LoveItIfWeBeatU

Obviously, but you do realise he would have stayed if we hadn't been relegated? Definitely but maybe this way he'll have more room to upgrade the entire club away from the limelight of the PL, and with less pressure to get immediate results. I understand the thinking but there's massive pressure to get promoted at the first time of asking. Also, the extra games to prepare for and the earlier season start could mean less time to sort out other issues. It's a good job Rafa lives and breathes football. He's going to be very busy at NUFC. There's a lot to sort out. At least he's starting with a wave of good will and positivity from the fans and players.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/nemtizz/HS2pv2e_zpsx19fgfes.gif

Why would NUFC delay announcing Rafa due to what Man U are doing? We're not even in the same league anymore. Do we even care if the media make a big deal of it or not? Newcastle fans care who the NUFC manager is. They don't care about Man U. I'll happily have the announcement of Rafa as manager of NUFC playing second fiddle in the media to what happens at Man U.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastles-relegation-silver-lining-hefty-11380053 http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-uniteds-premier-league-payments-11380086

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36359063

Who is the bit in bold referring to? http://ta1.universaltelegra.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sh.jpg

The ICNewcastle website crashes on my phone. ICNewcastle crashes Google Chrome on my PC. Good to know it's not just my devices which can't cope with that website.

He gets a long term injury every season. Even for a greatly reduced wage what's the point in keeping him? We're probably stuck with Colo for one more season. Buy a new centre back who is ready for the first team. With 46 league games to play we're going to need cover. If a fee is a problem look to get a centre back on a free transfer or on loan.

Article about injuries yesterday: - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastles-awful-injury-record-alarming-11346971

I did wonder who he was and how much he was worth.

No surprise. Going by interviews he has given in France he has been looking to leave for ages. He wanted Champions League football not Championship football. Hopefully he goes for a big fee. Big Premiership wages off the books and the fee can be used elsewhere (even if it just covers Rafa's wages).

Krul has been out for a season with a serious injury, is in the last year of his contract and wasn't in great form before his injury. No way would NUFC get £8m for him. Players will definitely leave. Players who have said they will stay may still leave. Players in the last year of their contract won't want to leave. Most of them won't get Premiership wages elsewhere. They'll be difficult to move on. No relegation clauses adds to the problem. Rafa won't be able to get rid of the dead wood if they don't want to leave. Gouffran, Riviere and the like haven't played but they know they'll never get these wages again. Unless they give up money for the chance to play elsewhere we're stuck with them.

I thought Ben Arfa wasn't in the French squad? http://i2.chroniclelive.co.uk/incoming/article11350031.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/GettyImages-531893494.jpg

He got a 1 year contract extension so has 1 more year to go. He wasn't getting regular game time at Cardiff.

The squad is unbalanced. We have far too many players whose best position is behind the main striker (De Jong, Perez, Sissoko and Wijnaldum). Rafa has barely played De Jong and he hasn't really played Perez in the number 10 position. I'd be surprised if all 4 players stayed. Even if Aarons is staying we need another left winger for competition if nothing else. Same with the right wing and right back, depending on who stays. As for strikers, we'd hope to move Cisse and Riviere on. If Rafa stays and continues to play one striker we won't need as many strikers. I'd like more than just Armstrong, Perez and Mitrovic as the options, especially as none of them are guaranteed high scorers and Mitrovic starts the season with a 4 game ban. A striker with a record for being a regular goal scorer in the Premiership/Championship would be essential. A centre back to replace Steven Taylor and another if Colo goes.

Rafa is shit according to that twat Richard Keys. http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rafa-benitez-only-manages-himself-11343104

He's done a very good job averaging 1.25 points per game. I'm happy with that, especially after his dealings in the transfer window. My point was Shearer saying "magnificent". If what Big Samuel did was "magnificent" what words describe the job Claudio Ranieri did? Or even the likes of Bournemouth and Watford?

It's like those ugly duckling films where the dowdy girl is actually a stunner. Rafa can see what this club could do when run properly. Get the fans onside and positive. Like Keegan and Robson before him he gets it.

His headers were shite as often (if not more often) as they were good.

I see Shearer said Big Sam has done a magnificent job keeping Sunderland up on MOTD last night. You'll quickly run out of superlatives if getting 30 games and a transfer window to secure 17th place is classed as "Magnificent".

This is his thread. Nobody rates Cisse anymore. Just because Cisse is finished it doesn't mean Mitro shouldn't get criticism. As I've said before, all our strikers (Mitro, Cisse, Perez & Riviere) haven't done well this season.

I'd like him to work on his finishing. He can use the spare time afforded to him by his 4 game ban. Anger management wouldn't go amiss either. Glaring with murderous eyes at refs doesn't tend to help.

I remember our heroes being Andy Cole, Shearer, Les Ferdinand, etc. Ketsbaia and Mitro as heroes? Shows how far NUFC have fallen. Cult heroes perhaps. Growing up you idolise players. I certainly did with Cole, Shearer and Ferdinand. It's different when you're older. True but my point was those players scored loads of goals. Ketsbaia and Mitro score occasional goals and have anger management problems.

I remember our heroes being Andy Cole, Shearer, Les Ferdinand, etc. Ketsbaia and Mitro as heroes? Shows how far NUFC have fallen.

He missed another relatively easy chance yesterday from Janmaat's cross. Yes I don't expect him to finish every chance but he's very wasteful. Those discussing whether he meant the foul, did you not see the psycho stare he gave the ref earlier? He can't control himself. The Championship centre backs are going to enjoy getting him sent off.