Sky Sports pundit Peter Beagrie thinks that Newcastle will need to significantly strengthen their squad in the summer and that will take a huge investment from owner Mike Ashley to allow Rafa Benitez to build a side that can finish mid-table in our first season back.
That will probably be the official target for next season if the club announce any target at all.
We do have players who have played in the Premier league and done quite well like Rob Elliott, Matt Ritchie, Ciaran Clark, Vurnon Anita, Jonjo Shelvey and others and most of those have become better players over this season.
Peter Beagrie – Newcastle aren’t good enough right now
But it’s clear we do need strengthening significantly and that Rafa wants to bring in six top players who will be brought in as potential starters for next season.
It will take a sizable investment but just like last summer Rafa and Lee Charnley can sell some players who have outlasted their stay on Tyneside and that money can be reinvested into the squad.
Certainly Lee and Rafa did an outstanding job last summer and we’re hoping for the same this summer.
This is what Middlebrough-born Beagrie said on Sky Sports
“Benitez has done what he stayed to do and it will be interesting to see what happens next year,” “The club will have to massively match his ambitions.”
“They will have to spend a huge amount of money. They have shown they can do that – although they have balanced the books – because this squad is not good enough for the Premier League.”
“The top players are – that’s lots of them that are – but he needs to bolster that squad and it will be an even greater achievement for Rafa to get a mid-table position next year in the Premier League.”
And of course when we were relegated a year ago pundits were coming out of the woodwork saying we wouldn’t’ get straight back up because it was much more difficult than seven years ago and that stuff.
It’s hard to find a comment from a pundit that’s at all positive – because that’s not news.
If Peter had said Newcastle can survive in the PL without too much investment next season that wouldn’t sound too exciting.
While Rafa will push for as much money as he can from owner Mike Ashley and lay out his plans in their one-on-one meeting it’s only because he wants to finish as high in the table as he can next season
That’s because he’s a winner and thinks that positive way and comments like those from Peter Beagrie can only be helpful to the cause.
The cause being to get Mike Ashley to cough up the big money this summer for Rafa.
The more pundits who come out and say the squad is not good enough will help Rafa – even though he knows so much more about the game of football than the vast majority of pundits will ever know.
That’s because Rafa’s done a real job for over 30 years – out there on the front lines as a football manager.
🙂
Comments welcome.
28 comments so far
ronaldo aarons
Apr 25, 2017 at 12:47 PM
Comment #1Just posted this on previous thread
Been reading a lot of ‘pundits’ saying that we need to spend the cash as in buying £20-30 million players and spending around £100 million. For me it’s a load of rubbish, it’s not about spending the most money. I’d rather we just back the manager for the player he wants and what the squad needs. Whether if it’s a £5 million player or a free transfer, who cares, as long as the quality is there.
Quite apt that the next thread is about a pundit saying we have to spend huge amounts of money.
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 25, 2017 at 12:48 PM
Comment #2Oops, just missed the bus.
WW
Okay I may be a little harsh to say he is one of our worst ever signings.
But despite his on pitch efforts, and a lot of the time he seemed to be lumbering around I thought he was pretty poor. For a big man he never seemed to be able to win a header and his first touch was usually so heavy ball control seemed to be totally beyond him.
I’d certainly put him top of the waste of money list
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 25, 2017 at 12:52 PM
Comment #3Ronaldo
Agreed. You’d think people would’ve learned that by now.
magscar
Apr 25, 2017 at 12:55 PM
Comment #4Jail
Last thread
I know you have been positive about Rafa (all credit to you) some might say so much you can’t see any fault but I am referring to your nemesis of course. That is the history i am getting at and trying to bring some thoughts that there might be light at the end of the tunnel we have been all been in over these last 10 years. A growing hope and yes I have been disappointed before but this is better than KK’s second spell and there is some substance there i think.
As usual it makes me feel better to look ahead with hope than spoil the moment with uneccesary fears. I’ll leave that to pundits and Press
ronaldo aarons
Apr 25, 2017 at 12:59 PM
Comment #5For me we could have done with reinforcements in January just to bolster the squad but I didn’t see it as urgent. Top managers are never happy with their squad and always look to improve it so Benitez was no different.
