Newcastle United is putting up a very good fight in the scramble for Premier League safety. If the club stays up, it does so with Rafa Benitez as the manager (in the proper sense) and we as fans can look forward to supporting a club looking to make genuine progress for the first time under Mike Ashley’s reign.
It all sounds like a dream. A warm, welcoming light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel. Trouble is, it may well be too little, too late. Why the board did not sack Steve McClaren before the Spain trip we will never know. We all knew he was a dead man walking and the players were not responding to him or his team.
Rafa was sacked on the 4th January by Los Galacticos. It may be that he wanted to assess his options and have a break from the game. However, just think how different our league position might look today if the club had canned Schteve in January and given Rafa complete control over the winter transfer window. Why Carr was trusted to blow another 30 odd million is anybody’s guess after the debacle of his summer signings for the 2nd season in a row.
What we are left with now feels like a cruel joke. Mike Ashley has given us a genuine world class manager for the first time under his reign. The result? A man with big cojones who knows what he is talking about has galvanised a squad we all thought was devoid of effort, pride and even basic footballing skills. Players like Anita, Sissoko and Tiote have effectively come back from the dead because we have a manager who knows how to get the best from them – and where their best positions are. He has taught the team how to defend as a solid unit instead a bunch of headless chickens and he has shown no hesitation in making it clear that names and reputations mean nothing to him – by dropping the likes of Shelvey, Wijnaldum and Mitrovic.
Rafa will do what is best for the club. Not what is best for his ‘big’ players. The players will take this on the chin too, because you don’t question a man with Rafa Benitez’ track record. As a result the team has pulled off a strong victory against Swansea and more recently, two extremely impressive comebacks – first at home to money bags Manchester City and then away at Liverpool in a stadium driven by another world class manager and fans of equal passion to the Geordies. All this with a squad full of players that he did not sign. Rafa has taken a lop sided squad and identified a system it can thrive in. He has then applied that system and made the players believe in it. Results continue to follow. Yes – at long last we have a real leader at the club.
So why is his appointment cruel? Because we have so little time left with him before we go back to the same old dross. That is, if we get relegated despite his best efforts. Sunderland have two games in hand, are level on points with Newcastle and have a far superior goal difference. Despite the Toon’s recent resurgence, the club is still relying on our relegation rivals having a stinker of a run in. The odds are still firmly stacked against us.
All fingers and toes are crossed that Rafa and his charges pull off the great escape. If Rafa manages it, it will go down in history with Houdini’s water torture trick and the British commonwealth soldiers escaping ze German PoW camp during world war 2. In fact, it would be even better. Generations will be talking about it all over the globe. There would be annual celebrations with fireworks – and films made about it. Seriously…?
We need to face the very real possibility though, that Rafa’s appointment was just too late in the game to have a meaningful incluence. In that event, we face a fate even worse than relegation- a future without Rafa Benitez. We go back to bang average managers and a squad devoid of passion or leadership. Maybe we get promoted, maybe we don’t. What does it matter? We will just be treading water again for years on end.
That is why the bigger question the board and fans should be asking is not whether we stay up or go down, but can we make Rafa stay no matter what the outcome of this season is? Mike Ashley needs to strike a deal early with Rafa – before the season ends and Rafa gets poached. He needs to cede total control of all footballing matters to the Spanish mastermind and need to give him any assurances he wishes.
The fans need to sing his name loud and proud – all game, every game. Make him feel loved. He has given hints in recent interviews of wanting the kind of relationship he still enjoys with Liverpool fans. The man breathes football and he wants a new spiritual home. We can give it to him and I think that would be enough to convince him to stay in the event of relegation. But we all need to do our bit to make him feel like it would be worth it. Starting with Mike Ashley and finishing with us, the fans.
