Newcastle’s second defeat in as many game at the start of the Championship season will start the anxieties going again for the Newcastle fans – what – so soon?
Moussa Sissoko wants to leave the club, but there is a likelihood that no club will meet the £35M transfer fee Newcastle are asking for the player – a high likelihood.
Rafa Benitez and Moussa Sissoko
If we had a Moussa Sissoko of the last game of the season powering forward for us, it could make a big difference to the Newcastle side, but that’s with emphasis on the if.
We know Moussa is inconsistent and only plays when he feels like it, so the likelihood is that he may not be too bothered in August while his transfer status is still up in the air.
After the shock defeat yesterday – our second in a row – Rafa was asked whether Sissoko is closer to being fit to play:
“Yeah, he was better.” “Physically he was better but we have to manage him both physically and mentally.”
“It’s something we will see in the next few days and afterwards we will decide. It isn’t a clear decision now.”
“He was clear about it the other day.” “We can’t wait until the end of the window so we have to be sure he is training well and he’s ready.”
“If somebody comes in with the right offer for us and for everybody, fine, if not he has to carry on.”
“He is a professional and he has a contract.”
The MARCA outlet in Madrid have reported for the second time in 10 days that Real Madrid have absolutely no interest in Sissoko, even though there are reports out there to the contrary.
The decision on Sissoko will be made before the end of August to remove the uncertainty and if a satisfactory bid isn’t in for him within say the next week or 10 days, Newcastle may well shut up shop and then Moussa would have to honor his contract.
Rafa hinted as much in his press conference on Friday.
And with Newcastle surprisingly struggling at the start of the Championship season, there will be even more reason to do that.
Newcastle are not short of money – we need to get the team winning games.
Comments welcome.
15 comments so far
gorgonzola ( former Pecorino former to gorgonzola)
Aug 14, 2016 at 8:55 AM
Comment #1Thats truly embarrassing…..
I will show you Sissoko by going against club you little vermin…
wow by the way please play for us.
WOW…we are in actual fact more pathetic that he is…
This club just might be finished. Its simple we bought fringe shitty players. That cannot show up at a big club. They never made it anywhere else and hence are here.
Instead of looking at serious f***ng talent, and purchasing quality over quantity this is where we are….
3 players can transform a club. Ba, Cabaye and HBA where those three before we lost them. How ppl who have called for HBA head look like now.
Lots have mentioned myself included we might never see a quality like that again walk though SJP. Now I am sure of it.
hibbitt
Aug 14, 2016 at 8:55 AM
Comment #2hibbitt // Aug 14, 2016 at 8:54 AM
never posted after the was just so disappointed with the game the result and Rafa
fair do’s to the gallowgate they put on a show but then to be served up that crap just added insult to injury
100% agree with charlie and jazzy same old crap
only signing that looks worth the money MOM Ritchie
one more point that charlie has made but is worth repeating why are we so lightweight its turning into a big problem the way teams bully us
one very disappointed fan
hibbitt
Aug 14, 2016 at 8:58 AM
Comment #3never posted after the game
msk21dec
Aug 14, 2016 at 9:00 AM
Comment #4For left winger we should try jefferson montero. Get giovinco to be our proper no10. Bony on loan with option to buy or just get in crouch. Or bid again for berahino. Or ulloa.
Jib
Aug 14, 2016 at 9:04 AM
Comment #5Bring him back into the fold or banish him from Benton – there is no middle way I’m afraid.
The last thing this evolving group needs is any distractions !
cyprus
Aug 14, 2016 at 9:08 AM
Comment #6‘Rafa concentrated on the coaching during the summer’…
Ed, actually no, mate. You more than anyone was championing the old style, Ferguson style, one man band management. Where Rafa was handling everything, from paint at Benton, to …
Think symphony orchestra. No one man, no matter how gifted can emulate that.
Back to the drawing board. Especially regarding our recruiting team. If it exists.
cyprus
Aug 14, 2016 at 9:10 AM
Comment #7With you regarding HBA.
jazzyp
Aug 14, 2016 at 9:11 AM
Comment #8Hibbitt
I’m just so angry and frustrated mate by how we have started this campaign. Yet again the same flaws are there for all to see, So why cannot the management see this.
We were bullied off the ball and made to look second best in all departments, And to be honest could have been mistaken for being the away team.
There can be no defending the shambles we currently find our selves in and i pray Rafa can sort this mess out. because if he leaves then Free fall springs to mind
expatmag
Aug 14, 2016 at 9:13 AM
Comment #9Simple answer. We are still paying him. We need eesults. He is capable. Get the twat to earn his money.
It is not rocket science
gorgonzola ( former Pecorino former to gorgonzola)
Aug 14, 2016 at 9:18 AM
Comment #10msk21dec
those are the right type of signings…
jazzyp
Aug 14, 2016 at 9:19 AM
Comment #11I don’t agree with how he has conducted him self and he quite clearly thinks he is bigger than the club.
Yet we need all hands on deck and he offers more going forward than players that are currently playing.
As Expat said make him earn his coin rather than think he can do a forestiere
Jib
Aug 14, 2016 at 9:24 AM
Comment #12For the tedious HBA lovers
Extract from L’Equipe match report after PSG’s extremely hard fought win over Bastia on Friday
“Just like last week, Hatem Ben Arfa was virtually non-existent. He had only 33 touches of the ball, the fewest of any PSG outfield player who started the match.”
Munster Mag
Aug 14, 2016 at 9:24 AM
Comment #13Tuff , apologies. I misread your post about me dissing rafa and wanting pardew. Few bevvies on board….that said i think you are misinterpreting me. I questioned some of rafa’s work with nufc since he arrived and during the summer. The concerns are 100% vindicated so far. Very few others, if anyone, raised them but i got pasted for them. Its worse than i thought actually but i 100% want him as our manager. But if we are mid table at christmas i will be wondering if he peaked as a manager years ago.
Munster Mag
Aug 14, 2016 at 9:27 AM
Comment #14Hba lovers, rafa wudnt have this serial failure near the team. U think he would keep to rafa’s obsession with defensive shape? Are ye having a laugh??? Massively overrated player.
Munster Mag
Aug 14, 2016 at 9:32 AM
Comment #15And Tuff yes i want pardew back! I wanna see him funk on down on gallowgate just before we lose at home to Reading again. :). King of the dance! He made an interesting comment that he wanted palace to play differently this year , with a possession based game. Unlikely!