So we didn’t manage to bring any players in during the January transfer window even through we went after a winger and a central midfielder and that’s a disappointment, but on the other hand we don’t want to make things worse than they actually are – we’re still in good shape.
We currently have only four players missing from the squad – Rolando Aarons, Dwight Gayle and Vurnon Anita are injured – and the low number of injuries has demonstrated just how well we have managed the injury situation this season compared with years gone by.
We also have Christian Atsu still at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana, but we now have Mo Diame and Chancel Mbemba back from that tournament and we also have Sammy Ameobi and Jamie Sterry back from loan and added to the first team squad for the rest of the season.
So the squad is not in bad shape at all.
Rafa Benitez and Mike Ashley
The two most important people at Newcastle United
We don’t know exactly what happened in the transfer window this month although January is always a tough window.
But if it was that Mike Ashley has pulled back and refused to spend big money, then he will need to demonstrate to Rafa in the summer that he still wants Newcastle to become a top club capable of being in the top four in the Premier League and competing in Europe very season.
That’s the only reason Rafa stayed at Newcastle and that’s what he wants to do at the club, in what has to be his dream challenge in football.
He’s tasked with resurrecting a sleeping giant with the best fan support around and getting sell-out 52,000 crowds in the second division in a city that is simply football daft and always has been.
It’s Rafa’s exciting project.
But if he is prevented by Ashley from building the top team he wants to build on Tyneside for the supporters, that will definitely spell trouble to Rafa Benitez.
From what we know Mike Ashley did everything right in the summer when he agreed to everything Rafa wanted – so this is not meant to be a Mike Ashley bashing article.
But it’s clear Rafa has the ability and contacts and the faith of his players to be able to build something very special at Newcastle – maybe the best team we have had in many decades – that’s a real possibility.
But he must be supported in doing that.
Managing Director Lee Charnley seems only too happy to work with Rafa and they seem to get on famously.
But we need Mike to be right behind Rafa and that could still be the case.
We don’t know exactly what the financial situation is at Newcastle, but in the two transfer windows of this financial year we have made about £30M in profit.
So if we are a Premier League club in May, we surely should be in good financial shape going forward and have money to spend in the summer.
And that’s what Rafa will need to build a squad that can compete next season in the Premier League.
We hope Mike will keep supporting Rafa Benitez 100% – the Spanish manager has earned that trust.
We hope January was just a hiccup in the big scheme of things.
Comments welcome.
84 comments so far
Ian Toon
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:44 PM
Comment #1WWSBRD/Jib- Thanks for that. An interesting read which presented a clear explanation of what actually transpired. I have to say that far too often the body of opinion on here is that of total overreaction to a lack of developments.
The suggestion by many that Benitez did not pick the team at Oxford and was not permitted to bring players in during the window are comments designed to discredit Ashley. Those that do this have
constantly used it as justification of Benitez walking. What a bunch of idiots. We want balanced views which don’t usually stem from those that confuse opinions of fantasy with facts.
I personally was not that taken with the speculation of those players likely to come in and am quite happy that we wait until the summer. We have a squad that can secure promotion and have recorded the names capable of performing in the PL.
Jail’s raison d’etre on the blog, together with his grumpy mood swings are designed to find fault with the toon owner. Why else does he employ such a blog name? It doesn’t mean he can’t criticise Rafa Benitez as we all can when he makes quite so many team changes.
I personally see absolutely no justification to claim any breakdown in relations between Ashley and Benitez. We’ve got 6 massive points at stake over the next few days and Benitez ‘s attention is on that and not the conspiracy theories expounded by many. Just discount the views of these idiots.
G
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:44 PM
Comment #2I see no reason to believe there is any issue, other than a click-bait speculative disagreement written by press hacks who know even less than the fans do.
ShirebrookToon
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:48 PM
Comment #3Think all this should’ve put to bed now and concentrate on the task in hand. Promotion to the EPL. Think some have forgot about that and are more engrossed in the fact there was no activity in the transfer window.
