Another disappointing defeat at the hands of Championship Nottingham Forest on Wednesday ended our hopes of a morale boosting league cup run this season. Newcastle do return to action tomorrow at St. James’ Park for a rare but traditional 3pm kick off.
We have had a week of negative press, more unfounded transfer rumours and members of the media all having a say on NUFC. It is important we get a result to get off the mark and dispel some of the negativity on and off the field at the moment. Newcastle fans will deliver another great atmosphere as usual, which will hopefully make all the difference in a game between two sides who have started the season poorly.
Newcastle team news
Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is still suspended after his red card against Spurs. Former Stoke striker Joselu could make his first start for Newcastle; Rafa has a big call to make on whether it is he or Dwight Gayle who leads the line. Mitrovic scored a good goal in midweek but just doesn’t appear to be in the manager’s plans.
Aarons is a slight doubt for Saturday after going off with cramp in midweek but could well start after an impressive showing. He will be vying with Atsu and Ritchie to start and it will be interesting to see if he persists with Perez in the number 10 role.
In defence, Dummett remains out and it looks too early for Lejeune to come back yet too. Yedlin may return, which would be a boost, but it is likely to be the same back four that played in the defeat to Huddersfield.
Rafa may opt to go with the same side as our last league game, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see an unchanged side; giving the current crop another chance to impress before new recruits hopefully arrive before the end of August.
Predicted Newcastle XI: Elliott, Mbemba, Clark, Lascelles, Manquillo, Merino, Hayden, Perez, Ritchie, Atsu, Gayle.
West Ham team news
Record signing Marko Arnautovic continues his three-match suspension for a straight red at St Mary’s for an elbow.
Key players such as Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta and Michail Antonio were rested midweek and are expected to return to Slaven Bilic’s side. Youngster Declan Rice may continue in the middle of the park while the Irons try and bring in a new midfielder, with former NUFC target William Carvalho linked.
Saturday will come too soon for Winston Reid, who is now targeting a return after the international break. Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll are fitness doubts, despite the pair resuming full training. Expect another mixed resorption for big Andy if he does come off the bench.
West Ham XI: Hart, Hart; Zabaleta, Fonte, Ogbonna; Antonio, Noble, Rice, Obiang, Cresswell; Ayew, Hernandez.
Danger man
Javier Hernandez is a proven Premier League striker after a successful spell at Manchester United and again underlined his quality with a brace at St. Mary’s last time out during the Hammers 3-2 defeat to Southampton. Newcastle need to watch him carefully to get anything out the game.
Previous results
In the last 13 meetings at St James’ Park between Newcastle and West Ham, the Hammers have won just once.
That victory, a 1-0 success in November 2012, was ensured by Kevin Nolan who of course was a former toon skipper.
Newcastle’s Premier League home record against the Hammers since 2000 is seven wins, five draws and that sole defeat.
Prediction
It’s a tough one to call and already feels like an important game this season. Both sides are winless and won’t want to lose. Newcastle need some positivity and momentum and any sort of result will hopefully get things going again. I am in danger of going with my heart and not my head here but I think it may end in a draw.
1-1
What is your prediction?
Howay the lads!
Sharpy, know its a bit of dreaming, but if we have to sell to buy and do have some lined up if we get cash in, but say £18-£20 million each for Gayle and Mitch, £5-£8 for Krul, the £4 for DeJong and say another £3 to £5 each for the other 2 mentioned and maybe £2 for the other dodgy left back Lazzar would be a canny bit of cash to spend this week. But its all about finding buyers prepared to pay that and of course the other players ready to come in so not left short
Simon(Quote)
Simon – we aren’t getting £18-20m for either Gayle or Mitro mate. I think £12-15m is more realistic and we will likely let 1 go but not both – only if we have a replacement lined up.
