Since he arrived at the club in January Andros Townsend has put in some good performances for the club and scored three goals.
On Saturday at Anfield he was our Man of the Match and we saw both sides of Newcastle in each half.
We saw the soft underbelly which is Newcastle away from home, when we conceded after only 68 seconds and we were 2-0 down 30 minutes later and all seemed lost.
If McClaren has still been at the club it would have been another heavy loss just like at Manchester City, Crystal Place and Chelsea and there would have been shots of McClaren holding his head in his hands on the touchline.
Rafa Benitez congratulates Andros during the game Saturday
It looked like we were headed for our 15th defeat in 18 road games this season – a disgraceful record.
But then in the second half we saw the fighting Newcastle – the one Rafa Benitez is in the process of building on Tyneside – and we came storming back with two goals from Papiss Cisse and Jack Colback to get the point.
Andros has been an excellent addition to the squad and he had this to say about the fight-back:
“In the past two or three weeks we have shown that in abundance and hopefully this can be a turning point and we can get the points we need.”
“When you are winning football matches and picking up points against good teams it breeds confidence.”
“We made it hard for ourselves and it was a kick in the teeth to concede in the first minute but in the second half we showed great character and courage to come back.”
“Even at half-time we believed that if we got an early goal, we could go on and get another one.”
“We got the point and hopefully it can be a massive point.“Our quality has not been our problem this season, it has maybe been the fight and determination and willingness to run, tackle and head the ball.”
“In the past two or three weeks we have shown that in abundance and hopefully this can be a turning point and we can get the points we need.
“When you are winning football matches and picking up points against good teams it breeds confidence.”
“We made it hard for ourselves and it was a kick in the teeth to concede in the first minute but in the second half we showed great character and courage to come back.”
“Even at half-time we believed that if we got an early goal, we could go on and get another one.” “We got the point and hopefully it can be a massive point.”
“Confidence is a massive thing in football. You see what Leicester have done.”
Those are good words from Townsend and he´s a smashing lad.
If we can win our last three games we could survive the drop, but it´s going to be close and Andros and some of our other good players must be wondering where they will be in the summer.
But they should concentrate on what Rafa will be telling them in training as the Spaniard tries to somehow conjure up three successive wins to end the season and save us from the drop.
If we do take the drop, the sad thing is that we will lose Andros since he is said to have a £8M release clause in his contract.
We don´t know if that´s true, but we will lose him and at least Janmaat, Sissoko, de Jong and Wijnaldum if we do go down.
The big question is whether Rafa Benitez will stay with us if we are relegated.
If he stays then all is not lost – in fact he could begin – or should we say continue – to build Newcastle back to the great team and the great club it should be.
But if we are relegated we cannot complain because we have done it to ourselves by gross mismanagement at the top of the club for far too long.
That led to having a losing mentality at the club from top to bottom before Rafa arrived on the scene.
If he gives himself more time he can transform Newcastle into a power in Europe, just like he did with Liverpool – so if he leaves it will be another tragic loss for Newcastle fans.
Comments welcome.
6 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Apr 25, 2016 at 9:28 AM
Comment #1Jeez,
I hope for his own, families and blogs sake that Boobybee is sectioned before the Spurs game. Like a few others I think ST holder Charlie in the Gallowgate summed it up on the last thread, I personally think we simply had to beat the mackems and Norwich to ensure safety. It is possible and I’ll be there on Saturday, the hypocrite that I am cheering the lads on while listening for the mackems to slip up, a win for us and draw or loss for them at least takes us out of the bottom three till seven o clock.
Toon_Tom
Apr 25, 2016 at 9:30 AM
Comment #2If we had an extra 2-3 games i think we would be able to gather enough points to stay up. Rafa is working wonders and has improved every aspect of the team. unfortunately i think scumderland will get points from stoke everton and watford, maybe even chelski and will stay up. We will go down with Norwich I think. I blame ashley for keeping Shteve here as long as he did. Too little too late im afraid.
My only hope is for Rafa to stay on and rebuild from the bottom up and make this team great again!
davis_toons
Apr 25, 2016 at 9:35 AM
Comment #3I rather have an English Obertan that tries his hardest than a Hollywood Actor that occasionally spray Hollywood passes.
We got to understand, players that tries their best motivates others to join in the fight. Which is Dam* Important.
Players that doesn’t frustrates others to eventually give up. Finger pointing doesn’t helps alot when you yourself are pis* poor.
That’s the Difference between the English Obertan and the Hollywood Actor that demands a high salary and couldn’t start.
Townsend to me was doing well at QPR on loan.
Jib
Apr 25, 2016 at 9:37 AM
Comment #4“toonking // Apr 24, 2016 at 11:25 PM
Mahrez announced PFA player of the year and deservedly so because he has been out standing all season and the one player who’s got skill in the leicester city team.
Graham carr has been scouting the french league all this time yet he avoids this player.”
I hold no brief for Graham Carr.
However to put the record straight for those of little knowledge.
Mahrez was a skinny young Algerian winger not very happy playing in Ligue 2 for Le Havre.
He was quite eyecatching , but too slender it was thought for the PL.
His agent Kamel Bengougam thought he should try his luck in Spain but Graham Carr talked his old mate Nigel Pearson into trying him at Championship Leicester City where NP could work on his physique.
Carr probably had an ulterior motive and thought NUFC could get him in the future but the rest as they say is history and events overtook people’s plans.
davis_toons
Apr 25, 2016 at 9:52 AM
Comment #5Townsend when not in the team at Spurs requested to train and play competitive with younger players.
This clearly shows he have the right and good mentality. We need more of such players to build a base.
And, i hope some club can come in for our Hollywood player but i know we are stuck with it.
davis_toons
Apr 25, 2016 at 10:18 AM
Comment #6It will be best if we could keep Carr with Rafa Benitez in charge.