One thing Rafa may have to give up if he remains at Newcastle is winning trophies.
He has been nowhere near to winning trophies in his almost three years on Tyneside although it didn’t help when we were relegated in May 2016.
That was a big blow and we lost some of our best players that summer.
But with Ashley still in place as the owner, the best he can do if he stays is hope the owner is almost the exact opposite of what he has been since Rafa joined the club three years ago.
Ashley has given him very little money to spend in the transfer windows and the manager has been frustrated by that.
Mike Ashley – Newcastle’s stubborn owner
You cannot build a good team or get near to winning trophies with that policy.
Leicester City won the Premier League rather amazingly back in May 2016 – at the same time we took the drop to the Championship.
And Leicester City are definitely an ambitious club unlike the Mike Ashley owned Newcastle United.
They don’t seem to be that happy with the performance of manager Claude Puel this season and as the Mirror points out today – they could well replace him this summer.
Leicester would be willing to offer everything Mike Ashley will not.
He would get ample transfer funds to bring in new players and the squad is still quite strong.
So if Mike Ashley messes this one up – as he’s done with things before at Newcastle, Rafa could easily make the move to Leicester City.
He would still be close to his home in the Wirral Cheshire.
What Mike Ashley needs to know is that he has to give Rafa a lot of what he wants, to keep him at Newcastle.
His stubbornness may not allow him to do that.
And yes, we hope we are wrong about that.
Comments welcome.
114 comments so far
stan anderson
Feb 22, 2019 at 10:05 PM
Comment #81Good night for us,results could.nt have been better.
Now we need to beat the mighty Huddersfield tomorrow.
If we do that i will feel a whole lot easier.
People on this blog are killing it with their name calling of other Toon supporters who may have different views to their own.
Live and let live.
ASHLEY OOT.
Jib
Feb 22, 2019 at 10:08 PM
Comment #82Mark Douglas
NUFC will be on TV at least 18 times and with Liverpool and Fulham to come,
that’s likely to be 20 of their 38 matches (so another £4m).
It’s not unreasonable for Rafa to be asked to be backed.
He’s a big reason why TV is showing NUFC
– and why they’re still on the gravy train.
toon22
Feb 22, 2019 at 10:24 PM
Comment #83JIB
Its hard putting a positive PR spin on everything
Isnt it
Hiya
toon22
Feb 22, 2019 at 10:25 PM
Comment #84You think MA has been reasonable in the last 11 years ?
Jib
Feb 22, 2019 at 10:34 PM
Comment #85Article in .com
“Yet more urine extraction
The live Premier League TV selections for April were announced
on Friday,with a further three games involving Newcastle switched.
As usual, the broadcasters pay absolutely no heed to the needs of
travelling supporters – these latest alterations looking like a deliberate
effort to deter fans from actually attending these games –
public transport no longer an option for any of them”
While you have sympathy – it is after all only 3,000 people affected.
Sky’s attitude will be I’m sure – at £2m a time we are perfectly entitled
to think of our worldwide audience when scheduling games.
It would be a nice gesture for the club to subsidise transport for these games
Jib
Feb 22, 2019 at 10:36 PM
Comment #86Look out toon 22
Bear Grylls is behind ya
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/22/uk/bear-grylls-bulgaria-fine-intl-scli-gbr/index.html
jane
Feb 22, 2019 at 11:21 PM
Comment #87“At this point Jane
I would probably accept anything to get rid of MA
ANYTHING”
you’re not really a fan are you?
jane
Feb 22, 2019 at 11:22 PM
Comment #88“Good results for us tonight”
Jail i take back what i said earlier.
jane
Feb 22, 2019 at 11:37 PM
Comment #89only two 3pm kick-offs in the Premier league tomorrow.
Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 22, 2019 at 11:47 PM
Comment #90I can see us catching Palace and finishing 13th on around 42 to 45 points, given our form since Rondon returned to fitness after the horror start. The new players will have given the squad a lift and increased competition which will encourage better performances, as will the return of Diame, Ki, Muto, Dummett and Shelvey. Rafa’s loyal, but it’d hardly be a weakness to stick with Atsu, Perez, Hayden and Longstaff to see how they respond to the competition for their shirts, if that’s what he chooses to do. None deserve to be dropped.
I’d like to see this side..
………………Dubravka.
…….Schar….Lascelles…Lejeune.
Yedlin…..Ki….Longstaff……..Ritchie.
………..Perez…………..Almiron.
………………….Rondon.
But I’d get right behind a side like..
………………Dubravka.
…….Schar….Lascelles…Lejeune.
Yedlin…..Hayden….Longstaff……Ritchie.
………..Perez…………..Atsu.
………………….Rondon.
…..and would expect it to beat Huddersfield.
Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 23, 2019 at 12:38 AM
Comment #91“This Club Could Offer Benitez Everything. Mike Ashley Will Not”
That’s a banner.
lesh
Feb 23, 2019 at 1:15 AM
Comment #92RobLeenio
I was about to ask Jibjan to have the courtesy to attribute that post but you beat me to it.- well done.
We all know that Jibjan is the master of lifting information from the web and posting it as though it’s its own original thoughts. Decency isn’t in his/ her/ its vocabulary.
Mister Tuff
Feb 23, 2019 at 1:30 AM
Comment #93Lesh – back to the fray – good stuff.
DubaiMicky
Feb 23, 2019 at 5:41 AM
Comment #94Match Daaaaaaaaay!!!!!
My predicted:-
Dubravka.
Schar, Lascelles, Lejeune.
Yedlin, Hayden, Longstaff, Ritchie.
