Alan Shearer has been speaking to talkSPORT before the charity game today, where he will manage a Newcastle side against a Manchester United Select side.
It’s to mark (celebrate?) 20 years since the we gave the Red Devils that famous 5-0 thrashing on October 20th, 1996.
The game kicks off at 1.30pm at Kingston Park.
Alan Shearer next to his stature at St. James’ Park
Alan has talked about his management ambitions and it’s hardly surprising he says he doesn’t have any at the moment.
But we think he would take the England job or a management position at a top Premier League club if he was ever offered it – but that’s highly unlikely.
This is some of what Alan has said and he also talks about a certain Rafa Benitez:
“I’m very, very happy in what I’m doing.” “I made a conscious decision a few years ago to stick at the media and work at it.” “I’m quite content and happy with what I’m doing.”
“What the early games tell people is that Newcastle aren’t going to walk the Championship,” “It’s a long hard slog in that league.”
“But the big thing coming out of Newcastle eventually, and I hope it stays that way, is that Rafa is running the club.”
“He’s doing it his way, he’s able to bring players in that he wants to bring in, not who the Chief Scout or the owners wants to bring in.”
“And if that’s going to happen and stay that way then they’ll have a big chance of getting back up – and not only that, but having success in years to come.”
Alan is right of course and if Mike Ashley just keeps doing what he’s been doing since May 25th when Rafa joined the club for the next three years (that is – he’s not not interfering) then we can all look forward to big success in the future.
In the Chronicle today they have again mentioned that in the future Rafa has some huge ambitions for Newcastle.
And they will have to be big if Benitez is to get Newcastle into a position where we can win trophies again.
That’s what Rafa wants to do at Newcastle United and why he agreed to sign on for three years – and it’s exactly what the fans want too.
Sounds good to us.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
18 comments so far
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 9, 2016 at 12:46 PM
Comment #1Typical, 🙂
Toontaff
Yeah I was going to say the same, we’d really have to hit the buffers to only get that few points.
On the fence as far as Judge goes, I think we’d just have to accept that Rafa knows best.
As for Ashley’s money he’s going to have to put more into the retail side for his workers to get a fairer pay deal if he keeps his word, so I am wondering if that will have a knock on effect re the football side.
I see Vuckic scored yesterday for Bradford, I doubt if he is coming back to us but if he ever improved to the level he was expected to he could be similar to Barclay (Everton)
Bobbybee
Oct 9, 2016 at 12:50 PM
Comment #2Bill, me too mate! 🙂 I have problems reposting for some reason, so Ancient, my response is overleaf mate. 🙂 Damned if I’m writing all that out again.
Mister Tuff
Oct 9, 2016 at 12:52 PM
Comment #3expat – got no doubt the list you provide will improve as Rafa gets the team/individual resonsibilities sorted out/indoctrinated into them.
Question is how far can they extend themselves as players – as non of them are superstars.
Agree there is a foundation in place though.
Kabul Fish
Oct 9, 2016 at 12:52 PM
Comment #4Offkey – cheers for the message and I hope it is a good game too. Can’t wait to be back and catch the boys live 🙂
Good luck with the game but I am a computer game biff ha ha. My wife has got the new fifa for when I get back – hopefully my 8 year old son can teach me lol
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 9, 2016 at 12:53 PM
Comment #5Offkey
I’ve been reading about a really off the wall method of curing all sorts of ailments that seems to be really effective.
It simply a question of elevating the head end of your bed by 6 degrees and sleeping at that angle.
I know it sounds weird, people who’ve tried have found it actually works.
There’s nothing to loose by trying it.
Bobbybee
Oct 9, 2016 at 12:55 PM
Comment #6Bill, tbh I’m gutted about Vukic. When he arrived he really looked capable of developing into something special. Even SAF tried to buy him and wasn’t happy when we got him. Not sure it’s all his fault, but something went wrong and he just never really got going. He’ll always make a living from football somewhere, just a shame his potential was never achieved.
