Our final pre-season friendly of the summer at St James’ Park ahead of the new Premier League season, and it was another good run out – with us dominating in a convincing 2-1 win over St-Etienne.
St-Étienne – who finished 4th in Ligue 1 last season – arrived with a strong side, filled with several familiar faces, including ex-Mag Mathieu Debuchy, former Mackem midfielder Yann M’villa and Arsenal’s new £27m centre-back William Saliba (who’s been loaned back to the French side).
NUFC starting 11 (3-5-2): Dubravka – Schar, Lascelles, Fernandez – Manquillo, Hayden, Shelvey, Longstaff, Aarons – Almiron, Joelinton.
It was an accomplished and controlled performance which featured some exciting moments from our three new signings and a special moment for 19-year-old local lad Matty Longstaff – who smashed a 25-yard shot in off the crossbar just seconds after making his first senior appearance at St James’ Park.
Here’s the opening goal by Joelinton, who latched onto another sublime through ball from Fabian Schar and did well to beat both the goalkeeper and two St-Etienne’s to a couple of 50/50’s:
Joelinton impressed, with his all round play and movement being arguably more eye-catching than the fact he scored once again. He’s happy to come short and link the play, he’s strong enough to back into his man and play the target man role, but he’s also got impressive movement and mobility, with him constantly being on the shoulder of the last man in a bid to get in behind.
It’s early days, but he looks to have all the makings of a VERY good striker, having a rare mix of pace, power and impressive movement.
Almiron was everywhere and pulled the strings, although it is another game where he’ll be wondering how he hasn’t scored. It’s a slight concern that his final ball is letting him down, but I am confident he’ll be flying as soon as he bags that first goal, with his general play, energy and enthusiasm for the game so, so impressive.
Shelvey dictated the play in a deep-lying playmaker role, with Hayden and Longstaff pressing well and getting into some advanced positions either side of him. At the back, Manquillo did a good job once again and both Schar and Fernandez showed moments of class, while Lascelles was rock solid and dealt with just about everything thrown at him in the middle.
Then, with just over half an hour remaining, £16.5m man Allan Saint-Maximin came on – and he ran the show from then on in. As the video below shows, his first 49 seconds at St James’ Park were exciting to say the least, seeing him press brilliantly and beat his man with ease after receiving a warm Geordie welcome from the 16,000 crowd:
The Frenchman was absolutely electric, not only going on some sparkling runs, skipping past St Etienne players at ease, but also picking out some tidy passes and testing the goalkeeper with a few shots.
Then, for all of Saint-Maximin’s magic, Almiron’s energy and Joelinton’s movement, the moment of the game arrived – via a stunning strike from Matty Longstaff (see clip below).
The 19-year-old had only been on the field for a matter of seconds, but, after some showboating in the corner from Willems and Saint-Maximin, he received a pass from brother Sean and unleashed a brilliant 25-yard strike that smashed in off the crossbar:
A special moment for the Geordie midfielder, who looks likely to stay and fight for a place in the first-team squad after several eye-catching displays over pre-season.
Aarons did OK, but, based on Jetro Willems’ impressive late cameo, I can’t see him starting at left wing-back for much longer while Matt Ritchie is out.
Willems played some intelligent passes down the line, looked a decent dribbler and linked up with Saint-Maximin well.
It’s hard to judge over pre-season, but we looked nicely balanced and a team that could cause all sorts of problems in behind and on the counter, with Almiron, Joelinton and Saint-Maximin all constantly looking to burst in behind or run at their man.
With today’s result in mind, we’ve ended pre-season with the following results
- L – 0-4 vs Wolves
- W – 1-0 vs West Ham (Muto)
- L – 1-2 vs Preston (Shelvey)
- W – 3-1 vs Hibernian (Joelinton, S.Longstaff, Lascelles)
- W – 2-1 vs St-Etienne (Joelinton, M.Longstaff).
Next up – Arsenal at St James’ Park a week tomorrow for the start of our 2019/20 Premier League season!
Yes I’m in the official premier league fantasy football mate. Do it every year, and rubbish every year..lol the leagues usually just transfer over from last season I think.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Sham/Dubai – I’ll hoy a team in if there’s an NUFC blog league going
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m in if there’s enough willing to join..
Dubai Toon(Quote)
So Palace turn down £70m bid plus McARTHY AND TOSUN thrown in with it for ZAHA from Everton. They want north of £80m !!
