I honestly do not understand why Rafa is still here. He has to be under some sort of contract embargo unless he would just walk away from this shower of ****.
OK this is bad. He's full on gone in on Ashley and his cronies. This all looks pretty grim from the outside.
I'm no Rafa fan boy but I can't believe you truly believe this. Rafa for all his faults has done a good job thus far getting promoted and getting us to 10th by hook or by crook. Don't agree with his tactics or transfers but that's his choice and while I don't agree with them you can't argue he hasn't done well over the last 2 years (not a God-send as some Rafa-rimmers on here seem to think though). BUT there is a clear and consistent pattern to the false promises and lack of ambition being shown by the board over the last 10 years but its more staggering than ever this year. I mean ffs we finished 5th and in Europe and only signed Anita the following year. Ashley/Charnley/Bishop are hamstringing the club at present worse than ever. there was a chance to build on the last few seasons of good feelings but they've missed the opportunity now. I'm sure you spout this rubbish to get a rise from people but you must be hurting as well mate, is this how you deal with it? Ever need anyone to talk to PM me x
Stop sucking Ashley's ringpiece. This forum is for Fans. You are not one of us. **** off to the Mackem forum, please..
I started believing that you weren't a wum and then you see things like that. Rafa has every right to feel aggrieved when the club offer up a Swedish no mark as the solution to the problems whilst coining money in transfers sales
Rafa looks broken to me, and is it any wonder, what a sorry mess we are. I really feel for him, he is in an impossible situation. I have to say that l think Ashley is doing this on purpose, it’s payback time for every get out of our club chant and anti Ashley campaign. Would he be so childish and spiteful, yes l truly believe he would. The man is below despicable and although it’s a word l don’t associate with myself, l absolutely ****ing hate him for what he has done and is continuing to do to our club and it’s honourable manager.
Still online: https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/mike-ashley-thanks-rafa-players-and-fans "Rafa, as always, has my full support, and contrary to some media reports that portray me as a pantomime villain, I will continue to ensure that every penny generated by the club is available to him." (c) Mike Ashley, May 2018.
I'm completely on Rafa's side here but also feel like he is now in a low-pressure situation because of the below: Nearly every single fan (and a lot of the press) completely sympathise with his situation and his predicament. He performed almost a 'miracle' last year to finish 10th. Arguably, there's even lower expectations this year and if he keeps this team up, it'll be unbelievable. I think he'll stay until the end of the season, keep us up, and then walk. He'd leave with the adoration of the fans and will have gained so much respect from the international community for doing a job that other top managers wouldn't take - i.e keeping a team up twice when both years the expectation was to see relegation. Sad state of affairs though - I understand the need for some financial responsibility (and let's face it, us fans always want to spend more) but this is too far on the wrong end of the spectrum. Maybe Ashley thinks this team is good enough to stay up (his ambition) and if we're struggling we can always re-invest in January. However, with our start, and the threat of injuries/lack of a proper striker, we could be too far gone.
He probably wants to sign the Ronaldo's and Messi's of the game but appreciates that's unrealistic in terms of finance. He does however have every right to expect the tools to do his job properly. We have sold a lot of players and made a profit. He has presumably asked Mikey if we can have another player (nobody else has been shifted since) "sure thing Rafa, here's £5M, knock yourself out".
We have a squad capable of staying up. If we have a good season we might get top 10. That's where our finances are at. He needs to get better with the money is all.