Now that’s a proper thread,I would love it if Rafa stays no matter what,some say he could not handle the ccc I find that a strange statement,the guy has a football brain and knows how to handle players that want success,football is football no matter where it’s played
Icedog(Quote)
Thanks Sham, good read and I totally agree with all of it. The thought of Rafa leaving if we drop is stomach wrenching. I do wonder how he’d fair in the Championship , it generally takes a certain type of player to succeed there and Rafa is used to, dare I say better equipped players. Would he find it frustrating or a new welcome challenge ?
kimtoon(Quote)
I agree with Ice, Kim. Football is football and he knows what he is doing.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham, yes he has the tactical nous for sure but would he get frustrated with the level and skillset of the type of player in the fizzypop, that’s assuming our best players are gone like. It’s hard to attract top top players to that league.
kimtoon(Quote)
Sham very good article mate, and I agree with you 100%.
I just wish we could have got him in before we did as it was obvious to all the fans that the team weren’t playing for the Clown. And yeah I know people say it shouldn’t matter who the manager Is these are professional players and should be able to do what they are paid to do.
But they are human too and it is only human nature that workers don’t do to we’ll working for an easy going walk over manager that just let’s them do what they want, and rewards them for failure
Big Dave(Quote)
Yeah Kim it would be harder to attract top players but having a top manager makes it an easier job
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave, good point
kimtoon(Quote)
I think his terms would be simple. Full control over all footballing matters and he keeps any players he wants next season. If we come back up, hey presto. If not, he would walk. But that would not happen. If he stays, we go back up easily.
Shamrock(Quote)
Good thread, Sham.
I agree with it. The club must do everything they can to keep him if we went down. Although as I have said many times, we won’t go down!
How many points does everyone think will keep us up? I can seriously see us winning our last 3 games. We won’t go down with 39 points, I fact I think 36 will be enough. Can see Sunderland and Norwich not getting a win from their next 3 games.
Stuart79(Quote)
Wednesday 11th May will be the day we know whether we have to win against Spurs. Sunderland play Everton at home and Norwich play Watford at home.
Stuart79(Quote)
KIM imo as I said Rafa has a football brain,you need a certain level of players if your going for CL you need big money (Chelsea,M/city ect) then a lower level for mid table PL which we have with a manager like Rafa he will know which level of player he needs for ccc,in saying all that look at Leicester they came up with 90% of the team they have now as for CL football how often have a PL team won the CL? teams from other country’s do quite well in CL until the later stages as I say Rafa knows the level ,Rafa is a winner at any level in my humble opinion,I know I would chose him above the likes of Pardew,Bruce,Pearson ect which we will be our level if Rafa leaves,jabba needs to pull all the stops out to keep him
Icedog(Quote)
I fancy 7 points; Drawing with Spurs on the last day as it stands. If Leicester win the league in the next week or two the Spurs side might not include Kane, Alli, Dyer, Alderwereld, Vertonghan, Loris, Dembele etc. With the euros round the corner, Which would put a different slant on it.
I don’t get the hype about Sunderland, They have won one 4 of their last 20 games and just 2 of their last 10 home games. What on earth make the press think the will easily walk over sides as far superior as Arsenal, Chelsea & Everton at their place?
I was never worried about Norwich when we were miles behind them in all honesty…
CC(Quote)
Sham – nice article mate, totally agree & totally agree with your thoughts about the current status of this blog as well.
But regarding Rafa. He’s having a great influence on our players, but he’s including the fans in the fight. He is crediting the fans in his post match comments every time & said yesterday that he now has the scousers & Geordies on his side.
He is showing us as a positive force, which after hearing from pundits for years that we are a deluded bunch and some having a pop at us for getting on the players backs – it’s good to hear Rafa acknowledge the contribution we make.
I genuinely believe the bloke has got the bug for NUFC, and that doesn’t happen often. I see a Keegan/Robson type relationship developing and it could be something very special – providing Ashley doesn’t **** it up.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I feel a lot more relaxed in the knowledge that Arsenal are still fighting for top 4/3. This is not like their games against Everton/Stoke. Fingers crossed Arsenal can even wipe a few off that goal difference today.
DJG(Quote)
Arsenal play Norwich next Sat also. We can all be gooners for the next week. C’mon Arsenal, do us a favour with the goal differences also. 😮
DJG(Quote)
It is quite conceivable that Sunderland might not win any of their next three games. If that’s the case it would mean unbelievable pressure on their final two games.
