Around Christmas time last year, it would have taken a brave Newcastle fan to predict the rise of Mo Diame in 2018.
He was jeered off the field at St. James’ in a mid December defeat to Everton and had put in a series of lethargic and poor displays – leaving fans mystified as to why Benitez kept playing him.
Fast forward six months and he has been instrumental as Newcastle secured an impressive top half finish and without doubt our top performer in 2018.
His turnaround has been nothing short of incredible, but the Senegalese powerhouse is facing another big test this coming season:
He’s actually playing for his NUFC future
It is easy to forget as he’s been our best player in 2018, but he is actually out of contract next summer. He turns 31 next week so will be almost 32 when his current deal expires next summer. He’s been brilliant, but he’s got it all to prove again this season if he’s to earn an extension. It is well documented Rafa needs to trim the wage bill so he might need to assess whether he sees Diame as part of the long term at NUFC.
He may also face competition as Merino has vowed to become an ‘important player’ for us. Let’s hope Merino can use the rise of Diame as inspiration for him to improve his form which has been the polar opposite to Diame, outstanding early season and poor in 2018.
Can he maintain his 2018 form?
This is the important question and he has been so good recently it is hard to imagine him going back to his poor form when he initially joined. His own turnaround coincided with our turnaround in form, allowing Shelvey to thrive – meaning, it would be quite a disaster and setback if he suddenly went back to his form of 2016/17 (or first part of last season)
He really was outstanding and just like we’d be weakened if we lost Kenedy, we’d be set back considerably too if he suddenly went back to his old ways. He has been dominating midfield in some all action displays and did all the dirty work that’s allowed the likes of Kenedy and Perez to shine.
Relying on him maintaining this form is a big risk
It would still be a gamble for Newcastle to presume he’ll be as good in 2018/19 as he has over the past 6 months.
He’s looked a new man and different player all together, but he’s getting older and we can’t forget that he’s actually struggled for the vast majority of his two years stint at NUFC.
Not signing a midfielder to compete with him would be very risky and will be on Rafa’s mind as he formulates his transfer plans this summer. Even if he still performs as he has been recently, an injury would cause us all sorts of problems with a lack of depth in the squad. Ideally, we would have Shelvey, Diame, Merino and a new midfielder firing on all cylinders.
What’s your take on Diame – will he replicate his recent form in the coming season?
Eric, Dubravka signing for £4m is a total steal, well happy with that lad. Kenedy has said he wants to join us, lets hope jabba stumps up.
Lascelles value is so much more than just money imo. He keeps the lads on the game and deals with any shirkers as a captain should and we haven’t had a leader like that in yonks. For me he is priceless and I will be really pissed off if we flog him.
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric – I agree with all of this ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5809725/amp/Newcastle-23-coach-Peter-Beardsley-did-make-discriminatory-comments-says-panel.html?__twitter_impression=true
Just an opinion piece, guess work or insider info?
Stuart79(Quote)
Kim – I said to Ice, if I passed you in the street I wouldn’t know you. But 10yrs or more of talking with you on here and you grow fond of folk.
You and your kin are held in high regard on her missus, so if you go missing again like that we’re sending Eric round to do a door knock right!!.
Seriously though, pleased you’re ok and Lewis is back on the mend.
Stuff transfer windows, the health and well being of our fellow Geordies is what matters ???
Sharpy17(Quote)
I don’t agree with all of that!
Stuart79(Quote)
Sharpy: I also saw some stuff in the CL final that relates to NUFC. The first is the importance of the goalkeeper, although I should have known that after Pep got rid of Joe Hart. Then there was Salah. Liverpool dominated until he was injured and then Real Madrid had nothing to think about and took over. I think if we get a really good striker (not Salah, I am not saying that) then it will free up Gayle and/or Perez.
A lot of the time this past season all of our strikers have been as much concerned with defensive duties as with scoring. I also think Gayle was unlucky.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t mind. We are having a debate and not an argument 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Holly **** Stu, are you wanting to dissect every article?.
I’m not disputing journalists have sources within clubs. I’m talking about how they then relay and word whatever they are being inform.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m not asking you to.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – Gayle to his credit kept getting into position for the chances, he just wasn’t clinical enough – but then there’s a reason Palace were happy to sell him. Maybe he’s a good Championship player, but not quite up to it in the PL.
