We read in the Chronicle that Rafa Benitez is becoming more and more frustrated with the Newcastle hierarchy.
There was news in the Chronicle today that Benitez expected back in late November that this January transfer window would be much like the previous two – and he would get no help from Ashley.
We are in a similar position as we were last season, but there are some real differences too.
Rafa is not as confident with his squad as he was a year ago when he said we would do better in the second half of last season – which we did and even finished in 10th place.
His is not saying those things at the moment – but that it will take a miracle for Newcastle to avoid relegation this term.
Rafa has done his best to alert Mike Ashley to the dangers Newcastle face in the final five months of the season.
Rafa Benitez – at Watford this season
But we have heard nothing from Ashley and 10 days of the window are already over.
Benitez has refused to sign a new deal at Newcastle unless the way transfers are done at the club is changed radically, and the manager also has much more say on how the transfer money is spent.
He also wants more money to spend so he can bring in a better class of player and wants to know the level of Mike Ashley’s ambitions for the club.
We can tell Rafa what they are right now – it’s to spend as little money as he can in keeping Newcastle as a Premier League club.
Rafa has been at the club now for coming up to three years and he will know that if Ashley doesn’t sell things are not going to improve any time soon.
And even if Rafa keeps Newcastle s a Premier league club this season, he will surely look for a more ambitious club than Newcastle are under Ashley.
Former Premier League Champions Leicester City are one of those clubs reported to be interested in signing Rafa in the summer.
The only hope for us seems to be that Rafa can somehow have Newcastle survive relegation in the next several months and a new owner emerges before the summer.
It will take those two things to happen to prevent the disaster scenario at Newcastle.
That’s Rafa leaving the club and Newcastle relegated for the third time from the Premier League under Ashley.
The more we don’t strengthen this month the more likely that disaster scenario is of becoming real.
Comments welcome.
266 comments so far
Bambams
Jan 10, 2019 at 7:33 PM
Comment #121Moonraker
Cheers for that fella
Jail for Ashley
Jan 10, 2019 at 7:34 PM
Comment #122Anyone got a link for that Mark Douglas podcast, I’m pottering in the garage and have an hour to kill
DubaiMicky
Jan 10, 2019 at 7:35 PM
Comment #123jane
Jan 10, 2019 at 7:26 PM
“Ashley votes to remove Debenhams bosses from board”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46829442
Landmark group are an Indian owned Company with their head office here in Dubai, they were a customer of mine in the not too distant past.
https://www.arabianbusiness.com/debenhams-attractive-but-pricey-says-jagtiani-358513.html
To be honest, their ethos and ashLIEs fit perfectly.
DubaiMicky
Jan 10, 2019 at 7:38 PM
Comment #124RobLeenio, mate, I’d love to put a positive spin on it all, but I really can’t.
I’ll always support NUFC, that’s a given, but I won’t put a farthing into them until he’s gone.
Toonces
Jan 10, 2019 at 7:38 PM
Comment #125We don’t have a proper head executive for club. Charnley proves that just by being on the lowest salary of any head club executive in the PL – his position is a figurehead. We don’t have proper football people in meaningful positions above the manager – whether that’s a technical director, club president, chairman you name it. The club has no structure.
jane
Jan 10, 2019 at 7:43 PM
Comment #126January signings to date
Huddersfield
loan of Jason Puncheon from Crystal Palace
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46764967
Fulham – none
Southampton – none
Cardiff – none
Burnley – none
Southampton – none
jane
Jan 10, 2019 at 7:43 PM
Comment #127Newcastle – none
Dondatta13
Jan 10, 2019 at 7:46 PM
Comment #128Cathy, I have just noticed your reply to my Porsche analogy…
In future, should you wish to address me, I would appreciate a modicum of civility. Starting off your reply by stating my analogy was “stupid”, well to be frank with you I stopped reading the lengthy response you posted. Do you, or do you not wish to be taken seriously on here? If the answer is affirmative then I respectfully suggest you try and discuss things like any normal person.
I resorted to glancing over your reply taking little in.
