The growing optimism that Benitez will remain at Newcastle is a shining glimmer of hope to United fans. More than that, it is a beacon, penetrating through the relegation fog which would have lay thick on the Tyne for months.
Meteorological metaphor aside, the importance of Rafa staying in charge has been made abundantly clear by the Newcastle fans; and Ashley, seems to have taken note.
I must admit that a few weeks ago, I just could not see Benitez remaining in charge should we fall below the relegation watershed. But all the talk following Newcastle’s incredible demolition of Spurs on Sunday is encouraging positive.
Players who I’d assumed would be fleeing the Magpies’ nest quicker than Mark Viduka are even coming out claiming they are open to staying in a bid to get Newcastle back up. Others have been a little more cryptic, expectedly so, in fairness. With relegation confirmed only a week ago, you would normally see players deflect questions of transfer to their agents, neither admitting they want a move away or committing their futures to the club until fully assessing their options. Yet all the noises coming out of St James’ Park seem to be that of togetherness.
That was certainly reflected in the performance on Sunday. This is a squad of players who should never have been relegated. For all the talk of poor recruitment, and yes much of it has been poor. Newcastle were still left with a squad good enough to go the last six Premier league games unbeaten under the guidance of someone who actually knows what they are doing.
As enjoyable as it was to watch Newcastle dismantle Spurs, it was also infuriatingly frustrating. Where has that been all season? Where has Sissoko been? Mitrovic, until his moment of utter madness, was brilliant. The whole side, even when down to ten, in fact, especially when down to ten, were together, organised and hungry. Breaking forwards relentlessly with pace and desire. Where has it been?
Yet strangely enough relegation doesn’t, at the moment, seem like the end. With the prospect of Benitez, and some of the more appealing players still with Newcastle and a humbled Mike Ashley restructuring the model, it could be the beginning. The beginning of something great. With a bit of perspective we should be looking at where Newcastle could be in three years, not where we will be next season. Hopefully next week will bring us the news we all crave and we can look forward to a summer preparing for a promotion drive, with Rafa at the forefront.
A quick personal note from me, SRF, now that the season has finished. Thank you to all you readers and bloggers who have taken the time to read my articles, comment on and discuss them. I have really enjoyed writing for this site since February and hope you have enjoyed reading them.
Remember, we are the fans. We have fans all over the UK, indeed, all over the world. Players, managers, directors and owners will come and go. The club will remain. We are Newcastle, we are United. HTL
No TDS, we failed to beat them twice not just that game . We drew back in December when we weren’t under the pressure of the last game, Colo scored our goal.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Colocini needs to go. I am extremely disappointed with him this season and the season before that. He is past it and the main reason the club got relegated. He probably faked his injury because Rafa would see how **** he is. Its a bit funny how the team started picking up points without him in the team. If Taylor sign’s a pay as you play contract then keep him but if not then get rid of him.
Terry(Quote)
TDS so who do you think is the most talented player we have had since Big Al ??
Big Dave(Quote)
Albert Luque probably, Dave. 😳
Stuart79(Quote)
Georgio
May 19, 2016 at 14:36
Noticed this too. “It’s worth noting that one possible Benitez staff member has already begun the process of starting his move to the North East.”
Simon
May 19, 2016 at 14:48
Georgio, any idea who that member of staff could be?
Georgio
May 19, 2016 at 14:53
Simon – no mate but probably one of the three coaches who arrived with him.
—————
I doubt it, because the quote said “starting his move to the North East” and those three coaches are already there.
My guess would be Owen Brown
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-uniteds-future-fresh-hints-11182807
Chris G(Quote)
Chris – they’re all, like Rafa, living out of hotels. I don’t know much but starting to move sounds longer term, more permanent. I could be just clutching at straws mate as I desperately want Rafa to stay!!
Georgio(Quote)
Big Dave
It’s tricky when referring to talented. Ben Arfa had all of the tricks in the book but massively lacked on the mental side. Raw talent with the ball, I’d put Ben Arfa right up there, even above Shearer, but as for overall talent as a footballer, nowhere near.
Overall talent, I’d rate Cabaye and Owen above Ben Arfa. Probably Ba and Carroll too (although they didn’t play many games for us). I think you could even make an argument for Sissoko and Gini.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
We paid 17 mil for Owen, got 20 mil for Cabaye and 35 mil for Carroll so ben Arfa is in some quality company there. He left for free because Pardew didn’t know what to do with him and wasted his talents. He is a free agent again and I hope he doesn’t end up at Liverpool or Chelsea. You just know that would come back to haunt us.
Sissoko and Wijnaldum have gone missing in a lot of games but we are talking about asking 8 figures for them. They have the same failings as were levelled at Ben Arfa in that they are accused of only trying when it suits them.
