Reap the Wild Wyn on Wednesday

Feels good to be back.

I am in the unfortunate position of covering a club I cannot watch. Well, I could watch a few of their matches, but I'm not paying double my DirecTV bill to get the needed channel. Thankfully Periscope is a thing. Thankfully considerate folks will hold up cell phones for most of, if not all of, matches. At the very least one can find a Periscope host who is playing the BBC audio of the match.

The latter was how I was able to catch the clash with Bristol City.

There is reasonable anxiety coming off the Magies 2-0 EFL Cup win over Cheltenham. The wounded number many, and in significant positions. Rolando Aarons with a foot. Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dwight Gayle with concussion like symptoms. Ayoze Perez may be the least of the lot with a cut on the ear.

The club will now face a Brighton & Hove Albion club that sits 2nd in the table, sporting a six GD.

In true TMZ fashion The Chronicle is asking the question of whether Rafa Benitez needs to scour the transfer market for bodies. Ridiculous logic. This "plug and play" mentality is a recipe for failure. I refer to a line from the movie Miracle: "I don't want the best players. I want the right players."

Real is the concern over whether the club can put balls in the net if Gayle and Mitrovic are out. While Aleksandar has yet to show fitness and form his presence is at the very least a physical impact. Defensively it is a mixed bag. Is Yedlin signed, and is he ready? Lamenting the eventual loss of Daryl Janmaat, and the recent losses of Kevin Mbabu and Henri Saivet, represent a fan looking for a problem. None of these players were relevant.

This early in the season, dealing with injuries such as these, afford time for the bench players. Over the years the club has had issues not only with starters, but also with those playing behind them. What we've seen thus far from those transfered in has been promising, most recently Jesus Gamez as a back line improvement.

Rafa is still in the process of rebuilding. If he's doing it with success then the team will be competitive in spite of the injuries. A loss to Albion is not the end of the world.

OK, let's kick the ball.

Gabriel Obertan departs

I could not find anything in English, but this is better than words.

Gabriel Obertan has signed for Anzhi Makhachkala https://t.co/BOB2CKlQTf

— Onefootball (@Onefootball) August 24, 2016

DeAndre Yedlin is a rough diamond but last season showed he can fulfil his potential - The Chronicle

"Experts" at ESPN FC called Aston Villa the best landing spot for Yedlin. My evaluation of him is probably more optimistic than it needs to be, but pairing him with Gayle, Mitrovic and Mohamed Diame is a step up in making this club an attacking threat.

Newcastle's win came at a cost - could injuries force Benitez to dip back into the transfer market? - The Chronicle

I prefer not to have two articles from a common source, but I teased it.

Daryl Janmaat joins Watford on four-year contract after completing £7m switch from Newcastle - The Daily Mail

A move that makes sense for both clubs. Janmaat was never going to be happy in The Championship, and it is obvious his inconsistency was not sitting well with Benitez. Watford, who were just dumped from the EFL Cup, are in need of some defending to supplement their offensive prowess.

Tim Krul to sign new Newcastle United contract? - SportsMole

Matz Sels has arguably been pedestrian at best. Some may want Krul to remain. Goalie is a position where Newcastle has depth. If Tim can get playing time elsewhere, on loan, then set him free for the season.

Drunk man locked in storage room by furious wife gets head stuck when he tries to escape - Mirror

You're welcome.