Newcastle started pre-season off with a win in Dublin tonight, seeing off Irish Premier League side St Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 thanks to goals from Sean Longstaff and Christian Atsu.
As always with any pre-season opener, it was a run out for the purposes of fitness more than anything, however the game was still played at a half decent intensity, with both sides pressing and getting stuck in.
The highlight was Longstaff for me. Not only did he take his goal well – a nicely time volley in off the post – he did things quickly, with a lot of first team passes, and played with his head up. Always showed for the ball and made plenty forward runs into good areas when we were in possession.
Victor Fernandez and Callum Roberts – who played a half each – both looked bright considering they were being played out of position at right-back and left-back and ex-Everton youngster Yarney looked solid enough at the back. Armstrong also grew into it late on and showed good pace.
Aarons didn’t really take his opportunity to impress – and you get the feeling he’s running out of time to do that. Ran a little aimlessly with the ball and was quite cheap in possession.
In terms of the more senior players, Diame looked in good knick and pressed well early on, Kenedy was bright and smashed the bar with a cracking effort from range and Atsu looked very bright – with him taking men, playing a big part in us winning the penalty and converting from the spot.
Highlights: St. Pats 0-2 #NUFC pic.twitter.com/AT77AxA0IJ
— Newcastle Fans TV (@NewcastleFansTV) July 18, 2018
Gayle and Joselu frustrated a little. Plenty effort but I’m not sure they hit the target once despite having about 4/5 shots between them.
Darlow and Sels didn’t have a single save to make but neither looked all that convincing, with the former almost missing his kick and the latter’s only contribution being to flap at a cross.
NUFC XI – (4-2-3-1): Darlow, – Fernandez, Lejeune, Yarney, Manquillo – Diamé, Longstaff – Ritchie, Pérez, Aarons – Joselu.
Subs: Sels, Dúbravka, Yedlin, Clark, Shelvey, Atsu, Kenedy, Roberts, Armstrong, Gayle. (Everyone but Dubravka played the entire second half)
A decent little run out for the lads. Hull City away next up in a weeks’ time.
(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)
Because he has no long term plan for this club.
funrafa(Quote)
Sham, that’s fair enough but the reality is that to improve you really need to keep up to pace with the market. Doing what we do means you end up with Joselu, Rivière, Murphy, Atsu, Manquillo and Hayden. Players who give everything but just not good enough. The list goes on and on and on…
Stuart79(Quote)
If NUFC offered Rafa a 1 year extension it seems that they did try to compromise. I am not really sure why he didn’t take it and free up some money and have a bit more time to talk about the academy. I doubt it would restrict him much as there would be teams midseason who would be willing to pay the buyout – home and abroad.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, what difference would it make? If he doesn’t trust them he doesn’t trust them. Regardless of the length of contract he’s asking them to prove their ambition.
Stuart79(Quote)
Probably none. I just read the transcript of the latest interview and it seems he is resigned to getting extremely limited funds. I just didn’t want to believe they would be so stupid.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
so toon want 30 mil for Mitro,and Mitro has put a transfer req in
Icedog(Quote)
Reyes available on a free transfer.
We wont be paying £30m for a defender so this guy has a great chance of of Ashley agreeing a deal.
sidekick(Quote)
Well £30m is a fair price for a goal scorer in this inflated market.
kimtoon(Quote)
http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/946965620?-11058:809:3
Well that reads like one pissed off manager!!. It’s also reads to me that he himself doesn’t understand why everyone else is strengthening and we aren’t. One of the conditions to him extending his stay with us is that the club matched his ambition – I wonder if that was ‘just to stay up’.
I’m sure that’s the extent of Ashley’s ambition – not sure that matches Rafas though.
Sharpy17(Quote)
At least Rafa agree’s with me. It will be harder to stay up this year than last. Teams who finished below us have improved their squad and team we haven’t. Teams coming up are also spending money.
Mike Ashley “Rafa will get every last penny made available to him”. ????
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu, pennies is right.
kimtoon(Quote)
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/new-season-same-old-frustrations-in-transfer-market-for-benitez-fd62rrgvq?shareToken=e85ac6c8ada877e7324421759b7609fa
kimtoon(Quote)
canny read,hes going all right imo
icedog(Quote)
Welbeck to Everton for £15m. He’s not top 6 but that’s a good buy in today’s market in my opinion.
Sharpy17(Quote)
That Vlasic kid looks a good player. Reminds me of Benny.