What I did notice was your constant obsession with what other clubs were doing. Me personally I couldn’t really care less about what other clubs do. I’m focussed on NUFC and how my club can overcome the adversity it’s been ladened with.
So, please, less bile and more smiles 🙂
Toonces
Jan 10, 2019 at 7:49 PM
Comment #129In regards to Rafa, I think he deserves an extension should a new owner come in and he probably deserves 2-3 windows with reasonable investment. he deserves this based on his cv, what Ashley has done to him and the loyalty he has shown.
But if a new owner has new plans including a new manager and staff, and Rafa ends up leaving then we thank him his efforts over these past 3 years and wish him the best.
Personally I think a new owner coming in is rubbish but I can only hope.
jazzyp
Jan 10, 2019 at 7:49 PM
Comment #130Dondatta
The simple truth is that if we had any decent investment with the squad, And the owner showed the slightest intention or hint of Ambition…Then Perez like others within the team would be nowhere near the starting birth.There is only one way we are going mate and that is down the pan to rack and ruin,Althugh more and more are saying enough is enough and rightly so
Munster Mag
Jan 10, 2019 at 7:57 PM
Comment #131Eeurgh Sunderland cud make it seven in a row against us next season… ?
Dondatta13
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:00 PM
Comment #132jazzyp I agree with you. My point about Perez was he was sold short by NUFC (Mike).
He was pulled from the lower Spanish leagues, to develop his craft as a young forward.
He was then thrust into the 1st team and has had to learn his craft in a very hard way, in front of 52K people with a depleted playing rosta around him.
Can anyone else remember Spurs being interested in him a few seasons ago? Before the second relegation. We had a decent 1st team and he didn’t look out of place on the field,
jazzyp
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:09 PM
Comment #133Dondatta
Yeah mate along with Barca and many other apparent interested parties to the tune of 20 odd mill was it??
Along with Perez being sold down the swanny,What about Rafa and the project he was sold by the Cockney w@nker,Because to me he looks more dejected as every game goes by and the future with him gone and Nufc relegated doesn’t bear thinking about
One thing is certain, Ashley does not learn from past mistakes, refuses to invest in the club consistently, been that way for 11 years and the club is on it’s knees, the only shining light has been Rafa and he will leave this summer & nobody would blame him.
jazzyp
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:11 PM
Comment #134Wolves have reportedly stolen a march on Newcastle in the pursuit of Serie A defender Rogerio
Well there’s a suprise
Pain in the Blog
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:13 PM
Comment #135Just catching up on the blog here. I was particularly taken with Transfer’s post at #56. You said
“In defence of Rafa (and I’m not one who’d want him running the team if we got a new owner, I’d prefer a different style if we were to be lucky enough to have somebody to invest heavily) he has very limited squad. There is little quality, little pace, little goal scoring threat and also we have a group who in my opinion don’t really have a lot of drive and passion, regardless of who managed them. A number don’t see to take responsibility and work hard enough.”
I think you have spoken for most of us there. Jail would disagree and Catchy would… do what Catchy does. I, personally, think it was worth reposting that portion of your excellent post. It says it all. Rafa is performing miracles with what he has. Almost nobody else could do better. But we would prefer a more attacking style if it were possible. But we just know – at the moment – it isn’t possible.
Rotonda heights
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:14 PM
Comment #136Jazzy
18m euros was never going to happen.
ronaldo aarons
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:16 PM
Comment #137Not only was Perez picked up from the lower Spanish division, he was bought as a striker. He is naturally a striker yet has only played that position in his first season, under pardew. If I may say, most fans were impressed with him and thought he did well. This obviously raised expectations like we do up here.
Since then though he’s been all over the shop, left wing, right wing, attacking mid. Past couple years, out of necessity, he has been trying to fill the no10 role in our team. IMO, hardest position to play in as a footballer hence why there are not many proper no10s knocking about.
Add to this, quality has dropped down a lot in our team since he first arrived. To me, looks like he’s not the player to stand out in a team like ours but can play better with better players around him.