We were supposedly linked with Townsend who wasn’t available on loan and by most accounts crystal palace wanted £15 million for him which is £2million more than what they bought for him and since being there had played poorly while taking stick from the fans. The other player linked was McCarthy for £20 million who lets just say I’m not a fan of.
If Benitez wanted these players then I guess the club should have backed him but saying that, I’m glad that they chose not to as in hindsight McCarthy turned out to be injured and Townsend hasn’t set the world alight barring a couple games and not to mention the fact he jumped ship at the first opportunity. Plus why should we pay more for him just to save him from the decision he himself made 6 months earlier.
WWSBRD
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:00 PM
Comment #6Essex
Mate he has at worst matched Perez and kept him out of the team, the lads up there with most time on the pitch even though he was away at the ACoN…I think thats very harsh
We only spent like 4 mill on him not much money wasted
ronaldo aarons
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:04 PM
Comment #7Hail
Yeah you’d think so too but I guess people like these marquee signings and see them as signs of intent for the season. conte gave a great explanation today about gradually building teams and not just rely on spending money which is worth listening to. Although with him being Chelsea manager he doesn’t have a leg to stand on about that lol, but the point he made was valid.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39697156
I like the comments he made about hazard and selfish players too.
toontaff2
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:08 PM
Comment #8Maybe we can have polls for:
Worst ref of the season
Worst pundit
Most negative blogger?
ShirebrookToon
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:09 PM
Comment #9Not a bad idea that toontaff
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:11 PM
Comment #10Perez has played 400 less minutes than Diame and has 5 more goals and 2 more assists. Makes more happen and is more consistently busy. Perez has had the better season and is still on the upward curve in contrast to Diame.
Diame was supposed to bring his Championship experience and show others how to do it, his performances with Hull last season suggested he would do that and £4.5 seemed a shrew piece of business for a player at an age typically considered prime. It’s turned out to be a decent if slightly disappointing buy and it looks like he had a very sharp peak!
toontaff2
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:11 PM
Comment #11And Shirebrook, my prediction for the Cardiff game is 1-5
And for Barnsley 5-1! 😀
I think I’ll make the Barnsley game an all dayer!
ronaldo aarons
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:12 PM
Comment #12Does anyone else feel the same about rather giving the younger players run outs in the last two games? I’m not bothered at all about finishing 1st in all honesty, if it happens it happens. I’m talking about sterry, Findlay, barlaser, heardman, good is injured I think. Lazaar needs to play and it would be good to see Fernandez and Gibson get a little run out too.
toontaff2
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:13 PM
Comment #13Diame tended to look better in his normal midfield position, to be fair.
If Yedlin was still not match fit, maybe Mbemba could have played right back?
Poor old Big Vurn had a right stinker.
ShirebrookToon
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:13 PM
Comment #14Toontaff
Why am I not surprised by your score prediction :-). I’m still trying to hunt down a ticket for the Barnsley game. Fingers crossed like 😉
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:14 PM
Comment #15toontaff
I you’ll have to get up early – 12 noon kick-off
magscar
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:15 PM
Comment #16WWRSBD
On Diame i wouldn’t necessarily think of him as the biggest waste of money but because of his game time he must be the biggest disappointment.
I used to concede that he was being played out of position and wasn’t a natural no 10 but on occasions he played deeper and box to box he invariably still disappointed. I thought Rafa preferred him instead of Perez to partner Gayle to give height and physicality but don’t feel he delivered consistently?.
A true bad buy would end up going at a loss and I reckon we could get money back at least. Lazarr may be another to point finger at but may be Rafa still sees him as for the future along with Sels?
ShirebrookToon
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:16 PM
Comment #17Ronaldo
Whilst there’s still an outside chance of us winning the title I don’t think we will play the youngsters. If that gets decided then I wouldn’t be surprised in seeing the young uns getting a run out at some point
toontaff2
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:16 PM
Comment #18Think they were trying to get more of the tickets not taken up by Barnsley. Lot of empty space up next to the minibus load of Preston fans!
toontaff2
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:17 PM
Comment #19Aye, Charlie, breakfast might be a porridge and a pint in Weatherspoons!
