Rafa Benitez has been speaking out on talkSP{ORT today and of course, with his comments like at any time, you can either stress the negative or stress the positive.
Rafa is frustrated at Newcastle, and it does look like owner Mike Ashley has not kept the promises he made.
But what also is true is that this transfer market has been challenging for the club for two main reasons:
- One is that the transfer fees being asked for our top targets which are unrealistic at best.
- The second problem is that because we were down below last season we don’t have the same amount of money to spend as other clubs in the Premier League; it’s another consequence of being relegated last year.
A laughing Newcastle manager – Rafa Benitez
This is what Rafa has said on talkSPORT today:
“At the end of the season, we were ready.” “Then we tried to sign the players we wanted to at this time.”
“We couldn’t do it, for different reasons.” “Now we are going a little bit late, the market is crazy and it’s not a question of money.”
“Sometimes the money is there but the players are not available.” “Am I happy with the way that we did things? No.”
“Am I frustrated? Yes.” “But at the same time, I am trying to be positive.”
“I am fully committed to the fans, the club, my players.
“I try to manage and to improve the squad with the players who are available to make sure we are stronger (than we are) now.
“I don’t know by how much but I will try to do my best.”
Those are excellent comments from Rafa – we think he is committed to Newcastle even though he hasn’t had the support we had hoped for from the owner.
But there are also other real problems this summer linked to our being relegated last year.
Any talk of Rafa leaving Newcastle by the end of the year is merely sensationalizing what a difficult period this is for the club.
We are all in this together, and we are still suffering from some relegation related problems.
The main thing for us fans to do is to keep letting Rafa know we just love the guy and have every confidence in the world in what he can do for Newcastle.
Maybe I should write to Rafa wishing him all the best for our club in the future – yeah – that would be good.
Howay The Bonnie Lads!!
25 comments so far
Veltman
Aug 9, 2017 at 2:41 PM
Comment #1For what’s worth, i haven’t seen the team play since it got relegated in may of last year.I’m looking forward to it now,as the opening few games will be televised.But like some,i haven’t been feeling optimistic.
Especially with no striker addition.
If they managed to surprise some teams and pundits, I’ll be jumping week in week out.Side note,My comments won’t display and disappear after i hit the summit button since yesterday.Never experienced such thing before. Is someone hacked my blog account?
john tudor
Aug 9, 2017 at 2:42 PM
Comment #2according to them talk shite radio (probably guided by ginger nob adrian durham)he said and sounded the same blurb as moyes did about being in a relegation battle
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Aug 9, 2017 at 2:46 PM
Comment #3Sissoko is potentially being considered for right wing back duties on Sunday!!
Dummett to snap him and Atsu to skin him till he gets substituted in a 2 – 1 Toon win !!! What a dream haha
Munster Mag
Aug 9, 2017 at 2:49 PM
Comment #4Back from sunny Portugal. Only regret was seeing a Toon fan in that great new shirt and not saying hello to him. A little kid had one in the airport too but I didn’t want to come across all paedo! Gotta get it soon, been wearing the same one for years, the northern rock one. Last decent jersey we had I think. Good to hear of rafa’s comments. Bobby, just finished the book. A brilliant brilliant read.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Aug 9, 2017 at 2:53 PM
Comment #5Difference between Moyes and RAFA
the players are behind RAFA along with the fans
NEE-body liked Moyes in Mackemland fans or players who did not want to play for him
The players want to play for RAFA and I think you could see that n Sunday with their commitment – and it is the best I have seen (friendly or not) the team play as a team. the way they played a high line to a high tempo closed every move down Verona (who were poor) tried. Perez was brilliant on Sunday on closing the opposition down and twice or thrice robbed their defenders high up.
Play like that we will be OK but my only worry is they have to convert the chances they create.
hibbit
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:03 PM
Comment #6AncientC @21
you obviously haven’t been in the ground or the city for a very long time our you would know that Rafa is consensus
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:05 PM
Comment #7@Charlie in the Gallowgate
I have been impressed in pre season with the way we have closed teams down and not let them get the ball into dangerous areas a lot of teams like to play from the back so its a great way to try and catch them out
Perez and Atsu for me look like finally playing to their potential they both ended the season well and have started pre season in the same vain
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:07 PM
Comment #8http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/rafa-benitez-delivers-bombshell-to-jack-colback-at-newcastle-1-8693945
Seen this?!
