It was critically for Newcastle to get our second win in a row against bottom club Fulham on Saturday
But we failed to do that in what was another below-par performance at St. James’ Park when we didn’t manage one shot on target.
One reason Rafa was so disappointed after the game was that before the end of January we have some very tough fixtures coming up.
Four of the games are against the perennial top six clubs in England.
Rafa Benitez – knows Newcastle have tough games coming up
We have to play at Liverpool and Chelsea and at home to the two Manchester clubs before the end of January.
That’s another reason Rafa is starting to send messages to Mike Ashley that we have to strengthen in January if we don’t want to become a Championship club again in May.
Here’s where we are in the league right now.
[table “76” not found /]Here are the fixtures coming up before February.
Wed 26 Dec Liverpool vs Newcastle 3:00pm
Sat 29 Dec Watford vs Newcastle 3:00pm
Wed 02 Jan Newcastle vs Man United 8:00pm
Sat 05 Jan Newcastle vs Blackburn 5:30pm FA CUP 3rd Round
Sat 12 Jan Chelsea vs Newcastle 5:30pm
Sat 19 Jan Newcastle vs Cardiff 3:00pm
Tue 29 Jan Newcastle vs Man City 8:00pm
Both Ki Sung-yueng and Yoshinori Muto will be missing for these games.
We didn’t do well against the top six clubs during the first ten games, but hopefully, we can pick up some points this time around.
It will be essential to do that otherwise we could be lower than our current 15th position in the league table by February.
It’s too much just thinking about it.
Comments welcome.
104 comments so far
Munster Mag
Dec 24, 2018 at 12:51 PM
Comment #81Kc Southampton will be fine. We need to attack teams like Fulham at home. If you don’t accept that I give up. Fulham are not in good nick and we should have gone after them early. I gave rafa much praise for the Huddersfield game but we can fairly balance that with criticism for Fulham. To argue otherwise is illogical.
kc2012
Dec 24, 2018 at 12:56 PM
Comment #82Munster
As I said Fulham have improved and a point is a point. Yes they’re there to be beaten but we didn’t have the creativity to do it. Hardly Rafa’s fault is it. Why don’t we loan Pep for a game the next time we play them and see what the outcome is. A poor performance yes totally but for me the players looked well out of sorts. The tactics seemed to work against Watford etc
Transfer Sage
Dec 24, 2018 at 12:58 PM
Comment #83Mag
It’s not attacking Rafa to criticise the team’s performance.
It may have been out set up, it may have been a couple of key men having off days. Yes it would have been a bad game to lose, but when we are looking at what this squad can achieve, it’s one the games it was more important to win as we’ll have limited opportunity to pick up 3 points.
It’s not about going hell for leather, but about creating a little more.
GeordieinOhio
Dec 24, 2018 at 12:59 PM
Comment #84@oldgit & Transfer
I agree with you both, hopefully Liverpool have an off day and we get a result ……
On the whole “takeover” …..I have seen people saying “it will be mayhem in the toon if it doesn’t happen” or words to that effect….sorry I disagree! …season ticket holders will still go to the games, understandably they paid, so why waist the ticket, the fans are so loyal to the team nothing will change.
RobLeenio
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:06 PM
Comment #85Chelsea and Liverpool away and the Manchester clubs at home? Pah! 12 points please. Thank you very much.
lochinvar
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:10 PM
Comment #86The Rafa story has made top billing on the BBC Sports website.
At least one blogger says it as it is so Happy Christmas to them and don’t worry about Mickey Mouse you can borrow Goofy Ashley if you like.
208. Posted by Mickey mouse is dead
Utmost respect for nuff but more for they’re incredible fans. Hod knows how they are not riot’s due to how the club is run. Benitez has one hand tied behind his back. Not doing to bad saying that. The Owner is a leech sucking joy from a great city filled with pride and good beer
kc2012
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:15 PM
Comment #87I’m also struggling to find some Man City fans who want Pep out because they got beat at home by a poor Crystal Palace team who they were clear favourites to demolish. Likewise with Sarri after Chelsea’s defeat to Leicester who once again they were clear favourites to demolish.
