BBC pundit Garth Crooks has made some huge claims about what Rafa Benitez may be able to achieve during his time on Tyneside, believing he has the ‘pedigree’ capable of ‘winning the title’ with Newcastle United IF he is given the ‘right resources’.
This signals quite a shift in opinion from the much maligned pundit, who recently suggested that our ‘bubble would burst’ following our third successive win in a 2-1 victory over Stoke last month.
In fairness to Garth, he stresses here that Rafa’s ability to deliver a title on Tyneside is entirely reliant on him being backed with the ‘right resources’ – suggesting it would take a successful takeover and huge investment for this to be remotely possible – however this is still a massive claim to make from the pundit.
Here’s what he had to say on Benitez during BBC’s ‘Final Score’ following Saturday’s win over Palace:
Garth Crooks said our 'bubble would burst' a few weeks ago. Now he reckons Rafa could give us a PL title with the 'right resources'! #NUFC pic.twitter.com/9US6rsV6jf
— Black&WhiteBarmy (@BlackWhiteBarmy) October 22, 2017
“I think the Newcastle fans think that Rafa Benitez deserves the resources to take them where the fans want to be.
“Which could be a top six side.
“I mean it is a huge club and Rafa Benitez has the pedigree to do something quite special.
“So I think there is no doubt for me, he is a top class manager and they (Newcastle) are lucky to have him.
“I think he is capable….I mean with Keegan they didn’t win anything with Newcastle – but he flirted with the title.
“Rafa can win it (Premier League) with the right resources there, I think that highly of him.
“He can win the title (at Newcastle) with the right resources.”
If someone like Amanda Staveley arrived with middle-east backing then there’s no reason why a club of our potential couldn’t go on to big things – if Man City could then why can’t we – however there is a long long long way to go before we can start thinking about all that.
High praise from Garth, who pays Benitez a huge compliment here, but it’s a bit early to be making comments like this. New owners aren’t even in place yet, and it remains to be seen if whoever does arrive will be ambitious enough to give Benitez the tools to compete on anywhere near this level. Breaking the top six these days looks tough enough!
Who knows what the future may bring if Benitez was backed by new owners but, for now, let’s hope Ashley actually sells up before we start thinking any further ahead!
