That’s it folks, our 2018/19 season is over, with us rounding things off today with a thumping win at Craven Cottage – a result that sees us finish in 13th.
Goals from Shelvey (and it was a stunner!), Perez, Schar and Rondon sealed a 4-0 win – and if that’s to be Benitez’s final game as manager of Newcastle United, it was some send off!
It was a scoreline we’ve not been used to seeing this season, with us two up in 10 minutes and scoring 4 on the road for the first time this season, but it was a display that summed up our form in 2019.
We battled superbly, defending admirably and took our chances emphatically, outclassing and frustrating a Fulham side that spent over £100m last summer.
It may be the last time we see a few play in a Newcastle United shirt. Hayden finally looks set to seal his move away for family reasons, Rondon is due back at West Brom tomorrow and a permanent deal is up in the air, Perez rumours have been rife since his rise to form, Diame is out of contract as things stand and it feels like Shelvey will be cashed in on should Rafa stay. All five have been good servants in one way or another, and all of them played brilliantly today, but the biggest signing this summer would be Rafa Benitez.
I’m sure I speak for every Newcastle United fan in saying I hope and pray this isn’t his last game as manager.
Here’s how the final Premier League table looks after today’s results, with Man City lifting the title with a 4-1 win at Brighton and our 0-4 win seeing us finish up in 13th:
So, another season down and another incredible effort from the players and brilliant job done by Rafa Benitez.
All the momentum gathered last season was sucked out of the club over the summer, with us leaving signings too late and starting the season slowly as a result, but both Benitez and the players recovered remarkably after such a poor start to the campaign.
Our first win of the season came in November, with us enduring our worst start to a league season since 1898, but survived comfortably once again. That’s now something we should be celebrating, however, and that’s why Benitez won’t sign until he gets assurances that the club will show ambition beyond simply ‘staying up’.
The club has reached a crossroads. Either Benitez leaves – and all hope leaves with him – or we either go on with Rafa, sign Rondon and start making steps towards becoming a solid top 10 side and beyond.
Let’s hope the right decision are made over the coming weeks and we can enjoy a 2019/20 season where relegation battles are no more and Rafa’s future isn’t the topic of conversation every week.
For now though, hats off to Rafa and this group of lads for grinding it out once again.
Another rollercoaster season filled with unbearable early-season lows, mid-season nerves, but ultimately the resurgence of a organised, charismatic and gutsy side who gave us some big away day wins and electric moments at St James’ Park.
Tammy Abraham hasn’t had a single shot on target from open play in 2 legs against WBA – including up to now in extra time.
I am really not sold on him at all – nor do I get all the hype around Jack Grealish.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Why didn’t they just rent a state room at Claridges on Sunday night? Have a curry sent in and work it out and let Mike finish his 12 pints and throw up in the fireplace. They have Butlers at Claridges so Mikey could get his Tennant’s Lager with the busty girls on the can delivered to his coffee table.
I stayed at Claridges once and the doorman told me I could get cans of tennents at “The Paki Shop” around the corner. I didn’t ask him, he offered.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
down to pens in playoff game
KIMTOON(Quote)
baggies pens are awful so far missed two
KIMTOON(Quote)
Looks like it’s £20m for Rondon then. Maybe he will go on strike to force a move and we can get him for £14m or so…
Stuart79(Quote)
Was told today that the training ground is to be done in 2021. Wonder if that’s good enough for Rafa.
Stuart79(Quote)
Tammy sends Villa to Wembley
tough on the baggies
Hate Villa
KIMTOON(Quote)
Lets hope they get stuffed in the final
KIMTOON(Quote)
Back to 16 mil for Rondon. Keep Dwight as well because we wont get a better sub for 15 mil. Almiron to score 10 and assist 10 next year. Ritchie at LB with 7 assists and 3 goals.
Need a real goalscorer and we are OK with Hayden and Perez staying and Longstaff and Lejeune back.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
by Dirty Leeds 🙂 You hate Villa more than Leeds ?? 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart79
May 14, 2019 at 22:42
Was told today that the training ground is to be done in 2021. Wonder if that’s good enough for Rafa
Believe it when i see it Stu
KIMTOON(Quote)
Eric Sykes
May 14, 2019 at 22:51
KIMTOON:
Lets hope they get stuffed in the final
by Dirty Leeds ? You hate Villa more than Leeds ?? ?
not really
Hoping Derby come good
KIMTOON(Quote)
Stu – depends what’s meant by ‘done’ – if it’s a lick of paint then no chance, but if it’s a full kit out, then probably yeah.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It’s another tick on the “what Rafa wants” scale. They wouldn’t be bothering if they were letting him leave.
georgio(Quote)
Is this Rondon for Gayle swap SO straightforward and obvious that it’s become complicated?.