Dubravka isn’t just a better keeper – his influence improved the whole defensive unit in my opinion. I didn’t expect him to have that kind of impact if I’m honest but it was huge.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Good to see you back Kim. Glad Lew is on the mend. You deserve a bloody good holiday and lots of pampering.
Shamrock(Quote)
That’s ok then
Stuart79(Quote)
Clickbait.
A definition might be something like: a headline designed to make readers want to click on a hyperlink.
Characterised by headlines like “Newcastle interested in this whizz kid”, “Rafa to pay $20m for this 27-year old”, “Defender signs for Newcastle”
That is, it relies on curiosity value of an unnamed person. Contrast this with “Are Newcastle interested in Joe Bloweski?”, where the headline gives an indication of what the article is about.
Quote of the day: “The job is cutting the wheat from the chaff and to be honest I reckon I’m pretty good at that.” 😆 😆 😆 😆 Maybe one day we’ll see an example of this magnificent skill.
On topic:
Diame was very good in the 2nd half of the season, as were many of the team. It’s hard to say what the cause of that was – though as it affected a few players, one would have to put it down to the manager. Whether it was transfers, new roles, confidence, tactics, whatever, just what the manager did is open to debate, but something intangible happened.
Diame and Perez are living examples of why Rafa is so important to this club.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Your definition of click bait, Bris is about right. The Chronicles favourite is mentioning the takeover in their “live blog” which guarantees people click on it because they think there’s an update when actually it’s a complete rehash.
Stuart79(Quote)
Can’t disagree with that.
My bad on this one – I over egged it.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
BrisV: I know you don’t care, but I have gone over the top about Aussies on here but have met a few I like. Barry Humphries, Shane Warne and Richie Benaud make up for the rest of you kangaroo shagging inbreds.
When you talk about football, I really enjoy what you say.
Again, I know you don’t care.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yes Stu, that Chronicle takeover stuff has gone on every day with no news whatsoever.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Let me also say that I think clickbait headlines are a valid ploy by websites. All they are doing is attracting customers. It’s just that it pisses me off.
It’s the laziness of the writing within the article that incites apoplexy in me.
—–
You’re right, Eric, I don’t care.
People are people all over the world. Some are good, some are not so good. There are Americans I’ve met that I can’t stand – especially in Europe – and yet I found them to be incredibly welcoming when in their own country.
I’ve found Poms to be arch-whingers and complainers when they are in Australia, yet I feel comfortable with them in England.
The only way you get to know people is by living with them in their own country.
Brisvegas(Quote)
I know you don’t care BrisV, and I don’t care that you don’t care 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And BrisV, I have been told I can be incredibly charming when I want to be. I just choose not to be most of the time 🙂 A bit curmudgeonly is where I would normally gravitate to so I would have thought that would make me and you soulmates? 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Or is it you and I? I can never figure that one out but can’t be bothered to look it up.
There, curmudgeonly!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
A simple test, Eric. Turn soulmates to singular – a soulmate.
That would make me … a soulmate
That would make … I a soulmate
Which sounds best?
Brisvegas(Quote)
Good man Olly ???
Sharpy17(Quote)
Totally boring look at NUFC accounts but I telt ye there was something fishy. Not illegal, just a bit off and not telling the whole truth. True Faith magazine took the trouble to ask a professional what it all means. The Chronic had Chris Waugh have a cursory look and do an ill-informed podcast.
This is why I ***** about The Chronic.
The True Faith analysis will not get clicks but Waugh’s “analysis” was just a joke.
http://www.true-faith.co.uk/true-faith-newcastle-united-accounts-2016-17-part-1/
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I could see within about a minute that there was some skullduggery going on with the NUFC books. Trying to paint a much worse picture than it was, even though it was pretty bad anyway.
It does make me worry about why Fatty and Friends do this? As some on here worry about it it looks like they are setting it up to not spend any money at all and then make excuses… again.