Bobbybee
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:49 PM
Comment #4Ed, you yourself said there’s money earmarked for the summer only yesterday. Been over this already and imo we did the right thing. No point making up conspiracy theories either, if this isn’t meant to be anti Ashley. We’ve got the same squad that got us this far and it’s still the best in the league. Let’s move on eh? Not being held to ransom isn’t a bad thing after all.
MadisonToon
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:49 PM
Comment #5Here’s another few pieces to the puzzle that I think are getting left out.
January signings are often square pegs in round holes. They may not be the perfect player that the team needed, but they are purchased because it’s so hard to get that ‘perfect’ player in during this window. That doesn’t bode well for them.
Jan signings take time to bed into the team. We’re well into the season now and the team is playing a certain way after having been built around that since pre-season. A new player who comes in and is supposed to be an automatic starter (those players that fans get excited about) will need time to adjust and the team will need time to adjust to their playstyle. Although they may be a great addition overall, they won’t be maximally effective for quite some time and maybe not before the end of the season.
Given the above, the Jan window is a bit too risky unless the team has the luxury of being able to slowly incorporate the players…rarely is that what teams are looking for in this window, though. We’re intending to be able to sell a different atmosphere to players at the end of this season than we can now so it makes good sense that nobody came in.
WWSBRD
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:51 PM
Comment #6G
I see reason to think theirs an issue mate and Ashley’s history is far more negative than positive
Mister Tuff
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:51 PM
Comment #7I fail to see where all this chat about Benitez having a feud with Mr Tubbs came from. Whilst I would not trust Tubbs very much – I can not find a shred of evidence to support this viewpoint – but it seems to have spread like a wildfire on here.
Whilst folk are entitled to their opinions I fail to see even a snippet of info suggesting a feud.
Re -Hippo Heed upping the release fee for Townsend – load of bollix – he or the club cannot do it – wish some folk would read up on release clauses.
Bobbybee
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:52 PM
Comment #8And on that point Rafa’s Barmy Bingo must be due surely? We’re only hours away from ko. Allow me to start.
Darlow
Yedders Lascelles Clark Dummett
Shelvey Colback
Ritchie Diame The Gouff
Big Murph.
Jib
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:53 PM
Comment #9Madison
Apparently Rafa’ s limited English doesn’t allow him to tell people to run their ass off.
However he can be heard on occasion shouting – Yo Serb run like a mutha f@ka
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:56 PM
Comment #10Bobby bee
Certainly going to interesting who goes down with the mackems
originaly I had Middlesboro and Hull – think I will stick with that
big game for the Mackems this weekend
away to Palace and Hippo Heed v David MOAN.
Team – starting Tonight – wouldn’t surprise me if RAFA started with Mitro – sending him out to prove a point – mind you Murphy done nowt wrong.
Rafa could could rotate Mitro and Murphy until Gayle comes back as we have 7 games in 4 weeks.
Townsend at £13 million – £15 million waste of money for a player who cannot command a place in a team in the bottom 6
Bobbybee
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:57 PM
Comment #11Tuff, the release clause only came up recently. There’s no evidence that was true either mate, just more rumours as far as I’m aware. Rumours are rumours and not worth anything. All that matters is we’ve kept our team intact and not bought players at over inflated prices. We’re on target for promotion and time to leave January where it is now – history. Onwards and upwards. Especially upwards.
WWSBRD
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:59 PM
Comment #12Tuff
What evidence would u expect to find? Plenty journalist who are far more connected in NUFC than anyone on here are saying somethings not quite right (ones who dont kicked up a fuss to sell papers or clicks)
NUFC will never let anything out that could damage Ashleys propaganda so no evidence from there…just not sure what ur expecting to see
Jib
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:01 PM
Comment #13WWSBRD
Plenty journalist who are far more connected in NUFC than anyone on here are saying somethings not quite right
No they don’t
MadisonToon
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:01 PM
Comment #14Jib
Ah, I was not completely aware of Rafa’s grasp of the English language, so I appreciate the clarification. In that case, maybe he’ll start him as that’s a more powerful message.
🙂
On a side note, anyone have a link to the available markup for comments? I can’t remember if it’s HTML or something else but sometimes it would be nice to italicize or bold lines of comments. Any help is appreciated.
