The reality is it could be another very bad day for Newcastle fans today as we go to our bogey ground – St Mary´s – where we haven´t scored in the last three fixtures there and are yet to score a goal while conceding a massive 10 goals against the Saints.
If that trend continues today we will be all but certain to do down next month – and who knows what happens to Newcastle then as we go back down to the oblivion of England´s second division?
Rafa Benitez at his press conference yesterday
And although there were hints from Rafa yesterday he could even stay on Tyneside if we are relegated – that´s extremely unlikely for such a talented manager to coach in England’s second division after he started the season as head coach at Real Madrid last June.
But that´s the hope Newcastle fans have been reduced to this season.
So we have to start hoping for wins in each of our last seven games, but Rafa is certainly not panicking and he still seems positive he can save Newcastle this season, but also admits he doesn´t look at the league table table like the rest of us mortals do.
Newcastle fans are not that confident.
Here´s some of what Rafa said yesterday in more upbeat comments:
“This isn’t a team that is giving up.” “They are a team fighting and we were convinced we could score and win.” “It has to be like this for us until the game against Tottenham.”
“The fans have been fantastic so you can say nothing against them.” “They have to concentrate on our team then look at the table after.”
“They can ask for effort and they want to see the players working hard.” “I think they could see the reaction against Norwich.”
“We have some good players but they need to have confidence.” “Some time you have to score first or control the game and then it will be easier for us.”
“At the bottom of the table you can’t ask for too many things.” “You have to try, then be ready if something is wrong.” “You have to be sure to do the right things and it will be positive.”
“Then it will be easier to use the quality we have.”
So Rafa is asking the fans to stay with the team whatever happens today and next up are two games at home against Swansea and Manchester City and it wouldn´t be beyond the realm of possibility with a sold-out crowd we could win those games.
Remember that a win could typically mean gaining a full 3 points on Norwich in one game, so we should remain upbeat – although that´s difficult.
At this point Rafa may be looking to win each of our final four home games if we are to have any chance of making that miraculous recovery we would all love to see.
Comments welcome.
4 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Apr 9, 2016 at 8:33 AM
Comment #1Well I’ll be cheering them on against Swans, just hope there’s something left to cheer about. I think Rafas appointment has stopped any full on protest from happening. If we lose today and Norwich win there’d be hell on against Swansea with another muppet in charge.
Jail for Ashley
Apr 9, 2016 at 8:35 AM
Comment #2The mackems almost won down there a couple of weeks ago and their record isn’t any better than ours.
Derek
Apr 9, 2016 at 8:55 AM
Comment #3Jail for Ashley // Apr 9, 2016 at 8:33 AM
“I think Rafas appointment has stopped any full on protest from happening. ”
I think that’s part of the reason he was hired in the first place.
lochinvar
Apr 9, 2016 at 9:01 AM
Comment #4Wonga has suffered under new regulations for the payday lender
What an appalling state of affairs when we are sponsored by loan sharks who are in such a mess that they have to borrow more money themselves to fuel debt. Couldn’t make it up really. Hardly the brand image that you want to be associated with or for kids to identify. Irrespective of where the team is next season can only hope that the club sorts put the strip design and sponsors as part of putting NUFC back on track.
The payday lender Wonga is taking a dose of its own medicine by adding nearly £25m of debt to its balance sheet as it tries to accelerate the turnaround of its business.
Sky News understands that Britain’s biggest short-term loans provider secured the new funding from one of its existing shareholders in recent days.
It comes as many of Wonga’s smaller rivals are being forced to cease trading or sell assets following the recent introduction of a new regulatory framework for the payday lending sector.
The new capital will be used to fund new loans and provide additional working capital, sources said on Friday.
The company, which is in the final year of a deal to sponsor relegation-threatened Newcastle United, is attempting to repair its image and return to profitability after a series of crises triggered the departure of several top executives and millions of pounds in compensation to customers.
In a statement issued to Sky News, a Wonga spokesman said: “We said when we announced our full-year results last year that we might look to raise debt funding in 2016 as part of our normal capital management and to support the growth of our loan book.
“Following positive talks with a number of parties, we have successfully secured a €30m (£24.2m) debt facility.”