A few Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media after David Coote was appointed as the referee for our FA Cup trip to Rochdale on Saturday.
Coote has officiated seven Newcastle fixtures across all competitions, most recently the club’s 2-1 Premier League win over Southampton on December 8.
The win over Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints was our third triumph while Coote has been in charge of proceedings, having lost four of the previous six matches with the Nottinghamshire-resident in the centre.
Our last defeat with Coote holding the whistle came in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup last season, when goals from Andre Gray and Isaac Success ensured Watford progressed through to the next stage.
Coote has refereed six Rochdale matches in the past, most recently in October 2017 when the Dale were beaten 1-0 at home by Rotherham United.
Saturday’s encounter between Newcastle and Rochdale will be the first FA Cup fixture involving the Dale that Coote has officiated, with each previous match in charge coming in either League One or the Football League Trophy.
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This weekend’s clash will be Coote’s 15th fixture in charge for the season, having cast over proceedings in eight Premier League games, five Championship matches and one EFL Cup tie thus far.
Coote has issued a total of 60 yellow cards over his 14 games refereed thus far, while brandishing a second yellow on one occasion and has awarded two penalties.
Assistant referees Stuart Burt, Philip Dermott and Fourth Official Scott Oldham will join Coote at the Spotland Stadium.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Coote’s appointment…
Can he play at the back?
— Tim Turner (@TimTurner89) January 2, 2020
Oh great pic.twitter.com/UZccya2HIX
— Jacqui (@Jacqui37429214) January 2, 2020
Shouldn’t he be bald?
— Jamie Fender (@Jamie_NUFC) January 2, 2020
Do us a favour Cootey and knock us out
— tom (@Tommy_Da_Tank) January 2, 2020
Quality referee
— Harry Wakeling (@gingernut204) January 2, 2020
Most of them are moorhens I mean morons.
— 🄿 🅷 🄸 🅻 ⚽️🎧🔭 (@PhilHeppenstall) January 2, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, a 5 ft 11 Toon man is among a clutch of players being considered for potential January moves.