WWSBRD
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:03 PM
Comment #15Jeffery
U going for 4 apologies in 3 days? No I cant do it too u u’ve embarrassed urself enough it’d be childish of me to make u a fool again
Mister Tuff
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:04 PM
Comment #16Bobbybee – I think the club might have made enquiries but purely on the basis of loans till season end.
Makes it somewhat easier in the summer that “abilities to play” in the Championship will not be relevant – but PL standard will be the yardstick.
lochinvar
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:04 PM
Comment #17Perhaps we can’t see the wood for the trees.
The wage bill is reduced and two good players Krul and Tiote are able to move on with their careers.
The Townsend saga is over and history but we avoid any dressing room disruption.
The current squad know what they have to do.
Rafa is in control.
Money in the bank for next season.
Let’s get on with the job in hand.
Bobbybee
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:11 PM
Comment #18Lochinver. Amen to that.
Tuff, we didn’t need him anyway. Don’t know what the fuss is about. We’ll go up and that is all that matters.
Bobbybee
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:13 PM
Comment #19Right, quick shower and then watch the final T20 cricket against India. Should be a cracker either way. Later chaps.
Mister Tuff
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:15 PM
Comment #20ww – I agree that not much info comes out of the club – Benitez gives nowt away and the “hierarchy” give nowt away.
As for evidence – something from an attributable source (not named) anything.
I think most/all journalists who have written about the clubs intentions this window have pretty much got it wrong – or put it another way there is no evidence they got it right.
posada
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:20 PM
Comment #21WWSBRD
Have to say I don’t share your faith in some of our players or Rafa’s signings.
Sels. 4-5 million for a goalie who does not play. When he does its not good. Dud signing ? Hope I’m wrong but does look like it.
Gamez. Has looked out of place every time I have seen him play.
Lazaar. Something there but not a winger and not a fullback so what is he.
We play in a league where most other teams have been short on resources for years. They could not dream of that sort of spend on players who do not feature.
Haidara – don’t expect anything more from him that he has not already done in the previous 4 years.
Murphy – Was advocating he should play on this blog months ago. From memory I said he could work well as a two with Gayle etc. His record speaks for itself, as you would expect for someone his age.
Aarons – back by the end of the year ? He was average before he got injured and has a serious injury to get over. Can’t depend on him at all.
Sorry mate, but you don’t seem to have a clue.
WWSBRD
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:22 PM
Comment #22Tuff
But no journalist is going to tell u what their sauce is be pretty stupid if they did. Personally when certain ones say things I listen George Caulkin being in that list
As for our intentions over the window I read a few saying it was loans and from what I can tell thats all we looked at
But each to their own mate I think there is plenty over the past month to make me think not a great deal has changed at NUFC…might be wrong of course but these rumours around him being an idiot normally have basis
Our Toon
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:23 PM
Comment #23I’ve not seen judge play so can’t comment on the lad, I have always maintained though that we should avoid injured players. The clamour on here for ings and judge in the summer…..both have broken down.
Players with long term injuries almost always suffer a setback
MadisonToon
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:23 PM
Comment #24Alright I did some digging around to see what should be available for blog comments.
Let’s see if these tags work.
MadisonToon
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:26 PM
Comment #25Looks like they did, at least I learned something today 🙂
and without spaces after the less than sign
and same as above, use them to enclose a block of text
MadisonToon
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:27 PM
Comment #26Well that part didn’t work 🙂
and without periods
and same as above, use them to enclose a block of text
MadisonToon
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:29 PM
Comment #27My just-learned-2-minutes ago knowledge of HTML for this means that I don’t know how to put in the code to show what works for bolding and italicizing things.
‘Less than sign’ b ‘greater than sign’ needs to go in front of the text you want to markup and then ‘Less than sign’ /b ‘Greater than sign’ ends the markup. Maybe this is just me talking to myself, but I have a feeling I’ll use it in the future.
MadisonToon
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:30 PM
Comment #28Back on topic –
After the Oxford debacle, I would expect Rafa to have the squad fired up. I’m expecting a multi-goal margin, hoping for 3-0. HWTL.
