The latest pundit to put their head up above the parapet and seemingly have a go at the NUFC fans and defend Steve Bruce is Jamie Redknapp.
Now, I confess that I have little love for any pundit, aside from Roy Keane who at least says it like he sees it, but Redknapp really is becoming one of the worst when it comes to his clueless takes on Newcastle United.
A list that includes almost anyone you can name but definitely the ring leaders are Savage, Sutton, Lawrenson and now Redknapp.
Here’s what he’s had to say in his lazy Bruce-Benitez comparison:
“This has been a by-product of under Rafa Benitez.
“It was exactly the same.
“Newcastle fans say, ‘It was better under Rafa’ – it wasn’t.
“I watched a lot of football at Newcastle when Rafa was the manager and it wasn’t enjoyable.”
When Rafa was Manager we weren’t “The Keegan Entertainers.” At times we did defend deep and look to hit on the break, but was that a by-product of what he had available. At least he made us hard to beat, solid defensively and had a clear plan counter attacking plan and long-term project – something Bruce’s ‘work in progress’ has never offered.
When Benitez brought in Rondon and Almiron and teamed them with Perez we looked an attractive team and one capable of scoring goals or at the very least creating chances. The problem was almost as soon as he established that it was gone.
He didn’t want Joelinton but we signed him anyway and this season Bruce added Fraser and Wilson. Personally, I think that if Rafa had stayed and got the money that Bruce has had then we would have been more entertaining and we would have made progress. After all, one got us 10th with an attack featuring Joselu, Kenedy and Atsu, while the other has us in another relegation battle despite having over £100m spent on his front four!
The fact we are playing worse football than we did under Rafa and with better attacking options is criminal. Plus, Sean Longstaff and Almiron looked real players under Rafa and even Ritchie was more forward thinking and recreating himself at left wing-back. Under Bruce these three in particular have all but disappeared as effective players.
Whatever you think of the football under Rafa’s watch, it was better. It was better organised and had a tactical purpose. We saw a group of players that were always in it together and always played for the manager. More so they played for the shirt. Maybe not entertaining, but there was a plan, a purpose and a team pulling in the right direction and looking proud to wear the shirt.
We had hope, we had Rafa, we could see if he got the backing, we could move forward. We had a Manager that despite being Spanish learned what the team meant to the City and the Fans and strove to give us the best he could with what he had.
Under Bruce this has all evaporated and more. We’re rudderless and sinking fast and after the work and commitment the team put in under Rafa that’s sad to see that we’re going backwards at an alarming rate.
My message to Redknapp – try speaking to some actual Newcastle fans who’ve been able to see through every press conference or team performance why Bruce and Benitez are polar opposites in so many ways – even if the football on display has rarely been easy on the eye under either.
We were better under Rafa, we did enjoy it more and we could see it getting better. Now? Well disaster is just around the corner and no matter how much pundits defend Bruce surely; they can see that.
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redknapp and bruce are both represented by mn2s for speaking engagements so neither will **** on each others chips
Aa(Quote)
So Redknapp says a few words against the Newcastle fans in his funny accent and it needs this big article which looks to have more about what the author thinks than Redknapps drivel.
Mr Coco(Quote)
They both play none exciting football , they are in it for results we are there for Entertainment that’s why we pay to watch it’s called yes entertainment !! Play with endeavor with that the results will follow ,go out to play 25% possession and the ultimate happens it will bite you hard
We need desperately positive coach and senior management
Glenn Hodle Director of football
Max allegri Manager /coach
Trevor
Thailand
Trevor arkle(Quote)
Lazy pundits make me LOL
It’s not about comparison’s – the ONLY people bringing the same old rubbish up are his Drinking Buds and LAZY ex-footballers that think by backing numpty Bruce…
…they may get his job – beware of backstabbing idiots!
It’s simply about what BRUCE has done since arriving = not much!
AND IF the flake above had read Bruce’s words in the press conferences this weekend = he would have heard say he’s NOW going to do it his way!!
Yes – really UNBELIEVABLE and after that career ending speech he HAS to give his salary for the past 18 months to a FOOD BANK
How can anyone keep one’s job after what’s gone on at NUFC
KK(Quote)
I didn’t know there was a Byker in 5under1and?
Jarra Mick(Quote)
It is not the same. Under Rafa we were hard to beat, we defended with confidence and were well drilled. Then when an opportunity came we’d have more than one player breaking forward. It might look the same if you watch occasional games but for us that watch them all there is a clear difference. Redknapp is a non, he gets it from his dad.
IanC(Quote)