Hello and welcome to our Newcastle United live blog on Tuesday, October 22.
Steve Bruce's side must now focus on taking maximum points against Wolves after dropping into the relegation zone.
Marcos Alonso's late winner at Stamford Bridge on Saturday saw the Magpies slide down to 18th position in the table.
The Magpies will host Wolves in front of the TV cameras at St James' Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Peter Kenyon takeover interest continues to buzz along in the background too, and we'll have the latest on that .
Stick with us for all the latest reaction from St James' Park and remember to follow our Instagram account ( @ChronicleNUFC ) and our NEW transfers Facebook group where you can get notifications to your phone when anything happens.
Key Events
Signing off
That’s all from us for tonight - we’ll leave you with some of the day’s key stories.
- Jamaal Lascelles underlines why Newcastle will stay out of trouble this season
- The crucial meetings which will shape Newcastle United plans in 2020
- Steve Bruce says Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle will get his chance this season
- Neil Redfearn’s verdict after Newcastle U23s secure bragging rights with Wear-Tyne derby victory
- Newcastle U23s player ratings after derby-day victory over Sunderland
Lascelles on Leicester defeat
Talk of a crisis behind the scenes after the 5-0 hammering against Leicester City quickly emerged a few weeks ago, but Jamaal Lascelles reflected: “We don’t look too much into what is said in the media.
“We just concentrate on the team.
“We do have a lot of character and heart in this team.
“We played Leicester and lost 5-0 but bounced back a week later and beat Man United at home.
“That shows what character we have got here.
“We have been in worse situations than this.
“I have a lot of trust in this team and I am confident we will pick up results now.”
You can read the full story here.
VAR
Former referee Keith Hackett feels there is “a level of arrogance” coming from Professional Game Match Officials Limited and has labelled the application of VAR in the Premier League as “flawed”.
VAR has proven a considerable talking point so far in what is its debut season in the English top-flight, and not least over the last few days, during which a number of decisions have been under the spotlight. In September,
Mike Riley, the managing director of the officials body PGMOL, said four mistakes had been made by VAR in the Premier League after four rounds of matches.
Hackett, a former Premier League and FIFA referee who led the PGMOL between 2004 and 2010, told the PA news agency on Tuesday:
“There’s a level of arrogance that seems to be coming out of the PGMOL at the moment, that every decision we’re making is correct.
“Let’s look at last season’s stats. Mike Riley came out and said we are 82 per cent accurate on the big decisions, which is saying literally one in five of the big decisions we are getting wrong.
“So we have now got VAR and we’re going to improve, we’re going to get these big decisions and we’re going to be better at it.
“He then comes out and says we’ve had a review and we’ve only made four errors - and everybody in the game must have fell over laughing, because who is he kidding? Four errors? How many does he agree to this week that he’s made? None?
“Let’s be real - we are dealing with human beings and human beings will always make mistakes. VAR is there for us to see a game with less errors and hopefully move the decision-making process, accuracy, into the high 90 per cents. We are not achieving that, anywhere near.”
Fernandez on U23s win
Victor Fernandez bagged his first goal of the season and an assist in the U23s victory in the Wear-Tyne derby last night.
Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “The squad feel great after getting the win and beating our rivals. We all know that playing against Sunderland is a game we have have to win. I’m very happy for all of the team because we put in a good performance.
“Going one-nil up quite early was very important to get our confidence up. I just tried to complete some step-overs and beat the right-back and I got past him. He pushed me from the back and I thought it was a definite penalty.
“The red card changed the game completely. It gave us a great advantage, especially when they were already one goal down.
“It made it quite easy for us because we could have the possession of the ball when they had ten men, which made it really tough for our opponents.
“We had plenty of opportunities to try and score and I think we may need to be more clinical but, in the end, we got the win which is the important thing so we’ll move onto the next one.”
Willian Jose claims
Real Sociedad striker Willian Jose has claimed he turned down the opportunity to join Newcastle United .
The 27-year-old forward was linked to a move to Tyneside following the Magpies’ promotion to the Premier League under Rafa Benitez in 2017.