Stuart79(Quote)
Pardew will feel unwelcome when he hears the chants for Rafa something.he never got when he was manager
Icedog(Quote)
I would be happier if that bloody Defoe got injured he’s their big hope
Icedog(Quote)
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rafa-benitez-might-already-ended-11232638
Rafa getting rid of the old guard. He needs to sign a top LB and have Dummett to cover both positions. I like Haidara but he’s too injury prone .
DJG(Quote)
That’s the difference between a top manager and a yes man. Remember when Keegan came back 2nd time and sent Shola Ameobi out on loan (who was a hanger-on lets be honest). A succession of managers had stuck with him. After doing nothing on loan Ameobi ended up back at the club with Kinnear/Hughton/Pardew. Managers like Rafa will get rid of the hangers-on like Steven Taylor. He is out already! 😀
DJG(Quote)
Great read Shamrock. As good as Rafa has been, I can’t help but he frustrated as to why we appointed him so late. If Benitez had had another month with the team Id reckon we’d be almost safe now, yet it’s still hanging in the balance.
Andy the Magpie(Quote)
Tell you what scum are playing well the swines
Icedog(Quote)
Unlucky not to have a pen!
Andy the Magpie(Quote)
Rafa was sacked on January 4th and appointed by us on March 11th. In the meantime, he was at his home on the Wirral and according to the commentator on US TV coached a couple of schoolboy games. I think that says a lot about his love for the game and believe he might just be willing to give it a go in the Championship for a year. It will all be dependent on whether he gets full control. But why wouldn’t he? Ashley has already stepped back and this would make Carr’s position untenable. I have said before that I wouldn’t mind keeping Charnley to do the books and salaries, just with no say in football decisions.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Usually one of the relegation threatened teams have a good run in. I hope it is us because we have actually had a recent positive change whereas the others have kept what they had for most of the season. All 3 relegation teams are averaging less than a point per game so it seems very unlikely all of us will get more than 4-6 points more from the remaining fixtures. We have a chance to get more momentum given who and where we play and can buck the trend of less than a point per game (hopefully).
Palace have nothing to play for, they are safe on 39 points with a -9 goal difference. Even if we win our next 3 they would survive on GD so they are almost mathematically safe.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sunderland piling the pressure on ?
Gashley(Quote)
Another decent chance…
Keep it 0-0, Sunderland concede a lot of late gls
Gashley(Quote)
If I hear that Allardyce managed JJ Ococha one more time I will throw up. Every time Sunderland are on they bring up his name to show Fat Sam had some flair players. They also say he is a specialist in avoiding relegation but I can’t remember many of his teams in the last 10 years even being threatened. He was more of a mid-table one trick pony who you got sick of because of the style of play.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
? that was close from defoe
Arsenal looking ****
Gashley(Quote)
Sunderland going for the win here. They are risking an Arsenal counter attack though.
DJG(Quote)
My god, how many chances ?
Gashley(Quote)
They missed a boat load of chances against WBA too.
Let’s just hope Arsenal hit them on the break!
Stuart79(Quote)
I can Arsenal nicking it if it drags on
Gashley(Quote)
Typical Arsenal making hard work of the job, can see Scum getting a late winner here
kimtoon(Quote)
Arsenal were all over them at the start, the longer the games gone on the more confident Scum have gotten.
kimtoon(Quote)
Arsenal are *******. They don’t and won’t get stuck in
Gashley(Quote)
Just put this on the last thread but since we don’t have the next thread link on the bottom, I wasted my time… Basically what the hell is wrong with Arsenal. They are ****. We really don’t want scum getting a point here
Dubai Toon(Quote)
This results confirms our relegation.
They’ve nothing to fear from Stoke, Everton and Watford after this.
funkyjesus(Quote)
****… We really didn’t need that.., I think that’s us down now.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
I think we’ll have to just settle for that. Arsenal deserved nothing today. We need to beat Palace &Villa, nothing has changed. A S’land win would have been a disaster. Need Leicester to win now, might need to beat Spuds again. 🙁
DJG(Quote)
How on earth has that confirmed our relegation? Sunderland need to win matches not draw and especially at home! It’s yet another home game where they have dropped points. They have Chelsea next at home and I doubt they’ll win that either.
