Newcastle’s eagerly anticipated return to the Premier League was met with a slightly sobering defeat to Spurs, however there were some positives to take – three being the promising performances of Christian Atsu, Isaac Hayden and Mikel Merino.
Christian Atsu
The Ghanaian divided opinion in the Championship last season, leaving many to wonder whether he would be capable of making the Premier League step.
He has looked full of confidence throughout pre-season and has took that form into the new season if his display on Sunday was anything to go by.
Given our defensive set up, he often had little support but carried the ball well, took on his man on several occasions and was without doubt our most threatening outlet all afternoon. He also looked in very fit and kept running right until the end as we looked to cope with just 10 men.
Isaac Hayden
It was Hayden’s Premier League debut and given the imposing midfield duo of Dier and Dembele that he was up against, I thought he coped very well and helped unsettle their attacks.
He got stuck in, retrieved possession on several occasions and looked fairly assured, giving little time for the majestic Moussa Dembele to make things happen.
A promising display from the former Arsenal man, especially given Jonjo Shelvey did very little to help him out.
Mikel Merino
The Spaniard only came on for the final 15 minutes but certainly added something to the side despite his brief cameo.
He looked well balanced, moved the ball quickly and pulled off some slick passes – making more successful passes in 15 minutes than Shelvey managed in his 60 minutes prior to his dismissal.
It’s hard to juddge him properly – at this point Spurs were 2-0 up and crusiing – but he certainly gave us something and his quality on the ball was there for all to see.
Stu – Clucas isn’t worth half that in reality though mate. Personally I think Snodgrass is a better option at £10m – he certainly contributed more at Hull than Clucas ever did. He’s only cost £16m coz Swansea have just got £45m and they’ve panick bought.
It looks like they could possibly buy Bony with that money too – which could be great for us.
If they buy Bony, they will likely sell Llorente to Chelsea – that could well see Batshuyi become available on loan.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Quite a theory that Sharpy. Won’t happen with Michy still starting games for Chelsea. We’d still need a playmaker and a DM.
georgio(Quote)
He’s not mate, he was on the bench yesterday with Morata starting. They still need to resolve the Costa situation – whereby they either keep him or replace him with someone other superstar forward. They would also have Llorente – so Morata, Costa (or replacement) and Llorente wouldn’t really give them much room for Batshuyi.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Now £15m for Chris Wood is a good buy IMO. Burnley have done good business there – £18.5m for Andre Gray in his last year of his contract.
They used that money to get Wood for £15m – a very similar style forward, and £3m on John Walters – who despite his age is a real grafter and will return that fee and then some.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, Can anyone say a striker who has never once played in the PL is worth £15m like Wood? Or Is Jacob Murphy worth £12m? Is Maguire worth £17m? The fact is that they’re all worth what a club will pay for them. The money involved in the game now means average players are attracting fees like £15m. It’s all relative. The fact we don’t seem to have the wherewithal or the inclination to keep up is the big problem, not the actual prices. We’ve been shopping in 2012 for 5 years now.
Stuart79(Quote)
I knew we were knackered when Diame was one of the subs. If he was the answer then I wonder what Rafa’s question was? A championship level squad, with some admittedly very good championship players (Ritchie, Shelvey, Gayle) who look nervous in the PL and just don’t seem to be able to replicate the same performances. We might want to hold onto them for next season though. Like Barton said, they look like they’re trying to defend their way to a draw. That would only give us 38 points and it has failed as a tactic in the first two games anyway. I could understand it against Spurs but we needed more attacking impetus yesterday. A half fit Gayle playing up front alone just gets bullied out of the game and plays right into the hands of the opposition. It’s going to be a long season.
DJG(Quote)
DJG – Rafa has never really been an attacking manager. He’s pragmatic by nature. It’s going to be more defensive this season because we just don’t have the quality. We look so poor in the final third that attacking teams is going to leave us wide open at the back and against teams of better quality they’ll pick us off. Depressing really.
Stuart79(Quote)
Brighton make another signing I see
kimtoon(Quote)
I read that we can only get 1 loan player from any 1 premiership team. If we are going to loan Kenedy from Chelsea then loan for Batshuayi will not be possible. (Or vice versa). I don’t know if this is true or not, but I’d much rather have Batshuayi.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Andy’s article said we made a bid of £13million bid for Praet. Where do we have that kind of money? I hope it is true though.
funrafa(Quote)
So Brighton spending another £12m. I wouldn’t be surprised if at the end of this window. We’ve spent the least of all the promoted clubs and possible in all of the league.
