From the quotes coming out of Rafa Benitez’ press conference this morning it looks very much like he’s calmed everybody down as he revealed the HMRC investigation is for things that were done four or five years ago when players like Sylvan Marveaux were at Newcastle.
Sylvain is one of four people arrested in France yesterday as part of the overall investigation, which is focused on France and England..
Sylvain is the player we signed as a free agent in the summer of 2011, but he was never good enough and in four years at the club he made only 52 appearances with two goals.
The Frenchman spent his final year on loan at Guingamp before joining Lorient on a free transfer last summer, after being released by Newcastle.
Rafa Benitez – seems to have calmed everybody down
That’s only one of the things he does at the club
The major news coming out of the press conference with Rafa today is that Mike Ashley called him after the game on Monday night and talked to him and congratulated our manager on a great job done this season.
Rafa also revealed he has already talked a few times with Ashley on things he would like to do in the summer and they will soon have their one-on-one meeting after the season ends on May 7th.
We may be too overconfident but given how upbeat Rafa was today and the comments he has about the owner, we cannot see there being much of a rift between the two men.
After all Rafa is trying to make Mike’s club one of the best in Europe.
And Mike knows what that means in terms of the value of the famous Tyneside club – in short – it goes through the roof.
Why wouldn’t Mike want to support Rafa in doing that?
And in case you think there’s a crisis at the club after yesterday’s shocker, here’s some pictures the Chronicle has issued of the training session today at Benton , where there’ s not one financial file to be found today.
We’ll not name the players – they are obvious – including a certain cheeky Serbian striker shown below.
🙂
Comments welcome.
11 comments so far
Blofal
Apr 27, 2017 at 3:42 PM
Comment #1I must say I don’t believe these so called little injuries.
What Benitez will do is play fringe players with the odd academy player thrown in to get a better idea of who he wants to keep next season.
Players like Mbemba, Atsu, Aarons, Ameobi, Sterry, Sels, Barlaser (who we actually resigned at the end of March yet the club didn’t announce it??).
Jib
Apr 27, 2017 at 3:44 PM
Comment #2The full set of todays training pics
jane
Apr 27, 2017 at 3:46 PM
Comment #3crisis over.
Bobbybee
Apr 27, 2017 at 3:47 PM
Comment #4Ron, I appreciate that mate. I wasn’t really aiming that at you matey, just asking the question in general as to does it really matter? I realise that’s how it may have looked and if so, I apologise unreservedly, that certainly isn’t how it was meant. I was just asking in general ‘does it matter where he was taken to in the greater scheme of things?’ Seemed a pointless argument that’s all. Your input was appreciated, it settled the matter.
Ron Knee
Apr 27, 2017 at 3:50 PM
Comment #5No problem, Bobby.
Bobbybee
Apr 27, 2017 at 3:54 PM
Comment #6Blofal, should make interesting Bingo selections. 🙂 I’m actually looking forward to seeing the starting eleven. I know I’ll get it wrong lmao, I always do. Why change it now? Got it right twice all season, that’s my lot.
I’ll welcome seeing the likes of Sammy and Barlaser playing if they get the nod. Still hoping to see us win the league, but it’s completely out of our hands now. Give the fringe players – not too many obviously – a run out to let them show what they can do. Should be fun.
Zekalea
Apr 27, 2017 at 4:05 PM
Comment #7I’ve never done Rafa bingo before so can anyone tell me when to post my guesses ???
gonufc (Newcastle United Sports Direct Advertising Club)
Apr 27, 2017 at 4:08 PM
Comment #8My biggest surprise this season has been M’bemba – I thought he would definitely be no. 1 CB to help him develop with the others alternating around him. I still think he has the most potential out of them all.
martoon
Apr 27, 2017 at 4:26 PM
Comment #9Zekalea after Ed posts his team which looks like the next blog.
Zekalea
Apr 27, 2017 at 4:47 PM
Comment #10Thank you 🙂
GeordieTwo
Apr 27, 2017 at 6:41 PM
Comment #11This just in from Lee Charnley:
“I hear nothing! I speak nothing! I see nothing! I know nothing! I have no knowledge of any narsty under the table taxy dodging! I do my job, lick the bums I’m told to lick, and collect my pay packet!”