Even though Rafa has said many times the players don’t even talk about the potential takeover of Newcastle some fans are wondering how the team can suddenly start playing so badly.
Yesterday was easily the worst performance this season, and maybe the worst performance of a Rafa coached Newcastle team since he joined us in March of last year.
If the players think they can use the takeover as any kind of excuse (in fairness to them we doubt they would) Alan Sharer has come out on Match of the Day last night and said they cannot use that as any excuse.
That’s because it has nothing at all to do with them.
Alan Shearer – don’t use takeover as an excuse
This is some of what Alan said on Match of the Day last night:
“The players can’t use that as an excuse. The takeover has got nothing to do with them whatsoever,”
“They’ve got to go out and do the business and perform a hell of a lot better than they did today.”
“But for Rafa’s situation, he needs the takeover to happen quickly because he needs new players in January.”
We’ve seen four successive defeats and scored only one goal in those games.
Also, our goal difference has been shot (it’s now -6) with Newcastle conceding 7 goals in the last two games when in the previous 11 games we conceded only 10 goals.
Goal difference can be important when teams are tied with the same number of points.
Newcastle somehow need to beat West Brom at the Hawthorns on Tuesday night.
Another defeat in that game would be another calamity before we play at Stamford Bridge in the late kickoff game on Saturday.
Comments welcome.
224 comments so far
ronaldo aarons
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:13 PM
Comment #81If we had brought in a quality cf this summer we would be well away from fighting off relegation. saying that, you could argue there are currently 8-10 teams that will be in the same position as us. We just need to be better than 3 teams.
ronaldo aarons
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:15 PM
Comment #82Tsunki
On your last point, do you think if that’s the case that Benitez would be here at all. No way do I believe he will listen to others as to who to pick and who to leave out.
RUNAWAY777
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:18 PM
Comment #83LGFUAD21 you still say we spent same as them two clubs ????????
GeordieTwo
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:21 PM
Comment #84We also need Atsu back in a hurry. His pace really stretched teams, although his shooting is poor. Get a few on net Atsu! Also Ritchie has been on and off the pace for a few matches. We aren’t consistent at all recently. Lascalles has been missed as well. Hope he returns soon. I was wrong about Hoser Loo as well. He’s been hopeless. And Perez really isn’t up to it either. What a mess.
GeordieTwo
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:24 PM
Comment #85Another clearout needed in January I’m afraid. And we can’t afford a bunch of players who Rafa refuses to play. The squad isn’t deep enough for that by any means. We need more pace and somebody who can hit the net with good, powerful shots. I’ve never even seen Hoser have a decent shot on net.
ronaldo aarons
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:24 PM
Comment #86Geordie2
Perez hasn’t started for 3 games. If anything, his absence has shown he was beneficial to the team rather than a hindrance in defence and attack.
ronaldo aarons
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:26 PM
Comment #87We were linked with bakambu at Villarreal in the summer. See he scored again today. Pace, power and finishing. Good combination, good striker.
GeordieTwo
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:28 PM
Comment #88I see a possibly 8 points from the next 8 matches taking us to the end of December but it could easily drop to 5 points. That would mean anywhere from 19 to 22 points. Definitely in the relegation race then and huge pressure to bring in good players in January.
GeordieTwo
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:30 PM
Comment #89If Perez was good enough he would be playing Rolando mate. He’s not good enough. In a good side with a real AMF he might get 6-8 goals a season. We need better to improve. I used to rate him but not anymore. Seen him look lost far too often. The only hope is a new owner with a real set of plums. Amanda will have to provide that I’m afraid. Ashley never has.
Tsunki
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:30 PM
Comment #90Ronaldo normally i would agree such a restriction would probably see Rafa waving ta-ta, however if he is in the loop of takeover business and is even (partly) pivotal to the deal then this could be Rafa rationalising that elective surgery now, however painful in the short term, will yield benefits later.
Mike, being the grasping, cold-sweating bloater we know and love, probably eyes a few saleable assets as his final perk, a gold watch as he leaves for pastures new.
Tsunki
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:32 PM
Comment #91G2 you would disappoint me no end if it has taken this long for you to realise Perez is not the deal.
The championship year proved the level he manages to survive at. Along with a few others of course. Roughly two thirds if not three quarters of them.