Stuart79(Quote)
13 million euros I think mate, but it’s just a rumour I thought.
kimtoon(Quote)
Thanks Kim. 🙁
funrafa(Quote)
I’m not at all surprised about our first two defeats tbh. Elliot distribution has been poor and I would give Darlow a chance. Gayle and Perez our defiantly not playing well and the team set up to defend for 90 min’s and get lucky on the counter isn’t working. I agree with Kim we should go 4 4 2 or 3 5 2.
Stem(Quote)
is Rafa downbeat mood rubbing off on the players Jamie C is saying so he should know he played for him for six yrs
icedog(Quote)
Dubai – that could be the reason Kenedy hasn’t been brought in yet. There could be an agreement that if they sort they forwards out we will take Batshuyi – but if not and they need to keep him, we will take Kenedy instead.
Out of interest, does anyone know how many players we can actually loan?
We obviously have Merino already, there is also talk of one of the Chelsea boys, Whilshire has also been mentioned – just got me thinking what the maximum would be?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
That’s still around £12.5m though. Unless they have struck an instalment deal – a fiver a week or something like that maybe.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ice – Jamie C can boil his head. That’s what I suggested this morning when talking to Aussie.
That scouse ***** clearly reads this blog ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stem – I would love to see us go back to 4-3-3 or try a 4-3-1-2 system. But the best footy we’ve played in a long time was the 4-3-3 under Pardew.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ime sorry mate but I would not go against what Rafa plays he is one of the best managers on the circuit has won most things and he knows the players we laymen could not hope to pick a better way of playing than Rafa imo
Icedog(Quote)
A Carroll says he does not want to back to the toon he wants to stay in London even if he leaves W/H he wants to stay in London area
Icedog(Quote)
Carragher is normally quite good to listen to but he’s talking about a situation he knows nothing about. Would he be saying the same if Jabba had done the same to Liverpool?
Stuart79(Quote)
Just as well, he’d only be in the treatment room all the time.
kimtoon(Quote)
Good point,like all walks of life you don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors
Icedog(Quote)
??
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stu – Carra and Neville are both full of **** at the moment.
Carra on Courtinho – he’s not the type of person to hand in a transfer request, he’s more professional than that.
(transfer request handed in) Carra – to be honest I’m not sure what I meant by he’s not that type of person … ?.
Neville comments on Chelsea yesterday – Conte has done great to get a result with a team he’s had to throw together.
Neville speaking about the same game tonight – on reflection it’s not a team hes thrown together. Nine of those players he had out yesterday will play in the first team most of the season. I just meant he didn’t have Cahill or Hazard in the side … ?
Most of these pundits now seem to say the first thing that pop into their head. They say things with such conviction and very little knowledge and get paid a fortune for it.
Sharpy17(Quote)
See Whilshire was sent off for Arsenal U23s for ‘brawling’ with an opponent.
Firstly I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a ‘brawl’ in football – not the rugby type anyway.
But secondly, we already have one hot headed ******* in our midfield, we don’t need another.
Changed my mind, no to Whilshire.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So Eliot has said the bad negative feeling between Rafa and Jabba is affecting the dressing room
Icedog(Quote)
Pleased about that as I cannot stand the overrated sick note,cocky git he is too
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – I’d be surprised if any of the players even know what’s happening. I still don’t get this media perception that Rafa is complaining and being negative. He’s answering questions that are out to him. Why aren’t the media focusing on the fact Jabba told him one thing to his face and is doing the exact opposite? It’s like January never happened.
Can anybody on here say with confidence that any of the signings we’ve made will be good players? Maybe Lejuane who was actually on his first choice list. The others? All gambles and big ones at that.
Stuart79(Quote)
I guess it is fair enough that the players are feeling the tension between Jabba and Raffa.
It must be hard to collect more money in a week than most earn in 6 months and actually be up for a fight playing a game that you love. Poor sods. .. I guess you have to walk a mile in their shoes to understand how bad they have it.
Jokes aside, these weak c*nts need to get on with the job and stop making excuses. You don’t have to be world class to give it your all. Typical of modern society, everyone has an excuse and no one takes responsibility for their own actions.
I am not hitting any panic buttons but it boils my **** when there is a destinct lack of effort being shown on the park..
