Rafa held a meeting with reporters after the game today when we lost 1-0 to Augsburg at home.
The boss was calm and collected and not as agitated as he was on Wednesday night after the team conceded four goals in the second half against Braga.
But Rafa also made a few pointed comments – aimed at Mike Ashley.
He says he came here for a project and doesn’t like just surviving every year – which seems to be what’s happening for next season.
A stern looking Rafa Benitez – in the dugout today
Do only enough in the transfer market, so we are a Premier League club next season – spend as little as possible – that could be the Ashley strategy in a nutshell.
That’s not for Rafa – he wants to achieve things at Newcastle – which is why he will likely call it a day – and leave next summer when his contract is up.
Here are some of the comments he has made as reported in the Chronicle:
“I think it was an entertaining game for the fans because both teams have chances. We improved from the other day because we had more control and played on the ball a bit better. Still we have to improve.”
“At the moment I can’t say a lot (about transfers). Maybe in a couple of days I can say more.”
“I was talking with Lee Charnley before the game and I’ll maybe see him after the game.”
I’m not saying we’re not working, but we had things lined up.”
“I am confident we can do it (new transfers).” ” If you’re asking me if it’s ideal I would say no because the way I like to work is to do things early but if we can’t do that we have to work.”
“I hope we can do it.”
“Normally when we have had time and support, we deliver. So we have won trophies everywhere.”
“And it was the idea to do something similar here and I am not happy we have to just survive every year.”
“But at the moment we have to see if we can improve the squad.”
We don’t blame Rafa one little bit – but he has an owner in place who has no ambitions whatsoever for Newcastle.
The level of his ambition is to keep us a Premier League side and spend as little as possible to achieve that.
Comments welcome.
279 comments so far
posada
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:11 PM
Comment #41Many of the comments on here are venting anger at Ashley.
He’s this he’s that.
Don’t we know that already.
Sky is blue grass is green.
Very little actual craik.
Moonraker15
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:11 PM
Comment #42Hibbitt
@28
Understandable mate! I’m afraid Ed’s famous blog is being overrun with Ashley apologists and others who are just happy with survival in the EPL! Also, more worrying are the Richard Keys sympathisers who want Rafa to leave apparently. Are they Mackems or have they been asleep for 11 years?
Moonraker15
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:15 PM
Comment #43Posada
It’s a temporary situation as you may have noticed the transfer window has less than a week to go and we have spent nothing of the money “generated” by the club!
When the season starts we should all concentrate on the team.
posada
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:16 PM
Comment #44When the Ownership Roulette Wheel was spun we ended up with Ashley.
I suggested trying to get support for a nation wide boycott of his shops.
Received very little support.
Ah well, Cashley wins again. Divided we stand united we fall.
The bed sheets will be waved. A one off demo at his Newcastle shop.
For a man who has been blasted by a parliamentary investigation thats like sticking a pea nut up an Elephants back end.
Bobbybee
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:16 PM
Comment #45Not a bad performance today but highlighted again the need for a striker. Joselu isn’t the answer, whatever the question is.
Ki looks like a wicked steal. Played some wonderful balls a la Shelvey.
Missed a great chance with Perez, quick break and a cross that should’ve been covered resulted in the goal. Dummett should’ve had him but he was, nowhere to vm be seen.
jazzyp
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:18 PM
Comment #46Imagine having a Bentley and saying right I want to sell it for 30% more than its probably worth and I am going to run it into the ground until someone buys it and sod paying to have it serviced. That is Ashley in a nutshell
jane
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:18 PM
Comment #47“we have spent nothing of the money “generated” by the club!”
but signed 6 quality players including 3 experienced internationals. not bad business!
jane
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:19 PM
Comment #48sorry G2 was that another dig?
posada
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:19 PM
Comment #49I understand that people are angry and they feel the need to do something.
Trouble is that something whatever it is might make them feel better but that is all.
I don’t actually think we can do anything.
He’s gonna go one of 2 ways. Bought out or an Ellis Short style asset strip.
RUNAWAY777
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:21 PM
Comment #50Hibbit what your apologies for mate if you had not done it someone else would of he been asking for it you just oblige him.
Moonraker15
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:21 PM
Comment #51Yorky
@34
Fair enough you’ve made your point!
Now fcuk off!
posada
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:22 PM
Comment #52jazzyp
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:18 PM
Comment #46
Imagine having a Bentley and saying right I want to sell it for 30% more than its probably worth and I am going to run it into the ground until someone buys it and sod paying to have it serviced. That is Ashley in a nutshell
**************************************
Why say that. We all know it.
Moonraker15
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:23 PM
Comment #53Jane
And what about player sales?
jazzyp
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:24 PM
Comment #54We’ve got £25M at least sat in the bank just from transfer profit alone this window. That’s on top of TV money and other revenue.
Yet our main striker target is coming in ON LOAN with our main striker going the other way.
Well done Ashley and his minions for screwing the club over again through yet another transfer window
jane
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:25 PM
Comment #55“Jane
And what about player sales?”
we’ve done well to get them off the books
north east lincs toon
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:25 PM
Comment #56You get football pundits who have there opinions which is what they get paid for then there is Prichard keys who is a complete tw@t slagging us off someone who never made the grade
jazzyp
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:26 PM
Comment #57posada
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:19 PM
Comment #49
I understand that people are angry and they feel the need to do something.
Trouble is that something whatever it is might make them feel better but that is all.
I don’t actually think we can do anything.
Posada
Why keep telling us we cannot do anything about it???
We all know that
GeordieTwo
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:27 PM
Comment #58No that was a reasonable comment Jib/Jane/Jeff. But there are so few of them from you sad to say.
