We were hoping that the Newcastle squad this season would be good enough to be around mid-table but that doesn’t look like it’s the case.
We are now third bottom of the table after 18 games played and if we have a second half of the season like the first half – we are likely to be relegated.
What Rafa has to do is to persuade some good players to come into the club in January but it will be difficult with being in a relegation place.
Ans this is going to be a massive test of Benitez’ management abilities – probably the biggest test of his career.
But we also wouldn’t bet against Rafa who Jamie Carragher has said – just never gives up on anything.
Mike Ashley – yes – it’s painful for us too
Remember we got three wins in a row last season after being 7 points behind Brighton with 3 games to play – and we won the Championship.
If we can do that late in this season the chances are that we would survive.
So remember, anything is possible.
We thought we’d update our table of the 11 seasons under Mr. Mike Ashley.
He’s been a disastrous owner for Newcastle United.
The table tells the story.
[table “32” not found /]Comments welcome.
173 comments so far
NezzaNUFC
Dec 17, 2017 at 8:44 AM
Comment #1I hope all is well ED
And just to remind people it’s not Amanda who is buying the club, she is representing another buyer or buyer’s
I still believe Rafa will keep us up and as many have said all we need is a quality striker and a quality number 10 and with this apparent 30 million it could be done.
Frank pingles come sock
Dec 17, 2017 at 8:46 AM
Comment #2I agree
A goal scorer will keep us up
magscar
Dec 17, 2017 at 8:47 AM
Comment #3Shire
On last thread if those figures are correct then it is a really good deal for Ashley especially if we were to go down ( still doubting it) and also a really good deal for PCP but not so much if we were relegated.
In business the best deals are said to be when both sides are happy and that may be the case here.
Hoping for some media news to arrive soon from what you say but will check out Blog as usual hoping for more snippets if anyone has anything 🙂
Nufc-83
Dec 17, 2017 at 8:49 AM
Comment #4Guys can we all agree to not cover the Rafa in or out debate again until at least after the Jan transfer window?
Rafa is here to stay and if the takeover happens apparently he is a big part of that and so he has to be a positive regardless of what is happening on the field. The team is working hard and not really showing signs of falling apart like the teams under past managers. Let’s all stick together and get behind the lads.
OneAlanShearer
Dec 17, 2017 at 8:50 AM
Comment #5Catchy – I’m sorry but you do talk some rubbish.Titus Bramble had long ball passing in his locker did He? He must have left it in his locker more like. There is vast difference from hoofing a ball up field and accurate long ball passing. I think Lejeune is s good signing and will adapt. Colo took a couple of seasons to adapt.
You seem to be on a one person crusade to bring out the negative.
No offence fella but change the record.
Nufc-83
Dec 17, 2017 at 8:50 AM
Comment #6Would love to see most of the money spent on striker and no10. Anymore coming in can be loans.
ShirebrookToon
Dec 17, 2017 at 8:51 AM
Comment #7Apparently Ashley is stumping up the cash for the Jan transfer window with the new owners to reimburse him. Don’t hold your breath on that one though
Nufc-83
Dec 17, 2017 at 8:52 AM
Comment #8OneAlanShearer I am sorry to say Catchy is right on Bramble. He was an outstanding long range passer of the ball and he Regularly playerd 50-60 yard passes to our wide players. He just had that mistake in him which would cost a goal pretty much every game so was a disaster.
Nufc-83
Dec 17, 2017 at 8:54 AM
Comment #9I see the same sort of mistakes in Mbemba but maybe not as obvious (such as short pass backs to gk). I would only use Mbemba as full back as he is the type to be playing well then make a bad mistake which costs a goal.
OneAlanShearer
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:05 AM
Comment #10Of the strikers linked in recent months I think I’d want 2 of them as they all represent risk in being injury prone, coming back from long term injury or from outside the premier league.
Sturridge
Carroll
Tosun
Ings
Amongst others linked.
I would take any of those but I’d still be looking another.
OneAlanShearer
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:09 AM
Comment #1183 – I don’t recall the passing being as accurate as Lejeune but I do remember the fact he would lose concentration every match yes. I think I’m just fed up of the negativity being thrown at rafa. He is the one positive we have yet people are consistently trying to bring him down.
