Rafa Benitez has been accused of using negative tactics at Newcastle at times over these past two seasons.
Such as defending against the top six clubs and trying not to concede.
That’s kept us in the games, and we have beaten Man United, Man City, and Arsenal over the last couple of seasons.
But at times it was all out defending, and pundits wanted to see Newcastle attack more.
But when you go head to head with top teams, you can end up being taken apart.
We have kept close to the top side during games and won some.
Adrian Durham at TalkSPORT believes Newcastle should have gone toe to toe with the top teams.
Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez celebrate winning goal on Saturday
But he hasn’t the responsibility of ensuring Newcastle stay in the Premier League.
This is some of what has said on talkSPORT:
“I think criticism for his negativity has been a fair criticism,”
“Celebrating losing games 1-0 or 2-1 against bigger opponents because it means the goal difference hasn’t been hammered that much, I’m not into that.”
“This is the Premier League where you should be trying to compete and should be giving it a go, especially when you go 1-0 or 2-0 down.”
“You should be trying to at least get back onto level terms not just settling for a minus-1 on the goal difference.”
“However, I’m looking at Newcastle now and that trio up-front – Almiron, Perez and Rondon – they are going to be entertaining.”
“These three have a link-up play that everyone is going to love.
“So I’m not going to say it’s football Keegan was playing first time around because that was sensational but they’re just getting to be that little more attractive, easy on the eye.”
“And he’s (Rafa) spotted a player, he wanted Almiron, they’ve gone to get him to be fair and broken that record, but he wanted him.”
“Benitez knew what that player could bring to that first eleven and boy has he done it. They are a really entertaining watch.”
It’s so easy to criticize when you are a pundit – you don’t have any responsibility for the clubs you criticize.
Yes, it usually makes for better games for the fans when you try to attack the opposition.
But not to be stupid about it and subsequently, be torn apart by teams who are worth more than 10 times what the Newcastle team cost to put together.
Did I say it was easy to be a pundit?
Comments welcome.
49 comments so far
DubaiMicky
Mar 13, 2019 at 8:56 AM
Comment #1Mike Dean the ref on Saturday.
He has form with (against) us.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 13, 2019 at 8:58 AM
Comment #2Tell that to the owneryou plum and at 1-0 down you are always still in the game.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 13, 2019 at 8:58 AM
Comment #3Should be a good game they are vulnerable at the back and we seem to concede daft goals at the moment I suppose its all about who can finish their chances!!
lochinvar
Mar 13, 2019 at 9:03 AM
Comment #4Loose talk but the papers are warming up for the next transfer window
Crystal Palace and Brighton are among the clubs interested in signing Newcastle United’s 31-year-old French midfielder Mo Diame. (Star)
Jail for Ashley
Mar 13, 2019 at 9:04 AM
Comment #5Jiblets from previous,
Please refrain from thinking it doesn’t become you, stick to googling as although not perfect it gives you a better accuracy rate.
Mag52
Mar 13, 2019 at 9:07 AM
Comment #6It’s a perfectly legitimate tactic, in certain games, to play defensively and rely on breakaways to score your goal(s).
The present team look far more able to do this effectively than the team we put out at the beginning of the season.
posada
Mar 13, 2019 at 9:08 AM
Comment #7I’d like to see Rafa go for it.
He won’t.
He’s still playing the percentages. The usual defensive set up, hit them on the break etc.
It will keep us up, so you can’t really argue with it.
Does it give us the same chance of winning. Probably.
Jib
Mar 13, 2019 at 9:12 AM
Comment #8Loch
We are being linked with another wunderkind from
MK Dons ala Dele Alli
Jib
Mar 13, 2019 at 9:17 AM
Comment #9Bournemouth’s strikers have levelled out
a bit – Wilson and King have lost a bit of form
whereas our strike force backed by Miggy seem
to be on an upward curve
Bambams
Mar 13, 2019 at 9:23 AM
Comment #10Micky
Every game he has with us…
It ends up ‘ All about him’
The way he twists his face when speaking to the boys ! Not one of the better refs
Jail for Ashley
Mar 13, 2019 at 9:26 AM
Comment #11Jib,
Wilson has just returned from injury where he scored and assisted, his injury over the last six weeks might explain his loss of form. Refrain I tell ye. Refrain
Jib
Mar 13, 2019 at 9:43 AM
Comment #12https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/analysing-rafa-benitezs-three-years-14120511
RobLeenio
Mar 13, 2019 at 9:44 AM
Comment #13posada from previous, yep it’s a complex area and I could have written for ages, but was purposefully simplifying. Interesting points you make, though, well reasoned and I agree with the majority.
