Rafa Benitez had given a long interview in the Chronicle today, and he admits that the importance of the FSA Cup has diminished over the last several years because of the massive money to be made by being a Premier League club.
Clubs in the Premier League will concentrate on staying there at the expense of the FA Cup.
It’s all about money of course and if Newcastle are relegated we lose at least £100M during the next year.
Rafa has talked about how football is all about money these days, and therefore he has to see what kind of team he will field in each round of the FA Cup.
Rafa Benitez – it’s all about money
Rafa will take the FA Cup one round at a time.
But for today’s game at home to Luton Town there’s no reason Rafa cannot field a strong side since our next league game is next Saturday at home to Swansea.
Rafa was asked in the Chronicle today if the Premier League’s big money has relegated the importance of the FA Cup:
“Yes.”
“I remember when I was at Liverpool, we had to win the league and now at any top side, some of them it’s just to stay in the top four.”
“Why? Because you have the Champions League money, so everything is around money.”
“If you have more money, you can buy better players, you can play better football, so it’s always the same situation.”
“The question is that Newcastle United Football Club is a massive club, but now we are newly promoted.”
“And just here in the Premier League with massive problems because we have to stay up.”
“That is the priority and the money is so big now that if you don’t stay in the Premier League, you lose £100M already.”
“We have to stay in the Premier League, but at the same time, we will try to win against Luton.”
“I don’t like to lose any game, but if you lose in a cup competition, it’s always worse because you have a bad feeling after.”
“In the league, you have an opportunity to change it, but in the cup, you cannot. Obviously, it’s a bad feeling.”
“Yeah I understand the fans’ frustration at Newcastle’s FA Cup record, but at the same time, every year is different.”
“So we have to be realistic and it’s not the same Newcastle United as even five years ago as it is now.”
“But we will try to win this game and then see where we are in the future.”
One reason Newcastle must win is that would take our winning streak up to two.
And then hopefully we can make it three wins in a row next Saturday in a crucial relegation encounter with Swansea City.
We must win that game, and if we cannot get all 3 points, we cannot lose it and let Swansea gain 3 points on us.
We were hoping to have a new striker in by then – but that doesn’t look likely now.
Comments welcome.
127 comments so far
Our Toon
Jan 6, 2018 at 10:20 AM
Comment #41Munster
I think sparky comment about poch is a good and sensible comment. The younger bread with new ideas are certainly doing a good job around Europe
Our Toon
Jan 6, 2018 at 10:24 AM
Comment #42JB
Thanks for the heads up. Doesn’t news normally come out that the fa are doing a fit and proper test and that bid is accepted. Why are we going about it in a different way to others?
Guess I’m just really sceptical as we have been down this road at least 4 times in the last month.
DubaiMicky
Jan 6, 2018 at 10:30 AM
Comment #43Munster – maybe we’re “allowing” ourselves to be linked to the bottom feeders to keep our powder dry for when we go after who we really want?
Or am I being a delusional Toon Fan again?
Lindisfarne
Jan 6, 2018 at 10:33 AM
Comment #44lochinvar @37
That would be similar to what happened at Leeds with that mad Italian, he bought a minoirty share of the club, was made chairman and made money available for transfers. It took a couple of goes to get past the ‘fit n proper’ test in his case, before taking full control (and then selling again).
JackButler
Jan 6, 2018 at 10:34 AM
Comment #45Our Toon
No idea mate. I’m like you, I’m living in hope as well, but I think most deals are kept quiet until they are complete. It does seem strange how quiet everything is seeings as everything around NUFC is a circus run by clowns.
Time will tell
Shoulders knees
Jan 6, 2018 at 10:42 AM
Comment #46Morning All,
What will we have to talk about when takeover is complete? oh yes which players are coming in the summer 😉
hibbit
Jan 6, 2018 at 10:44 AM
Comment #47dont get caught up on how good a player Beardsley was.
