Rafa Benitez has been quoted after tonight’s 4-0 mauling at SC Braga in which all goals came in the second half and Newcastle were outclassed.
Rafa is worried because he is saying that things are not going well off the pitch and at the end of this game he certainly looked worried.
And tonight there is the news that West Ham have agreed a £20M transfer fee for 21-year-old Brazilian holding midfielder Thiago Maia – a player we were told a day or two ago we cannot afford.
Rafa Benitez – openly worried about Newcastle’s strength
Here are some worrying comments from the manager after the game tonight:
“It was a bad game.”
“We did not do things the way we have to. Ten days before the start of the season now and this is wake up call.”
“We have to realize we can’t make these mistakes.” Things are not going well off the pitch and you can see a reflection of that on the pitch.”
“I have no idea (about the transfers).”
“As I say things aren’t going well off the pitch and you can see a reflection. We were poor and we made too many mistakes.”
“We have to wake up – that’s it.”
Here are a couple of tweets from Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie which show there’s a disconnect between Rafa and the hierarchy – that has to be very worrying.
Me: “Rafa, are you close to any new signings?”
Rafa Benitez: “I have no idea.”— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) August 1, 2018
A frustrated Rafa Benitez on transfers: “I said two months ago what we needed, and 10 days before the start of season we still are where we are. There’s 4/5 players we thought we could bring but we haven’t.”
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) August 1, 2018
If there is a time Rafa can leave the club let’s hope it’s not after this – it seems the hierarchy are just not on the same wavelength as Rafa.
They are still trying to save money – or not spend it – take your choice.
And Ashley and Charnley have fully and completely failed their test of this summer – to show Rafa their ambition.
They don’t have any, and Mike Ashley should never have bought the Newcastle club eleven long years ago and he is hardly a fit and proper owner.
He’s been a complete disaster.
Comments welcome.
141 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Aug 2, 2018 at 7:31 AM
Comment #81c-dog,
Exactly, same with KK when he got him to sign, told him everything he wanted to hear with no intention of doing anything he said. He knew it would be tough coming straight back up and staying there without Rafa so played in to his “proyecto”. The worrying thing is now, he surely knows that a relegation will follow if we go down, has he planned for this and knows how to come out of it with a profit while we sink.
I somehow don’t think a travelling letter to him will change his mind.
Jail for Ashley
Aug 2, 2018 at 7:34 AM
Comment #82*if Rafa wwalks
*grovelling letter.
jazzyp
Aug 2, 2018 at 7:35 AM
Comment #83OP
He makes me laugh mate.Im better than you mentality disappeared with the dark ages
Nicky the ball tosser
Aug 2, 2018 at 7:35 AM
Comment #84Rafa seems to have taken his rose tinted glasses off too Lesh. Surprised you haven’t been popping round to his gaff regular these last few months to tell him what a gullible arsehole he was being.
Jail for Ashley
Aug 2, 2018 at 7:38 AM
Comment #85Nicky,
There you go mate, there was evidence. Why did he tell us the future was bright, he was beaming. Six weeks later they’re not doing the things that they said they would. “He knows(Ashley) what he said”
He called down when the business end started and had to manage the team.
On top of a tribunal years ago that Ashley had mislead the fans, press and KK how can you deny there was no evidence?
c-dog
Aug 2, 2018 at 7:38 AM
Comment #86Told him everything he wanted to hear.
But people still buy. Just look at Nicky The Ball Tosser. He’s buying it still now after Rafa saying things off the field are not good. Something we all new but the manager of our club has publicly announced. alarm bells
Jail for Ashley
Aug 2, 2018 at 7:40 AM
Comment #87Calmed down, bloody predictive text.
Ron Knee
Aug 2, 2018 at 7:45 AM
Comment #88While Rafa’s away,
Charmless and Barnes do sweet FA.
Nicky the ball tosser
Aug 2, 2018 at 7:46 AM
Comment #89I’m buying nothing, and never did. I kept an open mind.
c-dog
Aug 2, 2018 at 7:47 AM
Comment #90There’s no alternative to the fact that mike Ashley is screwing us over for his own benefit Nicky.
Nicky the ball tosser
Aug 2, 2018 at 7:49 AM
Comment #91Yes, looking increasingly so.
Reilly
Aug 2, 2018 at 7:50 AM
Comment #92https://mobile.twitter.com/ketchell/status/1024772739163410432
Jib
Aug 2, 2018 at 7:51 AM
Comment #93He’s more usually called Isaac Thelin
and is right up Rafa’s street
https://www.hln.be/de-krant/exodus-begonnen~ae6d6e41/
Jib
Aug 2, 2018 at 7:52 AM
Comment #94Reilly I traced that pic through Cortana
it’s from 2011
posada
Aug 2, 2018 at 7:53 AM
Comment #95Jazzy
The time to wake up and smell the coffee was two years ago. At that time we had MA by the cajones. He needed the supporters as he was deprived of Prem TV money.
