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Rafa ups the ante

Discussion in 'Newcastle United' started by Consett Mag, Apr 23, 2018.

  1. Consett Mag

    Consett Mag Well-Known Member

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    Strong words from Rafa - let's hope they're heeded by Porker.

    Rafael Benitez has warned Mike Ashley he cannot perform “miracles” every year after keeping Newcastle in the Premier League.

    The Spaniard has been disappointed by the club’s relative lack of investment in the playing staff in the two transfer windows since he guided them back into the top flight, and has warned owner Ashley that while he is happy to develop young players, they need experience and quality around them.

    Benitez has a year remaining on his existing contract and the Magpies are keen to tie him up in a longer deal, although a failed takeover attempt in January and speculation over a fresh approach have further muddied the waters.

    However, the 58-year-old has made no secret of what is required if he is to have a long-term future on Tyneside.

    He said: “I cannot do miracles every year, so then you have to have the tools to be sure that you can do your job.

    “I like to win, I want to win games and I want to win trophies. I want to be capable of competing and if you want to compete in the Premier League or this market, then you have to compete in everything. Then if you have the tools to compete, you can win.

    “I’d like to do that and at the same time, I like to improve players, coach players, follow a business plan, a realistic business plan in modern football. I have no problem with that because I did it in the past.”

    Benitez will mark 100 games in his current job at Everton on Monday evening confident that he has got the club moving in the right direction once again.

    They have won their last four games and a fifth straight victory at Goodison Park would see them leapfrog the Toffees, who finished seventh last season, and further increase his belief that they can compete in the upper reaches of the table with the right investment.

    Benitez said: “I thought that when we came here. We couldn’t save the team (from relegation), but to win the Championship, to change the mood and to change a lot of players, I think was a bigger step forward.

    “And to stay in the Premier League is an even bigger step forward towards reaching the potential of this massive club. We are going in the right direction, then we have to carry on in the same direction.”
     
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  2. General Lee Speaking

    General Lee Speaking Well-Known Member

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    He still isn't sure he will get "every penny" and yet there is no doubt in some people's mind that he will. A clear message that he expects to spend big this summer with the money that the club will undoubtedly have in the bank or he will **** off. No ****ing about by Ashley this time.
     
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  3. Dorty Dogbreath

    Dorty Dogbreath keeper of the glow

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    The ball is back firmly in Ashley's court now. Rafa has done the business on the pitch, lets see what Ashley will provide off it.
     
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  4. Warmir Pouchov

    Warmir Pouchov Better than JPF

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    Not this ****e again. Can this **** not just concentrate on the job in hand instead of moaning about transfers, money and pie in the sky dreams of winning things. We don't have that money and he knows it.
     
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  5. Dorty Dogbreath

    Dorty Dogbreath keeper of the glow

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    Win 9-0 tonight and we will be in eighth position. Wow.

    Imagine what Rafa could do with a owner that backs him? :emoticon-0136-giggl
     
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  6. jimileysbaldhead

    jimileysbaldhead Well-Known Member

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    Can we not swap Benitez for Wenger?
     
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  7. Warmir Pouchov

    Warmir Pouchov Better than JPF

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    Fixed <cheers>
     
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  8. Dorty Dogbreath

    Dorty Dogbreath keeper of the glow

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    Aye but that is part of Rafa's job, to get the owner to back him with what he wants. And that includes much bargaining on the way, no doubt.

    Well done Rafa, from relegation to the Chumpionship to almost eighth in the Premier League. A round of applause and a big thank you from everyone would be nice :)
     
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  9. Warmir Pouchov

    Warmir Pouchov Better than JPF

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    He can bargain all he wants. He isn't getting any of Big Michael's money, he knew that when he signed on the dotted line. He will have everything the club can give him though as always.

    It probably won't be enough to be in contention to win things though. So he best stop bitching about it.
     
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  10. Dorty Dogbreath

    Dorty Dogbreath keeper of the glow

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    <laugh>
    I'm out <laugh>
     
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  11. Delusional Full Stop

    Delusional Full Stop Here to serve all your counselling needs.
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    Suggests Rafa isn't singing from the same hymn sheet as Ashley despite your previous suggestions to the contrary. Yes Rafa has signed previously but the "he can have all the Club generates" line came after then.