He’s never been a good coach and never will be a good coach should have been out of his coaching role years ago
Mister Tuff
Jan 6, 2018 at 10:44 AM
Comment #48From the training pics – what about Armstrong and Sterry getting some playing time today?
jane
Jan 6, 2018 at 10:49 AM
Comment #49“We Have Massive Problems”
challenges i’d say. Sunderland have Massive Problems.
critical and sensationalist headline
expatmag
Jan 6, 2018 at 10:51 AM
Comment #50You heard it here first
First signing will be Aubamayang
JackButler
Jan 6, 2018 at 10:53 AM
Comment #51Jane
As long as we have Ashley, we have massive problems
sparky55
Jan 6, 2018 at 10:56 AM
Comment #52No-one from our club has said we’re after anyone…Deeney ain’t coming here in a million years as our No 1 striker but if by some strange chance he does end up at newcastle it’ll be as back up to our main No 9.
Rafa has a plan and it’ll be put into place very shortly once Amanda been cleared to put the transfer kitty in the bank.
Jib
Jan 6, 2018 at 10:56 AM
Comment #53Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is nailed on to
replace Sanchez at Arsenal
So we might get the Chilean
Bianconeri
Jan 6, 2018 at 10:57 AM
Comment #54Armstrong going on loan again so cant play today.You can only play for 2 clubs in a season.Tom Heardman is available mind.
Munster Mag
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:01 AM
Comment #55Our Toon i agree ré potchetino and the younger breed. But with the right players rafa wud certainly compete tactically with them although I can’t ever see him playing with their bravado and style. How is tuchel getting on? Wasn’t he the next big thing?
NezzaNUFC
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:05 AM
Comment #56Jackbutler
Regarding the FA it’s already been done and I don’t know why you keep bringing this up!?
It was done the moment the new owners wanting Newcastle to purchase.
You simply can’t make a purchase then suddenly go and ask the FA for approval!
Jib
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:10 AM
Comment #57Name the only player in the PL
to play for 3 clubs in a season
NezzaNUFC
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:12 AM
Comment #58The FA are not eligible for the NDA when it comes to football clubs, when the announcement was made about a buyer or representative for Newcastle (PCP) terms for approval takeover has already been done regarding the potential buyers and the FA, only then can the NDA can be utilised by the buyer and seller.
As I’ve stated before you can’t just register an account with company house then ask the FA for approval as in fact registering with company house would be the last thing to do before a full takeover.
Mister Tuff
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:13 AM
Comment #59begovic
JackButler
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:13 AM
Comment #60Nezza
The FA are only consulted after a deal is agreed between the two parties, after they have been consulted it takes around a month to be ratified, even longer if a consortium is buying the club as each individual has to be looked into and the FA will not begin their process until a deal is agreed between the two parties. Multi million pound deals are conducted like this in every line of business where deals are agreed then have to be legally ratified. Disney just bought FOX and the deal will take up to eighteen months to be completed.
DaveD1000
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:14 AM
Comment #61as a player Beardo was magic… as a communicator erm
Jib
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:17 AM
Comment #62Begovic has played for 2 (a few times) not 3
Black'n'White'n'BroonAllOver
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:18 AM
Comment #63Agree with those who want Woodman to start today. I think Rafa will do it unless he’s sending him on loan and doesn’t want him cup-tied. Same goes for Sterry and possibly Barlaser.
Other than that, I wouldn’t read too much into the ‘strong team’ comment. He’s sent out kids and reserves before and described it as a strong team. Which, in the context of League 2 opposition, it should be.
No chance I’ll guess Rafa’s team correctly, but here’s who I think he might play:
Woodman
Sterry Lejeune Clark Mbemba
Hayden Saivet
Aarons Gayle Atsu
Joselu
Possibly Barlaser and Heardman in the squad. Hope he gives Ritchie a rest.
NezzaNUFC
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:18 AM
Comment #64Jackbutler
You have it backwards mate.
