Fans will remember well when there was tension between Rafa Benitez and the hierarchy when he wanted to sign Andros Townsend in January of 2017, and he thought signing that player would help guarantee promotion to the Premier League.
Townsend would have cost £12M, but Lee Charnley in his interview with the Mail has said the money was just not available.
Newcastle tried to do a loan deal near the end of January but that fell through, and the club was concerned about taking on a player who was getting £70K/week.
Lee Charnley – Newcastle want to win a Cup
Ultimately we failed to sign Townsend, and his price was up to £25M in the summer of last year.
Lee has also admitted it was his mistake in signing Steve McClaren which ultimately sent us back down to the Championship.
Mike Ashley allows Charnley to pick the manager but when we heard it was going to be McClaren – he wasn’t even a successful manager never mind a world-class manager.
This is some of what Lee Charnley has said in his fascinating interview in the Mail:
“It’s not like we’re sat on a big pot of cash keeping it for a rainy day.”
“Money comes in, money goes out and what’s left is available to spend, it’s that simple.”
“In simple terms, I accept my share of the responsibility for us going down.”
“Steve McClaren was my appointment. Given the owner’s approach in terms of supporting the manager, me and the club, it just didn’t fit.”
“The players are now hugely incentivised when it comes to the cup competitions.”
“We’ve made our view clear on the cups in the past but now – and we’ve said this to Rafa – it’s, “Have a go, try and win a cup”.”
“‘This year was about staying in the Premier League and now it’s about growing and improving year on year, but doing that within our means,’ he said.
“That’s not to say there is a lack of ambition because there definitely is ambition, it will just take some time.”
Rafa will want to strengthen his squad and make sure we have enough players in the hope we can get two good runs in the FA Cup and League Cup next season.
Comments welcome.
Note:
Jack Farish is currently studying for a Master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology at Northumbria University.
His thesis project looks at Premier League fans’ team identification – how well they support and identify with their team.
Jack has put together a relatively short questionnaire of team identification and satisfaction with life; it should take no longer than 10 minutes.
You can help Jack by filling out the survey here.
27 comments so far
runheed
May 25, 2018 at 10:53 AM
Comment #1What is he on about….. does he make it up or what
Essex Geordie Bill
May 25, 2018 at 10:57 AM
Comment #2Poor Mr Charnley, damned if he says something and damned if he doesn’t.
I have to say that I like and understand what he is saying even if it’s not necessarily his words.
Moonraker15
May 25, 2018 at 11:00 AM
Comment #3Well it’s good to hear “something” from the M.D. at least and knowing HE chose Rafa gives him brownie points. The best decision made at SJP for years !
lochinvar
May 25, 2018 at 11:07 AM
Comment #4Is this the new Summer of Love ?
Love is in the air.
Charnley has a man crush on Rafa.
We all love Rafa.
Ah the sweet small of success and peace is the air or is that just some dodgy plants in the neighbours shed ?
Tsunki
May 25, 2018 at 11:28 AM
Comment #5Jib note these quote marks “I am reading…this….off a……prepared note….sellotaped to…my right thing….my right THIGH..”
Tsunki
May 25, 2018 at 11:33 AM
Comment #6“We’ve made our view clear on the cups in the past but now – and we’ve said this to Rafa – it’s, “Have a go, try and win a cup”.
Fair play as pointed out earlier its crystal clear that the treadwater money mill plan was solidly in place before they knacked even that vanilla idea up with the McCarvew Principle.
I really hope this is a sea change in the corporate direction and of course common sense would tell you a going concern looks all the more tasty with a gleaming freshly polished cup in the trophy cupboard. Have to get the cleaning gear and the spare cutlery out of it first though.
dig-n-dig22
May 25, 2018 at 11:36 AM
Comment #7Hail #4 previous I totally agree.
If the squad can reproduce the form from the back end of last season, then it’s just a case of adding strength in key areas. Now that Rafa looks to be staying we could have an exciting season ahead especially if Rafa can pick up 3 or 4 Gems during the World Cup .A price of £20Mill has been bounded about for Alfi Mawson I think he would be a great addition at that price.
Optimistic Panda
May 25, 2018 at 11:39 AM
Comment #8“That’s not to say there is a lack of ambition because there definitely is ambition, it will just take some time.”
Someone should tell them a five year plan might work.
Tsunki
May 25, 2018 at 11:39 AM
Comment #9I always appreciate a man with the huevos to fess up a clanger. Hats off for that Lee, the Rafa appointment was worth the pain barrier. Onward and upward then…
Aces-of-Eights
May 25, 2018 at 11:39 AM
Comment #10These sudden interviews make me think its going to be a long hard summer. They’re just trying to dampen expectations as they have no intention of spending big. Anyone else get same feeling?