But if it doesn’t come off and Gayle returns, you’d expect him to be sold. He’d bring another £15m I reckon.
I think the main thing Rafa wants from this meeting is a guaranteed £40-50m cash to spend, plus whatever’s made from player sales – and the promise to spend it on whatever players he wants or needs.
That should just be standard anyway to be honest. It should be the grace given to any manager.
Sharpy17(Quote)
West Brom want to talk to Hughton. That didn’t take long!
Remember they hired Pards and he took Ugly John with him. They have to make up for that with another ex-NUFC Manager.
Now I see the Dwight for Rondon as very likely. More’s the pity, as I would like both at NUFC.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I would bet the house on Brighton being relegated after they bet on an FA suit over Hughton. However, I think all of the promoted teams will struggle so Brighton might do a Sunderland and survive by the skin of their teeth for 1 more year. They will probably experiment with the more “expansive” football, but – BIG FAT SAM BY CHRISTMAS.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If Rafa stays. Chances of leaving:
Perez = 5%
Hayden = 20%
Shelvey = 95%
I thought Jonjo played really well on Sunday but his skillset is covered by Schar, Lejeune and Longstaff so I think Rafa will cash in and invest in a different type of player.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The Chronic are now saying that Hayden and Perez might stay. It is almost like their journalists don’t have a clue and have never seen a football Agent angling for a new and improved deal to get their cut of the money!
Is there a more stupid bunch of football “journalists” anywhere than at The Chronic? There are 7 of them and between them they find it hard to string a single sentence together.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I used to think Mark Douglas was OK at The Chronic until I saw his recent musings on the NUFC finances. He just finished up a 10 Q and A on that dismal rag. I will summarize;
1. Why do you still employ “Lee- Nice but Dim, Ryder”? Artie from Benwell.
Because he offers no threat to my position as boss.
2. What is the point of Chris “5 things I learned”, “the intern” Waugh? Jim from Whitley Bay.
I will have to get back to you on that one.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Do you think Game of Thrones has been a bit of a disappointment this season? Jimmy Nail from Westerhope.
To be fair, I think the Night King went down a bit too easily like yer Mo Salah or Wilfried Zaha in the box.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
4. Does Jermaine Jenas talk a better game than he played? Ant and Dec from Ponteland.
Yes!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
5. Souness or Keane in a cage fight? Pablo from Consett.
Souness for me Jim. Did you see the punch Royston threw at Big Al way back when? Missed by a mile.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
6. Would you f#ck a Mackem lass if she looked like Cheryl, had bigger boobs and was 20 years younger than you? Ashley from London.
Next question.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
7. Is my **** bigger than Kim Kardashian’s? Jordan from Sunderland.
No.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
8. Will Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer be Gone By Christmas (GBC)? Eric from Chicago.
Why do you care, this is a NUFC website.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
9. Should it be “a” NUFC website or “an” NUFC website? Graeme, also from Chicago.
Erm…
Eric Sykes(Quote)
10. If Amdy Faye and Mike Williamson got into a keepy-uppy competition who would win? Ginger Jack, Cramlington.
Depends on if you have to count past 1.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
For me, and to be fair, at the end of the day I think 10 questions are way too many. 5 things I learned is plenty enough.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
For me – who the fck else would it be for?
To be fair – what? You want to be unfair?
At the end of the day -OK, as opposed to the beginning of the day?
I do not understand these lead ins to answering a question.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
For Me? For you? For my Great Aunt Hilda? For Donald Trump or Tyrion Lannister? For Taylor Swift?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Whenever anyone says “FOR ME” it always make me think of who else it could possibly be for. You are stating your opinion and it is therefore a given that it is “FOR YOU”. For some really strange reason I always think when anybody say “FOR ME” that they should be saying “FOR TAYLOR SWIFT”.
Very strange.
I Know.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have this weird obsession with people saying “FOR ME”. It just doesn’t make sense to me as a prefix for anything and I always hear in my head other lead ins.
For me, substitute:
For Alex Higgins
For Damian Lewis
For Adolf Hitler
For Paddington Bear
For Jonny Marr
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Do you were rich and wanted to buy a football club wouldn’t you be more inclined to buy Leeds if they were in the PL rather than pay £300m for NUFC?
Stuart79(Quote)
Leeds and Derby playing like next goals the winner! Great game.
Stuart79(Quote)
What a cracking game Stu.
Over the moon for Derby coz it looked done and finished when Leeds scored first.
Leeds have done themselves really, messing round at the back. But Derby have played their socks off and never gave up – pleased for Lampard as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well Leeds gave Villa a free goal a few weeks back which effectively put them in the play offs – probably cost them around £150m that goal.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kimtoon will be happy 🙂 Gives Derby a chance to knock out Dirty Villa.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
C’mon Pompey!
