Rafa Benitez has been interviewed in the Chronicle today, and he seems calm and confident that we can achieve survival in the Premier League – even if he says it will take another miracle – like last season.
Rafa may be overdoing the miracles there.
🙂
We are hoping Rafa can bring in three or four good players in this January transfer window so the squad is strengthened and that will help us survive and get the wins we need to stay up.
Rafa was heavily criticized by Newcastle icon Alan Shearer for the weak team he played against Championship club Blackburn last Saturday in the FA Cup, and now we have a replay next week after the 1-1 draw.
Shearer thought Rafa should have fielded a stronger side to give fans what they want – to win the FA Cup – or at least have a lengthy FA Cup run.
We have a terrible record in the FA Cup over the last several years.
Rafa Benitez – seems confident Newcastle can avoid relegation
But we may not have a strong enough squad for that this season – it will take all we have to pull away from the relegation zone this season – even though that’s what we did last year.
But Rafa seems upbeat and confident we can survive in the Premier League this season.
This is what he had this to say in the Chronicle today:
“Our reaction in the second part of the Premier League last season was quite good.” “We have to realize now it won’t always be like that but we have to work hard.”
“It is better to get the points early and see afterwards how far we can go.”
“I think we are fine, but am I totally happy with what we are achieving now? No, because we can do better.”
“It will be easier for us to manage the second half of the season.” “I’m still quite confident if we do the right things we will stay up. Even if it is a miracle.”
“To be fair I didn’t just manage the squad against Liverpool, I thought we could win the game with fresh legs and doing the right things.”
“I was disappointed because we made mistakes against a very good team to give them the advantage.” “We should have managed the game better.”
“The festive games are not just about managing the squad and having fresh legs for each game, it is to pick the right players for a certain game.”
“Sometimes a player who is classed as better in theory, they can be tired.” “If he is tired he’s worse than the other one.”
“If you had Lionel Messi – OK, he would have to be there no matter what because he can make the difference.”
“But if you don’t have players like a Messi or players of a similar level you need players who can give you something physically in a third game in a row in a short period of time.”
The Newcastle squad travel to Chelsea on Saturday, and in the 7 games we have played against the top six clubs this season we have lost every one of them.
If we can take a point at Stamford Bridge on Saturday that would be a decent enough result.
But our defense will need to be at their very best, and we will need to make the best of any counter-attacks we can create in the game.
It will be a difficult game – for sure
Comments welcome.
302 comments so far
RUNAWAY777
Jan 8, 2019 at 9:57 PM
Comment #241Paully your so full of yourself i dont eventhink a mackem would be that daft enough to get the shields ferry as it quicker over the tyne pmsl
Belfast
Jan 8, 2019 at 9:59 PM
Comment #242I think in previous rounds the opposition had made a lot of changes to be honest. That was a strong side the Mackems put out tonight like.
Belfast
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:00 PM
Comment #243Not to far away from their usual eleven.
RobLeenio
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:01 PM
Comment #244Proud of the lads tonight, were competitive in the 1st half and kept going throughout a difficult 2nd.
U21 record in the Checkatrade this season, all played away and against League 1 senior teams:
P5, W3, D1, L1
Not a bad record, that.
Disagree that none of the U23s can do a job in the 1st team, agree not all of them could or ever will be able to, but nobody ever said that.
Moonraker15
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:01 PM
Comment #245Was that basically the Mackem’s first 11?
ShirebrookToon
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:02 PM
Comment #246Way some are going off on here is like we had our first Eleven out tonight not the young lads.
GeordieTwo
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:04 PM
Comment #247A rough go of it then. That will serve as a learning experience. Harker shouldn’t be blamed, as it’s an 11 man effort every time.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:05 PM
Comment #248What a shame it wasn’t at SJP and Ashley hadn’t provided a team that could have afforded to put Hayden, Yedlin and Kenedy in to the team!!
Moonraker15
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:05 PM
Comment #249If you stick the kids in the first team too early it can do them more harm than good. Looks like Longstaff snr will be in the squad at Chelsea and Sørensen will get a game or two this season but the rest will struggle big time this season!
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:05 PM
Comment #250For crying out loud wor kids playing first team players man up thought they did well for an hour
More movement on and off the ball than many of our first team hoofers
Players who could dribble
Tried to play out from the back – good on them.
toon kk
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:05 PM
Comment #251Shame we suffered a 4-0 defeat was to be expected i suppose.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:10 PM
Comment #252Anyway
Kane penalty noway – Cheatin tw*t
Jail for Ashley
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:10 PM
Comment #253Shame ilovetoon666 never done a prediction we’d never of heard the last of it!
Moonraker15
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:11 PM
Comment #254Charlie
Well said; some good prospects there! I think we have a couple of Mackem bloggers on here!
Optimistic Panda
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:12 PM
Comment #255I still think Roberts should get game time against Blackburn.
Nicky the ball tosser
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:12 PM
Comment #256I think when you consider the size and quality of the stadium, I know it needs some work, but it’s still great, and particularly its location, right in the heart of the city, next to all the pubs, on land that is as good as the clubs, and then the squad, not great by EPL standards, but still with valuable assets, and of course the support, then 300 million seems more than reasonable. Evertons proposed stadium at Bramley Moore dock will cost north of 500 million. If Ashley does actually want to sell, and that price is ball park then I believe this will happen soon or in the summer.
Lindisfarne
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:12 PM
Comment #257Based on what I saw tonight the following players have the potential to either start or be used as substitutes. Gibson at left back, Sangara and Sean Longstaff (the elder as an attacking midfielder) with a senior midfielder, plus Roberts, Wilson and Allan more likely used as substitutes.
