Topic: Newcastle - RIP Jamal Khashoggi; Free Salma al-Shehab

[bird_lfc]

No one remembers who won the Championship.  If they go up, thats all that will be remembered, not where they finished.

Its a little bit more nervous than perhaps it should have been........but they'll go up no doubt.

Yup - promotion is the main aim here.

I'll be extremely disapointed if he walks out on them in a row over funding in the summer, however.

[Phil M]

Very disappointing run-in for Newcastle, the bigger fuck up was conceding that late goal v Leeds the other night though when they had the game won. I think that affected the players heads at the weekend.

But I don't see Rafa letting them slip up now.

Credit to Huddersfield though for keeping the pressure up and congrats to Brighton.

But as I said above, if your leading goalscorer and one of your best players only starts 60% of your games throughout the season then it's not a surprise to see them drop points in games they're expected to win.

[Banquo's Ghost]

But as I said above, if your leading goalscorer and one of your best players only starts 60% of your games throughout the season then it's not a surprise to see them drop points in games they're expected to win.

I find it interesting that Liverpool fans rightly bemoaning some of our results because we've had a lot of key injuries seem to think Rafa should not be affected by very similar important absences.

[...]

A few months ago I said in here that they are 'bottling' and not doing as well as they should and I got proper slated.

[Phil M]

A few months ago I said in here that they are 'bottling' and not doing as well as they should and I got proper slated.

A few months ago, January/ February?  They lost one game from their first 12 in 2017 and were leading the Championship.

[...]

A few months ago, January/ February?  They lost one game from their first 12 in 2017 and were leading the Championship.

They were still losing and drawing games. Same applies now except Brighton and Huddersfield have kept winning.

[El Lobo]

I do think people here pay a lot more attention to the form this season because its Rafa

It happens in the Championship, unless you get a runaway winner you are gonna get dips and troughs. Its a tough league, as long as the end result is promotion then its job done. That's it.

[SwordInYourGut]

I find it interesting that Liverpool fans rightly bemoaning some of our results because we've had a lot of key injuries seem to think Rafa should not be affected by very similar important absences.

Nonsense. We are competing against teams with superior or equal resources. Newcastle's resources probably dwarf half the championship put together, never mind individual teams. They are the last team that can moan about individual absences. That said, Rafa has done his job if they get promoted.

[Clayton Bigsby]

Nonsense. We are competing against teams with superior or equal resources. Newcastle's resources probably dwarf half the championship put together, never mind individual teams. They are the last team that can moan about individual absences. That said, Rafa has done his job if they get promoted.

Is right

Promotion is the aim and he is getting it. Will be interesting to see how generous Ashley is in the summer

[RJ320]

It's like getting a C in your GCSE's. You passed but it was nowhere near the result you expected to achieve. Major squad additions needed or else they'll be like Sunderland are this year.

[Phil M]

They were still losing and drawing games. Same applies now except Brighton and Huddersfield have kept winning.

All 3 teams have lost games, Brighton have lost 3 less, that's the difference. But they haven't lost Glenn Murray or Knockaert their key goalscorers throughout the season to injury.

[Phil M]

Simple hard truth he's not as good as he once was, the old Rafa who was a top world class manager between 2002-2009 would have pissed the league,  he's a shadow of his former self. The game has moved on same thing happend to Mourinho who is less effective. They are still good managers mind but way past their peak.

Yet you know fuck all, still trolling on this forum I see as well.

[Samie]

Yet you know fuck all, still trolling on this forum I see as well.

Mate he's spot on though. 

Rafa's still good but times have moved on and seems like he hasn't.

[drmick]

It's like getting a C in your GCSE's. You passed but it was nowhere near the result you expected to achieve. Major squad additions needed or else they'll be like Sunderland are this year.

I think a C grade is a high grade for a lot of folk who post in the main LFC forum!

[Passmaster Molby]

Mate he's spot on though. 

Rafa's still good but times have moved on and seems like he hasn't.

He is way out of his comfort zone down in the championship. As soon as they get back up they will be fine as he can go back to being the underdog style manager he has had success as.

[Phil M]

Mate he's spot on though. 

Rafa's still good but times have moved on and seems like he hasn't.

Based on what mate? I'm not someone who is blindly worshipping him, he's not above criticism, just genuinely puzzled by posts like this.

His new side are as good as promoted. Yes he had money to spend in the summer but given the turmoil that club has been in both on and off the pitch the Geordie lads on here will tell you how much work he's done off the pitch as well as on it this season.

[4pool]

What money to spend last summer?

