This is the fourth transfer window in a row that Rafa has been frustrated by owner Mike Ashley because funds are not being made available to him.
So Rafa’s plans basically go up in smoke because of a lack of funding.
This is Rafa’s 5th transfer window and only in that first one two years ago was he allowed to get on with it – helped by Lee Charnley – and it was an excellent window.
The new players like Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle became the stars of our promotion season.
But since then Mike Ashley has done what’s he’s done for eleven long years now – withhold money from Newcastle’s managers.
Mike Ashley – a very poor communicator – a very poor owner
Ashley doesn’t like to spend money especially when Newcastle finished in a comfortable 10th place in the Premier League last season.
After all, that’s the (joint) second best position we have ever finished in the Premier League under Ashley – the best being 5th place in 2012.
And it was also Rafa’s first full season in the Premier League.
[table “32” not found /]Fans don’t understand why we have no money to spend this summer and if the reported standoff between Rafa and the owner is true, it’s ridiculous and childish.
To withhold transfer money from the manager in an attempt to get him to sign a new deal is ludicrous to the extreme.
The bottom line is at any well-run club in this current predicament – the owner or Managing Director would issue a statement or be interviewed about what the real situation is at the moment.
But not at Newcastle.
And it’s encouraging to see a petition demanding that the Newcastle owner Mike Ashley backs Rafa Benitez and stops ‘exploiting’ the club has been presented to the House of Commons.
It’s been presented by Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah, who has delivered the petition on behalf of three Tyneside MPs.
That (exploiting the club) hits a nerve because Ashley has used St. James’ Park as a worldwide advertising board for his Sports Direct company and not paid a penny for the advertising.
He’s hardly a fit and proper owner for our club.
We’ve often pointed out that in any company poor communication nearly always leads to problems.
People don’t know exactly what’s going on so things are made up to fill the vacuum – and they are very rarely positive.
We hope that Charnley or Ashley will come out and say something about the mess going on in the transfer window right now and clear things up for the fans.
But we won’t hold our breath.
Comments welcome.
================
Personal note:
I had a battery of tests yesterday which I will now get every three months related to my stage 4 prostate cancer – and they include exhaustive blood tests.
The results show that the spread of the cancer is still being contained – and that’s excellent news.
I’m good for another three months so really looking forward to Rafa signing another five good players in the next two weeks!
Howay The Lads!!
110 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Jul 25, 2018 at 8:47 AM
Comment #1Tsunki In!
Genjikai
Jul 25, 2018 at 8:54 AM
Comment #2Its just like being at any graft. Am a maintenance tech and when the company hasnt got the spares in to do the job, youve got to get creative to get the job going. I get frustrated when i have to wait a few days for a spare relay to change never mind not having a striker since demba ba left….
ashleysmate
Jul 25, 2018 at 8:57 AM
Comment #3Surely, when/if new faces come in they’re not going to sign unless they know Rafa will still be here in the future?
I know I wouldn’t if I thought he would be moving on next season….no-one would blame Rafa for going but maybe no matter what, he will stay longer than we think?
And stop calling me surely(sorry, couldn’t help it)
Mag52
Jul 25, 2018 at 8:57 AM
Comment #4Munster.
Let’s all hope West Ham have a good season as they’ll be less likely to come sniffing after our manager.
I’m not convinced Ashley is holding back on transfer money till Rafa signs a new contract. He did the same with Pardew after we finished 5th. and Pardew had been given a new long contract.
I fear that he’ll be unconcerned if Rafa sees out his contract and leaves at the end of the season. He sees Rafa as a manager who has far higher ambitions for the club than he has, and someone who the fans love. Two strong reasons for him to want to see the back of him.
Diddly
Jul 25, 2018 at 8:57 AM
Comment #5Good news ed and long may it continue stay strong
lesh
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:01 AM
Comment #6Martoon
If, like Bettys, you believe that Chi Onwurah’s pronunciation of Rafa’s name would weaken the point of the petition she delivered, then you need to take a wider view of things. Do you seriously believe that the handful of MPs present picked up on her pronunciation? Do you think that Hansard will record her mispronunciation which was delivered to MPs in the House of Commons – not in the course of a pre-match conversation in the Strawberry!
Chi’s an MP, a Newcastle lass and a fan who gets to matches when she can and the petition was symbolic in that it’s recorded, written down as it will remain, in perpetuity. Additionally, you may have noticed the ‘hear hears’ that followed her request?
I don’t want to make any assumptions but I did ask Bettys what, apart from her Labour Party membership, he doesn’t like about her. Bettys hasn’t responded to my question, perhaps you could answer it too?
Munster Mag
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:02 AM
Comment #7Great news Ed!
Mr Funky
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:02 AM
Comment #8Regarding Ashley it is all about demanding unreasonable amounts for players we have and then offering as little as possible for players coming in.
For me this explains why transfer for NUFC take so long
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:03 AM
Comment #9It’s all reet man
Rafa will leave Xmas
And our great saviour will come in John Carver – back in the North East looking for a job at a knockdown price
Nowt could be better!!??!!@£&!!?
