The day he arrived at SJP and promptly went off to the training ground. He looked so happy, so full of energy for the project ahead and all that feel good for the future. I look at him now and l don’t see that excitement and hope anymore. So before he inevitably leaves, that is what l remember best, that fleeting wonderful feeling of hope.
If you recall It’s widely understood that Rafa has said tin ashley that he’s going in the summer unless ambition is shown in Jan and some of his top targets are signed. The fact that it is so late and we are scratching around again for **** loans etc suggests it’s nailed on that Rafa will go now.
Staying up. He got us relegated, he barely won the championship with an amazing advantage, but the season afterwards was an actual miracle and to finish where we did was unbelievable considering. He's not going down as a legend. He did well, but not great.
Remember him consistently pulling results out of the hat when half of us had turned against him. Had a knack for that. Guaranteed to remember no subs before 60, sadly. To be honest I can't wait for us to get a new manager so I can watch the irony of everyone moaning about the alternative
All things considered that was pretty reasonable. Basically, spend that 35-40m you definitely have in the bank and I'm yours. Almiron and one other sorts it, nuts.
I was staying in the Gateshead Hilton and met Rafa the morning of the last Sunderland game,got a picture with him,nearly 3 years ago and haven't smiled much since.
I can't really think of anything that memorable to be honest. He has done a solid job once you factor in the constraints he is working under. Similar to Pardew and Hughton, he has basically had zero support financially. Underachieved in the championship but not massively, overspent, but got the job done. Overachieved last year but not massively, but again got the job done. I think it is fair to suggest that finishing where he did last year was a good result. Yes it was only 4 points to 15th and that is roughly where I expected to finish on paper, but I still think finishing 11 points clear of the relegation zone was a top effort. I certainly won't remember the football fondly, or his transfer work generally, or his rigidity with regards to subs, but no one is perfect. Rafa has basically been a steady hand. I think that is what is required when you have to work under Ashley. He would not have the 5th place finish, the finding hidden transfer gems and Europe to point to like Pardew. He wouldn't have the mullering of the championship like Hughton, along with the way he galvanised the team, and the signings of HBA and Tiote. However he would have getting us well drilled and having the best defence we've had since I've watched Newcastle. He would have that he has achieved every target set for him. Not amazingly exciting plus points but very important nonetheless. We will certainly miss him. He is tailor made for Ashley except for his transfer work.
You are definitely getting old. You're doing that thing old people do to try and be funny, but get the joke wrong and are unsuccessful. This joke only works when the comment isn't clearly attributable to someone because the poster has failed to give it context. Does no one care about you enough to go and get some tests done?
When did you become responsible for him? Since when did they let some can piss head take hold of someone's entire personal care? I bet Groot is sat there in piss soaked strides half the time (not guaranteed to be his piss, more likely yours). Its sad isn't it, some old coot like Groot pays his taxes his whole life, contributes to society, only for when the time comes, that same state he has helped, turns a blind eye. Absolute disgrace.
