The Chronicle is reporting today there was a get together between local journalists and Rafa Benitez at the Benton Training grounds earlier this week.
They report the difference in the mood (and even inside the newly renovated inside of the building) couldn’t have been more different from the same meeting with Steve McClaren a year ago.
Of course there’s nothing quite like wins to create an upbeat mood at any football club and after 13 games played in all competitions we have nine wins – so that’s not bad.
Rafa Benitez – Newcastle manager
Of course we have Rafa Benitez running everything football related at Newcastle – and that cannot be bad.
It’s also the first time he’s had such a wide scope of responsibilities at any club and he seems be relishing the opportunity to build Newcastle into a great club again with a top team on the pitch.
The Chronicle is also reporting that Rafa had a meeting with Managing Director Lee Charnley on Wednesday, but that was only one of the regular meeting between the two that take place fairly regularly.
One subject on the agenda was recruitment in January, although they are also planning what to do in the next three transfer windows.
That sounds good.
This season is already different from the previous ones since Mike Ashley became the owner in the summer of 2007.
For one thing we have very few injuries – although Daryl Murphy returned from the Ireland squad after being inured maybe on the first day of training earlier this week.
Rolando Aarons has been out with a broken foot and Jesus Gamez has been nursing an Achilles tendon problem.
And it didn’t seem to take Rafa long to make an impact on what has been a long-standing injury problem at the club.
He has done a number of things to try to improve the injury record including having a bigger squad with the rotation of players and hehas the club upgrade to 4G artificial training pitches.
Two new medical staff were hired in the summer to concentrate on the recovery from injuries and put procedures in place to try to prevent them in the first place.
Rafa has asked everybody associated with the club to get behind the team and that seems to have worked and it includes the players and staff, the media and of course the fans – and anybody else who may have some association with Newcastle United.
It seems to be working.
And if the team can keep improving as Rafa keeps stressing is necessary to be successful this season, then things could look really good for Newcastle come May.
Let’s hope that all happens.
Comment welcome.
162 comments so far
ShirebrookToon
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:07 PM
Comment #81I think international breaks should be scrapped! Getting withdrawal symptoms man!
Bobbybee
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:09 PM
Comment #82Jib, lmao! 🙂
Jib
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:11 PM
Comment #83Shirebrook
How sad is this
I’m looking forward to a friendly between Cuba and USA in Havana just so I can see how well DeAndre Yedlin plays !
Ibizatoon
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:12 PM
Comment #84Bobby…Just your normal self.
Nothing like a self proclaimed victory.
Enjoy it I guess.
One little thing though, my input would have been my input. You call it biased, which just sums up your problem on this blog. One set of rules for you and another for everyone else. Well, anyone who has a differing (sorry, “biased”) opinion.
mattyNUFC
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:12 PM
Comment #85Ibiza
I apologize as I don’t comment on here as often as I once did. I felt if anything I was coming to your aid, and now you’re coming down on me for not being up to snuff with your cornucopia of daily posts. thanks for providing a quick reminder of why I don’t comment on here as often as I once did
Bobbybee
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:15 PM
Comment #86Sorry ymfb, not concentrating mate. Enjoying myself too much. Dunno why, but I repeatedly mix you two up. Must be an age thing eh? 🙂
Bobbybee
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:16 PM
Comment #87Ibiza, yeah, whatever. Go play sandcastles.
welshgeordie9
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:18 PM
Comment #88So frigging boring with no league matches on this weekend.
mattyNUFC
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:18 PM
Comment #89Jib
should be a great game.
I have been following Yedlin since he broke onto the international scene (dual US/Italian citizenship but seeing as I’m a toon fan, there seems to be something inherently sadistic behind me wanting to support the underdogs)
Before he went to Spurs I was really hoping he’d end up here. When we did eventually sign him this summer I was very skeptical. I felt like both Klinnsman and big sham had buried what made him special– his marauding forward runs. It seems Rafa has given him a bit more freedom in getting forward which can only be a good thing. Will be great to see what kind of game he brings tonight, and hopefully it’s more of what we’ve been seeing/listening to the last few weeks
Ibizatoon
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:18 PM
Comment #90matty…No need to apologise for not posting frequently. That doesn’t determine whether a post holds substance or not, of course. Not sure where I’ve suggested such a thing?
