Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has singled out his attack as the one area in the squad that needs the most improvement.
After only scoring one goal in two games since he took over, the Spaniard is rightly concerned at our lack of cutting edge in the final third as we embark on yet another fierce relegation battle.
Speaking to the press after the 1-1 draw to rivals Sunderland yesterday he said:
“We are creating chances, we are attacking and we can be there, so we have to improve this part of the game and create more chances and Mitrovic or Papiss Cisse or the other strikers will score more goals and we will be fine.”
There’s no doubting Rafa has at his disposal, players who are capable of hitting the back of the net.
And with time really of the essence with only eight domestic games left to play, it is up to our new boss to get his attacking players firing again.
With our next match-up against a Norwich side with arguably a defence as bad as ours, could this be the perfect platform for the likes of Mitro and co to gain some much-needed confidence?
blessed
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I notice Sports Direct are likely to make a profit of ‘only’ £380m this year! I’ve often wondered why football clubs don’t invest money in companies and use the profits from their investments to improve their clubs. Can you imagine NUFC owning Sports Direct and having £300 odd million a year to spend? 😀
Stuart79(Quote)
So Jabba has said the bank account is empty at SJP! How were they thinking of paying for Berahino? Anyone would think they knew they wouldn’t have to pay for him… #pr
Stuart79(Quote)
btw, I think Rafa is rapidly losing faith in Sissoko. The evidence was there to see on Saturday when he took off Colback and brought on de Jong. He could have easily done a like for like and brought on Anita instead. 9 minutes later Anita did come on and Sissoko remained at left back. I know we were going all out attack but Sissoko isn’t even left footed and has played on the right most of the season.
I have a feeling he will get one more game and if he doesn’t come through he will be used as an impact sub. He could play for a Champions League team but it would have to be in France. There is no way he is good enough for England, Germany, Italy or Spain CL clubs.
When Sissoko was talking to the French press and saying how he wished to move to a CL club people on here, on Ed’s and on The Chronic boards just laughed. Shows the fans quite often see what the so-called football pundits/ex-players/ journalists do not.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart: if we stay up there will be money. We can borrow against future revenue and we do have a few sellable assets: Krul, Sissoko, Tiote, Cisse. That’s probably about 25-30 mil.
I was on the phone with my 20 year old nephew from Newcastle and he said him and his mates don’t rate Elliot and that Krul was better. I told him they were all mad and that Elliot was much more consistent and just as good of a shot stopper. The younger generation, eh…
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Munich Mag(Quote)
I also think the Fat Man is full of **** with what he said today. He has had the Midas touch in business and is frustrated that it is not translating to football. However, if we stay up (big if) we will have one of the top 10 managers in the world. I cannot NOT see him backing him. He wouldn’t even have to put up any of his own money, just guarantee any loans if need be. With the extra money in the PL that might not even be necessary.
It is essential that we stay up and that we beat Norwich.
Back to the Yanks. I have to bite my tongue every time they say Norr-wich so I don’t annoy them by correcting them too much. And you haven’t heard anything until you hear an Indian guy try to sing Blaydon Races!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
http://www.footballinsider247.com/newcastle-news-scout-carr-considers-position-after-benitez-arrival/? not a great loss for sure the exit is that way ya bald dozy git
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
this blogs hard work to many changes 😳
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
haha exactly Stu
There wasnt a chance we were seriously after Berahino
Mike strings us along every season and we fall for it every time, Seriously 24mil on one player that we desperately need and we only get Doumbia on a free 🙄
the 3 we did sign were replacement players anyway..
Gashley(Quote)
ive must of missed the parts SDJ has looked decent? did he really impress v S’land?
too slow for me and doesnt seem to have the energy to get stuck in. My only hope is Cisse. If he doesnt start scoring I fear we’re fooked.
Even then if we stay up, I can see mike falling out with Rafa about funds etc. Nothing has changed in my eyes. Mike won’t change as I think he sees Rafa as a temporary solution to keep us up for the tv money… itll all end up back to Clarky again 😯
god, im miserable today 😀
Gashley(Quote)
Gashley I was miserble yesterday mate. Yes we could end up with Troy’s Clarky.
Terry(Quote)
Berahino was a scam to stop fan’s from cancelling there season tickets. Nothing more.
Terry(Quote)
I’m not sure about that Gash.
If Rafa keeps us up and then gets the boot, well there would be a massive riot inside and outside SJP. That would truly be the final straw for the majority of season ticket holders I think.
I just can’t see that happening and won’t buy into this speculation.
Keep the Faith
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
TAE hopefully Carr goes for the good of the club. What is the fucking point in spending 13 million a loaning him back to his former club.
Terry(Quote)
TAE: I said a few weeks ago that I didn’t realise what a power grab it was by Carr to get Carver and then Schteve. Now I do and I think Carr has got a boot print on his backside now. Even Charnley must realise he has been played and taken for a fool.