For Ashley that is
AncientC
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:03 AM
Comment #10DubaiMicky
Jul 25, 2018 at 8:55 AM
Comment #13
“Flounce of the day goes to Jail #10”
DubaiMicky (without an ‘e’), go protest for the wife beater Tommy Robinson, you imbecile.
Munster Mag
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:04 AM
Comment #11Lesh, in fairness getting benettez wrong is silly and belittles her argument in terms of attention to detail. Not a big issue though as nobody there!
lesh
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:04 AM
Comment #12Ed
You’re good for another three months? That’s great news but in reality you’ll see many of us old pharts out. 🙂
Munster Mag
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:05 AM
Comment #13Charlie if carver was a little better he wud get the gig. Just enough to keep us up
jazzyp
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:08 AM
Comment #14Anybody got a real bad feeling in there pit of ya stomach that the club is on the verge of freefalling and spiralling out of control.
There is so much wrong from top to bottom it’s not gonna be an easy fix
Moonraker15
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:08 AM
Comment #15Ed
Good news on your tests; keep fighting man!
It puts the pathetic Mike Ashley saga into perspective!
I would love things to change at the club for your sake as we all know how much you love the club.
Moonraker15
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:09 AM
Comment #16Is Pardew working yet?
ShirebrookToon
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:12 AM
Comment #17He waiting for Rafa to leave then he’ll soon have a job!
Starting to get pissed off with all the bullshit now. We all need to pull together and get rid of the fat tub of shite and his cronies and his tatty business!!
ASHLEY OUT
#IfRafaGoesWeGo
Mag52
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:13 AM
Comment #18Keep going Ed. We’re all behind you.
Mr Funky
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:14 AM
Comment #19@ jazzyp
It is all about brinkmanship and I am hoping that Ashley will crack
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:14 AM
Comment #20Lesh #6…Betsy will be copy pasting something for you later when he’s had his nap…
ShirebrookToon
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:14 AM
Comment #21Keep fighting Ed. Your strength knows no bounds. Your an inspiration to us all mate.
ShirebrookToon
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:15 AM
Comment #22Mr funky
Ashley wants a crack!
Mr Funky
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:16 AM
Comment #23@ shire
More like he is smoking crack
ShirebrookToon
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:18 AM
Comment #24He’s on something to be this stupid
Wayayman
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:18 AM
Comment #25Fantastic news Ed. Really made my day.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:19 AM
Comment #26Jail from earlier…you’re a one trick pony my friend…you only see one side on the issue…I am not arguing that’s not a real issue and don’t agree one bit with Ashley…doesn’t change the problems we face with the other side of the argument!
…I don’t think you’re reluctant to see the situations I actually think you don’t really have grasp of it…hence why everything is so simple to you!
You can boil our predicament down to shirt prices going up…that’s how simple it is to you.
That’s how I actually see you…”simple” as that! That’s your right and I hardly give you grief for it…but you will see be treat you with the same kindness you give me…
Mr Funky
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:19 AM
Comment #27@ Shire
I think survives on his own ego, hubris and self delusion
Mr Funky
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:19 AM
Comment #28* Ashley
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:20 AM
Comment #29*be = me
Jail for Ashley
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:20 AM
Comment #30Just cancelled at the bank, box office at ten. Foot him, that’s £835 quid less for free transfers.
ShirebrookToon
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:20 AM
Comment #31Me funky
And money that he takes from the club the fat prick!
Moonraker15
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:21 AM
Comment #32It wouldn’t surprise me if Ashley has already tapped up P45due in anticipation of Rafa’s departure! Nightmare scenario and we be on a bigger laughing stock!
Ron Knee
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:22 AM
Comment #33Great news, Ed!
toonincheek
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:23 AM
Comment #34Ed,
Great news on the health front. Long may the good news continue.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:25 AM
Comment #35Jesper,
I asked you a simple question and you respond like that, I think Ibiza might tell you off for that mind.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:26 AM
Comment #36Moonraker,
Pardew wouldn’t dare set foot back here, not for any amount if dough.
Moonraker15
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:26 AM
Comment #37Shire
Your right, this is a ridiculous situation. There must be some way we can influence things. The premier league don’t pay out all this money to fill the owners’ pocket rather than reinvesting!
DubaiMicky
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:31 AM
Comment #38@AncientC – What on earth makes you think I support Robinson? Another misinformed post.
@Jail #36, I agree.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:31 AM
Comment #39Season tickets – got mine still going to the games – to support RAFA and the team
But I will be buying F**k all in the ground no beer food – owt from the shop
If everyone did not buy any beers or food in the ground but bought their beers and food in the bars and food outlets in the TOON then it would deny Ashley any revenue throughout the season but would still have to pay staff and for the food and drink in case people decided to participate
Anyway the beer is shite in the ground
Sav
Jul 25, 2018 at 9:31 AM
Comment #40‘Sign or no money’ is nonsense. Ashley does not want an ambitious manager. That costs money. Therefore, he’d rather be shot if Rafa. This ploy just appears to shift blame onto the manager. If Rafa signed up to that he’d lose any credibility. He’d be in an impossible situation. Crude Ashley spin B.S. Only problem with ifRafagoesweallgo is it is based on premise we wait until too late before we, the fans, do anything. I hope that doesn’t happen.