Jamaal Lascelles

[magvicar]

5 hours ago, Ronaldo said:

All well and good but with FFP we can’t keep paying backup players high wages whose value will depreciate significantly from here on out. 

I can't see him on high wages, compared to the regulars. I think he's more than worth his weight for back up as soon as the regulars are fit, plus maybe a few additions.

I think his worth is more than just on match days.

There's plenty of other players that would be first out for me.

9 years at the club and many of those as captain. His wage is about 40 grand a week, I think. 

He's 30 years old and is as fit as a butchers dog and as strong as a Bull.

He cost us about 3.5 million all those years ago.

I think he's been a bargain and a half both on and off the pitch.

 

The dent in FFP would be a small pin head tap on the east stand player flag sheet.

[PauloGeordio]

3 hours ago, wormy said:

10 years.. Shit I'm old.

 

A size 9 and 11 boot each, too.  Makes me wonder why the hell players wouldn't have correct size back ups available at all times but fair play to the absolute mountain of a man. Must have been really distracting.

“It feels like a different Newcastle now”, Lascelles said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.

 

“Everyone would run through a brick wall to play for the manager and play for the badge.

 

 

“That is what I am doing. I am loving it.”

[Smal]

https://archive.is/ewLIK

 

Quote

Jamaal Lascelles: Lots of people wrote me off but I've always put Newcastle badge before myself

 

Club captain never sulked when sidelined and has taken the opportunity offered by injury to claim his starting place back and find best form

 

It is easy to see why Jamaal Lascelles is not just a Premier League defender but a captain.

 

“There were a lot of people probably writing me off saying ‘his time is done’,” he says of last season when, having previously been an ever-present, he made only two Premier League starts for a rapidly-evolving Newcastle United.

 

“But I will always say I can look myself in the mirror having given 100 per cent and done everything that I can for everybody: for myself and for the club,” Lascelles explains.

 

“It was difficult at the start getting used to the change because if I was fit I always played at Newcastle. But maturity is a huge factor and you gain things if the team is playing well even if you are not playing.

 

“I was wise enough to realise that ‘OK, I might not be playing but I am at a club that might get into the Champions League’. I was in a fantastic situation. A situation most people dream to be in.

 

“So, I wasn’t going to sulk; I wasn’t going to spit my dummy out. I was going to cherish every single moment because it was massive and it might not happen again. I was going to support everybody in the same way that people had supported me when I played. When you have players like that who put the badge before themselves it provides a real unity in the team. And then if your time comes take it.”

 

Lascelles’ time has come – and he has taken it. On Tuesday evening he will lead out Newcastle at the Parc des Princes against Paris Saint-Germain in a must-not-lose (and probably must-win) Champions League tie after re-establishing himself at the heart of Eddie Howe’s team.

 

Injury to Sven Botman offered the centre-half his chance and he has been among Newcastle’s best performers since returning to the side for the League Cup victory over Manchester City in September having not started since March. On Saturday he scored in the impressive – and all the more impressive given the list of players out – 4-1 victory over Chelsea.

 

“It feels like a different Newcastle now,” Lascelles states. “Everyone would run through a brick wall to play for the manager and play for the badge and that is what I am doing. I am loving it.”

 

Mention of the manager brings us to Howe and the transformative effect he has had. Interestingly Lascelles says he grew up – starting his career at Nottingham Forest before joining Newcastle in 2014 – exposed to “old-school” managers who were more used to “effing and blinding” and barking orders.

 

“If not you would be punished,” Lascelles says. “This gaffer has a completely different approach. I think he sees himself as a father-figure to us all. He wants to make sure we are all OK, we are happy. He has set up the games room but then he’s strict in a different way. He is strict with the way we train; with the standards.

 

“We have seen the other side to him when he can have a go if someone is not pulling their weight. You do not want to cross that line. I think he has got the balance perfectly which is why everyone respects him and wants to do so well under him.

 

“It’s: ‘How can we improve him as a person’. When you have someone who gives up so much time – he’s here at half six in the morning, probably earlier, and he’s the last one to leave. So with the amount of effort he puts into us, you almost feel like you have to give him absolutely everything.”

 

The games room? One of the changes under Newcastle’s new owners has been a revamping of the training ground – a new entrance, gym, better canteen and, yes, a room where the players can play pool or table tennis or just hang out together.

 

“No, we didn’t have anything before,” Lascelles says. “It means players might stay an extra half-hour after training and bond a little bit. It makes a difference. When you go to work and it’s a run-down building and there’s nothing to do and there’s no central heating and stuff like that it’s not a real fun place to be and that can affect your mood and so on.

 

“But when there is everything here for you and there are so many caring people – the improvements in the canteen, with the chefs, everything – it means you are looking forward to going into work and want to stay behind even longer. You talk to more people and build relationships you might not necessarily have done if those facilities were not there and that is huge for sports: building that chemistry. The gaffer is big on team-bonding and we do that every single day.”

