A huge effort and another big point to add to our tally – what we lacked in possession we made up for in organisation and spirit!
Rafa surprised a few before kick off, starting the slightly more forward thinking Shelvey and Manquillo ahead of Hayden and Mbemba.
Initially I worried if it would be a mistake to try and go toe to toe with a superior attacking force in Liverpool, but Shelvey’s involvement ended up being justified.
He may have allowed Coutinho to cut inside and fire in a 25-year opener, but it was his eye of the needle pass that put Joselu in behind for the equaliser. It was a moment of huge significance for the Spaniard, who needed a goal to give him a much needed boost after a string of big misses in recent weeks.
Liverpool were a little wasteful and will come away frustrated they didn’t get all three points, but that takes nothing away from our disciplined and determined display.
Yedlin was outstanding, putting in one of his best defensive displays in black and white. He kept the electric Sadio Mane quiet for the most part, whilst Jamaal Lascelles may not have been the match winner on this occasion, but it’s was perhaps even more positive to see him put in such a mature and solid defensive performance. His partnership alongside Ciaran Clark looks anything but out of depth in the top flight, despite some fearing over the summer it would fall short.
I’ve rarely seen a Newcastle team so hardworking, organised and disciplined as this current side. A sure proof sign that the lads are listening to Benitez and taking to the challenge of living up to his high standards week in week out. We may never take a team to the cleaners this season, but I sense we’ll rarely be beaten easily. We’re yet to concede more than 1 in a game since Spurs (where we only conceded when we had 10 men) and this is proof of our determined and diligent defensive work thus far.
There was a good atmosphere around St James’ today, with Gallowgate Flags doing yet another fantastic job to give everyone a lift. That passion and positivity rubbed off on the players perfectly too, helping us to a hard fought and well earned point that sees us head into the international break in 9th.
Well done lads!
(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)
Good write up, Olly.
Rode our luck but good point against one of the top teams. Will take that.
From the last thread. My money is on a Saudi takeover. Watch this space…
Stuart79(Quote)
I dont think we rode our luck at all. Didn’t really give the bin dippers a look in during second half. Really good performance. For me, Yedlin and Shelvey played really well.
Cheers for the write up Olly. Loving the idea of Middle Eastern investment as opposed to Chinese.
shamrock(Quote)
They had 17 shots with 2 on target. That usually tells you that they are snatching at shots from distance and that our defence was frustrating them. Why do they have so many of the same sort of player – Mane, Coutinho, Salah, Firminho, Sturridge( I include Sturridge because although he is supposed to be a striker he still farts around on the ball a lot and tries to beat 3 players on his own). I think they have even more like Ojo and Origi. They have even bought another attacking midfielder from Leipzig for a fortune, Keita, who arrives next year.
It is insanity to me. Why not sell Coutinho and buy Van Dijk and Morata? I can guarantee you they would have walked out of SJP with 3 points today. Oh well, it is good for us.
I would be very frustrated if I was a Liverpool fan because it is as obvious as the nose on Phil Thompson’s face what they need.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Richie injured pulls out of Scotland squad hope it’s not to bad?
Icedog(Quote)
Can someone tell me what Perez did today? I really thought he was as poor as I’ve ever seen him.
Stuart79(Quote)
Dont know Stu. We really dont have any options in that position. Unless we try one of Shelvey or Merino in there? Need to spend some money in January. Hopefully a nice Sheikh will have taken over the club and we can buy some proper players!
shamrock(Quote)
Diame isn’t great but blimey, I’m sure he can give more than Perez at the mo. Rafa seems to rate him but I’m not sure what’s he’s seeing.
Stuart79(Quote)
Thought D Murphy was very fair with comments on toon on motd he normally says it as it is
Icedog(Quote)
Ime sick of complaining about him
Icedog(Quote)
Sham – I know you agree with me, and I’m with Ice – the Perez thing is a little tiresome now.
But I don’t like the idea of moving Shelvey or Merino higher when they seem to be most effective further back.
