George Caulkin has taken to Twitter to suggest just why Newcastle have endured such an uninspiring start to the new season, believing there is no longer a ’cause to get behind’.
George – one of the most well respect writers in the North East – seems to believe that this is main reason why both fans and players have lacked that ‘intensity’ shown last season, and I think he’s spot on.
We are no longer that newly promoted team hoping to prove to everyone that we are more than a ‘Championship squad’. Rafa’s project has taken one step forward (following last season’s 10th place finish) but two steps back after a total lack of ambition was shown over the summer.
For the last two seasons prior, we had a goal, we were on a mission; to get promoted and then to stay up. Now it feels like we’re stagnant – so where does that fire or intensity come from? All the momentum we created has been sucked out from the club.
Here’s what Caulkin has had to say on Twitter:
“For the last two seasons, there has been a clear, defined goal for NUFC: get promoted, stay up.
“For all the uncertainty about Benitez’s position, the ownership etc, there has been a cause to get behind, intensity. That intensity is difficult to maintain – in the team, in the stands – if the manager, now in the final year of his contract, is being asked to do more of the same.
“How do you buy into stasis? Where does the fire come from?
“Perhaps this is skewed by tough fixtures, but the 2nd half performance and atmosphere yesterday have to be concerns.”
… stands – if the manager, now in the final year of his contract, is being asked to do more of the same. How do you buy into stasis? Where does the fire come from? Perhaps this is skewed by tough fixtures, but the 2nd 1/2 performance & atmosphere y’day have to be concerns.
— George Caulkin (@CaulkinTheTimes) September 16, 2018
The Times’ North East correspondent has hit the nail on the head here for me.
Do you agree with him?
Well it’s the same Mr Caulkin who spun us the yarn of the sale of NUFC last year. Not sure if this is another bit of fake news. Time George gave us some facts.
Dutch(Quote)
He interviewed Staveley and it was a good interview – he can’t then control her bids for the club, he can only ask questions and report on what he’s told.
I personally think he’s spot on with this.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
100% agree with George’s theory! But here’s another theory, as there are no definite facts available.
Could it be that Rafa might be closer to leaving than anyone wants to believe and the team are sending this?or could it be that by performing below expectations, the manager, team and fans hope to technically devalue the club to push Ashley nearer to a selling decision?? Just a personal thought guys. Nothing I’ve seen or heard. Just Theory!!!
Bill(Quote)
No I don’t agree with him at all.
He’s saying once you are in the Premiership there is no intensity to ‘stay up’ as he puts it and the manager, players and fans are happy to accept stasis? Bull!
I find it hard to gauge how well we will do based on results from the horrific opening fixtures the sooper compooter has dealt us this season and I think Caulkin may be falling into that trap. The first bunch of fixtures involved Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Man City, and playing defensively, we lost every one 2-1 which I think will give us a better goal difference than other teams who will go gung ho and try to beat them.
I don’t think the uninspiring start has anything to do with ‘not having a cause to get behind’ or accepting stasis. I just think it is Rafa doing damage limitation against the teams he knows his squad can’t beat in the hope that he can compete against the other teams he believes he can beat.
mactoon(Quote)
Culkin right !
Mactoon wrong !?! – not wrong about Rafa doing ‘damage limitation’ but wrong to accuse Culkin of saying that Rafa and players were “happy to accept stasis” – not only did he not say that, he didn’t even imply it – you made that up yourself, its how YOU are thinking, and it proves his point, even you, Mactoon, are struggling to find the passion, the enthusiasm, or as Culkin asks, “How do you buy into stasis? Where does the fire come from?”
Culkin right !
Peter(Quote)