The Chronicle have a report out with some encouraging comments from our Slovakian goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
He clears up some of the speculation surrounding his links to PSG which is very good news indeed. Martin has been linked to PSG as a replacement for Kevin Trapp should he join Frankfurt this summer.
He made some comments after Saturday’s final pre-season friendly suggesting that he was excited about the upcoming season.
These additional statements will also help to alleviate some concerns of losing our goalkeeper over the next few days. This is what he has said about the reports of him going to PSG over the past few weeks.
“Social media is a dangerous thing.
“I’ve seen some pictures on there that suggested I was in Paris Airport.
“It’s just not true. If you look at the pictures and the signs in the background it is in Slovakia – where I am from.
“It makes me laugh. Look I’ve got a contract here and I’m happy here.
“I was not even thinking about leaving Newcastle. I’m ready to start the new season here.
“What will happen after that is not up to me, I am just trying to be ready on the pitch.”
We are very happy that both Martin and Fabian Schar have recently spoken about their commitment to Newcastle. Both are really big players for this season and we were very concerned that at least one if not both would be sold this summer.
A lot of the speculation regarding Dubravka stemmed from him not featuring in a few of the preseason friendlies. Steve Bruce did try to assuage any concerns by declaring that he was just rotating keepers and there was nothing sinister in Martin’s absence.
Dubravka affirms what Bruce had said in the following statement.
“It was the plan to see the other goalkeepers, to see what was going to happen if I would not be able to play.
“Hopefully, I will be in the starting line-up against Arsenal.
“I was not even thinking about it. They explained to me what was the way and how to play, and they wanted to see the other goalkeepers.
“I accepted that. I was training pretty hard. I was trying to do the best.
“I want to be on the pitch. They get a chance to show themselves, and I was trying to show myself.”
We hope that nothing arises over the next few days linking any of our first-team players to other clubs. This has been a good transfer window so far and we still hope for a couple more signings.
Most importantly we need to keep this squad intact as it has the makings of a decent and very exciting side.
87 comments so far
catchy in norway
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:22 PM
Comment #41He signed days after his Contract ended, his whole team did too.
MrMojoBinRisin76
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:25 PM
Comment #42Catchy
What top jobs are available 3 weeks into pre-season?
And i’ll say the same thing to you as i did to Munster,he would be still here today if jabba gave him what he wanted.
c-dog
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:27 PM
Comment #43Raf done a tremendous job. We all wish him well and move on. 3.5 years is a good tenure for a continental manager.
Jib
Whats rafas average length served as a clubs manager?
Munster Mag
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:28 PM
Comment #44Fought with the owners in spain, Liverpool, napoli, Newcastle. I cant blame him re rafa but you can live with your rafa tinted version of things, l’ll take a more balanced and nuanced version of him. Oh by the way i’d have him back but you’ve never been able to accept a smidgeon of negativity re rafa, which has always been remarkable, and a little odd.
yogz69
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:28 PM
Comment #45Ffs why are we still crying about rafa leaving, managers come and go all the time same as players. Time to move on him going to China is proof no big teams were after him and he’s looking to cash out before retirement. I’m not a huge supporter of Bruce but surely things could be worse we’ve had a fairly decent window by our poor standards. Hopefully even he can keep us up with the new additions and cabbage heid and the fat twat will be gone soon. End of rant, time to stop acting like babies and move on.
davo
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:30 PM
Comment #46Bunch of absolute fannies come on Here slag off Rafa Benitez.
Just your normal, everyday Newcastle supporters.
Just Laughable.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:30 PM
Comment #47B&W
Who gives a stuff about catering etc when it’s out sourced and the club gets a small fee.
These are part time workers on part time wages, students and the like.
Local businesses affected, give your head a wobble, the pubs and bars showing the match would have more trade when the protesters went there instead.
You’re talking baloney
Excuses excuses excuses, yet not valid one yet.
I prefer people to be honest and say they cant be arsed.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:32 PM
Comment #48Cut staff hours, they only work 4 a week, you’re making out they’re supporting a household with a,full time job.
Behave yourself
catchy in norway
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:32 PM
Comment #49Mojo
Regardless, he was never getting a top job in the UK. His recored speaks for itself at his last 4 clubs now, and it’s poor.
Only die hard Ashley haters don’t and want to admit it.
You see him as a hero, I don’t think he did a good job.
You see our squad as poor and I see it as good enough.
You blame Ashley for him not playing good football, but Ashley was not at Napoli Milan Madrid, where he had money and failed regardless of having great squads to work with.
Munster Mag
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:32 PM
Comment #50Mojo rafa should be here. Neither party could compromise and he had a pot of gold waiting in a shit league. Id have more respect for him if he resigned and waited for a big job. But as i said for months, the big clubs werent coming for him. It was a shame for the club but thats ashlet for you.
MrMojoBinRisin76
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:33 PM
Comment #51What he has done at other clubs is irrelevant,unless your trying to add weight to your agenda.Your trying to insinuate that it’s somehow Rafa’s fault his contract wasn’t renewed,it’s as plain as day,yet again,sad.
Jib
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:34 PM
Comment #523 years Valencia
6 years Lpool
6 months Inter Milan
7 months Chelsea
2 years Napoli
7 months Real Madrid
3 years NUFC
Jib
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:37 PM
Comment #53Average 26 months per club
B&W blood
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:37 PM
Comment #54I think rafa brought hope unity, dignity, professionalism, respect and pride to the team and fans which hadn’t been present for a while and this can’t be quantified by stats and i will always love him for that
I thought his set up, football and tactics against the top sides was brilliant and brought us victories we would never normally get, but i do feel employing the same tactics against lower teams also cost us points such as Fulham and Brighton at home last year and in a lot of games in championship.
