Rafa Benitez should be a man under pressure these days, but don’t tell him that.
🙂
The manager gave some really astute interviews yesterday and he is as calm as ever and has fully analyzed the many Newcastle mistakes that have cost us what are a massive important 8 points in our last three games.
We have to hope they are corrected on Monday night against Preston, but over the last few weeks Newcastle have become unpredictable in their performances and that’s not good.
It’s like old times.
A confident smiling Rafa Benitez
This is what Rafa has said when asked if he thought we should have been promoted by now and this is how he answered as reported in the Chronicle:
“We were expecting to win some of the games in our hands, especially Leeds. We played really well and we were there.”
“We were winning, had 22 attempts and some very clear chances.” “That is something you can’t control, and why football is so special.”
“Sometimes you have to give credit to the other teams. Sometimes you make mistakes, like against Leeds.”
“And the other day against Ipswich we didn’t play at the level we are used to playing – especially away as we have a very good record.”
“But you have to give credit to another team when they push and push.” “If you make mistakes they will take advantage of that and you pay.”
“The mistakes we made in the crucial moments made a big difference.” “When you are doing well and you think you can win a big game. Then after it ends up being a draw.”
“Mentally it isn’t easy for players to recover. You have to be ready for the next game.” “Ipswich wasn’t a bad game. We were not suffering but we made a mistake and gave them a chance.”
“When we scored a goal we then made another mistake – it gave them a chance.” “After each game, we analyse and work on it. You must do that every week.”
“Promotion will be nice for sure, but the other teams can still do something and we have to do our job. “The only thing that we can control is our team.”
“We have to be sure that in the next three games and we concentrate on our jobs properly.” “If the other results go in our favor even better.”
“Promotion? It depends on us. Not social media or the newspapers or websites.”
I also thought the all important game between Huddersfield and Fulham was in London this afternoon, but it’s at the John Smith’s Stadium (wrong again) and that gives an advantage to the Terriers.
But Fulham are an in-form and surging for a playoff spot with three successive wins and their manager Slavisa Jokanovic is very talented and miraculously got Watford promoted two years ago.
We hope Fulham can get a decent result this afternoon, but after all it’s up to Newcastle to win promotion.
Like winning our final three games for example and showing it was only a temporary blip in form over the last few weeks – as Rafa believes it was.
Here’s hoping.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
150 comments so far
jane
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:40 PM
Comment #121Ipswich beat us but losing to Rotherham.
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:41 PM
Comment #122Just realised it’s Bobby Madley officiating this Hull match and putting in a typically bellendish performance.
toontaff2
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:41 PM
Comment #123Burton 2-1 Leeds!
JP...from The Rock
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:41 PM
Comment #1242-1 Burton against Leeds. Interesting games going on today. Some crazy stuff.
JP...from The Rock
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:43 PM
Comment #125I’ve wanted us , Brighton and Leeds to go up all season. Maybe Leeds can still nick it and make it a reality.
Tsunki
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:43 PM
Comment #126Come on everyone! Hang in there!
Bobbybee
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:43 PM
Comment #127Shirebrook, that’s my usual place too lol. Had a really good season. Was higher until last week but only got four points. On eleven just now, which might hold my place.
JP...from The Rock
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:44 PM
Comment #128If Leeds don’t make it I would like us to get Wood as a back up striker and Charlie Taylor for LB.
MAUTITOON
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:45 PM
Comment #129bristol city 3 -2 up now
Bobbybee
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:46 PM
Comment #130Jane, we’re the team that everyone wants to beat. That’s why our current position is so good.
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:48 PM
Comment #131A team with Daryl Janmaat in it loses 2-0 to ten-men. Who’d have thunk it?
Bobbybee
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:48 PM
Comment #132JP, need to be looking for better than Championship players mate. Can’t see Rafa going for Wood myself. Flash in the pan season and second tier. I think he’ll have his sights set a lot higher.
martoon
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:49 PM
Comment #133Hail @122 – and guess who his brother is?
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:51 PM
Comment #134Martoon
Aye I know, a very suspicious duo!
Mister Tuff
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:51 PM
Comment #135just injury time left at Forest
JamesToon
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:53 PM
Comment #136Really hope the fans make SJP a cauldron of noise on monday night, really drive on the team and win promotion for us.
Mister Tuff
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:55 PM
Comment #137wo ho – Forest win
ShirebrookToon
Apr 22, 2017 at 4:56 PM
Comment #138Get in!! So far so good. Now for a win on Monday night and we’re there boys and girls
Tsunki
Apr 22, 2017 at 5:02 PM
Comment #139Well this has been a day. 🙂
SPRINGY
Apr 22, 2017 at 5:03 PM
Comment #140Just need balls of steel and a performance and its job done monday nyt
WWSBRD
Apr 22, 2017 at 5:03 PM
Comment #141Too early to start singing about staying up?
bettyswallocks
Apr 22, 2017 at 5:03 PM
Comment #142Promotion looks a done deal now unless we really capitulate. Some doubting Thomases need to start eating their words and get ready to become proper supporters next season. No names mentioned but you know who you are.!!
Our Toon
Apr 22, 2017 at 5:04 PM
Comment #143Yes, can enjoy the rest of my break and find somewhere on Monday that’s showing the game!!
ilovetoon8788
Apr 22, 2017 at 5:06 PM
Comment #144the fat lady probably has the mic on her lips now… 1 more win. and it’s done and dusted.
good riddance to this god awful league..
JP...from The Rock
Apr 22, 2017 at 5:06 PM
Comment #145Bobbybee- I guess you’re right. We should be more ambitious and go after higher quality players. Maybe Jetro Willems for LB and Gylfi Sigurosson CAM. Well capable and within our reach.
What a great day for us with all the results going our way. Brilliantly set up to clinch promotion on live tv on Monday in a fully packed St James’ can’t wait. Happy Days 🙂
magpie6699
Apr 22, 2017 at 5:07 PM
Comment #146If Carlsberg did footy results….! One win OR two draws is enough now – assuming Huddersfield win their last three. And I think they have to play again on Tuesday and next Saturday at Wolves and then Birmingham – not easy!
COME OOOOON TOON!
magpie6699
Apr 22, 2017 at 5:08 PM
Comment #147PS And the Prem results were bad for Sunderland!
Jib
Apr 22, 2017 at 5:14 PM
Comment #148Well
After a real slow start – this blog certainly took off !
Dennis Twice
Apr 22, 2017 at 5:15 PM
Comment #149Attack Toon attack, attack!
Bobbybee
Apr 22, 2017 at 5:20 PM
Comment #150That table looking very healthy now innit? 🙂 Just a win on Monday and we’ve done it. Can see many people throwing a sicky on Monday and making a day of it. 🙂 Think it’ll be a belting atmosphere and that should push the lads across the line. There’s no guarantee the chasers will win their games either. All credit to Rafa and the boys. He’s stuck by his principals and played the percentages, knowing himself we had what it takes. Well done Brighton and Chris Hughton for staying with us and then some. That said, you never know… 🙂 The fat lady is only warming up yet.
Well, gonna enjoy the semi final now in a very laid back manner. All the ingredients of a cracking game. Two best teams in the country by a distance.
Enjoy the moment lads, it’s been a long time coming. Next season we’ll see the best of Rafa and hopefully everyone will get behind him, like him or now he’s OUR Rafa. Long may he stay so too.