I think the £4m from De Jong will be spent on the LB – either cover the loan of Kenedy or the fee for this Argie lad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Think you are right Sharpy, its the Old Speckled Hen talking, just way fees are this year. As you said maybe close to £15 and probs only one going at most
Simon(Quote)
I have said this before, that it would be nice to shift all of the players Rafa has training with the reserves but if we are stuck with a couple, so be it. All teams have some bad deals and ours don’t seem to have been that expensive. Saivet is even still in the squad. Colback and Krul cost nowt.
To put it in perspective, Liverpool spunked 25 million Euros on Lazar Markovic a couple of years ago and he has been loaned out ever since. There will always be a few duds and we shouldn’t really be dwelling that much on it as we will probably get rid of them anyway – if we can shift Riviere then anything is possible.
There are so many examples of transfers gone bad it would be impossible to list. Sissoko has probably made up for all of ours in the past few years. Still agree there was something dodgy about Carr and the Mondial Agency. He was either getting kickbacks or was just too lazy to do his own scouting.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Here’s a better one. Pogba. Imagine being a Man U fan and seeing him leave for nothing and then buying him back for 80 million quid.
Financially our transfer business has not been that bad. But then again Man U didn’t get relegated twice.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The Carr knocking is a bit **** imo. A few years ago, folks on here were raving about Carr for players like Tiote and Cabaye, and blaming any player who didn’t work out as being ‘Pardewed’.
A successful club has a successful strategy that is adhered to from top to bottom. Our biggest problem is lurching from one ok strategy to another. Other than passionate fans, do people even know what it’s like to play for us any more?
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
If you think our fans are fickle look at Real Madrid. They are whistling Gareth Bale. Yes, that Gareth Bale who scored the equalizer in the last minute of the Champions League final against Athletico. It used to be that they wanted Isco or Ascensio ahead of him but they were in the same bloody team today.
Anyway, I am trying to keep level headed in the face of The Daily Mirror continually **** stirring and even Rafa using his popularity to play a bit of politics. If we can get Kenedy and a striker I will be pretty happy with this window. We were a bit unlucky against Huddersfield and who knows what would have happened against Spurs but for Shelvey’s rush of blood.
There are at least 3 teams worse than us and with more Championship quality players. West Ham are one of them so why Rafa would go there I do not know.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And, despite all of the drama and gnashing of teeth we are on target to get enough points to stay up – 38 at the current rate. There is always talk of 40 points when in reality 37 is usually enough.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I still don’t think the problem with buying players is the cash but the wages. The list of players we have to shift have contracts and to pay those contracts of is probably £30m +. We need to get that commitment off our books so that we can balance the budget.
Given that Rafa seems to have 1 in 3 record of buying players, buy 3 get 1 starting 11, 1 squad player and 1 flop. We need 2 starters so that is buy 6, That’s another £50 in wages committed over the duration of their contracts. At least the same in the purchase price and we have a commitment of £150 m to get what we want.
I think many fans think the issue is only 10% of what it actually is.
Premandup(Quote)
Prem, you are likely right mate. It’s just difficult to understand how Brighton and Hudders and the like are splashing the cash and presumably paying pretty high wages too, yet we struggle. I suppose we have a bigger squad with players on higher wages than them, is it that simple ?
kimtoon(Quote)
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Monaco will pay €11m for Stevan Jovetic, who will undergo a medical tomorrow
😯 cheap as chips
kimtoon(Quote)
NUFC 360 @NUFC360 · 11h11 hours ago
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Replying to @NUFC360
Charnley, Justin Barnes and Keith Bishop met with Rafa after the #WHUFC game. An amicable way forward was worked out between all parties.
kimtoon(Quote)
3 v 1 seems a tad unfair, hope rafa took his reps with him.
kimtoon(Quote)
https://twitter.com/jackmcrobrts206/status/901490550376775680
Mikel Merino
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Mikel Merino Retweeted jackmcroberts
Love it!
kimtoon(Quote)
Don’t believe these stories Kim. Journalist sensationalise anything and generally turn it into bad news. They probably just had a glass of wine like they always do. As an example Rafa was quoted the other day as saying “I won’t be here forever”. That was blown into a story stating Rafa was about to leave and followed by loads of stories referencing the WHam link. It’s all bollocks. Of course he won’t be here forever.
georgio(Quote)
If I was Raffas boss, I would be telling him to shut up as well. Every employee gets some kind of grievances from their employer. Broken promises, tough working conditions blah blah blah.