GeordieTwo
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:33 PM
Comment #92I like the Bakambu idea Ronaldo! He’s valued at 16M euros. I’ve watched him a couple of times and really liked his movement and power. Terrific idea.
ronaldo aarons
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:33 PM
Comment #93Tsunki
Yeah I get that actually. The only thing is, since Benitez arrived he seemed reluctant to give him starts. So unless he was told not to play him since then, it would make sense.
Tsunki
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:35 PM
Comment #94And another thing!
We will not be relegated. There will not be a relegation “scrap” Rafa will prevent that from happening by utilising the Dross he has at hand to the best it can yield. He’s banking on a turnaround starting january.
Unless there is no sale. In which case we are history 🙂
GeordieTwo
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:36 PM
Comment #95No, I’ve said for months now that Perez isn’t good enough Tsunki mate. I wish he was but being Spanish isn’t enough. He’s far too lightweight for the Prem. Would get knocked all over the pitch. We haven’t got a single striker/forward I really rate and haven’t had for a long while. We’ve been saying that on here for years now. Ashley get oooot! How many times do we have to say it? Take the 300 million and never be seen on Tyneside again!
Munster Mag
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:36 PM
Comment #96On current form there aren’t three worse teams than us. Does anyone think we wud have got a draw at spurs? Hopefully this will be a season low point.
ronaldo aarons
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:37 PM
Comment #97Geordie2
I wouldn’t say he’s not good enough because he’s not in the team. Mbemba is good enough but isn’t in the team. At Napoli, hamsik couldn’t get in the team under Benitez but that doesn’t mean he’s not good enough. Agree we need better but he is the most suited number 10 we currently have in the squad.
GeordieTwo
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:37 PM
Comment #98We must not, repeat absolutely must not be relegated yet again. That would be the end of us because Ashley wouldn’t be able to give us away let alone make a small profit. That worm has to be pried out of the club now!
ronaldo aarons
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:39 PM
Comment #99Geordie2
Add to that last post, when he was in the team all season, people were calling for him to be dropped but since he was in the team does that mean he was in fact good enough?
Yeah bakambu looks a player. Good clever movement too rather than always relying on pace.
ronaldo aarons
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:40 PM
Comment #100I’m currently watching this sporting game and I tell you what, martins looks a real useful player. Not exactly a hidden gem but a team set up for the counter would find a gem in him.
GeordieTwo
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:40 PM
Comment #101We’ll have to agree to disagree on Perez Ronaldo mate. And I think you’re right Munster. I hope this is the low point as well but injuries could make it even worse. We are clinging on now with little going for us. A win against West Brom is a must because the Chelsea match could get humiliating. The West Brom match is 3 of the 8 points I see us getting by the end of the year so a loss there would really add to the negative momentum being built up.
Tsunki
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:42 PM
Comment #102Ronaldo – was he reluctant? Didn’t he sort of pee in his own nest with the display of usual petulance that got him banned? From Rafas point of view I really believe he was set on leading with Mitro from the start with Joselu as a failsafe with injuries.but reliability is key in a bitter campaign which we were destined to have. Joselu stepped into the hole and for a while provided the work and at first the promise of better things, along with ever-present dependability.
Of course Joselu has fizzled out like a cheap wet firework. Mitro will have to play by definition that we have run out of options. But all those who think he will be our saviour will be gnashing on their knuckles when our Serbian Rage&Artist ones the next hapless opponent in the rye with his elbow, or does his Cyclops stare through a refs head 😀
GeordieTwo
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:43 PM
Comment #103Has Rafa thought of treating the players to deep scalp massages at Carver’s spa? Johnny C. could give out advice at the same time. Just think of the improvement that would cause…..
Tsunki
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:43 PM
Comment #104Serbian rage-artist pokes the next hapless opponent etc..
GeordieTwo
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:46 PM
Comment #105Johnny C.: have you lot thought of shooting at the opponents net? And what about keeping the ball oot of wor own onion bag? Did you ever consider that? And possibly pass to each other once in a while. I was a top manager once and that’s the kind of advice that got me there…… Harrumph!
GeordieTwo
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:48 PM
Comment #106What about taking Mitro out for some salsa dancing? That might cheer him up as well….
Tsunki
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:48 PM
Comment #107To be honest I’m puzzled at why shelvey seems to get away with hardly any of the crack Joselu gets.
