It was an interesting press conference Rafa Benitez held yesterday, because he revealed some of his management philosophy and some insights into why he has been so successful in management.
One thing he stressed is that Newcastle will not walk away with the Championship title this year and the defeat on Saturday showed that maybe any team – even at St. James’ Park – can beat us if we have an off-day.
Rafa Benitez at his press conference
And most Newcastle fans will at least agree the team had an off-day on Saturday and we gave away two goals with two really bad mistakes after previously going 525 minutes without conceding a single goal.
Here’s some of what Rafa said yesterday and it’s really a message to Newcastle fans – and to the players too:
“I will say the same at every press conference. I’m not saying it because I have to, it’s the reality. It’s true.”
“We have to be sure that everyone understands what is going on – the fans, the players. If we work hard together – if we are united like our name is saying, it will be easier for us.”
“It’s consistency. If I had said after the QPR game ‘we are the best in the world’ you could say it’s not true and we’ve been too positive.”
“But what I said was that we could still improve and you can see that. We need to manage these kinds of games better and you saw that on Saturday.”
“We now have a situation at home where we are stronger than the other teams. We had a situation on Saturday where we had 70% of possession, but we didn’t create many chances.”
“Why? Because the other team is organised, they work hard and they know what to do.”
“So we need the team with the right mentality, the fans with the right mentality – supporting the team with us.”
“And at the end it will be good and we can celebrate together.”
“But it is the time to realize that this won’t be a parade to the title.”
Not many fans would think we would lose three of our first eight league games and losing the first two was very hard to take.
We’ll just have to wait and see how we do tonight in the EFL Cup, but there’s no doubt the next two league games coming up at Villa Park and at home to Norwich are simply crucial.
Comments welcome.
3 comments so far
Jib
Sep 20, 2016 at 12:15 PM
Comment #1To those putting Gamez in their bingo selection – Rafa said at his presser yesterday “he has fitness issues”
Soz chaps
Jib
Sep 20, 2016 at 12:21 PM
Comment #2I can guarantee that despite Rafa’s reputation as a coach who tries to win every match – it will be Aston Villa (away Saturday teatime on Sky) that he will be thinking about , and will effect his selection tonight.
The overrated Frenchman
Sep 20, 2016 at 12:37 PM
Comment #3No doubt Rafa’s selection will have an effect on the result Jib.