Mikel Merino seems to be one of Newcastle’s new stars in the making, but the Spanish U21 star still has a lot to learn., but he should learn quickly from his compatriot at Newcastle – manager Rafa Benitez.
But the good news is that he should learn quickly from his compatriot at Newcastle – manager Rafa Benitez.
Merino is on loan for the season from Borrusia Dortmund, but we have an option to buy him next year for around £6M, so that would be a great bargain for us.
But it will all probably depend on Rafa staying on Tyneside past next summer, which at the moment seems doubtful.
Merino has revealed the messages Rafa gives to the players when they play for Newcastle.
Mikel Merino – great player in the making
This is what the 21-year-old has said as reported in the Shields Gazette today:
“Rafa says to us to keep the faith, and we believe in his words,”
“So what we have to keep doing is keep trying hard, keep playing, and the main thing is to keep doing good things and if we do it then we know good things will come.”
“We are with our coach, and we know this is the way to act.”
“Newcastle needs to be a compact team, we are like a family and we have to keep this mentality because we don’t have the potential that Manchester City, Manchester United or the other big teams have.”
“So we have to keep playing, keep running a lot with all the effort, this is not negotiable – and we have to each give 100% out on the pitch.”
“Only like this can we have a successful season.”
“It’s incredible,” “It’s incredible when you win, because the crowd is really happy and in this game (West Ham) the crowd was with the team, which is something we know we really need.”
“We need the crowd to keep going, even when things go wrong, and I think these fans are going to be with us.”
“I hope to keep this feeling going.”
Rafa and the players return to training today at Benton, at least those who are not on International duty.
It will be interesting to see if there are any comments from Rafa on the current situation, following the rather disastrous transfer window this summer.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
15 comments so far
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Sep 5, 2017 at 8:01 AM
Comment #1Morning Ron…
toontaff2
Sep 5, 2017 at 8:07 AM
Comment #2Ron, from previous.
At present Rafa has 2 choices.
Get on with it or leave.
If he has decided to stay, he needs to motivate the players, especially the youngsters and the deadwood that he cast out, but came floating back – Haidara, Colback, Saivet, Darlow {Mitro, Gatle, even}.
Jack Root
Sep 5, 2017 at 8:09 AM
Comment #3Is this a clarion call to any flaky fans! Certainly it’s a way for Rafa to lift the spirits of all fans going forward.
To paraphrase a young Churchill ” it will be better for all parties to leave the past to history, especially as I propose to write that history myself”.
toontaff2
Sep 5, 2017 at 8:09 AM
Comment #4Gatle? – Gayle, even!
We need team spirit and togetherness, to have a chance of staying out of the relegation fight, with nowt to be gained by drumming on about money, signings etc, until the next window.
toontaff2
Sep 5, 2017 at 8:12 AM
Comment #5Jack,
http://archive.cr3ation.co.uk/jpg/8023.snn1833b471637a.jpg
Ron Knee
Sep 5, 2017 at 8:15 AM
Comment #6Morning, jesper!
toontaff
Getting Colback back “on board” could be tricky.
What’s good for Ashley and what’s good for the club don’t always coincide, hence the dissatisfaction!
magscar
Sep 5, 2017 at 8:17 AM
Comment #7Good words from Mikel …
“It’s incredible,” “It’s incredible when you win, because the crowd is really happy and in this game (West Ham) the crowd was with the team, which is something we know we really need.”
“We need the crowd to keep going, even when things go wrong, and I think these fans are going to be with us.”
“I hope to keep this feeling going.”
It’s nothing new but bears repeating – crowd impacts on players.
Yeah I know they are overpaid professionals and should simply do their jobs and earn those fantastic wages but they are just human after all.
Roll on Swans then Stoke at home 🙂
Jack Root
Sep 5, 2017 at 8:18 AM
Comment #8I won’t be apologising for attending NUFC games away and when humanly possible at SJP. I’ve supported my team since being a kid and the Sir Bobby sentiments apply to me each and every time I’m lucky enough to get back home and watch the toon.
I was at the Hull home game where Guthrie broke a players leg and was sent off. I remember my dad explaining after the game that the demonstration had distracted from what was taking place on the field.
martoon
Sep 5, 2017 at 8:23 AM
Comment #9Rafa’s first press conference should be interesting – I presume it will be Friday if we’re playing on Sunday?
Jack Root
Sep 5, 2017 at 8:24 AM
Comment #10I am all for the bulldog spirit. Actually I recently visited the Churchill War Rooms which i highly recommend to toon fans in London for a weekend game.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Sep 5, 2017 at 8:27 AM
Comment #11Ron…personally I think it would be better to look to the reserve if Colback and Hairdryer are not 120% committed…
What do we have in the reserve or even out on loan? Do we have anything worth our while?
Ron Knee
Sep 5, 2017 at 8:31 AM
Comment #12jesper
I’m sure Rafa will be considering all the options!
hibbit
Sep 5, 2017 at 8:31 AM
Comment #13is Moncur on the board,???
he’s back doing his main host meet and greet duties at every home game
Jib
Sep 5, 2017 at 8:34 AM
Comment #14Jack
Craig Fagan whose leg Guthrie broke went on to play for another 8 years.
Hulls then manager Phil Brown now manages Southend in League1 (good enuff for the SMB)
I hope we are past this sort of crap
Ron Knee
Sep 5, 2017 at 8:36 AM
Comment #15hibbit
If you can be bothered to wade through all the ads this is worth a read:
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/time-clarify-who-holds-power-13572559