Dwight Gayle has today in the Express explained how the Newcastle players love being coached by Rafa Benitez.
For the second successive season, Rafa has improved the players he has had in his squad, and this time they will be better prepared for the Premier League next season than they were last season.
Dwight Gayle is one of those players who have improved this year in his overall play although he only managed to score 6 goals in 35 Premier League appearances.
That compares with 23 goals in 32 appearances in the Championship the season before.
Dwight Gayle – players want Rafa to stay long-term
This is some of what Dwight has said in the Express, and the players want Rafa to stay at the club on a long-term deal
“All the players want the boss to stay. They are so thankful for what he has done for the team.”
“A lot of the players here have had their careers changed for the better.”
“He is a great tactical manager – he has brought in these players for a reason.”
“Obviously the first half of last season wasn’t the best but we finished really well and it was a good end.”
“We have to be careful.”
“The teams that struggled last season – Everton, Leicester, Southampton, they are all big clubs and they all spent big money.”
“You need to be focused otherwise you could find yourself struggling.” “We need to strengthen.”
“It is vital you look to improve, but also that you bring in players that are not going to affect the squad mentality and break the team up.”
It would only be Newcastle who would drag their feet when a world-class manager is happy on Tyneside and says he wants to stay long term.
Other clubs would have snapped up Rafa very quickly but not Newcastle – or should we say not Mike Ashley.
And the irony is that Rafa could increase the value of the Newcastle club is he is only backed by the owner in the next few years.
Why Ashley is hesitating to do the long-term deal with Rafa, we have no idea,
So what if he has to give up some control of the club to Rafa – Ashley never knew what he was doing, in any case, these last eleven years.
That’s why it’s so puzzling and so frustrating for Newcastle fans.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
60 comments so far
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
May 30, 2018 at 10:40 AM
Comment #1It starts to get worrying when players are publicly asking what is going on!
Ron Knee
May 30, 2018 at 10:42 AM
Comment #2“Why Is Ashley Balking?”
Shouldn’t that be “barking”?
Essex Geordie Bill
May 30, 2018 at 10:47 AM
Comment #3Could be Baking, might be looking to sign Mary Berry for the canteen!
RobLeenio
May 30, 2018 at 10:48 AM
Comment #4“Why Is Ashley Balking?”
Shouldn’t that be bulking, the fat g!t?
Tsunki
May 30, 2018 at 10:49 AM
Comment #5As long as he’s not baulking, we’re ok.
😉
Tsunki
May 30, 2018 at 10:51 AM
Comment #6Maybe it’s who is Ashley Balking?
We need to find out who this Balking character is and fast!
Bambams
May 30, 2018 at 11:04 AM
Comment #7If Ashley gives Rafa what he wants immediately it gives more time to sign the players Rafa wants. Therefore Ash will be spending money.
The longer it takes Ash to agree leaves less time to get the targets, with this will also follow a new excuse from the club ” Targets would not commit to our club with the uncertainty of Rafa not signing his contract ”
We all know what will happen in this window…..The same as the last lot. Late signings of players Rafa has well down his list, therefore cheaper outlay to Fat Ash
Hope I am wrong.
toonincheek
May 30, 2018 at 11:15 AM
Comment #8Considering any comments from players are at least
vetted, and probably drafted, by NUFC publicity machine,
you have to wonder even more what is going on.
toonincheek
May 30, 2018 at 11:19 AM
Comment #9Bambams,
I outlined that scenario 3 weeks ago. The earlier than normal
close of the transfer window is a further complication.
As for Charnley being mandated to get the Rafa contract
sorted by 2nd July – how can he be tasked with that when
he will surely have no authority to make a decision (except
as already decided by MA)?
lesh
May 30, 2018 at 11:20 AM
Comment #10Bambams @7
You’ll not be far off the reality and as long as Bishop’s in the mix, it’ll get no better. He’s there to slow things down in accordance with Ashley’s instructions.
And to add to the stupidity, Ashley’s supposedly told Charnley he wants Rafa signed up asap. Fine, but there’s the small matter of Charnley having no authority to complete without the agreement of, and therefore the terms defined by, Ashley through Barnes.
C’mon Bambams, use your clout with Amanda S and get her to get of Ashley.
lesh
May 30, 2018 at 11:23 AM
Comment #11toonincheek
You stole my thunder @9.
Great minds? No doubt Ashley’s advocate, Jib’ll have something to say.
Lindisfarne
May 30, 2018 at 11:36 AM
Comment #12Gayle desperately needs to improve his goal tally. The injury suffered at the end of the promotion season seemed to set him back but he really missed some good chances.