He hasn’t had a good season so far but he has been far from the worst. He’s actually done a lot that gets unnoticed and has actually created several openings for others to score however, when they are squandered they are forgotten about.
We always need a whipping boy and it seems at this current time, it’s Ayoze Perez.
toon22
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:18 PM
Comment #138Mike Ashley ousts Debenhams chairman and forces CEO to step down from board
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/mike-ashley-ousts-debenhams-chairman-and-forces-ceo-to-step-down-from-board-a4035911.html
Shows what hes interested in
Hes no interest in us in anything other than next summers TV money
ronaldo aarons
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:18 PM
Comment #139Sunderland can’t do 7 in a row even if we play them next year, last game ended 1-1. Unless they’re calling draws wins for them.
Dondatta13
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:19 PM
Comment #140jazzyp, I wouldn’t blame Rafa if (I doubt he would) if he left on the 1st of Feb. Showing 2 fingers to his employers as he walked out the door.
Amazing how decent, well respected gentlemen can be treated with such disdain in such a public way. Why? because you (Mike) has money? Really?
Rafa is here trying to make Mikes asset successful. While at the same time Mike is beating this fine upstanding gentleman down at every sing opportunity! How bizarre!
By all accounts Rafa’s personality is infectious. The funny thing is that I see Mikes personality equally infectious. The only difference being Mikes infectious personality is like a dose of Ebola.
toon22
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:20 PM
Comment #141He wants to drag the club too summer,where he will regardless of our position,use every penny available to fund his purchace or shops
toon22
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:21 PM
Comment #142Do you really think he will spend money on his adverts when he gets it from us for free ?
While we provide him funds to expand his tat shop empire
jazzyp
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:23 PM
Comment #143Ronaldo
I don’t think Perez is a whipping boy mate. he just splits opinions that’s all. I would say he’s more like marmite..Love him or hate him
Dondatta13
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:25 PM
Comment #144ronaldo aarons, you nailed it. Perez is not and I don’t think ever will be a big stand out fish in a small pond! Which is what he is being asked to be here. Also again 100% correct, he is being played in all anner of positions except his natural one. ??
ronaldo aarons
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:28 PM
Comment #145Jazzy
Maybe whipping boy was too much lol, but do see it getting to that stage if his and the teams performances don’t pick up.
Earlier, Betty even saw it fit to criticise him for carrying out club media duties and giving an interview to club tv.
SPRINGY
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:30 PM
Comment #146Jazzy
We were never in for the lad so of course they were ganna steal a march on us.
jazzyp
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:30 PM
Comment #147Dondatta
Unlike some I see Rafa as one of the glowing success stories under Ashley’s tenure ship, and there hasn’t been many of them as we all know. The only reasoning I can portray for Ashley’s treatment of Benitez is that he has failed to turn Rafa into another yes man so has spat the dummy. One of those gaffers you come across every now and again where it’s there way or find another job scenario.
Oh well another Glen Roeder mk two on the horizon
RobLeenio
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:31 PM
Comment #148I said this months ago, but Ashley does not trust Rafa as he doesn’t understand him. Ashley is a lad’s lad, a boorish, heavy drinking bully boy who has a close circle of friends and mistrusts anyone outside of that circle. Rafa, on the other hand, is an obsessive, tea-total academic type who sets his mind to a task and dedicates himself to it until it is done to the best of his ability, then he does it some more.
Ashley doesn’t get Rafa, he’s the kind of guy he would have targeted in the playground but what he’s found with Rafa is that he won’t be cowed. You push him, he pushes back and he’ll stand toe-to-toe with Ashley. So Ashley has had to bring out the big guns. Hence the very public lies and the very silent backtracking to confuse and dissemble. Hence the promotion of henchmen over Rafa’s head. Hence the standoffishness and plain arrogance in not communicating directly with his manager.
It’s a personality clash, pure and simple. Sadly, the personality we all like the best is the one without the power.
jazzyp
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:32 PM
Comment #149Ronaldo
Really ?? So who should or have the divine right to be a spokesman for Nufc…Catchy or Bladey??
ronaldo aarons
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:40 PM
Comment #150Jazzy
Yeah serious lol, I was surprised too. Glad a couple posters called him out on it as it’s just stupidity saying something like that.