Aussie(Quote)
Well said Aussie totally agree 😎
Stem(Quote)
I get so fed up by all the negativity surrounding the club. Last thing we need is Elliott coming out with that, that’s really gonna help attract players to the club.
kimtoon(Quote)
To be honest I think effort is the one thing they will give. They seem an honest bunch. It’s just PL quality they lack.
Stuart79(Quote)
Wilshire sent off yesterday I see, like I said other day, he’s a idiot and sick note.
kimtoon(Quote)
imo there is about five players up to PL needs the rest are just ccc grafters can see why needed new players but you wont get them for 5/8 mil,its all about keeping up with the market which jabba will not.
i also see Hoots has broke the club record for the third time and bought a striker
icedog(Quote)
What effort did you see on Sunday?? To be honest like you, there was very little..
I guess poor Elliot let the tension between Raffa and Jabba affect his kicking.. poor bloke, must have been hard for him to keep the ball in play with all that stress he had to deal with 😆 😆
Aussie(Quote)
I didn’t see a obvious lack of effort for most of the players. Did you?
Stuart79(Quote)
I did. Lack of tracking back when ball lost multiple times and Ritchie committing needless fouls 2 games in a row. He has a responsibility to keep himself available for selection, not stack cards up. Was Elliott even trying with some of his kicking?
shamrock(Quote)
Aussie – I kind of agree with you. Strange. Clark, who I like, turned his back on Mooy’s shot when he could quite easily have stopped it. Steven Taylor would have dived in front of it.
The effort from Gayle and Perez in particular was very poor. And yes Aussie Elliotts kicking was atrocious.
I see Ashleys just bought into 21% of Debenhams. He also has 27% of **** now. No wonder he’s broke.
This from NUFC.com:
“No 70% discount deals from the bargain bucket or loans but genuine Premier League pedigree players that can help Benitez do his job and establish the club back in the top flight.
Anything else makes no financial sense.
This is obvious to anyone NOW – don’t look back after relegation and say to Sky “with the benefit of hindsight”.
and
“But this is a different ball game entirely. There are only 36 games left now to gain 40 points against 19 other sides that look better equipped and in better spirits – how we’ve managed to become so negative again so quickly is something only the owner can explain.
He failed miserably to do so when speaking to “Craigy” last week.
No history rewrites, no hiding behind hindsight when going against the patently obvious and no more, no-money bullsh*t. You didn’t do your due diligence. Get over it and keep your promises to Rafa – he’s our only chance of keeping this club United.”
georgio(Quote)
Stuart it appears that others have seen the lack of effort as well.. I have played and seen enough football over the years to know when the effort is not there.
Its not the first time you have been wrong and it won’t be the last mate ??
Aussie(Quote)
Not surprised at lack of effort, there’s clearly none from the owner going on, unless you count a pointless PR interview to his mates at sky effort.
Rafa needs to get a grip here , he really does . He must of known what mike was like, god knows there would of been enough people in football warning him before he took the job that he was dealing with a liar and cheap skate.
Well it is what it is and he just has to make the best of a bad situation now, either that or walk , I won’t blame him if he does.
Gayles got an ‘ illness ‘ apparently and misses the cup game, let’s hope it’s not a bad case of ‘ where’s my pay increase itus’ that can be lethal and I’m told it’s infectious . 🙄 Nasty outbreak of it at Spurs at the moment.
And to think all those fans who renewed ST based on a sky expose of Chinese interest in Newcastle pre season, talk about fool me once fool me twice, we never learn. Ash out
kimtoon(Quote)
I hate to be the peace keeper but you are both right.
I would be interested to see what the distance covered was between the 2 teams, but Huddersfield certainly looked to have had a better work rate than us. They seemed to have a greater urgency about closing us down & winning the ball back. What I would say is that we did that very well against Spurs – particularly in the first half.
Did we think this was going to be easy coz it was Huddersfield and we beat them last season?!.
But I think Stu is also right.
Possession wise, Huddersfield just shaded it but it was fairly even. The stats that do stand out however are the shots & shots on target – we had nearly DOUBLE what Huddersfield did in both.