RobLeenio
May 30, 2018 at 11:38 AM
Comment #13toonincheek, that’s a very interesting point at 8. If these interviews are being vetted by the club, then it’s another sign of harmony between the playing and coaching staff and the management. That can’t be a bad thing in anyone’s eyes, but may be a surprise to some.
Jib
May 30, 2018 at 11:40 AM
Comment #14Crystal Palace now fancy bidding for Mitro
but both clubs involved – Palace and Fulham
seem to be prepared to wait until he returns from Russia.
Mister Tuff
May 30, 2018 at 11:41 AM
Comment #15Helicopter Mystery Solved.
The helicopter sighting near St. James’ Park has now been clarified.
It was the police helicopter, call sign India 99, which hand landed in Exhibition Park after complaints of a man dressed in ladies underwear and wearing high heels, hiding in the bushes, and jumping out frightening children passing by.
The culprit was chased by the observer from the helicopter and the man was quickly caught as he couldn’t run on the grass with his high heels.
The man said his name was Jane but enquiries later revealed it was Jib – who hadn’t been seen in Newcastle for over 15 years. It is understood charges of flashing, indecent exposure and crimes against football blogging are being considered.
lochinvar
May 30, 2018 at 11:49 AM
Comment #16If part of the transfer kitty is dependent on selling players to finance new recruits then Palace and Fulham in particular can get the cheque books out now and not after the World Cup. Fulham can easily pay cash up front and £25m for Mitrovic seems reasonable. Rafa can then get on with our business and then take some much needed holiday in Southport or Formby.
Lindisfarne
May 30, 2018 at 11:54 AM
Comment #17Diggidy
A headless chicken for a directionless horse then! Gayle should have been sold last year, as the Championship top scorer he would have fetched over £15m and together with the £5m spent on Joselu we could have actually got a proper Striker.
Jib
May 30, 2018 at 11:59 AM
Comment #18Serbia will probably be runners up in Group E
to Brazil
They’ll play the winners of Group F probably Germany
on Tuesday 3rd July in St Petersburg.
Mitro should be back in London Wednesday afternoon
😛
dig-n-dig22
May 30, 2018 at 12:19 PM
Comment #19EGB
Balking,barking or baking, one thing is for sure, Ashley sure isn’t backing.
hibbit
May 30, 2018 at 12:27 PM
Comment #20Leeds looking for a keeper ????
https://www.leedsallover.com/leeds-interested-in-signing-premier-league-keeper/
jazzyp
May 30, 2018 at 12:29 PM
Comment #21Huddersfield have just announce the they have tied down there manager David wagner till 2021.
Pity the shambles that is Nufc cannot muster any resolve to keep one of our best managers we have had
DubaiMicky
May 30, 2018 at 12:32 PM
Comment #22Joe Allen for £20m anyone?
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
May 30, 2018 at 12:33 PM
Comment #23I would take Joe Allen for 10 million!! Not sure about 20 million though although this seems to be the going price for players these days in the press!
Essex Geordie Bill
May 30, 2018 at 12:41 PM
Comment #24Would have taken Joe Allen for £20m (my pound sign is back) a couple of years ago but not now.
Dig
Suppose we could add banking to the list and several others but this is a clean blog!
Jib
May 30, 2018 at 12:48 PM
Comment #25jazzyp
The sensible way to look at that would be.
How the hell did it take so long to get Wagner
to sign a contract.
That should have happened tea-time Sunday May 13th
about 15 minutes after the final whistle.
It just shows these contract talks aren’t as straight forward as some dummies think
dig-n-dig22
May 30, 2018 at 12:49 PM
Comment #26EGB
You hit the nail firmly on the head with the one you couldn’t print.
jazzyp
May 30, 2018 at 12:59 PM
Comment #27Jib
I know ,Its like some on here thinking they are the google kings and still getting sh@te wrong time to time
Dummies or what
ronaldo aarons
May 30, 2018 at 12:59 PM
Comment #28No to joe Allen, don’t think he isn’t any good at all. However, if they have the cheek to offer him to us for £20m I’d return and offer a straight swap for Joselu. Actually, Allen + £1m for Joselu.
Bobbybee
May 30, 2018 at 1:01 PM
Comment #29Getting Rafa signed won’t happen in a rush. Some things worth having are worth waiting for. I imagine there are legal ramifications to be considered in order to give Rafa and Penfold access to the club money, without having to cross check first – which is what Rafa wants.
Also there’s Penfold to consider. He’s been tasked with getting Rafa’s deal sorted and he’s not exactly Mr Flash Gordon is he?
We all want it happening yesterday but sadly nothing moves that quickly at Newcastle. We know this. This is nothing new.