I would like to see us using Rafas tactics against top teams, no reason why we can’t as def is virtually the same and be more attacking against lower teams, whether Bruce is able to do this remains to be seen.
Munster Mag
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:37 PM
Comment #55Rafa at Real Madrid always looked a match made in hell. His cautious approach and con stant ‘compact’ mantra is miles off a club of their pedigree and history and flair. He also rowed at Inter. Part of the problem with rafa is that he plays the populist card and always pushes at a political level for more concessions and Ashley wouldnt be a good guy to squeeze things from.
c-dog
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:38 PM
Comment #56So we had the privilege of having Rafa for a longer period than most. And he had the privilege of our adoration
And in some cases(jail for Ashley) infatuation
Munster Mag
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:38 PM
Comment #57Fair and balanced, B and W Blood.
Ron Knee
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:38 PM
Comment #58Joseph Goebbels was nicknamed the “poison dwarf”. Why do I think of this when I read the Balanced and Fair One’s posts?
Reilly
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:39 PM
Comment #59Rafa has gone move on FFS.
Jib
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:39 PM
Comment #60#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Cut staff hours, they only work 4 a week, you’re making out they’re supporting a household with a,full time job.
Behave yourself
Says the guy who slagged off zero hours contracts
Ha ha ha
Munster Mag
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:39 PM
Comment #61Ron you’re killing me man.
MrMojoBinRisin76
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:40 PM
Comment #62See what i mean?
Jib
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:40 PM
Comment #63Hear hear hear
Reilly
But don’t hold your breath when it comes to Jail
Ron Knee
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:41 PM
Comment #64#RafaTaliban
Reilly
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:41 PM
Comment #65Bournemouth are wanting £78m for Nathan Aké.WTF. 😆
Tsunki
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:42 PM
Comment #66“Munster Mag
Aug 5, 2019 at 11:33 AM
Comment #21
Either way we now have to move on and forget Benitez…….”
I’m still optimistic this will be accomplished by 21st May 2022. It’s do-able. 😉
Cue another side splitting “Tarquin” post 😀 from the poster that humour forgot.
Mund
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:42 PM
Comment #67I always remember the story from when Rafa was at Madrid he tried to advise Ronaldo how to take free kicks lol Ronaldo’s reaction was obviously not good who is he to tell me how to take free kicks.
Rafa was never suited for Madrid he is a top coach one of the best around but he needs a project not babysitting top players.
Jib
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:44 PM
Comment #68Ron Knee
Joseph Goebbels was nicknamed the “poison dwarf”. Why do I think of this when I read the Balanced and Fair One’s posts?
You are ex SS living in hiding in France ?
Mund
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:44 PM
Comment #69Reilly
Really??? You have got to be sh!ting me mate
ToonTime
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:44 PM
Comment #70Boycott the Boycott
Munster Mag
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:44 PM
Comment #71C dog, Jail was more obsession. Then puppy dog Tarquin decided he needed to be seen to love rafa a bit more than he was, so he ramped it up. Hey i wonder did rafa have any faults, at all?? Surely not!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:45 PM
Comment #72Did any of you ever watch Napoli under Rafa? They were actually pretty entertaining at times also he won them their first trophy in donkeys years!
Also the players he bought for them that are still there are now worth MILLIONS!!!Was also the guy who got Jorginho in for them who Sarri loves…..
Maybe a similar thing is happening here with the likes of Schar, Lejuene , Hayden etc we have been left a very hard working, solid and tactically sound group who maybe with these additions to the team under Bruce will be better to watch and do well?
ToonTime
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:45 PM
Comment #73Support wor lads on Sunday.
Boycott the Boycott!
Mund
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:47 PM
Comment #74How many people on here are actually going on Sunday?
MrMojoBinRisin76
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:47 PM
Comment #75Munster
Id have more respect for him if he resigned and waited for a big job
So you’ve just finished your contract at the club,and a Chinese club offers you £25m a season when there are no top jobs about and you would turn it down?
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:49 PM
Comment #76Jib
Avoid the point, stir the shit.
Back to your true form, is jane coming to back you up?
c-dog
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:50 PM
Comment #77Jib
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:44 PM
Comment #68
Ron Knee
Joseph Goebbels was nicknamed the “poison dwarf”. Why do I think of this when I read the Balanced and Fair One’s posts?
You are ex SS living in hiding in France ?
Josef Mengele outside Buenos Aires?
Ron Knee
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:51 PM
Comment #78@68
Shhh…
c-dog
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:51 PM
Comment #79Munster
Raf had faults. Just less faults than most managers.
B&W blood
Aug 5, 2019 at 12:52 PM
Comment #80Boycott Ashley
Typical simplistic view demonstrated well there!
People working 4 hours don’t do it for the crack. Give your head a wobble and show some respect for people
For some them it can be the difference between getting a weekly £40 shop and not.
It is not just 4 hours, there will be 100’s of hours work in preparation for a match and then probably same again in clean up.
The boycotters might all go to bars for arsenal match, but if they are planning to boycott until ashley is gone, i bet they won’t be there for every game especially non televised ones so with lower crowds for every game pre and after game sales in bars will be less meaning local bars will cut staff hours.
But they are only students and 0 hours contract people so who gives a f.