Raffa needs to walk and if he is not, get on with it surviving on his meager wages..
Aussie(Quote)
Aussie 6 million a year is not enough
Steve(Quote)
Is it working yet
Stem(Quote)
Oh thank God my account work’s again 😆
Stem(Quote)
was a glitch in the matrix mate, happens to me all the time on much bigger scales too, proper head ****s.
kimtoon(Quote)
Does anybody know what is up with Gayle? Icedog thought it was about wages and he is in a huff. He wouldn’t be the first one to sign a contract and then want to renegotiate it but he is a professional and should get on with it. It is also Rafa’s job to motivate him but maybe he thinks if he is such a bairn then best get rid? Also, NUFC have a history of giving players better contracts on long-term deals to increase their sell on value and that is Charnley’s job. However, with this crazy transfer window maybe the feeling is that this is the top of Gayle’s market value?
I would be interested to know if anybody has any insight as Gayle could still be an important player or bring in enough funds for a good replacement.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Talk of some club bidding up to 20 mil for Mitro,if that is true it could save Gayle,who has huff on about his wages now we are in PL
Icedog(Quote)
Eric – all quiet on the Gayle front apart from rumours Rafa would be prepared to sell. There must be something up though as he can’t still be ill after a fortnight. Can’t trust his fitness. He can’t trust his fitness. Weirdo.
georgio(Quote)
You just want us to show a little more affection to you, right 😀
funrafa(Quote)
Talk we are after a Tel Aviv striker for £8m.
I’m sure McClaren has just taken a position up over there – wonder if it’s one he’s recommended?!.
Sure he was behind the Tiote move from Twente and to be fair – £4m wasn’t a bad buy.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I agree. I think the issue is wages. And the reason that Brighton and Huddersfield can splash the cash is because the players that they want to shift on are on Championship of League One wages. We’re trying to shift players that we don’t want on decent Premier League wages! Riviere, De Jong, Krul, Colback, Saivet, Haidara…how much do you reckon that lot were being paid in total? Riviere is gone, but we might have had to pay him off to leave too. Those 6 players could have got £250,000+ a week in total perhaps? That’s £12m per year! And there are a few others we want shifting too. It’s not unreasonable to think we had £20m per year of unwanted salaries on our books not too long ago when you add Gamez, Hanley, Lazarr to the mix.
All clubs do it though, but it’s especially painful when you get relegated because:
a) your revenue falls anyway
b) players who ‘failed’ won’t be valued as highly
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
I think our wages to turnover ratio the last time we played in the PL was 59%. The lowest in the league. It will be even lower now with the increase in TV money.
Stuart79(Quote)
I am OK with selling either Gayle or Mitro, but not both as who knows who their replacements would be, and be in no doubt we would need a replacement. Both have positives and negatives:
Mitro: young, still raw and obviously has talent. Rafa doesn’t trust him though and for good reason. He is like a crazy nightclub bouncer that is always on the brink of slapping someone. You know he will never change and will eventually get into trouble with the law. In Mitro’s case the referee.
