Rafa, trust and lessons learned.

Does Rafa's signing mean Ashley is singing a new Toon?

On the face of it we have now acquired the services of a top notch manager. Just a glance through his CV tells you what he’s capable of and likely to bring to the table. You have to give credit to the club in securing his services albeit rather late in the day.

In truth this should of been done last summer, rather than searching in the bargain bucket for a coach again. It’s a mystery why the club continually chased after Steve McClaren (asking him no less than three times to coach us) when other better options were out there.

But of course it’s actually pretty obvious why Newcastle courted McClaren really. Here was a man looking to rebuild his reputation in England and ultimately get back into top flight football via a Derby promotion. Sadly for Derby it didn’t come off and a great start to the season saw them fall well short and miss out on the promised land of the Premier League. At this point alarm bells should of gone off for the Newcastle hierarchy that this wasn’t the coach to guide us anywhere let alone Premier League safety. A good coach he may be (so all the ex-pro’s say) but not a manager. So after a sacking by Derby he finally said yes to Newcastle’s advances. Yet another desperate coach seeking some kind of redemption joins us, just as Pardew had previously.

Time and again that man in charge, Mike Ashley, believes he can do this football malarky on the cheap. Time and again his blueprint for the club comes back to bite him and still he never learns. So here he is paying off his latest mistake and his backroom staff but has he finally learned?

Our new manager (yes, manager not coach) is Rafa Benitez, and I think we are all still in shock that we’ve actually signed such a good manager. The big question though is, is this really a case of lessons being learned by Mr Ashley? Has he finally seen that for a good job you need a very good Manager who can manage on his own terms?
We have to assume that Benitez has been promised autonomy in most aspects of his job and that he has been assured of future funds being made available, else he likely wouldn’t of signed up no matter what the financial benefits on offer.

Given that all of that was promised, should we stay in the Premier League will we see these promises come to fruition? That’s the biggest question and worry for me. We have seen Rafa Benitez at logger heads with previous owners over funding for players previously, notably at Liverpool. If he isn’t permitted to bring in the players he wants this could cause real problems and and result in him walking away. If that scenario were to pan out will we see a return to the hired yes man type of coach?

It is very difficult to have any trust in an owner who has lost his way so many times in trying to get this ‘football thing’ right and as fans he can hardly blame us being a tad skeptical over his long term desires for the future of the club. In fairness he has dipped his hands in the clubs coffers and spent a huge amount by our standards this season. And now he has acquired a top coach to try and ensure our Premier League survival so we can hardly complain.

Yet, I don’t now about you but I’m still wary of his will to carry out his promises to Rafa Benitez and the long road to trust seems a long way off to me. Let’s hope that lessons have really been learned this time and we can go forward with real hope.

Kimtoon

238 thoughts on “Rafa, trust and lessons learned.

  1. Wow. All we can get is Clarky. I’ve been telling you for years we can’t get any better

    Now I’ve been telling you for years we should get Rafa

    Ycmiu
    😳 😛

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  2. Troysta @18:59: you were trying to take credit for saying we could get Rafa. You said it yesterday.

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  3. It’s a great sign of respect when someone bothers to change their name to have a go at you.
    I’m a name changer 😉
    I’m elated Rafa has been appointed. It’s been a long journey. But worth it. 😉

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  4. Haha fizzing.. This line is very heavy. I’ve caught a little crankie

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  5. Could we go to Leicester and win? Would put a spanner in the crace for the title.
    I’d be well chuffed with the draw tbh

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  6. Troy: I know you are happy and so am I.

    The last year at NUFC results wise has been so bad that it is difficult to trust anything they do Just let us stay up and then have a rethink in the summer. No more ex-Derby managers unless it is Brian Clough risen from the dead.

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  7. Why do people who arent necessarily bad people hate successful people ?
    I come across this problem throughout my life.
    Even SBR was hounded out the toon. I backed him throughout.
    I’ve learnt how to deal with those trying to oust me from a position of strength by my experience of defending SBR RIP. ;-).

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  8. Mark: how do you change your name on here? I want to be called GUY GADBOIS from now on.

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  9. Stu – I’m over the moon mate.

    I think Leicesters success this season has been largely down to the ‘team’ mentality. Yes Vardy & Mahrez have stood out, but Ranieri would never take away from the rest of the team – and would never allow them to get too big for the team.