The Brazilian has enjoyed a prolific spell at Real Sociedad, netting 42 times in 102 La Liga appearances.
Speaking to Spanish outlet Marca, the striker outlines he had an “option” to join United “last year” but does not regret rejecting the move.
Willian Jose - who is due to turn 28 next month - added he is happy in La Liga currently, but would like to make the move to the Premier League one day.
You can read the full story here.
U23 ratings
Newcastle Under-23s ran out 2-0 winners against their Sunderland counterparts in Eppleton.
The Wearsiders played with 10 men for most of the game but Newcastle still impressed throughout.
Goals from Luke Charman and Victor Fernandez earned Neil Redfearn’s side the victory in the Premier League 2 second tier.
Here are Lee Ryder’s Newcastle player ratings from the Premier League 2 clash.
Latest from Ciaran Kelly
Here’s a snippet of Ciaran Kelly’s latest column on why the coming months will be crucial for NUFC’s plans in 2020.
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Newcastle’s scouts have been busy and even if a long-term target does not necessarily arrive in January, the coming months will be important when it comes to do doing the groundwork for 2020 as a whole.
Allan Saint-Maximin and Jetro Willems were aware of Newcastle’s interest last winter while several ‘outstanding’ scouting reports had been filed on Joelinton long before the Brazilian completed his club-record move in July.
As well as sitting down with head of recruitment Steve Nickson and his team before the window opens, Bruce is due to have a meeting with managing director Lee Charnley this week.
With so many players out of contract next summer and the summer after that, some big decisions need to be made and the club hope to tie down Matty Longstaff and offer improved terms to brother Sean.
A number of fringe players will be free agents next summer - from Karl Darlow to Federico Fernandez - while a decision will have to be made on whether to make Jetro Willems’ loan move permanent.
In 2021, a host of first-team regulars, including Fabian Schar, Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie, are also out of contract.
Clark on Chelsea defeat
Ciaran Clark has insisted he was not being ball greedy when heading over Newcastle United’s only clear chance in the second half at Chelsea.
The Republic of Ireland international had what looked like an intense debate with Dwight Gayle as the players left the pitch after the 1-0 defeat.
Gayle and skipper Jamaal Lascelles were both to the other side of Clark, but he explained: “It was a bit too high.
“I knew there was other lads. I heard Jamaal shouting.
“I just couldn’t get up and get it back into him.
“It was one of those. We didn’t really create a clear-cut chance.”
You can read the full story here.
NUFC refute Stam's claims
Newcastle United did not approach Jaap Stam to become their new manager - contrary to his claims in the Dutch media this morning.
The former Manchester United defender succeeded Giovanni van Bronckhorst as manager of Feyenoord this summer but he told Voetbal International that Newcastle approached him just days later.
However, senior club sources have refuted the Manchester United legend’s claim and it is understood that the club did not speak to Stam over the managerial role - nor did they have any interest in him.
You can read the full story here.
Should Bruce have acted quicker at Chelsea?
A snippet from the latest Everything is Black and White podcast...
Lascelles on points tally
Despite some of the doom and gloom this season, Jamaal Lascelles feels that the fact Newcastle are in a much better position points wise compared to last year is a massive plus.
He concluded: “That is a positive but we want to put more on there.
“We have to just keep going and keep believing in the manager and each other.
“Good performances like Man United or even Chelsea will help us get more.”
You can read the full story here.
OTD in 2016
On this day in 2016, Newcastle United comfortably dispatched Ipswich Town 3-0 at St James’ Park courtesy of an Ayoze Perez double and a Matt Ritchie strike.
The match is remembered for Perez’s remarkable opening goal in the first minute where all eleven United players touched the ball in the build-up.
NUFC tracking Hickey
Newcastle United are reportedly one of a number of Premier League clubs monitoring the progress of Aaron Hickey.
The teenage Hearts defender made his debut last season against Celtic and has established himself as a first-team regular this season.
A number of scouts were reportedly in attendance for Hearts’ 1-1 draw with Rangers at Tynecastle on Sunday.
