Preferred XI
Once again, I struggle to see why or how Rafa can change things from the side that have done so well in recent wins over Man Utd, Southampton and Huddersfield – especially when Slimani is unable to play:
Given Gayle’s total inability to finish his dinner last weekend, this could’ve been an ideal occasion to see Slimani make his full debut from the start, however the Leicester loanee won’t feature here for obvious reasons. Gayle needs to pull his socks up.
Diame picked up a knock last weekend and was withdrawn, however he’s won his race to be fit, meaning Merino and Hayden will have to wait for their chance once again (although I imagine Diame won’t play the full 90 given his recent injury issue).
The defence picks itself, as does Martin Dubrakva – with the Slovakian looking to pick up his third straight clean sheet tomorrow.
Predicted NUFC XI – (4-2-3-1) – Dubravka– Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett – Diame, Shelvey – Ritchie, Perez, Kenedy – Gayle
The Opposition
Aside from the obvious duo (Vardy and Mahrez), here’s a few players to watch out for tomorrow’s visitors:
Harry Maguire – He’s surprisingly good on the ball and is more than capable of playing out from the back and starting attacks from deep. He’s also a massive unit and one to really watch from set pieces.
Adrien Silva – The Portuguese international finally joined the Foxes for £22m in January, however he’s barely had a look in ahead of central midfield pair Iborra and Ndidi so far. The latter is suspended for this one, so it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on. He has talent and technical ability, but he’s not a like for like replacement for Ndidi – the man who shields their defence superbly.
Marc Alrighton – Like Chilwell (who’ll play behind him at LB), he’ll regularly put good deliveries into the box and works his socks off. An underrated player for the Foxes who seems to always deliver.
Kasper Schmeichel – He’s been a bit dodgy when I’ve watched him recently, yet, in the same breath, he’s the sort of stopper that could pull off a miraculous save to stop an almost certain goal. I hope we see the shaky Schmeichel tomorrow.
Predicted Leicester XI – (4-4-1-1) – Schmeichel– Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell – Mahrez, Iborra, Silva, Albrighton – Okazaki – Vardy.
For an inside look into this weekend’s opponents, take a look at the latest edition of the ‘Opposition Opinion’ . A great insight into this weekend’s opponents.
Form
Newcastle – 12th (35 pts) – Last 5 in the league – Won: 3 / Drawn: 1 / Lost: 1
Leicester – 8th ( 43 pts) – Last 5 in the league – Won: 2 / Drawn: 2 / Lost: 1
Team news
Islam Slimani will be unable to play against his parent club due to loan rules, however Rafa has passed Mo Diame fit despite him picking up a knock in the 1-0 win over Huddersfield.
Joselu could return to the squad, however I fully expect Gayle to start up top again.
For Leicester, star midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is facing a ban after a red card in their recent 2-0 win at Brighton, leaving a big hole in their central midfield.
Matty James has been ruled out for the rest of the season and fellow midfielder Daniel Amartey also misses out because of a hamstring injury.
Match Prediction
I could worry that we’ll be complacent (with the Huddersfield win putting us on the brink of securing safety), but I actually think we’ll play with a bit of confidence and freedom here.
That being said, Leicester are a very dangerous side and the likes of Vardy and Mahrez will be a real handful – even if Ndidi’s absence could leave a real hole in their midfield.
I fancy a few goals and a scoring draw – Kenedy to smash in from 25 yards and Gayle to find the net finally after several huge misses vs Huddersfield.
Prediction: Leicester 2-2 Newcastle
Howay the lads!