    I reckon Rafa will know over the next 10 games who is for NUFC and who is for themselves.

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  10. Brian Clough never ceases to amaze me. An absolute legend. His football career as a player was remarkable but his managerial career has never been surpassed by anyone imo.
    The greatest football manager. Ever.
    Even Clarkie might struggle to beat his record. 😛

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  11. Troy: what are you on about? The easiest thing to do when attacking somebody is to bring up a beloved individual and use them to put forward your argument. Crass man, crass.

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  12. Best manager in my life
    Sir Alex
    Kevin Keegan
    Bobby Robson
    Wenger
    Clarky

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  13. Psychs
    You never cease to amaze me. Do you not see the relevance in me backing a legend in SBR when the mob were calling for his head.
    Once he had been sacked they realised I was right.
    I backed Pards knowing he was doing a good job and warned you of the consequences of sacking him.
    It’s finally dawned on you and others that my choice of Rafa pre Pards should have been the route we took. But no, you wanted to take the long route round.
    Shame on you. 😈

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  14. Does anyone think he will change the captain? Would it cause more problems by changing mid season or would it lay a marker down?

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  15. What are the consequence’s of sacking Pardew Troy…yes we get Rafa

    I said all along, short term pain long term gain

    You would of loved Pardew here for years in the comfort of not getting anyone better. Live the dream mate, step out of the mediocre box mate 😛

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  16. Why do people try and bring down winners. I get sick of trying to defend myself. 😆
    I will win though because the truth beats lies. 😉

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  17. Troy: what are you talking about? You wanted Clark FFS. You never mentioned Rafa in at least 3 years. And I think Robson’s time ended at NUFC before this blog even existed.

    I didn’t want Robson sacked, so you can keep that in your pipe and smoke it. Robson was sacked in 2004 FFS. It is 2016 in case you haven’t realised 🙂

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  18. Kim – me too, and it’s going to be interesting to see if he gives them a chance or whether they get ditched.

    I just haven’t wanted to watch us at all this season, but I’m excited and can’t wait to see what Rafa has in mind for us.

    By the same token, I accept that he is limited to the players he has and the defence is heavily limited. It’s also survival first for the next 10.

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  19. I’m mainly interested in how Rafa sets up and how the players’ morale looks against Leicester. A draw would be fantastic but a fighting loss is acceptable. After that though we need wins. At least four of them and a couple of draws or five and one draw. If we get to 37 or 38 points I think we’ll make it. Otherwise it may come down to goal difference.

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  20. Can’t believe some want us to risk relegation and a chance of oblivion just to say I told you so. It’s a remarkable character trait. Some would describe it as an ugly one. I’m not going to lower myself to say that. I want the best for nufc and all the bloggers.
    I just know I can sleep soundly tonight. I would hate to be restless over inner hatred. 😯

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  21. So Rafa was smart enough to get a relegation break clause. He wants nothing to do with the Championship. Can’t say I blame him. It’s up to him and the players now. It looks doable but we’ll have to show it on the pitch.

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  22. Psychs
    You’ve struggled for years to understand what I’m on about. I pity you. You woud be so more better ofF in life if you could get there. Don’t worry. I won’t give up on you. 😉

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  23. That Richaad Keys is such a ******** he knows as much as jabba when it comes to football,toon should not have got Rafa as he only thinks about himself won’t listen to anyone and it has to be his way,wait it a minute isn’t that what leaders do right or wrong,think maybe he’s told Keys what he thinks of him in the pasto

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  24. @troy

    He said it himself in the press conference.
    It’s on the mirror link I posted earlier

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  25. Anyone reckon Rafa might get a taste for the job after ten games though? Getting that clause doesn’t mean he has to walk, once his feet are under the desk. 😉 Stranger things have happened.

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  26. Troy @20:30 – who wants us to risk relegation? That was before Rafa and I definitely never said that, ever. And who said they wanted to sack Robson? Straw man arguments mate.

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  27. Give him a chance icedog mate. It’s better than just sitting waiting for the end with Wally. At least it lifts the supporters and probably the players. It’s the last kick at the cat for Charnley as well. He will be gone along with Rafa if we’re relegated.

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  28. Troysta: thanks for that @2034. I will sleep well tonight knowing that I have your pity.

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  29. Troy: you are a nutter.

    On a non-Troy note, we have a Manager now and have a chance to stay up.

