Paul Gascoigne was seen enjoying the Arsenal game when we beat Arsenal for the first time since back in early November 2010.
It was the first time we had beaten them at St. James’ Park since 2005.
Rafa was told about Paul enjoying the Arsenal game and Paul’s one of the best players Newcastle have ever produced – we could do with him in the side today!
Paul Gascoigne – when he played for Newcastle – circa 1988
This is what Rafa said about Paul:
“It’s important for somebody like him who has been so important in football to settle down off the pitch.”
“If everything is fine for him now that’s good news. I don’t know him personally but I was following him when he was a player.”
“He was a great player.”
And now Gazza has been interviewed by the BBC today and he has said he hopes owner Mike Ashley will match Rafa’s huge ambitions for Newcastle to make the club one of the best in Europe.
This is what Paul said to the BBC:
“Rafa Benitez is an unbelievable manager and coach.” What he’s achieved on his CV is incredible.”
“They’ve got to keep hold of him – I think I read a little bit in the paper that they’ve got to give him money to spend – and they’ve got to.”
“If you want to match Man City, Man United, and teams like that, they’ve got to give him money to spend.”
“They’ve got the money as well – he’s not going to buy players just for the sake of it, he’ll buy players for different positions to strengthen the team.”
“So they need to give him the money, otherwise they’re going to lose an unbelievable manager.”
Hopefully, Rafa is looking for somebody that has Paul’s ability – but maybe that’s asking too much.
It’s a pity we cannot bring another local lad like Paul Gascoigne through the club – but that’s what Rafa will try to do over the next few years.
Howay The Lads!!

Comments welcome.
129 comments so far
lesh
Apr 27, 2018 at 3:45 PM
Comment #1Jeez Ed, I know you’re fighting fit but rattling posts of at this rate, you’re leaving us owld pharts behind!
I’m knackered trying to keep up.
😉
Jib
Apr 27, 2018 at 3:57 PM
Comment #2Don’t forget 19.45 tonight
Aleksandar Mitrovic
vs
Sunderland
Bobbybee
Apr 27, 2018 at 3:57 PM
Comment #3Nobody knows what’s happening. I’ve yet to see a source for this increase in Ashley’s valuation. Has there been one anybody? It came out as a rumour and as always is now an treated as an accepted fact.
We probably won’t know either until something happens. January was a joke. Just rumour after rumour and contrived meetings and clenched fists for the press.
Until I hear differently Ashley will own the club and Rafa will manage. The rest is just BS imo.
Seems both parties agree on something – the club has to pay for itself – so we’ve got a starting point.
My guess – and it is a guess – is Rafa will get sales money and a top up from above. 60-80m.
With what we have that should improve the team for next season enough to keep Rafa happy.
If anyone gets itk info I’ll listen with an open mind, but won’t be drawn either way. Time will tell without adding any drama.
No point getting stressed either way. Ashley will do what Ashley wants to do and is capable of shocking own goals. He’s also surprised us on occasions. That’s Ashley. Unpredictable to a fault.
hibbit
Apr 27, 2018 at 4:03 PM
Comment #4Bobbybee
i’m pretty sure ITK information won’t be shared on this platform this time round as it created to much bad feeling and some crazy abuse
Pottsclock
Apr 27, 2018 at 4:05 PM
Comment #5Totally agree Bobbybee. No confirmed source for the £400m. No clarity on whether it includes the £129m load from Ashley to the club. All speculation.
The good news is that discussions are underway, which for me is positive from both sides.
hibbit
Apr 27, 2018 at 4:05 PM
Comment #6Jib
for the record i dont give two hoots what a tosser like you says does or thinks.
RobLeenio
Apr 27, 2018 at 4:12 PM
Comment #7Bobby, as ever, you’re the voice of reason. You’re absolutely right re no official sources for anything at all, whatever we think we know is a product of piecing together rumour, conjecture and opinion from any number of different sources, giving it a shake and then interpreting it however we want.
Yet, and yet – when the gaffer tells you he’s talking to the club about a new deal, that won’t just pique our interest, that will get many different people from many different locations around the World looking in our direction. Players, sponsors, other clubs and… potential buyers.
