Rafa Benitez has decided at this time that Newcastle will not go away to get some warm-weather training in sunnier and warmer climes.
Rafa loves nothing but to be on the training ground with his players going through moves and talking to the players as he tries to make them better.
And he believes he can do that at Benton over the two-week break, and then the players can spend more time with their families before the game at Bournemouth a week come Saturday.
Rafa Benitez – will get the work done at Benton
This is what has said in the Chronicle today:
“Our idea is to train and keep the players happy with their families.”
“Some people prefer to go away at this time of year.”
“But when you are traveling away throughout the season in the Premier League and the cups and you are also training most days I don’t think players get the time to spend with their family.”
“So if you can give them that time back it is much better for them.”
“If you go abroad there will be good facilities and maybe it will be sunny.” “But then you can go there and it will be raining.”
“The families may then get upset that the husband is away for one week.” “It’s about creating the right atmosphere for players and families.”
“I think that is much better than just getting a couple of days in the sunshine.”
“When you are on the grass in short sleeves and shorts and a pair of boots players don’t want to stop training and don’t want to stop playing football.”
“In fact we have to stop them. That is what you get when you get out in the right climate.”
Newcastle’s last trip abroad was ridiculous when we had just been hammered by Chelsea 5-1 at Stamford Bridge, and it was almost the opposite of what the lads did on Sunday against Manchester United.
At Stamford Bridge, the players meekly submitted and we were 3-0 down after 17 minutes, and the players just wanted the game to end – and Townsend scored the consolation goal in stoppage time.
It was a disgraceful display.
But McClaren convinced everybody all was well and that he could solve the problems in sunny Spain.
But it was a lost opportunity because we had 18 days before the next game – and Mr. Rafa Benitez was available for hire.
When the team returned the talk was over and we lost at Stoke 1-0 and then 3-1 to Bournemouth at home and McClaren was fired.
But it was far too late, and even Rafa couldn’t save us from the drop.
When Rafa came in on March 11th we had 24 points from 28 games, so we are little better off now with 28 points from 27 games.
[table “70” not found /]But the difference this season is we have a team who tries in every single game for every single minute.
And it’s always difficult to convince hard-working fans that trips to sunny climes are necessary and it’s really R&R – rest and relaxation – which the players can get by being with their families.
Comments welcome.
175 comments so far
Optimistic Panda
Feb 15, 2018 at 6:43 PM
Comment #1Missed the bus.
Some will say Ashley doesn’t understand football but he’s been here ten years and if he’s that slow on the uptake hows he a billionaire?
If Ashley sells it’ll be this summer, another ten years is unthinkable
Big fan of Dummet, deserves his contract, hard working honest pro!
On this thread, people have said Rafas teams have a strong last ten games, could it be down to him keeping them at home instead of warm weather training?
Chancel be a fine thing
Feb 15, 2018 at 6:46 PM
Comment #2me too
ShirebrookToon
Feb 15, 2018 at 6:49 PM
Comment #3OP
I’ve thought about that aswell. Could be onto something there mate.
posada
Feb 15, 2018 at 6:49 PM
Comment #4Ashley does not understand football.
No problem put a Chief Exec in charge who does.
Ashleys a business man.
What does that mean.
There are many great businesses out there run by people with ethics and integrity.
posada
Feb 15, 2018 at 6:54 PM
Comment #5OP – Dennis Urwin.
Good player, but not a winger. Do we even play with wingers any more.
You get it out wide and they deliver the cross. They did it in various way.
Steve Coppel. Knock it and then explode after it before the cross.
Waddler. The step over and the tricks.
John Robertson and Beckham. Did not have to beat a defender they bent it round them.
That’s wing play. Wish it was still in our game more.
Jib
Feb 15, 2018 at 7:00 PM
Comment #6The Gooners comfortable in Sweden at half-time
Jib
Feb 15, 2018 at 7:04 PM
Comment #7The other thing we have in our favour
this season
is
No gifting of points to the scum by Everton
Jib
Feb 15, 2018 at 7:08 PM
Comment #8I can see Arsenal winning the Europa League
this year
bettyswallocks
Feb 15, 2018 at 7:45 PM
Comment #9http://www.boldsky.com/img/2013/07/09-marriage.jpg
Jib…….. Just been catching up on the last couple of days on here and was very disappointed to learn that you are another henpecked hubby who doesn’t have the final say as to what’s on the telly in your house. I really thought you were old school and a proper decision making man.
9
Feb 15, 2018 at 7:47 PM
Comment #10Warm climate break : Shteve McLaren
Keep training at home : Rafa Benitez
Anybody – anywhere in the world- prepared to claim McLaren is a better manager than Rafa?
Thought not.
Jib
Feb 15, 2018 at 7:48 PM
Comment #11blog killer
bettyswallocks
Feb 15, 2018 at 7:55 PM
Comment #12https://img1.etsystatic.com/028/0/9569540/il_340x270.614736767_7jpg.jpg
Howay man jib sort yersel oot man and grow a pair.
bettyswallocks
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:04 PM
Comment #13http://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/marriage-relationships-talk-we_need_to_talk-shut_up-bossy_wife-order-dpan1705_low.jpg
You need to put your foot down with a firm hand Jib.
Munster Mag
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:05 PM
Comment #14Yes mcclaren was better than rafa, by a mile. OK I’ll get me coat.
ShirebrookToon
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:07 PM
Comment #15Yawn
Munster Mag
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:09 PM
Comment #16Seriously, I hated mcclaren. Far more than pardew who at least had one great season and then wasn’t backed. But I remember after losing to Watford again and his big toothy face smiling on TV and saying we were ‘triffic’ when we were the opposite. A proper spoofer.
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:10 PM
Comment #17Ed
I love the collective we you use.
