As reported by the Chronicle, Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez seems to be very unhappy with those above him, following a disappointing draw at home to QPR.
After the game, Benitez was asked about Newcastle’s lack of action in the January transfer window, and the Spaniard said: “I can’t change things now so I have to concentrate on bringing the best from my players.”
“We knew what we needed and we knew what we have so we have to bring the best from the players we have.
However, Benitez did stop to say that he was happy with his current players, adding: “I am happy with them.
“We have to try to maintain the same level we had in the second half.”
Then when he was asked if could give a reason as to why the club did not sign anyone, he simply said: “No, because I don’t know.”
“I said before I am disappointed but I have to concentrate on the players we have and try to improve them.”
no – One paper wrote it and everyone copied. thats what papers do.
Its the same with transfer rumours. Skysports or whoever, leak a transfer and every paper start doing the same 🙄
Gashley(Quote)
Naive beyond all doubt.
You need to do your research. When one paper comes up with a story it has a journo named and when a paper then copies it there is no journo named. Everyone of these stories had a journos name attached to it. Martin Hardy, George Caulkin and Mark Douglas wrote about the issues in their own articles. These are probably the three best and they don’t just make stories like this up I am afraid to have to tell you, just to get supporters pissed off.
But think what you like. Keep in your utopia.
Stuart79(Quote)
Ha, that is scary . .. 😆 ?
Aussie(Quote)
Stuart, we just talked the other day about the manipulation by the media to suit their own agendas. You were in agreement. What has changed?
Aussie(Quote)
Rafa is going.
He never sticks about when he feels he is being docked around.
He has shown more loyalty than was needed to even still be here. The fact we’re messing him about is mindbogglingly stupid.
We don’t deserve a manager of his quality. Paul Ince is looking for work.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Ashley attending a couple of games, Carr sitting next to him and Rafa appearing visibly pissed off and also answering questions in an abrupt manner means something is going on. I am sorry, but the journalists are not making all of this up for once. I still think Fat Sam had a lot do do with it and that Everton either didn’t want to sell McCarthy or asked too much. However, there is some acrimony here.
I still think it will blow over because Ashley will come to his senses or sell the club when we are promoted.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
FJ: he stuck with Liverpool when Hicks and Gillett were dicking him around.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The problem is that even though this is an NUFC site everything is not always black and white. Rafa could have been told we would get Townsend AND Fat Sam dicked us around. He could have been told we were confident we could strike a deal for McCarthy AND then Everton wouldn’t sell.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
All I know is Rafa is still the gaffer
we’re near the top.
Get behind the team and stop guessing the future 😛
Gashley(Quote)
Aussie – Local journos do not have an agenda to make NUFC worse off. This sort of story has been leaked by someone close to Rafa. It is pretty easy to tell the difference between a shitty “stab in the dark’ and a well informed piece. For a starters every journo had the same story and they put their names to it.
Stuart79(Quote)
he signed a contact through lawyers etc. everything was agreed. If Fatty has took the **** and back-tracked on the contract, then expect Rafa to consult his lawyers & walk soon
Gashley(Quote)
so sky news on are saying personal terms couldnt be agreed with townsend as well as the club unwilling to pay the extra 1 mil profit Palace would make
Gashley(Quote)
So Sky news are to be believed in their entirety but not the papers…
Anyway some quotes from Rafa “We must not make the same mistakes as the past. This club has made mistakes in the past. My priority is promotion. I won’t quit. My focus is on the rest of the season.”
Stuart79(Quote)
well said Rafa, stays committed but fires a warning shot.
kimtoon(Quote)
over to you Ashley, have you learned anything yet ?
kimtoon(Quote)
I think Rafa needs another meeting with Mikey-Boy. Day to day it is alright to deal with Charnley as I think he is a decent accountant and negotiator. He knows very little about football though and was too easily swayed by Old Man Carr when they made that power grab and installed McClaren. No, Rafa needs to make clear to Ashley what his vision is and what he needs to carry it out. This has to be face to face and not through an intermediary.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ashley could of released a statement saying its all bollox or the club at least.
Stem(Quote)
If anybody thinks there is bollix talked on here they should look at the letters on the website Football365 (or other places like The Guardian). This is a very good, funny and informative website that has some excellent writers. Some of the fans are insane though. A couple from today from their own clubs’ fans are drop Zlatan and put Ozil in defensive midfield against Chelsea.
They make Troy look smart.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
But would that not under mine Rafa ??
Icedog(Quote)
There’s history for this sort of thing. Long before he left Liverpool he had a huge and public row with the hierarchy because they failed to sign Gareth Barry who he’d publicly coveted. Blew over completely despite the media jumping all over it with insane rumours.