Moonraker15
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:27 PM
Comment #59Jane/jib
Agreed but they were sold for fees weren’t they? So what’s our net spend on transfers?
jane
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:28 PM
Comment #60as Rondon has only 1 year of his contract left he may like to stay next season for free.
RUNAWAY777
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:28 PM
Comment #61Lads you should be doing my job tonight disco in a mackems club there all on a high cause they won a leauge 1 game pmsl
ilovetoon8788
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:29 PM
Comment #62It’s all about surviving relegation again. Gonna be a long hard season where we will be in and out of the relegation zone. But I think we’ll just about survive as we have Rafa.
Well done Ashley. You have destroyed our club while your SD business has grown and you’ve become richer through us. Free advertising and all.
Well done a*hole..
GeordieTwo
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:29 PM
Comment #63Once Rafa leaves I think the real storm will break out. Because whoeveever comes in his place after watching this pathetic behavior by Ashley will have to be a real sycomphant with no spine. Then watch us fall down the league because we’re mainly being held up by Rafa’s tactical brilliance.
jazzyp
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:30 PM
Comment #64ilovetoon8788
Bang on mate
jane
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:30 PM
Comment #65i’m pleased for Potter that Swansea won, we should hear from Welshie soon.
lesh
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:31 PM
Comment #66Jib, back from the match? I should cocoa!
yorkymag, predictably back and on script – have you been to the match with your gangmaster, Jib?
And, even Jane’s towing the party line – she been to the match as well or did Jib leave you at home?
They’re a disgrace and well matched with their paymaster!
jazzyp
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:31 PM
Comment #67G2
Don’t keep repeating or venting ya anger on here pal, Some don’t like it lol
jane
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:32 PM
Comment #68“Then watch us fall down the league because we’re mainly being held up by Rafa’s tactical brilliance.”
not if it’s Arsene Wenger
Moonraker15
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:33 PM
Comment #69Jane/jib/ whoever
@47
I have no problem with the players brought in and welcome the bargain prices.
We badly need a quality striker to back up Muto and and it’s gonna be a mad panic again.
dee em
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:33 PM
Comment #70Considering Man Utd Chelsea arsenal and a fair few others were beaten in the second half of the season and a few points dropped with late goals conceded I feel we will be fine, especially with the few additions we look to have added. Rondon isn’t prolificbut the whole attack changes when you have a willing and strong target man. Big year for Perez he will progress as he learns composure and plays off a big man. A settled Kenedy and Muto will also add to the mix
posada
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:36 PM
Comment #71jazzyp
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:26 PM
Comment #57
posada
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:19 PM
Comment #49
I understand that people are angry and they feel the need to do something.
Trouble is that something whatever it is might make them feel better but that is all.
I don’t actually think we can do anything.
Posada
Why keep telling us we cannot do anything about it???
We all know that
********************
You don’t it would seem.
Mentioned yesterday we could canvas for support to boycott his shops nationally.
No one interested. Reality is they want to talk about doing something and have a go at others for not doing anything. But that’s all.
It’s just ranting to make themselves feel better.
Well, I’ve seen it for 10 years.
Right back to the 70s n sack the board etc.
Moonraker15
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:36 PM
Comment #72Jane/ jib
Arsene Wenger! Haha he would want 10 million a year!
Pardew is waiting in the wings licking his lips!
jane
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:36 PM
Comment #73“We badly need a quality striker to back up Muto”
if Rondon is coming i wouldn’t have thought we will be getting another striker as well.
newcs
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:38 PM
Comment #74Yorkymag you sound like you’re about 15 and know nothing about world diplomacy, politics or managment.
Stick to football manager.
toon22
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:39 PM
Comment #75Makes you think that the Ashley might have a payed PR team here defending his “reputation” if such a thing exsists.
Imho he is doing to the toon what hes done to his work force.
plain and simple near victorian greed and working practices.When people mention workers rights and coperate greed you could in every instance picture MA
As for his stuardship of the club its blatantly obvious he isnt a fit owner of a sporting buisness
the ledge
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:39 PM
Comment #76and when we are telling people to f..k off .
Jane will you ever f..k off and stop spouting s..t
lochinvar
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:40 PM
Comment #77Chancel and others
g -r = minus 1 ( for Baggies fans )
or
r – g = plus 1 ( for Toon fans )
But has Charnley factored in shirt sales ?
That apart, Rafa was previously talking about 3/4 new players so if Rondon arrives then the elusive new number 10 to add fire power, the new left back to cover Dummett and the new CB for depth with Lejeune’s injury are still to be found and one more for good luck.
posada
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:40 PM
Comment #78jazzyp
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:24 PM
Comment #54
We’ve got £25M at least sat in the bank just from transfer profit alone this window. That’s on top of TV money and other revenue.
Yet our main striker target is coming in ON LOAN with our main striker going the other way.
Well done Ashley and his minions for screwing the club over again through yet another transfer window
**********************
Jazzy. Your just stating the obvious again.
Why.
I’ll tell you why. I’ll even accept I’ve done it myself.
Come on the blog looking for approval.
Dead easy slag off Ashley and be popular.
Hope it makes you feel better, but it’s not great craik and achieves nothing.
jane
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:40 PM
Comment #79“Arsene Wenger! Haha he would want 10 million a year!”
at least he doesn’t like spending the clubs money on players though…perfect fit !
mfw13
Aug 4, 2018 at 7:40 PM
Comment #80Well, that’s pretty much the problem in a nutshell, isn’t it?
Ca$hley couldn’t give a damn about trophies….he’s not even a Geordie….all he cares about is making a profit.