Spraying long balls all over the place is great when someone makes use of them, but even if the recipient gets the ball down from 150 yards, it’s only a couple of steps from losing possession anyway. That’s why we were far more effective in possession and had a better pass rate with Merino and Hayden. I’m beginning to think of shelvey as being a bit of an ominous luxury.
ronaldo aarons
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:49 PM
Comment #108Tsunki
Well I think he’s been reluctant to play mitro. Preferring cisse over him in the relegation season and only giving him 11 starts last year. Then this season, gayle started both matches, got injured and if he was considering mitro as first choice ahead of joselu then he would have started him.
Then there is that reporter whose name I forget, talking about how Rafa was upset how the window went and was shocked to see mitro still here. It seems to be the case that he was looking to sell him rather keep him as first choice.
Tsunki
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:52 PM
Comment #109Disappointing item #2 has to be Lejeune. Looks all the world to be another amnesiac in the Bramble mould with some of his decision making. He looked like a top act when he first started. He now looks like a grenade with a loose pin. I hope he gets better.
Tsunki
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:53 PM
Comment #110Ronaldo – but look at the championship season. Umpteen chances in a poorer league and he was not just bad he was pitiful.
Tsunki
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:55 PM
Comment #111Ronaldo I have every confidence Benitez didn’t think Gayle or mitrovic would still be hanging around and that he would have needed to buy Joselu at all. He got done over by Mike, no doubt about that at all. There is no way he would want to start the season with this forward line.
Tsunki
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:56 PM
Comment #112The £5m for Joselu was probably going toward the money for Gayle/Mitro to get a decent striker in.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:57 PM
Comment #113I’d like to see some stats on Shelvey’s input in matches.
I’ve never thought of him as a lazy player or a luxury.
But if his distance covered etc showed this was a fact then it may be a small way to convince me otherwise.
I do sometimes wonder if people are watching the same games as me.
GeordieTwo
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:57 PM
Comment #114Shelvey hasn’t been effective for a while either Tsunki. Possibly he started believing his own press clippings about an England call up. I like Merino and Hayden as well. Also Shelvey’s shots have been either skied over the net or straight at the keeper. Rafa needs to restore confidence quickly. As I said before, what a mess. Even a good manager will struggle with the kind of dross Rafa has been given. Part of the problem is that we haven’t managed to bring in another good striker for little output. Remember how little Ba cost us because everybody believed his knees were shot? And nobody realized how good Cisse was until we brought him to the Prem. Lately we haven’t found this type of bargain and so we’re stuffed again.
ronaldo aarons
Nov 26, 2017 at 6:57 PM
Comment #11511 starts baring in mind they weren’t in a run of matches is not umpteen chances lol. Even then, he scored 5 goals so in my opinion, he didn’t do too bad. Could have been better but I reckon he would have delivered if he actually was given a run of games.
Tsunki
Nov 26, 2017 at 7:00 PM
Comment #116Howay Ronaldo of Mitro was all that he would have used 11 opportunities at shooting fish in a barrel to get himself back in. He was obviously not great.
GeordieTwo
Nov 26, 2017 at 7:01 PM
Comment #117Having a six foot long parasite (Ashley) in the gut of the club is the main cause of our problems. Once we rid ourselves of that we should steadily improve if Rafa stays and gets some decent money. Has anyone else been watching what’s happening under Beardsley with the youngsters? He’s turning it into another season of disaster as well. Get him out of there Amanda once you take over. Enough of Pedro.
ronaldo aarons
Nov 26, 2017 at 7:03 PM
Comment #118Tsunki
Obviously was not great I agree. But he was obviously not bad either.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 26, 2017 at 7:08 PM
Comment #119Munster,
“If it was a less famous manager we’d be calling for his head”
If it was a less famous manager we probably wouldn’t have wanted him here in the first place. A less famous manager wouldn’t have decided to risk everything by dropping into the Championship when a few months later the managerial merry go round starts. A less famous manager wouldn’t have stayed because of his relationship with the fans he would have stayed because it’s the best gig he’ll ever get and his only chance of ever managing in the PL. A less famous manager would probably sign an eight year deal knowing he would be treat like a complete patsy, or licked hoop in the most publicly cringeworthy manner. He would have grinned insanely after another crushing 5-1 defeat or told us he was the best manager in the PL in his own head. Rafa was badly let down and knew he’d be facing some bad defeats and losing streaks yet he still stayed. And you have people like you who just won’t cut him any slack.
YoungMag :P
Nov 26, 2017 at 7:21 PM
Comment #120hey G2. How have ya been matey?