Just be patient chaps, good things come to those who wait. (Chuck Jackson, great record).
lesh
May 30, 2018 at 1:01 PM
Comment #30@10
* and as long as Barnes’s in the mix…….
ronaldo aarons
May 30, 2018 at 1:02 PM
Comment #31Lukáš Vráblik
@LukasVrablik
·
17h
In interview with Slovak radio station, Newcastle’s goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka said his future “should be decided during this week” and it is “complicated” as it is not sure if Benítez stays. Dúbravka was on loan in Newcastle this spring, they can apply clause for permanent now
lesh
May 30, 2018 at 1:06 PM
Comment #32Mister Tuff @15
What a post plausible to a point then…… Coffee went all over the place!
Hilarious.
jazzyp
May 30, 2018 at 1:07 PM
Comment #33Bobbybee
I agree with what you say but it seems we are taking the same path as last summer which is mind-numbing to say the least.
Just cant raise my expectations to thinking we will break our transfer record currently. Nothings seemingly changed in the schematics of how we do deals, everything has to be financially viable to the hierarchy which means “tight bids” to me… we’ll see though
lesh
May 30, 2018 at 1:18 PM
Comment #34Jazzy
Yup, things are showing signs of dragging on the transfer front – still we’re watching near inertia when trying to get players in. There’s no reason why players can’t be provisionally signed before the registration window’s open. That was one of the issues that Rafa said he wanted sorted out. So there’s one of his wants gone! What next?
Bobbybee
May 30, 2018 at 1:19 PM
Comment #35Rafa’s going nowhere this season. That gives him all the time in the world to convince Ashley that his project can work. If Rafa wants to take his time, let him. I doubt we could rush him anyway. He’s his own man.
He clearly wants what’s best for the club and is going flat out to get it. This delay isn’t about his personal contract, it’s about our future.
They’ve had four meetings so far I believe I read somewhere? There will be more. We just have to accept it will take time as frustrating as it is.
If anything major is going to happen, like talks breaking down, I think Rafa would let us know. No news is probably good news. His demeanour couldn’t be more relaxed. He’s done this so many times and knows what he’s doing more than any of us. Trust him to get it cracked – I have every faith he will.
Doesn’t mean I’m right of course, but I hate to see some people getting so stressed out over something that probably will all be alright on the night. Accept it won’t happen in an instance and just wait and see. All the stressing in the world will not make one ha’porth of difference to the outcome.
DubaiMicky
May 30, 2018 at 1:20 PM
Comment #36Is it just me or does the “bored” think Ashley modeled himself on Ally Fraser, Auf Wiedersehn Pet 2. Not on looks or anything, just on his business dealings.
jazzyp
May 30, 2018 at 1:26 PM
Comment #37Lesh
I appreciate it is still early days and nothing wrong in anticipation of incoming transfer activity, But come on it’s a shortened transfer window with the complication of the WC to boot. Rafa again stated he wanted transfer activity done early much like last summer, Yet we are still dragging our feet without nothing concrete in place.
Window after window we go through the same procedure full of optimism and fire in the belly expecting to be blown away with quality signings for Ashley to sink that sailing ship.
For me Rafa should have been tied down long before now and not through the transfer window.
Bobbybee
May 30, 2018 at 1:27 PM
Comment #38Jazzy, half the problem is expectations mate. 🙂 For me it’s, a case of what will be will be. Nothing I can do to change that outcome and that applies to each and every one of us.
I base my confidence on the the recent past and Rafa’s total calmness. By the recent past I mean that so far Rafa has most definitely been out the door and gone a dozen times. Both in the media and on here.
Each occasion I have given my take on it and been right every time so far – Rafa’s still here. Talks are ongoing and the man is in charge.
I’ve seen or heard nothing to alter my view that he’ll eventually sign a new contract. It may be soon. It may be January after he sees what backing he gets then.
The ball is in his court. Let him play it his way. He’s, done pretty well so far. 🙂
Bobbybee
May 30, 2018 at 1:33 PM
Comment #39Jazzy, I don’t think any of our major transfers will be played out in public mate. I think Rafa will get the work done and then it will be announced. Some may get leaked, shit happens, but I imagine deals are being worked on whilst we speak.
jazzyp
May 30, 2018 at 1:38 PM
Comment #40Bobbybee
Again I cannot fault your judgement, But what will be will be in my eyes is not good enough for this club.. Or for you or I for that matter
I don’t believe for one minute if we had an owner who had the best interests of the club wouldn’t have tied down Benitez by now and given him what he wants… Why shouldn’t he??. The stadium, the fan base and now financially the money is in place yet we still dilly dally around season in season out and miss out on targets because of the inept attitude of the board.
I personally are not asking for hundreds of millions to be thrown at the club in every transfer window,Although it would be nice. Just hope that The hierarchy will do right by the manager and the fans who persist with the crap we are served up with throughout most transfer windows