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
bettyswallocks
Jan 6, 2018 at 1:00 PM
Comment #121Just to reiterate that Beardsley the player was a true legend . However that doesn’t give him the right to belittle the young lads at the club nor does it give him the right to scare the hell out of them with his John Merrick impressions.
AncientC
Jan 6, 2018 at 1:04 PM
Comment #122I do not envision there is much in the coffers at all. This time last year the club had PL money from the summer and had a surplus on transfers from the previous window… and nobody came in. Add to that the money Ashley had to put into the club to cover costs—which proves there was no surplus 12 months ago. One year on and the club is operating on Championship money and had a net-spend in the summer. Unless the Sissoko money comes in, I cannot see where the funds are going to come from. It is possible the £6 million installment from Sissoko is there to spend, as Sissoko was signed on deadline day—so that would be assuming the 2nd installment came into the club on deadline day during the summer. There could be a few million from other sales from years ago. Maybe £10 million for Benitez to spend at the very best this window. That’s if Ashley stays of course.
Lindisfarne
Jan 6, 2018 at 1:07 PM
Comment #123Jib
What was your wet finger in the air guess on the club costs(£)?
JohnJ
Jan 6, 2018 at 1:07 PM
Comment #124Good to see a post from Hibbitt again!
Lindisfarne
Jan 6, 2018 at 1:08 PM
Comment #125#…again?
Lindisfarne
Jan 6, 2018 at 1:13 PM
Comment #126Sheikh James Park?!
DaveD1000
Jan 6, 2018 at 1:28 PM
Comment #127St James Yamani Park