)
On the Mirror report; 1) I cannot believe even Jabba would be this stupid. Why rock the boat and risk not getting promoted? 2) I was under the impression that Rafa had it written into his contract that he was in charge of the transfer policy, so he doesn’t want to walk into yet another constructive dismissal case. 3) This would put an end to Ashley and NUFC as the fans would walk. 4) I actually think there may have been a meeting and some sort of transfer policy might have been discussed but I will be amazed if it’s as clear cut as Ashley telling Rafa he is going back to a policy that resulted in two relegations and the loss of millions and millions of pounds.
Stuart79(Quote)
It does worry me that it’s in the Mirror though, which we are told is one of the clubs “preferred media partners”. It is true that Ashley has attended the last two away matches.
DJG(Quote)
Stuart79
We’re talking about the same guy here that had a wad of £50 notes in his pocket for the TV search. 🙂
DJG(Quote)
Load of ****. Nowt more than mischief making.
Sharpy17(Quote)
To be fair, I wouldn’t actually mind if we didn’t spend much in this window. Although we could do with a CM player and to not add one would be a risk. We might have a rough few weeks whilst there are players in the African Cup and what looks to hopefully be short term injuries; but I think we are on course to finish in the top 2. Brighton, Huddersfield and Reading all lost this weekend and I don’t think two clubs will have enough to trump us. Although Leeds are going well atm. Norwich were going well after 15 games and look where they are now, they just lost at Rotherham! In the summer I think it’s a different story though, we need 7-8 premier league quality players just to have a chance of staying up.
DJG(Quote)
DJG – He’s a Billionaire. Why shouldn’t he have a wad of notes in his pocket? I imagine it’s pretty natural to him.
As for it being the Mirror – they reported at the start of the season we were selling Mitrovic.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart79
I’m not disputing that, but he himself admits that it was a PR disaster, when the press were about Sports Direct’s ‘Victorian working practices’. Plus why lie and say “I’ve just got back from the Casino”. Why not just say, “I’ve just been to the bank to withdraw some money, I’m off to the Casino with Owlheed and Pardew”.
DJG(Quote)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/11777127/Mike-Ashleys-preferred-media-partners-strategy-at-Newcastle-threatens-an-objective-and-independent-press.html
The Mirror are in a commercial arrangement with the club though, check out the official website, their logo is at the bottom. All I’m saying is, why would they risk losing exclusive access by making up rubbish? Unless Rafa has changed the media policy at the club along with most other things. Could we be seeing a backlash from the paper?
DJG(Quote)
Mark Douglas Verified account
@MsiDouglas
Ashley, Charnley & Keith Bishop at Griffin Park today.
kimtoon(Quote)
I find this suspicious because Rafa has only been in charge 6 months and who has he bought that we would not get our money back on? Sels, maybe and Gamez and Murphy because of their age. The rest I think we could recoup anything we spent because of how crazy this transfer market is.
More likely that Rafa was told/informed that we could not fish in the same pool as the top 6/8 if/when we return to the Premier League and that his scouting should reflect this fact. I think this is realistic as we all know we will not be looking at Pogba at 90 mil or Griezmann at 80 mil. Sounds to me that The Mirror are making sensationalism out of realism. Rafa worked under a tight budget at Valencia so I don’t think this is anything new.
The club will need a couple of years to get back on its feet, and who on here seriously thought that Ashley would put in 200 million of his own money? He even explicitly said he wouldn’t and that the club was, and should be, self sustaining.
When you have a look at some of the figures being bandied about it is no wonder we would look for a few younger and lesser known playesr. Have you seen what happens if some young player has a decent season at Benfica or Sporting Lisbon for example? They suddenly become 40 million pound targets.
I highly doubt we will be going back to the days of the French/Belgian recruitment policy of Carr and the Mondial Agency who fed him the targets. That was totally one dimensional but all of Carr’s buys were not busts and we probably made a profit on them after the sales of Gini and Sissoko.
I think what has proved to be a flawed policy is buying in the 18 and 19 year olds with so called promise. That hasn’t worked for us and hasn’t really worked so far with clubs with vaunted academies like Chelsea and Man City. ****, until Rashford Man U really haven’t had any star-quality academy graduates in more than 10 years. We are obviously at the level of recruitment, facilities and development and they haven’t even been able to make it work yet, although I expect to see some come through in the next few years.
I reckon this story is pretty much stating the obvious and is really a non-story.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
* NOT at their level of recruitment, facilities and development
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I can’t believe it. I thought everything discussed by Rafa and Ashley was put on paper and even went through lawyer. In the mean time, I don’t believe Mirror, as Newcastle’s PR partner, would make up something like this. OH MAN!
funrafa(Quote)
To back up what I just said about being REALISTIC about recruitment, have you seen the top of the Premier League? The usual suspects have resumed normal service. The only surprise is that Spurs are 2nd and Man U are 6th. Ashley is incredibly wealthy but not in the same league as these clubs owned by Sheikhs, Oligarchs and Hedge Funds.
