Speaking ahead of Newcastle’s crucial match-up with Crystal Palace, Paul Dummett has spoken to the press about his new manager Rafa Benitez and what the Spaniard offers compared with his predecessor Steve McClaren.
Speaking to the Chronicle, the defender praised the ex-Real Madrid boss in how he was turning the squad into ‘better players’.
More specifically he has praised Benitez for the work he has done with the Newcastle back four.
With the Magpies conceding the second highest number of goals in the league this season (64 – only Villa have conceded more), it was imperative that a defence-minded coach in the mould of Rafa was brought into the club. After a clean sheet against Swansea and what should have been a clean sheet against Manchester City this month, there’s evidence to suggest that what’s being taught on the training ground is actually having a positive effect on match days.
“For me personally he talks about the positioning with each player and he works with the back four a lot.
“He tells us to be together and be more compact. Any manager has different opinions and growing up as players it can only help you learn from them. It will help me get better as a player too.”
An example of b!tching from AMF:
“And what has history told us this season Stuart?
If you want to be pedantic and take ‘all’ as our entire history then good on you..
Historically, when other bloggers posted comments like what you are now, you used to shout them down and called them deluded. When did you pick up the rose tinted glasses? . All along you just wanted to be like us.. that is why you were being such a ****, it was just your way of trying to fit in.. it is all clear to me now! ? ?”
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And from BrisV, 2 Aussie peas in a pod:
“300 people commenting? ? More like 6 people commenting 50 times .
I think 3 wins are needed. Win 3 and I’d say we’d be safe. The odds favour Sunderland.”
I went to Egypt 25 years ago on a 3 week camping “safari”. The Aussie’s were whinging all of the time and wanted the guide sacked for no reason that I could see. And they moan about Poms?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If you think I am cherry picking the Aussie comments? They are the only things they have said in the past 2 months. Talk about fair weather fans…
Eric Sykes(Quote)
As expected Alli banned for three games,good for the toon
Icedog(Quote)
Just shows how little things can make a big difference with Rafa,ex Liverpool player was saying Rafa explained to him he made a good r/back in a 5-3-2 but not in a 4-4-2 in the end the player agreed with him
Icedog(Quote)
Rafa has lifted the entire squad just in time. Three quick wins and then a rest before completely re-working our squad this summer. Well done Rafa!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 there will be quite a large number of players feeling a boot in their backsides if Rafa stays on mate,and it will be deserved
Icedog(Quote)
Rafa has the squad working hard and competing for starting 11 positions. Something McTosser never did. And he uses his subs well. McTosser was hopeless at that as well. Leave it to Charnley to find someone as bad as Carver to hire….
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Spot on ice mate. Some will be out of the club like a shot. Hopefully joined by Charnley. Let Rafa run the whole show until he hires his own people.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
What I really like about is the team comes first not any individual,going back to his L/pool days he wanted to sell Gerrard because he thought he was mr Liverpool which wasn’t good for the “team” and was past his best and wanted to buy three players with the money he would raise but Gerrard didn’t want to go,all Rafa wanted was to move the team on to better things plus the yanks put a block on it hence the fall out with the owners
Icedog(Quote)
Eric, why can’t you just talk about football like every one does!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I think the Daily Mail are making this up:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3564484/Newcastle-fans-taunt-Alan-Pardew-singing-chants-support-former-players-Jonas-Gutierrez-Hatem-Ben-Arfa.html
If not, the NUFC fans should lay off Pardew at least until the game is won.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The only chance the toon have of staying up is to win all of there remaining games. I reckon a deflated Spurs with Deli Ali suspended and partially in there flip flops, in front of a rabid SJP crowd will be there for the taking. It doesn’t help much though if we get nothing from the Palace game.
Imagine the ear ache the toon fans will receive if Pardew puts one over on us. Man, talk about schadenfreude!
If we start against Palace half asleep as we did against Liverpool we’ll be in big trouble. We need to replicate the high intensity pressing game shown against Man City and keep tight at the back and we might sneak a winner. Rafa has some massive team selection issues to make. He’ll probably start with Cisse as a lone striker, bringing on Mitro and Wijnaldum as impact subs to replace the tiring Cisse and Townsend. Tiote will chin Cabaye and Sissoko will score 2 to see us through.
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM: I think it will be the same team as against Liverpool 2nd half, i.e. Wijnaldum replaces Perez and Cisse keeps his place to start.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think the crowd should be totally respectful to Pardew. Do not give him any ammunition to gee his team up. What we need is a flat Crystal Palace thinking about bigger things like an FA Cup final and giving us an easy 2-0 win.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t really understand what Toad of Toad Hall is doing? Is it reverse psychology or is he getting his excuses in in case Sunderland get relegated?
http://www.footballinsider247.com/allardyce-predicts-how-many-points-newcastle-will-get-from-final-three-matches/?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Good read Nicky. Though it would be appreciated if you could put a post on the old thread to tell us there is a new article up.
Anyone with a tiny bit of a footie brain can see that under Rafa the players are getting better by the game.
