Newcastle (H) Boxing Day

[Guest]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46671474

 

It would be a "miracle" if Newcastle were to avoid relegation from the Premier League, says Rafael Benitez.

 

The Magpies failed to win any of their opening 10 games of this campaign, but are currently 15th in the table, five points above the relegation zone.

 

They impressed on their return to the top-flight from the Championship last season, finishing in 10th place.

 

"We have to be realistic and understand we will be in the bottom half for the season," said Magpies boss Benitez.

 

"For me, it is almost clear and if we can be better than three teams, it will be another miracle.

 

"It was a miracle last year. People were thinking, 'Oh, you finished 10th...', but with a couple fewer wins, we could have been in the bottom five, so it was a miracle.

 

"If we do the same this year with teams spending even more money than last year, it will be a miracle."

 

At the beginning of December, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley said he was "hopeful" of selling the club "before the January transfer window".

 

As well as Tottenham and Watford, Newcastle were only one of three Premier League clubs to receive more transfer fees than they spent in the summer window.

 

Benitez added: "I know what is coming now and I know where we are. You can see the team - the team is trying a lot of things, but still it's not enough sometimes to get the points, and it will be like that.

 

"I'm trying to tell everyone, realise where we are, realise what we have to do and if we do well, fine, we can finish 10th or whatever.

 

"But if we think we have to beat these teams which have spent £100m, every one of them, during the summer, if we think we can beat them easily every game, no chance. We are wrong, 100%."

 

Benitez comes up against his former side and unbeaten Premier League leaders Liverpool on Wednesday, 26 December (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

[Aventus]

What's our record like vs Benitez teams? 

 

I know we beat Newcastle last time out, but I don't think we have any other wins against him do we? 

[Dicko]

Always good to see Rafa back.

I still want us to twat them 7-0.

[an tha]

Nice resting of all your best players please, Rafa lad - save them for the two upcoming mid table battles you have with Watford and Man Utd. 

[SammyAftershave]

[LFC 6 Times]

May be a game to rotate here, we will have around 75% of ball. Would go Allisson, Clyne, Lovren, VVD, Moreno,

Keita, Hendo, Shaqiri, Salah, Mane, Sturridge. 3-0 reds.

[aws]

1 hour ago, SammyAftershave said:

"I'd have left when he bought it if they hadn't tied me down " 

[Saintslfc13]

41 minutes ago, LFC 5 Times said:

May be a game to rotate here, we will have around 75% of ball. Would go Allisson, Clyne, Lovren, VVD, Moreno,

Keita, Hendo, Shaqiri, Salah, Mane, Sturridge. 3-0 reds.

I think Clyne should be first choice honestly. Agree with giving Robbo a rest. I wouldn't drop Fabinho and I'd probably play Bobby over Sturridge. If you want to rest Bobby then play Keita in that role and see what happens around him. Hendo could take Keita's spot in the midfield with Fab playing and Gini fill Keita's spot in the middle.

[an tha]

Just win, please boys.

 

Next two after this are really tough and is important to go into them with our momentum intact and confidence high.

 

We are bound to have a disappointing result at some point but hopefully not right on top of back to back games against two of the best sides in the league.

[Luckyhillkop]

On 12/24/2018 at 7:48 PM, Jennings said:

 

Nah...wouldn't go with Studge in goal!!

 

On 12/24/2018 at 8:14 PM, Aggers Elbow said:

 

Yeah, but it could work having a big bugger like Alisson as CF and Robbo and TAA pinging crosses in to him. As long as he didn't forget himself and punch it in.

Cunts!

 

On 12/24/2018 at 8:08 PM, Shooter in the Motor said:

I like the cut of your jib, hoping no-one notices we are playing with two right backs.

This is lame.

[Oh Buoy]

1-0 would be lovely. 

 

Right at the end of the game too just to wind up the other lot wanting us to stumble. 

[ZonkoVille77]

It should be a good game. We really need our lads to be patient as it will be a full on containment tactic by Rafa. We should have enough to beat these but it all depends on the midfield keeping the service flowing to the forward line. Just win, Redmen. 

[manwiththestick]

1 hour ago, Seasons said:

1-0 would be lovely. 

 

Right at the end of the game too just to wind up the other lot wanting us to stumble. 

The other lot being everyone else?

[Oh Buoy]

6 minutes ago, manwiththestick said:

The other lot being everyone else?

Yup. 

[John102]

A nice 5-0, where i enjoy the experience from start to finish, would be lovely.

[TheHowieLama]

Get the team leaked!!!

[Remmie]

2 minutes ago, TheHowieLama said:

Get the team leaked!!!

I need to get my eyes tested, thought that said get the team naked! 

[an tha]

Good not too much fucking around, can't afford to risk a weakened team here:

 

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Shaqiri, Mane, Salah, Firmino.

 

Proper attacking intent too.

[aRdja]

 

[Guest]

12 minutes ago, TheHowieLama said:

Get the team leaked!!!

PM'd

[Oh Buoy]

Shaq starts!

[manwiththestick]

Glad to see Shaq starting as I gambled on him doing so and picked him as my ff captain for this round of games.

[an tha]

Klopp has done right thing here IMO by going strong - we need to strike while iron is hot and ensure we go into City game with them being the ones under pressure and chasing.....weakening team here today would risk it being other way around given next game for us is tough.

 

 

[manwiththestick]

As it's Boxing day there will be many unscrupulous people using streams to watch this game. We must clamp down on this so if someone wants to post some of these (good quality) links up (don't worry you're not a grass) then I'm sure other members will see fit to inform the relevant authorities.

[Dr Nowt]

Any streams chaps?

I fancy starting my annual January crackdown on content piracy early.