Rafael Benitez

[afar]

Yeah I don't get that from nufc.com, none of this shambles is Rafa's fault, yes he had some failures in the market, but which manager hasn't ? You absolutely need to absolve him from any blame here, it's all completely on the shoulders of the owner and his lackies.

[Stottie]

The "Rafa bought a load of shite too" argument is wrong. He's done wonders to shift all the deadwood we had from beforehand in so little time.

 

(Does "released" for Riviere mean a free transfer?)

[Zero]

Even though i saw this coming it doesn't make me any more dissapointed or angry.  It's very clear now that Ashley and his cock slaves are trying to force Rafa to resign.  Rafa thought he had a good relationship with Charnley but i'm sure he realised today that the little worm has been leading him along the whole time.  Getting rid of Carr and putting the new "head of recruitment" was purely to try and appease Rafa in the short term after we failed to get any early transfer work done, i wouldn't be surprised to see him get the boot once Rafa is gone.  This Justin Barnes c*** that's been brought in is only there to make sure Ashley doesn't get taken to court again and to make things awkward for Rafa, they're hoping Rafa won't be able to take any more and walk, or just as good he takes another job and the fat man scores for some compo.  If these rodents all die a slow, painful and humiliating death i'd be ok with that. ?

 

Mike Ashley feels threatened by anyone who is popular with the fans - Keegan, Shearer, Hughton and now Rafa all forced out and treat like s***.  Even popular players with an opinion get shown the door (Nolan, Barton etc.). It's much easier for him to appoint a yes man and use him as s*** deflecter, no matter how useless he is.  Thinking about who our next manager is gona be genuinely makes me feel sick.  Whoever it is, i won't be "giving him a chance" i'm afraid!

 

Top post

[Sir Toon]

Wey not to worry. Only 18 league games left until the window slams open again.    The remaining 17 league games after that maybe seeing a couple of quid thrown at it to try and salvage another season of PL lolly for the fat man.

 

Something tells me that things wont go as smoothly as he thinks from now on.

[tmonkey]

Even though i saw this coming it doesn't make me any more dissapointed or angry.  It's very clear now that Ashley and his cock slaves are trying to force Rafa to resign.  Rafa thought he had a good relationship with Charnley but i'm sure he realised today that the little worm has been leading him along the whole time.  Getting rid of Carr and putting the new "head of recruitment" was purely to try and appease Rafa in the short term after we failed to get any early transfer work done, i wouldn't be surprised to see him get the boot once Rafa is gone.  This Justin Barnes c*** that's been brought in is only there to make sure Ashley doesn't get taken to court again and to make things awkward for Rafa, they're hoping Rafa won't be able to take any more and walk, or just as good he takes another job and the fat man scores for some compo.  If these rodents all die a slow, painful and humiliating death i'd be ok with that. ?

 

Mike Ashley feels threatened by anyone who is popular with the fans - Keegan, Shearer, Hughton and now Rafa all forced out and treat like s***.  Even popular players with an opinion get shown the door (Nolan, Barton etc.). It's much easier for him to appoint a yes man and use him as s*** deflecter, no matter how useless he is.  Thinking about who our next manager is gona be genuinely makes me feel sick.  Whoever it is, i won't be "giving him a chance" i'm afraid!

 

If Ashley wanted rid of Rafa because he's popular, then why not get rid after promotion when talks were held to persuade Rafa to stay? He could, in theory, have parted ways with Rafa and brought in a puppet with barely a murmur of discontent (most of us would have considered it a real possibility that Rafa would leave after what happened in January). Could have put out news stories about Rafa wanting to move on or wanting different challenges compared to what NUFC can offer to placate fans.

 

Obviously we don't know if contract clauses would have affected those discussions, though if Rafa was unhappy with the discussions what other option would he have had other than to leave? And whilst I imagine Rafa allegedly communicating his unhappiness with the transfer situation through the media during the summer may have irked Ashley, Rafa did the same in January, so it's nothing new.

 

Nothing makes sense with Ashley. There's many possibilities, but one of them that I won't rule out just yet is that this is all to do with not wanting to spend until the money is actually received and banked. Wishful thinking probably, but it's still a possibility.