Big Dave(Quote)
Eric he is just trying to stir **** as that’s what he is good at
Big Dave(Quote)
The draw for the H2H Fantasy League Cup is
Alestars v Natalie Sawyer Fan
Shteves Shcitty v Puff Puff Pass
Balotellitubbies v Macas Pony and Trap
Nik Nak Utd v Born Winner FC
Brisvegas(Quote)
Big Dave the players have improved drastically under Rafa. What a pity Chumpley took such a long time to react.
Hopefully that’s the last we see of Mcclaren the serial failure if the truth be known..
Munich Mag(Quote)
Brisvegas are you on the wrong blog by any chance?
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM I wouldn’t mind seeing the Clown back 😐 as the Scum manager 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Big D do you think fat Sam will leave when they go down?
Munich Mag(Quote)
Yeah mate if he gets an offer from a prem club he will be out as fast as he can.
Big Dave(Quote)
So big Sam is trying the mind games. Saying Palace won’t be up for tomorrow game as they’ll have been on the pop and NUFC will pick up two wins.
Stuart79(Quote)
Interesting quote about Rafa and his contract:
when the ‘release clause’ was made public it’s normal & most managers have this written in as part of their contract, he is no different & it wasn’t something he specified to be included…
There’s definitely an image building of Rafa wanting to stay whatever division. I don’t want relegation but it would be vastly more bearable if Rafa stayed.
Georgio(Quote)
I agree cause we know he would rebuild the club the proper way, and would then make us a proper club
Big Dave(Quote)
It’s alright saying Rafa would rebuild the toon,that’s if jabba wants that nobody knows what the clown will do,I wouldn’t trust him to the end of the street
Icedog(Quote)
One of Pardews player saying what all toon fans knew,Pardew won’t like it
http://www.themag.co.uk/2016/04/crystal-palace-player-slates-alan-pardew-eve-return-newcastle-united/
Icedog(Quote)
Pardew had a clause in his contract that if Palace or England came asking about him he was allowed to speak to them.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I you look at Leicester this season, of course Vardy & Marhez will get most of the plaudits.
But their defence has been so solid for them and if you look at the clean sheets & how few goals they have conceded this season – I think it will be that that stops them dropping like a stone next season.
Rafa has/is bringing that to our team. Defenders defend first!!. They defend as a unit, they defend as a team. It’s not just about knowing your own role, it’s about helping each other and making those runs. We look a different team under Rafa yet it’s the same players.
He’s made subtle changes that have had a big impact on the team – and he’s found that balanced 11 which makes all the difference.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree with all of that Sharpy! The Leicester back four stay as a back four all game, attacking or not. They just keep their positions. Rather old fashioned but it definitely works. Rafa’s a proper manager.
Georgio(Quote)
Ice IMO there is no way Rafa would stay unless he was given the assurances that he could do it his way.
Big Dave(Quote)
DAVE I agree but have forgot the promises jabba gave to Hoots,KK,big Al which were never forth coming the guy is a rat bag
Icedog(Quote)
Georgio – yeah it’s a defensive set up that has stood the test of time. But it clearly works as Leicester have conceded less than a goal a game.
Whatever happens to them in the summer & next season, I think that set up will keep them in the top half at the very least – even with the strains of CL footy.
Plus it’s a set up where it almost doesn’t matter if you get injuries or suspension as any player can come in and make it works.
Spurs have been excellent at the back as well. But they have 2 top class CBs. They have 2 attack minded full backs but if one of them go, then generally Eric Dier will drop in and cover.
I think if they lost either CB or Dier for any long period, then it would hurt them a lot more.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Remember we wanted that Toby character who’s Spurs’ centre back. But of course we wouldn’t pay the money…
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – there’s a long long list of really good players we wanted or were linked with that we wouldn’t pay for. Toby, Delle Alli and even Cabaye (2nd time) are just a few.
Georgio(Quote)
Stu – you’re right there mate. Same applies for Kante, Payet and Bony.
Imagine what kind of team we could have had with a decent recruitment team in place.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So Spurs boss to sign five yr deal been better for us if they waited until seasons end would have kept players guessing
Icedog(Quote)
I see Troy has been moonlighting for The Croydon Advertiser:
http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/Newcastle-United-v-Crystal-Palace-exploding/story-29198674-detail/story.html?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ice – I think now that’s sorted as well it might just make them even more lax.
If come the last game, they have lost the league but secured 2nd and they now know their manager is staying, then a lot of priorities will be staying fit for the Euros over beating the toon I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If Spurs have 2nd tied up I wonder what would happen if they didn’t start Harry Kane or Lloris against us? If I was Poch I would do it just to see Fat Sam’s head explode. Of course we have to beat Palace for this to mean anything.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – there is every chance that could happen if 2nd is secured & Poch has signed on.
He may well use the game to look at a few fringe players with summer signings in mind.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY/ERIC on Spurs I think Kane might get a crafty thigh strain with the euros coming up 😉
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – I just think now Poch has signed on, he’s gonna be more bothered about his squad and what he wants to look at, rather than giving a **** about the relegation battle.
