Rafa Benitez is having a tough time trying to get new players into the club during this January transfer window.
Newcastle have had an agreement since last summer to bring in left-sided Brazilian midfielder Kenedy from Chelsea on loan, and the 21-year-old is keen to come to Newcastle to get some playing time.
But Italian manager Antonio Conte continues to drag his feet on this and Newcastle will not know until next week whether the deal will be allowed to go through.
It looks like this could end up like it did in the summer when we waited until the very last day of the window and Conte said the deal couldn’t be done.
Bu Rafa has made it clear to the owner Mike Ashley the team has to be reinforced if we are to stay competitive and remain in the Premier League this season.
Kenedy – Rafa wants him in on loan
This is what Rafa has said as reported in the Chronicle:
“For me it is obvious, Mike Ashley knows he has to improve the team so that we have the quality which allows us to stay in Premier League.”
“I have made it clear that we need some help.” “We need to strengthen certain positions.
“I have made clear what we have to do now regardless of any takeover, without thinking about what may or may not happen in the future.”
“We still have some weeks to go and have to keep working and try to do our best.”
“The point is that I want to do the best for the team.”
“Can I change the transfer window talking with you here? No.”
“We have through until the 31st of January and I am confident that we will do what we have to do; I have to wait and see if we can do that.”
“We have to work with the names that we have and we have to try and do our best in the conditions we are working in.”
“I thought that we could sign a player this week but we couldn’t do it.”
We could do ourselves a lot of good today if we can get a home win against bottom club Swansea.
Fans seem confident we can do just that – let’s hope they are right.
Howay The Lads!!
113 comments so far
sweendog
Jan 13, 2018 at 12:45 PM
Comment #81Hope the fans get behind the team today this is a big game for us. When we play teams like Brighton their fans know the team need their backing … Toon army…
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 13, 2018 at 12:48 PM
Comment #822 Hours 11 Minutes to KO
TyneMouth
Jan 13, 2018 at 12:50 PM
Comment #83There is one thing that is absolutely certain, at this moment in time, and that is we are in the process of a change in ownership.
Rafa has referred to the ‘take-over’ in his most recent press calls, and none of the parties involved have denied that it isn’t taking place! Even the players have referred to it in their interviews.
That is the reason that there hasn’t been any contractual changes at the club, no players have been signed, or joined on a loan contract. No players have left the club, ( Mitro is not my favourite player, but it’s remarkable that no bids have appeared from anywhere!) and most importantly, Rafa is still the manager, even after a catastrophic run of results, that would have cost any manager his job.
This take-over is certain to happen. Why the delay? I don’t know, could be for any of the speculative reasons mentioned on this blog, your guesses are as good as mine.
Keep the faith, it will soon be over. HWTL…
davetoon
Jan 13, 2018 at 12:51 PM
Comment #84“Do you refuse to go to work if your boss upsets you?” Too true Bobby. You can’t have your say if you’re not there.
As for the lack of transfers – how does Penfold escape all the criticism? Isn’t that his job ffs
DubaiMicky
Jan 13, 2018 at 12:51 PM
Comment #85Only 1,000 Swans fans have bought tickets, poor showing, especially when Luton brought 7,200
Frank pingles come sock
Jan 13, 2018 at 12:51 PM
Comment #862 hours and 55 minutes to half time
Jail for Ashley
Jan 13, 2018 at 12:53 PM
Comment #87That’s me first pint ordered. Just seen the Donald shoring up between the piers. Let’s hope we keep its rabid crew of dogs quiet today.
HWTL
jazzyp
Jan 13, 2018 at 12:55 PM
Comment #88Jail
Shirebrook and I are in This if ya nearby
ShireToon
Jan 13, 2018 at 12:55 PM
Comment #89Jail
1st pint?? Mine was over an hour ago. Where you drinking?
Reilly
Jan 13, 2018 at 12:57 PM
Comment #90Someone on twitter(i know) reckons the fat mans helicopter is en route to the toon.
jazzyp
Jan 13, 2018 at 12:58 PM
Comment #91Tgi’s
ShireToon
Jan 13, 2018 at 12:58 PM
Comment #92If Mike would have asked nicely. Me and Jazzy would have given him a lift!