My week would be made if the Mackems lose.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t even hate Sunderland either. I just want them to lose.
I have only ever met 2 Mackems in my life. One was a C3nt and the other was OK.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Derby did brilliant tonight. To come back from 2-0 (one of the goals being from the 1st leg) to win 4-3 on agg is a great achievement.
If they play in the final like they have tonight, I think they have a great chance of coming up.
However, if they come up, I think that will be the 3 promoted teams going straight back down – possibly one surviving in place of Brighton.
Derby have Mount, Wilson and Tomouri all on loan – and the 3 will go back to their parent clubs I think. Wilson and Mount have been excellent this season – they won’t be sold, so at best Derby might get another loan.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I have been yammering on about the same thing earlier, mate. I have said Brighton for months!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have never met a single Mackem in Chicago. Not a single one. Do they just stay in Sunderland?
I lived in London for 3 years. Never saw a Mackem there either.
Went back to London a few years ago and there was a bartender Mackem in a comedy club I went to. I asked him where he was fro and he said NEWCASTLE. Does that count as meeting a Mackem when he denies it?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well what a result that was, well done Derby, now see off Villa and i will be well pleased.
KIMTOON(Quote)
https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/05/15/report-tottenham-join-race-for-newcastles-isaac-hayden/
KIMTOON(Quote)
I see Wolves are about to bid for Rondon. That could be a right spanner in Rafa’s works.
georgio(Quote)
dont think he would go mate they have canny strikers already so could end up sitting on the bench a fair bit
icedog(Quote)
crack is jabba didnt turn up for meeting with Rafa he sent penfold instead,hope its not right as it could huff Rafa,mind the report is in the scottish press
icedog(Quote)
icedog
May 16, 2019 at 14:43
crack is jabba didnt turn up for meeting with Rafa he sent penfold instead,hope its not right as it could huff Rafa,mind the report is in the scottish press
Wouldn’t surprise me if he failed to turn up. Scottish press also reckon Rafa for Celtic.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Dirty Stinkin’ Mackems.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I saw that too mate, but Rondon seems an honest lad and he said he wants to come to NUFC – he’s certainly played like that all season.
I think he’ll leave WBA this summer, but he’ll wait for NUFC first I think – I hope ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
That’s an interesting point, Sharpy. Firstly why would you come here rather than Wolves – especially as it means he won’t even have to move house. Secondly, you’re assuming we will pay what WBA want and we will match the wages Wolves pay. That’s as far away as a guarantee as possible with this lot.
Stuart79(Quote)
So the mackems make it into the play off final… oh well. Hope they lose again at Wembley…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Man Utd interested in Longstaff according to SSN. I’d say £40m or **** off!
Stuart79(Quote)
Up front payment. That’s if he wants to go that is.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – I think he has been massively unappreciated at WBA and despite battling relegation with us this season, the fact he has a manager who not only wants him, but has built the team around him. Add to that the fact the fans love him & he was voted player of the season. I think at Rondon’s stage of his career, that counts a great deal.
Wolves were very good this season, but it’s one season in the PL – they certainly aren’t consistent yet. The likelihood is he’ll be a bench player – would he swap that for what he has at NUFC?
Sharpy17(Quote)
I have no idea what is happening with the Rafa contract negotiations, but do the papers either? It is supposedly in a secret location with few attendees. Rafa, Ashley, Charnley? Who is leaking this information? NOBODY!!!! They are making t up as they go along.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And suddenly the policy is to only sign U24s now? Where did that come from? Yes, Ryder made it up. Just like The Chronic said Shelvey’s wages were 70k a week for the past 3 years and then suddenly they became 90k 2 weeks ago. They make **** up and then repeat it so often that even THEY start to believe it.
I have no idea what Shelvey gets paid but apparently neither does The Chronic. The difference is that I don’t pretend that I know and reference it in every single story about Jonjo only to make up another number 3 years later.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And Uncle Ed is saying there is an “impasse” in the Rafa/Ashley talks. What the hell does he know being in Carolina and rehashing Ryder 200 word articles. He says it like he has some inside information but he knows nothing (John Snow).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I saw this.
He’s seen Ryder’s latest take following the first day of contract talks and misinterpreted it pretty badly!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
And Ryder links (but in the next sentence says not really) Rafa with the Juve job because Rafa has worked in Italy. This man it a pitiful excuse for a journalist. Rafa/Ronaldo back together 🙂 🙂 🙂 Give me a break Lee.
The only bigger idiot in football than Wor Lee is Ed Woodward. It was obvious that Max Allegri would be gone from Juve this summer unless he won The Champions League – and Woddward hires… GBC.