No deals happen like this, and to compare with tv/media outlets?
These are different businesses and to even compare is farce.
The FA don’t have the last say on takeover matters, they have the first.
Lindisfarne
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:19 AM
Comment #65NezzaNUFC
I think you are saying that potentially a prospective PL club buyer could seek approval from the FA prior to making an offer to purchase?
However in the case of Leeds the investor (owner) was in place with a minority shareholding before the ‘fit n proper’ test took place. Admittedly it was only subsequent to this approval that he was able to take full control.
Lindisfarne
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:20 AM
Comment #66MBEMBA IS INJURED
Jib
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:21 AM
Comment #67I still think Armstrong may be retained until
June . Gayle looked a little ticked off in the
training pics.
Lindisfarne
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:22 AM
Comment #68As a fashion model Beardo was a failure, although as the face of Gillette he could be seen a positive challenge.
JackButler
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:24 AM
Comment #69Nezza
Do you actually think the FA are going to take the time and resources to go through a fit and proper persons test on a deal that isn’t even agreed???
Sorry mate you have it wrong. Multiple outlets have run stories on how these deals are conducted and concluded. Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool all had reports when they were bought/sold explaining how the process works. The BBC and Sky Sports talked about it regarding NUFC.
I know the FA are slapdash but even they don’t worked like that
NezzaNUFC
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:27 AM
Comment #70Lind
How much and how fast did the takeover with Leeds?
Potential owners can have agreements in place until official approval is agreed but no takeover is based on approval from the FA.
It’s basically stating in this predicament – new owners make a bid – bid accepted – register with HMRC – transfers funds – oh FA said no! – no takeover!
Doesn’t work this way.
Lindisfarne
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:28 AM
Comment #71Jackbutler
I think I am with you, I do not think one club has been purchased without the ‘fit n proper’ test coming after the initial agreement of sale. It would be too forward thinking of the FA to offer any preliminary approval of an individual and potentially unfeasible.
Lindisfarne
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:30 AM
Comment #72NezzaNUFC
Using your timeline example, how does it work?
JackButler
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:32 AM
Comment #73Lindisfarne
That’s how every deal works. If the buyer fails the fit and proper persons test they are disqualified from owning or being a director of the club and the process only begins when a financial agreement is in place.
jazzyp
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:32 AM
Comment #74Ya all talking absolute crap !!
Because I have heard that Amanda Staveley has a skydive planned , parachute landing into st James park during half time whilst making it rain with £50 notes .
She will then proceed to ride on the back of penfold and take up her seat where the Fat controller use to hold dear to his heart
sparky55
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:35 AM
Comment #75You can put yourself forward to be considered as being a fit and proper person by the FA before you even start to talk to any prospective clubs…you don’t have to do the test after a deal has been done.
Doing it before just puts everyone on notice you’re in the game.
Mister Tuff
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:35 AM
Comment #76The PL adminsters the test on behalf of the FA – before the directors/owners can be appointed/buy.
So it is the last stage in the process.
Think the FL do it after any appointments.
AncientC
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:36 AM
Comment #77Tottenham are apparently willing to listen to offers for Sissoko, although knowing Levy will will likely take the proverbial out of any interested clubs with the fee. Still though, if the rumours are correct and a club is desperate enough, it could see Benitez with the Sissoko money to spend this window—only problem being that Levy is known for waiting for the window to run down… it could be a case of Benitez having an extra £18 million to spend and about an hour to spend it lol. At least if the sale of the club does not go through, there is always hope on the Sissoko sale front.
DaveD1000
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:36 AM
Comment #78verified source jazzy? i’m going to open that bottle of fizzy pop I have cached away
Lindisfarne
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:37 AM
Comment #79I think wires are being crossed.
ShirebrookToon
Jan 6, 2018 at 11:38 AM
Comment #80Told you to keep that to yourself jazzy