The supporters and Rafa turned us round, but for what. Him to benefit.
What can you do about it.
Well, look at the club from SR5.
They could do nothing when their club was asset stripped.
What are you really going to do that will make a difference.
Nothing I’m afraid, so it’s pointless supporters falling out.
Staying away will do no good.
Still going will do no harm.
It will pan out as he wants it to pan out.
Ron Knee
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Comment #96Mark Douglas
NUFC players didn’t speak last night because no bonus schedule has been agreed reports @lee_ryder
lochinvar
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:02 AM
Comment #97Does seem to have some truth about it
Newcastle United have seen a bid accepted by Anderlecht for Swedish striker Isaac Kiese Thelin
The Belgian newspaper claim on their website that the Magpies have tabled a bid of up to £5.3million (€6million) for the 26-year-old hitman, who is said to have fallen out of favour at the Jupiler Pro League side.
The 6’2? giant (source: Transfermarkt), who has 24 caps for Sweden under his belt, was shipped out on loan to Anderlecht’s league rivals Waasland-Beveren last season, and finished the campaign with 19 goals and five assists, which has reportedly led to Newcastle and Locomotiv Moscow chasing his capture.
Shot Bru
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:03 AM
Comment #98I don’t think Ashley has any intention of selling. In fact I think his intention is to put the club out of business once he has stolen all the profits.
I reckon they know the club will get hammered by the HMRC investigation which will be the start of it.
Ashley is banking his money now from the club before the slide into administration.
Another thing, that tw@t Charnley is implicit in this whole mess.
Rafa should come out all guns blazing while he’s still here and we should back him up as fans.
lochinvar
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:07 AM
Comment #99Ronknee&96
The players didn’t speak to the press because they hadn’t agreed their bonus to do so ?
On the money they’re paid ?
If that’s how it works cabbies, bus drivers, shop staff, nurses and a whole lot more are going to think …mmmm, to speak or not to speak
Mag52
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:09 AM
Comment #100As the arguments/debates/discussions go round and round and there seems to be no consensus on what to do about Ashley, I haven’t as yet seen any suggestion about an anti Ashley march through the streets of Newcastle with speakers addressing the crowd in front of SJP.
There would be no problem getting massive support for such a demonstration.
There would be no trouble(as no opposition to such a protest), so permission from the authorities shouldn’t be a problem.
It would be big enough to make the local, and possibly the national, news progs., so Ashley would hate it.
If successful, it could continue regularly till he sells up.
sing in the corner
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:13 AM
Comment #101Another step closer to ‘endgame’.
We can’t take all of these rumours and second hand reports as gospel of course. But what is unmistakable is Rafa stood in front of a camera and looking the way he looks, telling everyone he has no idea what we are doing in terms of doing the deals he has identified as needed.
It’s all very disappointing, and to most fairly predictable. Car crash in super slo mo.
A week and a bit til the next big marker.
Being honest, players who are worth their salt MUST at least think twice before jumping on this particular ride. Wouldn’t you?
Jail for Ashley
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:14 AM
Comment #102Mag52,
It doesn’t look like we’ll be stirred in to action until it’s too late and Rafa goes. Hitting the stores is the way forward. He doesn’t like losing money or answering shareholders.
What’s he going to do in retaliation, withhold vital transfer funds.
Jib
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:16 AM
Comment #103Wow the wild theories just get wilder and
the daft reaction just gets dafter
Is there some sort of competition going on of
which I’m unaware ?
Ron Knee
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:19 AM
Comment #104The Chronic:
Newcastle United players left SC Braga’s Estádio Municipal without saying anything on the record to the travelling media in Portugal.
The players held a meeting to decide not to talk after the 4-0 hammering against the Portuguese side but it wasn’t understood to be because of the result or anything to do with the lack of recruitment.
It is believed that United players are yet to agree an incentive package for the new season and don’t feel the time is right to talk about the season’s objectives at the moment.
catchy in norway
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:23 AM
Comment #105as fans you have to look at yourselves in this too. you roll up every match day and say, i’m turning up for Rafa, i’m turning up for the players, this is my club.
Talk about boycotting this and that, but what you mean is you want others to boycott but your not going to miss out on turning up match day to see who didn’t turn up, you don’t want to miss out on those cheap trainers from sports direct, your still going to buy this seasons shirt because you support the team.
Ashley is doing what’s best for him and his share holders, and it is never going to change.
it’s YOU who has to change your habits.
DubaiMicky
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:28 AM
Comment #106So a guy on £30,000 (and a lot more) a week is shutting up because they can’t agree a bonus package????