……………..
bettyswallocks
Jan 10, 2019 at 1:44 PM
Comment #76
Why on earth do we have to keep being subjected to big articles with Ayoze Perez voicing his opinion? Footballers surely have to achieve something in the sport or at least look like they are going to in order to earn the respect of readers.
Sorry Ayoze but at the moment you’re not qualified to comment!
Pain in the Blog
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:45 PM
Comment #151ronaldo #137
I agree that Pérez does give his all every game, knowing that he is being played out of position and thereby unable to play to his strengths. He must be frustrated but he does what he is told. Good on him for persevering. I applaud his goal celebration – if I had been booed then I would do the same. Stuff you all. I’m trying my best. I personally say f…. the boo boys and hate filled, ignorant keyboard warriors. Could you do better? (And don’t give me the ‘he’s being well paid’ excuse).
Nicky the ball tosser
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:46 PM
Comment #152I’m a Perez fan. Think he’s among our better players. Dubravka, Fernandez, Lejeune, Shelvey, Ki and Perez our best for mine, although he certainly needs to take a higher percentage of his chances. I think he would in a stronger, more attacking side. He tries things, under pressure, that’s his job, and sometimes they don’t come off, but there’s far more to his game than that.
Bladey
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:46 PM
Comment #153To the fans with grey matter between there ears
RAFA the God needs to stay as does our leader big Mike
They need to stay so NUFC are relegated to the championship scumberland are promoted to the championship and beat us at sjp 3-0
Only then and it’s a big if with the thickets on here might they have a little think to themselves that RAFA is one of the worst managers we have ever had in the epl
His record is shocking 8 home loses knocked out the cup by a championship team could be out the f a cup by another championship team
What is it with you lot it has to be something with this blog as everyone I talk to family work mates want him sacked
Listen numb nuts he’s just another manager
Why are you so hung up on him your hypocrisy
Is unbelievable
RAFA this Rafa that Rafa is our saviour
RAFA is useless stop blaming ASH the players who are shocking but he wasted what money he had on Murphy atsu joselu and the rest
He did nobody else
His football stinks his excuses look at them
He said and I quote after the third defeat we have to cut out the mistakes 20 games later we have to cut out the mistakes
He’s a broken record
But RAFA and ASH have to stay to ram it up your a@@@@ for years to come because
To quote king kev I’d love it love it if this happens
Your p@@@ poor fans and I mean the s@@@@ sheep who do sod all but turn up
I feel so sorry for the fans who try there best to get rid of the worst owner in our history
While you lily livered w@@@@ do nothing
ASH IN RAFA IN
ronaldo aarons
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:48 PM
Comment #154Dondatta
I’ve given my fair share of criticism out to players but last few seasons, I’ve defended a good few on a number of occasions too. Perez being one. Mitro was one too but kind of glad he’s gone now as I don’t have to get involved in any of those debates. Got tiresome in the end lol.
jazzyp
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:50 PM
Comment #155Yawn
hallelujah..john tudor john tudor
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:53 PM
Comment #156good evening fruit cake
ronaldo aarons
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:54 PM
Comment #157Pain
I’m in the same boat as you, his celebration while doesn’t help things, completely understand and don’t mind it all. Like you mention, I’d probably to the same in his position too. I sometimes joke on here playing on the line ‘we don’t demand a team that wins, we demand a team that tries’ unless your name is ayoze perez.
Basically, if a player lacks quality, it’s frustrating as hell but if he is giving his all and doesn’t go hiding when it gets tough, then it’s impossible to criticise imo. Perez to me falls in to this, always gives his all.
ronaldo aarons
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:55 PM
Comment #158Bladey
We saw you cry on Netflix….
Nicky the ball tosser
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:56 PM
Comment #159……he lacks a yard of pace. 🙂
hallelujah..john tudor john tudor
Jan 10, 2019 at 8:56 PM
Comment #160bladey, total nut job