In the Q&A yesterday with the Chronicle one of the reporters (Chris Waugh) suggested that he didn’t think Mike Ashley would give Rafa Benitez any money in the January transfer window unless we were really struggling and relegation was (again) a possibility.
That’s how Ashley seems to have freed up money in the past.
As one example when we were struggling with relegation in January 2013, Ashley got involved, and we brought in five French players – four of them in one week after we were beaten at home 2-1 by Reading for the first time ever in our history.
We just survived relegation that season after we had finished 5th the season before.
The problem was created in the first place by Mike Ashley himself by refusing to strengthen the side in quality and quantity when we qualified in 5th place for the Europa League.
Why did we need to buy new players after we had our best league position since 2004?
Mike Ashley – he must support Rafa Benitez in January
So it was Ashley (what again?) who caused the problem he had to solve six months later.
That’s what Mike Ashley does – he dishes out the money and seems concerned when relegation threatens.
So the Chronicle’s Chris Waugh could well be right that Rafa Benitez will only get money if we are really struggling against relegation.
But that’s exactly what Rafa doesn’t want to happen.
It will prove to Rafa – if he doesn’t already know – that Ashley has no ambitions to have Newcastle become a top team.
He’s simply not willing to spend the club’s money to achieve that.
Rather, he’s happy enough to keep Newcastle in the Premier League and spend as little money as possible.
If that scenario does happen – that Rafa gets little or no money to spend in January because we are fairly safe in the League – it will cause Rafa to leave the club when his contract runs out in June.
We wouldn’t blame Rafa in the least if he left in those circumstances and, the problem is again caused by Mike Ashley.
Rafa has struggled in trying to build a top team over the last two and a half years and he hasn’t been given the necessary funds to do that.
Managers of much smaller clubs and with much less history than Newcastle have spent some big money – clubs like Bournemouth, Fulham, Brighton, Burnley, Watford, Southampton, Crystal Palace, and others.
If Ashley again withholds money – for whatever reason – Newcastle may save money in the short-term.
But the price Ashley can get for Newcastle in a sale will then plummet and we’ll have trouble hiring another manager when Rafa leaves.
So long-term Newcastle will lose a lot of money becasue of a probable third relegation next season.
And Mike Ashley is supposed to be a good businessman?
If that happens and Rafa leaves the club, Mike Ashley will have made his biggest ever mistake at Newcastle – and that’s saying something.
Comments welcome.
91 comments so far
Genjikai
Oct 13, 2018 at 4:51 PM
Comment #1EGB im a big believer in if u believe the universe will supply.
We make our own reality.
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:07 PM
Comment #2Genjikai, I’ve hearted you! 🙂
hibbit
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:12 PM
Comment #3dig-n-dig22/EGB
Harry Harris had a joke stall on the quayside Sunday market (for 20 odd years that i know of) next to the sarsaparilla man who was from Gateshead high street
Jail for Ashley
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:25 PM
Comment #4Pitimac,
Have you been living in a cave?
Bladey
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:37 PM
Comment #5ASH OUT RAFA OUT MUGS OUT
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:38 PM
Comment #6I’ve killed the blog! 🙂
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:38 PM
Comment #7Oh I didn’t forgot to refresh! 🙂
toonluvva
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:42 PM
Comment #8Sorry to keep saying it but Mr Ashleys attention is now focused entirely on making House of Fraser the “Harrods of the North.”
That means little to no investment in January and that in turn will lead to Rafa walking away at the end of his contract.
Believe me I take no pleasure in this. I have been a supporter from the late 60’s and a long standing season ticket holder.
When Rafa goes I expect St James’s to be like the Croatia ground last night.
nufc 11
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:42 PM
Comment #9Common now lads why would Ashley spend money in January when he is bringing everyone away on a free holiday if we stay up at the end of the season? that’s his justification for not spending money. That man is crackers, im afraid the writing is on the wall for nufc this season id take relegation today if it meant he sold up.
Genjikai
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:44 PM
Comment #10Having Rafa at the helm doesnt even gaurentee avoiding relegation.
He needs backing, NUFC needs backing, ashley is the only man who can do that unless he sells and leaves it to someone that will.
You fat greedy lieing so and so get out of our club.
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:44 PM
Comment #11hibbit, was the sarsaparilla man from the chemist on Gateshead high st. We used to go in there after training at The Gateshead stadium with Gateshead Harriers and get a glass of it, it were luverly.