Lindisfarne
May 25, 2018 at 11:40 AM
Comment #11Great to hear he wants Rafa to give it a go in the Cups.
It would be a risk taking a striker on loan from one of the top teams and then them not being able to play against their home club in a Cup match.
Tsunki
May 25, 2018 at 11:43 AM
Comment #12Well they wouldn’t be paying bishop to sit around and share croissants with Chatsworth, bound to be a few furry shells lobbed into the crowd to soften the blow. That’s what I’d do.
Oldgit1
May 25, 2018 at 11:47 AM
Comment #13@ Optimistic Panda, and how many 5 year plans we had over the years, at 70 years of age, I won’t see out too many 5 year plans
Nicky the ball tosser
May 25, 2018 at 11:55 AM
Comment #14We need a bit of luck. A fifty million net spend over the next two windows under Rafa, and a bit of luck, we can win a cup, and maybe even win a Europa league place next term.
Optimistic Panda
May 25, 2018 at 11:59 AM
Comment #15Oldgit
They might surprise us and have a three year plan instead.
Jail for Ashley
May 25, 2018 at 12:04 PM
Comment #16Yes Lindisfarne,
Isn’t it just wonderful that they’ve decided they want to win something, how did we ever doubt them.
Essex Geordie Bill
May 25, 2018 at 12:05 PM
Comment #17When you see the likes of Southampton getting to the Semi’s of the cup, then anyone can win it with a bit of luck.
There’s always a banana skin along the way, any club needs a bit of luck (and a non biased ref) just saying we want to win one isn’t always enough, nor good intentions.
runheed
May 25, 2018 at 12:05 PM
Comment #18You know, some people say we are living in a post truth society. We-e-e-ll… lies have always been normal business practice. This is what this is… why does anyone give these shonky characters any credibility. Isn’t it true that fans we are so far from the seat of power that we need to identify with any tiny atom of hope they drop on us from on high. It’s just an example of their contempt that their lies are so transparent. Do you really think their now suddenly committed to a cup run…don’t make me laugh.
Optimistic Panda
May 25, 2018 at 12:05 PM
Comment #19Oldgit
I’m 42 and when I was about 18 my dad said “you’ll not see Nufc win anything in your life time”
He’s always been a miserable twat and although we’ve been close once or twice it’s starting to feel like he could be right, no matter what Ashley says I can’t see the club having any real ambition or intention of trying to win a cup.
Only statement or interview I want from Charnley or Ashley is that the clubs been sold.
Tsunki
May 25, 2018 at 12:10 PM
Comment #20I know it’s still early yet, but I’m putting “shonky” forward for Word of the Day.
😀
Nicky the ball tosser
May 25, 2018 at 12:10 PM
Comment #21Let’s get in a Firmino type Rafa, and maybe a Salah type while we are about it. Could do with a Marcello type too, a Modric type, and you might as well chuck in a Casemiro type too. Chop. chop, and quick and smart preferably.
Geremi's Prosthetic Leg Fund
May 25, 2018 at 12:13 PM
Comment #22Optimistic Panda
We must have the same Dad. Carbon copy of what mine said when I was a kid as well, and likewise he’s a miserable twat!
I accepted it a long time ago but always felt we should be up there vying for it. The last 11 years have been such a depressing time.
Ron Knee
May 25, 2018 at 12:14 PM
Comment #23“So Mike’s priority was to keep Rafa.”
We just don’t deserve Mr Ashley, do we?
Essex Geordie Bill
May 25, 2018 at 12:22 PM
Comment #24It might actually be a genuine attempt to improve the toxic atmosphere between the club upper hierarchy and the fans.
If so then that has to be a good thing?
Or is that naivety on my part.
Nicky the ball tosser
May 25, 2018 at 12:43 PM
Comment #25Lazaar is officially retired then.
BANDWBURNABY
May 25, 2018 at 2:48 PM
Comment #26Dont believe a word he says, he is lining fans up for a big dissapointment, first statement in years? Ashleys mouthpiece says nothing that doesnt have to be annalized by a top lawyer to find the true meaning. Every penny they earn? What does that mean if they can manage to write creative financial reports.
KevinLee
May 25, 2018 at 8:54 PM
Comment #27Fans will remember well the fuxking Andros Townsend, no teamwork , dribbling by himself, no passing, poor finishing, never mention him again & again & again & again & again & again!!!!!