They are pulling away based upon what they spend and this will not change unless a club has a magical season like Leicester. Ashley knows this, we know this. Rafa needs to catch lightning in a bottle and he must realise we cannot buy success so what exactly have The Mirror said?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Having said that, Rafa is capable of building a club like Sevilla or Valencia who can build momentum and maybe win something. A domestic Cup or the Europa League would not be out of the question. If Ashley doesn’t renege on his promises we could be a well run club with a system in place for when Rafa leaves. That would be a suitable legacy as we have no chance of winning the league or the Champions League. We may have been referred to as a sleeping giant but we were never Liverpool.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Deary me, comparing NUFC to any of the top 6 in the EPL, three of them at least who are run by multigazillionaires or oil rich gulf states etc. Talk about being delusional !
The best the toon can hope for is mid table in the Premier League, pushing perhaps to the edge of the top 6. However this will take 5 years at least, because the squad we have at the moment wouldnt get 20 points in the Premier league. We have max 6 players good enough for the Premier League, the rest are a waste of resources and money at NUFC.
I find that Ashley wanting us to sign young players with sell on value spot on, its a great idea. Why not ? We have tried it before and it fell flat somewhat, perhaps we chose the wrong kids, they didnt come through, whos fault was that ? I would class Sammy Ameobi, young Sterri, Armstrong, Mbabu all has having made it. They came through the academy and have all feature in the top 2 leagues of a massively competitive english footballing system. The players personally have been in their own minds a success, and make a living from football, and a good one at that, unfortunately they are going to be found not good enough for the Prem. Whos to blame ?
Throw in the crazy chinese money doing the rounds, the spending power of the majority of premier league clubs, and the fact that nufc are not a particularly attractive proposition for young and promising players, then you see the dilemna we are in.
Ashley will need to spend millions and millions just to tread water. The light will go on and he will sell up within the next 5 years. Hopefully by then we are no longer a yo yo club, because having 52K sell outs at home every week wont help if the quality on the pitch is poor…
Delusional Jawdee(Quote)
Eric Sykes, we are referred to as a sleeping giant by whom ? and based on what, 52K crowds at home and an absolutely pathetic record, we probably don’t even own a trophy cabinet ?.
this sleeping giant is just rubbish spouted by the local press to keep the momentum going in the hotbed of soccer the north east of england.
look no further than stuart79 comment about transfer rumour of the century regarding townsend. oh how the sleeping giants have fallen. sleeping giant who does its shopping at Argos, all fur coat and no knickers ??
Delusional Jawdee(Quote)
I think people are confusing the fanbase expectation on the buying policy. I don’t expect us to compete with the top 6 financially. It is ludicrous to do so. What I do expect though, is a balanced squad with the right blend of young potential and seasoned experienced professionals.
The issue with this policy for me is not how much more EU will be spent, but not having a squad fit for purpose full of inexperienced kids trying to learn their trade in an adults football pitch and no role models or wise heads to steady the ship and provide guidance.
Shamrock(Quote)
Jawdee: why don’t you reread what I wrote. I said it would be almost impossible to break into the top 6 because of the money they have!!!! I said that it was back to normal after last year when Leicester caught lightning in a bottle.
As for someone saying NUFC were a sleeping giant. Rafa Benitez said that.
The squad that has been assembled is to get us BACK to the premier league and not necessarily to play IN the premier league. I have no delusions about that and last time I looked we were top of The Championship and well on course to do so.
NUFC Points watch: on course for 97 if we continue at the same rate.
When we get promoted our best way back into Europe will be the Fair Play League if that still exists. To qualify we would have to get rid of Jack bloody Colback so that would be good.
Apart from Sammy who was just loaned out and is in the last chance saloon how many first team games have the academy players you mention played? I don’t class being loaned to Bolton and having a handful of games between them as having “made it”. Yeah I know they make more money than anybody on here but that is stupid football economics and not really a measure of having made it to the top of their profession, which would be 1st team football at the club they are signed to.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The argument that this NUFC team is not good enough for the premier league is just a waste of time. I don’t know how many times it has been said on here that the team has been assembled to get us out of the Championship. I think that it was surprising that we were able to keep Shelvey and attract 2 PL players in Gayle and Ritchie. But for the millionth time, I am under no illusions that this team is not good enough for the PL and that a major rebuild will again be required in the summer. We will then have PL status and money and will be able to attract better players. This seems a very simple concept to me but I keep hearing that this team as presently assembled is not good enough for the PL. I KNOW IT IS NOT.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It was seasons of penny pinching and neglecting to bolster an aging defence and address the forward position that got us relegated ( twice ) to start with. Why then would we go back to that system relying on young kids with potential. We are seeing now that bringing in a few experienced players in Gayle, Ritchie and Shelvey that you can get a coherent system in place and get rewards. We can also see how poor we are without them as witnessed today, thankfully Murphy rescued us and that again is down to the fact that he’s an experienced head. To return to only recruiting youngsters with promise would be foolhardy and would show that nothing has been learned which would be a disaster.
kimtoon(Quote)
lol some were saying a few posts ago they would start trusting Fatty again…
the bloke will only **** us off, given time. its in his nature to meddle and mess things up.