Was thinking last night about Rafa’s time at Liverpool. He was legendary in the amount of signings he made with a high percentage of failure. He eventually fell out when they refused to sign a left back he wanted, reminding him he’d already bought six!
You wonder at the reluctance of the club to totally fund him in the light of Joselu, Murphy, Manquillo, Lazaar, Sels etc. That’s over £30m in wasted transfer funds.
I’m a big Rafa fan but some of his moves I just cannot understand (Mbemba out when we’re chasing fullback cover. Mitro out when we’re chasing Rondon)
georgio(Quote)
Georgio – let’s have a bit of perspective. Manquillo, Joselu and Murphy were signed when it became clear his first choices had gone or were too expensive. Do you genuinely believe he thinks Joselu is the answer to our striker problems? Or do you think he really wanted Murphy over Townsend?
Stuart79(Quote)
The easy way to unblock this impasse is that Rafa should tell them he will sign a new five year contract. The £6m release clause can only be activated by him leaving to join another club. If he resigns due to promises not being met he isn’t liable to pay the club anything. If he takes a job within a year of resigning the club must pay the £6m.
Stuart79(Quote)
It’s all wasted money all the same Stuart. Should he go down the same route this season? We’re already stuck with loads of inexpensive duds all on decent wages.
I’m as unhappy with the situation as you but I don’t want any more **** either.
georgio(Quote)
Well I would rather we kept last seasons squad than go with anyone I have seen us linked with and that’s very few to date anyway. No way should we be letting Ritchie or go and if we are not gonna strengthen then Mitro should not go to a PL club . Can you imagine if he scores the goals that keep Fulham up and we go down for want of a quality forward .
kimtoon(Quote)
It is very strange how we are selling players but only doing loans and free agents, is something a foot here . ?
kimtoon(Quote)
silence from club is deafening
kimtoon(Quote)
trouble at mill as they say mate
icedog(Quote)
thats far to easy for jabba mate but great way to solve it,but jabba doesnt do commen sense
icedog(Quote)
It’s all very tiresome isn’t it. Links to players who aren’t very good or we can’t afford. We just cannot be as hard up as we’re behaving.
georgio(Quote)
Georgio, Ice, there’s something really odd going on, it’s a whole new level of tightness and makes no sense at all. You would think after all this time he would be aware that he has to get at least one or two quality players in to just stand still. We are selling players and bringing money in but only looking to loan or get free agents it seems. Is he selling but keeping everything quiet possibly ?
Or is this really a stand against Rafa not signing a new contract, surely the man is not that stupid as to risk the clubs PL status ?
He has seen us relegated twice because of a lack of quality and we sailed close to the wind last season and I am certain would of gone down if not for Rafas tactical nouse .
Does he not even give a thought to player moral and how his lack of ambition will cause our better players to want away ? So many questions with no answers, I just don’t get his attitude , he must of learned from previous mistakes by now.
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM he wants Rafa to go there is no doubt about it,but jabba can say i offered him a long contact twice and he refused so its not my fault,dont think for one minute fans will except that,but they will still turn up the **** heads and jabba knows that so he not bothered
icedog(Quote)
If I was Rafa I would 100% prioritise the cups this season. If rest players in the league games before the cup games and watch Jabba sweat!
Stuart79(Quote)
Richarlison from Watford going to Everton for £50m. No point moaning about the prices – it’s reality.
Stuart79(Quote)
I’m told, and I don’t know how true this is, but Ashley is holding the PL money back to offset his losses from his Debenhams shares. Apparently he’s around £80m down off those so has moved the PL money across to balance it off a bit. He’s also spending a fortune on buying new SD premises to have bigger, more modern stores – but he has used the money from selling the Dunlop brand to fund that.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Rafa hasn’t taken legal advice and will wait until the end of the transfer window to make his move. He can’t prove Ashley hasn’t kept his word until the window officially closes can he.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – Id be surprised if that’s the case. Jabba isn’t destitute so reckon he can cover any losses he made from Debanhams. We wouldn’t know for another 18 months anyway…He might be gone by then. ??
Stuart79(Quote)
Things might be about to go a bit wrong…
Stuart79(Quote)
Well something fishy is a foot that’s for sure, it’s not possible for us to be this skint.