I can see how part of your post was aiding my point to Jib, surely you see how part of your post was a dig at me.
Do people not expect other posters to respond when they’re mentioned?
YoungMagpieFromBurnley
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:18 PM
Comment #91Don’t worry about it Bobby, it’s fine.
ShirebrookToon
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:19 PM
Comment #92Jib
It’s not sad. It just goes to show how much of a laughing stock our national team has become! USA play decent football under Klinsman
mattyNUFC
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:19 PM
Comment #93ibiza
sure, but for ‘you being you’ and all that, i’m surprised you took such offence to it
anyway, moving on…
Jib
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:20 PM
Comment #94Ibiza could I have a 4 minute argument please
😀
welshgeordie9
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:21 PM
Comment #95Not football related all though that would be brilliant to watch but has anyone watched the walking dead series, I’m watching it at the moment and i must say its gory, I’m on series 2 episode 11.
welshgeordie9
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:23 PM
Comment #96I think a few on here are in that series.
Ha ha ha
Only joking.
Ibizatoon
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:26 PM
Comment #97matty….In the name of “moving on…” I guess I don’t have a response.
Jib…Not sure really. Is there an inanimate object eyeing you up? Give it hell.
YoungMagpieFromBurnley
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:27 PM
Comment #98Welsh
I’m a big fan bro. I went through the first 4 seasons in 2 weeks. Although in my opinion you’re in the worst season of the series.
sing in the corner
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:28 PM
Comment #99Welsh
Are you watching Chizzy get schooled by the oversized baby? Four nil, nailed on..
dok - the horrid colonial
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:28 PM
Comment #100for whats its worth, if I offended anyone by replying to questions about how the club is followed here, or my name on here… I apologize…
I never said I was an authority, I just have my opinions, which apparently aren’t very valid to some…
ive always come on here for years to read and learn from the ppl who can actually go to SJP… but this vendetta towards me is a trifle uncalled for… simply because who I talk to on here…
matty I have no idea who you are… and your ‘kind’ words mean a lot to me… be sure I wont engage you any further.. btw my name was given as a joke a few years back and I thought it was funny… nothing to do with nationalistic pride…
but if the few of you “holier than thou” types have an issue with me, so be it… ill continue to support the club ive chosen to…
Bobbybee
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:31 PM
Comment #101Welshie, enjoy the gore, it gets very slow after a while. The gore is what makes it what it is. Without wanting to sound zombieist naturally.
Let’s try again. How’s your dad? Hope he’s as well as can be.
You’re right about the international break – it sucks.
Ron Knee
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:32 PM
Comment #102dok
The inmates have taken over the asylum tonight!
sing in the corner
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:34 PM
Comment #103Oops 1.1 🙂
mattyNUFC
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:34 PM
Comment #104Welsh
Great series. Really liked the first four seasons. Thought it tapered off for a season and the whole plot and subplots became uber repetitive. It’s definitely gotten a whole lot better though. Looking forward to the upcoming season
welshgeordie9
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:35 PM
Comment #105Bobby
My dad is fine thanks mate, out of hospital just taking it easy, regarding the walking dead totally agree the series would be rubbish with the gore, really enjoying it.
Bobbybee
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:36 PM
Comment #106Jesus, pass the sick bag. Think I’ll watch the darts – soaps not my thing. 🙂 Darts isn’t really, but there is that competitive edge. Bye bye now.
Mister Tuff
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:37 PM
Comment #107dok – do not be offended by the abuse.
I believe in the US – you may know these types, who are wrecking the blog as red necks/ white trailer trash.
In the north east of England they are known as shyte and scumbag – criminal types.
They like to abuse but cry when people stand up to them. You get shouted down if you make a joke – but it’s ok if they do it.
You get abuse for non footballing posts – but it’s alright if they do it,
They start off the sniping then accuse others of doing it.