I wish I had seen the light earlier.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Gash: Lee Clark 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Clark @ Kilmarnock: 4 losses, 1 draw.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Regarding the up coming friendlies, I just lifted this off NUFC.COM for yous to see who is away and when.
After being forced off with what has been called a knee injury during Sunday’s 1-1 derby draw, Magpies defender Daryl Janmaat has pulled out of the Dutch squad for friendlies against France and England in the coming days.
Club colleagues Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend were omitted from the latest England squad, while injury once again means that Paul Dummett wasn’t considered for selection by the Welsh.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (Serbia):
Wed 23.03.2016 Poland (a) FR
Tue 29.03.2016 Estonia (a) FR
Georginio Wijnaldum (Holland):
Fri 25.03.2016 France (h) Amsterdam FR
Tue 29.03.2016 England (a) Wembley FR
Moussa Sissoko (France):
Fri 25.03.2016 Holland (a) Amsterdam FR
Wed 30.03.2016 Russia (h) Paris FR
Rob Elliot (Ireland):
Fri 25.03.2016 Switzerland (h) Dublin FR
Tue 30.03.2016 Slovakia (h) Dublin FR
Rolando Aarons (England U21s):
Sat 26.03.2016 Switzerland (a) Thun FR
Alex Gilliead (England U20s):
Sun 27.03.2016 Canada (h) Doncaster FR
Adam Armstrong / Freddie Woodman
(England U19s)
Thu 24.03.2016 Georgia (n) Cartaya ECQ
Sat 26.03.2016 Greece (n) Lepe ECQ
Tue 29.03.2016 Spain (a) Lepe ECQ
Kyle Cameron (Scotland U19s):
Wed 23.03.2016 Belgium (n) Kostrena ECQ
Fri 25.03.2016 Croatia (a) Rijeka ECQ
Mon 28.03.2016 Bulgaria (n) Kostrena ECQ
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
@Terry. if im honest mate i reckon we’re down. We looked a shambles first half v scum, apart from Townsend and Elliot. Team of individuals not caring enough. Sunderland looked much more coherent. we only got our act together when Sunderland sat back.
I’d be devastated if we went down but i’m prepared for it.
@BB like we did when he got shot of KK? the blokes not bothered mate. he’ll find an excuse im sure
Gashley(Quote)
doesn’t really leave much for Rafa to work with 🙁
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Eric is it not 5 losses 1 draw.
Clark has it hard up there. was talking to someone very close to lee last week. he reckons one player is addicted to iron bru while another was running around with what appeared to be a mobile phone in his pocket during training. Clarky pulled him over and blasted him for breaking the no mobile policy but it turns out it was a chocolate bar, hes addicted to chocolate lol
Gashley(Quote)
come on Gash, we are all a hell of a lot wiser now than when KK was getting treat like ****.
Anyways, it all depends if we survive or not, which is still a pipe dream atm.
Chances of survival are still less than 30%
Norwich will be the decider.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Does anyone know why we don’t play Doumbia? When he came in in the Leicester game he almost scored. He has great speed which we need to create chances for Mitrovic
Travis Fish(Quote)
Travis Fish
The whole Doumbia deal smells a little fishy (sorry)
I think he must be carrying an injury or something.
But who knows.
Nothing makes any sense at SJP
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
lol BB. we were wiser years ago but recently fed with fake bid bullshit.. we’ll see. maybe im too bitter 😈
Gashley(Quote)
Boots – as long as Elliott comes back fit. It would be total disaster to loose him now .
Sharpy17(Quote)
I wish Mitro wasn’t off on his Euro friendlies travels as I think a couple of weeks working with Rafa’s men could help.
The rest of our international break crew are more experienced and maybe Sissoko will pick up a phantom injury like Tiote always seems to 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The majority of the squad is available to train with Rafa for the next two weeks then. He can drill the defence into submission as it looks like they’re all still at the club.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – Janmaat, Gini, Sissoko and Elliot, Mitro are all missing and Colback will be missing for Norwich. That’s 6 of the first team.
Georgio(Quote)
Soooper Kev, Andy Johnson, Danny Graham, Ricky Lambert, Grant Holt, Andy Carroll, Amir Zaki, Adam Le Fondre…Jamie Vardy
Bored of hearing about this flash in the pan, weasel faced ****
CC(Quote)
3 points against Norwich level on points but slightly worst goal difference. 3 points against Villa and 3 points against Palace puts us on 34 points. Swansea possibly and an unexpected win should be enough. Difficult not impossible
Terry(Quote)
Mike Ashley say’s his wed to the club, dear god. If we stay up then I think he should sell up and let someone else have a shot of winning the club.
