The Rafalution begins !

One out, two in - Transfer round up!

Dominic Iorfa was only seen as a back up but looks like he may have to step to the plate sooner than expected as Dutch Right back Daryl Janmaat has joined french powerhouse PSG for 10m

Rafa Benitez was spotted in Tenerife but not holiday, he's cancelled all his summer plans to focus on transfers and he has snapped up 17 year old Spanish attacking midfielder Cristo Gonzalez, he joins for 2.1m from Tenerife the same club Newcastle uncovered Ayoze Perez

Benitez has dipped into the loan market again wasting no time getting more squad depth after the departure of Daryl Janmaat and has snapped up 22year old Right back Andre wisdom on a season long loan from Liverpool, Wisdom can also play centre back if needed.

Pre season part 2

Newcastle then travelled away to Sivasspor and won 4-1 goals from Andros Townsend, Rolando Aarons, Adam Armstrong and new loan signing Andre Wisdom.

Newcastle's 4th friendly was against Alvas where they drew 2-2 both goals coming from young Adam Armstrong who is looking to cement a first team spot after a cracking loan season at Coventry, Newcastle looked to have won in the 90th minute but with a minute left to spare of extra time Inaki the Alvas striker scored to draw the game in the 92nd minute.
Finally newcastle played local team gateshead away and won 5-1 Serbian hothead Aleksander Mitrovic scored a hattrick #mitrosonfire ! Sammy Ameobi picked up a goal and so did debutant Will Hughes

Cristo Gonzalez looks to be a good signing especially for the fee. Rafa finding those gems in Spain

Good preseason there and I like your player signing graphics

Pre Season Review

So Rafa and the Toon played 5 games, won 3, drew 1 and lost 1. Player of pre season was tied between strikers Mitrovic and Armstrong, who both scored 3 goals each, Here's hoping these two can form a lethal partnership for Newcastle in the championship, Newcastle have always worked best with 2 Strikers - Alan shearer and Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and Owen, Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse.

Something to note about the pre season games is the possession and shots Newcastle had, even in their wins newcastle had to fight to win, possession was 45%, and shots were almost equal, at the end of the day a win is a win but Benitez needs to be more dominant, a change of tactic needed maybe ? we'll have an exclusive piece on Benitez and his tactic the week before Newcastle's first Championship game against Aston villa !

@MJK46 the swansea game was bad though 3-0, Damiao was insane ! and thanks

Benitez wants 3 more, Sources report Newcastle United could make a move for a striker on loan, a centre back with rumours of a bid for Colombian Eder Alvarez Balanta lined up, following the departures of taylor and Coloccini, Benitez wants to form a brick wall partnership with Mbemba and Balanta.

Young Serbian winger Andrija Zivkovic from Partizan is also rumoured to be linked with a move to St James Park but is tracked by a host of european clubs can the lure of Benitez and former Partizan player and countryman Mitrovic help newcastle get their man ? Partizan play in black and white so the Toon would suit him perfectly.

How on earth did you manage to get a comment from Stam haha I haven't got one in like three years! #youareblessed

Some really nice updates man, keep it up!

2016-06-11 08:17#233773 Griffo : How on earth did you manage to get a comment from Stam haha I haven't got one in like three years! #youareblessed

Bribery Griff, he bribed stam

Balanta and Zivkovic would certainly be two superb additions, should Rafa bring them in.

Deadline day !

It was 3 out 2 in for Newcastle as the Summer Transfer window closed.

Manu Riviere joined fellow Championship club Brighton for 2.5 million, Newcastle will be hoping he doesn’t score against them on his return.

Colombia CB Eder Alvarez Balanta joined Newcastle for a fee of 7 million, Rafa Benitez see a bright future with Mbemba and Balanta in defence.

Dutch playmaker Siem De Jong was sold for 2 million to german side Hoffenheim

Serbian winger Andrija Zivkovic swapped the black and white of Serbian side Partizan for the the black and white of the Toon for 2 million

Finally Check Tiote joined Fenerbache with a hour to spend of the window on a season long loan

Squad depth

Goalkeepers - Newcastle managed to keep Dutch international Tim krul and he looks like he will keep the number 1 shirt, but newcastle can sleep easy knowing they have good back ups in Rob elliott and Karl Darlow

Right Backs- Newcastle lost a strong Right back in Daryl Janmaat but they brought in Dominic Iorfa and Andre Wisdom along with Kevin Mbabu and Jamie Sterry both being promoted from the under 21s so Newcastle look sorted in that position

Centre backs- Newcastle lost captain Coloccini and Steven Taylor during the summer but have brought Eder Alvarez Balanta and promoted Kevin Mbabu and Lubomir Satka both from the Under 21s, they also have Chancel Mbemba and Jamaal Lascelles.

Left backs- possibly a weak spot, Newcastle have Haidara, Dummett, as natural left backs but Eder Alvarez Balanta, Jack Colback and Vurnon Anita could be used in that role if needed.

Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield - Newcastle have two english youngsters Will Hughes and Lewis Cook both play Central midfield but can be used in different roles such as advanced playmaker or deep lying playmaker. Newcastle also have Jonjo Shelvey, Vurnon Anita, Jack Colback and Henri Saivet in that position so a lot of competition. 17 year old Cristo Gonzalez could also be called upon in AMC if needed.

Left wing/Right wing - The wings is going to be a important position in Newcastle tactic, They have Rolando Aarons, Sammy Ameobi, Thauvin, Wijnaldum, Ayoze Perez, Andros Townsend, Jesse Lingard and Andrija Zivkovic. Again lots of healthy competition for both sides of the field.

Strikers- Another weak point possibly as Rafa Benitez was unable to recruit a striker but sold Papiss Cisse and Manu Rivere during the transfer window, So Newcastle have Aleksander Mitrovic who wants to fill the boots of Geordie Legend Alan Shearer who he has stated is his idol, Spainard Ayoze Perez who Rafa Benitez Rates highly, Adam Armstrong who stormed League 1 last season with Coventry scoring 20 goals in 40 games. If any of these picked up bad injuries, under 21 strikers Ivan Toney, Alex Gilliead or 17 year old Cristo Gonzalez could be called up.

Newcastle are going to have a long season ahead of them,but it looks as if they should have the squad depth and quality to compete and stay strong throughout the whole season, The championship is definitely a place for some of these youngsters to impress but also the big names need to shine or otherwise risk losing their place.

August to September

A Mtrovic brace ensured newcastle got their championship campaign off to the best start possible ! A hard fought game which could of gone the other way had it not been for newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul having a blinder in goal, but when needed Mitrovic produced and got newcastle and Benitez their first 3 points



Goals from Sammy Ameobi, Mitrovic, Dominic Iorfa, a notts county own goal and 17year old Cristo Gonzalez saw newcastle go though to the capital one cup second round, Debutant Iorfa picked up MOTM with fellow debutant Lewis Cook getting 9.0 rating along with Lingard and Dummett



Rolando Aarons's 66th minute equaliser was not enough for newcastle as poor defending resulted in a 89th minute for leeds from Doukara, meaning Newcastle lost their first game of the season.



Newcastle put the leeds result behind them and beat Brentford 3-0 goals from Aarons, Mitrovic and Wijnaldum who would later come off and be sidelined for 5 weeks with a sprained ankle



It was a battle of fire as Will Grigg took on Aleksander Mitrovic but Will Grigg was extinguished as newcastle beat wigan 5-1, goals from Mitrovic, a brace from Lingard, Ayoze Perez and a wigan own goal saw the Toon grab all three 3 points.



Shola Ameobi famously known on tyneside as the Mackem slayer failed to slay the Magpies as Andros Townsend provided the goods and scored a hat trick to help newcastle progress to the Capital One Cup 3rd round along with goals from Rolando Aarons, Adam Armstrong and Chancel Mbemba.



The final game of August turned out to be rather boring as Newcastle drew with Fulham 0-0 Maarten Stekelenburg doing a job for Fulham in between the sticks.


It was a good month for Newcastle Striker Aleksander Mitrovic as he came 3rd in player of the month but picked up young player of the month, The Serbian striker played 5 games scoring 4 goals with an average rating of 7.80



Newcastle Boss Rafael Benitez came Third in Manager of the month.

So after 5 game played Newcastle sat 2nd in the league with 12 points Having won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1, Newcastle are 2 points behind Norwich in 1st and 1 point from falling out of the playoffs.

September to October

Ayoze perez and Jonjo Shelvey ensured Newcastle got off to a good start for September,



Dominic Iorfa returned to his old club as Newcastle won 3-2 in hard fought battle against Wolves goals from Ayoze Perez, Aarons and Henri Saivet who had earlier moaned about game time, will this game help put back in radar of Benitez?



Deja vu ? Newcastle beat Cardiff 3-2 goals from Mitrovic, Ayoze Perez and Armstrong. Newcastle defender Jamaal Lascelles got on the wrong scoresheet as he put the ball in his own net.



Newcastle drew Championship leaders Norwich in the third round but lost in a boring game as Graham Dorrans helped Norwich progress to the next round, lets hope Newcastle beat them in the league !



Nottingham forest managed to salvage a draw St James park when Andy Reid equalised in the 71st minute after Ayoze Perez put the Geordies ahead in the 56th minute,



Back to winning ways Newcastle thrashed Ipswich 4-0 Gini Wijnaldum scoring two great goals having started after coming back from injury, Jonjo Shelvey scored a lovely freekick and Sammy Ameobi wrapped it up in the 75th minute, ipswich had 28 shots compared to Newcastle 12, Haidara, Mbemba and Lascelles were all booked proving ipswich were frustrating Newcastle but after playing a more possession style of play Newcastle ultimately picked up all 3 points finishing off the month of September


Will Hughes picked up young player of the month - playing 4 games with 2 assists
and an average rating of 7.80


Rafael Benitez finished 2nd in the manager on the month

So another month gone and Newcastle are 2nd after 10 games played with 23 points, 2 behind leaders aston villa and 6 points from falling out of playoffs