And the Scottish Sun has named United as one of several Premier League sides interested in the 17-year-old full back.
You can read the full story here.
Redfearn's verdict
Newcastle United coach Neil Redfearn has spoken of his pride after leading the Magpies to a derby win against Sunderland .
The 2-0 victory in Eppleton secured bragging rights for the Toon youngsters in Premier League 2.
Speaking after the game Redfearn said: “I thought it was a good performance.
“Sunderland did well but the sending off makes a difference.
“Although we deserved to be in front.”
Black and White Podcast - Lack of goals, Dwight Gayle’s return, Miguel Almiron’s confidence, and VAR
Jaap Stam claims he rejected Newcastle job in the summer
Feyenoord boss Jaap Stam has claimed he turned down the chance to become Newcastle’s new manager in the summer.
The former Manchester United defender succeeded Giovanni van Bronckhorst as manager of the Dutch giants this summer but just days after he signed a contract at De Kuip, Newcastle are said to have made their approach.
Stam claims the Magpies spoke to him but it was too late for him to make the move to England after already committing to Feyenoord.
He told Voetbal International:
“You have been informed, because it is correct. Newcastle United applied a few days after I signed my signature at Feyenoord. So it was not an option right away.
I am a man of my word. It was beautiful and honourable, because the people in England apparently know what I stand for as a trainer.”
Stam, of course, guided Reading to the Championship play-off final in 2017 as the Royals pushed Newcastle in the race for promotion.
However, his second season was not as successful and he was sacked in March 2018 following a run of just one win in 18 games.
The former Dutch international defender then spent the best part of a year out of the game before taking the reins at PEC Zwolle on a short-term basis last season.
The former Lazio and AC Milan star has struggled to make a meaningful impact so far with Feyenoord sitting in a disappointing 10th place in the Eredivisie table.
Dwight Gayle will get his chance, insists Steve Bruce
“What happened last year or the past, I am not really interested in when it comes to Dwight.
“The thing for Dwight is that whatever number he has on his back he’s got the ability to score goals.
“I am delighted that he’s around us because he is a very, very good player.
“And I am delighted he’s here.
“He can knuckle down now and fight for his chance.”
Dutch giants keen on Newcastle target
According to 90min.com, both Ajax and PSV are keen to sign Everton defender Lewis Gibson.
Gibson left Newcastle in 2017 but has been linked with a return to St James’ Park next summer when his contract at Goodison Park expires.
The report also claims Rangers are keeping a close eye on the 19-year-old.
Lascelles confident Newcastle can get out of trouble
“We just concentrate on the team.
“We do have a lot of character and heart in this team.
“We played Leicester and lost 5-0 but bounced back a week later and beat Man United at home.
“That shows what character we have got here.
“We have been in worse situations than this.
“I have a lot of trust in this team and I am confident we will pick up results now.”
Big derby win for the under-23s last night
Neil Redfearn’s young Magpies ran out 2-0 winners over Sunderland.
Takeover reports
In case you (somehow) missed it, there was a fresh takeover update yesterday. Here’s a snippet from our story below
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Newcastle United have been linked with another takeover after reports linked Mike Ashley with a meeting with Mexican businessmen in London to discuss selling the club.
The Magpies have issued a “no comment” status on the report.
But ChronicleLive understands that no party has come anywhere near bidding the asking price to take United off the Sports Direct magnate’s hands.
The Magpies remain up for sale for a price of around £350m and, while Ashley is believed to be losing patience with former Manchester United and Chelsea supremo Peter Kenyon, he is still open to other offers.
A report in the Athletic claims talks between Ashley and two unnamed Mexicans took place in the capital last week. It is stated the meeting did not go well and ended in negative manner.
You can read the full story here.
Bruce on Chelsea goal
Newcastle United battled hard but fell to defeat at Stamford Bridge on Saturday after a Marcos Alonso strike late on.
But head coach Steve Bruce was not happy with a perceived foul in the build-up...
Morning
Good morning. It’s Sean McCormick here, and I’ll be bringing you the latest updates on Newcastle United throughout the day.