Hopefully we do better than last time we met them. We do have players who were missing last time and players now in form plus Dubravka and kennedy so we might just snatch a point if we are up for it.
kimtoon(Quote)
Pity Ndidi isn’t playing. I was looking forward to saying “Yes Ndidi” when he made a good tackle.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There will probably be 6 or 7 changes from last time – Dubravka, Dummett, Lascelles, Kenedy, Perez, Shelvey and Diame all didn’t start last game against Leicester.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Agree on Schmeikel. He has a bit of Joe Hart about him. Rafa lucked out not getting Hart or Cabellero as it looks like his 4th choice, Dubravka, is better than them and an aging Reina.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We will get chances against them, I’m sure of that. But if we stand a chance of getting anything of this one, we will need Gayle to be far more clinical than he was against Huddersfield that’s for sure.
We won’t have Slimani to turn to, and I can’t say I have any faith in Joselu stepping in if Gayle bombs out again.
Sharpy17(Quote)
A hint maybe that Rafa might be staying?? he’s given players the date to return for pre-season training??
Icedog(Quote)
fingers crossed mate
kimtoon(Quote)
Watching St Etienne. Their two star players are Cabella and Debuchy. Debuchy is being talked about as possibly making the French WC squad. Thauvin is in the running for player of the season. Did we give up on them too soon or were they just not suited to the PL? Even some of Carr’s failures have turned out to be decent players even if they did all come from the Mondial Agency.
There are some rewriting history saying Carr was **** but he was actually a pretty decent scout. He wanted Dele Alli, Lacazette and Aubamayang but the Fatman wouldn’t pay the going rate.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And right on cue, Debuchy hits a brilliant assist for Cabella to score against PSG. 4 goals in last 3 games.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ice – I am really confident Rafa stays mate. He’s been through the tough times and stuck it out to get to the point he’ll have us in come the summer.
I think the real work starts then in terms of him getting us where he believes we can be.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – I think it’s the latter. I think they just weren’t suited to the PL – maybe Debuchy was more down to injury and maybe could have done better at Arsenal if fit. But certainly the wide lads were just too light weight.
I was a defender of Carr quite often coz I just thought with the budget he was given and the parameters he had to work in, it made his margin of success very slim – and I don’t think he did terribly badly to be fair.
Always difficult to tell, coz there was always a sub standard coach there working with those he recruited.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It is actually quite funny the stories coming out about Pards at WBA. Seems he was a real c@nt to one of the young lads and the experienced pros hated him. It is also quite enlightening to see none of his defenders backing him this time even though they all wanted these older British dinosaurs to get any open PL job. I am looking at you Richard Keys and Andy Gray.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also didn’t have a curfew the night the taxi was stolen and it sounds like he and the players were treating it like a holiday. He lost his phone, wallet and coat the night before the taxi incident, in a club I think. I have seen a few implying that Pards was a bit worse for wear after indulging in a bit of yer sangria.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I also read that Schteve was a bit lax with the discipline when he took NUFC to Spain and even in his dire situation treated it like a holiday. Really surprising since he coached under Lord Ferg.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Would you put this manager on the pundits couch?
West Ham – hardly played Mashcerano and Tevez after a coup to get them by their Director of Football.
Charlton – almost a revolution to get him out and him being almost one of their own.
Southampton – extra curricular activity with a Lady and Mutual Consented.
NUFC – grass roots movement started to get him out. Only Ashley’s stubbornness and unwillingness to pay up an 8 year contract kept him in a job.
Palace – One of their own. Worst 2016 of ANY CLUB IN THE WHOLE FOOTBALL LEAGUE, sacked.
WBA – 5.5% winning percentage. Bullied youngsters, lost dressing room. Asked to be sacked and got his wish before player and fan revolt.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I probably shouldn’t venture back into this particular pool of water, but I know for a fact that McClaren was a total kiss **** to the players. He left the ‘disciple’ to our mate Blackie. He played good cop and the players took the ****, while bad cop Blackie got more and more ****** off with both the players but more so with McClaren for sitting back and letting it happen.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Debuchy OG in stoppage time. Cabella missed a penalty. now that’s more like it 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: completely forgot about Blackie, how is he? Getting disciplined by McClaren always reminded me of what Dennis Healy said of ex-Chancellor Geoffrey Howe. He said that debating him was like being mauled by a dead sheep.
