It is seeming more likely that Rafa Benitez will not bow to fan pressure and play two up front.
Benitez is not the first manager to do things his own way though. Here are five occasions that Newcastle managers have gone against the fans.
1. Keegan Sells His Cole Machine
When Kevin Keegan signed Andy Cole, for a fee of £1.75million, from Bristol City, a fee that seemed somewhat excessive for a virtually unknown prospect, some eyebrows were raised.
However, during his twenty two months on Tyneside, Cole quickly proved all doubters wrong, scoring fifty five goals, in sixty nine league games and a total of sixty eight goals in eighty three games for the club.
He soon became a hero amongst the fans, earning his song, which could be heard, more often than not, echoing around St. James’ Park to the tune of “Andy Cole, He gets the ball, He scores a goal, Andy Andy Cole.”
However, despite Cole’s exceptional goal scoring gift, he found himself sold to Manchester United in January 1995. A move that saw Kevin Keegan coming out onto the steps at St. James’ Park, to explain his decision. Although, it must be noted, the move worked out quite well for both sides, even if it was slightly more prosperous for Cole.
2. Gordon Lee, the man who sold Supermac.
For fans of a certain era, Malcolm Macdonald was the hero of the club. The star striker was one of an exceptional group of players who have flourished with the pressure of leading the line for United.
He combined devastating pace and power with exceptional technique. Summed up perfectly by his iconic double against Bolton Wanderers, in a thrilling FA Cup 5th round tie, which finished 3-3.
MacDonald used his pace and clever movement to find space and slot home his first, before audacious half volley, on the turn, flew in for his second. However, despite these and many other heroics, Macdonald did not see eye to eye with Lee and was sold to Arsenal, a decision that to this day, still infuriates many supporters of the ‘Supermac’ era.
3. Graeme Souness’ Nightmare Transfer Window
After the departure of Sir Bobby Rosbon, early into the 2004-05 season, many fans felt that the hierarchy of the club needed to employ a disciplinarian, something that the board obviously agreed with. Moving quickly for Blackburn Rovers manager, Graeme Souness.
However, the reason for Souness’ struggles at Blackburn soon became apparent. Just as he had frozen out the likes of Dwight Yorke, David Dunn and Keith Gillespie at Blackburn, he alienated many of the top stars at St. James’ Park, with Laurent Robert and Craig Bellamy deemed surplus to requirements after their personal relationship with Souness had broken down, while left-back Olivier Bernard was replaced by Celestine Babayaro.
In short, in one single transfer window, Souness saw the departure of many of the fans favourite players. While his own signings flopped, leaving the club in a desperate state.
4. Gullit’s Derby Day Errors
August 1999, a shameful night that cost Ruud Gullit his job as the Dutchman resigned from his role as Newcastle United manager. The loss at home to bitter rivals Sunderland were hero Alan Shearer was conversationally left on the bench.
Tensions between the two had been bubbling away for weeks previous to the derby clash. However when word spread that Shearer and strike-partner Duncan Ferguson would have to settle for a place amongst the substitutes the atmosphere reached fever-point.
After a positive start by Gullit’s men, a rampant Sunderland turned the tables in the second half – as things became as sour as the weather conditions. Ferguson was thrown to replace the inexperienced Paul Robinson moments later though, Niall Quinn equalised.
As chants of Newcastle’s favourite sons name rang louder Gullit threw the England captain on, it was little too late. As Kevin Philips scored to seal Sunderland victory, leaving Gullit out of a job.
5. Pardew Mocked for Shortcomings
For many Newcastle United fans the departure of Alan Pardew to London outfit Crystal Palace was long time wish finally granted. Pardew returned to St James’s Park for the a few months after leaving his role as Toon boss.
Pardew – in the eyes of many a Geordie treated fans favourites Hatem Ben Arfa and Jonas Gutierrez unfairly. The protest fan group SackPardew.com planned a hostile atmosphere in which chants supporting the popular duo would be sang throughout the game.
Cult hero Jonas Gutierrez criticised Pardew for ditching him during his battle with testicular cancer. Only for the Argentine to make a full recovery and to score the goal to keep Newcastle in England’s top-flight on the final day of the season.
The French international Ben Arfa claimed Pardew forced him out of the club abandoning him from training with the first team. Ben Arfa went onto to be shortlisted for the France Player of the year award, which earned him a move to France champions PSG.
like your threads mate,keep them coming
icedog(Quote)
I second that Ice.
Groucho(Quote)
Chicago Cubs win the “World” Series. 1st time since 1908. Anything is possible.