Was kinda hoping they would sell him,but i guess they rely on his pens to keep them up 😉
SSN- krafth on his way for medical with to Toon. Is this guy any good ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I can see us signing 3 before the window closes. Krafth, Maia (the Brazilian Midfielder) and with Wilson going to B’mth – I could see a possible loan deal for Jordan Ibe.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kimtoon: that is madness about Zaha. He is good, but he is a bit injury prone.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Life is turning very sour for an NUFC supporter nowadays. Anti Ashley anti Bruce anti this anti that, it all leaves little room for enjoying supporting NUFC. I may not be happy with Ashley or Bruce but it’s not going to stop me enjoying life and watching NUFC. Life’s too short. If we are going to boycott matches let us wait to see if we do really badly. The excitement of the first match of the season and new faces is too big a draw. Wrong time for a boycott.
Groucho(Quote)
Jordan Ibe? He’s not as good as Murphy and I’m glad he’s gone. The club should push the boat out and get Lopes from Monaco. £25m apparently. We need more goals in the team. Personally I would have bought Miggy’s mate Martinez from Atlanta.
georgio(Quote)
Groucho: try going on Eds. I think I have p!ssed about 90% of them off. If you don’t agree with them they attack you now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Groucho(Quote)
Good to see that we are not buying sicknotes. Welbeck, Carroll, Sturridge etc.
Not bad players, just fcked. If people haven’t learnt from Jack Wilshere then they never will.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
However, I haven’t seen ANY of our new signings play. I have no clue if they are any good or not. We get the Bundesliga but it is always Bayern or Dortmund. BEin Sports was dropped by the cable company and they showed French, Spanish and Italian football.
I am in the dark and may have to Dennis Wise (youtube) our new players.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It is National Lighthouse Day in the US. I don’t know who makes this ca@p up but it came up on my browser.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Your optimism never fails to give me a smile… 😆
Stuart79(Quote)
I am pretty sure the team that Bruce will play. My only real question is whether he will play Dummett. I reckon it will be 3-5-2 with Miggy being one of the midfielders because he tracks back. Shelvey will be in ahead of Longstaff because Sean had that injury.
Dubravka
Manquillo Schar Lascelles Dummett Ritchie
Shelvey Hayden
Miggy
St Max Joelinton
Eric Sykes(Quote)
******. The other option is to give St Max more time to settle and stack the midfield with Longstaff coming in for him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There’s also a 343 option but that would see Shelvey on the bench. Wouldn’t mind myself.
Too early for Krafth instead of Manquillo?
georgio(Quote)
Just read that Ritchie is out of the Arsenal game. Will have to rethink my team.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ritchie was never going to play Eric. Willems is the new LWB.
georgio(Quote)
Eric – I think he’ll start 5 in midfield with Longstaff, Hayden and Shelvey. Then switch one of those with ASM later in the match – that extra pace against their tiring defence.
Speaking of which – Arsenal’s defence look very poor as it stands.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m pleased I bring a little bit of joy to your life mate ??♂️?
Sharpy17(Quote)
A lot saying this new full back is no better than Yedlin ,let’s wait and see but his stats are poor
Icedog(Quote)
Well we’ve pursued Krafth for a few weeks now so is clearly the player they wanted – so in that respect it’s a positive.
I actually don’t dislike Yedlin as a wing back. I think he gets caught out too often as a RB in a back 4.
But we’ve struggled for full backs for a while now, so it’s pleasing to get Krafth and Willems in – I also think Bruce quite fancies Aaron’s as a LWB as well, which frees Ritchie up to be used further forward as well.
I think there’s quite a bit of cover in the squad now – up front is still a question mark, but pretty happy with the rest.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Let me know if anybody does create a fan league for FF
PremAndUp(Quote)
So Aaron’s has been told by Bruce that he will not be in the 25 man squad… I’m rather surprised to hear this as I was hoping that he would get a chance.
Not convinced about Krafth but I guess we have to give him a chance. … and Caulker?? ?? seriously? Where did that cra.p come from?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
I’ve set a premier league site FFL up with code 427gy1 for anyone wanting to join
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’ve joined
PremAndUp(Quote)
??
Sharpy17(Quote)
Olly – hope you don’t mind but I just called the league NUFC Blog league for ease ??♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
I generally like our defence and centre midfield options. In fact we’ve probably got the best squad for them positions in the bottom half of the league. But it’s goals that keep teams up as Bruce said. My worry is that none of our forwards have even half decent scoring records in top leagues. Even worse is that we only have 3 strikers. Plus 3/4 wingers who also don’t score goals. Will our attackers change and start scoring?