Are you too young to remember those two?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC I love your posts,keeps the blog alive imo
Icedog(Quote)
I must be a natural contrarian because when I see all of the pundits pick against us in what will probably be a tight game I assume the opposite will happen. I am also a realist so when they picked Man City to beat us I agreed.
So I’m going with 2-1 to NUFC. Gayle to make up for last week’s misses and Vardy to get theirs.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And we played well last week it just wasn’t reflected in the score. Should have been 3 or 4 nil and was probably the most one-sided 1-0 from NUFC I have seen in a while.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
At last the PL is to consider a cap on agents fees
Icedog(Quote)
Cheers Ice. I think Olly, Simon and Andy are doing a great job with the articles. A lot of original content. I like Ed’s stuff but a lot is lifted straight from The Chronicle. I wish a few more would come on, even Troy. I am not signed up for Ed’s because there is a lot of pettiness on there. I know I have my moments but that is usually caused by daytime drinking when matches start over here early. Scouse Derby is at 6.30 am tomorrow but I will hold off until I get to the Pub at a much more sane drinking hour of 9am 🙂 Then the Manc Derby so I will probably be wasted by 1 o’clock 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Did you see that Raola scumbag offered Pogba to Pep? I think he got like 20 million from the Juve move and then barely a year later wanted to stick his snout back in the trough. This was before the Mourinho falling out as well.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
He also basically called Pep a liar and Pep said that he has a lot of stories he could tell but he will wait until he writes his autobiography.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Aye saw that,my dad’s saying was,the Earth supply’s enough for each mans needs but not enough for mans greed,how true these days
Icedog(Quote)
Sadly not mate.
I know Blackie through a mate, I met him a few times, but to be honest I was more bothered about meeting Jonny Wilkinson (I was a lot younger back then though).
Blackie was a good guy back then from my experience with him. But according to my mate McClarens approach was that the coaches (mainly Blackie) were the bad guys and he was the good guy coz he wanted the players to trust him and feel they could go to him – Blackie didn’t agree. He thought that role should have been that young Scottish lads and the senior staff concentrated on business, but McClaren wouldn’t change his approach – despite the players thinking he was a creepy *****.
Sharpy17(Quote)
There is no way this Mackem takeover will happen in its present form. The Chronic say that an Irish Businessman is hoping to head a consortium to take over. There’s your first clue, these consortium bids never pan out. The only thing they could say that would be worse is that it was a local consortium because they are usually fly-by-night/got lucky property developers.
Then they say that Short wants 50-70 million. What they omit is that the club is 140 million pounds in debt – half to Short and half to the banks. Short has said he is willing to write off his loans but the banks wont.
So the cost of the Mackems would be 120-140 million. No way, not for a 3rd tier team. I don’t care if they have a modern stadium or not. They have a wage bill of 35 million that they cannot shift and that will eat up all of the PL parachute payments.
Villa cost 60 million and were in The Championship when they were bought.
There is just no way this is happening on these terms. The only way for anything to move is if Short accepts $1 and the new owners only have to deal with the bank debt. There is more chance of administration than this deal going through unless they lie about the details.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I mean, Stavely and Co wanted a 100 million get out of jail free card for NUFC if we were relegated. That would value NUFC in her opinion at about 150 million in The Championship. So, The Chronic are telling us that Sunderland’s value in the 3rd Division is 120-140 million? Pull the other one! How many season tickets do you think they will sell for visits from Southend, Fleetwood and Northampton?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
kimtoon(Quote)
He might see out his contract but I don’t see a long term future for him under Jabba. His ambitions are certainly not aligned with Jabba’s. If a club offer the money in the summer he will go. Only question is, who…
Stuart79(Quote)
Just watching the BIG DERBY DEBATE on Sky – Given (Man City), Danny Higginbottom (Man Utd), Kevin Campbell (Everton) and Steve Mahon (Liverpool) representing the club ?. I guess the budget has gone on match pundits then ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
It’s hard to believe what’s happening with the scum. Is it? Not really. I can’t remember them ever signing a decent player unless you go back to Quinn/Phillips.