Brexit 😥
Donald Trump 😯
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Jake good article, good to reminisce. Souness was the worst manager ever.
Stem(Quote)
Souness’s signing’s Owen, Boomsong, Babayaro, Parker, Emre, Luque. 50 million down the drain and the reason we ended up with Mike Ashley.
Stem(Quote)
Shepherd and Hall for appointing him in the first place.
Stem(Quote)
Well done Eric bet you over the moon ?
Stem(Quote)
Stem: I have been a Cubs fan for 27 years. Embraced them when I first moved to Chicago. I had season tickets and lived 100 yards from Wrigley Field for 5 years. I was out boozing ’til 1am. You should check out some of the fans’ reactions… Cubs mania is only akin to NUFC mania.
NOW THIS. From the website “Football365”:
“Those half-time groans would become fully-fledged boos by the final whistle, as Leverkusen secured a 1-0 victory which did them a disservice.
At the heart of it was Moussa Sissoko. The Frenchman spent most of his Newcastle career informing the world of his aspirations of playing in Europe’s premier competition. “I hope to play in the Champions League one day,” he said in October of last year. “I always want it, but everything is about timing. For now, I do not play in it, but I’m patient. I await my hour calmly,” followed in December. He even explained that the chance to feature in the competition was “one of the reasons” he moved to White Hart Lane in the summer. This was his opportunity to show everyone just what they had been missing.
This was Sissoko’s night, his chance to show why Tottenham spent £30million on him in the summer. Wembley was his stage, but he stumbled over his own feet and landed flat on his face before the curtain had even been pulled back. He registered one shot, but it was off target. He did not create a goalscoring opportunity. His passing accuracy of 60% was the worst of any Spurs player. He won just 52.4% of his duels. He lost possession on 31 occasions – that is an average of once every three minutes.
To offer the weakest of defences, his teammates were hardly any better. Kyle Walker was dreadful, his incompetence matched only by Ben Davies on the opposite flank. Victor Wanyama was far from a calming influence in midfield, nor was Mousa Dembele during his brief spell. Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Heung-min Son looked disjointed and bereft of ideas going forward. Even Hugo Lloris, Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen, so reliable a trio last season, looked riddled with doubt.
I was dismissed earlier this week for expressing doubts over Tottenham’s form. Unbeaten they may be in the Premier League, but Wednesday represented their sixth game without a victory – and they have failed to score more than once in that sequence. It is a worrying trend, and a meeting with Arsenal on Sunday offers little reprieve.
Sissoko will miss that game through suspension due to his own stupidity, which makes this performance even harder to swallow. For a man who has made no attempt to disguise his desire to play in Europe, this was nothing short of embarrassing. The 27-year-old feels as though he belongs here, in this competition, against the best players on the continent. Never mind the Champions League, he would struggle to get a game in the Championship with former club Newcastle on this evidence.”
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sissoko was embarrassing for Spurs and a 30 million gift for NUFC yesterday.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
good take on Siko mate,Rafa played a blinder bumming him up and sucked them right in to get that 30 mil,he would not get in Rafa team now if he had stayed, every fan was sick of his gob
icedog(Quote)
Icedog: that wasn’t me writing about Sissoko. It was a quote from Football365 who saw in one game what we witnessed for most of his 3 years at the toon (game against Chelsea and last one against, ironically, Spurs excepted).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
From the article above on Sissoko:
“He registered one shot, but it was off target. He did not create a goalscoring opportunity.”
The US commentator said it was a shank that would have ended up in the woods or in a lake. That was his one shot and sums him up completely. Even at the Euros his “pass” to Poyet for that goal was misplaced. Fck off Sissoko, we are well rid of you and good luck on the Spurs bench.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Absolutely **** article as well Jake. Good luck with your NON-career in sports journalism.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Benitez has absolutely nothing to do with any of your “5 things” – (thanks Lee Ryder) that you are on about.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Jake: sorry mate. I just realised that you will have a long career in sports journalism. If Lee Ryder can make then anyone can. Neil Ashton at The Sun, Sean Custis there and Martin Samuel at The Mail are proof you do not have to be a good writer to succeed in Sports Jounalism.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I mean, what Benitez is doing has about as much in common as what you are writing about as a snake does to a box of chocolates.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
WHAT NOW??? If anyone on here can explain what Rafa is doing now has even a remote connection to what Gordon Lee did at NUFC then tell me now. You see, Rafa doing good things is not a good comparison to other managers doing **** things. There is no connection, man.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric 😯 Bit harsh on Jake there mate.
