During Sky’s coverage of the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, Graeme Souness stated that he ‘very much doubts’ Mike Ashley would lied to Benitez, suggesting a man of Rafa’s experience should have asked how much he had to spend on new players and been aware of the owners stance.
Quite incredible. So, Souness is honestly suggesting here that Benitez naively came into the job without asking what Ashley’s plans were, with him (Souness) having the audacity to suggest that Ashley wouldn’t lie – despite this being a man whose been proven to be exactly that over the years at NUFC and Sports Direct.
Here’s his mind-boggling comments when speaking on Sky:
“I’ve been at Newcastle, it’s a very hard job for the manager. The players are under enormous pressure and you have to be a big player to cope with that. 56,000 – it’s difficult to play when you’re under pressure. So the players have to stand up and be counted.
“What I find difficult to understand is that Rafa is not an inexperienced manager. When he took the job I’m sure he was sat down I’m sure it was explained to him where they were going.
“One of the first questions you ask is ‘How much have you got for new players?’ Unless someone is reneging on their word, which I very much doubt, he must have known the situation he was walking into.”
For a start, he was manager of NUFC yet still clearly doesn’t know the attendance of St James’ Park (It’s 52,000, Graeme), but that’s not the point.
Does he honestly think Benitez knew that this was the situation he was walking into? Ridiculous. Benitez took a chance on us on the basis that Ashley could help him bring the good times back to the club, not on the basis that he would penny pinch in just about every transfer window, fail to communicate and be on holiday while Rafa’s not even sure if he’ll be given anything to spend never mind who he’s going to buy.
Further proof that Sky employ folk that don’t have the slightest clue about NUFC, with this being the latest episode of comments that have got fans’ backs right up.
Here’s some responses to Souness on social media:
By Graeme Souness's thinking, Mike Ashley must have told Rafa that he'd have £5m for a striker last summer. Aye, I'm sure that is what happened.
— Alan Coleman (@AlanColeman86) February 4, 2018
Souness basically saying he doubts Mike Ashley told lies.
Tells you everything you need to know about him as a pundit.#NUFC
— NUFC Index (@NUFC_Index) February 4, 2018
Souness doubts Ashley has gone back on his word! #NUFC just got £20m+ in January for broadcasting and didn't buy anyone. Money consistently evaporates. Ashley is a PROVEN liar ffs @SkySports @SkySportsPL #ASHLEYOUT
— flip ♛ (@Obtuse2theNth) February 4, 2018
Seems like everyone associated with Sky Sports just take turns sucking the farts out of Ashley’s ****, Souness defending him and criticising Rafa for wanting better… he can **** clean off #NUFC
— Ryan (@RyMorris95) February 4, 2018
Souness reckons it's unlikely Ashley reneged on promises about funds available. I very much doubt Rafa would have taken the job if he knew he would be unable to compete with the spending power of Brighton or Huddersfield
— Neil Davison (@TioteSmash) February 4, 2018
There needs only to be one word which so accurately describes Sourness and what he knows obout NUFC.
BOUMSONG..! A horses *** if ever there was one. A good player in his day, though one of the dirtiest,and a “manager” who was absolutely useless .Made geordie John look like sir Bobby.
Porciestreet(Quote)
52k is the CAPACITY, not the attendance, of St. James’ Park.
Rob(Quote)