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:46 PM
Comment #12What’s wrong with living in a cave, if it was good enough for our ancestors!
toon22
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:49 PM
Comment #13Even if he sold we’re left with the problem of Cronin under investment
It kills clubs long term
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:52 PM
Comment #14My last post vanished, don’t think I swore or said anything to get it stopped.
Genjikai
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:52 PM
Comment #15Toon22 do you have a plan for getting rid of ashley?
A man as dedicated as you to a cause must have a master plan.
Genjikai
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:54 PM
Comment #16Bladey what would you do differently to Rafa, how would you set the team up with our players?
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:54 PM
Comment #17Try again.
I think money will be available, but probably not as much as Rafa wants or needs.
It’ll be part of Ashley’s charm campaign!
dig-n-dig22
Oct 13, 2018 at 5:57 PM
Comment #18EGB
Do you know if it was St Philips church that was dismantled ?
Jail for Ashley
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:00 PM
Comment #19EGB,
Living in a cave, I would assume without access to media, wouldn’t allow you to understand the shoddy way Mike Ashley has been treating his managers.
Jib
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:01 PM
Comment #20It was St Helens Eston Teesside that was rebuilt at Beamish
hibbit
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:03 PM
Comment #21EGB@11
was the original herbalist health food store,
anyone remember Dirty Dicks chemist/herbalist mixes and potions on Clayton St ??????
ToonLegend
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:03 PM
Comment #22Rodgers in when Rafa fails.
Won the play off final with Swansea City
Should have won the league with Liverpool (closer than Benitez ever winning the league in the premiership), plays attractive football and doesn’t piss about with substitutions.
No brainer really.
Jail for Ashley
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:05 PM
Comment #23Toon Legend,
And what happens after he gives his transfer targets to Lee Churnley???
hibbit
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:05 PM
Comment #24WUM alert !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jail for Ashley
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:08 PM
Comment #25hibbit,
I don’t know why I bother?
Jib
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:12 PM
Comment #26Jail for Ashley
hibbit,
I don’t know why I bother?
hear hear
Jib
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:13 PM
Comment #27Any Red (I know loads) will tell you
that
ToonLegend
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:14 PM
Comment #28Jail
Rodgers will get better players in.
Jib
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:14 PM
Comment #29Gerrard picked the team at LPool for the last year Rodgers was there
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:16 PM
Comment #30Jib
Oops looks like I was wrong, I really did think that Dunston Christchurch was the one rebuilt at Beamish, thought that for years.
ToonLegend
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:17 PM
Comment #31Jib
Rogers got them playing lovely football and should have won the league.
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:18 PM
Comment #32Jail
I believe that some modern caves have very good facilities.
Jib
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:19 PM
Comment #33Rodgers became the first Liverpool manager since the 1950s not to win a trophy after three seasons in charge.
cyprus
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:23 PM
Comment #34“If that scenario does happen – that Rafa gets little or no money to spend in January because we are fairly safe in the League”.
The last part will not happen, Ed, bar a miracle.
We will be there or thereabouts till the end of the season.
January is notoriously a tough window, but still I think we’ll need to do what we did that time. Buy a lot of players!
If Ashley thinks Rafa is off, he’ll have a dilemma…
Jib
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:24 PM
Comment #35Rodgers did well with Martinez’ team at Swansea and
Dalglish’s team at Liverpool.
He was found out at both clubs after 2 years in Wales
and 3 years on Merseyside.
ToonLegend
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:30 PM
Comment #36Every manager gets found out jib, look at Mourinho, ffs.
Jib
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:31 PM
Comment #37Having said all that
Rodgers is exactly the sort of snivelling yes man
that Ashley used to love employing – so it is fervently
to be hoped that the stuff that has gone down in the
last month (attending games and connecting with the club again)
is genuine and marks a sea change.
dig-n-dig22
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:38 PM
Comment #38EGB 32
Rumour has it that Bin laden’s cave was equipped with a Dialysis machine.
Jib
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:42 PM
Comment #39There once was a hermit named Dave
Who kept a dead whore in his cave.
“I know it’s a sin,”
He said with a grin,
“But think of the money I save!”
Jib
Oct 13, 2018 at 6:43 PM
Comment #40Sorry – a throwback to my rugby song days
😛