Terry(Quote)
Georgio – Most of the defence will be available which will give Rafa a good chance to drill them. Shelvey, Townsend, Perez, Colo, Mbemba, Hadaira, Tiote, Saviet and Cisse all ready to train as well as many more. It will be like a mini pre season.
Stuart79(Quote)
Could do with Mbabu for LB as well Stu. Incidentally you’ve been a bit more optimistic of late. What’s brought that on. I’ve gone the other way and just can’t see us getting past Norwich and the scum. One of them maybe but not both 😥
Georgio(Quote)
Georgio it could be because Stuart has more faith in Mike Ashley and the board now that we got Rafa 😀
Terry(Quote)
My optimism is 100% based on the appointment of Rafa.
But alo when looking at it, we only need to do better than Norwich and Sunderland. If we needed to do better than Leicester or Spurs it would be 0% chance of success but we have as good a chance as them and they’re not very good. Neither are we but I am still hoping Rafa will have a major impact. It might just be too late though…
Stuart79(Quote)
I blame Graham Carr more than anyone. He deserves a smack in the mouth for picking that idiot McClaren and wasting 13 million on that idiot Thauvin. He has put us in this mess with his **** poor signing’s. If Rafa keep’s us up good on him but that fucking idiot Carr needs to **** off permanently, utter idiot.
Terry(Quote)
Well just hope the teams that play scum and Norwich put in a fair effort that’s my worry,having just watched WBA and Norwich I felt WBA didn’t commit 100% Pulis was screaming on touch line but felt players could have given more,if we can just break their defence with a goal or two we can win it as their strike force is very poor and Ime sure we could hold them
Icedog(Quote)
TERRY I agree although the trouble with our poor managers their job was made really hard because of the crazy signings made by doe heed Carr the signings were so bad I was beginning to think he must have been getting back handers to sign them they were that *****
Icedog(Quote)
Icedog If he was getting back handers then it would explain a lot mate.
Terry(Quote)
Ice, It’s the Thauvin one that I can’t get my head around, voted worst player by French fans and pundits and he still wanted to sign him!, Bloody hell, if the lad can’t cut it in the French league he should of known he had zero chance here.
kimtoon(Quote)
That £13m could of got us a decent defender, that’s what makes me really cross, or even another forward.
So Jabba says no money left to spend. If true can’t see Rafa hanging around even if we do manage to stay up. Thought they would of given him some assurances he’d be able to spend some cash on much needed up grades.
kimtoon(Quote)
http://www.thedrum.com/news/2016/03/22/sports-direct-boss-mike-ashley-admits-brand-trouble-and-regrets-newcastle-buy
kimtoon(Quote)
Just been reading Mikes comments.
So he says that the money has pretty much gone, and he has virtually nothing to do with the club other than to select the board.
Well I have news for you Mike – you selected the fucking numpties that hired McClaren and wasted a large portion of £80m.
Nice try, but you are as much to blame as those clowns – if not more!!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
KIM I think jabba foresees money being raised by the sale of one or two,Siko 25mil,Krul 8mil,Jamment 10mil and one or two smaller sales,money hopefully from where we finish in PL Rafa could have 50mil plus to spend,not counting new money from tv deal,but let’s stay up first before worry how much we have to spend next yr ❗
Icedog(Quote)
The Berahino money probably went on paying Mc and his staff off and bringing Rafa & his in.
Money better spent IMO, but I do think they were after Bera coz WBA acknowledged the bids.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ice – don’t you think fat lad has shot himself in the foot a bit though.
If we do go down and need to sell the likes of those players, bidding teams now know we have little money in the pot, so may look to get those players cheaper.
There’s a reason this guy doesn’t do many interviews!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY if jabba comes out with statements like that better he keep his gob shut,won’t do the players any good hearing that imo
Icedog(Quote)
As if Ashley’s going to say what he really thinks in these interviews. It’s the sort of cobblers that will change week to week. Anyone think that Rafa might just love Tyneside and stay if we go down?
Georgio(Quote)
Georgio the board will probably go after a cheaper alternative if we go down. They like cutting corner’s. We could well be stuck with another manager we don’t want and Carr buying second rate players from his crapy agency.
Terry(Quote)
I hope Rafa stay’s of course but the board is another matter.
Terry(Quote)
Carr will probably issue the board a ultimatum, Rafa or me and the board pick Carr. It wouldn’t surprise me
Terry(Quote)
@Sharpy17
what Berahino money? probably the same sort in a monopoly game.
When would mike bankroll 25mil and admit we’re skint.
Gashley(Quote)
If we stay up Carr is gone for sure he’s had his go and put the club in the **** with his crazy signings anyway his back pocket will be full now.