You couldn’t make this up – ah yes, it’s cos it’s NUFC.
dig-n-dig22
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:29 AM
Comment #107If we can take any positives from the game last night then it’s glaringly obvious how much we rely on our key players. Shelvey didn’t play so that meant the front men got no service at all but even so we looked OK at the back. 2nd half Lasselles didn’t start and we were all over the place the closing down was non existent in midfield the passing was sloppy out of defence and midfield, we gave them the ball far too easily. We definitely need quality cover for Lascelles and Shelvey for when they are injured. The only saving grace last night was there was nothing at stake but it didn’t look good
Geremi's Prosthetic Leg Fund
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:29 AM
Comment #108And just as soon as you thought it couldn’t get any worse the players reveal a lack of bonus structure agreement (shock – when have we heard that one before?) and we are linked with the ultimate bargain basement player.
Would be great if the Premier League just stepped in and put us out of our misery: too unashamedly unambitious, you’re out.
Jib
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:29 AM
Comment #109Catchy did you watch the match ?
Jib
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:32 AM
Comment #110Thought not
Rafabomb
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:33 AM
Comment #111Let’s try hitting him In the pocket every week by pitch invading 5 min before every kick off, delay kick off would get a hefty fine from fa. Do that every week
swemag
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:38 AM
Comment #112OMG…Kiese-Thelin, this is a waste of money in the same manner as Jacob Murphy. Ferk, honestly. Please do not do this. Waste of money.
Mag52
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:41 AM
Comment #113Jib.
There is a competition. It’s called the premier league and it starts pretty soon.
If our manager (providing he’s still there) takes part in it as disgruntled as he seemed last night, NUFC won’t to very well in it.
magscar
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:41 AM
Comment #114Jail
Yes he could do worse but that may not deter fans much longer. The Magpie Group letter, Rafa’s clear disenchantment, growing fan unrest, a difficult start to season which is going be like petrol on a fire all this points towards at least the start of the end game.?
Rafa is all that has been ho!ding a fragile truce of match going fans and Ashley together. As I have said before there will be uncordinated spontaneous action if he does go and that could spill over onto players during matches like a damburst.
I hope the Magpie Group have some additional planning (and not been caught out by the speed at which things seem to be unraveling) w hich can truly unite fans as coordinated action would be better.
I do fear that Ashley could do worse – sell Lascelles etc but it seems we are being propelled into action whatever the consequences and only Rafa is holding back an implosion.
I think the debate as to whether or not it will do any good or cause long lasting damage is redundant as events seem likely to be set in motion regardless.
A difficult time for Rafa in deciding on the impact of him going sooner – not just possible personal financial impact but his knowledge of what is likely to happen to club and fans if he does and when and if it recovers.
He is an honourable man with a connection to fans and is probably conflicted at his dilemma. I put great faith in him being the man to thwart Ashley and his posturing may still be warnings to Ashley but brinkmanship can easily end in disaster .
If club goes In to a dive and Ashley loses money on an eventual sale he will look to recoup loss elsewhere. Worth it from our point of view? ?poking increasingly likely that we don’t have the choice
Wayayman
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:43 AM
Comment #115Shirebrook, it’s what caused the demise of the Hughton squad that got promoted back in 09/10. Same thing, no bonus deal. Ashely wanted to get rid of the players who were the leaders in the dressing room. Nolan, Harper, Barton, Alan Smith, etc all the experienced professionals plus Andy Carrol who was the new young local hero who knew this bonus schedule was a matter of principle as every other team in the league has theirs set out in writing well before the new season starts. Lambias (at that point) was trying to show his strength and it ultimately led to most of them getting booted out in one way or another. That’s the problem with these non-football wannabe Alpha males – they think they can throw their weight around in any industry.
Wayayman
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:43 AM
Comment #116Sorry that was to Dubai Mickey not Shirebrook
magscar
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:46 AM
Comment #117poking nope looking !?
Jib
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:48 AM
Comment #118Does any blogger on here have any memory cells ?
https://www.90min.com/posts/5533557-newcastle-captain-jamaal-lascelles-settles-bonus-dispute-with-owner-mike-ashley-in-phone-call
TyneMouth
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:50 AM
Comment #119Topic for today; Medicinal Cannabis, the benefits and dangers to users.
Sub-topic; Medicinal applications in the search for the truth behind conspiracy theories, and how to deal with the sh;t-storm of disbelief that inevitably follows revelations linked to either Princess Di, Hilary &Bill, Lord Lucan and how many season tickets Neil Armstrong left on the moon?
Next week’s agenda; The importance of research, and how to avoid it…Pal.
Jail for Ashley
Aug 2, 2018 at 8:57 AM
Comment #120magscar,
A few people got upset/worried that the letter issued would piss Ashley off and make him do what? What more can he do to us than send us deliberately down the pan, he seemed to be on course for achieving that way before any letter was written.
Steve Wraith mentioned in that podcast earlier this year that shops would be targeted and I think that’s where this is heading.