Although I think we’re safe already (I just can’t see either Stoke or Saints catching us) it would be nice to confirm it today. They’ll miss Ndidi. He bossed the game at SJP.
georgio(Quote)
Stu – I think the good thing with Rafa is his ambition with us is realistic to the club. He knows whether it be Ashley or Mandy, we aren’t competing for the league unless Bill Gates buys us and commits his entire fortune.
I honestly think he’d be happy enough competing for a top 6 spot and Cup runs with us – because for Rafa, we also fit with his family life and that to him is as important (more important) than winning leagues with a club that take him away from his family.
I think being appreciated by the fans is a big thing for Rafa too. He won stuff with Chelsea & Madrid, but the fans did not appreciate him for it and that bothers him IMO.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It is now RafaNUFC. He has complete control over everything and just has to deal with a glorified accountant. This is a perfect situation for a control freak like Rafa as long as Ashley sticks to his word and gives him every penny that NUFC generates. Ashley is a disinterested owner and is only worried about maintaining his investment. I agree with Sharpy that fees are so high now that the Abramovich model of kickstarting a club with a large initial investment is probably too expensive now unless you are talking someone like Amazon who want content and to get a foothold into the PL.
Fatman should incentivize Rafa and give him a stake in the club. He does it with Sports Direct managers. Maybe 5%. If Ashley eventually sells Rafa could be given the choice of cashing out or keeping his stake under new Management.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
https://twitter.com/MsiDouglas/status/982567952212996096
brand new fan 😀
kimtoon(Quote)
And where would Rafa go anyway? Would he get any more money at Sociedad? All of the money is hoovered up by the Madrids and Barcelona in Spain. West Ham? Sullivan used to interfere in transfers but says he has stepped back. How long will that last? The 3 headed monster of Gold, Sullivan and Brady want the limelight.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I really think it is mate and I don’t think Ashley will mind that one bit providing Rafa sticks to his bit, which is keeping us in the PL (and I’ve no doubt he will).
This TV deal and the global coverage the PL gets means Ashley can continue to expand SD and take it to foreign shores and the advertisement he gets through televised games at SJP will only help grow that.
The profit that NUFC make to Ashley is peanuts to his overall wealth & is fair better invested in keeping Rafa sweet & us in the PL.
Let’s not forget that Ashley was the bloke who gave Pardew an 8 year contract and put McClaren on the board – so he has previous for looking to keep his managers sweet. Rafa won’t be as easily bought though and will want that money so he can build a team that can compete. But again, I don’t see Ashley shirking on that if the monies there coz he handed McClaren a decent wedge to strengthen the squad – it just wasn’t spent wisely.
It could well be that we have a situation whereby they all have different agendas, but actually they can all help achieve each other’s – if they can find that working balance.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – all the best ones are born 7th April ?. I’m slightly older than that though ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Happy birthday mate 😀
lets hope Toon give you a good pressie today
kimtoon(Quote)
I still think Ashley will get an offer close to his valuation from someone. He is a fickle fcker though so he might have changed his mind about selling. Kimtoon says he was never serious anyway. As I have said before it is about supply and demand and we are the only available club with the fans and the infrastructure to have a chance to compete with the top 6. Stoke, with a large investment but they are going down.
We are really not that far off Spurs in terms of finances. They are burdened with that stadium which will not generate enough money to pay for itself. It will be a leaking bucket of about 100 million a year for about 15 years. They made 300 million this year with CL football which is by no means guaranteed. I bet we could get up to 200 million in the next couple of years and SJP is built with no debt.
