Think back two days ago when we are all thought our promotion back to the Premier League could be jeopardized by some tomfoolery from those at the top.
We heard the Newcastle club was accused of fraud in the transfer market and that Managing Director Lee Charnley had been arrested by HMRC agents and of course the national press went to town and quickly too.
But we also have to say it did look very serious at the time.
But a short 48 hours later and things have settled down considerably, although the HMRC charges are hardly good for the image of our club.
Rafa Benitez – the hope and future of Newcastle United
The change in mode is entirely due to manager Rafa Benitez who seemed upbeat, confident and even proud at his press conference yesterday for the game tonight at Cardiff City.
But he was also down to earth and straight and didn’t sugar coat anything either.
In other words typical Rafa.
🙂
It appears clear he is increasingly confident he can get the backing he needs from owner Mike Ashley once he presents his comprehensive blueprint for Newcastle’s long term future of success.
This is one of the many interviews Mr. Benitez gave yesterday as reported today in the Sunderland Echo (how did Sunderland get into this?):
“I have been clear. I have been talking with Mike, and we have decided we will talk next week or in 10 days or whatever.”
“It depends on the schedule, but we have already been working on football.”
“I have been talking with Lee and I said ‘Lee, we have to progress with pre-season’, and I said I needed to give him some football information.”
“I was talking about injuries, because we have players we have to sort out now, sooner rather than later and also my future is my conversations with Mike.”
“Everybody is expecting ‘how much money?’. All these questions you have depend on the conversation. We will see where we are.”
“At the moment, I am quite positive. The conversation was quite positive.” “He was congratulating me and the staff and everyone, and I can say nothing else.”
“He’s the owner, so then it depends on him what we will do.”
“He needs to know my ideas and I need to know what he is thinking and we have to talk about everything.”
“I am a professional. He’s a businessman, and he knows his business, so it’s simple.”
Notice when Rafa talks this week about he needs to sort our his future with Mike, he is probably referring to a new long term contract so he can carry out and execute his vision for Newcastle United Football Club.
When he says his future he would like nothing more than to be manager of Newcastle United so that he is only a one hour helicopter ride away from his wife and two daughters in the Wirral, Cheshire.
Ad Rafa already knows the Newcastle fans adore him so what a terrific long term future this could be for both Rafa and Newcastle.
This man stayed with us and risked his good name in world football to stay with Newcastle United.
He has shown his utter commitment to Newcastle.
Just think what it would have been like if we were in 12th position in the Championship on 61 points and we never even reached the playoffs this season.
That was the fate of Aston Villa.
We don’t mock the Aston Villa fans we commiserate with them.
Let’s hope that Geordie Steve Bruce can bring them back up next season – we’ve all gone through too much pain ourselves and know exactly how the Villa fans will be feeling – they’ve also been badly let down by those running the club from the top.
We should let go and celebrate our return to the big time and the very distinct possibility that Rafa wants to stay (very) long term at Newcastle.
This is even more than we could have hoped for one year ago.
It doesn’t get much better than this at Newcastle.
Or does it?
🙂
Comments welcome.
148 comments so far
Bobbybee
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:28 PM
Comment #41Can’t imagine why anybody would want Le Sulk back myself. Glad to see the back of him personally. Interesting thought though. How would the fans respond to him if Rafa decided he thought he was the right man to perform a particular role? Would a section of our support boo him? Interesting conundrum to ponder over. He did perform well for Rafa, but would he seriously want him back?
Spoof, just gone back for a double take. Would you really want Rafa to leave just because you think Ashley doesn’t deserve him? That had to be one of the most bizarre posts ever to appear on here matey. Why on earth do you think that mate? Rafa is the best thing to happen to this club in all the years I can recall, managerial wise. Certainly the best since Keegan first came here and shook us up.
lesh
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:30 PM
Comment #42Ibizatoon
If and it’s a big if, Marveaux’s move to SJP is the only deal that the French and British revenue authorities are interested in that could see both Llambias and Carr in the frame as it occured in 2011.
But, the Sun are saying that Saveit’s transfer involved some shady dealings involvng Carr and Charnley and that would mean, if correct, that the practises in question may have continued in the interim years and the French deals we’ve been involved in will surely be examined.
As Llambias and Carr would have been involved in most of those deals, that may be enough to get Charnley off the hook – but not the Club. And where does Ashley, the three wise monkeys personified, fit into this carry on? I find it difficult to accept that he saw, heard and said nothing – given the way his hands-on management of SD were criticised by MPs. They opined that his senior SD executives, including the Chairman were in place to do nothing more than his bidding.
Let’s hope this controversy doesn’t impact too heavily on the Club.
As far as Sissoko’s concerned he got his wish to play with a club involved in European competitions but was found out as inconsistent and thus woefully inadequate. He proved to be inconsistent under Rafa while continuing to berate Newcastle United. No, too much baggage.