Nufc-83
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:09 AM
Comment #12OneAlanShearer I agree we would need a back up if bringing highly injury prone player to the team.
toontaff2
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:09 AM
Comment #13I think Catchy is pointing to Titus’s unerring ability to find his mates in the stands! Those Titus touchfinders were a beauty to behold! 😉
OneAlanShearer
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:12 AM
Comment #1483 – on mbemba agreed. I think mbemba appears to go on runs that may not have been the game plan which reminds me of why I think mitro isn’t in the team. If players listen to rafa they get games. Its why I think Diame gets chances.
Listen or you are out.
Nufc-83
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:13 AM
Comment #15Bramble was the best passing cb I have seen (although can’t remember Albert’s range). He just couldn’t defend for 90 mins 🙂
Nufc-83
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:14 AM
Comment #16OneAlanShearer yes it seems that way doesn’t it.
OneAlanShearer
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:16 AM
Comment #1783 – it makes me laugh though I’ve not heard people put down the idea of Danny ings but they do knock the idea of Carroll. Both as injury prone and ings not proven anything. Sturridge a risk too.
For me they are the type we might get.
Especially ings
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:18 AM
Comment #18Hibbit…It is the timeframe you are giving a guarantee about!
…so it doesn’t happen and you’ll leave (and comeback of course)
But to what end? It will happen and you’ll gloat!
Either way all hell is loose on here and people are at each other’s throat!
Just share your info and give your opinion!
Nufc-83
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:18 AM
Comment #19Has Ings been injury prone at Burnley (I think he played for) or just one major at Liverpool? If just one major then probably less of a risk.
OneAlanShearer
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:24 AM
Comment #2083 – he had major injury. Came back either got a different injury or a recurrence of old one. Either way been out for a long time.
Had potential at Burnley but for me he’s not proven.
I’d take him as one of 2 strikers but like all those mentioned we would need an alternative as well. In all honesty the new owners would be wise to cover themselves wherever possible and quickly. Games coming thick and fast plus players might take time to click.
A quick powerful prolific striker to give the lads a big lift would be the ideal.
DaveD1000
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:27 AM
Comment #21Dredging up Bramble to compare to anyone…you are having a laugh now guys
Frank pingles come sock
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:29 AM
Comment #22Shirebrook – surely that will be written into the agreement
Frank pingles come sock
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:30 AM
Comment #23I doubt pcp will be signing up to this on a gentleman’s handshake about being reimbursed after the window
OneAlanShearer
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:38 AM
Comment #24Frank – especially as Ashley a proven liar in court.
I wouldn’t trust him to hold my coat.
Tsunki
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:41 AM
Comment #25Why is it that some choose to give those who offer some insight or opinion on the takeover a hard time as an “ITK”?
As i understand it the term ITK is a derogatory one meaning someone who speculatively rofessed knowledge of imminent transfer deals solely for the purpose of raising stock on social media. I don’t believe that is what is happening here, merely a take it or leave it information service which i for one find interesting.
As I understand it there’s no dispute about there being an offer or deal ongoing for the club, so why give the information sharers brief about the timescales? There are quite a few of you claiming there will be egg on faces and blog ostracism for those sharers should the deal not come off.
But that goes both ways. Some of us are looking forward to the possibility the deal does come off and all those naysayers who were quite bitterly vocal about the naughty ITK’s have the decency to shut up and retire from giving us the benefit of their opinion in future.
OneAlanShearer
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:45 AM
Comment #26My picks to sign would actually be 3 strikers just to be certain we get through season.
Carroll – injury prone but he’d run through walls for us.
Sturridge- a class striker but again injury prone.
Timo Werner – he’d be the player I’d throw money at.
c-dog
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:46 AM
Comment #27Even if we get get a 10 and a striker I still think we needing a holding midfielder who brings these attackers into the game. So far Merino has impressed but he’s just been the best of a bad bunch. Definitely has potential but right now he’s not enough. Hayden has done ok at times and might offer something down the line if he develops. Shelvey, our supposed superstar. Just lazy. What a waste of talent. If we need to sell to buy let him be the one.
jarra mick
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:48 AM
Comment #28if we can bring in a world class striker in January we will fly up the table. Just need someone to finish off all of these chances we are creating. Oh and a bit luck at the back would also help
Rotonda heights
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:49 AM
Comment #29” Carroll – injury prone but he’d run through walls for us.”
Would he not be even more injured then. Sorry !