If you want to see Rafa furious have another look at the touchline during the QPR game.
georgio(Quote)
Sky now claiming the Townsend deal fell through because of his wage and signing on demands. Nowt new there n the world of football transfers. No wonder Rafa said he had no idea why it fell through.
3 points needed tomorrow. Forget all this row stuff (all those journos will have by Monday) and get the bloody job done. Much better performances needed from Lascelles, Hayden, Gouffran and Perez (think it’ll be Daime myself). HTL!
georgio(Quote)
great – well that clears some of the negativity on here.
He’s clearly not happy but will not walk as some were believing.
Mike will make mistakes whoever is in charge coz hes a ****!
Hopefully funds will be there for Rafa in the summer and we’ll be promoted
Gashley(Quote)
Fat Freddy:
“I think Mike is obviously saving his money for the summer because I think Newcastle will definitely get up,” he said.
“That team is not the best in the world, but it certainly should get up to the Premier League.
“Like any other manager, Benitez is greedy – he’s greedy for players and money to buy players, and I think that’s really the bottom line.”
Asked if he meant greedy in a good way, Shepherd added: “Yes, of course.
“Every manager wants another player and that’s why I think Benitez is having a little moan because he didn’t get what he wanted.
“The thing about managers, they all throw their toys out of the pram when they don’t get what they want, and Benitez is no different.
“But I think they will get promoted and I think Benitez will get a fair amount of money in the summer to buy players if he’s still there.”
Read more at http://talksport.com/football/listen-former-newcastle-chairman-freddy-shepherd-backs-under-fire-mike-ashley-and-brands#mfJRrBC2OUFYRyf8.99
Gashley(Quote)
Nobody said he was going to quit now. The papers were saying he could quit in the summer. Nothing’s changed.
Stuart79(Quote)
who knows what will come of this. he gave a clear message that he wants promotion and sent a warning to Ashley to back him in the summer
lets wait and see if Fatty delivers
Gashley(Quote)
It’s entirely possible that Rafa’s body language was aimed at Charnley and Ashley and I’d bet it put the wind up them. He’ll get what he wants from now on.
Finally some responsible reporting from the BBC.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has reassured supporters he will remain at St James’ Park to maintain the bid for an immediate Premier League return.
The Magpies boss was frustrated after Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with QPR and the lack of January additions to the squad for the second half of the season.
It was reported that the Spaniard’s future was uncertain at Newcastle, who are second in the Championship.
“I will not leave, I will not quit,” Benitez told BBC Newcastle.
“I want to get promoted with this team and to do well. I will put all my effort into that. I say thank you to the fans, I will continue giving everything to ensure the players, staff and fans are pushing in the same direction.”
“The window has finished, we have to concentrate on the future,” Benitez said. “We have a group of players who did very well in the first part of the season and we have to have confidence they will do well in the second part of the season.”
Newcastle remain on course for promotion from the Championship with 59 points from 28 games, only one point behind leaders Brighton.
“The club, the city and the fans, we have made the same mistake in the past,” Benitez added. “Everyone was blaming each other and we lost the focus.
“We have to stick together and have a target which is promotion and a target to achieve. Afterwards we can analyse the mistakes or what we have done well.”
georgio(Quote)
FA faces motion of no confidence debate in Parliament,about time imo
icedog(Quote)
Ice: what is that about with the FA? The executives should sack themselves as they are useless. Appointing Mr. Roy and now the failed U21 Manager as well as stupid 5 year plans. Who do they think they are, Ashley, the old Soviet Union?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Rafa will walk in the summer.
Fans may think it is stupid to mess with him, but Ashley may not think so. I even doubt he was doing that on purpose.
Ashley has completely different view from Rafa for the club. Rafa will push the club for the first 6 in PL, which is too ambitious for Ashley.
I think Ashley prefer Rafa leave after promotion. As long as Newcastle stays in PL, he will content.
So Ashley could well think Rafa leaving after promotion is a very good idea. And he is doing it and will do it again in summer to ensure his plan works.
funrafa(Quote)
None of Ashley’s plan’s ever work.
Stem(Quote)
All Ashley’s plans revolved round saving money. His whole career has been about cheap products and unfortunately for us it’s over lapped into his football club.
Stuart79(Quote)
Jabba said he would sell up if we won something wonder if that includes going,I would love to think so
Icedog(Quote)
It says everything about Ashley when he’s thought to be very unhappy that we aren’t walking away with the league after spending £55m in the summer. Has he seen where Villa or Norwich are? Has he been on Mars while the price of players has gone through the roof? I’d also like to say that we’d be almost certain to get back everything we paid for all the players we’ve bought.
