Rafa Benitez will hope his meeting with Ashley to discuss what he needs from Newcastle to stay at the club long-term, will be sooner rather than later.
Although Rafa wants to concentrate on the final five games of the season, he can always take a day out or have Mike Ashley fly to Newcastle for them to discuss Rafa staying longer term at the club.
But whatever Mike Ashley promises Rafa he has to deliver this time.
Rafa Benitez – second terrific full season at Newcastle
That’s not what he did last summer after he had told the manager he could have every last penny at the club – to spend on transfers.
The Chronicle is reporting Rafa wants a competitive transfer kitty which at £20M net he didn’t get last summer.
We should get around £125M from the Premier League, and some of that will be allocated for transfers.
Rafa also wants to make changes at Newcastle such as improving the Training facilities at Benton and making significant changes to the Youth Academy and the U23 setup.
Rafa wants more players coming through the system to the first team than we’ve had over the last ten years.
This is what Rafa has said about Newcastle owner Mike Ashley:
“We have to be on the same page.”
“I don’t want to waste too much time talking about that now because it makes no sense. The main thing is to concentrate on games.”
“They know my idea and what every single fan is expecting.”
“It has always been to compete. It was always my idea when I came here.”
“To be in the top 10 in the Premier League and to compete in the League Cup, FA Cup and Europa or Champions League.”
“You need the possibility to compete and win games. If you can, win games you can win trophies.”
“If we keep doing things in the same way we can beat anyone.” “You just have to have your day.”
“Some top teams will have their day against us.”
“But for us we need to have that winning mentality.” “It means to approach every game with the idea to get three points.”
Just like in the last two seasons Rafa has had a powerful end to the season.
Last year we won our last three games to win the Championship, and two years ago we hammered Tottenham at home 5-1 on the final day and took 12 points from the final six games.
At the moment, we have won four wins in a row, and Rafa will want more wins in the last five games.
Mike Ashley would be foolish not to give Rafa all he needs to stay at Newcastle.
Comments welcome.
87 comments so far
toonluvva
Apr 22, 2018 at 7:46 PM
Comment #41Even Sky didn’t realise that Sun’Lun could be relegated if they lost to Burton.
All the talk was about the forthcoming matches against Wolves and Fulham.
Never mind though, they are on their way to a hat-trick of relegations.
DaveD1000
Apr 22, 2018 at 7:46 PM
Comment #42Taking the piss out of our neighbours….stop it now. Na keep it up I’m creased
Tosun A. Wobbler
Apr 22, 2018 at 7:49 PM
Comment #43I make no apologies for posting this again, I love it.
Three men, a Geordie, a Mackem and a Pakistani, congregate one morning, in their local hospital maternity ward, to collect their new-born sons.
Their joy is shattered by the doctor in charge, who says that there has been a bit of a mix-up, and he can no longer say, with any certainty, whose son is whose. The three men agree to sort it out between them by choosing the baby they think is theirs.
The Geordie goes in first, as is his right, (according to strict alphabetical order, let us say), and emerges a moment later, with what is quite clearly, the Pakistani child.
The Pakistani gentleman says as much and the Geordie replies “Well I’m sorry mate, but one of those two in there is a Mackem, and I’m not taking any chances”!
welshgeordie9
Apr 22, 2018 at 7:53 PM
Comment #44sing in the corner
Apr 22, 2018 at 4:51 PM
Comment #11
Welsh9
Just wondering if you are watching Swansea at City this afternoon. What do you think of how they are approaching the game?
Ha ha ha
Clown.
welshgeordie9
Apr 22, 2018 at 7:54 PM
Comment #45Better hope Rafa stays.
welshgeordie9
Apr 22, 2018 at 7:58 PM
Comment #46Owner must meet managers demands.
Ha ha ha
That should have happened last season.
lochinvar
Apr 22, 2018 at 8:05 PM
Comment #47Ellis Short might pocket the £35m parachute payment for dropping into League one and maybe some more for selling the club which would ensue him to recover some of the investment he’s possed away. After that put the club into administration and the debts go with it ?
Maybe that’s the angle or a version of it
Jail for Ashley
Apr 22, 2018 at 8:14 PM
Comment #48Swansea lost 5-0 Ha ha ha, might still get relegated ha ha ha.
Jail for Ashley
Apr 22, 2018 at 8:15 PM
Comment #49Chelsea, Bournemouth then a relegation clash against Soton, ha ha ha ha.
welshgeordie9
Apr 22, 2018 at 8:28 PM
Comment #50Jail
Will you still be smiling if and when Rafa goes.
sing in the corner
Apr 22, 2018 at 8:30 PM
Comment #51Welsh9
I asked the question…because I recall you being on the wind up when my team played City at our place earlier in the season. (The infamous packed defence game.)
And i noticed your team stuck everyone behind the ball against City today,for the entire game.
…But did it very badly. And got beat 5 nowt.
Just thought you might have something to say about it.
