Lascelles – Taking the reins of the captaincy Since Newcastle United’s previous Premier League relegation, the club were in search of new heroes within their squad and latest Captain and Defender, Jamaal Lascelles, has appeared as just that.
The solid centre back has been superb for the Toon in recent seasons and has become club skipper under the watchful eye of Spanish manager and former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss, Rafael Benitez.
Lascelles was handed the captain’s armband during last season by the experienced Spanish tactician and his performances have improved ever since, becoming a strong leader in the heart of his side’s rearguard in both the Championship and Premier League in recent months. (more…)
Lascelles and Darlow: “Outstanding lads” says PearceIn the misery and inertia of Mike Ashley’s Newcastle United, it is good to try and look for the flowers in the cracks of the concrete from time to time to keep oneself sane.
With this in mind, I could have written about younger players like Ayoze Perez, Rolando Aarons etc but then I thought at least we have seen them play in black and white, albeit briefly in Aarons’ case. On the other hand, two more of United’s biggest hopes the the future haven’t been seen at all in Magpie colours. They are the two forgotten men of Newcastle United, 21 year old centre back, Jamaal Lascelles and 24 year old goalkeeper Karl Darlow, who have returned from their loan season at Nottingham Forest.
Signed a season ago from the Tricky Trees for an undisclosed fee which was said to be £6.5 million, the pair were immediately loaned back and forgotten about by many on Tyneside. They are both regarded as very promising players though, and as Alan Pardew used to be fond of saying, ‘It will be like two new signings.’ (more…)