Sharpy, I’m not sure he is able to use clubs money for anything to do with SD or his share losses on Debenhams , that’s illegal practice isn’t it ?
kimtoon(Quote)
What you mean, about to 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
Ice, you are spot on mate, he wants him to walk I have no doubt of that.
kimtoon(Quote)
Mark Douglas Retweeted
Daniel Taylor @DTguardian · 2h2 hours ago
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Colback is a loan deal, with an option to buy. Not quite sure what’s happening at Newcastle right now (usual Mike Ashley chaos) but from NFFC perspective another shrewd signing. Tenth summer arrival and very impressive business, once again.
36 replies . 58 retweets 187 likes
kimtoon(Quote)
The Fatman should take a close look at Villa if he wants to see what his pissing about might lead to.
Ricarlison 50 million. That has to be a joke? And Welbeck. It shows how stupid prices are but also how stupid Everton are. Ricarlison had a couple of good games early last season. Spending 50 million for potential is insane. And Fulham value Zaha at 70 million.
There just isn’t any value in the PL. Trigger Rondon’s release clause and look abroad.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
How can Colback be a loan deal with an option to buy? His contract runs out next summer and don’t players have the option to speak to other clubs in the january before their deal is up.
Did Anderlect buy another keeper? There was only a 500k difference for Sels so maybe that can be resurrected? I don’t particularly care which reserve keeper stays or goes as they are pretty much about the same. Darlow would probably bring in the most money.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Don’t know Kim, that’s the bit I’m unsure of. Do I think it’s something he would do – absolutely!!, is it something he can do – I’m not sure.
He’s always said he can’t compete coz his money is tied up in other stuff – he’s a billionaire in assets not cold hard cash. So if the PL pay the money to NUFC and he has the powers to move it to MA Holdings or whatever his own account is (and there be nothing illegal about it) why wouldn’t he?!.
What I don’t understand from a business though is his reluctance to buy players?! – that’s where the money is in football. Look at Hayden – bought for around £1m – now going for £10m. Lascelles bought for around £5m – probably worth £30m plus now.
To spend nowt just beggars belief.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Off topic, but who died and made Gary Neville King of English football? He was hired by Mr. Roy and was at the 2012 Euros and then was Assistant Manager for the debacles of Brazil and 2016 Euros. In between he totally fcked up at Valencia. Now he is before Parliament talking about Wembley? WTF. He has shown he is OK to talk tactics on a touchscreen but when he tries to put them into practice he has been a dismal failure. The Emperor has no clothes.
And we get his idiot brother over here commentating. 15 minutes of Man U even when they aren’t playing and then absolute nonsense about the game. I have learnt that assuming the opposite to what he says is the nest approach. I can only assume Phil gets the gig because failed coach/manager Gary is his brother. It makes no sense.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – the value is totally abroad and Richarlison is another example of what I mean about Ashley signing players.
Watford spent £11m last summer, the lad has played 38 games, with 5 goals and 4 assists and he’s now worth £50m?!.
Mind you, Ashley would see the initial outlet of £11m as a big fee – so there’s the first problem.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Everton have a new Director of Football but seem to be making the same mistakes. They spent 250 million over the last 2 years and I wouldn’t say their team is much better than NUFC. It is a problem when shopping on highlight reels or YouTube clips. Richarlison looks great in a couple of games and took a couple of defenses apart but then disappeared in a lot of other games. If you only shop on YouTube clips you do not see the full picture. It is like that Duelofeu, also at Watford, another tricky show pony who looks good 1 game in 4 or for 5 minutes a game.
It also puts into perspective any transfer failures at NUFC. Put them all together and you wouldn’t get at Schneiderlin or Rooney at Everton. Richarlison better turn out to be the second coming of Thiery Henry.
And Arnautovic is valued by West Ham at 50 million. Give me a break. He played about 10 good games as a forward but blew hot and cold before that. I thought he was overvalued at 27 million when they got him from Stoke. Players go though hot streaks and then revert to type. God knows we have bought plenty. Cisse.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think the Everton fans should start a protest group for their Owner who has spent the 250 million on buying shyte. Why waste another 100 million?
Just joking of course. But the guy that wasted the 250 million was the one who put Leicester’s title winning team together.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – Everton are spending all this money on forwards, but still have players like Sandro and Mirallas who can’t get in the team.
But they have a back 4 of Ashley Williams 34, Phil Jagielka 35, Baines 33 and Colman 29.