Ha ha ha.
jazzyp
Apr 22, 2018 at 8:45 PM
Comment #52David luiz trying to sell himself to Nufc I see. Another Colo me thinks
ShirebrookToon
Apr 22, 2018 at 9:10 PM
Comment #53Jazzy
He’s just a shit coloccini
Nicky the ball tosser
Apr 22, 2018 at 9:25 PM
Comment #54Luiz alongside Shelvey would be very interesting, but he must now we wouldn’t pay his wedge, so why would he bother. A loan maybe?
bettyswallocks
Apr 22, 2018 at 9:56 PM
Comment #55https://s.yimg.com/fz/api/res/1.2/EPJ8JKjtQI9u76GHITvI7A–~C/YXBwaWQ9c3JjaGRkO2g9NDg3O3E9ODA7dz03NDg-/http://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/rex_nowtv_3701309c-3181289037-o-large.jpg?w=748&h=487&crop=1
Swansea have a couple of good young kids coming through.
jane
Apr 22, 2018 at 9:59 PM
Comment #56it’s the last round of U23 matches of the season tomorrow all the matches kick off at 7pm except Newcastle v Fulham which is at 1pm maybe so it doesn’t clash with Everton v Newcastle? they will be aiming to make it 3 wins a row and jump above Stoke U23s.
https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/premier-league-2-division-two/20172018/regular-season/r43201/?ICID=SN_01_57
bettyswallocks
Apr 22, 2018 at 10:05 PM
Comment #57http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OvKEj5I7SFc/T9DyAlgViQI/AAAAAAAAM6I/yuradmbttnc/s640/funny-animals-playing-soccer-football-001.jpg
Sunlun are also trialling some new players for next season. This stinks a bit.
bettyswallocks
Apr 22, 2018 at 10:23 PM
Comment #58Anyone know what happened to the Beardsley investigation?
Nicky the ball tosser
Apr 22, 2018 at 10:34 PM
Comment #59Luiz is an adventurous player, a blue riband player. Like Collocini he is a gifted talent, who might occasionally get caught out trying to play a little too much football from the back. Both have had their ups and downs. But you can’t critique Collocini without recognizing how flawed the way the Newcastle side he played in was constructed. While Luiz is a top notch player who was made a victim of Conte’s failed attempt to rouse Chelsea to a successful title defence, and is not the only one, and he is also a Benitez disciple. But he is a very unlikely signing for us because of his wage and age.
Nicky the ball tosser
Apr 22, 2018 at 10:45 PM
Comment #60Everton have a good side on paper. A few old legs in there though. Need to make them run around, as we do.
Tsunki
Apr 22, 2018 at 10:47 PM
Comment #61Welsh – Swansea ha ha ha that wasn’t a question by the way…
bettyswallocks
Apr 22, 2018 at 11:04 PM
Comment #62Just watched Citeh giving the Swans a good tonking. Poor Carlos Carvalhal looked thoroughly embarrassed and humiliated. He didn’t know where to look during the post match interview , he seemed very sheepish.
lesh
Apr 22, 2018 at 11:21 PM
Comment #63Rafa’s going very public about what he wants for the club and Ashley won’t like it and ignore Rafa’s requests for commitment. It says a lot about Charnley that Rafa really needs to voice his thoughts through the media and it indicates that Charnley is not up to being MD.
Ashley’s made his position clear about his refusal to put any more of his money into the club and Rafa can forget any significant money being made available to upgrade the training facilities. Upgrading the academy system would require spend on additional scouting and probably training staff too. But where’s the money going to come from? The transfer budget no doubt.
As Ashley’s supposedly trying to sell the club and Rafa knows that without him, the club may not seem as potentially attractive as it is at present. Under the circumstances, Ashley’s highly unlikely to sanction any capital or additional starting costs for the academy and youth development groups.
So, where does that put Rafa? Where does it put Ashley? Where does it put any potential buyers?
We can but hope that PCP or whichever other parties have undertaken due diligence, come in quickly with a bid and that Ashley tempers his greed and accepts what the market will decide is a realistic offer for the club – before things become messy.
lesh
Apr 22, 2018 at 11:30 PM
Comment #64Bettys
Don’t hold your breath waiting for the result of the Beardsley inquiry to be announced. I suspect it won’t be because whether the issues proven or not, Beardsley’ll slip out of the club unannounced – the club doesn’t need any more negative media attention.
On the other hand, the file could still be sitting in Charnley’s ‘to do’ tray!
Munster Mag
Apr 22, 2018 at 11:46 PM
Comment #65Some muppet criticised me a few weeks ago because I asked about the delay in the Beardsley enquiry. And we’re still waiting.
jane
Apr 22, 2018 at 11:49 PM
Comment #66lesh #63 is a hopeless attempt at spin. a little of this and a little of that and mix it up.
lesh
Apr 23, 2018 at 2:24 AM
Comment #67Munster Mag @65
In cases such as Beardsly’s, employers prefer to keep these matters confidential. If you were in such a spot, would you like news plastered all over the media?