Perez Almiron
Rondon
8 hours 20 minutes to ko
Jail for Ashley
Feb 23, 2019 at 6:01 AM
Comment #95jane,
It doesn’t matter, I honestly believe that anything you post is irrelevant bar your U’s fixtures and results which we can get anyway from .com. The fact that you bracketed me in with toon kk and his ilk pretty much proves that anything you post is done for an inflammatory purpose and lacks any kind of substance.
DubaiMicky
Feb 23, 2019 at 6:05 AM
Comment #96https://twitter.com/IfRafaGoesWeGo/status/1098979213670051840
Chi still awaiting answers from her letter to Lee Marshall. Funny how the club are ignoring these isn’t it.
This is the letter, note the date, the questions and the wonky page 😉
https://ibb.co/pxMTz5S
Lindisfarne
Feb 23, 2019 at 6:06 AM
Comment #97Although Atsu has improved with the run of games, I expect he will make way for Almiron but he could come on for any of the front three.
I half expect a different starter in the midfield pair, as it is only Hudds, but who is difficult to say as they all have their merits. I still believe Hayden will leave in the summer and is the most likely to be replaced.
DubaiMicky
Feb 23, 2019 at 6:13 AM
Comment #98The first question is the killer….
“Have assets which were part of Mr. Ashley’s purchase been sold away from the club or moved into other entities owned by Mr. Ashley”
That is a brilliant question, no wonder the club won’t answer it.
Go Chi! (From a non-labour supporter).
Lindisfarne
Feb 23, 2019 at 6:22 AM
Comment #99Would expect a social media campaign from the supporters of the Magpie Group to Lee Marshalls account, but they have already been banned.
Lindisfarne
Feb 23, 2019 at 6:38 AM
Comment #100If Declan Rice is the ‘Basmati Busquets’ can his future England midfield partner be the ‘Dutch Crutch’? As Sean can pull the ball under control and play ‘Total football’ any where on the pitch.
Lindisfarne
Feb 23, 2019 at 7:08 AM
Comment #101Damn it, I was thinking of a Shepherd’s Crook not Crutch!!!!!
posada
Feb 23, 2019 at 8:16 AM
Comment #102Last nights results can be summed up it one word.
Super, smashing, great.
As Jim used to say.
I also thought Mitro looked a bit fatter in the face. Like when he played for us.
DeanToon88
Feb 23, 2019 at 8:44 AM
Comment #103Newcastle is going to win 2-0 today with Almiron to score the second, trust me, put a bet on you won’t be disappointed.
Jib
Feb 23, 2019 at 8:44 AM
Comment #104a
I would expect a letter from an MP to the media officer
of any company re matters concerning sale of assets
to be referred on to other folk in the company.
b
How do you know there has not been a response in
the same form viz snailmail.
c
That is so typical of the current Labour party (which
I’ve voted for , for years) that they publish a private
communication on social media.
It’s basically Onwurah saying “hey look at me what
a clever girl I am” a regular Abbott and Corbyn device
Jib
Feb 23, 2019 at 8:46 AM
Comment #105Saturday morning lie-in
Bacon and egg banjo
A great weekend of sport
It doesn’t get much better than this
😀
DeanToon88
Feb 23, 2019 at 8:51 AM
Comment #106Got a feeling everyone’s going to love Almiron very quickly, the lad an absolutely quality signing one of the best if not the best signing of this transfer window, I’m very good at judging players and this is a player that Rafa has done his research in, he brings in everything that this squad needs and has a great temprament, amazing speed, great workrate, an eye for goal, great passing,
DeanToon88
Feb 23, 2019 at 8:56 AM
Comment #107He’s exactly like Hatem Ben Arfa, just a lot younger. he brings something that this team badly lacks, we have a team of grafters with great work rate and temperament but none with real skill. and this lad has it in abundance, he will add something to this team we have lacked for years, skill, he has a beast of a shot anorl mind you. can’t wait to see him play for the black and white, howay the lads!!
Munster Mag
Feb 23, 2019 at 8:58 AM
Comment #108Agree Dean but I’m the chief scout around here having heralded longstaff heavily back in the late summer when guys on here looking at girls arses in Spain 🙂
DeanToon88
Feb 23, 2019 at 9:01 AM
Comment #109He can also play on either wing or as a CAM and will also add competition for Perez, as he has no one to challenge his position, so he will hopefully step up his game as well. just an all round quality signing, not sure on barecca though but he looks like an astute signing since we needed backup on left back as we badly lacked anyone playing in that position.
Jib
Feb 23, 2019 at 9:02 AM
Comment #110Except Mr Tuff who was looking at men’s arses in France
Munster Mag
Feb 23, 2019 at 9:03 AM
Comment #111Almiron has some serious work rate. Was he trying to get his head to the ball at one stage when he was on the ground v wolves? Just to make a block or get in way? It looked like that!
Munster Mag
Feb 23, 2019 at 9:07 AM
Comment #112Dean I also called out Davide Santon as being shite when it wasn’t popular to do so. And that poncy French winger with the cute girlfriend. Didn’t suit us anyway. And I wanted rondon when lots didn’t. I’m a scouting ledge Dean :)!
Munster Mag
Feb 23, 2019 at 9:09 AM
Comment #113Jib watch out, Mr Outraged aka jail will pull you for homophobia for that comment.
DeanToon88
Feb 23, 2019 at 9:14 AM
Comment #114Munster Mag, Football manager does come in handy for spotting real talent mind you haha ;). it’s usually bang on and you can spot out some really good players that are of an unknown quality, but seriously I have watched him play quite a few times for Atlanta since I actually like to watch the MLS, its not that bad of a league and every time he’s played he has offered something different, he’s a really good player, and will slot into this team perfectly, his only negatives are is that he is very one footed. and teams will try and take advantage of that and try and get him onto his right side instead of his left he also has not got a very good scoring record, but his other qualities far outweigh the negatives, can’t wait to see him playing. quality.