I still can’t believe what Mike Ashley has just done. I never saw the signing of Joelinton in a million years.
I give credit for the ambition that’s been shown to get this one done, but it begs one big question – What must Rafa be thinking?
One thing that seems clear is the fact Mike Ashley will spend money on his terms. If there’s a player who’s young with high potential and big sell on potential then I’m sure he’ll buy – but he does this to benefit HIMSELF, not Newcastle United. By this I mean he sees the future pound signs, not them becoming a hero at the club and guiding us to glory over the next 5 years.
That was probably Rafa’s issue. He wanted more than just a few big money buys.
Moving on and, squad wise, another four quality signings and you could conclude that it’s ended up a decent transfer window, although it’s key we keep the likes of Longstaff, Hayden, Dubravka and Schar.
Unlike Rafa, it will then be up to Steve Bruce to ensure the team deliver. No excuses!
Contrary to what some clueless pundits claim, us Toon fans aren’t expecting top 6, but it would be so good not to be fighting relegation and to have a decent cup run.
Joelinton’s arrival is the first glimmer or optimism I’ve experienced all summer. Optimistic, but realistic. He looks a real talent, but he’s being managed by Steve Bruce – not Rafa Benitez.
I saw the sale of Perez to Leicester for £30m as an excellent bit of business, provided it was re-invested, and that’s what we’ve seen with Joelinton. But it can’t stop there. We lost Perez AND Rondon, so we MUST sign a few more to avoid standing still.
For too long the team have worked hard, but they’ve been defeated because of that lack of quality in the squad.
Now, providing we get one or two more exciting attackers, we may carry more of a goal threat, but the big test may be how we manage at the back next season – something Rafa got sorted after a decade of woeful defending on Tyneside.
I really hope Steve Bruce – a a Geordie lad and boyhood Toon supporter – can restore our optimism at St James Park.
Who f**king cares what Rafa thinks anymore he’s not here is he get over him he’s gone
Pinocchio(Quote)
Joelinton was only bought because Ashley had already send intermediaries around Germany and UK to the top clubs saying we are thinking of buying Joeleinton but would like to know if you will buy him back off us in 12 months time for x price, and someone took him up on that offer. So don’t get used to Joelinton in an NUFC shirt he is just passing through folks. Maybe Mike might buy another shoe shop from the profits?
Nufc 11(Quote)
In reality Ashley hasn’t spent much more than he got for Perez so let’s not get carried away yet. Another two or three quality signings would show some ambition. Provided the money is not generated by selling the likes of Longstaff etc.
Barry Hutton(Quote)
How on earth did you come up with that nonsense ?.
As for the article, I don’t know how you didn’t see it in a million years – we were linked with him long enough.
Rafa was told there would be money to spend, but it wouldn’t be spent on ageing players in the latter years of their careers.
Rondon did a great job for us. But Joelinton is a quality forward too.
Rafa decided to walk away. If reports are right, he rang round putting other managers off taking the job – pathetic!!.
I don’t care what he thinks anymore, and I would think his new employer isn’t paying him £12m to be thinking about NUFC anymore either.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Pointless investing in a young player for sell on value if you don’t have a coach and team around him to perform. It’s like handing a Mercedes F1 car to Steve Bruce and expecting him to win at Monaco.
Bradley(Quote)
You also need to open your mind a bit more too.
It doesn’t just benefit him and not NUFC.
The only way he sells them on at a higher fee is if they are playing really well (nobody is buying a player not performing well at a big fee).
So if they are performing well, Newcastle in turn must be doing well – the 2 must go hand in hand.
This **** about us being a stepping stone club – of course we are!! There are only maybe Man City and Lpool who aren’t.
Loyalty in football is dead. Agents killed it off along time ago. Players don’t play for the fans – many don’t even play for their team mates. They play for themselves, their next contract negotiations, their next move.
They kiss the badge of the shirt they will happily throw to the ground if they get subbed.
Us fans bang on about ambition like success is an achievable think. What is success for a club like NUFC?!.
City have just won back to back Premier Leagues – and them smash their transfer record for a new player and will spend another £200m – and if we are lucky, as spectators, we might get another 2 horses race – though I suspect City will lead from the from again.
Even the FA Cup and other one (whoever sponsors it now) the top teams chase with their first team players. It’s not enough to win the league any more – it’s doubles and trebles the big boys want.
The same fans who want the club to show ambition, are the ones hoping the club gets relegated to teach Ashley a lesson ??♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We are a stepping stone club for ashlies benefit not ours boycott boycott boycott boycott ashlies out
Larry toon hants(Quote)
To several of the commentators, welcome back to reality, for years players have moved on for more money, with some saying they want Champions League football. How anyone cannot manage on a couple million a year is beyond me. The days of a footballer coming through the ranks and staying with the club until retirement has gone. Many players have been sold for over the decades which have upset fans. For example James Milner, Hamman, and Andy Cole. However we did not have, as today, a mediocre and thin squad of players.
The issue with sports direct FC is that there is no investment in the infastructure of the club, youth system and community. No interaction with the fans, relying on rumours to divide the fans while Ashley smirks. The club is run on a shoe string, never capitalising on on a sale such as Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Carroll etc. Funneling money into Ashley’s back pocket while he uses the club as a giant advertising hoarding. His latest buy is a slight on Rafa and a move to further divide the fans and/ or sell more season tickets and expensive kits. There is no plan to create a competitive team , especially with Bruce in charge. Only PL survival. If you want this scenario to continue Ad finitum please continue to attend the games and support Ashley in his advertising campaign.
LA Toon(Quote)
Possibly a mistake we all make is in imagining Ashley is concerned about the fans. As a business man he’s concerned about his customers and they are the TV companies who pay for broadcast rights via the EPL, other teams at home and abroad that he trades players with and any spin off for Sports Direct that comes out of advertising. Investing in players is part of the apparent business model, training facilities not so much.
The fan base is too fickle and capricious to be in the reckoning. If we can get along, then fine, if not, also fine. If you can get Sky or the French Leagues to boycott him you might be on to something, a couple hundred unsold pies ain’t gonna do it.
Drew(Quote)
What a load of sh1te that is.
If for no other reason than he fancies his chances of a move to Citeh, Manure or the dippers.
Though personally I think the **** would be his next step.
Any guesses on what his buy out clause will be?
Briiian(Quote)
It’s not about what was Rafa thinking – it’s more like what was Rafa demanding if Ashley is willing to throw maybe 90 million at Bruce as he walks through the door.
Remember, Rafa was the guy who said he needed new players at Real, apparently the reason he fell out with them, and left, and those same players went on to win the Champions league.
Anyway – he’s now in China on 2 quid every time he breathes in, so I dont think he’s too bothered about what Ashley gives Bruce.
Time to move on.
Briiian(Quote)