Anyway he is not our player anymore so I won’t harp on about him any longer.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Alan Pardew, John Carver and Steve McClaren never had the common sense to drop Colocini. My question is why ?
Do you think Colocini was the main reason the club has been poor for so long ?
Terry(Quote)
A gutless captain, who can’t defend and gives Colback the work of two men. How can three manager’s not see how bad he really is ?
I can’t wait to say good riddance when Colocini finally leaves.
Terry(Quote)
Big Dave probably Carl Cort or Riviere 😯
Terry(Quote)
Ginola has quadruple heart bypass surgery but recovering well.
Shamrock(Quote)
Terry: I don’t see how we can get rid of Coloccini. Doesn’t he have a year left on his contract at almost 3mil a year? Would he be any good in The Championship where the players are not as fast?
I think the plan was for Colo to mentor Lascelles and MBemba to take over from him. He is good on the ball. Lascelles was raw, in fact the first 2 times I watched him he gave away stupid penalties. I think that is why Schteve benched him but he showed he has talent under Benitez. Age just caught up with Colo and Lascelles wasn’t ready.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Shamrock: he is young for that. Obviously, it is genetic and not too many trips to Greggs. We need him to make a speedy recovery. I have a friend that had that 10 years ago and he is still around.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric I never expected Lascalles to be ready this season. I just thought he would get a carling cup game or two. His surprised me this season. A diamond in the rough so to speak. Colocini as a mentor I can see where your coming from but personally myself I would rather have paid out 10 million on a descent CB. You’re right age has caught up with him but Alan Pardew, John Carver and Steve McClaren should of demanded a experienced CB and let him leave with some dignity like Williamson. I wouldn’t underestimate player’s in the championship because some will give Colocini a tough time.
Terry(Quote)
Terry: I agree with what you say. I sometimes wonder how Managers cannot see a player declining and look for a replacement. It is happening with Rooney now although he is trying to make out that now he is a midfielder, and a Pirlo type midfielder at that where he will hit the Hollywood passes. Except his Hollywood balls are all crossfield with little purpose or effect.
I wish some of these players would just retire gracefully, bow out from the top flight when they are still at the top of their game. It never seems to happen. The only one I can remember retiring from international football to prolong his club career is Shearer. He knew the wear and tear on his body would impact NUFC and he wanted to go out at the top. I might be completely wrong on this but just about every other England player has “retired” AFTER they have been dropped.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I know I am bringing up a few slightly peripheral things to NUFC, going on about Taylor and Rooney. But I just want this Rafa appointment done and dusted and want to keep off that subject 🙂 Maybe a good Pardew rant will take my mind off it? Isn’t he in some cup final or other tomorrow?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Before your time probably Eric but if my memory serves me right England played Billy Wright the England captain long after he was past it and only realised they should drop him when Wolves put him in the reserves. It’s no different today with Gerrard Lampard and Rooney as recent examples. England need a manager like Rafa.
Groucho(Quote)
Eric most England fan’s complained about Shearer being captain. Rudd Gullet also said he wasn’t worth 15 million. I disagree with those people. I think Shearer main priority back then was to remain in the champions league place’s. He was a good player for us but he needed a younger player with pace beside him in the end. Bellamy and Owen had descent spell’s along side him. He retired at the right time imo. Souness got rid of Robert and Bellamy what a idiot and then we went downhill from there. Shepherd and Hall sold up and then Mike Ashley came along. Talk about bad luck.
Terry(Quote)
Groucho I think your memory is good. I was just a kid then. He was great player though. That was a great wolves team too.
premandup(Quote)
Psychs
Yes, Pards (the same person you and your ilk drove out the club which resulted in relegation) is now favourite for the England job and got his side to a cup final.
YCMIU. 🙄
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy mate, if Palace win I don’t know who will be more unsufferable, you or Pards.
That’s a joke Troy. I don’t mind you although I think you are a bit nutty.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Luke Edwards reporting Rafa is basically a done deal, is looking at transfer targets and will have a press conference in the middle of next week.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Just for the hell of it I looked at Michael Owen’s ratings for Man U players ahead of the FA Cup. He must be on acid or something. Nobody gets below a 7 with most 8 or above. Rooney gets a 9. Has he watched them this season? I have and they have been awful a lot of the time and eked out a few results.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
troy. what would you choose: 6-7 years under Pardew aiming for 12th OR Relegation under Rafa with a chance to finally build a team worth getting excited about?
Gashley(Quote)
Gashley
You had no idea we would get Rafa. Don’t tell me it was in your plan.
I would rather we kept Pards, kept us mid table and then brought Rafa in.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rise-fall-graham-carr-man-11364194
Good article on Carr.