Who knows, there could be a buy-out imminent and Ashley has nothing to do with Rafa’s hopes for the club’s future ambition. Or, Ashley could be feeling ambitious as he thinks he’s hit on a winning formula and plans to shaft us once more down the line. Or again, maybe he thinks getting Rafa on a long-term deal is the best way to sell the club for the best price possible.
Feet on the ground, Bobby – but my head’s in the clouds at the moment, I can’t help it.
lochinvar
Apr 27, 2018 at 4:21 PM
Comment #8Home Alone tonight so might splash out £7.99 on NowTV to watch Fulham against the other lot. Reckless I know but might be fun.
lochinvar
Apr 27, 2018 at 4:25 PM
Comment #9Hardly new news I think, but worth noting.
Newcastle United have sent scouts to watch Norwich City’s Josh Murphy, according to the Chronicle.
The Magpies sent head of recruitment Steve Nickson to watch the winger in Norwich’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland earlier this month.
lochinvar
Apr 27, 2018 at 4:28 PM
Comment #10Newcastle teenage scores wonder goal
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43926967
Bobbybee
Apr 27, 2018 at 4:39 PM
Comment #11I’ll just sit back and watch and wait and see. At the end of the day, I’ll renew my ST and continue to give my support to the lads on the pitch. They’re what matters imo and as long as they give 100% – as they have under Rafa – they’ll have SJP behind them. As it should be.
Reading between the lines I think Rafa will be happy as long as he’s allowed to improve the team where and when he sees fit. It won’t happen overnight, it will be a gradual improvement over seasons until we, can challenge for trophies.
As long as that happens I don’t care who owns us. SJH apart, they’ve all been greedy. Rich people wanting to be richer – it’s how they work. Remember what the Venky’s were going to do for Blackburn? Football is unpredictable, owners even more so.
I would like to see Ashley gone because his time’s up, but I can’t make it happen so I ain’t stressing over him.
I look at it like this: if some rich person genuinely wants to take us forward, bring it on. It will either happen on it won’t and nothing I can do can make it go either way.
Even if we get new owners I’ll be just as sceptical until I see genuine movement. The very rich are generally assholes after all. 🙂
chicousa
Apr 27, 2018 at 4:44 PM
Comment #12The source of the 400m £ valuation? I know it definitely….
Ashley’s ar$e!
🙂
Rotonda heights
Apr 27, 2018 at 5:07 PM
Comment #13No we can’t trust a word the club says, but it’s a bit rich coming from people who constantly said, ”trust me, the takeover was a ‘done deal”!!
Jib
Apr 27, 2018 at 5:29 PM
Comment #14Rotonda
Who are you referring too ?
Shock horror
Hibbit may be a gobshite !!!!!
Chico
Just been watching Giannis
Don’t know if you follow it
but
Fear the Deer
Bobbybee
Apr 27, 2018 at 5:32 PM
Comment #15Well, according to Adrian Durham, he’s just been informed from a reliable source Rafa won’t be here next season.
Oh, forgot to add – he’s a bit of a nob. 🙂
hibbit
Apr 27, 2018 at 5:33 PM
Comment #16Rotonda heights
fair do’s we know where you stand.
what i put up on here i did in good faith,
but never again will i share
hibbit
Apr 27, 2018 at 5:34 PM
Comment #17not as big as one as you jib
Jib
Apr 27, 2018 at 5:36 PM
Comment #18Bobby
nob means posh
knob means prick
I believe you meant the latter
😀
chicousa
Apr 27, 2018 at 5:42 PM
Comment #19Jib,
Giannis is a “freak of nature”!
lesh
Apr 27, 2018 at 5:47 PM
Comment #20Rafa not here next season?
Rangers looking for a new manager?
Now there’s a project for Rafa to get his teeth into.
Just a thought
lesh
Apr 27, 2018 at 5:54 PM
Comment #21Hibbit
Don’t get involved in a slanging match. What’s gone by has gone by yet the clowns still drag the take over talk up.