[afar]

Even though i saw this coming it doesn't make me any more dissapointed or angry.  It's very clear now that Ashley and his cock slaves are trying to force Rafa to resign.  Rafa thought he had a good relationship with Charnley but i'm sure he realised today that the little worm has been leading him along the whole time.  Getting rid of Carr and putting the new "head of recruitment" was purely to try and appease Rafa in the short term after we failed to get any early transfer work done, i wouldn't be surprised to see him get the boot once Rafa is gone.  This Justin Barnes c*** that's been brought in is only there to make sure Ashley doesn't get taken to court again and to make things awkward for Rafa, they're hoping Rafa won't be able to take any more and walk, or just as good he takes another job and the fat man scores for some compo.  If these rodents all die a slow, painful and humiliating death i'd be ok with that. ?

 

Mike Ashley feels threatened by anyone who is popular with the fans - Keegan, Shearer, Hughton and now Rafa all forced out and treat like s***.  Even popular players with an opinion get shown the door (Nolan, Barton etc.). It's much easier for him to appoint a yes man and use him as s*** deflecter, no matter how useless he is.  Thinking about who our next manager is gona be genuinely makes me feel sick.  Whoever it is, i won't be "giving him a chance" i'm afraid!

 

If Ashley wanted rid of Rafa because he's popular, then why not get rid after promotion when talks were held to persuade Rafa to stay? He could, in theory, have parted ways with Rafa and brought in a puppet with barely a murmur of discontent (most of us would have considered it a real possibility that Rafa would leave after what happened in January). Could have put out news stories about Rafa wanting to move on or wanting different challenges compared to what NUFC can offer to placate fans.

 

Obviously we don't know if contract clauses would have affected those discussions, though if Rafa was unhappy with the discussions what other option would he have had other than to leave? And whilst I imagine Rafa allegedly communicating his unhappiness with the transfer situation through the media during the summer may have irked Ashley, Rafa did the same in January, so it's nothing new.

 

Nothing makes sense with Ashley. There's many possibilities, but one of them that I won't rule out just yet is that this is all to do with not wanting to spend until the money is actually received and banked. Wishful thinking probably, but it's still a possibility.

 

I think that is absolutely the case, despite this TV money being guaranteed he's standing to his stance that Rafa can have all the money that we make but no more. The thing that will piss of Rafa most though is the mixed messages he's undoubtedly received, expected to be able to spend that 30 million plus he made last window, expected to be able to spend the upcoming PL TV money, told to ship players out to cut the wage bill, but then not able to secure replacements for the players left. Gibbs was a strange one for me, we were in for him at the start of the window, he goes to Stoke and doesn't agree terms but then ends up at WBA for 7 million. That's a figure surely we should have been all over, but we didn't appear to be interested yet we were desperate for a LB. 

[Zero]

The LB situation is strange.  To me it seems like we don't want to spend any money for a cover.  In other words, we are more than satisfied to have Dummett as our starting LB, contrary to most people belief here.

[Sean]

The LB situation is strange.  To me it seems like we don't want to spend any money for a cover.  In other words, we are more than satisfied to have Dummett as our starting LB, contrary to most people belief here.

 

 

Ashley is. Rafa wanted players ffs.

[nufc4eva]

I don't actually believe our squad is a sack of shit, however I do believe that we don't have enough game changers or players that fit the number 10 role and no good left back at the club.

 

He should have been able to spend 20 million on an attacking player at least and Gibbs should have been bought.

 

I'm not sure if we will stay up, but I think it will be a lack of goals scored that does it initially. I doubt we will get hammered at any point but will struggle if we ever go a goal down because we lack the attacking players to get us those points.

 

Ultimately Rafa will leave. In fact he will probably get hounded out by our fans as some of the nuggets will fail to see the deficiencies in the squad and how he has not been backed

[Zero]

The LB situation is strange.  To me it seems like we don't want to spend any money for a cover.  In other words, we are more than satisfied to have Dummett as our starting LB, contrary to most people belief here.

 

 

Ashley is. Rafa wanted players ffs.

 

For other position yes.  I ain't that sure for LB.  Rafa seems to rate Dummett highly.

[Hhtoon]

I think Rafa will keep us up and reasonably comfortable, in spite of the squad and dependent on injuries etc. Won't be enough for him unfortunately and the last 2 windows will see him leave.

