In the Evening Standard’s Manchester United transfer report there is a frightening paragraph about Sean Longstaff.
The paragraph reads as follows:
James Robson reports that United are set to make an official bid for Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff imminently, with the Red Devils looking to take advantage of the fact that Rafa Benitez is leaving the Magpies.
To lose Rafa Benitez in the manner that we have is going to have massive repercussions for the club. Sean Longstaff had proclaimed his dreams of playing for his hometown and all but squashing the Manchester United rumours earlier this month.
Now we have to wonder if the departure of Benitez will open him up to considering an offer from the Red Devils. Our academy has been sub-standard for ages.
If this summer we lose our most promising youngster in a generation, and a local lad at that, due to the dereliction of this owner that would add further insult to an already salt-rubbed wound.
Rafa and Sean– what might have been?
The Mike Ashley model is to bring in players with a high sell-on value. With a player like Sean Longstaff, Ashley did not even half to pay to bring him in. To think he could sell the local phenom for £25M, and to Manchester United of all clubs.
We have to brace for impact I’m afraid. On Monday, Mike Ashley seized the controls of this club and sent it into a nosedive. We haven’t hit the ground yet and cannot assess the full damage of this catastrophic action. Once we do hit the ground, the decimation of this club may be complete.
56 comments so far
JohnJ
Jun 26, 2019 at 1:50 PM
Comment #1I read one the following comments in the Chronicle about a meeting with Rafa at the end of last season – I have to admit it brought a few tears to my eye,
Rafa you are King wherever you are but I hope you can come back to Newcastle soon!
Louise Taylor (Guardian)
“Last season was drawing to a close when Rafael Benitez stood in a quiet corridor at St James’ Park briefing a small group of newspaper journalists on his seemingly interminable negotiations over a new contract with Mike Ashley.
“Little of substance was said but, as the conversation drew to a close, something unusual happened. Instead of the customary thumbs up or little wave as Benítez turned on his heel and wandered off there were firm handshakes and, for this reporter, a kiss from Newcastle United’s manager.
“It could have been something or nothing but, at the time it rang slight alarm bells. Was Newcastle’s best manager since Sir Bobby Robson saying “goodbye?” Had the erosion of trust in his relationship with the club’s owner dictated that Benítez would not be returning to the city he had fallen at least half in love with and the club he once dreamed of leading back into Europe?”
Jail for Ashley
Jun 26, 2019 at 1:50 PM
Comment #2It is quite astonishing that people are pointing to the last two poor seasons and laying the blame for that on the manager, as though the previous ten seasons just didn’t happen.
chancel be a fine thing
Jun 26, 2019 at 1:50 PM
Comment #3Lovem, I think Jon has signed a NDA.
JohnJ
Jun 26, 2019 at 1:51 PM
Comment #4I still feel gutted he’s gone!
JohnJ
Jun 26, 2019 at 1:53 PM
Comment #5Without Rafa I really believe we would have been playing Sunderland in the 3rd Division!
Optimistic Oryx
Jun 26, 2019 at 1:55 PM
Comment #6Catchy
Its blatantly obvious you have mental health issues but that doesnt make it acceptable for you to be using words like “retard or retarded”
Wind it in a bit, you may be a lunatic but you dont need to behave like one.
geordietom
Jun 26, 2019 at 1:56 PM
Comment #7bettyswallocks
Jun 26, 2019 at 1:04 PM
Comment #13
Mike Ashley. Horrible man trying to lure little Norwegian supporter into his car with sweeties. “Would you like to see my new manager?
Reply. ” Only if you show me your dick first”
Ashley, ” OK would you like to come in my car for five pounds?”
Norwegian supporter, ” I’ll come in your kin mouth for five pounds”
then jail came in with this…Pretty bad taste that swallocks, no need for that on here…
me thinks jail needs to re jig that comment …
before you fire in to me jail its called humour…
JohnJ
Jun 26, 2019 at 1:56 PM
Comment #8The major difference between Rafa’s Newcastle and previous manager’s is that Rafa’s team fought to the end – That’s more than you can say for many other managers!
catchy in norway
Jun 26, 2019 at 1:58 PM
Comment #9bob
I don’t think the club has moved forwards or backwards, we are a yoyo club no matter who the manager is.
