We have squad which is much weaker than either of the squads which got us relegated. We are currently out of thee relegation zone,
I think saying he is doing crap is a bit harsh. He could certainly have done better though. Some of his substitutions have been bewildering, some of tactics also. He had a horrific start to the season with his decision making. That little spell he had was much needed. Overall he is doing ok for me. I think there are 3 sides worse than us in terms of squad, so I think if he took us down he'd have to be sacked. However that isn't the case currently, and if we stay up he has achieved the goal. Or at least achieved the maximum goal you could set someone with the squad afforded to him. I don't think anyone watching us, listening to the manager, would think he managed that early part of this season well. He has done ok since he shook off his general malaise (understandable as he has a tough job).
The malaise is on the way back, though, mate. It permeates into the team, he does it every transfer window. I don't know why it's a surprise, certainly every fan knows we won't buy anyone. I don't want this to come across as Ashley vs Rafa, though - Ashley's at fault for everything and if Rafa does go and fat Mike's still in charge we'll 100% end up with Bruce.....and that's being WILDLY optimistic. However Rafa's just not helping anything. Not himself, not the fans, not the players, not the club. He's too moody and it has a big impact. His influence is in more or less every ball the players kick. There was a moment - not against Blackburn, but against Man U - when Ritchie had the ball on the counter, Rondon was making a move and the loudest shout you could hear was Rafa telling him to hold onto it. This created a moments hesitation, so when he played the ball forward Rondon was half a yard offside. For me, Rafa needs to let these players play. By all means, get a good shape defensively, get the 3 at the back working, have one or two midfieders supporting but give 3 or 4 attackers a bit more freedom to play. We're currently playing counter-attack without the attack bit.
I agree to an extent. I said in the summer that this thing he does where he tries to play some political game with owners is stupid. It only ever does harm. If you are staying, then get on with the cards you've been. I don't care if you've been given a 3 and a 5 of different suits. I understand the reason why he gets so down, but he needs to realise that as the manager it is detrimental to the team if he goes down that route. This is Newcastle since he has been here. **** window, negative feel around the club, manager reminds fans and players how **** things are at every turn, we get a **** run of results. Things settle down, we pick up a little more in keeping with our ability. Rinse and repeat for every window.
It really is pretty simple - you know exactly what you're getting with Fat Mike and Penfold; incompetent, tight-fisted bullshit. If you don't like that, leave. And I'm not saying ANYONE should/could "like" it! What I'm saying is that's what the job is. He's basically acting like those MP's who "resign" because they don't like Brexit, when surely the right choice would be to use your position as an MP to lobby against it.... For chancers like Pards, Carver, McLaren, they'd take the job if it meant the permanent anal insertion of a rusty metal pineapple. Stupid structure? Incompetent buffonery? Despot owner with idiot chairman? Not a problem! Rafa MUST know this by now, yet every window we get the sulky, "my players are all ****ing crap" act. Results will tank til Feb.