I’ve said it so many times now but I think Rafa is forcing this 4-2-3-1 formation when he doesn’t have the players that suit it. So for me, rather than the players fit the system, we should be finding the formation that suits the players – at least until you can recruit the players that suit your preferred formation.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I thought defensively we were brilliant yesterday though. The workrate and effort from the back 5 was excellent. Blocks, interception and tackles from Lascelles & Clark were first class. But Yedlin stood out for me, best game I’ve seen him play for us so far IMO.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Fair play to Shelvey for coming out after the game and saying he could have done better to close Courtinho down when he scored.
Yeah, maybe he could, but to be fair he made up for it with that pass.
That is why I get so frustrated with the lad. I’m a huge fan of his passing ability and the fact he’ll try passes most players don’t even see. But that other side of his game, the stupidity in him is just crippling.
But yesterday, he was very good.
Sharpy17(Quote)
There’s a school of thought that Rafa likes Perez because he defends from the front. That’s as maybe but he needs to offer us something more in attack.
Stuart79(Quote)
Maybe a bit early to talk about Southampton but they only have 2 wins, against Palace and against West Ham who were down to 10 men. They have only scored 5 goals in their 7 games. Since we only have 7 in 7 this looks like a 1-0 or 1-1.
Hopefully Mitro will get a hattrick for Serbia and give us another option.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’m not a big fan of Perez, but he does some useful things at times, and he works hard, though limited in his capabilities. He’d be the second person on my list to replace. The first would be Atsu. I don’t see what he brings to the team apart from one decent run a game. He can’t defend, can’t dribble, and hasn’t got much in the passing or crossing locker. He can run. Boy, can he run. One of these days he might even look up when he’s running.
The defence has surprised me with how well it works. They really do scrap for everything . How many times now have they cleared off the line this season? Good stuff. They are well organised and very spirited. Lascelles has been a star. Yedlin was bloody great yesterday.
Midfield is no pushover either (apart from the aforementioned Atsu and Perez). Merino is the best signing we’ve made for a while. I’ve also been impressed by Hayden – who didn’t have much truck for when he first came.
Great result against Liverpool. Well done the lads.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Joselu would have to buy that Liverpool defender a beer after helping out with that goal.. would have been nice to see him slot it home but a goal is a goal..
Perez is bloody ordinary. . That’s my two bobs worth on him..
Aussie(Quote)
I never thought for a split second that Joselu would score and he was incredibly lucky he did.
I wonder how long Mitro will be on the naughty step?
As for Perez – what is he doing in the team. There’s got to be a kid at the club somewhere who would work as hard and offer more attacking threat. Come to think of it there’s a world cup winner floundering in a **** Bolton side who fits the bill. Would Arma be as bad as Perez?
georgio(Quote)
first time I have seen Yedlin defend well yesterday, I have real hope for him now.
Perez is an odd one though as although he has looked poor he does have the occasional blinder and looked very good when he first arrived. Rafa obviously seeing something to keep starting him or is it that we simply have no one capable of filling that role in his eyes ?
Thought it was a hard working display yesterday and could even of been a win near the end with that Diame effort blocked.
Liverpool are so poor defensively it’s painful to watch, scousers must be tearing their hair out every week watching that.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Agree with most of the comments. Have been ambivalent about Yedlin in the past but thought he like Shelvey had a great game. Seems a bit churlish to criticise after a good result but all aspects of Atsu’s game were poor and the same goes for Perez. We have been used to him being knocked off the ball too easily but he surpassed himself yesterday managing to fall down with the ball at his feet with no one near him. I do think Saivet might do better than Perez or Diame. He would have to be bad to do worse. By the way was Mbemba carrying a knock? He was subbed against Brighton when we were one down. To sub a fullback at that time did seem strange when we chasing the game.
Groucho(Quote)
Ian Wright says Daniel Sturridge would be ideal for NUFC. Please no:
1. A sicknote
2. Stroppy. Has a face like a slapped **** if he doesn’t play and even when he does he looks miserable unless he scores.
3. That goalscoring “dance”
4. He’s probably on about double our highest paid player.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sturridge had one good season when he was fit and confident at Liverpool, but most importantly played alongside Luis Suarez. Since then he has been half fit and half the player. Here’s his stats:
2014 Played 12 Scored 4
2015 Played 14 Scored 8
2016 Played 20 Scored 3
That’s an average of 1 goal every 3 games, but more importantly it is the number of games he plays that is a worry. Remember Michael Owen!!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Did anybody see anything from Jordan Henderson yesterday that would make you think he would start for England in the next 2 games?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Maybe he held back to ready for England game,very poor imo,didn’t Daglish pay something like 20 mil to scum for him??
