Having said that though, we still need to exercise a note of caution. There are a lot of hungry teams down there who have and will spend big to gain entry into the worlds richest league. It’s not a given that Rafa will prevail when he is competing with managers like Pearson, Di Matteo and Villa’s likely new coach Alex Neil – who all have Premier League experience. Indeed, he has never managed in the second tier of English football before and he enters uncharted territory in that respect, though he has had experience in the second tier of Spanish football. All in all he has really put his reputation on the line and at a basket case club like Newcastle too… Who could of ever seen anything like that happening!
On the question of relegation, in truth it has been coming a number of seasons. We were branded a zombie club and it’s hard to argue against that label. Years of trying to run a ‘profit before need’ set up simply hasn’t worked out. factor in the age restriction on transfers and very average ability coaches and, well, we are where we are. Benitez had an impossible job over only 10 games – to turn around a team lacking in a mixture of confidence, ability and a few players that displayed a couldn’t give a **** attitude. That he even got a tune out of our ramshackle lot speaks volumes of the mans ability.
All that and relegation was the inevitable outcome, but has an ill wind brought us unexpected good fortune? When relegation was the end of the world for many of us, not least because of the prospect of losing the services of Benitez, do we now have the chance of reinvention? Step forward Mr Mike Ashley – so often the architect of all our woes, who now does a huge about turn on the way the club operates and moves forward.
Suddenly we have a Manager of the highest caliber talked into staying on in the second tier of English football, who is assured he doesn’t have to sell a single player if he doesn’t want to. No book balancing required here apparently, nor is there a problem now with the manager choosing who HE wants to bring into the squad, with all former restrictions seemingly lifted.
Too good to be true? Well time will tell, we still need to see Ashley & co stay true to their words and promises to Benitez, meanwhile Benitez still needs to build a squad capable of getting us back up. He will be up against some very good coaches and this will be no walk in the park as it’s arguably the toughest league in the UK.
Whether we bring in some quality loans or offer players like Agger and Arbeloa rolling or short term deals remains to be seen but we do need an overhaul of the squad because it’s not strong enough, physically or mentally in my opinion. If it was, we wouldn’t of gone down.
The good news is that under Benitez I did see real improvement, just a little too late to make a real difference. Now he has a transfer window, a pre-season and time to make those all important adjustments that are required. If he can keep hold of Townsend, Perez, Aarons, Elliot, Darlow, Mbemba and young Lascelles, well that’s a fine start. Add in the odd Championship experienced player and hopefully we’re good to go.
Benitez was right about us being a project. I do believe if he can get us back up then under his incidence and given time we could get back some of the good times and maybe even Europe if Mr Ashley backs him adequately.
Yes this is the perfect time for reinvention and not a moment too soon.
Kimtoon
Thank’s Kim, Good Read.
I’ve not commented much so I’ll throw my 2 pennoth worth in here.
The problem with giving a manager full control is that he has to be good. God Help us if Ashley had given one or two of the managers he has appointed the full control that Rafa apparently has. Come to think of it any of the managers he has appointed. So Is Rafa the right man? Probably. Obviously we need a top manager for the job in hand, which in my opinion is rebuilding the club from top to bottom so that in a few years time if he leaves whoever takes over finds the club in a much better place than where he found it. Rafa has a track record for winning trophies, which is great, but has he ever left a club in a better place than he found it? Not convinced. However, on this occasion he is not taking over a well managed club, and recognises that a major overhaul is needed. If that is his remit then I think he may well be the man for the Job as whilst I can think of people who have turned round smaller clubs, This is a different budget. Let’s wish him well and lots of luck, he’ll need it. 😀
Premandup(Quote)
Nice one Kim.
Agree with Prem about handing control and budget to our previous mangers. But then, that calibre of manager was a central point of the previous blueprint of the club and the way in which it should be run. After years of being told, by media as well as fans, that it was doomed to fail, it seems Ashley has accepted that, ripped up the blueprint and gone for what the fans have asked for all along; a top class manager who is allowed to manage the club.
What we really need, first and foremost, out of that manager is the ability to spot a player, to convince them to join the club, and to then relay to all the players his vision of the game to have them playing good, winning football and get us back up.
