Richard Keys. The gift that keeps on giving.
Like most anti Rafa people/pro Bruce people in the media, he thinks we should move on from Rafa, yet talks about him any chance he gets.
This time he’s making the really original point that Bruce has had a better start than Rafa, while once again completely missing the point, and he even managed to get in a pop at one of our more popular players, Miguel Almiron, this time.
Here’s what the irrelevant BEIN Sports presenter said, giving Bruce ‘gold’ for his start to the season after handing ‘silver’ to Brendan Rodgers and ‘bronze’ to Frank Lampard:
‘It’s gold for Steve Bruce – the man even Geordies wanted to fail. What a job he’s doing – proving that not only Benitez can manage that club.
‘Is it true? Does Bruce really have Newcastle seven points better off than at this time last season? Yes it is. And that despite a really tough start – a far more difficult start than Benitez had. The former coach says it’s not fair to compare different seasons – but he would wouldn’t he?
‘In the Sunday Mirror at the weekend Andy Dunn was suggesting it won’t be long before Benitez is back in the PL – at Arsenal, West Ham or Southampton. Surely not Andy? Benitez left for a ‘long term project’ in China and because Mike Ashley didn’t ‘share his ambition’. What a joke. He left for a fat salary and having done his best to create havoc for his successor. Why didn’t he leave at the end of last season? He knew he was going in May. Why wait until pre-season training had started, therefore restricting the time Bruce had to get to know his team – to plan and work the transfer market?
‘If I were a West Ham fan I’d be shuddering at the prospect of Benitez turning up in east London. If you thought it was bad under Big Sam you ain’t seen nothing yet guys. And how do you think Benitez would get on with Karren Brady? Yep. Me too.
‘Anyway, against a near impossible back ground, Bruce has been quietly working miracles. I’m disappointed that he didn’t take the League Cup more seriously, but otherwise it’s been terrific. Do you know, he might even get an assist or perhaps even a goal out of £21m Miguel Almiron before the season ends. What exactly was Benitez thinking when he paid that money to Atlanta United? I can’t think of one – can you? This verdict from ‘Whoscored.com’ on Almiron. Crossing – weak. Passing – weak. Finishing – weak.
‘Almiron failed to score in 54 of his 68 MLS games. Five of his 22 goals were pens. It’s 1 in 21 for his national team. He’s quick, but, other than that, what exactly does he do? Bruce will be a genius if he gets something out of him, but I really do wish both well. No-one likes to see a player struggling.‘
It’s actually embarrassing. He certainly isn’t as clueless as this when he talks about other clubs and topics within football. I’m actually convinced that Rafa Benitez cost him some serious fantasy league points in the past.
Dissecting what he says point by point isn’t worth anyone’s time, we get it, but actually accusing Rafa of deliberately trying to “create havoc” for the club and his predecessor? Now that’s a joke Richard. Another favorite part was about West Ham fans should be “shuddering” at the thought of Benitez becoming their new coach. A lot of West Ham fans I’ve spoken to on social media would be delighted with his appointment.
His criticism of Almiron, amusingly comes only days after Bruce was rightly singing his praises. Let’s hope both Keys and Danny Mills are watching when Miggy tears Villa apart on Monday and Bruce and the boys bring home another 3 points.
Another pathetic attempt to defend the indefencible.
But we wouldn’t expect anything else from you Jamie.
Bruce has been with us for 12 League games so we can only compare those 12 games of the season with Rafa’s first 12 games of the season, and if you want to load it in Rafa’s favour – go back another year and use the first 12 games from 2017/18.
Indisputable Fact – Bruce has more points in the first 12 games than Rafa got in EITHER of his Prem seasons with us!
Indisputable Fact – Almiron has the worst stats of ANY forward in the Premier League.
And if you want to add icing to that, he’s not doing very well in China either!
The truth of the matter is that Rafa had a good couple of years at Valencia, and spent the next 15 years riding the coat tails of previous managers who put together good teams so that Rafa could walk in and take some of their glory.
Yeah – he got us out of the Championship, with the highest ever Championship wage bill, but when the chips were down at the top level, and with a poor squad he just wasn’t up for it.
Temporary at Chelsea, got it wrong at Real, messed it up in Toon and struggling in China should tell you something about him.
Your comment about Keys getting it right with other clubs but wrong with ours tells us a lot about you, Jamie. Just another brainwashed Rafa fan, incapable of moving on, but worst of all incapable of supporting the club.
Brrrian(Quote)
Dear me Brian, you’ve had a shocker here..
‘When the chips were down at the top level, and with a poor squad he just wasn’t up for it.”
He got a team with a front three of Joselu, Atsu and Ritchie 10th mate. And we were 13th last season with an arguably poorer squad than we have this year. Will we finish 10th-13th this season? I doubt it.
As for Almiron, are you honestly saying he’s the worst attacker in the Premier League? Stats are one thing, but the eye test counts for a lot.
You talk about people being brainwashed, yet you seem the prime example of exactly that!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
here’s what a non Maggie fan thinks
Rafa did a great job despite the limitations put on him by Ashley
He left because of lack of backing and ambition from the owner
Steve Bruce has started much better than anyone could have hoped , including him – long may it continue
Almeron is loved by his team mates for his. work rate and enthusiasm- the goals WILL come, he just needs a bit of luck
Richard Keys is a sexist **** head
Regards to all
Craig Latcham
Craig(Quote)