The fact is the only stat that matters is goals scored. But if we are having twice as many chance as our opponents and not taking the chances – that supports Stus argument that the quality just isn’t there.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy it’s plain to see the quality isn’t there up front. If we are to persist with 1 up front then he has to be top quality, the best we can afford or we are stuffed. I fear Gayle isn’t it,great in the Fizzy where the teams defences are poor not so the PL I fear. Hopefully Joselu is as good as the Stoke fans think he is/ could be, given the chance. Mitro may even come good, he does hold the ball up better than Dwight, just hasn’t been as clinical.
kimtoon(Quote)
TO OUR BLOG OWNERS.
This is the 420th post of a 6-7 day old article now. We have had another game since this article was penned so plenty of content for you to knock another one up.
I notice that you are managing to churn out a good 4-6 ‘latest news’ pieces, filled with adverts.
But can you please not forget the reason NUFCblog.co.uk was originally set up.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – for me you need to be an absolute world class forward to make the 4-2-3-1 system work – not just very good, but world class. I’m talking about players like Drogba, Kane, Lukaku, Aguero and Costa who can regularly score 20 plus goals a season – and even Pep has decided to get Aguero a partner.
I hate it with a passion. It doesn’t favour either defence or attack. I would love a 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2 formation to be given a chance.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, yep agree on that, but this is Rafa’s way, he’s always played that way and been defensive . I have no problem with his formation, he’s made it work at numerous clubs , although I do prefer 442 or 352 personally. All the same I won’t question him since he is a great coach and will have a plan without doubt. Problem is that plan would of been based around getting certain players in early on ( that I think is the mistakes he referred to in his presser ) That didn’t materialise . Now he is left trying to get the best he can out of limited funds and players available , and he HAS to, he has to just get on with it now cause it is what it is. I fully expect him to leave next season or maybe January and frankly I don’t blame the guy if he does. This owner gets exactly what he deserves I’m past worrying anymore.
kimtoon(Quote)
By the way is anyone setting up a just giving page for Ashley yet? poor love doesn’t have a pot to **** in apparently. Plenty of wallpaper but no money. 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
And what to do with Perez eh, looked so good when he first arrived, but more often than not flatters to deceive now.
kimtoon(Quote)
Imo he has gone backwards for a while now mate
Icedog(Quote)
Ice, yeah, real shame, can look really good at times and bang average most others.
kimtoon(Quote)
Is it only me getting pissed off with the lack of articles on here?
There have been 6 ‘latest news’ pieces thrown out out already today.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – I don’t really care. The blog is ongoing in flowing style anyway. Never read the articles, there’s much better ones all over the net.
I know it’s only two defeats but the last one has me worrying. I fully expect Huddersfield to be relegated and we’re now 6 points behind them.
Apparently Rafa’s still chasing around for a fullback and a goalie and says we’re done with the striking dept. I just do not understand if he thinks Joselu is it. I’d play Mitro and Woodman and buy a bloody playmaker.
georgio(Quote)
That was the worst game I have seen Elliot play. He has not been a hoofer before, and I think it was planned, but not well executed,
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If Gayle fits, I believe he has the ability to be the 1 in 4231. His running is the key for his success last year, as long as his finish. But obviously he is lacking the running at the moment for some reason. I don’t think it is his salary as I never read it anywhere that he wants a raise or he wants to leave for a higher salary. My guess is he still has concerns on his legs. Whatever reason it is, he is not a good one upfront, now. We have to have a plan b, but we don’t.
funrafa(Quote)
Actually we do have a plan B which is Joselu. We can only ask God’s mercy that he will develop ASAP.
Also we have some wingers this time so hopefully the wingers can step up and score some for us.
funrafa(Quote)
Sharpy, I don’t really care too. The writers can be down beat like us, and not in a mood to do any analysis or writing. After all it is not their job to write every day here. I value more of the discussion and the information exchange here. But that is just me.
funrafa(Quote)
Also thanks Kim for link me with an article about the club’s salary. Haven’t got a chance to say thank you.
funrafa(Quote)
Kim, he said he will concentrate on every game of Newcastle from the 1st to the last of this season. Following him for a while I know he is a man of his words, not like some cheaters. So he will stay for the whole season.
funrafa(Quote)
To be fair to Gayle, he was one of the few players that did try and close down the opposition when he did not have the ball. He was full on sprinting to put pressure on the keeper, so I dont think he lacks effort or is concerned about his hammy. My concern is that he does not have the power to hold.up play and is not suited to a one striker formation at this level of the game. I am certain if he had Joselu next to him up front, he would prosper.