I think it is a good idea RAFA clearing the under 21 away from the first team says too many hanging around first team plus he doesn’t want moody players being in the first team area so Tiote has not been involved,I knew he would be in a mood when club stopped his move to China
Icedog(Quote)
Gashley – well I don’t imagine they paid Mc off or hired Rafa with Monopoly money mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Did the club stop Tiote’s move to China or did Tiote and his agent ask for too big a wage icedog mate? I’ve heard conflicting reports about that. He does seem to be lying low now though. What goes through these players’ heads? Paid a fortune and still they sulk. The same with Berahino from what I hear.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2. I think Rafa has smelt a few rats atSJP mate,if we stay up I think we will get a few shocks,and not before time I open
Icedog(Quote)
G2 an mate the fee was the problem toon wanted 6mil they agreed on 4 but the storey goes SM pulled the plug after he played one canny game
Icedog(Quote)
So that’s the story icedog mate. Disappointing. Tiote has wanted away for quite a while now. They should have taken the 4 M. He probably won’t play for us again. You can already see who Rafa trusts. He seems keen on De Jong. I think Saylor is probably done by the look of his face on Sunday. I wonder about Sissoko. It just hasn’t gone well at all with him. The clearout might be a sight to see mate.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I’ve smelt a few rats at SJP for a while now as well ice. It starts with Charnley. He must go. And Carr’s time has come as well. We’ve got to modernize and get some decent executives in. Leave it to Rafa. Have a clearout of the lower ranks as well. I think Beardsley has shown himself to be hopeless. There must be others.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
so Mike hasnt spoken to Rafa yet.
like I said earlier it wouldnt surprise me if Mike pissed off Rafa once we escape relegation.
He’s already caused a stink with his comments today about regretting ever coming here and we have no money left.
Im sure Rafa enjoyed reading that
Gashley(Quote)
@Sharpy
paying SM off and hiring Rafa for 10 games wouldnt cost 25mil
Gashley(Quote)
Gash – he didn’t just pay off Mc and hire Rafa though mate.
There was about 4 out & 4 in wasn’t there?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
They also haven’t just hired Rafa for 10 games – they have signed him on a 3yr contract mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
so the club doesn’t have a pot to **** in
the fat turd wishes he had never bought the club
but he won’t sell unless he can make a profit.
I think we could be in serious trouble if we don’t make the cut this season.
The fat controllers time is coming to an end.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
We bid for Berahino the day before the end of the window, leaked the info to the press even though everyone in football knew he wasn’t for sale. Pretty clear it was a PR excercise
Stuart79(Quote)
No Stuart – we UNDERbid safe in the knowledge it would get knocked back.
The asking price was £30M
If we’d wanted him, then that’s what we had to bid.
It was always a pr stunt to keep the rabble at bay.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
totally agree, said it at the time.
kimtoon(Quote)
I reckon Mike is looking for a buyer.
hasnt spoken to Rafa yet, not good considering how much he’s on.
The last time we hired a decent guy (KK) he tried to sell up then.
Gashley(Quote)
I think Mike wants to buy out the share holders at sports direct so he can have full ownership. Selling us might be some of that money. He wants out, his had enough. We just need a buyer.
Terry(Quote)
I had a dream Sir John Hall bought the club back. I know his to old and not wealthy enough.
Terry(Quote)
And therein lies the rub Terry mate. Finding someone wealthy enough.
Anyone truly interested will be waiting to see if we get relegated or not anyway.
Could be hoping to pick us up at a bargain price should we take the drop.
Even more so now fat turd is wanting out.
But tbh I would still rather Rafa the Gaffa saves us and stays with us going forwards.
He don’t take no **** this fella, and I like that.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
BB if and I think we will stay up, I think having Rafa will set us up for a very good 3 yrs, and it might sound like rose tinted glass’s but I would say next season will be top 10 no problem and the season after will be us starting to push for Europe.
Yeah I have heard all the poor Jabba talk that the kitty is empty etc, but like most of the **** we here from the club, it is just that.cause Imo there is no way in this world that Rafa would have took the job unless he knew there was funds to build the team.
Big Dave(Quote)
Newcastle United under Mike Ashley (somebody posted this on SSN)
A castle built on shifting sands,
with ‘Wonga’ ads and cardboard stands,
there’s “Sports Direct” stuck everywhere,
where once lived hope there’s now despair.
That wailing in the air you hear,
’tis ghosts of greats who once played here,
Shearer and Wor Jackie weep,
while Magpies sink in troubles deep.
Our once proud club is on it’s knees,
struck down by Ashley’s dread disease,
the club that once lit up our city,
now wallows in a trough of pity.
A sleeping giant going bust,
an MD who forfeits all trust,
an owner who now wants to sell ?
but who would buy this club from hell.
And yet there is a ray of light,
we might be rescued from our plight,
cometh the hour and cometh the man,
if one man can save us – Rafa can.
Shamrock(Quote)