Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has issued a statement that has just been published on the Newcastle website.
And Ashley has let it be known that he will support Rafa and thta he is not the pantomime villain he’s been portayed as in the press.
Mike Ashley – says he fully supports Rafa
This is what the owner has said:
“I would like to thank Rafa Benitez for his magnificent achievement this season.
“I would also like to applaud the players, led fantastically by the captain Jamaal Lascelles.”
“On many occasions throughout the season they have been described as a Championship side, which I personally consider to be derogatory.”
“Rafa, as always, has my full support, and contrary to some media reports that portray me as a pantomime villain, I will continue to ensure that every penny generated by the club is available to him.”
“I hope very much that Rafa will remain at Newcastle United.”
“Finally, I would like to thank the fans for their unrivaled support of Rafa and the team throughout the season.”
Well would you believe it – that’s an excellent and appropriate statement from the owner.
Now he needs to agree with what Rafa wants to do at Newcastle and sign him up.
And do that quickly – next week would be good.
Comments welcome.
183 comments so far
lesh
May 13, 2018 at 9:37 PM
Comment #81Jiblets
Like a broken record, commenting on what just happens to be the theme of this thread.
Instead of me giving it a rest as you out it, maybe you should read and think before you go wading in!
welshgeordie9
May 13, 2018 at 9:38 PM
Comment #82Ancient
Apart from the goalkeeper, it was a shit window, hindsight is a wonderful thing don’t you think.
AncientC
May 13, 2018 at 9:39 PM
Comment #83martoon, it’s about that time of year you can post the blogs preseason predictions. I know you must have a lot of information saved, so in your own time. Should be a good for a look back to see the differing predictions.
welshgeordie9
May 13, 2018 at 9:39 PM
Comment #84At least swans can beat their nearest rivals.
Ha ha ha
jazzyp
May 13, 2018 at 9:39 PM
Comment #85Doesn’t sound like Kennedy is staying if his twitter feed is anything to go by
He would like to thank Nufc and the fans an amazing chapter in his life and he will never forget it
AncientC
May 13, 2018 at 9:40 PM
Comment #86Welsh, Dubravka and Kenedy were both good signings. Slimani not so much, but considering he set up a goal to beat Arsenal, I would take that. If Slimani is training well, he could be staying anyway.
martoon
May 13, 2018 at 9:42 PM
Comment #87Also somebody was asking earlier about the predictions (I think it was Jackball) – I’m busy putting them in a format that looks aligned on WordPress. I also have to wait until we’ve voted for Blog Player of the Season!
ShirebrookToon
May 13, 2018 at 9:43 PM
Comment #88Welsh
You won’t be able to beat your nearest rivals next season though will ya. It’s ok. We’ll beat them for ya
Ha ha ha
Bambams
May 13, 2018 at 9:43 PM
Comment #89I have just got in from the match and several beers…..
I was there during all the Keegan years….the highlights we all know about !
Today I watched 11 players give everything and Chlelski could not/were not prepared for it.
What I do know is if this bloody dick of an owner backed this manager (on current standards) we would be Champions league every single year.
I loved KK and still do, Bobby was the grandad we all loved….
But Rafa could eclipse both if backed
We finished in the top 10…..
He could get 11 of us from the local bar to finish above relegation!
In my opinion.
The whole squad have done brilliant……
Keep our top players/manager and give some cash….just watch the SD brand reach the world – which is what you want !@@!
welshgeordie9
May 13, 2018 at 9:47 PM
Comment #90Shirebrook
They will go down next season so I’m not bothered.
ShirebrookToon
May 13, 2018 at 9:49 PM
Comment #91Welsh
They will if they keep Warnock.
NezzaNUFC
May 13, 2018 at 9:50 PM
Comment #92I would have to say Lascelles for player of the season, he has been solid for us this season, when he is out you can see the difference in our team spirit, young lad who turned out to be a true captain for our team.
Surely he should get this award?
bettyswallocks
May 13, 2018 at 9:51 PM
Comment #93Welsh……….. At least you won’t have the pressure and worry of having to stay in the PL. You’ll be able to drop down a few divisions and find your true level. Merthyr Tydvil will be a nice day out for you.
Jail for Ashley
May 13, 2018 at 9:53 PM
Comment #94welshgeordie9,
So will you ha ha, you’re shite and you know you are ha ha
welshgeordie9
May 13, 2018 at 9:55 PM
Comment #95Will you be still smiling if Rafa leaves.
welshgeordie9
May 13, 2018 at 9:57 PM
Comment #96Jail
7 years in the prem and won the league cup.
Tsunki
May 13, 2018 at 9:59 PM
Comment #97If anyone can throw a piddly mattress on the bonfire it’s Mike Ashley –
“On many occasions throughout the season they have been described as a Championship side, which I personally consider to be derogatory”
They were a championship side because you didn’t give him the support at the beginning of the season to bolster it. The fans called them a championship side because they knew you’d cut them and the manager loose. The media called them a championship side because they wanted to scoff at us and see us fail. You’re just using this term as a blanket accusation to justify on all counts you hung him out to dry and Benitez bailed you out despite it. What a git. Lumping the fans in with the biased media when in fact they supported the squad more than you ever would.
“Rafa, as always, has my full support, and contrary to some media reports that portray me as a pantomime villain, I will continue to ensure that every penny generated by the club is available to him.
