There’s been a lot of negative press around Newcastle United and Rafa Benitez after the last two games.
First of all the way we defended (brilliantly) against Chelsea wasn’t appreciated by the pundits because we should have been attacking one of the best teams in the league.
In the end, we were beaten 2-1 by a goal three minutes from time after holding Chelsea for 76 minutes before they got a sloppy penalty from the referee.
Ciaran Clark – in action at the City Ground on Wednesday night
And then we didn’t do ourselves any good at all when we did not play well at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night in the League Cup.
But we still equalized two minutes into stoppage time to make it 1-1, but then we fell asleep and conceded two sloppy goals and lost 3-1.
There’s just too much negativity around Newcastle at the moment.
This is how 28-year-old center-back Ciaran Clark addressed it with this interview in the Chronicle today:
“People have seen stuff that has been said recently.” “I can’t say more about how good the team spirit actually is.”
“The attitude of all the players is good.” ” That hasn’t changed and I don’t think that will ever change.”
“It will always be there. We will just keep doing what we have been doing.”
“The luck hasn’t been with us in the games we have played and the games we have played.”
“We just need to keep doing what we are doing.”
“We need to keep fighting and keep performing hopefully that will turn around and we will pick up some wins.”
“At Forest it was disappointing because we were a goal down early on and for a long period.”
“We knew we were going to get a chance to get back into it and it was just about whether we could take that chance.”
“It was a great finish from Salomon Rondon and we got back into the game.” “It was real sloppiness after that.”
“You just need to see it out and take the pens.”
“You make sure you don’t lose the game and for them to go to the other end and us to concede such a sloppy goal was disappointing.”
“From my angle we should have had a blatant penalty but he didn’t give it.”
“I think we are more disappointed by the fact we didn’t hold out when it was 1-1.”
“There is no time to dwell on Forest.” “We are disappointed and so are the fans.”
“It’s a tournament where we wanted to go in and push as far as we could.”
“It is a real blow to be knocked out now.”
“There is a game at the weekend and we have to prepare and put things right.”
We are not expected to get anything from our game at the Etihad tomorrow afternoon – so we have absolutely nothing to lose.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
4 comments so far
RobLeenio
Aug 31, 2018 at 5:11 PM
Comment #1Good, sensible chat from Ciaran Clark. The team spirit seems fine, at least unless all the players who have given recent interviews are lying.
They’re all onboard the Rafalution still, have faith ye doubters, the first victory will come (just not maybe tomorrow)
RobLeenio
Aug 31, 2018 at 5:13 PM
Comment #2I see Luke Charman has joined Dan Barlaser at Accrington Stanley. Presumably they haven’t been drinking their milk….
Should be a good move for them both and good that they are there together, it should help them settle in.
Jail for Ashley
Aug 31, 2018 at 5:34 PM
Comment #3See Dummet has been called up by Wales, he’s about as Welsh as that pine dresser made Taiwan me Nana used to have. If he gets injured there for nowt it could ruin ourvseasin. How did they allow Rafa to go in to the season with only Ciaran Clarke as LB cover, his crossing is like a centre back’s….oh hang on a minute 😮
Munster Mag
Aug 31, 2018 at 5:35 PM
Comment #4Rob, but imagine if we got a draw, what a lift that would be, especially if we scored too. Rock on.