All in all, not a bad result for us.
Stuart79(Quote)
Even if we win every remaining game which I think is unlikely, we are still relying on Norwich and scum to lose a few which they may not. It’s just not good when we no longer control our own destiny. The Norwich loss was the killer for us.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
I’m always hoping and praying, but deep down I think our arsehole board just left it too late to get rid of McLaren.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Agree, we needed them to lose today, they will beat two of Everton, Watford and Stoke who have all got their flipflops on.
kimtoon(Quote)
If Sunderland and Newcastle had played like this from game 1, they’d be mid-table/ top half. Just pathetic clubs and management from the boardroom/ lazy overpaid players. Leicester City a small club by comparison, north east fans deserve more.
DJG(Quote)
I can see both Sunderland and Norwich going into the last game on 34 points with us on 36. Worrying last game
premandup(Quote)
You would think so but they’ve only won 7 all season. Nothing is certain. As long as we win we have a chance
Gashley(Quote)
Dubai Toon: why would you NOT assume that Norwich and Sunderland will lose some games? They have both averaged less than a point per game, as have we. Before a mini-revival I think Norwich had like 4 points from 10 games.
I really don’t see your logic because they do not have a catalyst and we do with a new Manager.
Still, I am only about 45% on the Stuart-O-Meter but if Leicester win today that will increase.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I hope our lot don’t give my best friend Pards abuse (what, you thought Ugly John was my best friend?) My reasoning is that him and his team don’t need any more incentive to beat us. Support Rafa and the team but leave Pardew alone. Untillafter we win then you can be as spiteful as you like.
Jesus, he might have them in the FA Cup final as they are one up. His arrogance would be overwhelming and I am not sure if any TV studio would be able to contain his head. It would be like Paul Merson’s giant balloon head times 10.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Can’t believe people think the fact Sunderland got one point means we are going down.
Sunderland have been playing very well for 12 games according to all the pundits. How many have they won? They’ve won 2! What is going to change in the next 4 games that makes them win a couple?
We will get to 36 points before both S/land and Norwich. That adds different pressure to their games.
Stuart79(Quote)
Merson is just spiteful because apart from Arsenal, he played for 2nd rate clubs like Villa. He has to try and justify it by saying that he is shocked about them going down and that they are a bigger club than Newcastle because of history in Europe. That’s like saying Nottingham Forest and Derby are bigger clubs because of history from 30-40 years ago. Pfft.
DJG(Quote)
We will stay up because our fixtures are kinder than anyone else’s. I don’t think Sunderland will get another win until maybe Everton.
If we need to win the last game of the season to guarantee us staying up I would imagine we will.
Reckon 37 points to be sure but 36 usually does the job.
Stuart79(Quote)
I here what you are saying and I really really hope that they (Norwich and scum) screw up. I would just feel more confident if our destiny was in our own hands rather than scum/others. It just takes another dodgy ref decision (and we have had our fare share of those haven’t we?) Norwich game, man city game, etc etc and we are in the clarts no matter how well we play. Defoe is a goal scorer and scum are battling hard. We only need one of those 2 to somehow win their remaining games or even just match our results and we are down. But I still hope… I will always hope…. 😳
Dubai Toon(Quote)
And another Leicester win means we’re closer to Spurs having nowt to play for…
Stuart79(Quote)
Oh and 2 weeks ago we were 4 behind Sunderland now we’re only 1 and I reckon we will be above them this time next week. Ok they have a game in hand but the pressure on that game will be huge if we’re already on 36 by then.
Lots of twists and turns yet…
Stuart79(Quote)
With football teams I always think there is a reason why they are fighting against relegation or for the title. Unless there is a catalyst for change, over a period results will be as good or as bad as they have been. You can never really say for certain with an individual game but over a few it usually is as it has been. That’s a reason I am suspicious of us winning our last three but am hopeful because of Rafa and our next 2 fixtures which really couldn’t be any easier on paper.