On those grounds alone I feel we have one of the best options available to us.
If you add in the ability to connect with the fans, and be someone likable and believable, then I’m not sure who I’d rather have in charge right now.
Pardew and McC both said the right words when referring to the fans, but more often than not they were spat back into my coffee. With Rafa, you know it’s the truth.
Honesty and integrity are important traits to tag along with ability in my book.
Rafa appears to have spades of all 3.
You can also see the appetite he has for restructuring the club from top to bottom. He’s been at many of the top clubs in the world, and would have seen a lot of things that he feels can implement to make us a better club.
Let’s just hope he’s given everything he needs from the club to make it happen.
YouYew(Quote)
Porciestreet;
I wonder how many, along with me, wouldnt mind too much if we didn’t get back up this next season. Yes it would be tough, but for the sake of getting our club back on it’s rails and in perfect working order, perhaps it would be worth it for an extra season. yes, a little painfull but we want our future guarenteed.
Porciestreet(Quote)
I think Ashley stepped back and gave the keys to the castle to Charnley and Carr. They spent all of his treasure but I think he realises now it was the right move, just the wrong people. Charnley actually proved himself to be a good accountant, just not a good co-director of football.
Ashley has finally run out of lackeys and cronies and somehow stumbled on someone competent to do the job. That everything is supposedly in writing and they are paying the going rate might mean there is hope, and hopefully no more tribunals 🙂
The stars actually seemed to align to get Rafa to a club in such a state in the first place. Hopefully our luck has changed.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Good read Kim. Apart from being relegated we are in a much better position than I would have expected in my wildest dreams.
Groucho(Quote)
I think it would be an absolute catastrophe not to get promoted straight away. Our club in its present state is not sustainable in The Championship and the longer we stay there the greater advantage teams in the PL have over us. Without the parachute payment the PL clubs have at least a 100 million pounds a year in more money because of the TV deal. Giving Watford and Bournemouth a 200 million pound head start to buy players and develop their facilities is unthinkable.
They will earn about as much in TV money in the next 2 years as Ashley paid for NUFC. The economics have completely changed. We really could “do a Leeds” if we stay in The Championship. We are set up for the PL now and need to be there.
With the parachute payments, the 3 relegated clubs have a massive advantage over all other Championship clubs – something like 40 mil. You can’t waste that.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Porciestreet:
Let’s put it another way. Last year we were in the top 20 richest clubs in the world. This year, because of the TV deal, every single Premier League club will be richer than us!!! So Watford and Palace and Swansea can afford the players we once could and we will be left with the dregs, loanees and journeymen if we stay where we are.
You may say that is what we have now, but that is not really true and management incompetence and a faulty strategy accounted for most of the mistakes. Hopefully, with a real leader, with a proven track record, and real power we will not make those same mistakes again.
Good read Kimtoon, by the way.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I didn’t even mention that the Mackems will be able to wipe out their debt and be streets ahead of us if we stay down.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Prem – I think that’s a harsh assessment of Rafa’s job’s to be honest, especially when you consider some of the basket case clubs he’s managed. At Liverpool I think he did a great job and the reason they weren’t in great shape was due to the owners, not Rafa at the end. Madrid is Madrid and Chelsea were clearly in a better place after he’d left. They were higher in the league and won the Europa cup. Valencia also were better off when he left. So basically Inter weren’t, but they’d just won Seria a and the Champions League so i’m not sure what he could have done to make them better?
Stuart79(Quote)
I just looked up last years revenue and it placed us a the 17th richest club in the World with 129 million. 50 of that was Commercial and Gates and the rest TV. With a 40 mil parachute payment we will make about 90 mil this year (excluding player trading).
The minimum TV money for the PL is 100 mil this year so we will slip from 17th richest to probably somewhere like 37th. Partly due to our drop and partly because of the riches in the PL raising all boats there.
They are betting the house on Rafa and that is why. I actually think that is why he is staying because he knows they cannot afford to renege on their promises and have him walk because it will mean financial ruin. Of course there is the challenge, but he has the assurances and I am sure his ego is big enough to think he will get us promoted – why wouldn’t it be.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Good read Kim.