Jib
Apr 27, 2018 at 5:56 PM
Comment #22Chico
My wife teaches a Nigerian kid Spanish
He’s 17 and 6’5″ he wants to play baloncesto
for Barcelona – he’s a lovely lad .
Could be Giannis markII !
chicousa
Apr 27, 2018 at 6:56 PM
Comment #23If America could get a significant portion of their elite athletes to focus on the beautiful game instead of American football, basketball and baseball, I reckon they could develop into a World Cup contender fairly quickly!
Tsunki
Apr 27, 2018 at 6:59 PM
Comment #24For all we know the takeover may yet be a done deal, it’s equally as likely that PCP were quite happy to stall until they could see the club was safe. I don’t think Ashley’s valuation will change at all unless he starts pumping money into the club and I very much doubt that tbh. If talks resume as soon as the season ends i would not be surprised.
Tsunki
Apr 27, 2018 at 7:02 PM
Comment #25There are some sports I cannot fathom the attraction for. Cricket is one, and it’s cross Atlantic counterpart baseball is another. They seem like a good way to observe longevity in action or stress-test insomnia but hey that’s just me. Some folks find crown green bowling highly stimulating. 🙂
chicousa
Apr 27, 2018 at 7:13 PM
Comment #26Yep to each their own. Cricket?? You mean the little bugs that make that scratchy noise? 😉
Jail for Ashley
Apr 27, 2018 at 7:13 PM
Comment #27Tsunki,
Mind you, a day in Durham on the fourth day of the fourth test of the Ashes drinking lager in the sun from 11AM onwards isn’t a bad way to spend a day.
Jib
Apr 27, 2018 at 7:28 PM
Comment #28Leicester Tigers vs Newcastle Falcons
about to KO if you want to talk proper
sports
Tsunki
Apr 27, 2018 at 7:33 PM
Comment #29Jail it’s called anaesthesia. Highly recommended though.
GeordieTwo
Apr 27, 2018 at 7:33 PM
Comment #30G’day lads. Word on the street is that Ashley is a tightwad budgie fondler. Discuss….
GeordieTwo
Apr 27, 2018 at 7:34 PM
Comment #31Rugby’s good. Cricket? Not so much….
GeordieTwo
Apr 27, 2018 at 7:37 PM
Comment #32Taking the tightwad issue first, we have mucho evidencia that Asher’s is very tight fisted and doesn’t get the purse open much. But Rafa is a big vchallenge for him. Stay mean with the cash and lose Rafa and possibly get relegated next season or open up the purse and watch the club grow and succeed. Or sell up. There you have it lads.
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 27, 2018 at 7:37 PM
Comment #33At the risk of sounding a bit perverse, I’d like to see Sundaland win tonight.
My thinking being that I’d prefer Cardiff to get the second automatic spot and see a non London club win the play offs.
Nowt against Fulham, although I suspect they’ll be another London club getting preferential treatment with National stadia.
GeordieTwo
Apr 27, 2018 at 7:38 PM
Comment #34As for the budgie fondling allegations we only have the word of Tsunki on that. He was at the scene of the crime apparently….
GeordieTwo
Apr 27, 2018 at 7:40 PM
Comment #35A very shadowy group, the budgie fondlers. This is a case for beer monkey….
Moonraker15
Apr 27, 2018 at 7:40 PM
Comment #36Here goes! Watching Fulham hopefully mullah Slumberland and Mitrovic to score a hat trick!
GeordieTwo
Apr 27, 2018 at 7:41 PM
Comment #37It’s good to see Gazza oot and aboot by the way… Were those his sons with him at the Everton match?
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 27, 2018 at 7:42 PM
Comment #38For high energy sports that really gets the pulse racing there’s nowt to beat snooker or darts. Some of the finest physical specimens ever have been participants in these non Olympic activities.
Jail for Ashley
Apr 27, 2018 at 7:43 PM
Comment #39Jiblets,
Will you be watching it with Sting or Tony Blair?
Tsunki
Apr 27, 2018 at 7:44 PM
Comment #40Enter the mackem…..