Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has singled out his attack as the one area in the squad that needs the most improvement.
After only scoring one goal in two games since he took over, the Spaniard is rightly concerned at our lack of cutting edge in the final third as we embark on yet another fierce relegation battle.
Speaking to the press after the 1-1 draw to rivals Sunderland yesterday he said:
“We are creating chances, we are attacking and we can be there, so we have to improve this part of the game and create more chances and Mitrovic or Papiss Cisse or the other strikers will score more goals and we will be fine.”
There’s no doubting Rafa has at his disposal, players who are capable of hitting the back of the net.
And with time really of the essence with only eight domestic games left to play, it is up to our new boss to get his attacking players firing again.
With our next match-up against a Norwich side with arguably a defence as bad as ours, could this be the perfect platform for the likes of Mitro and co to gain some much-needed confidence?
Shamrock nice poem mate. Who ever wrote that is spot on
Terry(Quote)
I see Rafa did a visit to the academy today. When he stopped laughing I wonder what he thought of it.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu ???
Well ot sounds to me like MA has well and truly given up. Government after him too. He is feeling the pressure and wecwill probably all suffer for it. He might actually kill the club.
We could be supporting a newly formed local side in the lower leagues before long.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham, can’t see beyond a nervy 1-0 defeat at Norwich mate. There is too little structure and coordination in our midfield build up play, and our defence is too shaky. We cannot retain the ball and lack intensity in midfield.
Would love to be proven wrong but just cannot see it. Norwich are at home and owe us one, even when we beat them at home it was a bizarre game which could have ended up 6-6. As long as we have our shaky defence we’ll always struggle to keep a clean sheet.
Only Papiss and Mitro can save our season, plus Shelvey needs to avoid yellow cards
Munich Mag(Quote)
I can’t believe Ashley has come out with what he has at such a crucial time.
We are supposed to be attracting a top manager in benitez to stay at the club by showing ambition and he announces to the world he regrets buying the club, has had no effect in making it better and there’s no money to spend!
YCMIU
Troy Stavers(Quote)
can nobody else smell a rat here?
First time in 8 years we sign a manager of Champions league quality, mike hasnt even met him yet.
Face relegation and mike says he regrets buying us and we’re totally skint..
this aint going to end in the fairytale we’re hoping for.. Mike doesnt do happy endings.
ive got a very nervy feeling to all this. might just be me but somethings up
Gashley(Quote)
Gash – Ashley never met McClaren either. He has nothing to do with that side of the club at all now.
Was he even at the ground for derby day?.
I’m pretty certain when Carver was asked, he was saying that he never spoke to Ashley either.
As for Ashley’s interview, I think it has been very well edited to make him look as bad as they possibly could. I’m not defending the bloke coz I don’t like him as much as the next guy. But Sky showed about 40 seconds of the interview – the bit the fans least wanted to hear. The rest in written format, so they can edit it to suit.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Fuk, for years people have told Ashley to fuk off out of the club and now that he has said he is stepping back and having no input, people are still not happy… 😯
Ashley, fuk off and stay! 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
It just shows how bad our medical team is and has been,when Jonas kept complaining about the pain in his groin the doctor told him there was nothing wrong with his groin,thank god he came good,I don’t blame him suing their ***
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – I can understand him suing the medical staff for gross incompetence.
But what I’ve read he’s looking to suing the club for sacking him coz he had cancer?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I must say I am not particluarly happy with Jonas here. From what I am seeing he is suing the club for taking steps not to have to offer him a contract extension ie not selecting him and therefore not activating a clause in his contract. If that is the case then I don’t see anything wrong in what the club have done.
Stuart79(Quote)
I don’t get why our club is destined for a permanent state of suppression though.
At a time when we get a world class manager on board, within a fortnight we have this Ashley & Jonas thing again.
Ashley is getting accused of destroying our club – well he certainly hasn’t improved it that’s for sure.
But I feel like the press are the ones who are constantly attacking our club and doing everything in their powers to show our club in a negative light and bring us down.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I agree mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Are we going to get a Stuart-o-metre on relegation like we did with Rafa’s appointment? Stuart, when you are 99.9% certain we will go down then that is the time I will put a bet on that we stay up 🙂 It worked with Rafa, when you were 99% certain he wouldn’t sign, he signed the next day 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Here, I will set up a Clark-O-Metre. Chances of Lee Clark being next NUFC manager 0%.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It all hinges on the Norwich game doesn’t it. If we lose that we are about 95% certain to go down. A draw and I would say 75% and a win 50%. Should I start an Eric-O-Meter 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
A bad result against Norwich and we really have to beat either Citeh, Liverpool or Spurs. Not impossible as Citeh have given up and we already beat the other 2.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What is that over head. Is it a pig? Is it a pie in the sky?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The point of my comment was highlight how sackless our medical staff are and have been,Ime just hopeing if Rafa stays he sorts out that lot once and for all
Icedog(Quote)
Ice, That doc is leaving mate, end of the season.
kimtoon(Quote)
Actually Eric, I nevver got to 99.9% he wouldn’t sign.
But I think we are 45% to stay up at the moment.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart: at least you are not claiming that you predicted Rafa when in fact it was said in passing when he left Liverpool. Unlike someone else on here 🙂
We need at least a draw against Norwich and a shock result in addition to wins against Swans, Villa and Palace.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
New article chaps and chapettes – https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2016/03/23/dissecting-the-tyne-wear-draw-mitrovic-header-avoids-disaster-but-magpies-fall-short/
Andy The Magpie(Quote)