Agree with Stuart ref Benitez’ past record. Very hard for him to improve Inter (impossible in fact) and in Italian football theirs rarely a sustained period of a team dominating regardless of manager, Juve bucking the trend slightly of late. Madrid, was wor lass’s team until I converted her to the Toon but I follow them over here despite the fact that it is a horrible club, horrible fans and horrible players. Hardest club in the world to manage, you can win the league but the fans will still be on your back. To be fair Rafa only has to leave with us 17th bottom in the Premier League to leave us in a better shape than when he arrived and I have no doubt he will do that.
Relegation for us has been the best thing to happen imo, if we’d stayed up Rafa would have stayed but under the terms of his old contract which I think it”s safe to assume would have meant the club being run pretty much under the old system.
For me the reinvention has happened already, it started with the Spurs game where for maybe the first time since Ashley took over the fans were all united behind one aim, getting Rafa to stay. It was impressive and even though we were down it’s the first time for a while I was completely proud to be a Newcastle fan, no bitching no moaning just backing for the manager and team. No doubt it played apart in him staying, how big a part who knows (or cares) but he’s here, he’s got control, fans are united (and happy despite relegation!), Ashley appears to have learnt a lesson or two….The reinvention is done, forward we go with renewed optimism! HTL!! 😀
richietoon(Quote)
Good read Kim. I agree for Rafa, taking over Newcastle is a massive gamble but he’s arguably the best manager we’ve had since Sir Bobby.
Like you say, the Championship is an unknown for him. To not sound cliched, it’s a very gritty tough league where teams aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty in order to get a result.
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
By the way guys, a bit of house keeping.
Been doing some tinkering (as an actress said to a bishop) on the site and removed the slider (if images weren’t the right size it looked weird) and also added a latest posts widget in the footer and top right which means now below the comments you should be able to see what the latest posts are.
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
Andy….Agree it’s a tough league but I’m sure he knows what is required, the cream always rises to the top(well almost always) It maybe my renewed (and blind) optimism but I have no doubts we’ll get out that league at the first attempt (feel free to bookmark 😉 )
richietoon(Quote)
Yeah, you’d think we’d absolutely smash it based on our manager, budget and squad etc. Who’s everyone’s predictions to go up next season? Wouldn’t surprise me if the relegated three all come straight back up.
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
Andy…Yeah if I was a betting man I’d say the 3 that went down…providing Villa get a big overhaul, they are a much bigger mess than us at the moment . I guess a lot depends on the takeover going through and what kind of owners they’ll be.
richietoon(Quote)
Do you know Rafa is the 10th best paid manager in the World? More than Mancini at Inter for example.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
More than Allegri at Juve, Blanc at PSG and Simeone at Athletico.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Nice one Kim 🙂
I think that another reason Rafa stayed is because he has the opportunity to make a legend of himself if he actually continues form and brings trophies to Newcastle. He would know deep down that he will be classed as a world class manager and any doubters would be set straight. He has a lot of work to do but if he is successful , well there would not be enough superlatives to describe him. First there was SBR.. Anyone for SRB! 🙂
Or he could be total flop and run out of town by the bed sheet and pitch fork brigade! 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Great news guys. I’ve been chatting to online betting company comeon.com and they’re willing to sponsor us for a little Euro 2016 competition we plan to run.
Basically for every 10 entrants we get, they’ll add £10 to the prize pool i.e. if 50 people enter, there will be £50 worth of free bets to be split between the winners (TBC how we weigh up prize money)
We plan to have a home nations prediction comp whereby people predict the group game results of England, Northern Ireland and Wales and if you predict the result correctly you get 1 point and the actual score correctly you get 4 points.
How does this sound to everyone? Could be a bit of fun!
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
KIM always enjoy your threads well done
My worry with Rafa is if he gets us up will jabba follow through to push us on or will he find some excuse to cut the funds and revert to his money saving ways,after eight years of his underhanded ways I still don’t trust him if he does Rafa will walk,let’s hope jabba has really changed his ways
Icedog(Quote)
Careful with money changing hands on blogs Andy… people have been burnt in the past..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Of course.
No money would be changing hands, the winner would get a free bet placed on their betting account that’s all.