Ron Knee
Mar 13, 2019 at 9:48 AM
Comment #14#nufc
RobLeenio
Mar 13, 2019 at 9:51 AM
Comment #15On Mike Dean, I sdon’t think we should take it too personally
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a4R8JH3aDI
RobLeenio
Mar 13, 2019 at 9:51 AM
Comment #16Lol Ron, cheers
lochinvar
Mar 13, 2019 at 9:56 AM
Comment #17Jib
Any chance we’ll sign this wonder kin ?
Maybe Ashley learns from experience ( Deli Ali ) but then again …
ronaldo aarons
Mar 13, 2019 at 9:57 AM
Comment #18Bournemouth V Newcastle United
Saturday 16th March 2019
Kick off: 15:00
Also, better known as, The Mike Dean Show!
Catch up on the latest antics of Mike Dean as he diverts your attention away from football. In this current chapter, he seeks his 100th red card and is likely to serve it out for Bournemouth against his favourite victims, Newcastle United.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:01 AM
Comment #19Unfortunately for us fans we’re going to have to witness a PR battle between the owner and manager, if I’m correct and it was Rafa’s camp that gave Hardy that story the other day then Ashley will no doubt hit back with Keys, Gray and his poisoned dwarf, luckily we’ll all, or must of us know which version of events to believe.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:06 AM
Comment #20I said it before and stand by it, If Rafa doesn’t sign on or better put if Ashley doesn’t persuade him to stay then this season has been another waste of time to add to all the other seasons that have wasted our time. After last season’s heroics we should have built on that with mid table comfort and a proper shot at the FA cup, instead we’re in exactly the same boat as last year with a lot worse to come if Rafa leaves.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:11 AM
Comment #21I wonder how much Rondon will affect the manager’s decision, we need back up for Rondon if he does stay, is Mikey honestly going to shell out 20M for an U25 to be back up to Rondon, he’s going to expect him to come in and hit the ground running and double his value.
RobLeenio
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:11 AM
Comment #22Jail, yep, the battle lines are being drawn as we speak. It really shouldn’t be like that, but to the victor the spoils. In this case, control of the club for the coming years.
From previous, btw, I agree on thise ‘purple’ players – we saw it with Florian Thauvin also, cracking player, he’s averaging over a goal every two games for Marseille, was never played in his proper role at Newcastle and became unsettled.
This is why a policy like that needs strong management and a long-term transfer strategy, rather than having Graham Carr running round Europe like a kid at the Wilko’s pick and mix aisle.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:15 AM
Comment #23Are Chelsea going to take a 20M punt on Mitro, or Bournemouth if Wilson goes to Chelsea for 50M???? I doubt it, and I doubt we’d have got 21/25M for him either if some patsy had just kept lumping the ball up to him while helping relegate us, brilliant business by Rafa offloading him to the Champo, shame the owner punished him for it.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:17 AM
Comment #24RobLeenio,
What effect does having a “purple” policy have on the shitty browns, Willo who played more than any “purple” was our player of the year one season.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:22 AM
Comment #25Ok Willo,
Although you and Mbwia have been doing great, Collo’s on the list as a “purple” so we were going to drop you but as we haven’t got a LB we’re sticking the new guy there and you van stay there till that “purple” LB turns up.
ronaldo aarons
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:25 AM
Comment #26That picture doing the rounds last night of Ashley, wise, vardy and his wife partying. It’s not surprising after seeing the video of vardy in that casino racially abusing a japanese guy and putting it down to being drunk and ‘ignorant’. All while his wife is just sat there smiling away.