Didn't Newcastle have a positive net spend?

He sold a bunch and brought in a bunch. Ashley had money left over.

[rickardinho1]

Could see Newcastle being very interested in signing Lucas and perhaps even Sturridge. Both would be very good fits for them given that Lucas knows Rafa's system well and could be something of a catalyst like Cambiasso was for Leicester, and Sturridge would surely score them the goals they need even if he's out here and there.

Incidentally, it would also be funny to see Newcastle sign Moreno, just to see the reaction on here when Rafa coached him into a very good fullback (as he was at Sevilla as well).

I know these are the "cast-offs" from Liverpool, but I genuinely think that all three would be good buys for Newcastle (assuming that they could afford them), given that they will need a PL-proven goalscorer, experience in midfield, and also a leftback to upgrade on Dummett/Anita.

[Caligula?]

Could see Newcastle being very interested in signing Lucas and perhaps even Sturridge. Both would be very good fits for them given that Lucas knows Rafa's system well and could be something of a catalyst like Cambiasso was for Leicester, and Sturridge would surely score them the goals they need even if he's out here and there.

Incidentally, it would also be funny to see Newcastle sign Moreno, just to see the reaction on here when Rafa coached him into a very good fullback (as he was at Sevilla as well).

I know these are the "cast-offs" from Liverpool, but I genuinely think that all three would be good buys for Newcastle (assuming that they could afford them), given that they will need a PL-proven goalscorer, experience in midfield, and also a leftback to upgrade on Dummett/Anita.

They won't be able to afford Surridge and his wages, and Sturridge is too good of a player to go to a newly promoted club who will inevitably struggle to stay up. Plenty of other established Premier League clubs will snap our hands off for him, and for a decent fee I'm sure.

[SwordInYourGut]

What money to spend last summer?

Didn't Newcastle have a positive net spend?

He sold a bunch and brought in a bunch. Ashley had money left over.

Has there ever been a relegated club with a negative net spend?

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

A very well done to Brighton btw, they seem like all-round good guys. Proper club, fans, decent manager. Could have let last season's collapse break them, instead they have doubled down and held their nerve in the run in while Newcastle threw it all away (title).

[Paully]

What money to spend last summer?

Didn't Newcastle have a positive net spend?

He sold a bunch and brought in a bunch. Ashley had money left over.

Net spend of minus £30 million and he had to cope with losing 17 full internationals!

We're lucky to have him and if he's allowed to spend what he needs in the summer then he'll prove his worth!

His remit was promotion and he is going to succeed in doing that!

We had a huge turnaround in players last summer - Brighton have had that squad and improved it which should have went up last season!

Of our four stand out performers - Gayle has played 26 out of 43 and Clark 32 out of 43!

[owens_2k]

For all the people qustioning Benitez, i'll put money on Newcastle being better prepared for the Prem than Brighton. Theyll also finish above them.

[pyroparty]

For all the people qustioning Benitez, i'll put money on Newcastle being better prepared for the Prem than Brighton. Theyll also finish above them.

  What a hugely bold prediction given they'll probably spend about 50m + more!

[Pistolero]

A few months ago I said in here that they are 'bottling' and not doing as well as they should and I got proper slated.

 

[owens_2k]

What a hugely bold prediction given they'll probably spend about 50m + more!

Not a given considering the -£30m net spend comments above. In comparison what was Brightons net spend in the summer?

[mc_red22]

For all the people qustioning Benitez, i'll put money on Newcastle being better prepared for the Prem than Brighton. Theyll also finish above them.

That's got to be the shittest bold prediction ever

[owens_2k]

That's got to be the shittest bold prediction ever

Never claimed it to be bold I just dont see all the fuss about finishing runners up in the championship. How many times have we seen those who get promoted in second place or through the playoffs become more secure in the prem than those who win it?

[Dubred]

Never claimed it to be bold I just dont see all the fuss about finishing runners up in the championship. How many times have we seen those who get promoted in second place or through the playoffs become more secure in the prem than those who win it?

Makes absolutely no odds how they get promoted.  Top the league/ 2nd/ playoffs (obviously not the wanted choice!) just as long as they get back up.

And once they do, you'd expect they'd be better equipped to stay up than the others.

And what a perfect manager to have at the helm for the challenge!

[Brian Blessed]

Newcastle necessarily had to have a negative net spend, they did go from Premier League money to Championship money + parachute.

[Old No7]

Not a given considering the -£30m net spend comments above. In comparison what was Brightons net spend in the summer?