A pantomime villain is an object of fun. You’re serious stuff, Mike, you have a real reputation that’s hard to brush off with a flippant statement. And how much of this “every penny” will be seen in the actual club accounts? Hmm.
“I hope very much that Rafa will remain at Newcastle United.
…but if he doesn’t, you’ve already got a damage limitation smokescreen ready.
He couldn’t just leave it for a week, could he?
Optimistic Panda
May 13, 2018 at 9:59 PM
Comment #98Welsh
Need a cuddle?
Optimistic Panda
May 13, 2018 at 10:00 PM
Comment #99Welsh
We’d all be sm8ling if you left
Tsunki
May 13, 2018 at 10:01 PM
Comment #100Ignore them welshie. Stick around on a premiership blog.
welshgeordie9
May 13, 2018 at 10:02 PM
Comment #101Why the frig would I want a cuddle.
manxpie
May 13, 2018 at 10:09 PM
Comment #102Welsh all ya best players are gonna be sold lets face it ya fusked hahaha and a bunch of yanks to undo ya boyo’s good work hahaha
manxpie
May 13, 2018 at 10:11 PM
Comment #103Tsunki it was more the media that called us a championship side tbf many people thought we werent
ShirebrookToon
May 13, 2018 at 10:11 PM
Comment #104Going down,
Staying up,
Take the cuddle Welsh. Will be the closest you’ll get to the Premier League for a while marra.
A cuddle off a Premier League teams fan
Ha ha ha
bettyswallocks
May 13, 2018 at 10:11 PM
Comment #105Welshie……….. Who are your favourite team?
welshgeordie9
May 13, 2018 at 10:14 PM
Comment #106Whatever.
welshgeordie9
May 13, 2018 at 10:15 PM
Comment #107Betty
Newswan is my fav team.
manxpie
May 13, 2018 at 10:15 PM
Comment #108Whatever united? Who are they?
Mister Tuff
May 13, 2018 at 10:16 PM
Comment #109Slimani went back to Leicester several days ago.
Thump
May 13, 2018 at 10:18 PM
Comment #110Amazing show from the lads today. From start to finish they ran their socks off.
Also: teehee, Welshy.
manxpie
May 13, 2018 at 10:19 PM
Comment #111Thought he was still training with us as rafa said?
Tsunki
May 13, 2018 at 10:21 PM
Comment #112You know, Welshie, if you hadn’t been so gleeful during our losing streak and saying how Pardew was suited to us and all that other daft wind up stuff you probably would have got an ounce or two of sympathy. Probably.
welshgeordie9
May 13, 2018 at 10:22 PM
Comment #113Not being funny but how can you lot take the piss when you have been relegated twice and should have been more.
Tsunki
May 13, 2018 at 10:22 PM
Comment #114As it is your lot are going down and there’s nothing you can do about it. 😀
magic hat
May 13, 2018 at 10:22 PM
Comment #115Very good season overall, even if form has been patchy! At Xmas i’d Decided that Perez was too lightweight and never productive. Proved wrong. Diame was even a footballer just a big lad that wandered round the field. Proved wrong he’s a beast in his correct position. I also thought shelvey was slowing play too much and trying long range passes that never worked and was inconsistent. Proved wrong! Those three can all have player of the season for me. But Diame is the biggest shock he’s steam rollered so many in the last few months and also seems to be able to pick some great passes. He’s physical but isn’t a dirty player.
Hopefully we can clear the decks of those that aren’t gonna play; colback, Joselu, Lazar, sels, haidara, saivet, gamez, Elliot or darlow, mbemba, arrons, etc and maybe mitro and Gayle. Then a left back and another winger and of course a striker or two in!
Tsunki
May 13, 2018 at 10:23 PM
Comment #116Hey Welshie think you can emulate the mackems and get out of the championship first time of asking? I reckon you’ve got a decent chance.
manxpie
May 13, 2018 at 10:25 PM
Comment #117Just incase ya missed it earlier welsh you’ll like this its right up your street
manxpie
May 13, 2018 at 4:26 PM
Comment #171
Is welshie about just wondering if swansea have stuck 11 strikers on yet hahaha
magic hat
May 13, 2018 at 10:25 PM
Comment #118I think just those 4 signings would be enough!
Nicky the ball tosser
May 13, 2018 at 10:25 PM
Comment #119Yeah, that is a good statement from Ashley. I don’t think the problem over the years has been money, but more a lack of spending well. A general lack of expertise in how the club has been run prior to Benitez, that has been noticeably changing much for the better since he arrived. If Rafa, along with Charnley, can have every last penny, without interference, then he really does have his “el proyecto” now.
Lots of good players this season, but I’d give player of the year to Lascelles for his overall contribution. Diame and Shelvey were great second half of the campaign. Lejeune and Perez also very good, and are very good. While Kenedy and Dubravka really gave us a lift when we needed it.
We have plenty of other players who can figure in a top 8 squad too. Ritchie, Murphy, Yedlin, Dummett, Merino, Hayden, Mbemba, Clarke, Mitro all decent epl players.
Add 4 or 5 of quality each season and the only way is up for us under Rafa.
welshgeordie9
May 13, 2018 at 10:25 PM
Comment #120Don’t think I was being gleeful so do know where you got that from.
Pardew got the club to finish 5th and winning the manager of the season award, with no backing.