Pure scum – always spoil it for the decent folk.
welshgeordie9
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:37 PM
Comment #108YoungMagpieFromBurnley
A few of my mates have said series 2 is probably the worst ones out of them all, quite slow in some episodes.
welshgeordie9
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:39 PM
Comment #109One of my favourite shows up there with my no 1 favourite, Breaking Bad.
dok - the horrid colonial
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:39 PM
Comment #110I’m just here to read and keep up with NUFC…. and maybe when I can make it to a game, be able to buy a pint for the ppl that helped me really understand what its like to support this club, and walk in with them as they show me everything ive dreamt of seeing…
WWSBRD
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:41 PM
Comment #111Ibiza
Nice to see ya back, fun on here these days eh?
Mister Tuff
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:41 PM
Comment #112To make matter worse it’s a full moon on the 16th -the f***ers will be howling out their windows abusing their neighbours and scouring nearby fields looking for horses to assault.
Mister Tuff
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:43 PM
Comment #113Just need Ian Toon to turn up and it’ll be a full house -backslapping each other.
Ibizatoon
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:46 PM
Comment #114Yo…It’s great to be back (although I don’t think I’ve been “gone” really) 🙂
It’s a madhouse. You know when Jail is being used as the blogs poster boy for how to behave something has gone very wrong.
How’s tricks?
Average_Contents
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:50 PM
Comment #115As long as we all keep quiet, don’t have an opinion if it alters from big gobs and just nod along then we’ll be OK because big gob proclaims it so.
Where this “don’t tell me what to do or say” comes from I’ll never know.
Another concocted notion. Much like his persona.
Speaking for the silent majority.
There’s a pattern emerging but it’s not a pretty one.
WWSBRD
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:51 PM
Comment #116Ibiza
Haha well I don’t see ur name often bud
Aye it’s interesting these days, more about personal issues than football I find. The gang mentality is pretty dull aswell
Things are good though am enjoying football again which is interesting how’s things with u fella? Spanish sun treating u well
Mister Tuff
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:56 PM
Comment #117The beggars are out in force tonight on the blog – those wishing to challenge their double standards/duplicity/do as I say drivel – should be aware of their collective oath.
http://i3.cpcache.com/product/148871426/trailer_trash_tshirt_rectangle_magnet.jpg?width=750&height=750&Filters=%5B%7B%22name%22%3A%22background%22%2C%22value%22%3A%22F2F2F2%22%2C%22sequence%22%3A2%7D%5D
Ibizatoon
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:58 PM
Comment #118AC…So pleased you’ve caught up. The blog should be lovely from this point on.
Yo…The summer season certainly does restrict my time somewhat. Luckily my last clients leave tomorrow (lucky for the blog that is 🙂 ).
Tbh, the gang mentality isn’t that new on here. It does happen somewhat organically and is really hard to not make it come across that way. Truth is, those who share opinions will generally get along better.
I do find the hypocrisy in the posts baffling though. I fully accept I am part of the problem, as I have a differing opinion and share it. Apparently that doesn’t work the other way around though. Seems odd, I thought that’s how blogs worked.
The Spanish sun has treated me very well. Actually, it’s treated my guests well, I’ve still got a dodgy English tan 🙂
geordieboy83
Oct 7, 2016 at 7:59 PM
Comment #119Evening all
I’m fairly sure this will fall on deaf ears but can all this sh1te stop. The most annoying things is the level of hypocrisy, the jib, Bobby, and whoever else crew are exactly the same as the tuff, ac and bandb camp. Just arguing over pointless crap. You’re all so alike it’s ridiculous. Then people like Ibiza, wwsbrd etc get drawn into it and it’s just crap. There are some really decent conversations to be had on here it’s rare I get to post as it gets lost in all the bullsh1t but I’ve had good debates with firebug, jail for Ashley, wwsbrd, Ibiza to name a few.
Then the blog is taken over with he said this and she said that. Ffs get a grip we have common ground in the fact the toon OUR club are giving us something to be chuffed about
mattyNUFC
Oct 7, 2016 at 8:00 PM
Comment #120On another note, whatever happened to Beattie?
I know he came back in many different incarnations, but never kept up. Is he Jib?