We are expecting Newcastle to be relegated to the Championship either tonight or on Sunday, unless we can somehow be part of a mini-miracle and Sunderland implode in their final two games of the season.
It’s basically a self-inflicted relegation and another nightmare season for the very long-suffering Newcastle fans – and the one slim hope we now have is that Rafa Benitez will stay with us when we are relegated.
Rafa Benitez – we hope he stays
But maybe not – and if he leaves the club then Newcastle could be in serious trouble and in the wilderness with the incompetent and over-his-head Lee Charnley being tasked to choose the next head coach at the club,
Why is that after he selected John Carver and Steve McClaren who have the worst records of any Newcastle managers in recent memory.
Kevin Keegan has been talking to the BBC and he has blasted owner Mike Ashley for mismanaging the club.
The former Newcastle player and manager has also talked about current manager Rafa Benitez.
This is some of that Kevin has said on BBC Sport:
“They started the season with Steve McClaren,” “He struggled and I guess he and the guys at the club kept thinking he would get it sorted out and he didn’t.”
“They left it very late and appointed Rafael Benitez and by that time you are looking for almost miracles as you need a lot of points from a few games.”
“Benitez might fancy it. It is a big club. Once you go there and manage it, it does impress you as a club. The stadium is impressive, the fans and their passion is something that you can’t help but like and want to be part of.”
“He hasn’t managed in the Championship – would that be a worry? I don’t think so for a man of his experience. It might be a really good experience for him.”
We are bracing ourselves for possible relegation tonight should Sunderland beat Everton.
I feel sick just thinking about it.
Comments welcome.
244 comments so far
lesh
May 11, 2016 at 6:07 PM
Comment #1Mon Rafa, throw your hat in, tell Ashley what you think he needs, what you want and hopefully get his commitment to convince you to stay.
If you can’t get those commitments, go public and tell the world why you left.
Ibizatoon
May 11, 2016 at 6:16 PM
Comment #2Been fairly quiet on here this afternoon. I imagine everyone is trying not to think about tonights game, whilst being able to think about little else.
I accept we do this when we play, really not happy with the same for a Scum vs Everton game.
Come on Everton.
ToonTiger
May 11, 2016 at 6:19 PM
Comment #3Anyone thought about a legal challenge to get points deducted from the unwashed for fielding Nonceon knowing he’s guilty and bringing the game into disrepute
Essex Geordie Bill
May 11, 2016 at 6:24 PM
Comment #4Come back Kevin, finish the job you started!!!
Essex Geordie Bill
May 11, 2016 at 6:26 PM
Comment #5Toon Tiger
Do what TartanToon has done and start a petition.
wolfshead@toon
May 11, 2016 at 6:27 PM
Comment #6ibiza
the sunderland game is the condmened mans last meal haha
Jib
May 11, 2016 at 6:30 PM
Comment #7ToonTiger
The NSPCC sent an open letter to Greg Dyke to complain about Sunluns shoddy behaviour in this affair.
The only result was Margaret Byrne the CEO falling on her sword.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
May 11, 2016 at 6:32 PM
Comment #8Been tempted to watch the Mackems game tonight but it just gets me more raging have watched their last couple of games and they have been so jammy!! The amount of chances the other teams have had to finish them off has been unreal !
I think Everton have given up though so I can see Sunderland winning this 1 nil which is game over for us ….
Might take tomorrow off work
Mashley u Batfastard & lambiarse u Cupid stunt
May 11, 2016 at 6:35 PM
Comment #9I think he will stay for next season he is 56 probably his lastjob with all the money he is worth,ok he could go manage just about anyone apart from Barcelona Bayern etc.his wife is settled in this country in there 8 million pound mansion think he will be here for the long run
Jib
May 11, 2016 at 6:35 PM
Comment #10Ibiza
I’ve been getting texts all afternoon from Toffee supporting acquaintances of mine apologising in advance for what they think will happen tonight !
Essex Geordie Bill
May 11, 2016 at 6:56 PM
Comment #11Jib
Is that because by winning tonight they might have to play us next season?
AncientC
May 11, 2016 at 6:56 PM
Comment #12Bookmakers have Everton as 7/2 outsiders, I am surprised by that. Sunderland will be lucky to sneak a draw in my estimation. Sunderland only had something like 31% possession against Chelsea, that cannot bode well for them.
Jib
May 11, 2016 at 7:00 PM
Comment #13Essex
The most telling text exchange was between me and a nephew in the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment – he dots between Cyprus and Afghanistan – I asked if would get to see the game , his response was – “I can’t bear watching them now “
Jib
May 11, 2016 at 7:04 PM
Comment #14Essex
By the way my nephew says the Everton crack is Martinez’ replacement is Joachim Löw the German national coach – if true – it would make for some interesting Merseyside derbies !
Ketsbaia9
May 11, 2016 at 7:07 PM
Comment #15First player out in the summer will be Jack C
Harley
May 11, 2016 at 7:08 PM
Comment #16Cmon Everton.