Nicky the ball tosser
Apr 23, 2018 at 2:35 AM
Comment #68I think Rafa needs to be a little mindful of the possibility that negotiating in public might cause Ashley to dig in. The concessions, if they are to be won at all, must surely be secured through private talks, where all parties can save face.
The situation does appear to echo the Keegan fiasco, but Ashley certainly has less wriggle room this time round, and who knows, he may even be on board. Rafa may have won him over.
DubaiMicky
Apr 23, 2018 at 4:28 AM
Comment #69And then there’s the HMRC investigation, that’s been going on for years it seems.
DubaiMicky
Apr 23, 2018 at 4:33 AM
Comment #70And Happy St George’s Day – proud to be English.
(And Happy Birthday to Bill Shakespeare too).
DubaiMicky
Apr 23, 2018 at 4:50 AM
Comment #71Guardian – Rafa want assurances
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/apr/22/rafael-benitez-mike-ashley-newcastle-united
Shields Gazette, HippoHeed likes winding people up.
https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/sam-allardyce-reveals-why-he-used-to-wind-up-rafa-benitez-ahead-of-newcastle-s-visit-to-everton-1-9129679
Other than that and the usual in the chronic, nothing much doing.
Nicky the ball tosser
Apr 23, 2018 at 6:06 AM
Comment #72“The King’s Arms perches on the south bank of the Wear behind the waste ground where the Vaux brewery used to be. It’s a proper pub, at least 150 years old, with a fine range of beers, ancient octagonal tables and draughty toilets widely rumoured to be haunted. We always go there before the home game nearest to Christmas. Nothing much changes. You notice the odd dad who isn’t there any more, the odd kid who’s joined the group, but essentially it’s the same group of blokes catching up, having much the same conversation they have every year. Except this season, there was something different. This season there was a parrot.
I’m not sure anybody had realised the King’s needed a parrot but now it’s there it’s obvious it belongs. This is a pub that reeks of the docks and the shipyards and the city’s seafaring heritage. Of course it should have a parrot. And so Peter now sits on top of his cage, cynical and grey, brutally assessing the drinkers in his domain.
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The previous home game, I was told, Peter had attacked a bald man. “Why divvin yer put it inside the cage?” he’d asked the barmaid as he dabbed at the wound. “Look,” she’d supposedly replied. “He’s here ahl the time. Ah’m not lockin’ ‘im up just cuz we’ve got customers.”
DubaiMicky
Apr 23, 2018 at 6:57 AM
Comment #73Rafa Bingo?
4,2,3,1
Dubravka
Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett
Shelvey, Diame
Kenedy, Perez, Ritchie
Slimani
Veltman
Apr 23, 2018 at 7:07 AM
Comment #74Just started to miss the Benwell lad.By the looks of things, he knows best.That’s my Monday cup of tea.I rest my case.
Jail for Ashley
Apr 23, 2018 at 7:43 AM
Comment #75“My objective is not to finish ninth, it is to win titles and cups. To be in the top four, to win trophies, to win the league, or whatever, that’s I want to do. Not just survive or finish in mid-table. I want to be sure we can fight for trophies.”
This is where the Ashley model falls down unfortunately.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Apr 23, 2018 at 7:45 AM
Comment #76Be interesting to see the build up for the game with Neville and guest tonight !
The normally love to stick the boot in but will forced to give out praise to how we have been in great form !
hibbit
Apr 23, 2018 at 7:57 AM
Comment #77not an easy game tonight but i’m sure Rafa will have us well prepared for it
good luck toon army
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Apr 23, 2018 at 7:59 AM
Comment #78@Jail
You can just imagine Ashley wondering how we could finish above Everton despite them spending 160 odd million !?
lochinvar
Apr 23, 2018 at 8:02 AM
Comment #79Looks like Wenger has had a real go at the Arsenal fans for a “lack of unity”
Opprobrium ? I’ll have to look that one up unless Jib can advise further in the meantime
Point being that with Arsenal fans in disarray, Liverpool and West Ham fans rioting, Man City fans being boring, Man Utd fans busy munching prawn sarnies and Chelsea fans being indifferent then we are doing our part to support Rafa, the team and Newcastle’s image around the world. The positive vibes and messages put over by the flags fans can only be good “brand Newcastle” promotion to that much vaunted TV and global audience which produces revenue. Just hope that Ashley with all his commercial knowledge realises that trading up is always better than a bargain basement mentality.
From the BBC
“Wenger appeared to imply that the rancour and disharmony, the opprobrium, the banners, placards and protests directed towards him – in other words, the actions of the so-called ‘Wenger Out’ brigade – were projecting a global image of Arsenal that was inaccurate, damaging and upsetting.
The message he seemed keen to convey was that this had created an unsustainable situation. By extracting himself, he hoped that could be rectified and lead to fresh unity, improve the climate around the team and repair any damage to the worldwide perception.”
lesh
Apr 23, 2018 at 8:04 AM
Comment #80Nicky the ball tosser
There was a pub in Jarrow and its parrot used to jump around in its cage, squawking at the customers – ‘look at them in their cage’.