When you hear somebody speak about their passion – whatever it is – be it singing, maths, running, swimming, astronomy or even football management – it’s always very interesting and commands your attention.
That’s because the person loves what they are talking about and they always come across very interesting and they think it’s exciting what they are talking about – it’s their passion.
And you can see that clearly in Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez.
It’s quite obvious he loves doing what he’s doing and especially (hopefully) at Newcastle, where the fans have always been football daft and now have a football manager who eats, sleeps and breathes football.
That’s very appropriate.
🙂
A happy looking Rafa Benitez before the game last night
Rafa seems a master at tactics and he used three different match plans to get two wins and a draw in three successive away games – at Brighton, Huddersfield and Reading – teams who are all in the top five in the league.
Some local journalists are saying now it’s matter of when we get promoted and not if.
But given that catastrophes and disasters that have overtaken Newcastle these last three years, we will celebrate only when we are technically promoted – and then we’ll celebrate big time!!!
We may even talk about winning the Champions League next season.
🙂
Rafa has given an expert summation and review of what happened in the game last night in Berkshire and he comes across extremely pleased with his players who really seem to be able to deliver on what exactly Rafa wants from them.
It’s a very good time to do that.
Here’s what Rafa has said – as reported in the Chronicle – when he was asked about last night’s 0-0 draw at the Madejski Stadium:
“It is important to be solid. This team is consistent and knows what to do.” “We have to carry on with that. We can draw games too, but we have chances to win in every game.”
“At Reading we had 13 attempts and they had just 6. That is the main thing – we create chances.” “We made a couple of mistakes at the start of the second half and gave them a little bit of hope.”
“When they made changes and played with wing-backs they switched things a bit.” “We were a little bit tired but to be fair to play three games in a row.”
“Especially the midfielders, it was not easy for them because they have to go to press and cover.”
“The others have to counter attack and you could see that we were a little bit short of legs in some cases.”
“We knew that they like to keep the ball but in the first half they had just two attempts on target and we had four but ours were clear chances.”
“That is what we are looking for.” “If we finish in the top two then yes the Brighton result was pivotal.”
“If we don’t I will not think about them. But these 7 points have been against the top four teams in the table.”
“It means we are strong enough to carry on. However, every game is different.”
Rafa sounds really pleased with his players.
Comments welcome.
74 comments so far
Bobbybee
Mar 8, 2017 at 6:34 PM
Comment #41Jail, can’t remember where I first heard it mate, but it wasn’t too long ago. That said, I seem to lose track of time. I often say to our lass ‘the other month’ only for her to tell me it was three years ago! 🙂 Must be old age getting the better of me. Anyway, we live and learn mate. Sounds like a keen typical Jimmy Hill saying, but I simply can’t remember who it was who first coined the phrase. Maybe somebody else will remember.
JackBall
Mar 8, 2017 at 6:38 PM
Comment #42Bobby,
I to was just noticing Norwich’ and Vill’s s place in the table and was surprised that Villa was closer to relegation than the playoffs. I recall not too long ago that people were arguing that Villa was a bigger club than newcastle and Norwich was the darling of the EPL with the right method on how to build a team. When you go down, it is not so easy to readjust and build a club to succeed immediately in the championship. We are not there yet, but it was never only going to be a question of how many points we win the league by.
Bobbybee
Mar 8, 2017 at 6:40 PM
Comment #43I think we need to take into account the amount of travelling the players have done this week as well. We know ourselves how a long journey takes it out of you even just sitting on a coach. Just Brighton and back and Huddersfield in a week isn’t easy, but to then throw Reading in at the end has to have taken it’s toll. To finish that run unbeaten and with seven points? Proud of the lads personally.
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 8, 2017 at 6:45 PM
Comment #44Is a draw a 4 pointer or a two pointer?
sing in the corner
Mar 8, 2017 at 6:47 PM
Comment #45Credit where it’s due, Brighton and Huddersfield are putting in a decent effort of pushing us all the way. Both picking up wins last night after we delivered crushing blows to their challenge in the last week. Dirty Leeds too.
Bobbybee
Mar 8, 2017 at 6:48 PM
Comment #46Jack, nobody in the southern based media likes to give us credit for anything. You’re right, at the start of the season many were saying we’d struggle, not those two. Norwich knew how to get promoted and had kept the basis of the same team that got them promoted anyway, so would cope better. Villa were almost guaranteed promotion! 🙂 We’d struggle because Rafa knew nowt about the Championship and sold all our best players. We were all deluded if we thought we had any chance of coming straight back up. Some even said we might do a Leeds and go down to the First Division. That was their hope and dreams anyway. Looking like we’ll have the last laugh though. 🙂
JackBall
Mar 8, 2017 at 6:48 PM
Comment #47Very true. Definitely was a tough Back to Back to Back all away.
