There’s been an interview with development manager Peter Beardsley on his views about his boss, who also happens to be the Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez.
It’s fair to say that Peter likes Rafa a lot.
But Beardsley has also talked about the youngsters who come into the first team training now and again – and get a taste of what life is like training and working with a world-class manager and the Newcastle stars.
Peter Beardsley – Development manager
This is what Peter has told the Chronicle:
“It’s great for the kids. But it’s great for us because he’s also took an interest from the day he walked in.”
“He has always taken an interest in what me and Ben Dawson do and he’s been outstanding.”
“You’ve heard people around the city talking about him, but nobody can say anything nicer than me because he’s been immense.”
“If we lose a game and everybody is flapping I see him saying: ‘Move on, start again’.”
“He just has that and it’s something we are lucky to have because he’s a brilliant manager and he’s proved that around the world, so for him to be the way he is around is, it’s just fantastic.”
“There are kids going up there to train with the first team everyday.”
“To be fair he always gives us a report on how they are doing, what he thinks, and what he needs.”
“They love him and they would like to train at the first team every day because of what they see.”
“The club is in a great place at the moment.”
“In an ideal world we’d be in the Premier League but we can only get there in four months.”
“But when I look at what he does I’m not worried.”
There’s no mistaking that Rafa is a huge influence at the club and if we lose him it will be a huge vacuum very difficult, if not impossible, to replace.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
12 comments so far
Tsunki
Feb 8, 2017 at 10:33 PM
Comment #1Our policy of buying overseas players has failed? You might want to check your prune juice isn’t being kept in a warm cupboard I think it’s fermenting. What tosh ha ha did you realise you’d typed what you were thinking? 😀
jane
Feb 8, 2017 at 11:06 PM
Comment #2Tsunki why do you think it hasn’t failed?
Tsunki
Feb 8, 2017 at 11:50 PM
Comment #3What’s to fail? Name me a dozen clubs in the top two leagues who don’t have a policy of buying overseas players. It’s just a thing clubs do, it’s not the idea per se that fails, it’s the general scouting and value assessment of our transfer activity that’s wobbly. But we are still top of the championship so all the wheels are still on at least.
Tsunki
Feb 8, 2017 at 11:53 PM
Comment #4We’ve had many a direct excuse of an overseas player I’ve the years but seeing as a large proportion of any pl clubs squad was urchased from foreign stock, it’s not surprising. Cash wise it’s hardly been burdensome for Mike. We’ve had a few sissokos, wijnaldums, cabayes as well as a troupe of mediocre knackers at knock down prices.
Tsunki
Feb 8, 2017 at 11:54 PM
Comment #5If you want to nit pick, our home-grown policy ain’t exactly stellar ha ha
Tsunki
Feb 8, 2017 at 11:55 PM
Comment #6Should stick the fox in the coop for the neet 🙂
martoon
Feb 9, 2017 at 6:24 AM
Comment #7Beardsley has always been very down to earth. I used to see him dropping his kids off at school and at the weekend I saw him in Tesco doing his shopping – no hangers on whatsoever.
Lindisfarne
Feb 9, 2017 at 7:12 AM
Comment #8Rafa says we gotta fight like Rocky.
Duhh!
Duhh, duhh, duhh!
Duhh, duhh, duhh!
Duhh, duhh, duhhhhhh!
Rising up,
back on the street.
Did my time,
took my chances.
Went the distance,
now I’m back on my feet.
Just a man
and his will to survive.
So many times it,
happens too fast.
You trade your passion for glory.
Don’t lose your grip on the dreams of the past.
You must fight just to keep them alive.
It’s the eye of the tiger
It’s the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watching us all with the eye of the tiger.
Duhh!
Duhh, duhh, duhh!
Duhh, duhh, duhh!
Duhh, duhh, duhhhhhh!
Although I wouldn’t mind seeing this at St. James’ Park:
https://youtu.be/VLUAR-YGsgM
Sully Nufc
Feb 9, 2017 at 7:21 AM
Comment #9I didn’t see Beardsley developing and promoting any kids.The academy went further backwards under him.Ash should review that and hire someone else,esp someone from Holland or France.
On a side note,not the right time to talk about players but saw some debate re Mitrovic and I have to admit,he is a poor finisher and should be flogged in the summer.And some of his misses are mind boggling.I’ll take Andy Carroll back any day if his injury situation is resolved.Rafa don’t fancy target men in his style but Carroll is 3 Times worth having & better finisher than Mitrovic.
firebug666
Feb 9, 2017 at 7:34 AM
Comment #10Sully Nufc
I disagree, Beardsley was doing a decent job, with what he had, yes the under 23’s went backward, even got relegated, but then the moment any player showed a bit of promise he was either sent out on loan, or thrown into the deep end and playing for the first team.
Under Rafa players are allowed to finish developing, and Beardsley has been given better prospects to work with.
Under previous managers, and Ashley the best players were fostered out to the likes of Rangers, and Beardsley had to do the best he could with what he had left, and lets face it, it wasn’t enough.
The bloke does the best he can with what he is given, at the moment he is doing OK.
Tsunki
Feb 9, 2017 at 8:15 AM
Comment #11Carroll is not coming back. He’s gone.
jimmysmith
Feb 9, 2017 at 8:17 AM
Comment #12Like a still loved ex wife.