After the huge win over Manchester United last weekend, there is finally a feel good factor on the pitch. Even though we are still just two points above the drop zone and in the thick of it still, the win on Sunday felt like more than just three points and we have the momentum to stay clear of trouble.
Here are five reasons why I believe we will beat the drop…
1.New signings adding much needed quality – and the best one’s still to come
Three players arrived in January and although they were all loans as Ashley scrimped again, they have already made an impact.
Kenedy has slotted in on the wing nicely and looks a cut above our other options there and we now know all about the dream debut for Dubravka. It’s early days for him, but he showed confidence (which is crucial) and several positive attributes as a new goalkeeper in the Premier League.
Slimani has yet to feature but looks set to be involved against Bournemouth. After already playing in the Premier League with Leicester, he will require less time to settle and add a much needed cutting edge and quality to our play up top. He’s a £29m striker we’ve got until the end of the season, so I’m fully expecting him to give us a real boost in attacking areas if he stays fit.
Better later than never but the impact they have already makes it all the more frustrating NUFC didn’t do business earlier in the January window.
2. This bunch have the character and fight required
What we lack in quality we certainly make up for with attitude, work rate and commitment. 4 points against Man Utd and Palace is an excellent return and conceding just once over the last two games was helped by players throwing their bodies on the line and being determined to get something from the game.
The attitude of the likes of Dummett, Lascelles, Ritchie and even Diame has optimised the good character of the squad. Despite limitations on the ball, you can’t question their application. This squad is a far cry of the spineless squad of internationals that was relegated last time and the new signing seem to be on board with this too. Slimani is certainly a player who’ll put himself about.
3. Benitez’s experience will give us the edge
Jamie Carragher mentioned this on Monday Night Football that he thinks Newcastle will stay up simply as they have Benitez. His argument was that he was a big game manager with world class pedigree and is a coach who is capable of pulling off a result in a one off game that could make all the difference. The win last weekend was a case in point on this; you would back Rafa to get us the points to get us over the line.
Even in the short time-frame he was in charge of in 2016, he pulled off some great wins which nearly stopped the rot and kept us up. With some relegation six pointers coming up at SJP, expect Rafa to help us get the 10 points we likely need.
When the going gets tough, I feel we couldn’t be in safer hands – and that will rub off on the players and give them real confidence and a sense of calm.
4. Players coming to form at the right time
As mentioned, we have some new signings who have hit the ground running and with Slimani to also come into the side. But we have some of the old guard who are peaking at just the right time. The stats of our win rate with Dummett/Lascelles vs. when they are absent is quite staggering really and they have certainly played their part recently.
Diame looks a new player after an incredible rise to form over the past 6 weeks and Shelvey arguably put his best display in a Newcastle shirt in last time out. Lejeune is finally fit and looks a class act alongside Lascelles at the heart of our defence and hopefully Dubravka can continue his debut and be the calming keeper we need. A special mention must go to Matt Ritchie as well, after being dropped and losing form, bounced back to win us the game and hopefully can get a few more crucial goals come the end of May.
5. Relegation rivals struggling
It is worth remembering that we just need to come 17th or higher this season and above just three teams. We have some good momentum at the moment and some of the other sides have plenty of reason to worry too.
Stoke are struggling and will find it hard to bounce back from that crucial penalty miss against Brighton. Despite winning last weekend, Huddersfield have dropped like a stone and will be in the thick of it, and despite signings West Brom are now 8 points adrift. The law of averages will dictate that Swansea’s outstanding form will also have to come to a halt at some stage. Southampton are another side who lack confidence and any sort of fight under Pellergrino, so I’d be quite worried if I was a Saints fan right now
There’s still 33 points to be won and several season defining games left to play in the run in, but things are looking up for NUFC.
How do you think we’ll fare between now and the end of the season and which three sides are you backing to do down?
Cheers Simon. I agree.
Eric – are you enjoying all these ‘5 reasons why’ threads that have been coming through lately?!
shamrock(Quote)
Sham 🙄
Premandup(Quote)
we got to hope injurys dont take a toll,we seem to struggle when players like the club captain is missing,if we can keep clear of injurys we can stay up and of coarse if our new c/f comes good,the injury he has can sometimes take weeks and weeks to clear up ❓
icedog(Quote)
Yeah you are right Ice. Lascelles is massive for us. Lose him and we are in trouble.
shamrock(Quote)
5 things I know:
1. There is not a single FA Cup tie that I want to watch this weekend.
2. can we start the PL again?