shamrock(Quote)
I agree with Sharpy. This is a blog that was built on being immersed with the readers. The new guys should not forget the tradition of this blog and should make time for us guys too. After all, we are here day in, day out.
shamrock(Quote)
Sham, my feeling is we will have lots of counter attack this season, simply because we are just promoted, and we are not strengthened enough in the mid field and up front. We can’t afford pushing forward too much for too long. That is why I think for the most time of this season, we will be sitting back and counter. That is why a fit forward who can run and run fast, is very important. Holding the ball is important but not that important for Toon this season, I think. For Joselu, you can tell although he looks like a typical target man but still he can move around fast.
funrafa(Quote)
We have gone from one extreme to another on the blog… they used to belt out 2 or more articles a day so that no flow on discussions, and now we go days and days without anything.. on top of that, they ask for articles but to date I’ve not had any response at all to my email where I sent my article. As it happens Shamrock kindly posted it for me, but zero response from anyone that runs the blog. Disappointing…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
I have a gut feeling that Joselu could be a very good signing, I liked what I saw for the short time he was on, on Saturday. I would expect us to pick up around 7 points from next 4 league games and be really disappointed if we don’t tbh.
kimtoon(Quote)
sunday, not saturday
kimtoon(Quote)
Wow, 440 odd comments
kimtoon(Quote)
Personally I saw the majority of the players giving effort. The odd not chasing back (Manquillo) but Ritchie giving fouls away is hardly not putting effort in.
Stuart79(Quote)
Rafa – I also value the flow of discussion on here too mate. But an article that has generated over 440 comments has gone a bit stale IMO.
They can’t be that down beat mate, there’s been 8 ‘latest news’ articles thrown out there today – at a club where **** all is happening I don’t know where you find 8 articles!!!.
These articles are filled with advertisements which they make money from (I have no issue with this by the way). But the reason people advertise is due to the number of hits or views to the site – US – we posters will generate most of those views.
I don’t expect an article every day – far from it. It would spoil the flow of conversation for a kick off.
But a pre-match article, post match article and midweek article wouldn’t be too much to ask. Feel free to reduce it to 1 a week in the international breaks.
But come on man, these people are running an established FOOTBALL blog!! – a pre and post match article shouldn’t be too much to ask.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Its not a lack of physical effort from Ritchie. He was our biggest threat the other day. Its the lack of effort to make himself as useful.as possible, for as long as possible that is bothering me about him. A studs up challenge can easily be a straight red. That equates to a ban. That is just foolish play and is not being responsible for your team. Same goes for stacking up yellow cards with needless fouls and earning a ban. I could understand if his fouls in the last 2 games were last ditch attempts to stop an attack and were not studs up, but they were just him venting his frustration in the wrong way for no good reason or benefit to the side. That in my mind is a lack of effort to do his best for the team. Pick up a yellow and you cant be as full blooded and committed for the rest of the game. Sometimes it is necessary but in both games so far he has picked up yellow cards for no good reason.
And I agree Manquillo is a poor player. Same goes for Diame. No use whatsoever. Perez is too lightweight and does not work hard enough.
shamrock(Quote)
I agree, Sharpy. I agree.
funrafa(Quote)
And I do not agree with funrafa that playing counter attack with 1 striker is the only way to operate this season. I would arvue we do nkt have the players for this system in this league. We lack the creativity, influence and killer instinct.
We have purchased wingers. We should use them. I agree with Kim that Joselu looks a canny player. He would be great foil with Gayle up front, together.
shamrock(Quote)
While I’m ranting, I can’t see how those that run this site can have a go at Ashley for running the club like a business, when that’s what they seem to be doing with this site.
To have not acknowledged Dubai when he has went to the effort of emailing an article in to them is bad craic. They also never really post any comments on here themselves – which just puzzles me to be honest.
Sharpy17(Quote)
And I do not agree with funrafa that playing counter attack with 1 striker is the only way to operate this season. I would arvue we do nkt have the players for this system in this league. We lack the creativity, influence and killer instinct.
We have purchased wingers. We should use them. I agree with Kim that Joselu looks a canny player. He would be great foil with Gayle up front, together.
Agreed. Dubai takes time out to reach out to fans and do this site a favor after they asked for contributors , only to get ignored.
shamrock(Quote)
Rant on man – Rooney, Ryder, Chronic, Arrogant Alan. Pickled Walnuts with Hair.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It is good to let go 🙂 Now and again.
Eric Sykes(Quote)