My guess is Rafa gets what he makes in sales and that is it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There is a bit of money there from revenue created by NUFC. I just don’t think Rafa will get it. That is based purely on how they have tried to manipulate the narrative about the books.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
In the cool light of day you can see someone was playing games with the release of the accounts. They did a summary that convinced financial novices like Chris Waugh the sky was falling and then 5 days later the real numbers came out. Meanwhile, there was a narrative by the other financial neophyte journo that NUFC were in the *******.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, and people wonder why there’s always scepticism when it comes to NUFC under Jabba.
Stuart79(Quote)
Ben Arfa is a free transfer his summer. I’d take him. I’d back Rafa to get more out of him than Pardew.
Stuart79(Quote)
Apparently we have lost out on a player we scouted once because Liverpool are thinking about putting a bid in for the player who has worse stats than any of the other LW we have been looking at. Obviously they intend to spend under £10m for Sanes replacement if his deal with ZZ at real actually goes through despite ZZ leaving.
PremAndUp(Quote)
me too Stu
kimtoon(Quote)
At last Stuart – something we agree on. Hatem is the most talented player we’ve had since Gazza and Beardsley. Despite all the ‘personal’ stories about him he was playing really well for a long period before Pardew got to him and tragically got it wrong.
Kim – I’ve obviously not seen the comments where you reappear. Strange. Nice to have you back though.
On track – we definitely need an alternative to Diame. Hayden isn’t it and if Diame goes into his shell again or starts to ‘age’ in the role then he’ll be hopeless again.
georgio(Quote)
Let’s not make a habit of it, Georgio.
Stuart79(Quote)
London Evening Standard reporting that Chelsea want Lascelles and he’s a “key” target and Spurs want Jim as a replacement for Auberwield. £45m the price mentioned.
Bit of momentum in the stories… I think it’s inconceivebale we don’t receive a bid of him. What’s the unknown is what our reaction is.
Stuart79(Quote)
It’ll be a no thanks from Rafa and Lascelles. Lascelles knows where he’s best off right now although that will probably change in the future especially if Rafa leaves and there’s no sign of that. Especially if you read the stories that seem to think Rafa and Charnley are sat round a table everyday discussing his contract.
I’m tired of reading about it. I think Rafa will wait until the close of the winter window to make his mind up. He’ll know by then whether the club (Ashley) will back him. It’s not unusual for a manager to enter the final year of his contract anyway.
georgio(Quote)
Kim. I would like to echo the sentiments of others on the blog and welcome you back. You will have gathered we were all concerned about you.
Groucho(Quote)
I don’t know many top quality managers that get within 6 months of their contract expiring do you?
Also you seem to think Lascelles will be different to every player bar Matt Le Tissier. If he gets a better off from a club with more ambition the chances are he would want to leave. That’s not a criticism, that’s just what history of footballers tell us.
Stuart79(Quote)
Leicester are about to sign Johnny Evans for just £3m!!!! Bloody hell!
Stuart79(Quote)
Spurs paid £36m for Davinson Sanchez last summer – and NUFC will want more than that for Lascelles IMO.
I think that will put Spurs off and they will go looking for a cheaper option. Maybe someone like Jonny Evans or someone abroad.
I think we will get enquiries about Lascelles, but we are in a different position now – we don’t HAVE to sell. If we can pull their pants down for £30m for Sissoko when we have to sell, we can do all manner of unthinkable things when we don’t have to sell.
The other bonus is that Lascelles himself isn’t pushing for a move – so it’s not like we are keeping a player who wants to be away.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I would back a blind monkey with amnesia to get more out of him than Pardew.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think that if Chelsea want Lascelles they will get him. Maybe we could twist their arm and get Kenedy in part exchange? I don’t want Lascelles to go but the pull of a team that has won 2 of the last 4 PLs would be too much.
And what is the betting that as soon as he signs for Chelsea he will be in the very next England squad?
I think Jonny Evans had a relegation clause in his contract which is why he is so cheap.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I just don’t get why these Everton fans in Olly’s article are so entitled and think they are a much “bigger” club than NUFC. They won an FA Cup about 25 years ago and have done nothing since. Even they would admit that we had a better team at that time and we narrowly missed out on the League under Keegan. We then signed the best player in England (Shearer) and even under Kenny finished second and went to FA Cup finals. Then Bobby Robson had a quite entertaining and relatively successful team. They had – DOUR DAVE.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think the last time that Everton had a really good team was when The Beatles were still together and Sir Paul McCartney will be 76 next week.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Everton fans could say we have done nothing under Ashley but they have done the square root of f-all as well in that time. Their squad now is full of overrated, aging and slow footballers so I don’t see how that makes them so much better.
