Before he left the club early last year Alan Pardew had Newcastle go on a six game winning streak – five games in the league and a 2-0 win at Manchester City in the League Cup – the first and only time we have ever won a game at the Etihad Stadium.
Yet with exactly the same players in the second half of the season, John Carver managed to lose eight Premier League games in a row for the first time in Newcastle’s history.
And then we brought in new players this season for a total of £82M and the team is worse than it’s ever been in the Premier League.
And yes – it’s the players fault inasmuch as some of them didn’t seem to care and give up too easily when the going got tough – notice the past tense.
Tino Asprilla – players fault – he’s half right
Speaking to Eurosport this is what Tino Asprilla said about owner Mike Ashley:
“I know him, I spoke to him and I met him.” “I always thought the problem is not the chairman or the owner. The problem, in my opinion, are always the players.”
“He is doing everything he can to help the team, but they should be playing with more effort.” “I don’t think Newcastle’s problem is the owner. I think there are players who love this team.”
“But I would like all the players play at a top level like I did.” “They should love that shirt and make sacrifices for the importance of that team.
“There are players that are not showing these feelings. Newcastle should be fighting for the title, not in relegation zone.”
“I hope that next year they will find players who will fight.”
“Under Benitez we saw the team improve a bit,” “In the last four matches, we drew two and we won two. We are almost safe.
“I think we can get this goal in the last match of the season and I’m happy for this.” “But, in my opinion, Newcastle need to be at the top level for their history and for the beauty of the City.”
“I really hope they can stay in the Premier League.”
John Carver would agree with Tino that it’s the players’ fault because John said that in his press conferences after many a defeat – it’s the player’s fault – plain and simple.
Nothing to do with John.
But we have also seen a complete transformation in the last seven weeks since Rafa Benitez arrived at the club and now the players look more consistent and certainly more determined and are putting in some very good spirited performances and starting to get some good results.
Why is that?
After all, it’s the same players that Steve McClaren had – so the main cause of Newcastle’s poor form in the last 18 months has to be the head coach.
Since when was a fired Championship manager good enough to come in and manage Newcastle in the Premier League?
And Lee Charnley – who appointed both John Carver and Steve McClaren after Pardew left, has to be held accountable and take the responsibility for two terrible appointments for Newcastle.
And Mike Ashley is ultimately responsible for putting Lee Charnley in the position of Managing Director at the club, when he is plainly not up to the job.
Mike also didn’t step in early enough as Charnley seemed willing to let McClaren stay in place as he took us down to the Championship.
Just think about it – if Rafa stays on and is put in charge of all transfers and given a free hand at Newcastle – and Mike Ashley continues to stay in the background as he has done this season – Newcastle could become great again and Mike could even become a successful owner.
Wouldn’t that be something.
Comments welcome.
132 comments so far
YoungMagpieFromBurnley
May 3, 2016 at 9:59 PM
Comment #121I don’t expect sympathy thank-you. I know what I’ve said. For the last time I’m not Rob. I’m not TFL.
In order my previous names.
-Barnoldswickmag
-NUFCJackW
-Irishgeordie9
-Llort Muw
-Youngmagpiefromburnley
That is it, the only one I have access to is this one. I’m not making this up, I am gay, there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m proud that I came out, it’s ridiculously hard to do and there’s a risk people will leave your life. At 18 I have my whole life ahead of me now with nothing holding me back anymore. It feels great, I don’t need people telling me I’m lying. That’s the last thing I need after today.
Belfast
May 3, 2016 at 10:05 PM
Comment #122Yer lying lol
bettyswallocks
May 3, 2016 at 10:05 PM
Comment #123YMFB……. Ok you can be Colin Russell then.
bettyswallocks
May 3, 2016 at 10:08 PM
Comment #124Rob….. Belfast has conclusive evidence of your activities and he put a lot of time and effort into the investigation.
Tsunki
May 3, 2016 at 10:13 PM
Comment #125it’s not true, surely? Robs not really from P3nistone surely?
Tsunki
May 3, 2016 at 10:14 PM
Comment #126Ha ha the last attempt was moderated. Come on Ed, it’s a town in Yorkshire. 🙂
lesh
May 3, 2016 at 10:15 PM
Comment #127Tino knows Ashley?
Wow! How? Does/ did Ashley move in the same coke snorting, gun totin’ social scene of Bogotá as Tino?
Or maybe Tino has the odd glass of fruit juice in Ashley’s local these days??
Tsunki
May 3, 2016 at 10:15 PM
Comment #128Anyway what was the Irishgeordie one about? You’re not Irish as well are you? Is there no end to the shocking revelations?
BandB
May 3, 2016 at 10:18 PM
Comment #129Leave him alone.
I’m proud that I was here when football gained its first openly gay blog avatar.
Mister Tuff
May 3, 2016 at 10:18 PM
Comment #130Wow – I like the idea (when it’s quiet on the football front) of matching blog characters with folk on these soap programmes. I don’t watch this shyte but like the idea.
Anybody that does could I be equated to anyone on the soaps.
My characteristics.
1. Handsome
2. Tall well built 18stone of well distibuted muscle.
3. Very tough.
4. good sense of humour.
5. Sticks up for the little man.
6. Rebukes abusers.
7. Will challenge bigots who try to bully and take over the blog.
8. No double standards.
9. Never gone around caving other clubs supporters heads in.
10. Never weasel up to such people to the extent of failing to be a fan but a fawning fanny.
Wow that’s an impressive CV – could be the Pope I suppose – no just one of the soap stars – only sensible submission considered.
Belfast
May 3, 2016 at 10:21 PM
Comment #131Getting images of Rob dressed up as Daffyd from Little Britain now for Gods sake.
Tsunki
May 3, 2016 at 10:24 PM
Comment #132Belfast I think that’s what the gym is attempting to combat:)