Lascelles: Big mistake. Newcastle United are expected by the bookmakers to challenge for the top 10 this season – you can use this unibet bonus code to sign up – but they can do without off-field issues that keep cropping up with alarming regularity, such as the latest one involving the club captain.
In the wake of his signing a new extension on his contract, Magpies’ captain, Jamaal Lascelles severely damaged his reputation among fans, along with half the population of the world when he stated that Football is “a man’s game.” For this piece though, I will concentrate on his comments about Mike Ashley and the fans as this is a Newcastle United ‘blog, rather than a specialist on feminist issues!
Rondon: Disappointing so farTwo points from six games is a paltry return by any stretch of the imagination and it’s a situation that Newcastle United need to quickly resolve.
Much has been written about owner Mike Ashley’s lack of investment in the squad, but the Magpies still have plenty of talented players at their disposal.
With Saturday’s home game against Leicester City the ideal opportunity for Newcastle to get more points on the board, we look at who could be the difference makers this weekend.
‘Should I stay or should I go?’ Jamaal Lascelles was one of Newcastle United’s key players in the 2017-18 season as the Magpies managed to stave off relegation and consolidate their place in the Premier League. Needless to say, there are now rumours circulating that the solid central defender could be on his way to a bigger club. Tottenham Hotspur are preparing for the possible sale of Toby Alderweireld this summer and will need to bring in a replacement for the Belgian. Liverpool and Chelsea are also looking for extra additions to help them tighten up at the back. If Lascelles does depart, it would leave Rafa Benitez with big shoes to fill at St James’ Park. (more…)
Joselu: Still has alot to prove Newcastle United’s return to the Premier League is just reward for their impressive Championship campaign last season when they finished as champions, one-point clear of second placed Brighton. Newcastle’s front line were on fire last campaign out scoring every other club with 85 goals, and yet it was their back four who were most impressive conceding only 40 goals in 46 matches.
This was no mean feat in what many recognise as the most competitive league in the world. To put it in perspective, Newcastle managed to score more than twice as many goals as they conceded and more than Wigan and Blackburn combined. How they will fair against Premier League defences across the course of a season is unclear, but with just nine goals in their first eight matches they are unlikely to meet the dizzying heights of last season, even with the arrival of Joselu from Stoke City for £5 million in the summer. Joselu is priced at massive 5-1 to score more than 10 league goals this campaign, which tells you pretty much everything you need to know about where the Spaniard’s season may be heading. (more…)
Lascelles: His stock is rising rapidly The latest England squad has been announced for the upcoming qualifiers at the beginning of October, with the usual array of names featuring. Gareth Southgate has been labelled as fairly predictable and safe with his selections in recent months, and the announcements regularly divide Premier League fans. Newcastle supporters have been impressed by captain Jamaal Lascelles so far this season, and many feel as though he deserves a call-up to the national side.
The England squad included defenders John Stones, Aaron Cresswell, Gary Cahill and Michael Keane, but there was no place for the Newcastle centre-back who has impressed so far this season. Lascelles is not only commanding at the back but has proved to be the Magpies’ match-winner on two occasions this season, including netting the winner against Stoke in the middle of September. (more…)