They had 5 more PL points than us. Don’t do it Jamaal. It would be a sideways move.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I agree with you Stu. But different from before, I kind of get used to it and accept it as a norm in this club.
funrafa(Quote)
We even signed their best player – Gary Speed – from them more recently than they have done anything. What have they done to be soooooo entitled?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If I was Lascelles I would only go to one of the top 6. Even then I would have reservations about Man U because Moruinho seems to have lost his mind and the players never know where they stand from week to week. And Spurs will lose their best players and probably their Manager very soon.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Since the Champions League was formed in 1993, Everton have zero points having crashed out of qualifying in the only season they finished high enough in the league.
Newcastle have 23 CL points.
Everton are 7th in the all time PL table. Toon is 8th. Waaay better than us…
We have finished in the top 4 five times, being runners up twice.
Everton have only been in top 4 once, in 4th.
Everton do have 9 league titles to our 4, but neither has won the league for donkeys. Toon has more FA Cups.
Both have won minor European Cups but not in recent years.
I’m not saying Toon is better than Everton, what I’m saying is whilst they have been more steady (but unremarkable in recent years), Toon have certainly enjoyed more exciting seasons playing on the world’s biggest club stage and pushing the league champions all the way in the title race. If I were a neutral, I know which side I would remember the most looking back.
If anything, the two sides are pretty much neck and neck in terms of size. But because they will always play 2nd fiddle to Liverpool in their own city, I’d say Toon’s potential is much bigger if handled right.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham: and they call NUFC fans delusional 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Everton have spent a fortune on pretty average, slow and old players. Their new owner is the former Iranian sidekick of the Arsenal Russian oligarch. Is Mike Ashley squeaky clean? I doubt it, but all Russian money is 100% dirty money.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kind’ve dismissive of Everton for lascelles . . Hope I don’t regret that?
Irespective of history comparisons its about now not what has been.
Succinctly .. another year under Benitez or join silva at the latest everton gamble. Not a difficult choice I would suggest
Who knows what happens next season or if Benitez goes before
The terrorist’s squad , spuds or rat eaters are another matter however
GlosMag(Quote)
Everton are spent up – they couldn’t afford Lascelles.
I think Everton are going to have to sell more than Rooney to raise funds for Silva to buy players.
He might get some money to bring a couple of players – but it won’t be £45m on a CB.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sham: as well as Liverpool, Everton have the 2 Manchesters as near neighbours to compete with. We have… erm, Sunderland.
Man U have gone downhill but are a money-making machine which means they will be back. Man City have Pep and almost unlimited petro-dollars. Liverpool are run by hedgefunders with a very good track record in US Sports – Boston Redsox.
I wouldn’t be crowing too loudly if I was an Everton fan.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Changing tack just a bit, I think you get the klaxon crowd on twitter. The ones who have never grown up and still yell that their dad could beat your dad in a fight. Is it representative of Everton fans? Probably not.
Are Geordies delusional about NUFC? Not that I have seen. Some people confuse passion with delusion. I can say that in the last 5 years of reading this blog just about every day I have never seen anybody get wildly optimistic and say we would win the league of even a cup. Most are long term fans who have seen their hopes crushed so many times that they are super-realists. But still dare to dream.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Rodrigues has said he will only join a club playing CL footy
Icedog(Quote)
Who. Jay Rodriguez? Really?!
Shamrock(Quote)
I only see Lascelles moving to a top 6 club really. We will get a bid I’m convinced but it’s about how much and what we do after that.
I think there is a situation at the moment where the club will want to off load some players before committing to buying players. Mitro, Colback, Sels and Mbemba to name a few. I just wonder whether Rafa trusts them to let the players go first before being replaced.
Stuart79(Quote)
Garry?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ice – can’t say I’m too bothered about him anyway personally.