Going back to youth for sell on value hasnt exactly worked…how many brought us big money? Carroll?
Perez is the hottest prospect. how much is he worth to the team atm and in value…
Rafa will be pleased 😯
Gashley(Quote)
Yep, I did the article on the possibility of Chinese buyers and that it may be better sticking with the devil you know. I was coming from the angle that our way of doing things was changing under Rafa and that the light had gone on at last for Ashley. I don’t expect us to make huge signings as we obviously cannot compete with the top PL teams but I would like us to compete with the likes of Bournemouth, Everton, West Brom, Stoke, Saints and the like. If we return to signing kids then we won’t be lucky enough to get a cracker everytime and with no seasoned pros alongside we will fail yet again to sustain our PL status. It could of course be the Mirror mischief making, we all know how much the press like to see us fall flat on our face. You only have to look at the reporting of Brightons loss yesterday compared to if we lose to see that. But the worry is as has been said on here already, is that they are our preferred media partners and why would they bite the hand that feeds them?
kimtoon(Quote)
You would have to ask the question of why Jabba would even want to keep hold of the club if he’s going down the same route as the previous failed last years. Agree with Eric, I’m sure a slight change in policy has happened and I doubt it is as big and clear cut as Moxley is making out.
Stuart79(Quote)
no one said we would be “only” recruiting young spunkers, but its a good concept. what we lack are seasoned pros to take the pressure off them, always have done in fact.
chelsea, arsenal, liverpool, Boro, Sunderland, spurs, southampton etc all have kids coming throught the academies, who make it through to the first team, and who are also loaned to good level clubs to continue the development. our lot have seemed to stagnate, will Rafa solve this issue too, time will show.
would love Townsend back, loan him to the end of the season if possible.
Delusional Jawdee(Quote)
The Mirror do what all newspapers do – sensationalize. Media partners? What does that mean anyway?
It’s obvious this squad is not good enough to survive in the PL but there will be money to spend and a top manager to spend it. What I don’t want is any wasting of money bringing in more championship players like the links to Ince, Cairney et al.
georgio(Quote)
By the way, what is wrong with the club wanting to buy players who’s best years are ahead of them? If hats the policy I’m all for it. What I am not all for, is to buy players just to sell on in the future as we could never build a club or a team which has been proven over the past 8 years with two relegations
Stuart79(Quote)
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mike-ashley-demanded-change-strategy-12456944
DJG(Quote)
A pragmatic view on this is that the policy hasn’t really changed too much anyway. The club always ideally want to sign players with their best years ahead but with the odd exception. Murphy a good example of how it can work but most of Rafa’s other signings fit into the policy.
Spurs and Liverpool have the same policy and it’s working for them. The key is not buying these players as a stepping stone and for the reason only to sell them.
Stuart79(Quote)
W/Ham will love this storey,if true, Rafa will walk and a job waiting for him and a lot of fans will walk too,jabba just cannot help himself
icedog(Quote)
Ice it’s tragic mate. Jabba’s a fool. Carr signing’s are just **** these day’s. I seriously hope this is a bullshit story but it sounds like Jabba.
Terry(Quote)
its jabba to a tee mate
icedog(Quote)
exactly..to progress we need a mixture of young and experienced. points and profits..
Gashley(Quote)
ERIC is this any good for you or is it ****??
http://thefoxinsider.com/news/tfi_pages/us/us1_ftv_soc/?c=369&key=d2d9d78faf8adba303a0cf1d5c351463&t=e4c51b0cc47eaabbd3c746e2b4effd7d&creative=set1_ad2_text2
icedog(Quote)
I just knew everything was to good to be true. If Rafa walk’s and he will, he’ll have no trouble finding a new job. Pardew will be back and it will be like the old day’s. Carr is a terrible scout the club got relegated because of his signing’s.
Terry(Quote)
Told that Rafa Benitez will continue to work with those around him. Has long and short-term targets. Still plenty of talking going on. #nufc
From lee Ryder
Stuart79(Quote)
Have I missed something here – where’s all this talk about Rafa leaving coming from?
Sharpy17(Quote)
The ether Sharpy. It’s all bollocks on a slow news day after Ashley’s attended 2 whole games.
Better write something interesting after that!
georgio(Quote)