Stuart79(Quote)
Brilliant statement by Rafa. He’s absolutely right.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Up
Icedog(Quote)
Well some did make the joke that winning the Championship is the only thing we will win under him.
Stuart79(Quote)
I’m now hanging on to the slim hope that if we go up someone will make him an offer he can’t refuse for the club.
kimtoon(Quote)
fifty odd thousand sell out crowds, beautiful stadium, first class manager in situ, surely that’s tempting to some rich ******.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I think it’s his plan. The money involved now means he’d be able to sell and make a profit. He hasn’t got the wherewithal or the inclination to invest in the club to the point of the club becoming naturally richer and successful. He’s also got troubles at Sports Direct, he’s lost a whole load of cash and it shows over the last ten years that it’s costing him more and more just to stand still. Although everything he’s invested has been due to his incompetence and never been invested into the team.
Stuart79(Quote)
But never say never. I see Rafa coming back someday. When the ownership of Newcastle is changed to someone who actually wants to win something in PL, Rafa may well be invited back as the most popular fan choice manager. That is the hope I’ve got, because Newcastle has a wonderful fan base that Rafa will not easily forget!
funrafa(Quote)
very true Stu
kimtoon(Quote)
For those moaning about the QPR game, I bet there is only one change for tomorrow – Diame for Perez. Can’t see Mitro getting a start.
Playing the weakened team at Oxford was always with QPR and Derby in mind.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And Gayle is back in training so that should give us a boost for the following game. All we need to do now to lift the mood is beat Derby.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC this is it
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38860676
Icedog(Quote)
Ice, long overdue this
kimtoon(Quote)
too right mate,dont want to drag this on but ive just read that another reason Townsend deal broke down was he wanted a pay rise “and another signing on fee,greedy git let him get on if thats the case imo
icedog(Quote)
Ice: The Government committee objects to the FA being run by elderly white men who cannot reform themselves. I have nothing against elderly white men but the FA is just pathetic. They put all of their resources into Wembley and have a stupid slick marketing piece full of buzzwords written by some PR guru and think that is progress. They showed it when they were announcing Toad of Toad Hall as Manager. It is obviously not working if you select Mr. Roy, Fat Sam and an unqualified failed U21 coach as England Managers.
It was bad enough appointing Mr. Roy in the first place but then they kept him on after an abysmal World Cup. And then Fat Sam had massive questions about his honesty and integrity and funneling money to his Son. These people do not have a clue. And their only defense is to question the diversity of the Parliamentary committee. Answer the accusations FFS.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I said I thought the Townsend deal was more than Ashley, or not being willing to pay the £2m loan fee.
Sharpy17(Quote)
what IF the deal did break down due to Townsend wanting a big pay rise?
did everyone get into a flap over nothing?? think so…
So we spoke to him and everything was going to plan in the morning, what next? personal terms?
Hmmmmm
Gashley(Quote)
I thought Rafas press conference today was outstanding. To start by saying I’ve seen what you’ve all been saying and it’s bollocks (or that’s what I heard) was a great start.
To then go on and say we need to learn from mistakes was spot on too.
What he said today should put an end to all the nonsense – it won’t, but it should.
I also really like what fat Freddy said too. He’s did right IMO, and I think Rafa will get what he wants in the summer when we’ve been promoted.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I hate to side with the Fat Man but I just did some quick maths. I am guessing that Townsend wanted around 100k a week, that’s 5 million a year. A loan fee and 13 mil is another 15. Assuming a 5 year contract which is what Ashley likes then that is 40 million pounds over his expected NUFC playing career when he will be over 30. Is Andros Townsend really worth 40 million pounds? I don’t think so.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And more quick maths. I have done this before, but we signed Townsend for 12 mil, Palace then paid 13 mil and wanted to sell him back to us for 13 mil. So that would have been 38 million pounds in transfer fees in about a year. Assuming his Agent gets 10% that is 3.8 million. The world has gone a bit crazy. But I already knew that since I have seen the first 2 weeks of Trump close up 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I think that’s part of the problem. People think that applying that kind of logic is ‘siding with the fat man’. You can still dislike him & disagree with a lot of what he’s done in the passed, whilst acknowledging those types of things ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Wow! It’s dicks on the table time ???
4 chipaulatas all in a row
????
NVC non verbal communication
Body language
I could see it in his eyes. ?
He had it written all over his face.
His mouth was saying one thing and his body the other.
And that was just Eric’s psychiatrist talking about Eric, never mind Rafa. ?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Pyschs is doing quick maths now! The Algebra Kid ?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
“This sort of story has been leaked by someone close to Rafa.”