I doubt if Fatman would want his loan repaid. He can get his money back if he sells. And in the scheme of things 140 million isn’t a lot to him or a lot compared to a billion pound stadium.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Everton spending 500 million on a ground makes even less sense. How much extra money will that generate? There is hardly the demand for corporate boxes on Merseyside that there is in London. It shows you how much it takes to compete and that Fatman’s valuation is probably correct. These finance professors who say 225 million are idiots.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Rooney off on 56 minutes in the Merseyside Derby 🙂 He used to be a good player and is now *****. I don’t care if he has 10 goals, 4 were penalties and he hasn’t scored for 13 games. The Everton fans have turned as well because they see what we all have seen for the last 5 years. He has gone down the tunnel in a huff.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
He’s back. Must be worried about his image 🙂 Shagging grannies and getting arrested for drunk driving didn’t hurt him with his Pals in the media.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Thanks Kim, yeah 3 points would be very nice but I’d take a draw right now if I’m honest. Off to the Dominican on Monday as well so a defeat won’t dampen spirits too much ??♂️?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – if he does and the buyer has football and success as the priority then mores the better, but if not I’m saying I think there could still be a working compromise to be found.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – I think it’s more the cost of keeping an old stadium like Goodison going to be honest mate. The maintenance and repair costs is dead money really. Build a brand new stadium and sell the land Goodison is on and it might not actually cost that much really.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Holy **** Everton v Liverpool is the worst game of footy I have ever seen.
Shamrock(Quote)
**** wasn’t it, bore fest imo
kimtoon(Quote)
Well that Merseyside derby was utter total *****… hoping for 3 points today. Keep the winning form going.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
SHARPY. All the best bud
Icedog(Quote)
Happy day of birth Sharpy… hope we win to give you a great day mate.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Thanks Ice & Dubai – a win would be great, but I’d settle for the results going our way to keep that gap.
Watching SSN and Kammy reckons we’ve started well so fingers crossed
Sharpy17(Quote)
The Merseyside Derby was ****!!. Can’t say I was impressed with Ings either – he done absolutely nowt
Sharpy17(Quote)
Started well enough
kimtoon(Quote)
Getinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Jon jo 🙂
kimtoon(Quote)
need to keep this up as long as possible
kimtoon(Quote)
Maguire just a yellow ? if that was jon jo he’s off you just know it
kimtoon(Quote)
Lascelles gets a yellow for something he’s said too, isn’t that two weeks in a row he’s gotten silly yellows ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Brighton ahead
kimtoon(Quote)
Brighton drawing
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – your rightness there, and am I right in thinking coz he showed a yellow they can’t go back and take retrospective action.
Sharpy17(Quote)
got away with that there
kimtoon(Quote)
correct mate, it’s been dealt with by ref. Nevermind just got out of jail not conceding a pen but I’m sure Atwell will look to right that at some point 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
That was a dive by Mahrez and rightly not given, but we did get lucky… I’ve seen those given against us many times.
I feel that Leicester will score, so we need at least 2 more … good first half.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
I really think Maguire should have walked too. If that was any of our players, that was a red any day.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Happy Birthday, Sharpy.
Great first half. Keep a clean sheet and we’re 10th and safe.
Fancy we might need another though.
Let’s hope the ref doesn’t want to give Leicester something if he thinks he cocked the pen up.
Stuart79(Quote)
You can bet he will given half a chance mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
Pards gone and the baggies are winning 😆
Stoke level
Palace winning
Brighton huds level
kimtoon(Quote)
Stoke losing now
kimtoon(Quote)
Palace level now
kimtoon(Quote)
If it stays like this , a good day for us results wise.
We could really do with another
kimtoon(Quote)
getting a bit tasty here
kimtoon(Quote)
Dummett living dangerously
kimtoon(Quote)
Wish he hadn’t taken off Kennedy, we are so creative when he’s on.
Joselu for Gayle so that’s it for goals then 🙄
C’mon lad prove me wrong
kimtoon(Quote)