 

The change of ownership in October 2021, away from Mike Ashley, has changed everything, it seems.

 

“We have owners who want us to succeed so well and so fiercely,” Lascelles says. “You almost feel you can’t have any slip-ups and if you merge that hard work with a manager who breathes the same thing – ambition, work-rate, culture, philosophy – and you add to that the improvement of facilities, added staff. It is little one per cents everywhere. Nothing has been a huge turnaround overnight but we are gradually adding one per cent in every department, in every area. And that makes a huge difference.

 

“It is probably also very different to the Man City takeover when it was ‘go out and spend’. It’s a different era with those small one per cent improvements – although ultimately it’s the manager who has made the biggest difference.”

 

As he speaks the mind goes back to an episode last summer in Philadelphia during Newcastle’s pre-season tour to the United States when, unprompted, Howe seized the microphone and asked the audience if he could say a few words before delivering an impassioned explanation of how important Lascelles was and why he remains the captain.

 

“He didn’t have to take the microphone and say that. It was spontaneous. Completely,” Lascelles says. “I knew the answer before the press conference because I speak to him all the time so I wasn’t shocked by what he said.

 

“I was shocked by maybe him taking the mic and laying it down to everyone who was in there to stop asking these questions! It’s another reason why I value him so highly as a manager because he is a fair man, a proper man. He has been the absolute perfect fit. At Bournemouth they used to play some really good attacking football and being here so long, I knew that is what the fans wanted. Front-foot football.”

 

Another simple change brought in by Howe was the establishment of a leadership group of senior players – Lascelles, Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Matt Ritchie. “We have weekly meetings – are there any issues? Are there things we need to improve on?” Lascelles says.

 

‘At 23 trying to lead and manage 25 lads is a difficult job’

 

“For years at Newcastle – and I have been captain since I was 22 and I am now 30 – there have been times when I have been left to my own devices. At 23, 24 being a young captain and trying to lead and manage 25 lads is a difficult job.”

 

It was made all the more difficult, of course, because of the toxic atmosphere that enveloped the club. At times under Ashley it felt like civil war and Lascelles, who was made captain under Rafael Benítez and kept it under Steve Bruce, was often the glue holding things together.

 

“Initially when I got given the armband of course it was a huge honour but I don’t think I realised how big it was. The responsibility was massive,” Lascelles says.

 

“I have had real testing times. Real testing times. But, I don’t know, I have a real strong mentality and I am quite driven. I always think it will be OK. That’s it really.

 

“I have good people around me and think if you work really hard then good things will come back to you. But it’s not been plain sailing. That’s sport. There are so many people who want to be in my shoes. Even when things are not going well it’s a real privileged position.”

 

Before the takeover Lascelles received a phone call from one of the co-owners, Amanda Staveley. “I was really excited as to what was to come. I think I was more excited for the fans and for the city,” he says.

 

“Amanda called to say it was happening and introduced herself to me. We had a brief chat and it was quite special as she didn’t have to do that. But it put everything on a good footing even before I had met her. They are great people, really caring people.”

 

It has been some adventure. Only seven years ago Lascelles was captaining Newcastle against Rotherham United as they hoped to move into second-place in the Championship. Now it is the Champions League having performed so remarkably in the unforgettable 4-1 win at St James’ Park to shackle the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Randal Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembélé and Goncalo Ramos – a £350 million forward line.

 

“I have seen it all. When I first joined – young, raw, fresh and now having played in the Champions League. It’s a remarkable journey and something I am really proud of; something I want to keep striving for and doing well for Newcastle,” Lascelles says.

 

The win over PSG gives Newcastle “huge confidence” for this week’s encounter. “Obviously they are a world-class side, arguably one of the best teams in the world. But the preparation the manager puts in in training and how to beat them worked really well,” Lascelles argues.

 

Newcastle’s trajectory makes him all the more determined to remain in the side; at the club and as captain. “Yeah, completely. I always joke around and say to my dad ‘I wish I was 23 in this team’,” Lascelles says. “I am loving every minute of it. Having seen so many ups and downs and for the fans to now experience this is exactly everything they deserve.”

 

Are we now seeing the best of him, also?

 

“I would probably say yes,” Lascelles agrees. “I am quite modest so it’s a tough question to answer but when you are in a team and you have all these world-class players around you that makes your job so much easier. The team has improved and people have improved with the team.”

 

[PauloGeordio]

1 hour ago, Smal said:

https://archive.is/ewLIK

 

 

One of our captains! Our gaffa!  

[BonesJones]

Can't leave yet bit early in the current transformation of the club imo, think he's a bigger part of the picture behind the scenes than we imagine and then more than acceptable to come in and do a job for now.

 

He might want to secure himself a longer term contract than we would offer though at this stage in his career, so fair play if he wants to go elsewhere. Solid servant, not a single negative.