And then Rafa goes on to call for unity. So, either Rafa has big problems with his mates or Rafa is telling lies about unity.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Sharpy – Rafa never said what was wrote was rubbish. He said he wasn’t going to quit. Every single paper today said exactly the same – he won’t quit this season – he wants promotion and then will re-assess after seeing if the club are serious.
Seriously, I’m pretty surprised about the naivety of some here.
Stuart79(Quote)
Bris – I love the old ‘a source close to’ line ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m also amazed that after pretty much saying the papers were talking bollocks, people now seem to believe everything Sky have said about Townsend wanting a pay rise. I know what’s more likely…
Stuart79(Quote)
That **** Townsend who f**led us over for a return to London has had this place spinning for 2days 😛
Grown men leaving the blog, some standing in corners refusing to watch the football?
Ashley’s doing on purpose, pardews coming back. Body language experts and sports journalists..
Rafas leaked stories to the press.. he’s walking, he’s not …Carr’s been whispering into Ashley’s ear at the match…
When really it could be down to greedy **** Townsend wanting a bucket of cash?
Only in the fishbowl Newcastle ?..
Ycmiu
Gashley(Quote)
Gashley on the drink again… 😳 😆
Stuart79(Quote)
YCMIU, Gashley.
Oh, wait … you can!
Brisvegas(Quote)
Quite telling was Rafa’s refusal to even comment on the future (after this season.) If it is all bollocks and everything is rosey why wouldn’t he just come out and say, and tell everyone he will be here next season too?
Stuart79(Quote)
It was luke Edwards who started it. No direct claim from sources close to Rafa..just sources suggesting to the telegraph that they know what’s gojng on… guessing…
They also say palace wanted as much as 15mil for Townsend ☺
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/02/02/rafa-benitez-could-quit-newcastle-mike-ashley-fails-keep-promises/
Gashley(Quote)
Stu – even on a stag do you’re looking for the conspiracy theory ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Lol we certainly can m8
Gashley(Quote)
It’s the reason he gets his hair styled, mate – so it can fit neatly under the foil hat he wears.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Troysta: you didn’t question my maths or my conclusion – that Townsend was not worth the money that we were being asked to pay by Palace and his representatives.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Wow, that was anticlimactic ?
Right, onto the next rumour… ??
Aussie(Quote)
Rafa’s decided to leave his toys in the pram, but Stuart79 in the huffy corner who is threatening to never ever watch the toon again because we never spent in January, even taking solid lads like Shamrock with him, is determined to throw Rafa’s toys out of the pram for him.
Rafa has previous at all his clubs, ffs he managed Real Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea in the Champions League, do you honestly think toot and ploot backed up by the mighty Carr at NUFC are going to worry him.
Ashley and Charnley should be APPLAUDED massively for persuading Rafa to come to the club. Now hes here some deluded Geordies are getting all twitchy and analytical reading Rafas body language that hes gonna quit. SO WHAT. It’s part of this stupid game which gets played. He could quit any time anyway. Ffs Sissoko, Tioit, Demba Ba et al were all quitting 5 minutes after getting here !
The problem with some delusional geordies is that they think we are a big club. Rafa won’t be intimidated by a wee club in the north, get behind him and the team and let’s get stage 1 of the regeneration out of the way – promotion, by hook or by crook. The “intrigue” at the toon is peanuts compared to elsewhe he has been, but the drama queens cant get the heads around this.
also lets be honest, did anyone REALLY expect Ashley to keep his nose out of dealings, he also has prevoius at the end of the day.
We might have 50,000 sell out crowds at home but believe me the atmosphere is absolutely pish, another blatant clichd, best fans in the league, at home, no way, away something else… Understandable when most of them cant sing because they are all too busy whingeing about Ashley and too much salt in the bovril. The drama queens should stay at home if they can’t take the pressure
Delusional Jawdee(Quote)
Nice bit of hyperbole and bullshit from another who’s had too much Ginger Beer. Jawdee I think you’re a bit of a simpleton. 😯
Stuart79(Quote)
hyperbolt? isnt that the Rafa story written in the Telegraph ?
Gashley(Quote)
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Rafa Benitez hopes Newcastle fans don’t waste energy booing Steve McClaren
I would go along with that, pointless and achieves nowt, same as when we boo our own players.
kimtoon(Quote)
Booing is nothing… It’s the ones that stand in the corner, in a huff, that Mclaren needs to worry about.. Silent but deadly! ??
Aussie(Quote)
Stuart79, I’ve got you sussed.
Throw out your abuse, I can handle it ??
Delusional Jawdee(Quote)