[TRon]

Even though i saw this coming it doesn't make me any more dissapointed or angry.  It's very clear now that Ashley and his cock slaves are trying to force Rafa to resign.  Rafa thought he had a good relationship with Charnley but i'm sure he realised today that the little worm has been leading him along the whole time.  Getting rid of Carr and putting the new "head of recruitment" was purely to try and appease Rafa in the short term after we failed to get any early transfer work done, i wouldn't be surprised to see him get the boot once Rafa is gone.  This Justin Barnes c*** that's been brought in is only there to make sure Ashley doesn't get taken to court again and to make things awkward for Rafa, they're hoping Rafa won't be able to take any more and walk, or just as good he takes another job and the fat man scores for some compo.  If these rodents all die a slow, painful and humiliating death i'd be ok with that. ?

 

Mike Ashley feels threatened by anyone who is popular with the fans - Keegan, Shearer, Hughton and now Rafa all forced out and treat like s***.  Even popular players with an opinion get shown the door (Nolan, Barton etc.). It's much easier for him to appoint a yes man and use him as s*** deflecter, no matter how useless he is.  Thinking about who our next manager is gona be genuinely makes me feel sick.  Whoever it is, i won't be "giving him a chance" i'm afraid!

 

If Ashley wanted rid of Rafa because he's popular, then why not get rid after promotion when talks were held to persuade Rafa to stay? He could, in theory, have parted ways with Rafa and brought in a puppet with barely a murmur of discontent (most of us would have considered it a real possibility that Rafa would leave after what happened in January). Could have put out news stories about Rafa wanting to move on or wanting different challenges compared to what NUFC can offer to placate fans.

 

Obviously we don't know if contract clauses would have affected those discussions, though if Rafa was unhappy with the discussions what other option would he have had other than to leave? And whilst I imagine Rafa allegedly communicating his unhappiness with the transfer situation through the media during the summer may have irked Ashley, Rafa did the same in January, so it's nothing new.

 

Nothing makes sense with Ashley. There's many possibilities, but one of them that I won't rule out just yet is that this is all to do with not wanting to spend until the money is actually received and banked. Wishful thinking probably, but it's still a possibility.

 

I disagree, Ashley will still want rid of Rafa. Not because he's being forced to spend more money than he'd like, that clearly hasn't happened, it might as well have been Pardew asking for more players. But because Rafa is not the type to take it lying down. Ashley was blatantly stung by the veiled criticism of the running of the club, and that led to his propaganda video on Sky. I reckon he'd be delighted if West Ham came in and bought up Rafa's contract. He'd much prefer going back to a yes man who would fall in line with less trouble.

[Zero]

Ashley is playing fire if he wants to wait for West Ham approach.  If I am Rafa I won't walk but try my best to lose every match from now on.  Only relegation can hit the fat cunt hard again.

[cp40]

Even though i saw this coming it doesn't make me any more dissapointed or angry.  It's very clear now that Ashley and his cock slaves are trying to force Rafa to resign.  Rafa thought he had a good relationship with Charnley but i'm sure he realised today that the little worm has been leading him along the whole time.  Getting rid of Carr and putting the new "head of recruitment" was purely to try and appease Rafa in the short term after we failed to get any early transfer work done, i wouldn't be surprised to see him get the boot once Rafa is gone.  This Justin Barnes c*** that's been brought in is only there to make sure Ashley doesn't get taken to court again and to make things awkward for Rafa, they're hoping Rafa won't be able to take any more and walk, or just as good he takes another job and the fat man scores for some compo.  If these rodents all die a slow, painful and humiliating death i'd be ok with that. ?

 

Mike Ashley feels threatened by anyone who is popular with the fans - Keegan, Shearer, Hughton and now Rafa all forced out and treat like s***.  Even popular players with an opinion get shown the door (Nolan, Barton etc.). It's much easier for him to appoint a yes man and use him as s*** deflecter, no matter how useless he is.  Thinking about who our next manager is gona be genuinely makes me feel sick.  Whoever it is, i won't be "giving him a chance" i'm afraid!