Icedog(Quote)
I was impressed with liverpools build up play actually. They’re all good on the ball and some of their one touch stuff and movement was impressive but thankfully they lacked an end product. Although we defended well and didn’t give them too much space which made it harder for them.
Henderson was pretty anonymous but then again he is most games. Very seldom though does he give the ball away.
Stuart79(Quote)
You will have a good pass completion % stats when you mainly play 10 yard sideways passes (Butch Wilkins). There is a stat that people are starting to notice now and that is Henderson has played 34 times for England and scored zero goals. England normally play with Dier as the holding Midfielder so what does Jordan do? And we have played some absolute dross like Malta and San Mereno.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Are things starting to look up for the toon!,not only was that Amanda women at the game but there was another guy there under the radar Dave Bick a PR guy for some very rich clients
Icedog(Quote)
Ice, he has a history of brokering the sale of clubs. If you were hopeful you’d think he was responible for Amanda being there. But then again they might both have just fancied watching a game…
A journo said today that Amanda Stavley doesn’t like to be seen unless she really wants to be seen…
Still on Saudi money me! 😯 🙂
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – and I was happy to see her. Not just for the hope of a buy or investment, but coz she’s a tidy looking boiler as well like. Brains and beauty that lass.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well that’s fair enough, Sharpy. Although I’d take an ugly ******* if they managed to broker a deal for a gazillionaire to own us.
Stuart79(Quote)
I think the Saudi Wealth fubnd only has around $1.5 trillion in it! 😯 😯 😯 😯
Stuart79(Quote)
She is the Broker for any deals meaning she would set it up and most likely not be seen again because she is not the buyer, she is acting on behalf of the buyer and making recommendations to people she represents. I doubts you’ll be seeing her necking pints in the Gallowgate like Ashley when he first bought the club.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t know why I am so fascinated by this, but I think it is because everyone said we “bought” the Championship last year. I don’t think it will sty like this but last year’s relegated clubs:
11 – Boro
17 – Hull
23 – Sunderland
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think Boro spent like 40 million which is about the same as we did I think.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
David Bick has worked with Amanda Stavley for ten years… 😆
Stuart79(Quote)
Ime just hoping there is something in it Stu,for both of them there it raises hopes for me,I’ll hold you to the Arab sale 😆 😆
Icedog(Quote)
Nothing been said about this injury to Richie! heard a little whisper that he just does not get on one bit with the Scotland manager
Icedog(Quote)
Ice: Strachen doesn’t play him so he probably doesn’t see the point of going. Plus, he’s not even Scottish. Born on the South Coast and I think his Mam or Dad is a Geordie.
It’s like a bunch of these people in Chicago saying they are Irish because their name is O’Neil or Italian because they are called Maldano, BUT their great grand parents moved here in 1890.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Rob Elliot was born in Greenwich and Chris Hughton was born in Forest Gate and the press often refer to them as Irishmen because they qualified by their Grandparents to play for the Republic of Ireland. My Grandmother was Irish and I am certainly not an Irishman.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So there is interest from USA,China,and Middle East just don’t know if it is investment or buying outright,I hope it’s buying I just have a feeling Jabba won’t give up all that free advertising and grip on the toon it suits his ego
Icedog(Quote)
Ice, that’s from Lee Ryder and he knows about as much as me or you. He says it’s “significant” no offers have been received. It’s not significant at all. If interested parties only signed NDA’s last week they won’t have done their due diligence yet. They can’t make an offer until they know what the club is worth.
The reality is that probably only two people at the club know what is actually happening. Ashley and Barnes. I’m not even sure Charnley will know. Buyers won’t say a single thing so that’s why Ryder is re hashing the same stuff. Nobody knows anything g and that is the most encouraging thing for me.