WWSBRD
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:31 PM
Comment #29posada
U dont want NUFC to have a squad yet I dont seem to have a clue? Least Ashley isnt alone in his mindset
spitfire_
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:35 PM
Comment #30FFS, Ed. STOP IT!
Support this, support that. Rafa is a great manager with dignity. If ashley or the rest start play some games, be sure that Rafa will walk away in a sec.
So stop bring back the misery memories in the geordies.
This is also for the those who try to find a reason to moan. STOP IT! Rafa isn’t pardew, McClaren or Carver who will do whatever his bosses says. He will walk straight away if he wasn’t backed. Rafa was backed in the summer and he said that January transfer window is complicated and won’t be buy players just for the sake of it.
If there someone who must support Rafa, it’s the fans. And will be good y’all stop moaning. Because I saw a lot of doomsayers on twitter, with ridiculous statements.
SA Toon
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:35 PM
Comment #31Absolutely right, Lochinvar. It’s done and the window is closed. All we do now is get behind the boys and push for promotion. Nothing wrong with the squad and still sitting in a good position so let’s just keep our heads. Big support needed at SJP tonight.
Bobby Bee please make some noise again like you did against Tottenham end last season.
SuperShearer
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:37 PM
Comment #32While I agree Ashely has to support Rafa is there any evidence to suggest he isn’t?
I don’t want to be glib, or that I am an Ashley supporter but so much of this has come from media hearsay. We have the best squad in the league, we’ve had some bad luck first with Shelvey suspension combined with bad refereeing but at the end of it we still look capable of beating most teams on our day. Even when they park the bus.
I trust in Rafa 100%, the first time I can say that about a manager since Sir Bobby. I doubt Rafa is the kind of man to suffer Ashley’s old idiocy so my hope is this window was a case of; We want to strengthen BIG TIME when we’re back in the Prem and we beleive we can gain promotion without spending now.
Should the fans be worried by a potential injury to Shevley? Yes, but also have a little faith that Rafa can make things happen, remember, he dropped Shelvey when he first arrived at Newcastle.
Jib
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:39 PM
Comment #33Sunderland away to Crystal Palace on Saturday is looking huge.
Our Toon
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:45 PM
Comment #34Spitfire
Rafa like most foreign managers is used to system where they are technically yes men…..more so than British managers.
On the continent that’s the way it goes, look at his previous club Real Madrid, rafa was a yes man.
Having said all of that pardew and mcclaren shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same breath as Rafa….rafa has achieved so much more in his career
Jib
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:45 PM
Comment #35Posada can be somewhat vociferous and outspoken at times but at least he has an eye for a mischief making phoney.
WWSBRD
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:54 PM
Comment #36Jeffery
I am hurt ud imply such mean things about me when I am trying to help u better urself, not just on here but in the world
I really thought we’d broken through a wall after ur apologies but now I fear we are back at square one…good thing I am helping u out of the goodness of my heart rather than money because with the work we will have to do ud be skint
spitfire_
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:56 PM
Comment #37Our Toon // Feb 1, 2017 at 1:45 PM
Did you see somewhere to compare Rafa’s achievements with those on pardew or McClaren? I just said, that if Rafa isn’t backed as Ed claims, Rafa will resign. End of.
lesh
Feb 1, 2017 at 2:00 PM
Comment #38WWSBRD
You don’t have to worry about making Jiblets look a fool. He’s more than capable of doing it all by himself!
Now stop it lesh!
Our Toon
Feb 1, 2017 at 2:06 PM
Comment #39Spitfire
Why would I need to compare anything when it comes to rafa and the previous incumbents over the past decade?
Rafa knew what he was getting into with Ashley, Rafa won’t be walking just yet but will once we are safe in the PL in my opinion.
I was just correcting you when you said rafa isn’t a yes man, his previous roles have proved otherwise that’s all I was stating
posada
Feb 1, 2017 at 2:06 PM
Comment #40WWSBRD
We didn’t have much of a squad last Saturday.
Most of them were out shopping.
You could tell Rafa wanted to loose.
He played all of his Dud Signings.