3. Champions League was good.
4.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It is like an International FRIENDLY Break. Play Phil Jones and Daniel Sturridge.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Oh, they’re injured !
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Saints, WBA and Huddersfield to go down. We won’t be far off 40 points. We’ve only lost two of the last nine and they were against City. That’s good form at the right time.
georgio(Quote)
Cheers Simon, hope you’re right mate. I am heartened by that result v Manure, but as Ice points out an injury to Lascelles or Dummett and we could be in big trouble. So much of our successes on the pitch have come from good defending that I do worry how it would affect us should we lose key defenders. Since we can’t rely on high goals tally our defence is a vital component to the run in.
Slimani may or may not be fit to play next match and he may or may not get us goals, plus he could break down. Still too many ifs and buts just yet for me. 2 more wins and at 34 I will be much more hopeful we’ll do it.
Reckon 38 could be enough this season, vital we take something from B/mouth, Saints and Hudders, all of which will likely be far tougher than Manure imo.
kimtoon(Quote)
That sounds less impressive when accounting for draws in that run, but yes if we can stick a few more wins on the board itd be good.
Got to aim for 10 points from b-mouth, hudds, watford, west Brom and saints. If not .. do we deserve to stay up ?
GlosMag(Quote)
Reckon 38 could be enough this season, vital we take something from B/mouth, Saints and Hudders, all of which will likely be far tougher than Manure imo.
your spot on there KIM,i maybe go for 37 to stay up,there are only two spaces to fill as imo WBA are gone no way way they can get out of it
icedog(Quote)
WBA have won 1 in 25 PL games that doesnt bode well to stay up now 4 players are in bother for nicking a taxi in Spain
icedog(Quote)
That’s what too much sun and sangria does to you, oh and having Pards as a manager 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
???
Icedog(Quote)
Apparently they left the taxi outside the hotel, can only assume they were pre-empting the club owners next move- “Taxi for Pardew ”
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM Pulis kept them up a couple of times as he did with Stoke,with a awful brand of footy like
Icedog(Quote)
Aye, not pretty but effective .
kimtoon(Quote)
Glos – 13 points from 9 games impresses me at this stage of a relegation battle.
georgio(Quote)
i see Pardew had his phone and handbag nicked in Spain too,shame 😛 😛 this Swansea game is ****
icedog(Quote)
Quote of the day ” pressure is a privilege ” Lizzy Yarnold 😎
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh dear he’s not having a good couple of days is he
kimtoon(Quote)
We’re good on the old tea trays like # gold&bronze 😎 😀
kimtoon(Quote)
So my table shook while I was eating my lunch at 2.30, turns out it’s an earthquake of 4.7 magnitude !
Epicentre Swansea, felt from cornwall to mersyside, most strange sensation, thought I was having a funny turn .
kimtoon(Quote)
From The Guardian:
“A source from the city’s police, the Mossos d’Esquadra, had pointed out: “There were four people who wanted to go out in the city centre. Everything was closed so they got a taxi to a McDonald’s by the Barcelona port. At some moment the driver left the car for some reason and the four people took control of the car. They eventually returned it to their hotel and we got a call from the receptionist saying they had parked outside the hotel. This happened at 5.30am. The taxi was returned to its owner at 8am.”
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Chris Waddle:
http://www.football365.com/news/a-football365-love-letter-tochris-waddle
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I know I rant and rave about commentators and journalists but there are some I like. Chris is one of them. I like Shearer as well – The True Geordie did a long interview with him where his true self came through. He tend to be a bit mechanical when he is on MOTD. The best commentator is a Yank believe it or not – Phil Shoen.
It is just easier to go on a rant about Keys (I don’t really mind Andy). Or Phil Neville, who should just go away. And the only man made object visible from space. You know what I mean, Phil Thomson’s nose. Actually, there are 2 man made objects visible from space – Paul Merson’s Giant Balloon Head.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Used to work at a sausage factory,I don’t like the guy,likes to run the toon down and we gave him the chance to get into the game,****-heed
Icedog(Quote)
Not even for the mullet? I don’t get 5live so just hear his co-commentary.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That is awesome. A real rare occurrence probably less than once in a lifetime!
shamrock(Quote)
SHAM think Kim must just have dropped her purse??