Stuart79(Quote)
ERIC no matter where Richie was born or whatever he is the best player Scotland have got,somebody is cutting their nose off to spite their face in Scotland group
Icedog(Quote)
So Rafa told L/Pool he did not want Sturridge in summer window as he was worried about his injury record,and Rafa was right he just isn’t the player he was more so without a good partner
Icedog(Quote)
I also think any takeover is months away, if it happens at all. This is Jabba we’re talking about and he’s a buffoon.
Stuart79(Quote)
I think your spot on there Stu, that a good take on it
Icedog(Quote)
Barcelona think they could play in Italy, France or the EPL instead of La Liga in the event of Catalonia’s independence. I dont see that one coming off! You think any PL side would vote to have them come in and squeeze a few clubs’ profits and futures into oblivion?!
They would have to strike a deal to remain in La Liga.
shamrock(Quote)
It could even be a Liverpool take over.
Terry(Quote)
What are people’s thoughts on Manquillo at the weekend?.
Personally I thought he had a decent game against some of the best forward players in the league, but I’ve read some social media posts slating him?! ???♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
They definitely targeted him, Sharpy. I’m not too impressed but at £4m what can we expect. I’m sure Rafa will improve him.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – no mate, I have to say Mbemba has impressed me most at LB so far this season. But I’ve read people saying Manquillo was ***** & running the kid down – but harsh from what I saw. The lad is still settling in, hasn’t played much and is more suited to RB than LB. As you say, £4m for a full back in a window that sees some going for £50m, he’s never going to be world class like.
Decent enough performance I thought though
Sharpy17(Quote)
Did you know that the African Cup of Nations has been moved to the summer with the next one being in 2019? That means we will not be losing MBemba, Atsu or any African players we may buy for 6 weeks in the critical after Christmas period for 6 weeks every year.
You may say it is not advisable to play in the heat, but they play cricket in Perth during the Aussie summer.
There is still a tournament in the winter every 2 years but that only involves players that actually play in their home countries.
I just cannot believe that somebody in football administration actually did something sensible.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ACON is still every other year, but in the summer now. I forgot to proof my post before hitting enter.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Manquillo did better at RB but Yedlin showed why he’s No 1 for that spot. Seems to be a very likeable guy too.
Not sure of what to make of the Staveley stuff either. One thing is sure is that nobody’s going to say anything significant in public anyway. There’s reports she’s a liverpool fan, she was there with the Hillsborough woman who’s a friend, she met with Rafa in his office. Something or nothing?
georgio(Quote)
I considered that she may be looking at Liverpool for a takeover but then dismissed it, because it makes no sense to see them in an away game – where she does not get to see the facilities, city, infastructure or directors. She went down the tunnel after the game apparently. Definitely NUFC she is looking at, question is – on behalf of who?
shamrock(Quote)
“but they play cricket in Perth during the Aussie summer”
The whole A-league plays throughout summer. And it kicks off this weekend. About time. We have the longest off season in the world – almost 6 months long.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Shamrock I considered Liverpool because she’s tried taking over the club in the past for someone else. However the sun are reporting she was also seen at the stoke game a week before. If that is the case wouldn’t stoke be cheaper to buy. Ashley wants a 130 million profit for naff all. He bought the club for 250. I can’t see anyone putting up 380 million unless they are very, very serious about Newcastle united.
Terry(Quote)
Who’s left to buy in the PL who have a decent current following and stadium and are not already owned by the mega-rich. Who are Stoke’s owners? NUFC is in play because Ashley has given up. Who else is there?
With current prices I bet Liverpool would cost close to a billion now.
It is not easy either. Leicester caught lightning in a bottle but even with the Champions League riches and the newfound status it seems they could not recruit the same quality player at much higher prices. It is not that easy and now the competition is much greater. The Leicester recruitment “guru” is now at Everton and we will see if that PL winning team he assembled was more luck than design.
If Leeds got promoted they would be a good option.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There are a few success stories from the absolutely mega-rich like Chelsea and Man City. But buying up and comers doesn’t really seem to work often. There is Tan at Cardiff, the Venkys, the Hull owners who they hate, Ellis Short, Villa are not doing great, Leeds have been in a mess for more than a decade, Palace got a 150 million yank injection, Everton are owned by a former major shareholder in Arsenal and Iranian billionaire. More have struggled than been successful and you are usually fcked if you are relegated.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Southampton were just bought for 210 million by a the Chinese.