Townsend? Yes he played well under Rafa but was off like a shot when were relegated. He’s obviously a capable player but given his history – no thank you.
JamesToon
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:31 PM
Comment #43My wishlist would be;
Harry Maguire
Andrew Robertson
Ignacio Camacho
Tom Cairney
Christian Atsu (perm)
Ryan Fraser
Josh King
Bobbybee
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:33 PM
Comment #44Hibbett, been saying that all along mate! How many of those he brought in last summer were on anybody’s wish list? He builds a team to do a job he wants them to do, in a particular way. He’s ruthless as well, no time for sentiment. That’s why I raised the Siasojo question. If he wanted him, he wouldn’t hesitate to buy him, regardless of what any of us think.
JamesToon
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:34 PM
Comment #45Then need an RB for competition for yedlin dunno who tho, and possibly another CM again not sure who (Dendoncker, mccarthy??)
Get rid of:
Tim Krul
Matz Sels
Vurnon Anita
Jesus Gamez
Grant Hanley
Massadio Haidara
Jack Colback
Mo Diame
Haris Vuckic
Siem de Jong
Yoan Gouffran
Sammy Ameobi
Emmanuel Riviere
Daryl Murphy
Bobbybee
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:36 PM
Comment #46God knows who Siasojo is! That should read Siasojo obviously. 🙂
Bobbybee
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:38 PM
Comment #47Ha ha! It’s done it again! Is that even a word? S I S S O K O. SISSOKO. How hard is that Spellcheck?
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:40 PM
Comment #48http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/demba-ba-transfer-named-in-hmrc-investigation-for-2m-image-rights-payment-a7707736.html
Interesting!!!
lesh
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:41 PM
Comment #49Booby
Yes please to Siasojo – great player! 🙂
Ibizatoon
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:41 PM
Comment #50Bobby…No idea who that is, but feel he’s the player we need.
The summer will be a failure if we don’t sign this Siasojo. No pressure on the club of course.
lesh
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:43 PM
Comment #51Bobbybee
Booby = Bobby
JamesToon
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:45 PM
Comment #52Would take Calum Chambers, Kurt Zouma, Gylfi Sigurdsson but obviously depends if any would come
Tsunki
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:45 PM
Comment #53On another note, as we head into the premier league, it’s worth noting that the European Court of Justice has finally ruled that streaming matches (or any pirated content) on Kodi is now a closed loophole – it’s officially illegal. You might find the might of sky and other providers will be shoved firmly behind your ISP blocking said traffic and slapping you on the back of the hand, not to mention dobbing you in to the rozzers. 😐
Ibizatoon
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:46 PM
Comment #54Lesh…I’m firmly in the wait and see camp. Far too much guess work to be done, but it is an interesting case.
Hopefully one that doesn’t negatively impact on the club.
lesh
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:47 PM
Comment #55Lee Charnley Bunga Party
The Indie’s been lazy and picked up on the Sun’s story. Like the Sun, most of the piece refers to NUFC with hardly a mention of West Ham.
The southern press never miss an opportunity to turn the knife where we’re concerned.
ShirebrookToon
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:48 PM
Comment #56LCBP
That is a very interesting article. To me that looks like his agents have been very naughty boys
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:48 PM
Comment #57Rafa takes everything into account, there’s no way he’d bring back Sissoko because of his character and the fans response.
He respects fan knowledge and knows how fanatical we are, that’s what draws him to certain clubs.
I think the fans and Rafa are firmly aligned on the fact Sissoko is a shitehouse.
hibbit
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:51 PM
Comment #58if image rights are problem for us it must be a massive problem for the top clubs ?????????
firebug666
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:51 PM
Comment #59It’s looking like it was just information they wanted from Newcastle, but as the club failed to comply they raided the place to see what we had to hide.
If this money was declared and taxed then what is the problem?
lesh
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:52 PM
Comment #60Ibizatoon
Yes, we can speculate ’til the cows come home but what will be will be.
Jib
I’ve only just noticed that you’re back from Roker or wherever it is you’ve been. Can’t say you were missed though.
Bobbybee
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:54 PM
Comment #61Tsunki, wonder where that leaves us then, following Brexit? Do we over here get a pass on the kodi thing? 🙂
ShirebrookToon
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:54 PM
Comment #62Be interesting to see who’s in tonight’s starting 11.
lesh
Apr 28, 2017 at 2:56 PM
Comment #63Jib
I used Roker as your possible whereabouts over recent weeks and that might have been a bit unfair. But, if you’ve out there advising Trump………… Well, some things are best left unsaid.
ronaldo aarons
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:00 PM
Comment #64Someone like sissoko is exactly what we need, big powerful runner in midfield that can get up and down the pitch. That’s what diame was supposed to be but it seems he doesn’t have the engine for it anymore. Maybe he’s one of these African players who lied about their age, he’s 29/30 but really he’s 49!