Icedog(Quote)
Been in Malta when they had a quakes a couple of times strange feeling like nearly spilled my Jackie d not that would have been bad?
Icedog(Quote)
Ha ha, nice one
kimtoon(Quote)
Cat was well freaked out too
kimtoon(Quote)
Sham, it’s a very strange feeling, only lasted 2-3 seconds and at first I thought I was having a dizzy spell due to this virus but that didn’t explain the table shaking .
kimtoon(Quote)
Think we have to get KIM off the drink?
Icedog(Quote)
We’ll beat the drop. There’s a a few more team less together than us and a lot of teams with a manager less talented than us.
Internet is pathetic here. Just in and out..
Stuart79(Quote)
Kim – that girl is fantastic!!. A chest infection and she throws herself down an ice hill 4 times faster than anyone else & wins a 2nd gold. A footballer would be out 4 weeks with a chest infection ?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I hope Sturridge is enjoying his family time in the Midlands coz the way thIngs are going at WBA it was a very stupid footballing decision
Sharpy17(Quote)
Aye mate, she was the dogs today like, what a star and Laura has a massive future too I reckon.
kimtoon(Quote)
Did someone mention drink 😉 😀
kimtoon(Quote)
???
Icedog(Quote)
Hehehe . . Yup that level of return in remaining games should see us safe. Looking st remain games it should be achievable so I’m hopeful we’ll make it
GlosMag(Quote)
Fingers crossed mate!
georgio(Quote)
made me smile i was reading Rafa has 39 wins in 22 months i thought thats not very good then i read Scum have 39 wins in 5 years 1 month 😆 😆
icedog(Quote)
😀 😀 😛
georgio(Quote)
Ice – it doesn’t sound good when written in months. But actually, that’s 36 wins in 76 games during that time – a win rate of 47.37% – not so bad considering nearly half that time has been battling against relegation.
http://www.managerstats.co.uk/clubs/newcastle-united/
Hoots has the best win ratio since KK back in 1997. I know most of that time was Championship football – but when you consider what Ashley was doing to the club at that time, along with the fact it was his first real managerial post – quite an achievement I think.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hate these periods without a game at this time of the year. In Summer there is transfer speculation to whet the appetite. At the moment ****** all. Really hate it.
Groucho(Quote)
Aye it’s a pain in the ***
Icedog(Quote)
What should I have with romesco sauce I just made. With fish or steak?
Is knowledge justifiable, true, belief? Or are these 3 words necessary but not sufficient to describe knowledge?
How big is Paul Merson’s Giant Balloon Head really? 1 Sun huge, 2? In an expanding universe will his head get bigger and more bulbous?
Questions to ponder during the FA Cup Break.
Bring on the International Break. I can’t wait.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So you are these West Brom players, right. You are not just so dumb to steal the taxi in the first place but you drive it back to your hotel and park it on the street illegally, outside your fcking hotel. You couldn’t just drive 200 yards up the street so the receptionist wouldn’t notice that it was out there and call the police? And just in case you were auditioning for Dumb and Dumber 3, you wouldn’t guess that when the driver came to get his cab he might possibly identify you or at least say there were 4 british football players “bantering” in my taxi before it was stolen!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yes it took Sherlock Holmes to solve this case. Excuse me Senor front desk guy. I have this taxi driver who says there were 4 bantering footballers who stole his taxi and I notice you have an abandoned taxi outside your hotel. Do you happen to have 24 footballers and their manager and 30 others of their entourage staying in your hotel by any chance? And a particularly ugly man who can get quite aggressive? Ugly John I think he is known as? You know, they are basically filling up most of your hotel and bantering and blinging everywhere? Yes, those 50 young men gathering in your lobby before getting on the coach to go train at Espanyol’s ground? Oh, you have seen them. and can I introduce you to the driver who is missing his taxi?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The worst taxi heist in the history of taxi heists. “No we don’t speak Spanish, mate. Just take us to McDonalds since it is 5.30 in the morning. There’s no way you will remember who we are, right? If you want your taxi back we will park it outside our hotel”. Illegally, so the police can look up the plates and contact your company and let them know they have found the stolen cab.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC,kind of joke,Pardew says you four will never play for me again for nicking the taxi, eight player jumped up and said we were riding in the back??