Stuart79(Quote)
You should’ve said, I have a NUFC Blog league set up! Can send code if you guys want to join
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Olly: how does the blog league work? I have never done any of these fantasy leagues.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Olly – sorry mate, Sham & Dubai mentioned it a few days ago and Prem mentioned it again yesterday so I threw one on, but yeah, whack your code up mate and we’ll jump on that one too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So other than finalising Krafth, do we get anyone else in today?
I could see Ibe come in on loan. Not sure about others, but Carroll could always be done outside the window with him being free.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I see Charlie Austin in talks to join the baggies SSN
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I’m ok with that, I was never sure on Austin anyway. He comes with his injuries too, and he pied us off for Saints as well, so balls to him.
I think we are probably done after Krafth.
I’m busy with my poor dog today anyway. Poor ****** has to have his eye out.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I am joining yours Sharpy. Will join Olly’s too if he puts the link up
Shamrock(Quote)
Very odd this Krafth signing. He joined his last club on loan last season ans signed permanently this summer before being sold to us? Is that right?
Stuart79(Quote)
Go to fantasy premier League, sign up for free, create a team then join private league with the codes given out by Sharpy and Olly – and join or create public leagues too. Two types of league- total points accumulated over the season and head to head leagues where you have to win against an opponent from your league to get points etc. Can do transfers throughout the season and captains get extra points etc.
Shamrock(Quote)
I have put a team in but I can’t find the rules. How do the points work? Scoring? Clean sheets? MoM?
Stuart79(Quote)
Spurs willing to let Wanyama go – I’d take him like. He’s a big physical midfielder that I think we miss now Diame hasn’t left.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If Everton can get Zaha I reckon they could finish above Man Utd and Arsenal. I don’t think they have strengthened well at all this summer.
Leicester have got some decent players in this summer too I reckon – despite loosing Maguire.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’d be well happy to get Carroll back along with Joelinton, and Gayle as front options – with the likes of Almiron, ASM, Muto and Ritchie behind them. That’s not a bad offensive group imo.
Cracking midfield group behind them, and very good defensive group as well.
This could be the best squad of players we’ve had in a long time.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – I am a little conflicted on Carroll. I will take him for sure as he’s a dangerous player but he isn’t fit and has a horrendous injury record and is only getting older. Have we gone for the cheap option? But if he has a good season injury wise he will be a good signing no doubt about it. I’m just not too confident of his injuries…
Stuart79(Quote)
Personally based on his history I wouldn’t have signed Carroll.
Groucho(Quote)
Stu – it’s not often we agree, but everything you have said there is exactly how I feel mate.
He’s defo the cheap option in the sense he’s a free, and he’s 30 now so it’s not building for the future. But I think he could be a good option for what the squad needs just now.
If he’s fit, I think there is still no other player can offer what he does.
If he’s signed on a 1 year rolling contract, I think it’s risk free.
I think when Gayle is fit, he’ll be sold – he wants out from what I’ve heard. He’s huffed that he didn’t get the no.9 shirt back, and knows he’ll have limited game time with us.
I think we’ll get another forward, either in Jan when Gayle is fit and can be sold, or next summer. But Gayle will have to be sold first I reckon.
If we have Joelinton with Carroll on a rolling contract – I don’t mind that short term.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The other excellent thing with only around 3hrs to go, is that none of our key players are leaving.
A lot of talk through the summer about Dubravka, Schar and Longstaff in particular – but all look to be staying. That’s fantastic news imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Looking at our competition and I hope can’t say I’m worried with what Sheff Utd, Norwich, Brighton and Palace have done. I know Villa have spent as well but not overly worried about them either, or Burnley.
With the squad we have, I can is 14/15th being comfortable. I know that’s backwards from last season, and not ambitious at all – but it’s better than relegation that’s for sure.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Palace have done nothing and they are going to have one seriously p!ssed off Wilf Zaha on their hands.
I am surprised at how little transfer business there has been by the lower half teams.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well i’m glad to see AC back, it’s a no brainer. Low basic salary with incentives for appearances and goals, one year contract. The medical team are happy with his reconstructive surgery on his ankle and he just needs to get his fitness level up now.
IF he can stay fit he’s a great option off the bench.
kimtoon(Quote)
Very surprised Hayden is still here. Guess nobody else thought he was worth the £15m. Nearly as odd as big Andy coming back. Not a bad sub to have if he can get fit.