I’m strangely relaxed about the fact we could be relegated tonight.
I’ve come to accept it. If Rafa stays I’m actually full of optimism. However I’m not full of optimism that he’ll stay.
Ketsbaia9
May 11, 2016 at 7:08 PM
Comment #17First player out the door in the summer will be Jack Colback. He’ll be off to Sunderland in a £3m deal.
Harley
May 11, 2016 at 7:09 PM
Comment #18Kets
He’ll be the last player out mate.
SPRINGY
May 11, 2016 at 7:26 PM
Comment #19best get the prayer mats oot,and hope everton are professional and the unwasheds luck runs out.
Essex Geordie Bill
May 11, 2016 at 7:29 PM
Comment #20Colback would probably be hung drawn and quartered if he went back to Sundadland.
Jib
That would give us a better chance of keeping Rafa.
Munster Mag
May 11, 2016 at 7:30 PM
Comment #21Have a feeling the makems will balls up tonite. If they do, watford cud hurt them. That said i am relaxed about relegation. Wud have been as bad as villa without rafa
Moonraker15
May 11, 2016 at 7:31 PM
Comment #22I see the Sky pundits including the sickening Niall Quinn, are “eulogising” over this superb Sunderland team. We’ll see how they react if Everton turn them over.
Blackley and Brownlie
May 11, 2016 at 7:31 PM
Comment #23Forget Martinez’s words. His face and demeanour say he’s beaten and walking to the chopping block.
Munster Mag
May 11, 2016 at 7:34 PM
Comment #24Moon if sam keeps them up he has done an awesome job. he bought well and made them more spirited and competitive. As i said when he arrived, that wasnt a good day for nufc
sing in the corner
May 11, 2016 at 7:41 PM
Comment #25Moonraker
Yeah, no nose rub in it would be complete without Quinn to plop the cherry on top. Hopefully he may yet have to eat his words…
sing in the corner
May 11, 2016 at 7:44 PM
Comment #26Man, on paper that Everton side is not bad. Do your duty!
Mag52
May 11, 2016 at 7:45 PM
Comment #27At the point we have reached in the battle against relegation, which started pretty early on in the season, I can’t think too many supporters have done much more than accept the inevitable. Miracles happen, but not generally for us.
Rafa’s appointment was just that bit too late to make a difference, and our best hope now, our only real hope, is that he will choose to stay on.
If he doesn’t, the next Steve lined up will feel like a final kick in the teeth.
Bobbybee
May 11, 2016 at 7:46 PM
Comment #28Watching from behind the sofa is really uncomfortable! 😉
sing in the corner
May 11, 2016 at 7:47 PM
Comment #29So many empty seats. Small town mentality..
willowdalerez
May 11, 2016 at 7:48 PM
Comment #30Cmon Everton do one for us you Blues!
As for Rafa, I’ll post it again, anyone on here who thinks he’ll bleeding stay on if we go down is smoking the same stuff Carr does on his scouting missions. Ashley would have to shell out big buck bottomline for Rafa to even consider it and we already know his views on the accounts.
Bobbybee
May 11, 2016 at 7:49 PM
Comment #31Survive or not – superb ain’t how anybody without red and white specs sees them. Yet another season scraping the bottom. Yeah, superb. 😉
willowdalerez
May 11, 2016 at 7:50 PM
Comment #32Anyone have a link for the Mackems… If I’m to be put out of my misery I’d like to at least see the show.
willowdalerez
May 11, 2016 at 7:53 PM
Comment #33Notice that Ed isn’t his ol self. Looks like even he doesn’t believe the We Believe logo.
dok - the horrid colonial
May 11, 2016 at 7:58 PM
Comment #34boy everton are going straight at them… most of the possession has been in the unwashed half…
dok - the horrid colonial
May 11, 2016 at 8:06 PM
Comment #35and Norwich up 2-1 in 19th minute…
Tsunki
May 11, 2016 at 8:07 PM
Comment #36Funny thing but I’d rather just see the score pop up on the live score update than face the prospect of watching those malodorous urchins on TV jumping up and down, lice being shook out in clouds, and whooping like they’ve found a kebab under the sofa when they score.
Just remember, whatever they say, they won’t be the ones who sent us down. We didn’t need any help at all.
Tsunki
May 11, 2016 at 8:09 PM
Comment #37How can Sunderland be “superb”? They’re fighting relegation For Freds Sake.
Jib
May 11, 2016 at 8:09 PM
Comment #38Gulp
dok - the horrid colonial
May 11, 2016 at 8:13 PM
Comment #39im watching it on my cell and youd think by the announcing smb’s are pulling a leicester
willowdalerez
May 11, 2016 at 8:14 PM
Comment #40Okay I take it from the live feeds Everton’s dominate possession but Sunderland’s had the only decent chance… This is horrible. Awful it has come to this.