Icedog(Quote)
Wow did not realise Wigan downed Man City! Nice work.
shamrock(Quote)
I see Armstrong scored again for Blackburn last night – and their fans bloody loving him!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Shame but I don’t think he’s quite up to PL standard mate
Icedog(Quote)
Sunderland right in the brown stuff
kimtoon(Quote)
Pards is saying he is the right man for the job at WBA because he has experience of fighting relegation citing NUFC as an example. Yes, you have the experience because you put us in the predicament in the first place. You also sent Charlton down and West Ham only survived because they sacked you. You know, when their new manager started to play Carlos Tevez and he scored the goals to keep them up.
He did a decent job at Palace before he ended up with the worst record in the football league for 2016. So, he started out sort of OK and then it all turned to ****. At Albion it has started out **** and will continue to be ****.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Coleman is picking a fight with the owner and saying the players have a bad attitude (pot calling kettle black?). If I didn’t know better I would think he is sick of Wearside and wants his golden parachute payment.
They are bottom but it is like the PL where a couple of wins could make a massive difference. I don’t think this sort of carping by your manager helps much.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, I can really see them going down again mate, they are awful and the owner has basically given up I reckon.
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric, my daughters boyfriends dad is a Blackburn Rovers fans, they are from Darwin in Blackburn.
Anyway his dad went to watch Rovers and they were so awful he left the match at half time, something he has never done before in 40 years a season ticket holder.
He sent an angry email to the club, saying how terrible they played and it was the worst he’d seen in over 40 years and had never left at half time before.
Yesterday he got a telephone call from the CEO of Rovers to apologise!. Can you imagine that happening with the Toon, you would be more likely banned. Fair play to the CEO for taking time to phone in person, though we did think it funny he rang.
kimtoon(Quote)
Ice – I’d still like Arma to be given a chance at PL level. It may turn out he’s not good enough but is Joselu or Perez? Gayle even?
georgio(Quote)
those three are championship players at best too mate
icedog(Quote)
I see the scum are up for sale… £50 million. About the same valuation as Lascelles I recon… ??
Dubai Toon(Quote)
We. Don’t want to sell him that cheaply mate??
Icedog(Quote)
I think Arma will need to prove himself at Championship level before getting any more game time in the PL.
shamrock(Quote)
So Bellamy is getting a job in football management. Who next, Barton? I don’t mind Bellas but he did hit Jon Arne Riise with a golf club and the Cov players locked him in the toilet of their club bus because he wouldn’t shut up and I think Souness was going to chin him. He did some good work for a football academy in Africa though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I really rated Bellamy as a player. Imagine if we had him instead of Gayle for example.
shamrock(Quote)
Sham: Bellamy was a real mouthy little ****** but my view was I liked him because he was OUR mouthy little ******. Ran himself into the ground for Shearer when Big Al’s knees were gone and never stopped for the whole 90 minutes. I think he will demand the same from the Oxford players so it could be a good hire.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If you think it is dead on here now then just wait for the upcoming international break 🙂 Especially if we lose to Bournemouth. They are a bit of a bogey team for us but I think we will be up for it. Team:
Dubravka
Yedlin Lescelles Lejuene Dummett
Ritchie Shelvey Diame Kenedy
Gayle Slimani
Eric Sykes(Quote)
You have to go with Diame because of his recent form but Merino should be getting back to full fitness. Also, Gayle over Perez because he is more of a goal threat and seems to have his head back together, or maybe it is just that his hamstrings are feeling better.
Apart from Merino for Diame this is probably our best team. I haven’t seen much of Slimani but he cost a packet and had a great record in Portugal and even had a better goal scoring record for Leicester than Joselu had at Stoke or for us.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And… I don’t want Sunderland to go down. It might be good for comedy value but they might implode. They could end up the new Coventry who had like 30 years in the top division before turning to ****. Portsmouth, Leeds? I have no love for Mackems but I never really hated them either.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Mitro scores for Fulham
Icedog(Quote)
Ice: I am watching Man U and cannot believe how boring they are. De Gea (now valued at 100 mil) is Man of the Match when they have spent:
90 mil Pogba
90 mil Lukaku
45 mil Mata
35 mil Matic
30 mil Young
30 mil (plus Agent fees) Sanchez
Plus the rest.They have like 500 million quid of “talent” out there and can’t get out of their own half.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
21 shots for Sevilla, 4 for Man U. Maybe the 1-0 win we had against them wasn’t that impressive after all 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)