JackBall
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:19 PM
Comment #20A few comments.
Who ever rated Rafa a 7 is way harsh. He developed a new Model of how to achieve promotion that is going to be followed by future relegated clubs. He prepared for the league he was in and achieved the goal in the end rather easily, stressful, but comfortably – two games to spare with a 9 point lead and a plus 39 GD on the third place team.
We are always a bit too hard on the crowd at the games. Listening to the players at the end of the game, they all knew the importance of immediate promotion and felt the pressure and worked through it. Us fans felt the same anxiety and we are not all built to exude confidence for the full 90. I was always behind the team this season, but admit my head was under the covers at times fearing that the difficult task of automatic promotion (only one team in last 5-6 years achieved it after relegation) would not be fulfilled. When you want something so bad, it is hard to always be smooth and calm and positive.
Yes, we will need new players, but not so sure I agree with the complete wholesale changes people are advocating for. Why would we not want to keep Dummett and Mitro – both players live and die black and white and one is local lad. Even if they don’t start, a team needs players with this type of connection and passion. There is plenty of room on the squad and it can’t be fully turned over in a season. There will be money available this summer, but it will not be unlimited and it does not have to be. Yes, cost are inflated, but there are many players out there that can do the job and it is now up to Rafa and the team to find some at a good value and I think they will. Who those players are will be fun to find out. Have fun guessing, but I bet if only have at most one right, two would be lucky.
As for the player of the season, I do understand those who say Ritchie, but without question it was Shelvy. He controls the game for us.
Lastly, watched the game again and it was better the second time.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:19 PM
Comment #21I I like me pooridge an all
Might even put me TOON army kilt on!!!
toontaff2
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:20 PM
Comment #22AHHHHHHHHH!
Not the kilt!!
WWSBRD
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:22 PM
Comment #23Hail
Perez has been utterly average all season and had just as many bad games as Diame except he put less effort in. Not sure where u get the upward curve from he fell off that before last season
magscar
Disappointing is the buzz word for this season isnt it? Diame has been decent all things considered, hes played a huge part in this season
toontaff2
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:24 PM
Comment #24JackBall – the crowd was buoyant for first 10, then it was very nervous – even I went a bit quiet
2nd half was great!
Mind the Strawberry Corner were rampant!
The going down, going up song with movements – class!
martoon
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:26 PM
Comment #25toontaff2 @8 – I think it’s pretty nailed on for worst ref of the season 🙂
toontaff2
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:29 PM
Comment #26Same- Dummett has to stay. Would be essential to get another left back as competition/upgrade but too many seem to have a downer on him.
After recent games, think we need the same at right back, maybe a more defensive minded player as competition for Yedlin.
Mitro looks like he’ll stay, due to keeping going despite not playing regularly and maybe he’s learning well from Rafa. Wish he’d scored last night, making it 5-1. Not always his biggest fan, but he has done ok.
Jail for Ashley
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:39 PM
Comment #27toontaff22,
I was paraying for it to be 5-1 for you, I was even a bit worried that if we scored the fifth too soon we might then score a sixth.
martoon,
My apologies if I took you out of context, I thought you were siding with Ashley sticking his nose in. It could be argued that hiring Carver while they waited for McLaren to be sacked rather than pay compensation was vindicated as we didn’t get relegated where as the reality was all those defeats caused long lasting damage.
magscar
Apr 25, 2017 at 1:39 PM
Comment #28WWRSBD
Not sure if disappointing is a buzz word but no way has Diame been decent. I think frustrating or disjointed is more apposite. He was my forecast after Ritchie as player of the season but stuck with latter . There is or was a player there but he has regularly flattered to deceive some important performances yes but too few
Tootaff2
Thought NW corner Level 7 did a great job as well.
Know it was a Monday night and on Sky but thought could have been more there given that we may not see history made again – for some time hopefully 🙂