They could really do with strengthening their defence if they think they stand a chance of breaking that top 6 imo
Sharpy17(Quote)
Man City are playing in Chicago tonight. It is on TV so I will watch it. I said it before but I didn’t buy a ticket because there is not a single 1st teamer in the squad because they were all at the World Cup. They must have someone we can loan? I think they spent like 200 million on new academy/training complex but there is no path to the 1st team because as soon as there is a need they give Pep another 50 million to fill it.
I will do some scouting for Rafa as he himself said he didn’t take a holiday because he was looking for loans.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
NUFC 360 @NUFC360
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If #NUFC sell Aleksandar Mitrovic for £20m, it’s highly unlikely that Rafa will receive all of that money to spend on a replacement. [Keith Downie
It’s the instalment bollocks again isn’t it.
kimtoon(Quote)
They changed their policy as of the last accounts and allow instalment purchases now. This would be Ashley playing chicken with Rafa if it is true. Problem is, he doesn’t seem to see he is also playing chicken with our PL status and his asset value.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I just thought of something. Colback has been loaned to Forest with an option to buy. Supposedly, we had an offer to loan Rondon with an option to buy refused. Both players’ contracts end in June 2019.
The only explanation I can think of is they have club 1 year contract extension options. Otherwise, it makes no sense. I know Rooney had one at Man U.
It sort of makes sense since Ginger Jack had run his contract down at SAFC. And Rondon wanted a relegation clause so maybe WBA wanted a bit of *** for tat with an extension provision.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/947077759?-11058:809
So Keith Downie reckons this is all down to the Mexican stand off, and seems to imply there is probably money there if Rafa would sign a contract. I still understand and agree with why he doesn’t – but Downie is right – there’s only the fans suffering caught in the crossfire here.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It is Claudio Bravo, Mahrez and the City academy. If I had paid $100 and up for a ticket I would feel gyped. I am sure a lot of the Yanks didn’t realise the WC players would be on holiday. I am also sure it was not sold as Man City academy against Dortmund reserves.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This Chevshenko kid we have been sort of linked with has been torn apart by Pulisic and just gave away a pen. I would stay far away from him even on loan.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sorry, Zinchenko. Steer clear NUFC.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This is a worldwide tournament and I bet half the people didn’t realise the WC players would be missing. A total rip-off if you ask me. Would you pay 100 quid and up for this:
Bravo
Garzia
Deneyer
Zinchenko (worst player on the pitch)
Luiz
Harrison
Foden
Diaz
Mahrez
Bolton
Nmacha
Ian Darke is commentating and admitted that this is the first time he has seen a lot of these players – on both sides.
When NUFC came to the States a few years ago Schteve gave the whole team a game. He had them warming up for an hour, then 45 minutes signing autographs and taking selfies with the NUFC fans who stayed around.
I know it can’t be helped because of the WC but this is a joke. Last year Madrid and Barca played in Miami and Messi played a half and they got to see all of the players. I watched it and such is the rivalry between those two that they played it like a regular game. This City/Dortmund could not be further away from that.
If I didn’t know better I would think it was just about the money.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Rafa is a man of his word. His entire career proves that. Jabba on the other hand is someone who can’t be trusted. He’s repeatedly lied and let the club and managers down. On that basis why shouldn’t he give Rafa the evidence first and then watch him sign a contract? Ashley’s saying why should he let Rafa sign all these players and then he leaves in 12 months. Well, firstly if they’re good players they’ll have value and secondly it doesn’t make sense. He let McClaren spend £80m and then sacked him.
Ashley has more to lose here than anybody.
Stuart79(Quote)
Of course it is Eric .
kimtoon(Quote)
Just read in The Independent that Everton have bid 50 million for Richarlison. That is just madness. And I also saw in the Chronic that we were/are interested in Zinchenko for 12 million. No, No and again NO… Pulisic took his lunch money, gave him a wedgie and stuck his head down the toilet last night.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Rafa, Ashley and Charnley. Guess which is which 🙂
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=the+good+the+bad+and+the+ugly+standoff&view=detail&mid=5DE6C54C8E1E96D65F445DE6C54C8E1E96D65F44&FORM=VIRE
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Why don’t we go back in for Lucas Perez from Arsenal? He had a good season at relegated Deportivo so he is not going back there. Emery has taken him on pre-season but I bet we could get him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Perez remains a good option but we’ve absolutely no idea what is going on at the club. Nothing makes sense at all as you can tell by the posts on here. All shots in the dark.