Gayle: if his main gripe is money that is easily fixed. More to worry about are his hamstrings and the fact he is unproven in the PL. The jury is still out on whether he can play in the PL because he played under Pardew who messed him about, like he did a lot of players. The fact Gayle has a strop on again means he is probably a bit delicate, or easily swayed by his Agent, so who knows.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If it’s wages I have little sympathy. He signed a contract and was presumably happy enough with it at the time. He should show he can cut it at PL for a season and then ask for more. Stay fit and bag the goals and fair enough try your luck but not before.
kimtoon(Quote)
Is this stuff just made up now? Just read in The Chronic that Leicester are considering Andros Townsend for 27 million.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I mean, you think it is crazy when you see 20 million for Mitro or Gayle and then you see 27 mil for Andros and 25+ mil for Jonny Evans.
160 million euros for an 18 year old in the French league with 1 season. Seems crazy but PSG just agreed to it for MBappe.
Given what is going on we should surely be able to shift Ginger Jack and Hanley?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, these transfer fees will continue to go up if the TV money in this country goes up and these mega rich owners continue to invest in their clubs.
Stuart79(Quote)
I really thought he had a 13 mil release clause in his contract,that what it was when Rafa tried to re-sign him
Icedog(Quote)
I don’t think it would be him after we shafted him
Icedog(Quote)
I had thought this was about as far as it could go with TV money but I saw the other day that the overseas deals were like to get bigger by a couple of Billion so who the hell knows.
The MBappe deal is structured to be a loan so that PSG has time to sell a few players and get around Financial Fair Play rules. The deal becomes permanent next season, but still, they will have spent/commited to almost 400 million Euros on 2 players.
It looks like a bubble but bubbles usually go on far longer than anyone thinks. Aren’t they selling sheds and parking spaces in London for 100k now 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ice – did we though?. We give the ****** a dream and it was he who turned it into a bloody nightmare!!.
He wasn’t sacked soon enough & he must know our relegation was down to him!!.
It might be just coincidence, but he’s just gone there a few weeks ago & ive never seen this kid mentioned before that.
Rafa said there would be surprises.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Chelsea agree fee for Ox – Sanchez & Ozil next and Arsenal looked screwed.
Good, the more heat on the gunners the less on us I hope.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Mate it would take a nuclear bomb going off for the press to forget about us 🙄 👿
kimtoon(Quote)
I’m a little disappointed to see De Yong go if I’m honest. I was really hoping he could get a run to see what he could do. Oh well.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
bbc world news says we are not going to sign him??
icedog(Quote)
aye me to mate
icedog(Quote)
35 mil is the fee
icedog(Quote)
Even then it would be our fault
Sharpy17(Quote)
A quiet bank holiday if that’s made the BBC WORLD news mate ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Icedog: England play Malta on Thursday, any predictions. Just glad Rooney “retired” so he didn’t get the chance to pad his stats even more. Kane hattrick.
Some of these qualifiers are an absolute joke, although they probably make a bit of money for the local FAs.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Malta current world ranking = 190. Population is 420k which is more than Iceland. Is there an upset on the cards 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The sports section mate
Icedog(Quote)
England will win it,Malta players are all part time,I was very friendly with a player that was the Malta c/f for years in the 50s and early 60s and was open to any bribe to throw a game and told me he threw a few in his time he was very open about it in his 80s now,mind that’s the Malta way,you can get most things or get away with many things for a few quid,I’ve been caught a couple of times speeding just showed my license with 20 euros in it on your way son,hope I catch you again lol
Icedog(Quote)
😆 true
kimtoon(Quote)
Still lots of talk about Remy. Personally I’d prefer Niasse from Everton. Thought he did ok at Hull last season (not great but better than Remy did at Palace before his injury). The lads still only 27, so there could be a loan with option to buy there.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Read on one of the blogs that the rumoured interest in Mitro is from Olympiakos. This sounds like rubbish to me as there is no way a Greek team could afford 20 million AND his wages, even though they are in the Champions League. That would be the whole CL prize money on one player.
Maybe they wanted to loan him and as usual someone on the internet puts 2 and 2 together and comes up with 347.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
SHARPY,it is as it always has been the rags just putting two and two together and getting three,never know what idea Rafa is thinking,didn’t he say there’s a couple of players the press have no idea on
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – that might remain the case as well coz with 3 days left we are running out of time.
