Matt Ritchie made a successful if risky move when he left AFC Bournemouth to play for Rafa Benitez in the Championship two years ago.
It was a brave move by Ritchie who was keen to play for world-class manager Rafa Benitez.
But so far so good and two short years later Matt is now part of a club which finished 10th in the Premier League last season.
Fortune favors the brave.
Matt epitomizes the spirit and passion in the Newcastle United squad, and you can always rely on Matt to give 100%.
Matt Ritchie – let’s push the club forward
This is what he has said in the Chronicle about Newcastle’s aims for next season:
“I think that the best thing to do is to try and raise the bar each year.”
“As a team, we have to keep building, stick together with the same mentality or if we can improve that, improve it.”
“Just improve in small areas – all the small, little, tiny 1% or 2% improvements will push this club in the right direction.”
“Hopefully I can be a part of that.”
You can read in those comments what Rafa must tell the players in training – try to improve during each and every training session.
Rafa really does have a great way of motivating his players to become better.
They know that, and there are a number of our players who have improved with Rafa’s guidance this past season.
That will stand us in good stead for next season because they will be better and more experienced in the Premier League.
Then there are the new players Rafa will be bringing into the club this summer – may be as many as five or six?
Hopefully, we will be able to take a shot at a top six place next season.
Note:
Jack Farish is currently studying for a Master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology at Northumbria University.
His thesis project looks at Premier League fans’ team identification – how well they support and identify with their team.
Jack has put together a relatively short questionnaire of team identification and satisfaction with life; it should take no longer than 10 minutes.
You can help Jack by filling out the survey here.
6 comments so far
Essex Geordie Bill
May 23, 2018 at 4:12 PM
Comment #1Bus nearly got me again, getting blo0dy dangerous on here.
Incidentally what’s all this talk about Rafa leaving, is he?
Oh sh!t, oh sh!t, oh sh!t, oh sh!t, oh sh!t.
I’m starting to panic, give me some good news please.
Essex Geordie Bill
May 23, 2018 at 4:17 PM
Comment #2Ritchie is an new version of Rob Lee, well worth his place in the squad.
Jib
May 23, 2018 at 4:25 PM
Comment #3Bill
I voted for Matt Ritchie PotS
I love the guy he’s a total 100 percenter
sing in the corner
May 23, 2018 at 4:36 PM
Comment #4A few mentions of Mario Balotelli recently..
I sincerely hope we wouldn’t consider moving for that clown. Don’t think he’s Rafa’s cup of tea anyway – A proper petulant, loose cannon who’s best days are probably behind him now in my opinion. We’ve got a canny team spirit, the last thing we want to do is risk turning it upside down with blokes like Mario.
Jib
May 23, 2018 at 4:44 PM
Comment #5sing
when AncientC said Torres is a has-been
and we should get Balotelli I thought how
appropriate he has Jezza as his avatar
They have equal knowledge of footy
viz
ZERO
NUFCadon
May 23, 2018 at 4:44 PM
Comment #6sing in the corner- couldn’t agree more