Sunderland have a spark because they seem to have bought well in January. However, I hope that Allardyce’s inherent conservative nature will doom them. He will be thinking draw first, that’s his nature and he won’t change unless he is desperate.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I say couldn’t be any easier on paper because Palace are 5th bottom with nothing to play for and Villa are relegated. They are the easiest games on paper we could have wished for assuming one is home and one away.
With our record, you would also want the final game at home even if it is against Spurs, so there is hope.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sunderland have actually won 1 in the last 8 and they’ve been playing well. Now am I suppose to believe they will miraculously win 3 out of their last 4?
We’re actually getting better and results are coming too. I’d say we’re favourites to stay up actually.
Stuart79(Quote)
deeney goal all square
kimtoon(Quote)
I just hope that the pressure is building on Hughes, Flores and Martinez. They have been on a poor run and there can be no complacency, especially at home. In a way it might backfire a bit on Sunderland. Stoke away is still a hard game, despite their form. I don’t think they will roll over at home.
DJG(Quote)
If we stay up this season Ashley needs to stop messing about with DoF ect. and just give full control to Rafa. He might be a shrewd business man but he knows nowt about football and neither do his cohorts, like accountant Charnley. I’m starting to wonder if Sports Direct is his one trick pony to be honest. He’s made such a mess of Newcastle United.
DJG(Quote)
Leicester are giving Swansea a right pounding
Icedog(Quote)
Good, Ice. Have a feeling Chelsea will beat Spurs and Leicester will have won the league before we play Spurs. So that means we will win our last three games.
Still convinced we will do that.
Stuart79(Quote)
STUART your logic is starting to bear fruit imo
Icedog(Quote)
Sam is already trying to be too positive. Saying he’s delighted it’s still in their own hands and happy with a point at home. Forgetting the fixtures they have…He’s done the most amazing con job in history. Everyone saying how well they’re playing and they will be the ones to stay up. As I have already said, they’ve won 2 in 12 and 1 of their last 8 games. How has he managed this con trick?
Stuart79(Quote)
So Pardew takes Palace to the FA cup final…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
I can’t decide who best profits from Palace winning today?
Will the Palace players be distracted and focused on the final – or will their players be desperate to play well to try and win a place in the team for that game … or will they be looking to just keep themselves fit & uninjured so they are available for selection?!.
Alternatively – now Everton & Watford are out of the competition, is that season over for them?
Are they now on holiday, as both teams are safe in the league now – or will they want to make sure their seasons don’t finish with a loosing streak. Both managers are facing the chop if the papers are to be believed, so will the players want to make sure that doesn’t happen?
Both have to play the Scum, so both will have a say on who may or may not go down.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I also see Thauvin scored again yesterday – I wonder if Rafa could work his magic on him as well or if that’s a bridge too far?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Everything still to play for. Based on our season it’s the best we could have hoped for. Without Rafa it would already have been done and dusted. If we win the next two and Spurs can’t take the title that last game will mean nothing for them.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Didn’t Parsnip take West Ham to the final against Liverpool with Rafa in charge? I seem to remember what happened there. 😆
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Looks to like Leicester have ptetty much wrapped up the league. What position do spurs have to finish in to automatically qualify for the CL proper? That will be their next target.
Shamrock(Quote)
Spurs have to finish top 3 don’t the Shamrock to be certain. They look to easily finish second even if they lose to us. They should just relax on that last weekend and play it nice and loose against us. 😀
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Cheers G2, well looks like they will have sod all to play for when they come to us. Big Saturday xoming up for us. Need a convincing win and losses for other 2, then things are looking up…
Shamrock(Quote)
Sharpy, Both Everton and Watford managers jobs are likely to be lost as Pozzo wants Flores gone end of season according to the press with the players expecting his exit. And the new shareholder at Everton will plough in the £100m for players and stadia development on the understanding a new coach arrives. They are safe and on the beach already so far as PL goes, toffees been poor for weeks now and Watford have just 3 wins since January! If it comes down to last game of the season between us and Scum then you would put your money on Scum cause they face Watford.
kimtoon(Quote)
I am hoping Chelsea turn it on v Scum and Stoke can be bothered too cause we can’t rely on the Toffees and Watford to help us out.
kimtoon(Quote)