AncientC
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:08 PM
Comment #9hibbit, what do you mean Rafa is consensus?
Are you confused? I have not been critical of Benitez. Only Ashley.
AncientC
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:24 PM
Comment #10Anyways, gotta scoot. I am assuming Andy Capp isn’t going to reply.
hibbit
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:28 PM
Comment #11AncientC
no one said you had been critical of Rafa.
you said you didn’t realizes there was a consensus at st Jame’s i told you the consensus was Rafa
the meaning of consensus……………. agreement, harmony, concord, like-mindedness, concurrence accord, unison, unity, unanimity, oneness, solidarity
Budge123
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:28 PM
Comment #12Lee sounds like a gee up to bugger off to pastures new!
hibbit
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:29 PM
Comment #13AncientC
you assumed wrong !!!!!!!!!!!!
hibbit
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:31 PM
Comment #14AncientC maybe you assume to many things
no need for the snide remark either
Jack Root
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:38 PM
Comment #15Rumoured that Ancient has taken up permanent residence in Venezuela.
Our Toon
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:40 PM
Comment #16Does no one else find Wenger’s response to rafa a little belittling?
“I was talking with Arsene yesterday because we had the managers’ meeting with the Premier League.”
“I said ‘listen, we have to talk’ and he said ‘do you have some money? Let me know’.”
“Obviously you like good players, but it’s too soon to talk about that.”
The he said, do you have some money……gives a good insight into how we are perceived!!
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:41 PM
Comment #17Did anyone get that last paragraph from the last thread where Rafa is having a conversation with Wenger…something about not being the right time…
…they are talking about a transfer presumably about Perez
JAMSHA
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:42 PM
Comment #18another reason ashley should fk off
JAMSHA
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:43 PM
Comment #19Our Toon
rafa said he joked about the monry thing
Pootle2118
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:46 PM
Comment #20Does anyone know when the next payment from the Prem league is due and how much it is?
lochinvar
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:49 PM
Comment #21Sounds like Rafa’s comments are frustration with the transfer market corrupted by obscene amounts of money. Swansea and Everton are scrapping over £5million being the difference between estimates of £45m to £50m for Sigurdsson who most people thought was worth £20m. Thanks Sky !
Perhaps we could ask Sky for an advance on what’s due to us this season and get Perez in and get a higher place in the League so he pays for himself with results.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:50 PM
Comment #22Pootle isn’t that next summer? I’ll assume we have gotten the one for this season already!
We will get something in the region of £113M next summer depending on our league position or if we stay up!
wynsleap
Aug 9, 2017 at 3:58 PM
Comment #23I think that Rafa saying he is staying and getting on with business because of the fans and the club is an implication that he is not doing it for Ashley (or maybe Penfold either). What a state of affairs.
I do think it is time however that that is the last of all this speculation from blogs and media. It is becoming tedious and frankly does not help the players. He’s staying and accept it.
What is certain that if Rafa does leave at the end of this season (or earlier God forbid!) then Ashley will get the biggest load of flak he has EVER had from our fans.
Having said that, some well earned loud and sustained vocal support from the fans for our manager and some strong threats against our owner on Sunday at SJP, wouldn’t go amiss.
WLtoon
Aug 9, 2017 at 4:20 PM
Comment #24Although i think we will be well organised on Sunday, you wont win games unless you have a decent striker with a good goals per shots ratio. Gayle does have that, but Mitro does not, . if we have to rely on Mitro we are screwed. Mitro is good at holding up play but even he has his work cut out against Vertongen, Dier and Alberwareld, It just highlights the difference in standard of defenders between this league and the championship. I just hope Gayle , if fit, gets a sniff on Sunday.
will die for the toon army
Aug 10, 2017 at 6:23 AM
Comment #25its been long since I commented but I am I the only one who blames Rafa for the situation we are in. I know we had to sigh for the Championship but those we were too many players 13 I think with 7 sent on loan. That made our squad so big with average players. Yes we won promotion but now we don’t have that much money and slot of average players. If he is a good manager then let him sort out that situation. If I were Ashley I wld do the same. If he sells he generates income to buy. I wldnt pump in more money