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
I imagine Colos interview is music to the clubs ears, Just shake hands and tear up his contract
We get him off the wage bill & he gets to go home
Shame it’s ended this way as he was just about the best CB I’ve seen in b&w (Maybe level with a fit Woodgate) for a couple of seasons; But I can’t see any point in him remaining with Mbemba/Lascelles now first choice and this Caulker talk doing the rounds. He’s now an £80k a week luxury squad player whose role could be filled by Good/Satka for peanuts
CC(Quote)
Good read Kim.
I heard one of the footy pundits saying had we had Rafa from the start of the season, maintaining the form we showed in the 10 games he had – we would have finished 11 place.
When you consider the first few games a transition, Rafa getting to know the players & finding their best position – Sissoko being a prime example of that. He was started on the left to help with cover for the left back (I’m sure he even had a little stint at LB). But once Rafa could get his side settled, and he’s better players in the positions they were most effective at, we all saw what he could achieve.
I think with him being able to strengthen the positions he wants, with the players he’d want. With a pre-season to bed new players in – having had those 10 games to drill the existing players – I only see us getting stronger as a unit.
If Rafa can achieve mid table form in 10 games, I have every confidence he can get us promoted straight away. Then, who knows where he’ll have us in the PL – but it’s going to be fun to watch I reckon … and it’s been a while since watching NUFC has been fun before Rafa arrived.
Sharpy17(Quote)
CC: I think the club would gladly rip up Colo’s contract. However, I think he will want paying off.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
CC: what I mean is Colo wants his cake and to eat it too. He wants out but would be unwilling to sacrifice his wage. We may see a few more of these “injuries” as he picks up 80k a week for nowt. Remember he had an injury last preseason that miraculously healed when he got the new contract?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/2/833020048?-11058:809:0
Here is Colos words. Personally, if your club captain or former club captain is not committed – and let’s be honest, he hasn’t seemed committed for a number of seasons now (this isn’t the first time we’ve heard of San Lorenzo).
If Colo is prepare to walk without the golden handshake, we should agree to allow him to. He gets his move back home, and we save a small fortune in wages.
Everyone wins as far as I see.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Andy – I’m always game for a bit of footy fun. But I’m not a gambling man & don’t have an account. If I won I’d place the bet on behalf of a charity, but I don’t know how that could/would be done without an account.
I’ll worry about that when I win though, count me in mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Thanks for the feedback guys.
Andy, I’m with Sharpy, I don’t bet but would happily take part with any winnings going to charity if that’s possible?
Kimtoon(Quote)
Ime with KIM/SHARPY but to a UK charity
Icedog(Quote)
I’d also like to propose that every article written by the likes of Kim and I equals a £5 contribution to a charity from this site. What do you think?
Shamrock(Quote)
BBC announce Kompany joining punditry team including Lineker, Shearer, Henry, Ferdinand, Vialli, Klinnsman…& Robbie Savage
What Frank Bough style **** does he have on these people ??
If they want a Welsh perspective how about John Toshack or Ryan Giggs not this pleb embarrassing himself trying to relate to players with more talent in their left ******* than he ever had
CC(Quote)
If it was a fiver an article, we’d go bust I’m afraid. HOWEVER, if you wanted the ad revenue from your articles to go to a charity we could happily set that up.
Any suggestions on charities?
Andy Magpie(Quote)
Okay, how about this. We crack on with the Euro prediction comp for people that want to enter AND afterwards, we do a Championship/Premier League Fantasy football league, £2 to enter per person and we’ll throw in an extra tenner on top or something.
Andy Magpie(Quote)
Craig Bellamy for me mate. He was on Monday night football earlier this season and he was very good I thought. But every team needs its clown & Robbie Savage fits that bill.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Andy – Bris has been in charge of FFL on the blog for a while now & has always done a great job.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It’d be really easy to do mate, you just sign up for an account (which takes 2 mins) and then if you win the free bet would get put in your account. You could use that free bet to back something i.e. England to beat x team and then the winnings could be withdrawn and given to charity.
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
Fair enough. Then whoever wins the euro comp can use the bet to try and win for charity then if they wish? We will be taking part for the craic but will be exempt from the prize FYI
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
My recently adopted charity is one called ‘daft as a brush’. It’s based in Newcastle and is a free patient transport service for people going through cancer treatments.