To be fair to Jake I think his article is pointing out that Rafa like other managers is getting a little fan pressure to change things but will do it his way. Many want 2 up front but Rafa won’t change a winning formula to appease a small section of fans.
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric, have you got a hangover?
kimtoon(Quote)
Harry Redknapp is the only manager to do things his own way:
1. he backs his car over his wife.
2. He names his dog on his tax (evasion) forms
3. he thinks he is great and does the shittest job in the history of QPR – difficult, but he managed it.
4. He hires Schteve McClaren
5. He sticks his head out of a Range Rover for Sky Sports and manages to be less articulate than if his dog had done the same thing.
That’s enough “5 things” Eric.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kimtoon: it had got a bit quiet on here lately. I am still not sure what the connection of a Rafa rotation is to Gordon Lee or Souness is but I will leave it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
5 things in NUFC history that also have ****** all to do with Rafa Benitez:
1: Lord Westwood had an eye patch.
2. Freddy Sheppard made his money in scrap metal. And NUFC dividends.
3. Mike Ashley weighs as much as 2 Rick Astleys.
4. Alan Shearer was the best Alan to ever play for Newcastle
5. writing about 5 vaguely connected things may not be great journalism
Eric Sykes(Quote)
5 things Lee Ryder never knew:
1: his **** from his elbow
2. THAT’S ENOUGH 5 THINGS ERIC…
Eric Sykes(Quote)
As Kim pointed out further up the thread Eric, the link is examples of Magpies managers in the past who have not always bowed to fan pressure.
And even if you believe the link is tenuous or non-existent, do you not think there’s a more tactful way of putting it?!
Is that the way you talk to everyone who doesn’t agree with your viewpoint? Is that the way we should be welcoming new members, by shitting on the prospects of the career they aspire to?
Well done mate.
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
Farting around Andy. I am sure you have read some stuff I have written on here and know I am normally about all NUFC so don’t give me grief.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Bring on the international break so we don’t have to have any more of Jake.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Holier than though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Thanks for the thread Jake . I really appreciate those on here like yourself , Kim and Shamrock who take the time to write an article for the blog.
I was talking to a Nufc coach earlier this week who told me that there was a great atmosphere at the club now and how the players and staff are really happy to have Rafa in charge.
He said that Rafa is the first proper manager at the club since Bobby Robson.
Personally, I don’t care what formation or players Rafa uses if we are winning games and putting points on the board.
sidekick(Quote)
5 things I know:
1: Sports journalism is now click-bait
2. this article has tenuous links at best
3. In Penny Lane there is a barber showing photographs
Is that 5 Lee? You know you have a contract Ryder? That you MUST write 5 things you know.
I will accept that you only know 3 things.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Andy the Magpie: isn’t what I have just done good practice for Jake? Sports Journalism is all about setting up phony wars. Look at John (nicotine stain) Gibbo Gibson.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
19995 Keegan Sells His Cole Machine
Jake was 1 year old.
2. Gordon Lee, the man who sold Supermac.
Jake wasn’t even conceived
3. Graeme Souness’ Nightmare Transfer Window
Jake was 8
4. Gullit’s Derby Day Errors
Jake was 4
5. Pardew Mocked for Shortcomings
Yes he was. For being a gobshite and his death-spirals.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Jake, man. You have to go your own way. Read Barney Ronay. But, when all of life is summed up in tweets you may be better to go the Lee Ryder route, to do the “5 things I know” and get a free trip to Sacramento on the Chron.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
off tack but i love to see ****-holes get put on their ***
http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/vault/street/bullies-throw-lit-cigarette-girls-hair-boxer-boyfriend-decimates?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=Sprout
icedog(Quote)
To be fair, if you want to be a writer then you need thick skin because not everybody will agree with your point of view and some will even take offence to it.
Thanks for the article Jake.
Shamrock(Quote)
Btw please link new articles to old ones, so we know when to move over.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham: I am sorry I was a bit asrorbic to Jake. He has a future in writing for The Chronicle. He has mastered the “”5 things I learnt” already at age 20, a full 20 years+ before Ryder.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Thanks for the article as well Jake.
Even though it was ****.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Here is the Rafa “FACTS” rant in full. Sir Alex Vader, the PR genius that he is. used it against him:
“I was surprised by what has been said, but maybe they [Manchester United] are nervous because we are at the top of the table.
“But I want to talk about facts. I want to be clear, I do not want to play mind games too early, although they seem to want to start. But I have seen some facts. On 1 November, they played Hull and Mr Ferguson had a two-match touchline ban and a £10,000 fine after confronting Mike Dean, the referee, for improper conduct.