Zinchenko is actually an attacking midfielder so it’s no surprise he’s take apart by a good winger. Pep plays him at left back though.
georgio(Quote)
https://twitter.com/ChiOnwurah/status/1020322972115046401
kimtoon(Quote)
Almiron? Looks great. IN THE USA! He’s very similar in style to Everton’s Vlasic who is available probably on loan. I’d take him as a No 10 or winger option even though he’s only 20 but he’s twice the player Murphy will ever be.
georgio(Quote)
So, Mark Douglas is joining the rest of The Chronicle Clowns and passing on dodgy information. He is saying that we still pay cash and accept transfer fees in instalments. That used to be the case but it changed when we were relegated. The accounts from that year show that we were also paying in instalments. True Faith had an article by an accountant on the latest NUFC accounts and that was one of his main conclusions. So, saying Rafa’s spending will be limited because we pay in cash is just plain wrong.
I also remember last year that Lejeune was held up because the seller wanted more money up front than we wanted to pay. I am sure that was in The Chronic. So, they either have short memories or are just incompetent.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think the policy changed when Charnley cleaned out the bank account to pay for Mitro, Gini, MBemba, Townsend and Jonjo. When we were relegated we had no choice but to pay in instalments because the cupboard was bare.
I have watched this and seen it is quite flexible how teams pay. Some spread it over the length of the contract like Spurs did with Sissoko whilst other deals are paid with a large up front amount and the rest over a couple of years. You would think the journos would know this.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – you’re more concerned /involved with NUFC than most journalists. I’ve never known such quiet, unsettling times than during this window.
georgio(Quote)
Very worried now about out complete lack of activity. Worried but not in the least surprised. ☹️☹️☹️
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Aye, but not unexpected after 11 years of Mike sadly.
Ashley out .
kimtoon(Quote)
georgio: the financial stuff stays in my head so when I see the journos write rubbish it sticks. It is much more important with NUFC at the moment than it should be because of the games that Ashley is playing.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This is a bit rich from Mark Douglas in the Chronicle after Bas Dost signed a new contract with Sporting. And I quote:
“So, please, let’s end the Bas Dost rumours now – forever. Goes to show how much nonsense is in a transfer window, doesn’t it?”
Yes it does, Mark (and Chris and Lee), and in numerous tedious links you made to Dost in the last transfer window, and the one before that and the one before that…
And the story a day for a month on Ruben Loftus Cheek that was doomed from the beginning and predictably went nowhere.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The Gayle for Rondon in The Mail (repeated in The Chronic) sounds like desperation and/or rubbish. I think we are desperate but this sounds like rubbish.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well there’s Reyes (Mexican CB) and Shurrle (German winger/forward) both available on a free – both real quality players – both linked with the toon – neither likely to end up with us.
I’m not even confident we can sign FREEBIES!!!! – what’s the **** point?!?!???!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
?
Shamrock(Quote)
What’s the point of holding back money when there will only be 2 outcomes:
1. We will have to spend in January because we are bottom 3. Highly likely given our start. Even with 2 or 3 additions I can see us bottom 3 at Christmas.
2. Scrape safety and give the new manager some money in the summer. But Rafa will take all of the infrastructure with him, coaches, scouting knowledge, contacts. We have no sporting director or director of football and the chief scout has been in his job for 6 months.
This gives new meaning to cutting off your nose to spite your face. It is like cutting off Thibaut Cortois’ nose to spite his face.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
They are baulking at Rondon’s wages as well. He was bought 3 years ago before the real out of control spiraling of everything took place with Pogba and then Neymar. And then the stupid wages on Ozil and Sanchez. How much can he possibly be on? He cost about he same as Mitro.
If I was Rafa I would get myself a couple of bottles of Rioja and do some drunk dialing to Fat Mike tonight. He might understand that.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
****, I forgot the 3rd option:
3. Relegation.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If I was Rafa I’d be gone already.
kimtoon(Quote)
Flicked channels and Atlanta vs DC United happened to be on. Decided to watch this Almiron guy we are supposed to be interested in but his strike partner Martinez has looked more dangerous scoring 2 goals so far. He is also young and is the league’s top scorer.
There is a potato wearing the No. 9 for the other team who so far has managed to smack a free kick straight into the wall and get itself booked. Current temperature 33 and the potato is turning from a Yukon gold into a Peruvian purple variety. Off after 65 minutes. #definitelyworththemoney.
Eric Sykes(Quote)