But realistically how many games would he play before he was back in the Steven Taylor / Michael Owen suite.
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:50 AM
Comment #30Seems like we have all been here before – praying for transfers, take overs etc
Instead of getting uptight and ruining the rest of the year Im looking at this optimistically – should the take over go ahead we are left with owners with ambition (hopefully), if not we are left with Fatash and the championship. I don’t think we have the quality or temperament to bounce back a third time so it would be a case of Fatash blowing 1/4 billion – some crimbo cheer in itself
Nufc-83
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:51 AM
Comment #31C-dog I think Shelvey is our most talented player but starting to agree with you on selling him if needed as he doesn’t have the work ethic to play cm.
I think we do only need a really good striker and no10 to fight of relegation though as the cms we have should carry us through.
Bobbybee
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:51 AM
Comment #32Previous managers who’ve had bad runs like this have done so with proven PL players and deserved criticism. I don’t know a manager out there who could get more out of this current squad than Rafa is.
Nobody is above criticism, but the manager and players are trying hard and I thought that was our biggest demand – a team that tries?
I can’t fault their effort, just the quality is lacking. We could get away with it if we had a few genuine PL quality players in the side – they could drag the rest along with them – but apart from Merino, we’re lacking real quality.
Mitrovic and Shelvey are liabilities. It’s difficult with eleven players, impossible with ten. I understand why they get frustrated, but they need discipline and it’s lacking in both. Both are red cards waiting to happen. I love both players myself and when playing well they make a difference, but Rafa can’t trust either of them tbf. Would you? I want them to play, but frankly, I don’t trust either anymore and see why Rafa can’t trust them.
On a brighter side my health has improved greatly. Back on my feet – albeit on crutches – but getting out and about a lot more. 🙂 Small steps for now, but on the right track. Buzzin’.
Keep the faith lads, we’re far from down yet and the right man is in place. Ashley will be gone soon and he’ll get the right financial backing. Howay the Toon!!! No fat ladies singing just yet. 🙂
Slank
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:51 AM
Comment #33OneAlanShearer,
Why would any player, from a decent club, come to a club facing relegation ?
I very much doubt that bringing in new players in the January transfer window will improve the situation. Historically, a batch of new players rarely saved a club whose manager, coaching staff and players are short of confidence. In most cases the manager is replaced.
I get the distinct impression Rafa is ringing the changes (exception being Mitrovich and Mbemba) hoping he finds the right combination of players that will win games but is becoming increasingly desperate which translates itself to his players.
Newcastle looks increasingly likely to be in the relegation zone at Christmas and historically few clubs escape the drop thereafter.
Tsunki
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:55 AM
Comment #34Personally speaking, although arsenal had the largest share of possession (and not surprisingly highlights on MotD) I think a 1-0 loss is an encouraging sign of improvement – I would have expected a clear 3 goal loss at the start of the season being on the cards – and may well signal a win or two to be had in some of our upcoming games. Had young Murphy scored his chance yesterday the nutter quotient last night would have been pretty low. 🙂
Rotonda heights
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:55 AM
Comment #35A lot of people are turning on Rafa
A lot of peple are doubting the takeover
Coincidence I don’t think so. We were 6th before the takeover talk ramped up
Similarly Silva at Watford ever since being linked with Everton has been on a shocking run.
I just wish we and the manager weren’t in this constant state of limbo. Untill Ash has exited stage left it’s just a self fulfilling prophesy of failure with everyone playing the game game.
Slank
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:55 AM
Comment #36Bobbybee,
Mitrovich can hardly be classed as a liability as he rarely starts a game.
But I agree with you about Shelvey.
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:56 AM
Comment #37Slank – you just have to look at citeh. As soon as money is available they will come – for the love of ‘the project’ of course .
Fostino
Dec 17, 2017 at 9:59 AM
Comment #38Reina..Shaw. .ings….carroll…buatisyi…we need a miracle
Nufc-83
Dec 17, 2017 at 10:00 AM
Comment #39Nice and positive Slank lol. Lots of good players would come on Loan rather than sit on the bench or not be involved at all. Look at Wilshire with Bournemouth last season. Good quality players would make the difference no doubt.
c-dog
Dec 17, 2017 at 10:01 AM
Comment #40Werner? Özil, Goretzka, Kroos, Müller, Reus, Draxler and Sane as well sure. Nothing better than raiding the world champions.