Like all things there is good and bad to argue against each other.
I LIKE RAFA THE MAN, I think he is a people person, I do think he has a good heart.
I don’t even mind his Ruthfulness with some players, if it was to the benifits of the team,.
HIS FAILURE to me is his loyalty to his team he takes to every new job, Sir Alex had great success over many seasons but even he freshened up his coaching squad regularly, Rafa sticks to his same guys and I think it is quite evedent when you look at his last 4 clubs that something is wrong with his approach.
On this site, Lascells was voted the 4th best CB, we all seen it, but Rafa still chose him for most games, yet he is a week point.
Il give you another example, Longstaff, he got his chance and grabbed it, not a single person on here will ever convince me Rafa got his treatment right, before his chance Rafa played Diame way to much, he gives 100% but footballer he isn’t, Longstaff should have played a long time before he did, for me, Longstaff is by far the best players we have produced in a long long time, he will captain our team in the not to distant future.
Rafa is way to controlling and does not trust the players, that’s why we sit between the halfway our GK and launch balls up.
Almirion would never be a hit under Rafa, his starting position is to far back, and it allows teams to get into a defensive position before he can do damage,.
Ki Muto and jonjo are victums of wanting to play higher up the pitch, there natural instinct takes them there, but Rafa wants deeper play and players that hold position.
Jail for Ashley
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:00 PM
Comment #10There’s a turn up for the books, geordietom posting without mentioning TOON22
hibbit
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:00 PM
Comment #11beefman13
Jun 26, 2019 at 1:41 PM
Comment #27
FA CUP v Watford, Rafa sat in his seat for 90 mins apart from when Ritchie was substituted he got out his seat for 30 seconds, did he care that day, imo not a jot did he, I was quite disgusted
*****you’ll never win folk over telling lies like that ,obviously not at the game, statement purely for effect blatant lie
catchy in norway
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:00 PM
Comment #12Oyrx
Your part of the blind leftist brigade
So before I called him a retard, he called me a lot of not nice things that also ofend, not 1 person said a thing.
Strange that
catchy in norway
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:01 PM
Comment #13I’m glad he is gone
Looking forward now.
DubaiMicky
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:03 PM
Comment #14If Joeslu can’t go I’m pretty sure Longstaff can’t either.
Bambams
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:04 PM
Comment #15Supermac has this spot on !
https://twitter.com/jason17jhw/status/1143857886453489665?s=19
Toonboi4EVA
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:04 PM
Comment #16I don’t like it when these stories come out with revealing/ interesting info AFTER the bad news has been delivered to the fans.
If it had substance it should be told/ said at the time of happening.
That’s a dig at these reporters and no one on the blog. Eg: Louise taylor!
hibbit
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:04 PM
Comment #17Jail for Ashley then you go and spoil it by mentioning both of them 😉
Jail for Ashley
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:05 PM
Comment #18So Rafa Benitez is regarded by Journalists, pundits and fellow managers as one of the best in the business but catchy in norway thinks he’s crap, he drives a digger.
Champagne Charlie
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:07 PM
Comment #19Ranieri now into evens with Paddy P.
hibbit
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:07 PM
Comment #20catchy in norway
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:01 PM
Comment #13
I’m glad he is gone
Looking forward now.
Looking forward to what Garry Monk and relegation
jordijohnty
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:08 PM
Comment #21Looking forward to what? the championship?
Oldgit1
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:09 PM
Comment #22Charnley history in hiring managers is not good, Rafa applied and he snapped his hand off.
I do wonder who will be advising him this time with no Carr in place. Charnley has no football nous, am convinced this will be disaster.
Looking back can see Pardew being one of the front runners or of simular stature, this is the level that Charnley is comfortable with. Can’t see anybody of the Rafa level being entertained or anybody with ambition.
ToonRich
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:09 PM
Comment #23Bambams, that along with “if the considered manager has no ambition to compete and succeed above a mid table battle”!!
Diddly
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:10 PM
Comment #24Micky yip no assets in or out til take over is done with
firebug666
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:11 PM
Comment #25Just been reading through the blog.