Whilst Roberts looked good going forward, I can see why Rafa played him at full back in pre-season because he does not show much defensive ability. But then again why would you if he actually scored.
Moonraker15
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:14 PM
Comment #258Charlie
I meant your comment @ 250 by the way. There was NO doubt Kane’s was a penalty ! We’re you watching?
Optimistic Panda
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:14 PM
Comment #259Do people realise that S Longstaff didn’t play?
Sterry didn’t and Woodman, Fernadez is injured.
Most people would say they’re the best 4 of our under 21s and they still did alright without them.
RobLeenio
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:15 PM
Comment #260Yep, Cal Roberts is a willing runner, has pace and dribbles well. He’s also a character and a leader. He can play either wing or as a supporting striker or attacking mid, so why not chuck him in? We could rest Ritchie and use him to show Kenedy how to play again.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:15 PM
Comment #261Nicky,
Why were you so pro Ashley when you had that moniker change, which totally threw anybody who was interested that you used to post as Jimmy Smith, now you have gone back to type, was it an experiment?
toon kk
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:20 PM
Comment #262It was a good run out for the kids, gives them something to work upto in the future.
Nicky the ball tosser
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:23 PM
Comment #263I hoped and believed Rafa would bring him round, that’s all. I was never pro Ashley, but I’m sure you know that. I’m pro Rafa and still find it bizarre that Ashley hasn’t bought into his project.
toon kk
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:25 PM
Comment #264Lindisfarne
With all respect mate we shouldn’t be using those kids for premier league football, they will perhaps move on to be decent championship players one day.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:30 PM
Comment #265Nicky,
I’m gutted, I really thought that there was no way Ashley could knock this gift horse back, he obviously doesn’t see us in the same way we do!
Nicky the ball tosser
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:31 PM
Comment #266Actually, I’ll clarify that. I was briefly ambivalent toward Ashley only in as much as when you have an owner worth 3 billion quid, and Rafa, and all that this club has going for it, then you have everything you need to go after trophies. Obviously though Ashley, for whatever unfathomable reasons, doesn’t fancy it. I had hoped he would see the very real possibilities and say ok let’s do it, and I think he’ll come to regret that he didn’t.
Lindisfarne
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:34 PM
Comment #267Optimistic Panda
I knew that I was confusing things by mentioning Saun, although his younger brother did well tonight he deserves to stay in the squad.
toon kk
I am only really talking about the Blackburn game. I mentioned it earlier, Rafa will want to protect first team players and on the way these youngster are playing I think they deserve more of a run out than some of the senior players.
c-dog
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:35 PM
Comment #268Was jail who pointed out the mag and rob vollans link. Genius, not that I agree. But @rob he shall remain.
toon kk
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:41 PM
Comment #269MA is only sticking two fingers up at his own clubs fans. He set off with good intentions but through naivety greed also stupid mistakes were made. Now he’s fallen out with the fans (no fkin wonder) he is just being a tw@t.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:41 PM
Comment #270Moonraker
Sorry not for me I hate this dragging the back foot into the keeper to win a penalty – stinks
Being a ex keeper many many moons ago I would of been sent off for smacking the cheating Tw*t
Rant over
Lindisfarne
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:42 PM
Comment #271” illusion of rivalry”
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/jan/08/sunderland-newcastle-jack-ross-checkatrade-trophy
OneAlanShearer
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:44 PM
Comment #272I would throw both Sorenson and Roberts in against Blackburn. With better players around them physically as well they could do well. Both have something. Others from tonights side certainly have a future imho.
toon kk
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:46 PM
Comment #273Lindisfarne
Fair enough mate, you might not have that opinion if we watched them against premier league quality, mind you I suppose our first team players struggle so maybe your right!
Lindisfarne
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:48 PM
Comment #274Marco Silva may be available in the summer
AncientC
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:54 PM
Comment #275Lindisfarne, I think “you need to get out more.”
Goodness knows why you think it is applicable to give ‘catchy’ more ammo than he needs.
Anyways, do you have anymore anti-Rafa links, all in the spirit of being impartial?
thatmatt
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:55 PM
Comment #276Evening all. Amongst all the current doom and gloom, I’ve just written an article that takes us back to 1993 and happier times. Rob Lee’s 60 yard goal v Brentford (sadly disallowed). The origin of Lee Clark’s chant. And a very special bottle of Brown.
https://nufc.home.blog
Lindisfarne
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:57 PM
Comment #277If Rafa uses the same team against Blackburn that played at home, we are likely to lose and also throw away the opportunity to begin building a winning mentality. However, if due to the risk of and reported on going injuries, Rafa decides that going out of the FA Cup is no bad thing then seeing what the kids can do would equally be no bad thing. Particularly as Murphy, Kenedy and Joselu have been so poor.
Lindisfarne
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:58 PM
Comment #278Hello AC
Lindisfarne
Jan 8, 2019 at 11:00 PM
Comment #279thatmatt…..and all
You might like this
https://www.theblizzard.co.uk/article/oedipus-and-gallowgate
Nicky the ball tosser
Jan 8, 2019 at 11:00 PM
Comment #280Maybe it is just that he can’t bear the idea of giving back to the fans after all the problems, or maybe he just can’t bear the idea of someone telling him how to run his own business. Certainly odd. “Gift horse” is exactly what Rafa has been. But instead of applying him, Ashley has exploited him, and I’m sure this is why Rafa has been so downbeat recently, that and just plain exhausted.