My mam is going through radiotherapy at the moment & has to be at hospital every day. This charity provides an amazing service & support – to adults & kids.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Andy – I’m not saying everyone has to do that. It doesn’t have to be a condition of entry. Whoever wins decides what they want to do with their bet or winnings. I was just saying what I intent to do when I win 😉
Sharpy17(Quote)
I wasn’t poo pooing your idea, just wasn’t sure if you knew Bris has done it in the past mate 😉
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hahaha okay fair enough!
In that case then, let’s probably the best way – a bit like Family Fortunes, whoever wins can bet for their chosen charity. 😉
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
aaaah fair enough, we’ll let Bris carry on in the hot seat then!
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
So Andros Townsend is out of the England squad along with Danny Drinkwater.
Personally I think that a disgrace. Not just for Townsend, who I think is a better player than Raheem Sterling – and got about 10mins of competitive football to stake his claim.
But I also think Drinkwater is a better option than Whilshire, Henderson & Milner.
Whilshire & Sturridge both made of glass.
Typical England. I’ve just lost interested in our National team again.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yeah that sounds fair. Cancer research UK would be a good start?
Shamrock(Quote)
I’m really annoyed for Townsend & Drinkwater!!!!.
Just shows that England is based on who you play for rather than how well you play …… it fucking stinks!!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yep, sounds good to me. Setting up the traffic stats to hopefully show how much the ads earn from each page so starting next month we should be able to see it. Drop me a PM when you get chance we can set it all up.
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
Sham – nice idea mate.
Andy – good man for making it happen.
That’s the kind of craic you want to be part of. It all helps.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Cancer research, yep that’s good .
Sharpy, That’s tough on Townsend and Drinkwater, I think Sterling has been too poor to get the nod.
Can’t seem to get that interested in England like I used to in years gone past, too many players I don’t like in the squad. Can’t wait for certain players to retire from international games.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Why is Roy even considered taking a half fit Wilshire as well, makes little sense and smacks of big club syndrome .
Kimtoon(Quote)
Agree with that Kim (and thanks for the article!!) Sterling (and Delph) for me have been poor ever since they joined City. Not as effective as Sissoko and way behind Townsend. I’ve never understood the Henderson love-in either – he’s very ordinary. Wiltshere and Sturridge are never fit. Not sure (and don’t really care) what our best team would be but those 5 aren’t in it.
Sounds like we’ve lost a very good coach in Pecchia. He specialised in the one thing we’ve been poor at for seasons – intensity.
Georgio(Quote)
Yeah, he’s off to Verona isn’t he, shame that.
Kimtoon(Quote)
It’s ridiculous that Townsend is being overlooked again. Really feel for the kid coz it was at Spurs & now England.
I just hope he realises that he has 50k week in week out who appreciate him, and a Geordie nation who respect him.
I hope he doesn’t think he’s got to go back to the PL next season.
His wage is secure with us & he’ll get regular footy as the main man at SJP.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Okay great. To reconfirm, we’ll set up the comp for Euro 2016 with the winner free to do whatever they like with their bet i.e. bet on something with the winnings going to charity.
As well as that, earnings from Kim and Sham’s articles from now on will go to charity.
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
tickety boo Andy 😀
Kimtoon(Quote)
Dummit misses out on Welsh euros as well
Icedog(Quote)
good read kim.
Like a couple of others, relegation was the best outcome (if we bounce straight back up)
we’d be f**ked if Rafa hadn’t of stayed. the thought of Warnock etc being handed players from the old brigade of Carr etc was scary.
Rafa has a new contract, doing things as he sees fit.
Hopefully there wont be any interference from Fatty!
Gashley(Quote)
Lallana, Wilshire, Milner, Henderthun, Dier, Barkley
Overrated One paced sideways and backwards brigade
So typically Hodgson the man who signed Konchesky for Liverpool & gave Ryan Mason & Leon Osman an England cap…
CC(Quote)
Really sad for both Townsend and Dummett. There is a silver lining though and that is they will be available for preseason which starts July 1. The Euros don’t end until July 10, not that either teams will be in the final.
