duo

Article states: Chief scout Graham Carr still wields influence, and sat next to owner Mike Ashley at the FA Cup third round tie at Birmingham in early January. Benitez is fretting over whether Carr has acted as a brake on his transfer wish list. Why would Carr want to stop players coming in? Cause he didn't pick them.

Article states: Chief scout Graham Carr still wields influence, and sat next to owner Mike Ashley at the FA Cup third round tie at Birmingham in early January. Benitez is fretting over whether Carr has acted as a brake on his transfer wish list.

Scary how similar the situation is - am sure Ashley just likes to torture us.

Ashley probably wants him to walk with his mate Pardew waiting in the wings. Imagine the money he's save.

Was just too good to be true.

Said it was not his decision not to bring players in - told them what they wanted and they did't deliver. The cracks are forming.

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/10752681/benitez-disappointed-with-a-draw Hmm....sounds pissed off.

Has Rafa spoke on Sky yet?

What's he got to complain about he made £30 Mil profit.

It's Keegan all over again.

Has he been on Sky yet?

Richie is Captain material.

He's been poor all season - just seems to strut around like he's already made it and doesn't have to prove anything.

He just lacks vision for me - never seems to know what to do with the ball.

If we'd bagged our chances people would be signing his praises. Yes we were awful 1st half but we had enough chances to win it in the second half.

I agree - we've shown a total lack of ambition by not strengthening and that'll not fly with Rafa. Ashley will never change.

S.Taylor mark II

To be fair to Gouf he could have won the game bar a couple of good saves.

Exactly. I'm more concerned about Rafa leaving than us not getting promoted.

Spot on.

I think it'd be more to do with control over recruitment. It's clear he wanted a couple of players in - my concern lack of activity signals lack of control.

this.....worth forking out £2Mil for Townsend just to keep Rafa happy.

Not when you look at the bigger picture of money to be gained from promotion.