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 9, 2016 at 12:57 PM
Comment #7There you go Bobby, service with a smile. 🙂
Bobbybee // Oct 9, 2016 at 12:46 PM
Ancient, I’m no big fan of Ashley – couldn’t care either way, my only concern is the team. His running of the club was a disaster , but to be fair, he made the money available to the wrong people, which was a shame really. He accepted responsibility and took a different approach. He’s now took a back seat and things are going smoothly. You’re right of course, that he could revert to type, but there’s no sign of it yet and I think he actually wants a well run club so he can turn his skills elsewhere. It would make no sense to change tack now imo. Obviously, that doesn’t mean he won’t, but Rafa was more than happy when he signed and remains that way. I think Ashley wants to win something, he just didn’t know how. Not like selling tat is it? ? I’m willing to bite my tongue and see where it takes us. We’re a club on the up now, respected again. I really see this as the start of something really good. Can you imagine the irony if Ashley achieved where so many other owners have failed? ? Like I say, Ashley could easily go backwards, but there’s no evidence of it yet and Rafa is also happy. Happy owner, happy manager, happy players, happy fans. Wow, is this really Newcastle? ? Just a slight warning there, I am the eternal optimist! ?
Bobbybee
Oct 9, 2016 at 12:57 PM
Comment #8Kabul, are you in Afghanistan now, or on leave somewhere else?
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 9, 2016 at 1:00 PM
Comment #9Kabul
I enjoy a good thrash with the Conan MMO, just cos i’m an ancient git doesn’t mean I’m past computer games. 🙂
Kabul Fish
Oct 9, 2016 at 1:00 PM
Comment #10Expat – hi mate I put a response earlier but prob got lost in Ed’s many threads lol.
Not too bad out here thanks but so looking forward to being back in the Toon and catching the EFL Cup game!
I hope things are good for you ?
Yeah there are a lot of Aussies out here and normally say the odd G’day. I deal with the Aus Engrs mainly especially Capt Dan – we deliver works for them via our contractors. Top bloke. I have been thinking about joining the Aus Army when I finish with this one seeing as the father in law grew up in Perth and the family want to live somewhere sunny. Food for thought….
Bobbybee
Oct 9, 2016 at 1:02 PM
Comment #11Cheers bill! 🙂 When I try to highlight, to cut and paste, it only ever highlights one word, then stops. Maybe I’m doing something wrong. Well, clearly I am or it would work. With the rate buses keep coming, I could do with it working. 🙂
Kabul Fish
Oct 9, 2016 at 1:04 PM
Comment #12Bobby – still in afghan at mo but will be home in just over a week for R&R and can’t wait ?
On vukic – I’m gutted too, kept waiting for him to break into the team and be the player we all thought he cud b. Shame like
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 9, 2016 at 1:04 PM
Comment #13Bobby
I’ve always said that if Ashley ever got us the success we crave, all of the bad stuff would be forgotten and he’d get the keys to the city.
Kabul Fish
Oct 9, 2016 at 1:06 PM
Comment #14Essex – your computer skills far outweigh mine, I had to google conan mmo ha ha ha ha. Fair play to ya. I normally sit and watch the kids play Minecraft ?
Bobbybee
Oct 9, 2016 at 1:08 PM
Comment #15Kabul, just to say to you and other serving lads, your service is appreciated and respected. Stay safe and get back home soon. We’ve got tickets bang on the centre circle for the Preston game so I’m looking forward to that. Usually end up in gallowgate for cup games, but we got ours the day they went on sale this time. 🙂 No cucumber butties though lol.
Bobbybee
Oct 9, 2016 at 1:11 PM
Comment #16Bill, aye, the famous fickle nature of us football fans. 🙂 Some will never forgive him, but having waited this long to see us raise a domestic trophy? I might! 🙂
expatmag
Oct 9, 2016 at 1:13 PM
Comment #17KABUL
Perth is Ok. Gets too hot there though and it is dairly isolated. The nearest major city to Perth is actually something like Bangkok, I think….lol
Melbourne is much beter. More cosmopolitan, varied climate and a great city for sport theatre concerts restaurants etc. Worth a look.
expatmag
Oct 9, 2016 at 1:15 PM
Comment #18TUFF
No doubt in my mind that with a bit of tinkering here and there, Rafa has a midtable team in the premirship.
Half a dozen quality signings would be needed and they dont have to be expensive.