It's a brilliant example of how negative spend is misleading. Without looking at the figures I'd imagine they spent way more on their squad than Brighton or anyone else in the championship, selling 2 players for £55m will give you a negative net spend in that division, doesn't mean Rafa is working on a shoestring. I'd also imagine they have a significantly higher wage bill than Brighton or anyone else.

That's not to say I don't think Rafa has done a decent job, it's not easy going down & bouncing straight back up (Aston Villa). Given another summer to shape the squad Rafa will have them going ok in the Prmier league next season.

[oojason]

It's a brilliant example of how negative spend is misleading. Without looking at the figures I'd imagine they spent way more on their squad than Brighton or anyone else in the championship, selling 2 players for £55m will give you a negative net spend in that division, doesn't mean Rafa is working on a shoestring. I'd also imagine they have a significantly higher wage bill than Brighton or anyone else.

That's not to say I don't think Rafa has done a decent job, it's not easy going down & bouncing straight back up (Aston Villa). Given another summer to shape the squad Rafa will have them going ok in the Prmier league next season.

I think Villa may have spent more than Newcastle mate.

According to this... (for what it's worth - and I haven't checked the others - though will do again after a season of 'Arry at Birmingham )

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/aston-villa/english-football-teams/aston-villa-transfer - £76.6m spent, £17.1m recouped - net spend £59.5m

&

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/newcastle-united/english-football-teams/newcastle-united-transfers - £55m spent, £85.3m recouped - net spend £-30.3m

[Dim Glas]

I think Villa may have spent more than Newcastle mate.

According to this... (for what it's worth - and I haven't checked the others - though will do again after a season of 'Arry at Birmingham )

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/aston-villa/english-football-teams/aston-villa-transfer - £76.6m spent, £17.1m recouped - net spend £59.5m

&

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/newcastle-united/english-football-teams/newcastle-united-transfers - £55m spent, £85.3m recouped - net spend £-30.3m

Villa spent more than Liverpool did last summer, bit nuts that!

[BlackandWhitePaul]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84jwrWMp5js

 

[ggcc14]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84jwrWMp5js

 

Dead annoying that.

[Paully]

I think Villa may have spent more than Newcastle mate.

According to this... (for what it's worth - and I haven't checked the others - though will do again after a season of 'Arry at Birmingham )

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/aston-villa/english-football-teams/aston-villa-transfer - £76.6m spent, £17.1m recouped - net spend £59.5m

&

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/newcastle-united/english-football-teams/newcastle-united-transfers - £55m spent, £85.3m recouped - net spend £-30.3m

This is what boils my piss as everyone labels us as the big spenders!

[Giovanni]

8th highest wage bill in UK football.

That's a much bigger indicator than transfer fees

[Schmidt]

This is what boils my piss as everyone labels us as the big spenders!

To be fair you guys spent like £90 million the season before, that's probably why you're considered big spenders.

[Jookie]

I haven't seen much of Newcastle this season but I was shocked at how poor they were at Ipswich on Monday. They lacked any invention going forward and looked vulnerable defensively against a pretty limited Ipswich attack.

Maybe having Gayle missing was key. Maybe Ritchie missing that headed chance then losing the ball 30 seconds later that led to the opening goal was the key.

I don't know but it didn't look like a Rafa team to me. At least not a Rafa team we cam to expect from 2005-06 onwards. It was more typical of some of the way displays we got in 2004-05. Maybe that's an indication of Rafa not having the time to drill his players properly. We know he's a training ground manager. One who is meticulous in his training methods and tactics. Maybe the relentlessness of games every midweek don't help him in this division. Brighton have had 3 years to implement a tactical plan and build towards this promotion. Newcastle have had a bigger budget but lots of ins and outs and an adjustment to a different manager/tactical system.

It might seem like I'm making excuses for Rafa. I'm not. Just potential reasons why there is 1 team performing better than them this year. In the end it doesn't matter though. All that matters is who that you get promoted and that you stay up the following season. If they can keep Rafa and back him, I think Newcastle are better placed to do that than Brighton or any of the play off teams.

[Lycan]

The Everton fans I've spoken to are absolutely delighted Newcastle are wobbling and that Brighton look like they're going to go up as champions. They're also hoping Newcastle drop out of the automatic promotion places and miss out in the play-offs.

After all these years they still despise Rafa. All because he criticised their approach to a derby game saying they played like they were a smaller club visiting Anfield. Bitters heads then fell off as they accused him of calling them a small club. He didn't.

Mind you, I shouldn't be surprised. They still hate Clive Thomas and that was 40 years ago.