We think that Rafa Benitez is coming to terms with why Newcastle seem so short of money this summer and it’s certainly not what he expected.
But it is what it is, and it seems Newcastle just don’t have the financial muscle of most of the Premier League clubs this summer because we have been down below for a season.
We expect our world-class manager Rafa Benitez to be frustrated and unhappy because he is anxious to build Newcastle United into a top team in the Premier League.
And that goal will now be delayed a little because we just don’t have big money this summer.
But Rafa is also pragmatic and utterly determined to build the best squad he can in the last few weeks of this tough transfer window for the club.
This is what Rafa has said in the Chronicle about his squad:
“If you see the squad, it’s obvious that we need a striker. We needed to bring some players in some positions to have competition.”
“Dwight was doing really well last year. But it’s another level and we have to see if he can replicate something similar in the Premier League.”
“We need competition in each position.”
“Not just because they will be better, but we need bodies. You have to be sure that you have enough quality to keep the level.”
“It’s very simple. If you’re asking me which players you want, I can tell you four or five players in the top sides.’
“We cannot sign these players. Trying to be realistic, sometimes you go to the market and you have a target.”
“If you cannot get this for different reasons – we are where we are.”
“I said before, and I’m not hiding anything, I’m not happy, but I know we’re in this position.”
“And we will try to improve until the end of the transfer window with the players that we can get.”
“If we can bring in a more expensive player, we will do it. If we cannot, we will get another one and make sure they can give us something different.”
“Hopefully, they will improve the team, but at least they will improve the squad.”
Mike Ashley has verified in his Sky Sports interview that Lee Charnley actually takes direction from Rafa and that Rafa is completely in charge of all transfers coming and going.
It seems the club has got that one right and Lee Charnley and his team are the ones who get the deals done – or try to – once Rafa identifies the targets.
Just like last summer!
It hasn’t gone well this year so far because the transfer fees are ridiculously high and we are also short of money – temporarily.
But as Rafa asked for yesterday in his press conference we as fans have to get right behind Rafa and his players – right now.
Maybe we can take Spurs apart tomorrow?
Comments welcome.
7 comments so far
Ron Knee
Aug 12, 2017 at 8:31 AM
Comment #1Appointing a world class manager is just the latest Ashley wheeze to keep the club ticking over. Apart from that, nothing has changed.
stestickle
Aug 12, 2017 at 8:33 AM
Comment #2See man city have signed that Nigerian kid and sent on out on loan to Italy
Rotonda heights
Aug 12, 2017 at 8:35 AM
Comment #3”Just an average player.” Have you actually ever seen him play!!! Baffles me how people can judge on nothing concrete whatsoever. If Rafa rates him that’ll do for me.
Following Ashley’s interview I found it sad that the questioning was so tame and didn’t challenge him or pick up on anything such as :-.
1) No one is saying we can challenge the top 4 when it comes to spending, but when Bournemouth with an 11,000 home crowd can buy 20M players, it is galling when a club with 52000 can’t!
2) If Ash’s assets are all paper why was he able to purchase a 200M housing complex in an affluent part of London recently.
3) If he can’t provide funds for us to compete why not sell at a fair price to someone who can. Ash allegedly quoted the Mansoors 600M prior to buying Man city and allegedly also went on a half hearted jolly to the U.A.E to look for a buyer. It’s as if Ashley doesn’t want us, but doesn’t want anyone else to either. So selling at a realistic price given the guys capacity for dishonesty and greed isn’t going to happen any time soon.
And yes – Name: Jib, subject: the bleeding obvious. Of course he can lose millions in casinos if he wants but for someone who says he has no liquid cash and can’t help us it’s a strange scenario.
Jib
Aug 12, 2017 at 8:40 AM
Comment #4AncientC
Comment #4
Mike Ashley showing his stupidity
Unfortunately the only one showing his stupidity is you !
You actually believe when one company acquires another they issue a cheque ?
Jeepers you are dense!
When a company is acquired by SD the shareholders of that company are offered shares in SD at an agreed exchange rate.
Sheesh – your grasp of business affairs is about as good as your hero J. Corbin.
hibbit
Aug 12, 2017 at 8:40 AM
Comment #5keep the faith lads it might be no better but its definitely no worse
we kick off in the prem tomorrow that’s got to be a plus
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Aug 12, 2017 at 11:13 AM
Comment #6Difficult game for us tomorrow and the result will be key to any further transfers – if we play well and get a result (including a draw) then FatAsh will think that the squad is ok.
Also the fact that we seem only to play with 1 upfront may well lead Fatty to think 2 is enough
widowmagandapoke
Aug 12, 2017 at 3:35 PM
Comment #7I have refrained from condoning the slag off Mike Ashley brigade mainly because it does no good and also because much of the vitriol is of a personal nature. I do question his motives however, and before the SOAMS get twitchy keyboard fingers ready to regale us with their own reasons – which without inside knowledge – can only be speculation.
So could his motives be?
1.Allow Rafa to get so disillusioned that he leaves so he can appoint another yes man?
That would mean flirting with relegation yet again – would he want that?
2. Hold on to existing money in the club to attract potential investors/buyers?
This would also involve holding onto Rafa as an asset, which his lack of investment would put in jeopardy.
3. As he doesn’t understand the financial ins and outs of modern football finance.
Has he therefore appointed his latest management adviso to provide him with this knowledge?
However like every supporter I have no more insight into the workings of his mysterious mind. Is his motive one of the above or something completely different?
All we can do is get behind Rafa and his team and hope that he is gearing up for a sale, at the same time releasing enough money to steady the ship – even though he claims to have none.