I think they’re all made for each other.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:29 AM
Comment #27It’s funny how all the posters who slaughtered the manager for letting go of Mitro are strangely quiet about it now, you’d think, what with their convictions being so strong, they’d at least be trying to justify their opinion.
beermonkey
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:41 AM
Comment #28rolando
you got a link to it
RobLeenio
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:41 AM
Comment #29Jail, yep – it was clear that Ashley and his goons had a huge influence on the match day squad based entirely on who they thought would be the best long-term investment. It can’t have gone down well with the other squad members who deserved their place on merit.
Just as you mention WIllo, who a few on here remember with less credit than he deserves
https://twitter.com/GatesheadFC/status/1105410186234290176
Just a fan
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:49 AM
Comment #30Wilko was a joke of a centre half.
He was either voted player of the season as a joke or by a load of mackems.
Follow had to do the the job of two men that’s why he looked bad.
ronaldo aarons
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:56 AM
Comment #31Beer
Link to what, the mike dean show? 😉
beermonkey
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:57 AM
Comment #32ashey wise vardy
ronaldo aarons
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:57 AM
Comment #33Beer
https://mobile.twitter.com/worflags/status/1105487800982482947
Job posted it on here last night I think.
ronaldo aarons
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:58 AM
Comment #34Jib*
ronaldo aarons
Mar 13, 2019 at 10:58 AM
Comment #35Yeah I know what you meant lol, just pulling your leg.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 13, 2019 at 11:02 AM
Comment #36I don’t understand Ashley’s logic about selling younger players for more money he is actually sitting on a bit of a gold mine money wise from potential sales because of Rafa:
Dubravka bought for 3.5 easily a 15 million keeper on current form
Lejuene easily 15 – 20 million defender
Schar same
Lascalles is at least 10 – 12 million possibly more because of being English
Yedlin probably worth 10 million
Perez stats put him 6th most effective attacker in the league at the moment well worth 15 million or more in the current market
Dummet another 8 or 10 million defender
Hayden 10 million in current market
Most of those players will have doubled or tripled in value after a year or two of working with Rafa granted there has been some players that we may lose a bit of money on such as Murphy and Muto but not every signing works out would be offset by the profits from sales of other players !
Jail for Ashley
Mar 13, 2019 at 11:13 AM
Comment #37Just a fan,
He played more games than any other defender of his time and gave his all for the shirt. It’s testament to the player that despite his lack of ability and so called fans, just a fan abusing him he carried on trying, it wasn’t his fault the owner wouldn’t buy better.
Rotonda heights
Mar 13, 2019 at 11:21 AM
Comment #38It’s quite funny, well not really, but when Carr recommended all these youngsters and so few were followed up on, due to the penny pinching of an odd million or so and then Rafa blocks 2 record breaking moves for 2 Croatian youngsters as he wanted to prioritise more experience to keep us up at the time.
Ironically Ash finally has the man who could develop youngsters in a way that the joke z listers we’ve had before never could. Ash hasn’t even remotely tried to disguise his sell for profit strategy, but if done properly it could work well as long as everything doesn’t just go to feeding MASH holdings.
Ash’s biggest problem has always been the scuzzy people he surrounds himself with and of course his horrendous greed, his economy of the truth, his awful PR and . . . . . .and . . . .. and . . .. .
Lindisfarne
Mar 13, 2019 at 11:29 AM
Comment #39Despite being more ‘entertaining’, I imagine Rafa will be more defensive on the south coast this weekend. Probably sticking with three central defenders if injuries/suspensions allow. However I wonder if the 4411 formation may return, for reasons of practicality and moving away from the front three we have come to expect.
The approaching International break would indicate that players do not need to be rested for this game, but it has been used previously by South American players to return home early and avoid the associated effects of long haul flights. There could therefore be a few changes to the starting line up, although probably not Diame and I wonder if Ritchie will get a game on the wing.
The alternative options for staring places, presuming Dummett is starting in a back four, would be Fernandez especially if Lascelles (&Clarke) is injured. On the wings Kennedy who had a decent enough cameo last time, or Atsu who has been looking more confident. Potentially changing the front two would be a more difficult decision with the seemingly hopeless Joselu and under utilised Muto the only contenders, however the opportunity to seize the attention could be good motivation.
Lindisfarne
Mar 13, 2019 at 11:34 AM
Comment #40If NUFC is only 3% of Ashley’s over all holdings, I do wonder why he excessively feels the need to interfere.