Nostradamus; how could you?
And if you really want to make the biggest statement of all, wear the black and white and go watch Sunderland play, what a story, Mike Ashley has lost the fans, they prefer to watch rivals instead.
Do you not think we have enough of a nightmare to deal with? If that was ever to happen how could anyone watching scumberlad play ever be able to look a Newcastle Brown Ale bottle in the label again? There can only ever be one reason to visit the stadio de shitto, and that is when we are playing them there.
Only joking Nostradamus, don’t want you spilling the beans on my future. lol
Toonboi4EVA
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:14 PM
Comment #26Constantly refreshing every site and finding zilch is draining me. I need some positive news today.
Boom Sheikh-Sheikh-Sheikh the Toon
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:14 PM
Comment #27Catchy. Couldnt disagree more with you about rafas tactics.
He played the way he did more due to the limitations of the squad he had. Then once he had Rondon up to pace and almiron in the football was less about holding out. There was more attacking.
The guy was rebuilding and retraining a squad to not lose before they learn to win.
Did we really just hoof the ball away last season? I saw far more playing from the back with defenders who are comfortable with the ball at their feet.
Lascelles…. didnt have the best season but wasnt likely to get dropped as club captain.
As for Ki, Muto and Shelvey. Ki was a squad member, never going to be first team.
Muto struggled to settle then had better/in form players ahead of him.
Shelvey was kept out of the team by Hayden and Longstaff and possibly still his attitude. Besides, he stifles Lejeune and Schars play by sitting right in front of them wanting to orchestrate everything. Pirlo he aint
geordietom
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:14 PM
Comment #28theres a no turn up for the books jail moaning … the days still young Mr blog policeman…
firebug666
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:15 PM
Comment #29Just need to keep an eye on the back door at SJP and see who slinks out in the manner of McClown, that’s when we will know who the next manager will be.
geordietom
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:16 PM
Comment #30i see hibbit jumps on the band wagon …
dig-n-dig22
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:16 PM
Comment #31No takeover,No Rafa=Relegation
The Fat Tw@t needs to wise up, now, Ashley needs to sell up now while he can still get top dollar for the club. Relegation this season won’t mean 52.000 fans backing a swift return to the Prem next season. Two season’s after Sunderland were relegated from the Prem, they were put up for sale in League for £1 pound.
Champagne Charlie
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:16 PM
Comment #32Longstaff odds on (8/11) to sign for Man U before start of season.
hibbit
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:17 PM
Comment #33you can always wear black &white and watch gateshead play,
i’m sure they would be grateful for any extra support they can get.
hibbit
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:17 PM
Comment #34no need to venture to the dark side !!!!!!!!!!!!
hibbit
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:19 PM
Comment #35what band wagon ?????????
chancel be a fine thing
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:20 PM
Comment #36With talk of galvanising support for action against Ashley, I think we should seek advice from our cheesy chip cousins; say what you like about the mackems, but they know how to organise a boycott.
Jail for Ashley
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:20 PM
Comment #37A new manager coming in will be having the law laid down to him immediately, he will be head coach and will be having his players chosen for him, if any players he recommends aren’t bought for whatever reason there’ll be no public protestations tolerated, a bonus will be paid on keeping us in the division and under no circumstances will the first eleven be risked in cup competitions. If he is sacked for poor league position ie, heading for certain relegation then minimal compensation will be paid out. Any manager willing to accept those conditions certainly isn’t at the top of his game.
Jib
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:21 PM
Comment #38In a perverse way the fine efforts of wor flags and others
may have contributed to the demise of Rafa.
Ashley in his fantasies when he first bought the club
thought he would be the guy idolised by adoring fans.
The magnificent show with banners extolling RB and his
efforts were always going to provoke a fit of jealousy from the owner
Bambams
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:24 PM
Comment #39Toon Rich
‘Mid Table’ !
Ash just wants to finish 4th bottom and no cup runs mate
;(
hibbit
Jun 26, 2019 at 2:24 PM
Comment #40geordietom the comment was well and truly aimed at Jail, not you or your mate the frog as your both equally as boring