Optimistic Panda
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:08 PM
Comment #93Shire
I’d give him a lift, on the end of my size 11s
Mag52
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:10 PM
Comment #94It’s always darkest before the dawn folks. Keep the faith and trust in el hombre.
Team for today:
Darlow
Manquillo, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett,
Shelvey, Merino,
Ritchie, Perez, Atsu,
Gayle.
HWTL
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:11 PM
Comment #951 hour 48 Minutes to KO
Tsunki
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:12 PM
Comment #96I’m not advocating ground boycotts it would have decidedly mixed results, but not spending on merchandise food and drink would be effective enough to create consternation in bean-counting land.
Just to counter that old myth chestnut that matchday revenue is “miniscule” compared to TV revenue, £25m + matchday compared to £75m + TV is not miniscule. And if we explore “commercial” revenue at £25m again it’s even larger potatoes. No business would want to salt away £1m because they wanted to be pig-headed, let alone tens of millions.
It’s shocking how trite some of the financial waivings are on here sometimes
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:12 PM
Comment #97Wouldn’t it be great to see the NE clubs beating the Welsh clubs today.?
Mr Funk
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:16 PM
Comment #98What are peoples thoughts about this comment from Jermaine Jenas
“I don’t think there’s been a time in the Premier League era when people look forward to going to St James’ Park more than they do now. This is not a top team. If they remain in the Premier League it’s a miracle. If Benitez wasn’t there, I think they’d 100% go down.
It might not help Newcastle the fact they have to win this game, they just have to. The fans are not going to be what they were when Newcastle were at their pomp.”
Frank pingles come sock
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:17 PM
Comment #993 hours 35 minutes until full time
Tsunki
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:18 PM
Comment #100It’s not going to be as easy as some think today. Bottom feeders tend to galvanise themselves as their doom approaches, and the manager starts looking blankly at the sits vac in the local paper. We need to treat this like a cup tie, forget about city or anyone else right now we need to WIN this one!
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:22 PM
Comment #1011 hour 37 Minutes to KO
DubaiMicky
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:23 PM
Comment #102Frank – no injury time then?
Tsunki
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:25 PM
Comment #103This might help as well
http://www.xmasclock.com
Optimistic Panda
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:29 PM
Comment #104The food and drink are outsourced its no longer run by the club so I’m not sure how much affect that would have, do NUFC receive a standard sum per match or do they get a percentage of takings?
Either way I doubt the effect would be substantial enough to bother Ashley.
It’s another reason why the takeover could be dragging on, the new owner will want all revenue streams to maximise income!
Optimistic Panda
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:31 PM
Comment #105I should say new owners will want control over all revenue streams.
Frank pingles come sock
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:41 PM
Comment #106Dubai – I added 1 minute on !!
Haha
Reilly
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:44 PM
Comment #107LALAS 😆
SPRINGY
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:45 PM
Comment #108Unwashed get beat 2 nowt and down to ten men..hahaha..need a solid performance today…nee twitchy arsed weak minded performance…go out dominate and win…this is not as straight forward as some would believe
magscar
Jan 13, 2018 at 1:54 PM
Comment #109In toon now about to head up to ground. Looking at other supporters it is easy to see how mixed a bunch we are. I would guess far more varied than on here yet probably quite single minded about following our team come what may. Good luck trying to mobilise a boycott those posters who live in an alternative universe -not going to happen. As for not buying in ground I agree with poster who believes it is a franchise. In any event any match goer who already cares will have stopped buying years ago HWTL
DubaiMicky
Jan 13, 2018 at 2:01 PM
Comment #110Click on the vid link, and listen to the unwashed saying “Oh no, Oh no”…..
Jib
Jan 13, 2018 at 2:08 PM
Comment #111Just been watching it on Main Event
now 3 – 0
Don’t normally watch the scum
Coleman doesn’t look a happy bunny
DaveD1000
Jan 13, 2018 at 2:31 PM
Comment #1124-0 you have to pity them…..wait no you dont
BANDWBURNABY
Jan 13, 2018 at 5:40 PM
Comment #113Its all fiction, as long as the fat ogre owns the club nothing will drag one penny out of his pocket. Wake up all you fans, you have seen it all before. I am very surprised Raffa is still here thinking the fat slug will change his lying greedy ways