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  30. Wow. Right?

    A succession of ok PL managers at the very best and we finally have another manager brimming with ambition and with a track record of winning things.

    Anyone with any negative thoughts towards this change needs to go take a swim in Whitley Bay…

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  31. Tds
    A succession of ok PL managers ?
    I must of missed that part of Ashley’s reign 🙂

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  32. I knew that would be the case icedog mate. We have a fighting chance now. The players have nowhere to hide. Rafa will make sure they pull their weight or they’ll sit.

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  33. Sharpy, I think he’ll give them a chance v Leicester which you could argue is a throw away game given their form. But any no shows and I’m certain they won’t be in the Derby game squad . The players are playing for their reputations now, not good enough in Rafa’s eyes would be a major come down and they know it, or they should.

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  34. I wasn’t just referring to under Ashley anyway. Allardyce, Pardew, McClaren…all have decent enough track records in the PL.

    Benitez’s track record is 2nd only to SBR’s for new NUFC managers in my lifetime.

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  35. Shelvey said today all the players are coming in early to impress him so they are most definitely rattled.

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  36. G2
    As I said earlier. I hope I’m not suggesting Clarkie as our next manager if we get relegated and Rafa moves on.
    Stranger things have happened.
    For instance, ocaasionally Gashley and Psychs make a decent point. 😀

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  37. Actually, Benitez’s record is much better than Robson’s. However, the great Mr. Robson had to contend with a brilliant Liverpool team as he took a minnow (Ipswich) to European success and managed bloody England for a while which is next to impossible.

    Benitez has won 11 trophies including The Champions League and La Liga.

    How the fuvk we managed to get him I will never know.

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  38. We got Benitez for two reasons:
    1 – he really wants to manage back in the PL
    2 – we somehow managed to convince him that we will be run with the ambition to meet his personal ambition!

    I’m astounded about the second point!

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  39. I don’t think I posted on Ed’s did I Eric? But I think I posed on a previous article? I did it accidentally due to the new layout! Been away for a week.

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  40. The money and the challenge. Eric. He’ll be making a nice packet and the thought of raising us back up. If he manages it he would be a legend in the Toon.

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  41. I think Rafa came because he says there are enough decent players to build something. If he raises us up into the top 8 and goes on a good cup run he’ll have the beginnings of legendary status along with Keegan and Sir Bobby.

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  42. Here, I will make this as clear as I can for Troy:

    1. You wanted Lee Clark as Manager.

    2. Bobby Robson was fired from NUFC in 2004 before this blog was started so any reference to anyone having an opinion on him is meaningless.

    3. If Troy ever said that we should appoint Rafa that was years ago and so much water has passed under the bridge since then it is also meaningless.

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  43. I’m also planning the FA Cup parade route through the Toon. What do people think? Too soon?

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  44. And seriously, if any fan can’t get excited about this, then they are the most miserable fan imaginable. Regardless of trophies, this is one of only 2 big managerial appointments for our club in my living memory.

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  45. I haven’t met one supporter who isn’t genuinely excited by this appointment. I’ll be gutted, absolutely gutted if we continue to pick up similar results.

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  46. I think we will stay up. They can all go out and have enormous pies together. Ashley, Rafa, Charnley , Carr at his farewell meal, and Quinny. He can smell pies at 100 miles so he will be there.

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  47. One thing Rafa will of learned already is that he is wanted and respected here, something he never got at Chelski or Madrid

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  48. I am convinced we will improve – we just can’t be any worse as you said Ice. Genuine improvement will see us pick up points that we just don’t expect too I reckon.

    Everyone keeps going on about how well Sunderland have been playing over the last 4/5 weeks but they haven’t been winning too many and are still only 1 point above us.

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  49. One of the biggest hurdles our lot face is confidence, most have been hiding of late for fear of a mistake. We have to get behind them no matter what now. If they misplace the odd pass, so what just let it go.

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  50. STUART the thing big Sam has done is made them very solid at the back,and we struggle to score that’s “my” worry,maybe the game itself might get to the scum players,here’s hoping

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  51. Aye, Ice. I’m pretty confident that Rafa will tighten us up too. Could be a bore draw next week…

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  52. I may be seeing things that aren’t there. Wishful thinking and all that. But going by pictures of the training sessions in the Chronicle training looks a bit more intense than it did with McClaren. A good thing if so. I also see Cathro took part.

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