Bobbybee
Mar 8, 2017 at 6:56 PM
Comment #48Anybody giving Barca a chance of progressing tonight? Can’t see it myself, but if anybody can, Barca can.
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 8, 2017 at 6:57 PM
Comment #49Newcastle to Brighton 300 miles
Newcastle to Huddersfield 121.1 miles
Newcastle to Reading 285.5 Miles
Total 706.6 miles
Total round trip 1413.2 miles
Bobbybee
Mar 8, 2017 at 7:04 PM
Comment #50Bill, with three very tough games thrown in. Just the travelling is tiring enough!
Bobbybee
Mar 8, 2017 at 7:08 PM
Comment #51Wow! Barca backed from 20/1 in to 7/1 to qualify tonight. One bookie saying they stand to lose a seven figure sum if Barca qualify! It’s a huge ask and if PSG score it becomes virtually impossible.
Tsunki
Mar 8, 2017 at 7:16 PM
Comment #52Reading game was a three and tuppence ha’penny and a swig of sasparilla match for definite.
Tsunki
Mar 8, 2017 at 7:17 PM
Comment #53Kets is a point nine-er
Bobbybee
Mar 8, 2017 at 7:19 PM
Comment #54Anyway, footy on the box so away to watch it. Cheers for the craic lads.
Tsunki
Mar 8, 2017 at 7:19 PM
Comment #55And his car requires 1 point 21 gigawatts to go back to where he lives.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 8, 2017 at 7:21 PM
Comment #56Has anyone downloaded mobdro app for android unbelievable
sing in the corner
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:05 PM
Comment #57Plenty of empty seats at the Etihad!
Very quiet home crowd…?
Jail for Ashley
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:07 PM
Comment #58sitc,
Have you got mobdgo on your phone?
sing in the corner
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:07 PM
Comment #59Joe Hart should be in goal for City.
Pep’s ego and stubbornness is his Achilles heel…
Jail for Ashley
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:08 PM
Comment #60mobdro
sing in the corner
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:09 PM
Comment #61I mainly use iPad for this.
No idea what mobdgo is Jail. My lack of tech awareness is a source of shame to me 🙂
sing in the corner
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:11 PM
Comment #62Haha, just copied your ‘mobdgo’, further emphasising my ignorance
Robiatti
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:14 PM
Comment #63Lads, does anyone know how many points we had this time last year? Just wanted to compare our total to the mackems. I know they’re doomed but just want it confirmed!
welshgeordie9
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:14 PM
Comment #64iphones and smartphones are waste of money.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:18 PM
Comment #65sitc,
It’s only for android.
Welsh,
Plasticine is wasted on you!
Ibizatoon
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:20 PM
Comment #66Jail…What does it do?
Not plasticine, so we’re clear.
Spotlight Kid
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:22 PM
Comment #67EGB – via the shortest road route to nearest mile…
NE1 > Amex Brighton = 346 miles
NE1 > Madjeski Reading = 305 miles
NE1 > John Smith’d Huddersfield = 120 miles
Round trip 1542
Ibizatoon
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:25 PM
Comment #68Spotlight / EGB…Did either of you allow for any sightseeing detours?
Ron Knee
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:26 PM
Comment #69Yedlin out for a while. Bad news.
JackBall
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:27 PM
Comment #70Game on
welshgeordie9
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:28 PM
Comment #71Jail
They are a waste of money, if you got internet at home why pay for 2 lots of Internet. People buy expensive phones because they have got internet if it didn’t people wouldn’t bother, so if you have got sky or virgin broadband at home then why bother.
Spotlight Kid
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:32 PM
Comment #72I did plough across a couple of fields in the early hours to make up for motorway services stops, but it was too dark to see much apart from the odd startled sheep rolling over the bonnet and bashing against the windscreen.
Ibizatoon
Mar 8, 2017 at 8:44 PM
Comment #73Spotlight…That does indeed sound tiring!
Welsh…I’d imagine it’s mainly for when you leave the house.
Ron Knee
Mar 8, 2017 at 9:02 PM
Comment #74Impressive comeback!