Rafa has got his players well schooled in what they have to do to ensure Newcastle are safe in the Premier League this season.
That’s the primary goal this season (again), and we have done well in picking up 13 points from the previous 7 games, even after the 2-0 defeat at West Ham on Saturday.
We lost that game in the first half by conceding two poor goals and in retrospect didn’t deserve to take anything from the game.
The concentration levels of some of our players have to be a lot higher when we play against a team like West Ham who have some talented players.
Mo Diame and Rafa Benitez after 2-1 win at home to Cherries last November
Mo Diame knows exactly what is needed as he had this to say as reported in the Chronicle today:
“We knew that the two wins at home were massive for us and were like finals.” “We won both of them and we’re now in a better position.”
“But the Premier League is hard and we need to keep going.” “It is just about going game by game and trying to win.”
“We know what we need to stay up and if we can move further forward we will try.”
“But at the moment it is about being focused on Everton and winning this game.”
“It has been longer than a month (with his hip injury).”
“But I was lucky because we had a break in Spain and it gave me more time to recover and get back.”
“Now I need to get back to the top of my fitness.”
We may see Mo keep his place in the side if Sean Longstaff is not fit for the game against Everton on Saturday.
Sean is having a scan on his knee to better understand the extent of the knee injury he sustained at the London Stadium.
Comments welcome.
8 comments so far
geordietom
Mar 4, 2019 at 3:41 PM
Comment #1For what it’s worth, and after taking the temperature around the various movers and shakers around NUFC, it seems that it’s not quite the case that United are off the market. Ashley would still listen to offers for the club at the right price, but he’s finished with Peter Kenyon and anyone coming to him in future will have to prove they have the funds before the sort of in-depth behind-the-scenes work that was done before Christmas (and cost Ashley a six-figure fund).
‘It doesn’t change anything really: NUFC could still be sold if Ashley gets someone willing to pay his price (of just under £300m when the club’s in relegation trouble, £350m if the club’s safe in the close season), he just isn’t “actively seeking” a buyer (if he ever really was).’
‘But officially off-the-market? That’s not the vibes we’re getting. It really remains status quo in the takeover saga – interested parties remain but nothing to see here at the moment.’
Optimistic Panda
Mar 4, 2019 at 3:48 PM
Comment #2Dubai
Should it not be “Pyrestarter” ?
martoon
Mar 4, 2019 at 3:49 PM
Comment #3geordietom – you consulted your movers and shakers while I simply read it here 😀
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mike-ashley-pulls-plug-takeover-15917829
Jail for Ashley
Mar 4, 2019 at 3:56 PM
Comment #4I think people are getting mixed up about what funds Rafa well get and what he won’t etc. The ball is no longer Mikey’s to take home once Rafa’s contract is up, he has deliberatelky played hard ball because he can these last two years but it’s over now, if he wants Rafa to stay he has to hand over control. An interesting summer awaits.
bettyswallocks
Mar 4, 2019 at 4:03 PM
Comment #5Selling Shelvey would be a backward step for the club unless Rafa has a better replacement lined up. Even with a replacement lined up the chances that Ashley would sanction all the Shelvey money being rolled over into a player of Rafa’s choice are very slim.
hibbit
Mar 4, 2019 at 4:05 PM
Comment #6“and cost Ashley a six-figure fund”
not at all sure how any interested parties doing due diligence on the clubs accounts could have cost Ashley a six-figure sum !!!!
beermonkey
Mar 4, 2019 at 4:07 PM
Comment #7jail
not only does he own the ball he owns where its played
i do see what your saying but i dont think he will change its his way or the high way
if he wants to take all the pie cash and sky money he will
he wont this summer cos he will have to entice a new manager and not many will come here with out a war chest where they go in the next window well time will tell
RobLeenio
Mar 4, 2019 at 4:08 PM
Comment #8“anyone coming to him in future will have to prove they have the funds”
Surely this is what happened this time round too? Having that kind of insight into a potential buyer’s funds means it’s easier for Ashley to move the goalposts.