I have always said Dummett was an above average full back and I’ve never agreed with those who he’s got no attacking ability.
He does and can get forward to support attacks but and this is the big but, he primarily attends to his defensive duties first.
Well done Paul, I hope that’s a nice big pay rise for you.
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:13 PM
Comment #18I’m feeling really optimistic about our next match at Bournemouth, not so much about the Liverpool one. They are in awesome form at the moment and even 1 point would be a great result for us although 3 would be nice.
ShirebrookToon
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:14 PM
Comment #19How long til the Bournemouth game????
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:17 PM
Comment #20Betty yeah, you’re dead right there, man should be master in his own home.
Let me tell you,………………oh hang on a minute.
Whats that dear, ironing OK, OK I’ll do it now, sorry chaps got to go, later.
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:18 PM
Comment #21Shire
Very good question, Jib????
RobLeenio
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:22 PM
Comment #22EGB, Jib’s too busy reading last night’s posts and putting up his own versions of them
nufcblog killer
Qu’est-ce que c’est….
Jib
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:34 PM
Comment #23207 hours 26 minutes
Jib
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:38 PM
Comment #24RobLeenio
I’ve actually met and talked with David Byrne
a couple of times
very interesting
and
a charming gentleman
GeordieTwo
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:45 PM
Comment #25And here it is lads. What you’ve all been waiting for. The grades on wor magnificent defeat of ManU. errrm better late than never.
Scrambly bits: 9.5. Our finest in several seasons. There wasn’t a scrambly bit available that we didn’t win.
Argie Bargie. Beautiful performance. 9.0. Clearly emphasized by wor Rafa in training.
Handbags. Again 9.0. We were very disciplined lads. We didn’t need the handbags, we wore them down and denied them at every opportunity.
Jib
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:49 PM
Comment #26I think Jail for Ashley and Geordie Two
should get married and have a baby like
Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black
Jib
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:52 PM
Comment #27I’m watching Napoli vs RB Leipzig ECmatch
What a mockery
Row upon row of empty seats
Jib
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:55 PM
Comment #28Napoli’s Stadio San Paolo has a
60,000 capacity
what a farce
RobLeenio
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:56 PM
Comment #29I imagine he’s a very interesting character, Jib – bet he has some tales to tell. New York punk scene was a wild place to be, I understand. Sadly before my time, I love that era of music
Jib
Feb 15, 2018 at 9:06 PM
Comment #30One time was on a plane from NY to LA
We talked footy ( he supports “the sons”
Dumbarton) for an hour before I sussed who he was
RobLeenio
Feb 15, 2018 at 9:07 PM
Comment #31G2, the only thing I appreciate more than your sentiments is your phraseology, as ever – guaranteed to bring a smile to my face
RobLeenio
Feb 15, 2018 at 9:10 PM
Comment #32Jib, he’s doing a tour later this year. Will come as close as Manchester and Glasgow in June. Looks like it’s sold out though
bettyswallocks
Feb 15, 2018 at 9:13 PM
Comment #33Jib……Is Insigne playing? Rafa really rates him.
manxpie
Feb 15, 2018 at 9:23 PM
Comment #34Great read on dummett
https://twitter.com/tfalex1892/status/964175520152932352
TyneMouth
Feb 15, 2018 at 10:04 PM
Comment #35Dummett has earned his new four year contract, it resurrects the possibility of a three man back defence; LeJeune, Lascelles and Dummett, playing in front of Dubravka.
Yedlin and Kenedy would be the obvious wing backs.
If Slimani hits his stride running, he should lead the line, supported by Merino or Perez at number 10. Ritchie, Atsu and Murphy are our best wingers, two from three, obviously.
Which leaves the midfield, we could play Diame with either Shelvey or Merino. Or even a four man midfield, by adding Kenedy. Merino and Kenedy could share the No10 role.
Possible team;
………………..DUBRAVKA…
….LEJEUNE….. LASCELLES…… DUMMETT.
……………………….DIAME….
……….SHELVEY…………………KENEDY.
………………………..MERINO…
…RITCHIE…………………………….MURPHY…
………………………..SLIMANI….
3 4 2 1… or….3 1 3 3…
Bench;
DARLOW, YEDLIN, CLARK, MBEMBA, HAYDEN, PEREZ, JOSELU.
tommotoon
Feb 15, 2018 at 10:06 PM
Comment #36Strange every time i log in everyone seems to disappear i know i suffer from paranoia, i discovered this watching rugby one day when the players went in a scrum and i was totally convinced they were talking about me.
tommotoon
Feb 15, 2018 at 10:11 PM
Comment #37Tynemouth
Totally agree with your team selection 100% i would like to see Murphy back in he scored a good goal in his last game then was dropped the lad seems to be gaining in confidence with every game he plays
lochinvar
Feb 15, 2018 at 10:13 PM
Comment #38Imagine having a dodgy owner like this.
Imagine being able to buy a club for £5m.
The man who owned Portsmouth for six weeks during an ill-fated spell in 2009 has been sentenced to five years in a United Arab Emirates jail for stealing £5m from his wife to fund the purchase.
Sulaiman Al Fahim, who also fronted the Abu Dhabi United Group’s deal to buy Manchester City in 2008, was found guilty of forgery, using forged documents and aiding and abetting.
He and an accomplice were found to have stolen the money used to buy Pompey from Sacha Gaydamak, with Al Fahim soon selling the club to Ali Al Faraj.
RobLeenio
Feb 15, 2018 at 10:19 PM
Comment #39Manx, that is a good article, thanks for posting. Now quick, leg it, tommo’s here
tommotoon
Feb 15, 2018 at 10:26 PM
Comment #40Robleenio…….No no wait please no wait don’t go wait don’t leave me on my own………..