Every fan of Western’s knows that the stagecoach leaves town on time and Rafa Benitez is determined to make sure the ‘Deadwood Stage’ is jam-packed before the end of the month, reports The Chronicle.
All the attention is focussed on who Rafa will bring in but as important is those who he doesn’t need. The deadwood hanging around the place could be bad for morale although you would expect anyone seeking to prove themselves to the manager to be positive and trying their hardest.
But human nature is such that negativity spreads and in a squad desperate for confidence, the sullen and sulky are counter-productive.
Henri Saivet, Emmanuel Riviere and Yoan Gouffran are known to be players Rafa wants shot of whilst it’s believed that the interest in Moussa Sissoko has been rekindled with Crystal Palace facing competition from Inter, Everton and Juventus. Dortmund have denied interest but that could be a bluff. Someone will take him, I am sure. Anyone?
Check Tiote is in the same boat is Sissoko. Expected to leave but Benitez will not be unhappy to keep them provided they can find their focus.
Balancing the books will happen with Sissoko’s sale so the question Newcastle’s board has to ask is whether it’s worth having a fire sale to get shot of the other unwanteds quickly.