 

If Ashley wanted rid of Rafa because he's popular, then why not get rid after promotion when talks were held to persuade Rafa to stay? He could, in theory, have parted ways with Rafa and brought in a puppet with barely a murmur of discontent (most of us would have considered it a real possibility that Rafa would leave after what happened in January). Could have put out news stories about Rafa wanting to move on or wanting different challenges compared to what NUFC can offer to placate fans.

 

Obviously we don't know if contract clauses would have affected those discussions, though if Rafa was unhappy with the discussions what other option would he have had other than to leave? And whilst I imagine Rafa allegedly communicating his unhappiness with the transfer situation through the media during the summer may have irked Ashley, Rafa did the same in January, so it's nothing new.

 

Nothing makes sense with Ashley. There's many possibilities, but one of them that I won't rule out just yet is that this is all to do with not wanting to spend until the money is actually received and banked. Wishful thinking probably, but it's still a possibility.

 

I disagree, Ashley will still want rid of Rafa. Not because he's being forced to spend more money than he'd like, that clearly hasn't happened, it might as well have been Pardew asking for more players. But because Rafa is not the type to take it lying down. Ashley was blatantly stung by the veiled criticism of the running of the club, and that led to his propaganda video on Sky. I reckon he'd be delighted if West Ham came in and bought up Rafa's contract. He'd much prefer going back to a yes man who would fall in line with less trouble.

 

yep- Pardew- his dream ticket.

[Andy84]

https://twitter.com/CaulkinTheTimes/status/903481810306252800

 

Good thread from Caulkin this morning

[mrmojorisin75]

Ashley is playing fire if he wants to wait for West Ham approach.  If I am Rafa I won't walk but try my best to lose every match from now on.  Only relegation can hit the fat cunt hard again.

Are you seriously suggesting Rafa should or will aim to lose games?

[High Five o]

Ashley is playing fire if he wants to wait for West Ham approach.  If I am Rafa I won't walk but try my best to lose every match from now on.  Only relegation can hit the fat cunt hard again.

Are you seriously suggesting Rafa should or will aim to lose games?

It such a mental thing to say.

 

As long as Rafa is here I have hope.

If he leaves we can crash and burn.

[Zero]

Ashley is playing fire if he wants to wait for West Ham approach.  If I am Rafa I won't walk but try my best to lose every match from now on.  Only relegation can hit the fat c*** hard again.

Are you seriously suggesting Rafa should or will aim to lose games?

 

I won't blame him to do so if the aim is just to fuck off the fat cunt

 

Seriously no one will match the fat cunt asking price and we are stucked till his death if we continue like this. The only way to cut the tie is to hit him hard, either by continuous relegation, restarting the Ashleyout campaign, or start some kinda boycotting to his Sports Direct business.  The fat cunt simply won't get any harm by continue this way and we are the only one who suffer - and why should we?

[Zero]

I always say the Ashleyout campaign needs to restart.  Just like what we did 10 years ago.  Why is the fat cunt allowed to sit calmly in St James?

 

Look back if we was sold 10 years ago after relegation, imagine where we are now? 

[Sean]

The LB situation is strange.  To me it seems like we don't want to spend any money for a cover.  In other words, we are more than satisfied to have Dummett as our starting LB, contrary to most people belief here.

 

 

Ashley is. Rafa wanted players ffs.

 

For other position yes.  I ain't that sure for LB.  Rafa seems to rate Dummett highly.

 

Yes he's happy for Dummett to play. Doesn't mean he didn't want competition for his place (you know, like he's been saying all summer). Or are you trying to imply that Rafa's thinking is in line with the clubs? 

[ToonTastic]

Rafa doesn't have to quit. He just has to wait for a club to come and take him from us who at least has a little more interest in success than Ashley. I'm sure West Ham will come knocking.

[Menace]

I was reading last night about his time at Napoli. Fuck me he bought some cracking players.

[mrmojorisin75]

Suppose I could have missed it but hoping Rafa is pretty candid whenever he speaks next. He's obviously not going to come right out and slag Ashley off but he's a master of saying what he wants without explicitly saying something.

 

He could turn a lot of fans against Ashley with the right words.

[cp40]

West ham/Arsenal- any club that has ambition to play in Europe, and is willing to fund it, he is a viable candidate- probs what Ashley wants tbh, now Rafa stood up to him, he is a Bully who can not tolerate people standing up to him.

[Wallsendmag]

He should just resign. He's better than this.