“We started the Respect campaign, and that was when [Javier] Mascherano was sent off [last season] at Old Trafford. The referee [Steve Bennett] was the referee when they played against Wigan – he could not see the handball against Wigan by Rio Ferdinand, he did not give a penalty. They won the game and they won the title in this game. I think it will be the same referee who will be in charge of their game in hand this season [against Wigan].
“During the Respect campaign – and this is a fact – Mr Ferguson was charged by the FA for improper conduct after comments made about Martin Atkinson and Keith Hackett. He was not punished. He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things.
“Then he was talking about the fixtures. Two years ago we were playing a lot of early kick-offs away on Saturdays when United were playing on Sundays. And we didn’t say anything. Now he is complaining about everything, that everybody is against United. But the second half of the season will see them playing at home against all the teams at the top of the table. It is a fantastic advantage.
“But at Christmas, United played on the 29th and the rest of the teams played on the 28th. We were away against Newcastle two days after playing Bolton. They were playing about 40 hours later, they were not complaining then.
“And about his behaviour with referees. The Southampton manager he knows how Mr Ferguson works and how he works, he was very clear. I am not playing mind games, just facts.
“If he wants to talk about fixtures, and have a level playing field as you say in England. There are two options if we don’t want more problems with fixtures. One is the same as in Spain, the draw for the first part of the league is known, everyone knows which weekend. In the second half everyone plays the opposite, so you all know. Sky and Setanta have the right to choose their games and it will be the same for everyone. So Mr Ferguson will not be complaining about fixtures and a campaign against United.
“Or there is another option. That Mr Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain. That is simple.
“We know what happens every time we go to Old Trafford and the United staff. They are always going man to man with the referees, especially at half-time when they walk close to the referees and they are talking and talking.
“All managers need to know is that only Mr Ferguson can talk about the fixtures, can talk about referees and nothing happens.
“We need to know that I am talking about facts, not my impression. There are things that everyone can see every single week.
“Are they under pressure? Maybe they were not thinking that we would be at the top of the table in January. But we are at the top of the table and they are nervous.
“I am not telling the authorities what to do. But I have been here for five years and know how things are going on. I will be watching United’s game with Chelsea. The result does not matter to us, if we win at Stoke that result does not matter.
“I was surprised United wanted to start the mind games too early, maybe it is because we are top of the table. But I only wanted to explain our position.
“It is a massive difference to play early on a Saturday, say, after a European match in midweek. But they will play the second half of the season with home matches against the other top teams, and that is a massive advantage to them.
“They cannot complain about the fixtures after they were playing on 29 December while the rest played on the 28th.
“I have decided that I had a lot of information and I have been watching every single week what has been going on. Then they started talking about us, but every single week we know they will be talking. But we want to stay at the top and maybe they will talk about us right to the end.
“To hear someone talking when he has problems with referees every single week, and now complaining about the fixtures and complaining about everything, I think that is not fair.
“You can see every single week how they put [referees] under pressure, we know this. We have seen it before. We have seen players sent off at Old Trafford and we do not see our opponents sent off. It is part of the game. But to complain and to always have an advantage is not fair.
“We had a meeting in Manchester with managers and FA about the Respect campaign. And I was very clear, forget the campaign because Mr Ferguson was killing the referees, killing Mr Atkinson, killing Mr Hackett. But he is not punished. How can you talk about the respect campaign and criticise the referee every single week? You can analyse the facts and come to your own decision and ideas.”
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, have you been on the jungle juice after the cubs win you bullet !
stop hoying your weight about ☺
Munich Mag(Quote)
Just playing MM.
Not used to winning like you are with FC Bayern.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Supermac and Andy Cole, two toon legends. I saw them both and I reckon Andy Cole was a much better goalscorer. Was there when Supermac scored 2 v Burnley and also the 2 goals mentioned above at Bolton. Supermac at full pelt was absolutely immense, on that front he had one over on Andy Cole.
Gordon Lee, Souness and Gullit three absolute diddys, should have been nowhere near the toon…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Eric, I don’t believe you mate.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Though 1908 is a long time to wait ☺. At least you have enjoyed some silverware in your lifetime. Baseball is my favourite American sport, I used to follow the Padres when I lived in San Diego, though they are the perennial duck eggs… ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM: I like doing the “5 things I know” as well. BUT. Like all the journos, I run out of things when I get to 3.
So, 3 things I know:
1: Pascal’s triangle is a very useful mathematical tool.
