Newcastle vs Luton – 5 players who could be handed a rare chance to impress Rafa in the FA Cup today

Olly Hawkins

Our record in the FA Cup has been so bad recently that a win today would be the first time we’ve made the Fourth Round in consecutive season in the Ashley era. Coincidence? Think not. We’ve rarely had a squad capable of competing on several squads since the NUFC billionaire has been at the helm and the times we have, we’ve shown a criminal lack of care for the competition.

Today’s home time with Luton gives us a huge chance to put that right and progress, however they can’t be taken lightly. They are top of League two and sit 11 points clear of the promotion place – so Nathan Jones’ side look set to be playing in the third tier of English football next season.

They’ll be up for it, but you’d like to think we will be too. A decent crowd is expected, but so is rotation from Rafa, with him likely to hand a few youngsters or fringe players a rare chance to impress on the St James’ Park stage.

Here’s seven players who may just feature in today’s 3pm kick off in the FA Cup:

Freddie Woodman

The England U-21 international should’ve probably been loaned out in the summer (he’s too good to be playing U-23 football for NUFC), however his big chance may arrive today. Elliot is ruled out and Darlow could be protected for Swansea, so the 20-year old could be given his moment to impress. He’s one to watch if he does – those behind the scenes at NUFC have described him as our biggest young talent since Andy Carroll.

Henri Saivet

The Senegalese midfielder made his first start under Rafa’s reign at West Ham, scoring a superb free-kick and putting in a decent performance. Despite impressing, we’ve not seen him make a matchday squad since. He could be played for Rafa to get another good look at him, or this could be seen as an opportunity to put him in the shop window. Either way, I reckon he’ll start.

Rolando Aarons

Aarons has quite a bit of unfulfilled potential in the eyes of quite a few NUFC fans, and he’s another I fully expect to start today. His last appearance came in the 1-0 defeat to Man City last month, however he might get more chance to attack and show what he can do against a League Two Luton side today. That’s the plan anyway.

Massaido Haidara

You’d be excused for thinking the Frenchman no longer plays for us. Constant injuries have hampered his NUFC career and although he looks almost certain to leave this month or in the summer, he could fill in at left-back today.

Dan Barlaser

The 20-year-old Gateshead born midfielder made a few appearances during our brief FA Cup run last season and get more senior minutes at St James’ Park today. He’s a ball playing central midfielder whose been impressing for the U-23’s. Unsure if he’ll start, but I expect him to be in the squad.

It’s difficult to say, but I think we could see something a little like this from the start today:

(4-2-3-1): Woodman – Manquillo, Clark, Dummett, Haidara – Murphy, Saivet, Hayden, Aarons – Diame – Gayle. 

You’d think the likes of Mbemba, Mitrovic, Lejeune and Gamez might have played if fit, but with those set to miss out and Rafa suggesting he’ll play a ‘strong’ side, we might see a few more first teamer’s start than some may have anticipated.

Either way, it looks set to be an interesting day at St James’ either way, with Elliot and Ollie Lee – the sons of Newcastle legend Rob – both set to start for the visitors.

Here’s hoping we progress and put in a good performance to get back to winning ways at St James’ ahead of next weekend’s crucial league game with Swansea.

Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Luton

HWTL!

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

 

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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60 thoughts on “Newcastle vs Luton – 5 players who could be handed a rare chance to impress Rafa in the FA Cup today”

  1. On 20 November 2017, Staveley submitted a bid in the region of £300m to buy Newcastle United.[8] The bid was accepted and finalised on 05.01.20 and a conference will be held on 06.01.18 before Newcastles home game to Luton F.C

    This is live on AS wiki page

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  2. From the last thread. Micky Quinn reckons it’s a done deal and will be announced today. Bull ****! The guy even re tweeted a fake Sky News account saying the same… 🙂 Nowt against him and I like him but I think he’s wrong on this one unfortunately.

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  5. Nufc11:
    On 20 November 2017, Staveley submitted a bid in the region of £300m to buy Newcastle United.[8] The bid was accepted and finalised on 05.01.20 and a conference will be held on 06.01.18 before Newcastles home game to Luton F.C

    This is live on AS wiki page

    It’s been edited, badly. Not happening

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  6. That we are even seeing Micky Quinn as a reliable source just goes to show the level of desperation that we want this take over to happen.

    If this was a Chinese whisper, how far down that chain would Micky Quinn be?

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  7. I hope to see some of the youngsters get a run out today like.

    I’d love to see Armstrong get a chance at #10. The likes of Victor Fernandez and Sterry getting some game time.

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  8. Just thought, Armstrong won’t play coz you can’t play competitively for 3 teams in a season. Having already played for Bolton, if he plays today he won’t be able to go back out on loan.

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  9. Me too Sharpy – I’d also like another look at Cal Roberts. Takeover a done deal? We’ll see. The transfer budget, whatever Rafa says or doesn’t, must be at least £30-£40m. I’d blaze it all on a good striker.

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  10. Don’t know what these loans are doing anyway. They’re playing him on the left wing. Keep him here Rafa.

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  11. On a different note, I see Grabban has cut his season long loan at Sunderland short to go somewhere else.
    As the only player scoring for them, I reckon they are beyond screwed now. I think they could well go down again now.

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  12. Sharpy17:
    On a different note, I see Grabban has cut his season long loan at Sunderland short to go somewhere else.
    As the only player scoring for them, I reckon they are beyond screwed now.I think they could well go down again now.

    If it happens mate, do we take the high road again? They never did with us.

    There was that little Bradley kid to think about and a few donated to the SBR charity but it didn’t stop their plane flying over with an Auf Wiedersehen Pet reference.