Bobbybee
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:00 PM
Comment #65Hail, I hope that ‘fan knowledge’ doesn’t extend to those who had us down for relegation after two games mate! 🙂
lesh
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:01 PM
Comment #66Bobby
Don’t worry to much about streaming and Brexit, our strong and stable leader – Kim Jong May – will add your concern to her list of wants.
Don’t hold up much hope though, she’s up against The 27 – a coalition of chaos!!!
* That was a party political broadcast on behalf of the Nazi, sorry, the nasty party.
posada
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:04 PM
Comment #67Firebug @59.
I was thinking that.
Thing is if you say no it tends to add weight to any suspicions they have. That means they can arrest and get a warrant.
We know Ashley only went before the Home Affairs Comittee after first saying no several times.
Poor Lee. He follows the ethos of his boss and the next thing you know its an early morning knock and strangers are going through his undies draw.
Another bad decision from our MD.
I bet Mrs Penfold was overjoyed.
Bobbybee
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:06 PM
Comment #68Posada, she’d be fine. She probably thought it just the drug squad again. 🙂
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:07 PM
Comment #69My fantasy summer wishlist.
Charlie Taylor – free
Maguire – approx £12m
Sigurdsson – £20m
Markovic – approx £12m
Mertens – £30m
Defoe – free.
As I said, fantasy. Doubtful any one of them will be in the B&W no matter how much I could rationalise a case for each of them.
Que sera, sera!
Another interesting ST with 1 year left on his contract is Chicharito at Leverkusen.
All depends on what type of ST Rafa sees his leading man being. Suppose we will see Rafa’s real vision begin to take shape this window.
ShirebrookToon
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:08 PM
Comment #70Or she thought Penfold had arranged a bukaki 🙂
Mister Tuff
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:09 PM
Comment #71Lesh – my ninepennnyworth/speculation – for what it’s worth.
Certainly not unknown for scouts to receive the old brown manilla envelope with a nice wad of readies therein.
Conversation from Saviets agent – re Carr suggesting changing agents to Saba seems very suspicious.
However the later conversation re Penfold saying not to contact Carr -lessens my suspicion of Carr.
Penfold is not your born and bred criminal type -where lies, trickery and dishonesty are innate.
Don’t think he will have the “skill” to hide any dodgy dealing – he’ll probably leave an easy trail to follow revealing all.
I bet his motives were not personal gain at all but done “on behalf of the club/and or players.
As such he represents and is acting on behalf of the club.
Thing with money is that it can be tracked -some might think not – but it can be. Dodgy accounts will be found.
Still cannot understand why rich young men and or their agents are so greedy and are not satisfied with their lot. But greed/money does corrupt.
My take for what it’s worth.
That agent Jaba even looks a dodgy character.
firebug666
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:13 PM
Comment #72posada
They should know by now that there are no hiding places from the G-Men.
Apparently several clubs have failed to comply with requests to send such information, so I expect many more raids in the near future.
It does seem that the only action the club is guilty of is providing this information, which begs the question Why?
What are they hiding? It’s no wonder the heavy’s turned up at Penfold’s door, must have scared the life out of him lol, but not as much as his missus will have when he got home. 😀
Mister Tuff
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:15 PM
Comment #73Jaba = Saba
ronaldo aarons
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:15 PM
Comment #74We desperately need a left winger next year. A genuine one, not a right winger playing on the left. Schalke’s chupo-moting is leaving as he’s out of contract. Think he’s definitely worth going for.
posada
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:16 PM
Comment #75Shirebrook @70
Must confess I had to google that.
Another new word I have learned from the blog.
ronaldo aarons
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:18 PM
Comment #76Hail
Mertens £30 million, have you been hanging out with kets recently?
Bobbybee
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:19 PM
Comment #77Tuff, that is, of course, assuming he’s done anything dodgy in the first place mate. He was released without charge after all, with no mention of him being on police bail pending further inquiries. He actually could be totally innocent in this case.
ronaldo aarons
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:21 PM
Comment #78Chicarito is interesting, didn’t know he had one year left. That would be achievable I think as I’m sure he wants another crack at the premier league. Don’t think he’s that old either 28/29 I think.
posada
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:21 PM
Comment #79Mister Tuff
My understanding is that they are very good at following the money trail. Often use law firms abroad though, who claim legal confidentiality. Depends who wants to know and how much clout they have.
Fifa thought they were safe until they stuck two fingers up to the USA re world cup bids.
Firebug
I think Lee will still be on the camp bed in his man shed.
Blofal
Apr 28, 2017 at 3:25 PM
Comment #80I have no problem with Townsend. He gave everything when he played for us. At the end of last season he was on the cusp of the England squad and had to make the choice:
Stay with us in the Championship and kiss his England chances goodbye probably forever – or
Move to Palace and give himself a chance at cementing a spot in the England team.
It didn’t turn out well for him of course but nobody has a right to deny a footballer the dream of playing for their country. Careers in football are short. I’d have him back in a heartbeat.