Rafa picked up more points than Pep and Sarri at the weekend btw but yeah Rafa out and all that.
Frank pingles come sock
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:19 PM
Comment #88Ashley N Bishop
Head to the USA
Getting the $50,000 tiddler extensions
Unfortunately for them 2 + 2 will only add to four inches between them(when excited)
Frank pingles come sock
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:20 PM
Comment #89Inverted Twins
Ashley and Bishop
Two pee wees in a pod
2 inches
Jib
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:24 PM
Comment #90Rafa is being a disingenuous fox
He knows fine well we are not in
any relegation danger.
No one talks about Crystal Palace being
relegation candidates
We are one point behind them with the
same g.d. (-8)
cyprus
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:38 PM
Comment #91“Even if we strengthen in January it will be a miracle if we stay up.”.
Rafa, fans can lose their cool, can be afraid, even some players.
You cannot do that, man. Give em confidence, even if they don’t deserve it!
Rotonda heights
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:39 PM
Comment #92Has Frank’s account been hacked by a 12 year old?
Rotonda heights
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:40 PM
Comment #93it’s an obvious cry for ashley to spend man
NezzaNUFC
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:42 PM
Comment #94Rafa is a great person and a football man not a yes man BUT like Jose he is stubben when it comes to tactics and styles, look at Southampton in fact look at Leeds with their new managers, now these guys are superb, and unfortunately for us Southampton will push up whilst we drop!
You can give Rafa all the money in the world to bring players in but we will always play this boring, outdated style, Jose lost his spark at Manure I believe Rafa will lose his here.
DubaiMicky
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:43 PM
Comment #95Jib @90, i have to agree with you on that one. I don’t think we’re going down, bottom half yes, bottom third maybe, bottom quarter, no way.
cyprus
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:43 PM
Comment #96Anyway we do need to strengthen. One CF, one creative MF. That Abraham guy will do for CF. For MF, maybe that guy playing in the US.
We aren’t that far off. We have a decent keeper, we’re spoilt for choice at CB…
Jib
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:43 PM
Comment #97Rotonda – most 12 year olds I know would be
ashamed of posting Frank’s mindless pap.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:49 PM
Comment #98A poor result and Rafa is past his best again and again and again.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:57 PM
Comment #99The Mag
Doing a poll on how much the toon will spend this transfer window
53% reckon we will spen nothing / maybe a couple of loans
3% £16 million plus
Scary!!!!!
Nufc 4ever
Dec 24, 2018 at 1:59 PM
Comment #100Pingle are u for real unless im missing something what the hell are you on. If you want to write utter drivel find another site utter garbage.
Joe Sophistication
Dec 24, 2018 at 2:03 PM
Comment #101Jail for Ashley
Inane posts from that new poster you say ?
I had no control over the heart award thing .
Thank you for the welcome !
Frank pingles come sock
Dec 24, 2018 at 2:03 PM
Comment #102Microtodger is a term used to describe a weiner that is 2.5 standard deviations smaller than the mean (average) for the age and race of your child. This translates to a stretched knerb length of less than 1.9 centimeters (3/4 inch) at birth; among adults, a microwanger is defined as a flaccid chopper length of 7 centimeters (2-3/4 inches) and an erect dong length of 12.5 centimeters (5 inches). During fetal development, deviations may occur as a result of a genetic aberration or be triggered by hormonal abnormalities.
TikiTakaAcca
Dec 24, 2018 at 2:04 PM
Comment #103Stop talking nonsense Rotonda.
Get out of Benitez’s arse!
Diame and Hayden are cards he was dealt?
Oh, so it’s not the issue of needing a creative number 10 since Rafa has been here?
About the 20M+ he wasted on Muto and Murphy?
Why didn’t he use the money he spent on those to address the issue?
Stop making excuses for him.
Frank pingles come sock
Dec 24, 2018 at 2:04 PM
Comment #104Poor Ashley with is micro dinger