Stuart79(Quote)
What a tragic state of affairs, a massive fall from grace for the Mickey Mouse club… Though fear of relegation has been on the cards for years now under Ashley, Rafa is being touted as the new messiah to bring us back up from the Championship… Through a combination of several factors, not least managerial bafoonery, Ashley has backed himself into a corner, and there is no way out. He can only lose… in the mean time we are all waiting on Rafa signing on the bottom line… who will blink first, Rafa or Ashley ?…. I’ll believe nothing until Benitez signs up, no matter what the Chronicle are trying to forcefeed us…
Munich Mag(Quote)
More **** from The Mag and other publications about the appointment of Rafa. Read anything decent and they were always saying that early next week was the target to announce something. So how the hell was yesterday a day to panic because there hasn’t been an announcement? I keep blocking it from NewsNow but sometimes it logs me out and I read it without checking the source first. Garbage.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
It’s was always said that a decision would be made in the next 2 weeks, so in my opinion as week 1 draws to a close – no news is good news.
There is a lot in the press today that they expect things to be sorted beginning of next week, with a press conference planned midweek.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Every news outlet said that end of the last week was probably hopeful more than likely and beginning of this next week likey. Don’t see there to be anything to be worried about. Rafa is already arranging pre season and going through transfer targets ect…
Stuart79(Quote)
Final word for YCMIU Troy – Pardew had it written into his contract that if England or Palace asked for him then he could leave. They did and he did. He wasn’t forced out.
Georgio(Quote)
Georgio – correct my friend. And of course Ashley was happy to cash in on the compo money.
Now, if you could please refrain from using fact & logic to this very long running & frankly boring debate please!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If or when Rafa is confirm next week, my excitement isn’t so much for next season – coz lets be right, we are expecting Rafa to emulate what Chris Hughton achieved.
What excites me is what Rafa may achieve off the pitch and how he might well just transform us into a club that prioritises football over profit.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If or when Rafa does sign on – how much credit does Ashley & Charnley get for making that happen?
How far does that go to towards righting their many wrongs?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
lol as if we would of bought in Rafa when Alan was achieving a 12th position finish every season.. 🙄 your long term mediocrity plan sucks mate. SM to Clarky.. 😳 Ive always said the more **** thrown at Mike the more he will act.. 😛 it was all part of my plan and u know it…
Gashley(Quote)
Not sure anyone have the same evil mindset with me.
I genuinely wish Crystal Palace win the FA CUP, so to see Alan Pardew’s team suffer the hectic fixtures of Europa…. 😈 😈
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
Sharpy/Stuart
Exactly lads. So it bugs me when **** sites like The Mag enjoy sowing negativity about this club. Doesn’t matter what the situation is, they always pick on anything they can perceive to be a negative.
If it gets to Wednesday and there’s no announcement, I reckon we can start to ask if there’s an issue.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Well I hope Palace win because it would be funny to see Manure continue to fail.
Shamrock(Quote)
Plus I don’t wish I’ll fortune on Pardew. It was time for him to move on but I hold him in higher esteem than Sounded, Allardyce, Carver, McClaren and Gullit…
Shamrock(Quote)
Poor decision Clattenburg.
Shamrock(Quote)
I’m really not convinced Clattenburg is a good referee.
Shamrock(Quote)
It is a typical Pardew game plan, sit (too) deep but hope for the counter. So far Rooney sitting deep is doing OK but I have watched a few Man U games and he has done a Sissoko and only played well in about 1 in 4. You just have to worry that someone trying to reinvent themself as the “quarterback” is more opportunistic than sensible. I hope it works for England’s sake because I think Mr. Roy will play him there regardless of his lack of experience in the position.
TDS: the Mag write a lot of opinion pieces from many different writers who you really not have no idea what their knowledge of NUFC is.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sham: isn’t Clattenburg the one that let that Chelsea/Spurs game get totally out of control?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Clattenburg is Reffing the Champions League final as well.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think so mate. He is a bottler.
Shamrock(Quote)
F@@k off, really? There is no hope.
Shamrock(Quote)
Eric
That’s why I think it’s a **** site. Why do I want to read an opinion piece on a topic where the writer doesn’t have a clue?? When I want to read people spouting ****, I just have to come on here and read some of the comments… 😉
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Sham: they just said that on the commentary here. Athletico are a difficult team to referee as well. They give away a lot of niggly fouls but spread them around so the Ref has to be on his toes.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This is an awful game, typical Pards set up, boring, boring,boring. Such a shame as he has some nice creative players, if only they would go for it. Manure stuttering and starting, but they are having a hard time breaking down such a deep sitting Palace. And bang on que Palace score, well what do I know 😆
Kimtoon(Quote)
Do Manure have the ability to rescue this ?
Kimtoon(Quote)
Yep, they do
1.1
Kimtoon(Quote)
Good work Rooney.