I think we need a LB, Midfielder and CF – 3 to get in in 3 days. But Rafa seems to still want that keeper too, so lots of work still to do really.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Talk we have offered 5 mil plus Krul for the PSV keeper
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – Zoet?. He’s a good keeper and it’s a deal that would make sense I guess – get rid of 1 and another in. I don’t think he’d be on wages as high as Kruls either.
I’m torn about LB, coz Mbemba looked able there against WH and Clark can cover at LB if Dummett is out or needs a rest.
Maybe we could make do at LB until Jan and sort it then if it’s a big issue.
I just think CF and ACM is more urgent personally.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Aye mate Zoet rated in top five in Europe
Icedog(Quote)
Mate called in tomorrow 11am,poor sod is on night shift tonight
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – your medical mate?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Palace were sniffing as well I think, but they look to be close to getting Vorm from Spuds
Sharpy17(Quote)
Krul should really be the easiest to shift as he only has this season left on his deal. He isn’t a bad ‘keeper for the right league. He was OK for us but gradually just about every team has shifted to the high press which does not suit him. Also, us playing with a bunch of midgets up front a lot of the time does not suit Timmy-the-hoof.
Mind you, Elliot seems to be rushing his kicking more now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I doubt Krul is one of our top earners either. They gave him a 2 year extension when he was injured so he couldn’t have been it that good of a bargaining position.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If you think back, we had Krul and Elliot out with cruciate injuries meaning Darlow was our number 1. They then got Sels who failed. It makes sense that they want a keeper and I bet Darlow and Elliot are not on top money so they are fine as backups.
Until this season I was happy with Elliot but he has gone backwards.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yes
Icedog(Quote)
Diario Ole: Nicolás Tagliafico’s agent is in England with Newcastle set to make an offer for the left-back in the next few hours.
Maybe for this guy?
Icedog(Quote)
Eric – that actually may be the reason he’s the hardest to shift though. If no club matches his wage, he can sit this season out and coin in his big contract with us, then move for less next season.
He’s on around 50k a week, so why walk away from £2.5m if you don’t need to.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ice – I hope so. Don’t know much of him, but don’t fancy Kenedy as the alternative.
Not loaning Kenedy would mean we could loan Remy of Batshuyi – which would be far better loans imo
Sharpy17(Quote)
hope so, sounds a good bye if you go buy journos and pundits who cover the Primera league.
kimtoon(Quote)
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No #NUFC player has created more PL chances so far this season than @javiermanquillo – 3, level with @IsaacHayden65
🙂 read it and weep Scum fans
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM 4 mil is nowt mate
Icedog(Quote)
There’s a pretty hilarious article in The Chronic saying everybody should follow Lee Ryder on twitter for all the latest transfer guff. It said he was number 29 as a football twitterer. It then gave a link to the top 100 where the 1st 30 had a bunch of people I had never heard of but a few I had. Shearer was 5 and The True Geordie was 6 I think. It is not even a NE list so The True Geordie seems to have mastered social media. Maybe Lee should get some tips from him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
No it’s not, defo worth a gamble Ice, and if he’s cack then Mbemba can do a job there. 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy: Kenedy looks like a good player. I read that we might be able to get a loan-to-buy because the powers that be at Chelsea were very displeased with his China Instagram post.
If we could trust Aarons to stay fit I would say why bother, but we can’t trust Aarons to stay fit.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim – if he can keep his discipline in getting back and defend too then I think he’ll be spot on.
It’s his call really. He’s got the chance while De Yedlin is out.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – I’m sure he is mate, Chelsea rarely sign duds. It’s his attitude that worries me more than his playing abilities.
If Chelsea are ready to let him go when he’s so close to the first team, it would suggest they have their own concerns about the kid too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
GAYLE to Wolves 15 mil in the morning
Icedog(Quote)