Not too bad a window this time. We’ll soon see how it’s worked out.
georgio(Quote)
Eric – I think they are mental to have turned down £70m plus McCarthy and Tosun. They bought McCarthy anyway!!, and Tosun would bring them goals that Benteke can’t.
They could have even asked for £60m and throw Bolasie in with McCarthy and Tosun. They then would have had £60m plus the £50m from the RB to bring some real quality into the squad.
Instead they has p!ssed off the only player they have.
I had Hodgson ad first sacked – nailed on now I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
https://twitter.com/lee_ryder
he’s here
kimtoon(Quote)
If the Carroll deal is what they are reporting it is a free hit.
I think the squad is announced soon, maybe tomorrow? Should be interesting who are left out.
You can still loan or sell players to European clubs. Also, you can loan to League 1 clubs, but not The Championship.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Still time for people to join Sharpys league people! Code 427gy1
Sharpy how about a head to head league as well?
Shamrock(Quote)
I reckon Carroll on a free and a pay as you play or similar is a no brainer. There are very few players around that bring what he does when fit. Our speedy players like At Max etc will thrive playing off him and he is a beast in the box with a good left foot. Even if we only get 10 – 15 games out of him, he will make a difference.
Shamrock(Quote)
I’m in, Thanks for setting it up Sharpie, mate
Dubai Toon(Quote)
I am not surprised Palace haven’t sold Zaha. There was a bizarre stat last season that they failed to win over 75% of their games without him. That’s scary for them. What they should be doing is investing in the squad before they sell him. They know they will get circa £70m for him as he’s a very saleable asset.
Stuart79(Quote)
Well chuffed with Big Andy back and on a pay as you play deal it’s a no brainer. Need to move some out though…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Fottball is a strange old game. Aaron Mooy has just signed a new contract with Huddersfield and then joined Brighton on loan ❓ 😕
Stuart79(Quote)
Should have a look at The Chronic comments and other blogs. They are still complaining even with an incentivized deal which I never thought his Agent would go for. I found out today Andy doesn’t have an Agent.
The main beef is that he will take up a squad place. I remember a few years ago that we only had a 22 or 23 man squad. I think some of these so-called fans just look for something to moan about.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ashley is trolling Rafa.
Stuart79(Quote)
Apparently as soon as he arrived Bruce wanted AC bought back in and old man Carr has pushed for his return every window too.
kimtoon(Quote)
Re Carroll NUFC has a reputationfor recruting has beens. Our history is littered with them. I hope Carroll is successful for the sake of the team but I am not overoptimistic. The one area I agree with Ashley is in not going for over the hill players. There are of course some very good over 30 players still delivering the goods but the ones we have gone for in the past are ones on the downward slope looking for a last pay day. Hope Carroll does’t lamp any of our squad in the showers.
Groucho(Quote)
https://mobile.twitter.com/AndyTCarroll/status/1159491424343273473
kimtoon(Quote)
Not sure what we are getting with Carroll now. He had surgery so hopefully he can get back to the player he was. He did have multiple injuries and was not helped by West Ham bringing him back too soon.
He’ll probably pick up another injury but let’s hope it is not longterm needing surgery.
But there is virtually no risk here, so why not roll the dice.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Re Carroll I see David Luiz is going to Arsenal. Now that is going backwards.
Groucho(Quote)
Pretty much agree. Although let’s be honest I would have liked us to have spent the £30m in the bank to strengthen further but this is Mike Ashley’s NUFC.
Stuart79(Quote)
Just as a side note, it’s interesting that in the starting line we could have 4 local players and a local manager. Although Colback wouldn’t be in my starting 11 i’d rather have Matty Longstaff.
Stuart79(Quote)
Colback stil here 😥
Icedog(Quote)
I think we have had a good window.
Joselu gone and £30m for Perez 😆
A lot of pace added to the squad with the signings of Joelinton and Maximim and the return of Gayle.
With the return of Andy Carroll our 25 man squad now has decent options up front.
Also pleased that we have signed some good youngsters for the under 21 and23 squads.
sidekick(Quote)
Ice
I will be very surprised if Colback gets anywhere near the 25 man squad.
Who would Bruce kick out of the squad to accommodate him ?.
I expect our best hope would be for the Mackems to take him on loan.
sidekick(Quote)
That would be nice mate,,thought jabba didn’t sign players over 26,money again
Icedog(Quote)
Really please to retain Hayden too… a big plus for us I think.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Dubai Toon
August 8, 2019 at 21:02
Really please to retain Hayden too… a big plus for us I think.
Yeah if he keeps up his good form, excellent news .
kimtoon(Quote)