Shamrock(Quote)
Zaha you clown.
Shamrock(Quote)
Well let’s be honest Rooney has been tidy today in midfield. If I had to choose between him, Wilshire or Barkley in CM alongside a DM – I’d pick Rooney because he is fitted than Wilshire, less wasteful than Barkley and is the Captain with good ability from dead ball situations. Wilshire for me does not take his career seriously enough. Shame because he has a lot of ability. Barkley would be a great impact player.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham: this is the best I have seen Rooney play all season. If had played that way in other games nobody would be moaning. With me it was more that the press and friends in the media (ex-players) just gave him a free ride and never pointed out the times he was really ****.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Nobody, absolutely, nobody should ever have to see that little dance by Pards.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Great strike and great save there.
Shamrock(Quote)
Nice goal
Shamrock(Quote)
great goal cool finish
Kimtoon(Quote)
De He’s feigning injury to buy his team some time.
Shamrock(Quote)
never mind Pards, at least you won’t have the European games effect your league form .
Kimtoon(Quote)
Calling opposition managers c*nts, Headbutting an opposition player, Shoving a linesman, Shushing the press box, Telling Klopp to talk to the hand
Just when you think Pardew can’t make a bigger ***** of himself on the touchline…
CC(Quote)
Pards really should have thought of the children. I saw a few Dads in the stands covering their kids eyes during that. I think it was his audition for Strictly Come Dancing after he gets Palace relegated.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Before anybody says we are crazy to demand our money back for Gini, the silly season has begun. I just read a few transfer rumours and Spurs are asking 10 mil each for Bentaleb and Mason and actually PAID 22 million for Son last year. Everton’s price tag for Ramiro Funes Mori is 23 million.
And that’s before Pep is handed an open cheque book and Mourinho, Conte and Klopp demand a place at the table. Even average players are going to cost a lot more as the top valuations inflate other prices.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
lol typical of Pardew. trying to think too hard about a game and gets it wrong.
he spoke about ManU getting tired in the 2nd half so stemmed their flow by setting up defensively in the first half. So many creative players but hardly any used until late in the 2nd half. Just like he used to do at Newcastle 🙄
Great goal by Puncheon but instant Karma after Pardew did what no professional manager should do and danced like a bellend
Great to see them end up with nowt.. 😳 Great manager my ****
Gashley(Quote)
Just watched that Pardew dance.
What a grade one crouton !
Munich Mag(Quote)
He got everything he deserved! Mind you so did Van Gaal.
Georgio(Quote)
Two croutons together imo…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Georgio, Van Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall tried this “pseudo” aggressive style whilst manager at FC Bayern too…it didn’t last long. Having said that, the bloke does win trophies, though needs the spondoolicks to back it up.
Unfortunately Dutch football is approaching or in the doldrums, where it has never been before in fact… just look at the Toon De Jong x 2, Wijnaldum, Janmaat, Anita…all average players not quite up to the tempo of the EPL… Even in a “top” team Wijnaldum will blow hot and cold…
Van Persie, Bergkamp, Robben… were all top Dutch players plying there trade in the elite English clubs…. where are the new ones coming through ?…
Munich Mag(Quote)
What sort of dance was Pardew doing?! What a Moby!
Stuart79(Quote)
Eric – I agree mate. All the money in the PL this season & the players like Gini, Sissoko & Janmaat are all on long term contracts.
We will get no money for the likes of Saylor & Colo and we’ll get small amounts for the likes of Cisse, Tiote & Riviere.
We will need those defenders & forwards replacing, so we should make sure we get the money.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’d be happy to had QPR some decent money in return for Steven Caulker & Matt Phillips.
If we could pick up Daniel Agger & Michael Carrick on a free as well I’d be happy with those 4.
A RB & forward after that and we’d be pretty much good to go I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
https://twitter.com/MPH1982/status/734096108062793730
Kimtoon(Quote)
Charnley and Benitez, a team made in heaven ?
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rafa-benitez-deal-could-struck-11368007
Absolutely no footballing input from Charnley, leaving it all in the hands of Rafa. Probably the way it should have been anyway at the end of the day. Horses for courses, and obviously Mr Charnley was out of his depth with certain aspects at NUFC… A subservient employee who does EXACTLY what his employer tells him, and all for a nickle and a dime…
Say what you like about Ashley, but man he’s loyal to his managers, look at how often Pardew blew it, head butting, flirting drastically with relegation, Charnley blowing millions and making a pigs ear of signings…but no, he keeps his job, and is allowed to get on with it.
If Charnley gets Rafa over the line then is he on the road to redemption ? He should then take a back seat, way back, halfway up the Town Moor at best :-)… no…he needs to come back and get us a main shirt sponsor that we can all be proud of…
Munich Mag(Quote)