2. Jack Russell’s are the best dogs
3. You should never shag your ex-girlfriend.
4. Erm…
5.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Perennial. Perennial. Talk about the Cubs man. 71 years no World Series and and 108 years.
The whole city was insane. Like Newcastle. You cannot compare to Manchester, Munich or Madrid because they win all the time.
This was like a blind man able to see.
A mute able to speak.
Troy Stavers beginning to talk sense…
It was a miracle. AND YOU HAVE BILL MURRAY.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Alan Pardew being able to attack in the 1st 20 minutes…
Ugly John getting an aloe vera facial and not being doused with pickle juice
Sharpy not being in lurve with Blackie
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Baseball your kidding it’s just a game of bloody rounders mate a tarts game
Icedog(Quote)
Ice: Chapman for the cubs throw 104 miles an hour man. It didn’t bounce but that is still fast.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sorry mate just not my game,one mans meat and all that
Icedog(Quote)
It was fckn nuts. They wren’t even showing the TV game at Wrigley Field. It would be like going to watch NUFC win the FA Cup and cheering the sign at SJP. They were cheering at the sign !!!! ????
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Here Ice: this is them cheering at the sign. Not the game, not TV. The sign.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qraVPyZxlTo
Eric Sykes(Quote)
eric, is there nowt better to do in chicago than cheering signs ? 😀
Munich Mag(Quote)
That’s great love the turnout and signing
Icedog(Quote)
MM: I was in a bar. It was crazy.
I think they all went to take selfies with the time on it and CUBS WIN WORLD SERIES. That Wrigley Field sign is sort of iconic so they wanted photos, I think.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Jake pop on the comments section every now and then?
Shamrock(Quote)
Eric, How’s that head today? 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Cole was great but he had the best supplier in the game – Peter Beardsley.
Groucho(Quote)
That he did mate, but was a great player anyway as witnessed at Bristol City and Man Utd.
kimtoon(Quote)
Some good responses to this article. Eric is entitled to his own opinion and he is more than entitled to express it. I appreciate that he has taken the time to read the article, even if he clearly does not agree with it at all. Thanks to all for taking the time to read it. I’ll be sure to try and access the comments more often in order to keep up to date with comments. Thanks all!
Jake Swinburn(Quote)
Jake it makes a great difference when the author interacts with the readers. So do try to get on when you can.
You could smell the alcohol in Eric’s rant all the way across the Atlantic.
Who’s the Cubs again? Junior rounders team for the Scouts?
georgio(Quote)
Yeah I will make sure that I am on more regularly! Just getting used to things at the moment, won’t take long for it to become second nature, I’m sure!
Jake Swinburn(Quote)
Georgio: I started drinking at 5pm and the celebration of the rounders game didn’t end until after 2am. It was probably the best game of rounders in the history of rounders. It was like the Liverpool 3-4 game except my team won.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kimtoon: my head is fine. However, if I was brought up on a steady diet of Strictly Come Dancing, Britain’s Got talent and Gordon Ramsey I think I might start writing “5 things I know” articles.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric 😆 Aye good point, can’t stand Ramsey or BGT but quite like a bit of strictly if only to see the ripped bodies of the male dancers. 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Cheers for popping on Jake. I agree with Georgio, cant relate to writers that don’t interact. Makes me think there is a superiority complex going on! Plus we need more contributors to the comments, so it will be a pleasure getting to know you and what makes you tick. It’s always nice to have new writers on board though, so welcome.
I’m too busy lately to write some decent content, but will do soon.
Shamrock(Quote)
Shamrock: I can write a rant about the International break along the lines of “5 things I know”. It will extend to 150 things I know with the last 50 being about Wayne Rooney.
Let me know if you want me to write it?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
you little tinker,hears me thinking your a good church going girl 😆 😆 😆
icedog(Quote)
Erkc Sykes, are you questioning the quality of blighty tv ? 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
What man? British TV is great. Can I have more cooking shows please? Or Posh blokes making unfunny jokes with Stephen Fry? Or Joey Barton on Question Time.
It is almost like Donald Trump might run for President, it is so sad. Or Brexit. Or Tony BLARE.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t mind posh blokes at all. I like Rowan Atkinson.
And The Waddler version of Mackem-Cockney is coming on like a dream. Do you know that his daughter is called Tottenham Waddler-Brooklyn?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Maybe not. But she should be.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Thy love me in Marseilles.
Tottenham Waddler-Brookyn(Quote)
Gave up the church thing ice as can’t get down on my knees like I used too 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Oooh Matron….
Tottenham Waddler-Brookyn(Quote)
fixed spelling.
Tottenham Waddler-Brooklyn(Quote)