2017-18 fan season preview: Newcastle
By Matt Ketchell.
What are your feelings ahead of the new season?
Trepidation, naturally! Obviously we’re extremely grateful and happy to have Rafa in charge but I think his relationship with Ashley is fragile and how that plays out really will determine our future. Rafa is a proud man who’s been around long enough to not be pushed around like Pardew and McClaren were. If Rafa feels he’s not being backed like he was promised, I worry he will leave abruptly and then we will be in serious trouble. In the meantime, I’m delighted that fixtures away to Burton have been replaced by trips to Anfield (even though we never win there!)
How pleased have you been with your transfer business to date?
We recruited to get out of the Championship last season, which was sensible but now we need to shop in the same aisle where we found players like Wijnaldum and Mbemba again. Deadwood like Haidara, Lazaar, Saivet, Sels and Riviere need to be permanently moved on to make space for a left-back, striker and new ‘keeper that we need between now and the end of the transfer window. Really great to see an exciting, young English U21 player like Jacob Murphy join (his family are all from the north east so he’s a boyhood Toon fan) and Rafa has managed to nab a Spanish U21 player (Mikel Merino) from Dortmund. He’s a tall defensive midfielder who likes to tackle, get his head up and hit diagonals. We’re paying quite a bit for a season-long loan (about £2m) but if he plays a certain amount of games I believe that activates a permanent move costing a further £6m, which is decent value for a Spanish U21. We’ve picked up a much-needed centre-back, Lejueune, a French lad who was very impressive for Eibar last season. What was worrying was the time it took for that deal to go through, about a month despite the player being keen and the club willing to sell.
How is your team likely to line up?
4-2-3-1, same as last season. Though we will play more counter-attacking compared to last season, when we came up against a number of parked buses. This will suit Rafa’s style more, I think.
Elliot
Yedlin, Lejueune, Clark, Dummett
Shelvey, Merino
Ritchie, Perez, Atsu
Gayle
Who will be your most important player?
Shelvey. He runs the team. We’re relying on him to link midfield with attack and unsettle defences with his passing. Balls through the lines to our forwards, who are all quick and creative, is vital. I’d love to see him play with a bit more of a smile on his face (I don’t think I’ve ever seen this!); he sulks big time if things aren’t going right and he’s often guilty of going over the ball and getting caught up in unnecessary, off-the-ball stuff. If he can keep a lid on that, but maintain his edge, and concentrate on being more of a leader he can get back in the England squad. He must have been furious to see a player like Jake Livermore pick up senior caps last season.
Who is the unsung hero in your squad?
Paul Dummett. He really divides supporters. I’ve never been his biggest fan but fair play to the lad, he keeps his head down and gives everything every game. He’s really improved positionally under Rafa, which is so important for him because he’s not the quickest. He knows his limitations so rarely ventures forward, which goes against what we expect from a modern Premier League full-back, but we need to appreciate having a local lad in the team. Our academy has only really produced him and Andy Carroll in the last 10 years. We should look at that and weep.
What do you expect from Liverpool this season?
Champions League football will impact massively. I actually tipped you for the title last season based on the fact you didn’t have that distraction. It looked like a decent shout until Christmas! I think you’ll scrape into the top four if you can keep key players fit but it looks like that plan has gone out of the window already! Salah should have a great season. Also, I’ve been saying for years we should sign Andrew Robertson so if he does well for you I’ll be annoyed.
If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?
I really like Sadio Mane. High energy, deadly finisher, very brave player. I’d take him and play him as a striker. It would also be great to shout ‘Howay Mane!’ every game.
Top four (in order)?
Man. United
Man. City
Tottenham
Liverpool
Relegated?
Southampton
Brighton
Crystal Palace
Surprise package?
Bournemouth
What is your biggest wish for the season?
Avoid getting caught up in a relegation battle, for Rafa to stay and take us to the League Cup final. We haven’t played at Wembley since 2000 and play Spurs away in March. If we can get to the League Cup final it will mean playing at the new Wembley in a proper fixture with half the stadium black and white rather than a small 3k pocket.