Tagged: Newcastle

Rafa Benitez Can Rebuild ‘Zombie Club’ Newcastle, If Given the Power to Do so | Bleacher Report

Rafa Benitez Can Rebuild ‘Zombie Club’ Newcastle, If Given the Power to Do so | Bleacher Report

I was hoping Newcastle would stay up. No luck there. We’ve touched on this before but Benitez has a chance to do something big with Newcastle if he sticks with them. Hopefully he does. Getting right back up to the Premier League won’t be easy, especially with the likely departures, but if he does that then there’s a good chance of further success. All depends on the board though.

If you want an example of hubris, look no further than Newcastle’s boardroom

Who is going to be the next Leicester City? | Squawka News | Team Analysis

Who is going to be the next Leicester City? | Squawka News | Team Analysis

Common sense says there will never be another Leicester. OR at least, not for a very long time. Not sure why Brighton and Middlesbrough or on the list, when the likes of Swansea and Southampton have a better chance. Newcastle shouldn’t be on this list as they are a bigger club than all the others. Them winning the Premier League would be a surprise but not as big as Leicester.

Has Benitez’s Appointment Come Too Late To Shore Up Geordies

Has Benitez’s Appointment Come Too Late To Shore Up Geordies

I think, and hope, Newcastle can pull it out. As mentioned, their last two games, give definite cause for hope. Norwich City has to play a Manchester United side that will still feel it has something to play for and Sunderland face a Chelsea side who could win just as easily as lose. Benitez has definitely turned things around but we’ll only know if it’s too late one the 38 games or done. Or if Newcastle somehow lose this weekend.

Rafa Benitez should stay and rebuild Newcastle – ESPN FC

Rafa Benitez should stay and rebuild Newcastle – ESPN FC

Agreed through. Wish I had written about this when I though about it. Yes, Benitez has managed some bigger clubs in England and Spain and achieved success but staying at Newcastle, even with relegation, and building them back up would be one of the best managerial achievements in current times. Newcastle has some solid talent and if Benitez gets the control he would like then they could be a really good team.

Sunderland, Norwich, Newcastle look to their strikers in relegation battle – ESPN FC

Sunderland Norwich Newcastle strikers in relegation battle – ESPN FC

I’d prefer Newcastle to stay up. I just would like to see how Rafa Benitez does with a full preseason with what is a decent group of players. He also has an interesting array of forwards to work with as noted by the author. Hopefully they come good.

Newcastle and Aston Villa issues stem from lack of progress – ESPN FC

Newcastle and Aston Villa issues stem from lack of progress – ESPN FC

Some great points before, and I think its something we’ve touched on before. Newcastle’s lack of ambition or, rather, Mike Ashley’s lack of ambition for Newcastle has played a part in the current problems. I found the author’s points about Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool at the end to be very interesting.

Arsenal have spent a decade happy with where, and what, they are. They might not have fallen, not yet at least, but they have failed to profit from the travails of others; as their traditional peers have stumbled, others have accelerated past them.

But United and Liverpool have already suffered relegations of their own — from contenders for the Champions League to contenders for the Champions League places

If the incoming money from the recent TV deals allow the likes of Tottenham and Everton to continue to improve then there’s no telling what may happen if Arsenal don’t make changes.

Mike Ashley and Newcastle: how to suck the spirit out of a football club | David Conn | Football | The Guardian

Mike Ashley and Newcastle: how to suck the spirit out of a football club | David Conn | Football | The Guardian

I wonder if Stan Kroenke’s read this guidebook. Okay, maybe that’s harsh but you have to feel the energy sucking out of Arsenal fans after each disappointing season. There’s no comparison to Newcastle fans yet though. Appointing Rafa Benitez only works if he’s allowed to run things his way.

5 Key Matchups For Newcastle vs. Arsenal In EPL Week 4 – RantSports

5 Key Matchups For Newcastle vs. Arsenal In EPL Week 4 – RantSports

My piece for RantSports on Newcastle vs. Arsenal

Santi Cazorla
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Arsenal and Newcastle always produce some interesting games. This one will be no different, as there are some intriguing individual battles in store. Both sides have already gone through highs and lows to start the season, but Newcastle will be feeling the pressure to get their first win. Here are five key matchups when Newcastle host Arsenal.

5. Florian Thauvin vs. Hector Bellerin

Hector Bellerin
Getty Images

Newcastle’s newest signing has been brought in to inject some unpredictability and flair into their attack. Thauvin will find Hector Bellerin, his opponent on the night, and knows he won’t be able to beat the Spaniard for pace. Thauvin is capable of bamboozling Bellerin as Philippe Coutinho did on Monday though, as the Arsenal right-back is still inexperienced. If Thauvin plays well he may just get a chance to make his mark in his first start.

4. Olivier Giroud vs. Fabricio Coloccini

Fabricio Coloccini
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Olivier Giroud has a knack for scoring against Newcastle, and they’ll be keen to shut him down this time around. Coloccini is a no-nonsense and, some would say dirty, defender who can unsettle the French forward. If Giroud is unsettled he’ll be likely to miss the litany of chances that his teammates present him with. Giroud is a confidence player, and if Coloccini gets under his skin quickly then there won’t be too much positive from him.

3. Moussa Sissoko vs. Nacho Monreal

Moussa Sissoko
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The power of Moussa Sissoko will be a real worry for Arsenal down the right side. Nacho Monreal has usurped Kieran Gibbs as the Gunners’ starting left-back, but he will have a hard time against the Frenchman. Sissoko is a goal-threat from the wing and has the skill to beat his man, so it will be interesting to see how Monreal approaches this battle.

2. Alexis Sanchez vs. Daryl Janmaat

Alexis Sanchez
Getty Images

Alexis Sanchez hasn’t gotten on the scoresheet yet for Arsenal and the Chilean doesn’t do well with frustration. Daryl Janmaat’s job will be to continue to frustrate the Arsenal talisman and leave his teammates to win it themselves. It will mean less forays forward, but it could be the difference between success and failure for Newcastle in this game.

1. Georginio Wijnaldum vs. Francis Coquelin

Francis Coquelin
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All eyes will be on Francis Coquelin and how he handles his next test. Georginio Wijnaldum’s intelligent movement, vision and goal-scoring abilities will test the Arsenal midfielder to the fullest. If Coquelin switches off, or goes about the game rashly, then Arsenal could be in for a long night.

Georginio Wijnaldum, Newcastle and the Double Pivot | These Football Times

Georginio Wijnaldum, Newcastle and the Double Pivot | These Football Times.

Great tactical piece here. Wijnaldum was a great pickup for Newcastle. Seems like they are getting Florian Thauvin as well so that will make things interesting on the wings. They list to Swansea, no shame there, but if things work out well this Newcastle side may finally start to live up to its potential.

Bilic McClaren hirings West Ham Newcastle come with risk – ESPN FC

Bilic McClaren hirings West Ham Newcastle come with risk – ESPN FC.

Definitely some interesting appointments for either side. Hopefully they turn out more positive than negative. Especially in Newcastle’s case. Too much talent to not be doing better. Some good points made by the author though.