[Conjo]

Should keep him to August 2025 at the very least so he can get a testimonial. Then go back to Nottingham Forest and help them escape relegation or gain promotion depending on how their next few seasons pans out.

[Kanj]

How the fuck do you wear a 9 and 11 ?  

[Groundhog63]

25 minutes ago, Kanji said:

How the fuck do you wear a 9 and 11 ?  

By having feet like Jeremy Beadle's hands

[gbandit]

Outstanding quotes here:

 

 

[PauloGeordio]

13 hours ago, Groundhog63 said:

By having feet like Jeremy Beadle's hands

Jeremy Beadle’s got a little cock, but on the other hand! 

[TRon]

On 27/11/2023 at 02:46, Stottie said:

Contrast with Spurs' backup center halves yesterday. Completely AWOL for the Watkins offside header and the Torres headed goal.

They look way more defensively frail with the backups in. I do not see that level of dropoff with Lascelles.

 

Also the younger alternative who we were linked with in the summer, Disasi. He ended up at Chelsea for near enough £40m and he's looked clueless when I've watched him.

[Newcastle Fan]

Immense tonight, really proud of how far he's come.

[Holloway]

Loved the no entry on M'baps late on 

[Lush Vlad]

Colossus.  

[Big Geordie]

Another proper performance tonight. He's stepped in and stepped up since Botman was injured.

[alexf]

Was fantastic don't remember a single error by him. Schar on the other hand was uncharacteristically making a lot of strange decisions and passes. 

[Pata]

Return to form after some iffy moments against Chelsea. Although this game really suited him in the second half, think he's our best CB in a low block like that but he was really good in the first half too.

[The College Dropout]

16 minutes ago, alexf said:

Was fantastic don't remember a single error by him. Schar on the other hand was uncharacteristically making a lot of strange decisions and passes. 

The left doesn't suit his passing angles. A couple bad left-footed passes. Tried a bad right-footed switch too.

 

Was it Schar who was behind Tino but got bamboozled by Mbappe's turn all the same?

 

A couple of times, Mbappe did a few things you would anticipate our players would be watching out for. He had one down his left wing. He passed and moved into some space.... he's Kylian Mbappe, he shouldn't be allowed to pass and move so freely at the edge of the box. Then the turn down his right. Took 2 of ours out.

 

This is nitpicking - we largely kept him quiet and didn't give him a clear sight of goal all game.

[The College Dropout]

2 minutes ago, Pata said:

Return to form after some iffy moments against Chelsea. Although this game really suited him in the second half, think he's our best CB in a low block like that but he was really good in the first half too.

Especially when nobody else can pass it anyway. Everyone just hoofed it every chance they got.

[magvicar]

19 hours ago, PauloGeordio said:

Jeremy Beadle’s got a little cock, but on the other hand! 

[magvicar]

Lascelles has been fantastic since he got his call for regular football due to inuries. a few mishaps along the way but no more than most defenders make.

[NEEJ]

Did he backheel it off Mbappe and out for a throw at one point in the first half or did I imagine that? Things you thought you'd never see.

[Geordie Ahmed]

1 hour ago, NEEJ said:

Did he backheel it off Mbappe and out for a throw at one point in the first half or did I imagine that? Things you thought you'd never see.

Aye, he definitely did that, was quality

[Monters]

9 hours ago, The College Dropout said:

The left doesn't suit his passing angles. A couple bad left-footed passes. Tried a bad right-footed switch too.

 

Was it Schar who was behind Tino but got bamboozled by Mbappe's turn all the same?

 

A couple of times, Mbappe did a few things you would anticipate our players would be watching out for. He had one down his left wing. He passed and moved into some space.... he's Kylian Mbappe, he shouldn't be allowed to pass and move so freely at the edge of the box. Then the turn down his right. Took 2 of ours out.

 

This is nitpicking - we largely kept him quiet and didn't give him a clear sight of goal all game.

Pleased you added that bit - sometimes you have to remember the sheer quality you are up against...
Obviously totally different but I played against Gazza in a trial game, he was 18 and I was 15 - After 5 / 10 minutes I knew exactly what he was going to do every time he got the ball but I could do sweet FA about it! Couldn't even kick him  Sometimes someone is just that bloody good!

[The College Dropout]

19 minutes ago, Monters said:

Pleased you added that bit - sometimes you have to remember the sheer quality you are up against...
Obviously totally different but I played against Gazza in a trial game, he was 18 and I was 15 - After 5 / 10 minutes I knew exactly what he was going to do every time he got the ball but I could do sweet FA about it! Couldn't even kick him  Sometimes someone is just that bloody good!

Aye but you have to let him beat with quality. Not a little movement like he did on the left. The one where he turns Livra - no problems with Livra but Schar behind him shouldn't have been fooled by the same move.

 

The turn, Schar barge and shot - that was just class and elite athleticism from Mbappe.