West Brom were bought by the Chinese a year ago and rejected an approach by an American Investor 2 weeks ago.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stoke are privately owned by Peter Coates. Worth 1.2 Billion, so less than the Fat Man. Can you see where I am going? There are very few PL options now and us and Stoke are really the only traditional teams in play. I read that this Stavely woman also went to Stoke.
Bournemouth with a 13,000 stadium? And hardly any support.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I was surprised by the Southampton thing. A very well run club apparently. They only got an 80% stake mind. I even wouldn’t mind Ashley keeping 20% if the new lot flooded us with cash for players. Strange how that hasn’t happened at Southampton or West Brom. Tight Chinese management?
georgio(Quote)
georgio: when you look at what other teams cost 380 million doesn’t sound too outrageous for NUFC. I will use Stoke as an example:
Let’s say you could buy them for 200 million. The Bet365 is 30,000 seats and you would probably have to spend another 200 million to get it up to 50,000. By way of comparison the extension to Anfield raised capacity by 8,500 and cost 114 million. And could Stoke fill a 50,000 seater stadium?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
West Ham are the other option but when the council gave them that sweet stadium deal they put financial restrictions on the Davids if they sold within 5 years, meaning it would severely limit their profit from the sale.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So, with Southampton valued at 250 million with a 32,000 seater stadium and nowhere near the fan base or recognition of NUFC, maybe Fatman can get his 380 million. Southampton do have location going for them, but they are still not London.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
just a thought like but Stavley came as a guess with Daglish,she then had a meeting with Rafa,could she have been asking Rafa if she buys L/Pool would he come back and manage them???
icedog(Quote)
If I were a potential investor in NUFC, here’s what I would do:
Give Fatty 250 million for 70% of NUFC so he gets all of his money back including loans.
Let him keep his Tat signs free of charge for 5 years with another 5 year option for 20 million.
Fat Man likes a gamble so if the value of NUFC goes up he can sell his remaining stake.
But Mikey is a minority owner so he will no longer have a say in the running of the club.
Win/Win. Now where is this Amanda Stevely’s number?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Liverpool would cost 3x NUFC.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ice: much more likely that they spoke of Hillsboro because Stavely was there next to one of the charity people for that and Rafa and his wife have made massive donations of time and money for that cause.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Icedog I was wondering that myself mate. Rafa would be a better alternative to Klopp.
Terry(Quote)
Eric however Rafa came out and said he didn’t have the money to win the league at Liverpool. Stavely turn’s up. Somethings out of place.
Terry(Quote)
However if she was at the stoke game a week before then maybe theres more owners interested in buying PL team’s. Stoke might be flirting with relegation come the end of the season.
Terry(Quote)
Olly: from your article about the 100 worst strikers in PL league history. The Mail have to fill up their back pages with something (some sh!te) in International Week. They have only gone from 100-60 so there will be room for more NUFC stinkers later in the week. The ones that they chose so far from NUFC are a bit of a stretch as they hardly played 40 games between them and cost about sixpence total.
#fillerforinternationalweek
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We’re a long way off any takeover but there’s obvious interest. Stavely is the interesting one as it’s seems she’s not in touch with the club direct but she’s being courting by someone who wants to get her involved in buying NUFC. She wants a PL club for her investors so it makes sense.
Any takeover would make sense pre transfer window but I’m not sure anything can be done in that timeframe. Maybe next summer if we stay up.
Stuart79(Quote)
Don’t think money is a problem to people with sort of money
Icedog(Quote)
Trouble with that Stu is Jabba might not give Rafa anything in Jan window that would be my worry,that’s if a sale goes beyond Jan
Icedog(Quote)
In The Chronic, “The “Legend” Mick Quinn is now saying Everton will (might) go down along with Brighton and Palace. He hedges a bit saying Huddersfield and Swans are also in danger. Everton will not go down.
I said that I thought their business was not as good as the pundits said and that allowing Rooney to run the show is a bad thing. They will be mid-table but I don’t see them troubling the top 6 which is what some were saying. They still have bags of cash so can buy their way out of trouble in January if they need to.
Mick Quinn is a big, fat idiot.
Eric Sykes(Quote)