I’m not saying he’s going to hand us the game, but I think he may be more bothered about assessing players like N’Jie, Son and Bentalab for example.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Alright lads, not been on much as Lew really not well, got rapid response team coming in daily to keep a check on him. Might have to be admitted if he don’t pick up soon like. Anyway just wanted to say I can’t believe they put Dean on our game knowing he cost us a point v Norwich with the handballs in the build up to their winner. That point could be a deciding factor come the end of the season and we don’t need anymore blunders from him tomorrow. Also I see Fat Sam is playing his mind games, think someone is a tad rattled meself. Anyway if I’m not on tomorrow it’s cause lew is gone in.
kimtoon(Quote)
I’ll be flying home from Oslo while the game is on tomorrow and I fully expect to be landing at Edinburgh to news that we have won 3-1 and Cisse has scored first. Also expect Stoke to have gained at least a point against Sunderland.
Stuart79(Quote)
KIM real sorry for your problems mate hope all comes good for you and Lew,I had the self and same words about dean the other day
Good luck mate
Icedog(Quote)
Kim – sorry to hear about Lewis, hope he gets better soon. Is he still throwing up?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – speaking of mind games, I hope Rafa is playing one or two of his own.
Get onto the players that Pardew left in the care of Carver and say ‘get out there and show him he let some top players behind for some very average ones’.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I don’t know if I should be happy but Paul Merson’s giant balloon head has tipped us to win. All of the Sky pundits usually take as much glee in predicting doom for us as they do predicting a win for Liverpool. My world has spun off its axis. Next Troy will say something bad about Pards and I really will think that the end of the world is near.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: I think Dann, Bolasie and Cabaye at least would get in our team.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim hope Lewis gets better soon, you really don’t get it easy .
Big Dave(Quote)
Take care Kim, hope Lewis is feeling much better soon and you can relax a bit
Simon(Quote)
That’s the beauty of mind games mate. It doesn’t have to be 100% true, you just have to get them to believe it and react to it 😉
Sharpy17(Quote)
Cheers lads.
Sharpy , aye mate he is. Blood works are back showing infection on one of the markers but not the white cells????which it should. He is drowning in snot which is what’s probably making him puke as it usually does but not to this extent ( 16 times in 9 days so far ) He’s had Augementin which is like domestos to bugs, that finished Tuesday eve. Urine is clear and kidneys and liver function normal. Trying very hard to keep him home with help from rapid response guys over weekend but if he keeps on like this, at some point he will need admitting for more test. Never known nothing like this, even when he was in with swine flu he was better after 4 days. Had the paramedics out last night as he was coughing so hard ended up almost choking, scared me to death. Not looking forward to tonight that’s for sure, this is one **** of a bug he has.
Lets hope Stu is bang on about the scoreline tomorrow anyway.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim. Very sorry to hear about Lew. It isn’t easy for you. Hoping he soon recovers.
Groucho(Quote)
Hope NUFC can do you a favour and bring you a bit of cheer to you Kimtoon. Is Lew a big NUFC fan too?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim, hope you can both have an alright night and he starts to feel better really soon and you are both able to smile and celebrate together just before 5 when Stu is right 3 points and 3 goals for us and same for Stoke
Simon(Quote)
We’re going down.
funkyjesus(Quote)
FJ yeah you have said that a few times 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
We are staying up going to be 90% on Stu meter tomorrow I think
Simon(Quote)
Simon – I like it!!! Slowly but surely people are getting on my bus…
Kim – Don’t worry, the Took Lin result will cheer you right up.
Stuart79(Quote)
Yeah Stu, and if we can pull of a 4-0 and so can Stoke, almost level the goal difference as well, though I dont want to ask too much. Still be a couple of goals in it, but if they get hammered in the game in hand, be even better. Stoke need to score a few to make up fr the past few games. in truth tho, I’d be happy for 3 1-0 wins and 3 losses and a draw for both Norwich and Sunderland. Give them both a draw each as got to think of the fans on the way down, only human after all
Simon(Quote)
All we can do is wait and see what happen’s. I can’t see us staying up but I can see us beating Palace and Villa. It’s Sunderlands premier league place to lose imo. The Spanish job comes available after the euro’s and if Rafa gets offered the job I think he will be gone.
Terry(Quote)
Stuart79 I would like us to stay up mate but I’m already prepared for the worst.
Terry(Quote)
Terry I just hope and pray that the players have more faith and belief than you.
Big Dave(Quote)
Big Dave it’s the players that got us in this mess to begin with.
Terry(Quote)
I feel I have to be the realistic counter to the unnerving optimism that has came over this place the past week or two.
Maybe I’ll keep people grounded so they won’t go mad when Pardew’s lot pump us like Shane Diesel tomorrow.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Steady, Simon.
Stuart79(Quote)
Funky – Good to see a different comment…
Stuart79(Quote)
I know Stu, just getting carried away, I’d just take 3 1-0 wins and hope for the best. I do think if we win 2 we will stay up mind
Simon(Quote)
I hope not but I have a feeling it will be a score draw.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I fancy a toon win today. Just got to hope the mackems drop points or it will look grim for us.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I really hope Pards wins the FA Cup as well.
How foolish will the Clueless Crew look. 😀
Troy Stavers(Quote)