Mike Ashley’s treatment of Rafa Benitez in this transfer window has to be the last straw, and the owner must think seriously about selling the club as soon as possible.
Newcastle Central’s Labour MP, Chi Onwurah presented a petition to Parliament about two weeks ago demanding Ashley stop exploiting the club and allow manager Rafa Benitez to invest properly in the team and the training ground.
Ashley responded to the petition with his own letter earlier this week to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport, but he portrays himself as the victim – he says he’s labeled as the pantomime villain.
It’s never good to take a victim stance in anything – it’s better to take responsibility and deal with whatever the situation is.
Mike Ashley has not done that.
The picture sums up the relationship between Rafa Benitez and Newcastle’s hierarchy
We understand Rafa’s shouting “I need more good players!”
The players are also in a dispute with Ashley over bonuses for the coming season – for the second summer running.
Ashley is not a fit and proper owner for Newcastle.
Former Newcastle star Rob Lee is worried about the course of events at Newcastle and has said this today in an exclusive in the Star:
“I genuinely fear for them, I really do.” “They overachieved massively, finishing 10th last season. Everyone in football knows that.”
“Rafa Benitez did a magnificent job and most owners would have recognised the fact and backed him to the hilt during the summer.”
“But not Mike Ashley. He’s blown a big opportunity. Every other club, even the promoted ones, are spending big.”
“I look at our squad and it doesn’t even look as strong as last season’s.” “Are there goals in that team? Hopefully, yes, but I have my doubts.”
“I thought he’d have gone by now. Clearly he’s not a happy man but thankfully, he’s staying loyal to the fans.”
“One day though he will have had enough and then we’ll be in big trouble.”
“All this was simmering away last season and now it’s come to a head but believe me, when those lads run out on Saturday lunchtime, they’ll be 100 % committed and fans will back them to the hilt.”
“Despite all this unrest, the Geordies will never turn on Rafa or the team. That’s why Ashley can’t win this one.”
“Not that he seems to care. Being unpopular obviously doesn’t worry him.”
“Sadly, he’ll just carry on running the club just the way he wants to.”
We are just sick of Mike Ashley at Newcastle, but we’ll hope that Rafa somehow can get two or three more payers in before 5:00pm tomorrow.
It’s the very least he deserves.
Comments welcome.
8 comments so far
Optimistic Panda
Aug 8, 2018 at 4:12 PM
Comment #1Bobby Lee, could do with him in midfield.
One of my all time favourite players at the toon.
hibbit
Aug 8, 2018 at 4:15 PM
Comment #215:41MARK DOUGLAS
Lascelles: Off-the-field stuff sorted
Jamaal Lascelles confirms bonus row is sorted:
We’ve managed to sort the off-field stuff; now that’s out of the way, we don’t have any reason why we can’t go out and put on a good performance.
We know where we stand. No-one’s moaning, no-one’s upset and now it’s just about gelling together even more, working hard, getting a good energy around the club and the training ground – and doing what we do best which is working had and playing as team.
crawfordm
Aug 8, 2018 at 4:42 PM
Comment #3My god Ed you dont half regurgitate the same stories under different headlines. You must have covered the item of Benitez not getting what he wanted about 20 times !!.
It it what it is we know Ashley does not give a s#$t. He will continue to make millions from supporters who winge and moan but still turn up in there 1000’s and buy his crap merchandise.
I no longer go to the games but will be at Sports Direct on Saturday morning. It would be wonderful to see empty seats around his Spirts Direct hoardings for at least 5 mins however we all know that will NEVER happen !!
Munster Mag
Aug 8, 2018 at 4:42 PM
Comment #4A top player and a top man
crawfordm
Aug 8, 2018 at 4:43 PM
Comment #5sorry Sports Direct !
nufcalex
Aug 8, 2018 at 6:08 PM
Comment #6Rafa will go, Ashley will appoint a more appropriate yes man and we will be fighting relegation again next season. Same old same old
toonluvva
Aug 8, 2018 at 6:30 PM
Comment #7I expect a certain Mr P45Due to be appointed at the end of the season when Rafa walks!
It wont bother me because when Rafa goes, I go too!
HWTL
BANDWBURNABY
Aug 9, 2018 at 3:25 PM
Comment #8Fatty has won the war with Rafa, he lied through his teeth & Rafa believed him, he got 123 mil from t.v. he got the benefit of Rafa’s coaching fringe players so they were able to sell them & made a proffit in transfer window. He has Rafa for this season as he knows Rafa is too much of a man to walk. After that with another years t.v. & free advertising fatty will think that a victory