He should fire Solsjkaer today and crawl to Turin and beg Allegri to fix his defense.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
No Eric, they must above all things keep OGS as coach. 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
?????? absolutely!
Dubai Toon(Quote)
coach driver
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – that’s harsh!
So according to the very sparse reports, Ashley isn’t even there. So why are they in London? Rafa and Charnley talk every day at NUFC. Why would they move to London for more chat?
georgio(Quote)
his copter was in Oxford this morning,thats a fair walk to London lol
icedog(Quote)
George Caulkin says a meeting with Ashley did take place. He tends to be more trustworthy than other journalists as The Times don’t seem to require that he bashes out a story every day whether there is one or not.
The interesting thing he said is that talks could continue ON THE PHONE. I have never quite understood why Fatty and Rafa could not simply get on skype but according to Caulkin they have now entered the 21st Century.
If Rafa does have a contract in his hands it makes sense that he will be having his lawyers look over it. Who knows though, a certain local rag has a small army of 7 reporters who will make stuff up to meet their story quota.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Olly: IF it is true that West Ham and Wolves are after Rondon I wouldn’t be so sure that we are in the drivers seat. My guess is that they would both offer more money and a longer contract. The wages issue was something that Rafa was said to want to discuss with Ashley, but I would be as concerned about the length of contract. I just cannot see Ashley offering more than a 3 year contract for a 30 year old.
Of course this is pure speculation on my part from 3,500 miles away with no inside knowledge but I am usually at least as accurate s certain journalists who attend every match and have offices in Newcastle.
And I still don’t believe that our policy is to only target players 24 years old and younger. That limits who we could get too much.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The U24 thing could be an Ashley negotiating tool (or it could have been pulled out of Chris Waugh’s ****). But let’s say Ashley was insisting on this during the discussions and then suddenly he relents and then says – Aw alright Rafa, you got me, lets make it under 26! Thereby going back to where he was in the beginning and really never moved from anyway. I guess these journos have never negotiated a contract in their lives although they do have contact with Agents so you would think they would know how this stuff sometimes works.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I would probably normally go for the underdog in The FA Cup final but I will make an exception today as it will give Pep a treble. It might finally shut up pundits like Stan Collymore who were all saying the premier league was a different kettle of fish than Spain and lets see if he can cut it on a wet Wednesday in Stoke.
Of course that would cue all of the p!ssing and moaning from the red half of Manchester saying their treble was better. Probably true, but they should have been beaten 5-0 by Bayern and it was bl00dy 20 years ago!!!
And that’s why I want the red bindippers to win the Champions League as well. That, plus I like Klopp and like watching their team. And finally, I couldn’t give 2 sh!ts about Spurs so I am OK with Liverpool winning.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’m less confident of signing Rondon by the day – but remain hopeful.
I have no doubts he would want to sign for us, but the length of time it’s taking Rafa to convince Ashley to sign Rafa himself up – how long is it going to take Rafa to convince Ashley to sign Rondon ?.
If Rondon wants his future sorted quickly so he can enjoy his summer – then he will sign elsewhere, coz NUFC do NOWT in a hurry!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: this could really drag on as The Copa America starts June 14 but usually they want them training for a couple of weeks before that. If it is not done in the next 2 weeks it will be like a scratched vinyl record on an endless loop until the end of July.
I think Martinez who played with Almiron plays for Venezuela as well. They usually show the games over here so I will probably watch a couple.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Contract negotiations going well:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=marx+brothers+sanity+clause+youtube&view=detail&mid=87CE2B868531FB0EC97987CE2B868531FB0EC979&FORM=VIRE
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also Sharpy: thinking it through I think there is very little chance we will sign Rondon if West Ham and Wolves are in for him. It is likely to be his last big contract so he will be priced out of our range. I know Rafa wants to have higher wages but this would probably blow out our wage structure. We might disagree with the Fat Man on a lot of things but some of these fees and wage demands are just stupid. Look at Sanchez and Ozil. Even Man U and Arsenal are in too deep giving players extensions based on what a replacement would cost and not realizing that Agents would use the new wages as a benchmark for their own players.
Mark Douglas (I know, but he is usually sensible) said NUFC had calculated Rondon as costing 40 million in transfer, agent fees and wages. There is no way Ashley would pay that for a 30 year old and in a lot of ways I don’t blame him.
Football finances have gone mad and we have to join in to an extent but some sanity must return at some point. You have Aaron Ramsey on reportedly 400k at week at Juve. He is a good player, but I wouldn’t even put him in the top 50 in the world.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
peed off with there being no league game already, roll on August. All we got left to look forward to is weeks of press speculation on which of our best players will be sold and who we’ve missed out on. 🙄
I reckon Brexit will be sorted before Rafas contract the way it’s going .
KIMTOON(Quote)