    But, in general they were just SMBs.

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  14. Stuart79:
    if I was in charge of play my strongest team just to kiss Jabba off.

    We have a week before Swansea anyway. And then another write off against City, so why not?

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  15. I dont think it is possible to keep sycg a massive deal secret and then suddenly announce it. Dies not make sense to me.

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  16. Sham, not happening mate, just like signings aren’t . I try to by pass as much transfer gossip as possible as they never hardly come to fruition. Also think the takeover stuff is a good way of keeping the fans minds off what’s really important, no money for Rafa.
    Maybe I’m too cynical but it’s difficult to get excited by anything with that clown of an owner.

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  17. kimtoon:
    Sham, not happening mate, just like signings aren’t . I try to by pass as much transfer gossip as possible as they never hardly come to fruition. Also think the takeover stuff is a good way of keeping the fans minds off what’s really important, no money for Rafa.
    Maybe I’m too cynical but it’s difficult to get excited by anything with that clown of an owner.

    Yeah thats about right. Ashleys latest excuse for not investing.

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  18. Looks like Rafa has done just that! Jabba will be spewing over his champagne breakfast in US!

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  20. Strong team & bench from Rafa.

    Personally a bit disappointed that some of the younger ones aren’t getting a chance. But pleasing to see Rafa respecting the FA Cup & clearly looking to win the game.

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  22. Please, if there is a God, do not allow Hart anywhere near to our team… there is a good reason why he cannot get a game for Wet Spam.

    Are teams announced for Luton game? Noth8ng on sky sports yet. Would like to see McNall get some game time… young but very promising, or even Tom Heardman.

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  24. Dubai Toon:
    Please, if there is a God, do not allow Hart anywhere near to our team… there is a good reason why he cannot get a game for Wet Spam.

    Are teams announced for Luton game? Noth8ng on sky sports yet. Would like to see McNall get some game time… young but very promising, or even Tom Heardman.

    NEWCASTLE UNITED: Woodman; Manquillo, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Ritchie, Shelvey, Merino, Murphy; Perez, Gayle. Subs: Darlow, Diame, Hayden, Aarons, Joselu, Saivet, Haidara. LUTON TOWN: Stech, Potts, Rea, Mullins, Justin, Ruddock, O Lee, Berry, Shinnie, Collins, Hytlon. Subs: Stacey, Cook, Cornick, Gambin, Shea, E Lee, Famewo

    Read more at: https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/freddie-woodman-handed-fa-cup-start-for-newcastle-against-luton-1-8943583

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  26. Good innit Sham 🙂 respect the cup, how refreshing, Jabba will be spitting his breakfast out seeing that.

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  29. Thanks Sharpie. That’s almost a full strength side. Only Freddie from the U21’s.
    We need to win this one.

    I see Leicester got a 0-0 draw with Fleetwood Town. Anything can happen in the cup. ??. Scum lost to the smoggies today as well. ?.

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  38. A big win today would be great for confidence – regardless of the fact it’s Luton.
    To hear SJP rocking again would do the players good with all the home games we’ve got left this season.

    A big win would make Swansea have to think how they approach their visit as well I reckon.

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  39. Dubai, had to shut down pc and restart to get back on here ! even closing and reloading thread didn’t work and have had to load my name and email as just realised that had disappeared also after writing this before and it not loading.
    Isn’t part of this blog that we can converse with each other during matches and celebrate goals ? If we can’t do that it’s a real sad day. It’s happening on every game day now just after the match starts and I know it’s not just me having problems.

    Anyway, is Lascelles injured ? hope not as we are **** without him at the back.

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  40. i giive up this is the sixth time ive tried to comment on ipad just keeps reloading,so had to chuck mrs off lap to comment,good result so far,pity about lassie

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  43. I’m not convinced flogging our 1st teamers in a pretty meaningless match against minnows is that productive when we are in a relegation battle. I know winning breeds confidence but this is a league 2 side in a competition we have no chance of winning.

    I’d have liked to have seen mkre finge and youth players in the squad today.

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  49. Site has been **** for me too.. also had to keep re loading on my iPad.

    Got a bit nervy during the second half. We did our best to throw it away but happy to get through. Our strikers were *****!

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  50. Kenedy and Batshuayi both playing for Chelsea. Don’t want them now as they are going to be cup tied… ???

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  52. finally back on, games over now 🙄 ah well at least we won.
    And Rafa says lascelles off as precaution only ‘he’s fine ‘ he says.

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  54. Now that we have successfully got through, just watch us draw City in the next round… ?

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  55. shamrock:
    I’m not convinced flogging our 1st teamers in a pretty meaningless match against minnows is that productive when we are in a relegation battle. I know winning breeds confidence but this is a league 2 side in a competition we have no chance of winning.

    I’d have liked to have seen mkre finge and youth players in the squad today.

    Not for me, Sham. Why should we priories staying up when the owner won’t help? He’s the only person who gains anything if we stay up. I enjoyed the Championship last season more than I have this season.

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  56. Well, I’m not impressed with Kenedy or Batshuayi so far … in fact Chelsea have been **** in the first half.

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  57. I know it was Luton and we were expected to win, but I don’t think we can overlook just how big a Home win is – even more so that it was with the first team (pretty much).

    It’s been a while since those players have heard the atmosphere of the home fans when the team plays well and wins. Thats got to have felt good and hopefully will spur them on to experience it again afew more times this season.

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  58. Coutinho to Barca for £142 million…. ????????? the world has gone crazy… that’s more than the fat man paid for our whole club…!

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