    Academic anyway as Ashley wants a signature on a new contract and therefore back to the negotiating table we go.
     
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  12. Charlie Dogscock

    Charlie Dogscock Well-Known Member

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    Well Rafa is not gonna have any shortage of offers, so if fatty wants him to say he'd better get his hand in his pocket.

    If Rafa goes we'll obviously only get one of the usual merry go round clowns of Pardew, Hughes, Moyes, Hodgson, Bruce, blah blah.....even fatty must realise money is imperative now.
     
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  13. Warmir Pouchov

    Warmir Pouchov Better than JPF

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    It did come after but it followed a conversation with Rafa. Indeed Ashley released his press just hours after his meeting with Rafa in which he outlined the limitations in place. Rafa committed to the club despite noting his disappointment there wasn't more money available. Basically an acknowledgement that we didn't have any more money and weren't willing to spend the TV money we were yet to receive. Otherwise he'd have left.

    You are correct about one thing though, with a new contract needed it is back to the negotiation table for both. It would be nice if Rafa could try and do it behind closed doors though, and show a bit of professionalism. All this use of the press to put pressure on only hurts the club. If it worked I wouldn't mind, but Ashley isn't blown off course by these sort of tactics. If anything it just antagonises him. Plus our fans don't need much encouragement for a transfer window meltdown.

    What is it they say about dirty laundry and public?
     
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  14. Warmir Pouchov

    Warmir Pouchov Better than JPF

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    I don't doubt he wants to keep him. I don't think its a question of that. He wouldn't have gone to the lengths him and Charnley did after relegation. He wouldn't have lavished over a 100m of the clubs finances on transfers. He'd have just got a run of the mill cheap option as he did when making mistakes and gave them only what was absolutely necessary.

    Essentially he would have gambled.

    The question is simple - can Newcastle United as a club generate enough finance from TV money, sales etc after outgoings to entice Rafa to want to remain manager. There is no money coming from Ashley so he is largely irrelevant unless he is taking money out for himself - something the accounts don't suggest he does. Owning the club has cost him money. We won't be borrowing money, we won't be getting a handout from the owner and we won't be spending money we are yet to receive. It is down to the club unless there are new owners.
     
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  15. Delusional Full Stop

    Delusional Full Stop Here to serve all your counselling needs.
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    I've stopped going to the Central Library. We have more than enough fiction on these threads to keep me happy.

    :)
     
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  16. Warmir Pouchov

    Warmir Pouchov Better than JPF

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    All factual that my dear friend.

    Did Ashley keep him? Yes
    Did have Charnley and Ashley make a big effort to keep Rafa? Yes
    Have they supported Rafa to the tune of £100m in terms of transfer spend? Yes
    Do the accounts suggest that Ashley is taking out of the club? No.
    Has he clearly stated he would not be spending beyond what the club can generate for itself? Yes
    Is Rafa aware of this? Yes

    With these key aspects in mind, the simple fact is what can Newcastle United offer Rafa Benitez financially in terms of transfers in order to make him stay. There are no other factors in play on the face of it. Well bar the silly conspiracy stuff from delusional fans.

    :emoticon-0148-yes:
     
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  17. GeordieHalfbreed

    GeordieHalfbreed Well-Known Member

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    Big Mike is of course well known for his professionalism. I've heard he prides himself on being able to get every last drop of vomit into the fireplace during meetings.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-40484091
     
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  18. Warmir Pouchov

    Warmir Pouchov Better than JPF

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    Two wrongs don't make a right. When playing poker you need to know your enemy. I can only assume Rafa has never read any Sun Tzu to understand the art of strategy. He has made these mistakes at previous clubs too like Liverpool.

    He's normally so professional in every other aspect too which is what makes it so disappointing. Why unsettle the club when the feel good factor is so high?
     
    #18
  19. General Lee Speaking

    General Lee Speaking Well-Known Member

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    10-0?
     
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  20. Dorty Dogbreath

    Dorty Dogbreath keeper of the glow

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    Pouchy and his
    I will take either.
     
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