I’d rather get Shakira in – but then Hughes wants him at Saints.
I like Nathan Redmond at Saints, so maybe Hughes sells him to get Shakira in.
Kenedy or Promes would be my preferred choice though.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stu – I think Rafa will sanction their sales mate coz he didn’t and won’t play them even if they are kept. He would hope they are replaced (as would we all). I’m confident the money they generate will be used to bring new faces in.
I’m confident if Rafa has said he needs 5 players (for example), he will get 5 players – that’s not my concern. It’s how many of those 5 are first or even second choice.
Sharpy17(Quote)
spot on Sham.
Thank you all for the concern for me and lew too.
kimtoon(Quote)
Would Jabba really sanction the sale of Lascelles ? he’s our captain and key to a stable defence, who do we replace him with ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Of course the other factor to think about if Lasceles goes is that other key players will surely follow as they will see that there is still no ambition to keep hold of key players. Even if we got £45 to £60m for him you still have to get a replacement and if they are out there then clubs wouldn’t want lascelles.
Also can’t see Rafa being happy with it.
kimtoon(Quote)
Mirror FootballVerified account @MirrorFootball · 24h24 hours ago
More
Exclusive: New West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini ALREADY at odds with Hammers chiefs just two weeks into reign
😆 😆 The gift that keeps on giving
kimtoon(Quote)
The problem with that is Sharpy that in the last 3 windows it hasn’t happened like that at all, much to Rafa’s annoyance. However I’m not sure what he point is in selling players to use the money if they’re sold on the tick.
Stuart79(Quote)
Point very well made!
A good friend of mine is an Everton fan (and he tends to have his head screwed on when it comes to all this football) so I’m going to send this to him.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Has there ever been a window when the papers haven’t written about us selling our most saleable player?
From what I gather from the man himself, Lascelles wants to stay. Transfers don’t happen unless the player wants to go. They are people, you know, not goods and chattels. So until there’s something concrete I’m not taking much notice of the ‘rumours’.
There are a number of players who have had one good season and gone off to the ‘big 6’ only to find themselves well down the pecking order. Lascelles seems too switched on to gamble with his career. He has it all going for him at Newcastle and he needs to prove he can perform over a few seasons in the PL.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Everton had a decent team 35 years ago. Andy Gray was a very good player and so was Graeme Sharp. Even Peytar Reid was good.
I am thinking from the current photos that Southall could still play. He could just stand there and fill the whole goal. Nothing could get past him.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jun/04/neville-southall-flak-sex-workers-lgbt-issues#comments
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t even mind Andy Gray except when he is with Richard Keys. The 2 of them together are just a bull **** cocktail. “For me, Richard, I wouldn’t say Neville is fat. We all lose a little bit of height as we get older and I think that is what has happened.”
“Me, Myself (who else could it be says Eric Sykes) am still wearing the same suits as I was 20 years ago. Who cares if I can’t button them up and the pants are split. I am still a 40 regular chest 38 waist… Well, I had to let the troosers oot to 48”.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Just give me 8 pints of lager and order me 3 KFC chicken buckets and we will talk about what I am having for lunch later Luv.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stu – I think the big difference is that the money just wasn’t there for the previous 3 windows – and I think Rafa knew that.
I don’t see selling these players as having to sell to buy because they aren’t any of our main assets – they are fringe players who hold some value. But ultimately, they are being sold to make space in the squad – the added bonus is whatever they bring in will go towards improving the squad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/941212046?-11058:809
For all we are talking about signing players, I want to see some of these younger lads being brought through as well. I think these 2 and Fernandez are definite prospects that a world class coach like Rafa should be overseeing the development of.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’ve been waiting for this story. Apparently the *** for tat tactics at NUFC have reached a new low in negotiation skills. Rafa’s “I won’t sign til you’ve shown me the money” is now answered by Ashley’s “If you don’t sign, you won’t get any money”. Grown men, experienced negotiators. Really?
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – what’s the source of this ‘*** for tat’ story mate?
Sharpy17(Quote)
https://thisisfutbol.com/2018/06/blogs/ultimatums-between-newcastle-and-benitez-create-impasse-which-threatens-summer/
PremAndUp(Quote)