I don’t think we hurt Andros’ chances, it was Spurs putting him in the reserves for 6 months.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I really don’t get Mr. Roy. Why 4 fullbacks when Dier and Milner can cover. In fact, Milner is a better fullback than midfielder.
Hopefully, it will work out but they might also try to jam Rooney, Henderson and Wilshere into the same team who all want to play central midfield.
I think Sturridge needs to go as he offers something different – should have dropped other out of form players such as Sterling and Barkley and Wilshere should never have even been considered.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sir Bobby Robson foundation?
I don’t even think I am able to set up an account. Gambling is illegal in Illinois.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well written Kimtoon lass. We’ve got the right man in charge now as long as Ashley and Charnley stay out of the way. Just sign the pay checks and keep your fingers out of the club dealings Charnley.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Or better yet sack Charnley! Sack the bejesus out of him Ashley! Then let Rafa pick a new man for MD.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I think there could be a big problem for England in that with Rooney as a midfielder now, him and Wilshere will try to occupy the same space. If he plays up front then he will displace one of the form players – Vardy, Alli or Kane. That would be madness. Hopefully, Mr. Roy knows what he is doing as Troysta has us in the final (after reneging on saying we would win it).
I have a fear we will get beat by the Welsh. They have a lot of players used to playing our lot and also probably the best player in the tournament (Ronaldo is not fully fit).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Colocini please go back to Argentina. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Terry(Quote)
Mr. Roy’s past statements have been that he would not pick out of form players or players that were not 100% fit. This selection seems to be the total opposite. Plus, he takes Rashford because he is new press darling.
Townsend is probably lucky as how much game time would he actually get? It would have been a good experience for him, but at least he gets a rest now. The other thong Mr. Roy said is that he would not pick Championship players because of the opposition they face week in week out. I hope Townsend says fck him now and it makes him more likely to stay with us. However, given the squad that was picked, Mr. Roy will probably select Townsend if he does well even in The Championship.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The problem with this selection is that we are weak at CB. If Dyer is needed there then Drinkwater is the best man for the Job. If we want sturridge up front and he is fit enough to risk then we drop 2 midfielders. Wilshire is not fit enough, Barcley does not add anything different. Not to mention Henderson & Milner. Never knew what Llana or Barcley or Wilshire bring to the party.
apologies for spellings
Premandup(Quote)
Re my comment about Rafa improving clubs, I was not talking about league positions, but the structure of the club and it’s facilities, after all that is the job we need.
Premandup(Quote)
Prem: Rafa has already made a start to improving the club structure and facilities. They had bids out and a blueprint for the new training facilities but put it on hold. Supposedly, one of the things Rafa was insisting on was getting this started. He also moved the younger players physically away from the first team squad which made perfect sense. Would you want a bunch of spotty 16 year olds hanging around in the weight room or taking selfies when you are trying to eat your lunch?
I can understand the logic of letting the youngsters get a taste of how the first team works but that is what it should have been, a taste. Not everyday, clogging up cramped and inadequate facilities.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think I have just worked out the logic of taking Wilshere. Rooney wants to play in Wilshere’s position and Wilshere is not fit. By the time Rooney proves that he is a liability in midfield Wilshere will have had a month to get fit. Still cannot fathom Barkley over Townsend. Barkley seems to me to be Everton’s Sissoko, where he has one good game in 5 and the National manager seems to remember only that.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well done Kim, interesting article which must have taken some time to write so thank you for your efforts. It will be really interesting to see what Benitez decides to do in terms of the squad. It does feel like the start of something good doesn’t it? An interesting summer awaits…
SRF(Quote)
Roy Hodgeson bottled it today. No width in the squad. Sterling and Barkley out of form. Wilshire unfit. The Liverpool forward not anywhere near match fit. CB area looks **** weak. We won’t go past last 8 – if we make it that far.
Shamrock(Quote)
There could be an article on this so sorry if one of the writes is putting something together already.
I was thinking yesterday, with Colo actively looking to get out, Sissoko will want away I’m sure, and Shelvey dropped by Rafa – who should/will be club captain next season?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy I’d be happy with Lascelles. He seemed to be the only one saying it how it was in the midst of the poor form and then when he got a run in the side he was one of our best performers. Real leaders performances.
Shamrock(Quote)