Rafa Benítez (now unemployed)

[cp40]

Give your heads a shake. We're shite cos of Ashley, not cos of Rafa

Its a combination of both, Ashley isn't forcing him to leave his most expensive signings on the bench is he?

 

 

he forced him not to even make his most expensive signings

[Tubestationatmidnight]

Jesus Christ man our morons certainly deserve Ashley. How anyone with any interest in nufc can think it's anything other than 100% Ashley's fault is beyond me.

If he had been here 2 years you could maybe understand but we have had 12 years of this shite everyone knows what he's like

[Robster]

Give your heads a shake. We're shite cos of Ashley, not cos of Rafa

Its a combination of both, Ashley isn't forcing him to leave his most expensive signings on the bench is he?

Or to keep playing Joselu when we could be trying something else, or to set the team up in a which totally stifles any creativity.

'Most expensive' is an ambiguous term It's not like he's leaving a £50 million pound striker on there.

[Tiotes Witch Doctor]

It's like talking to a cult.

[Guest firetotheworks]

 

 

Give your heads a shake. We're shite cos of Ashley, not cos of Rafa

Its a combination of both, Ashley isn't forcing him to leave his most expensive signings on the bench is he?

 

Or to keep playing Joselu when we could be trying something else, or to set the team up in a which totally stifles any creativity.

 

A mixture of both. You honestly think this squad should be achieving more then? His most expensive signing was £10m and the someone else to Joselu's is injured.

[Tiotes Witch Doctor]

 

 

Give your heads a shake. We're shite cos of Ashley, not cos of Rafa

Its a combination of both, Ashley isn't forcing him to leave his most expensive signings on the bench is he?

 

Or to keep playing Joselu when we could be trying something else, or to set the team up in a which totally stifles any creativity.

 

A mixture of both. You honestly think this squad should be achieving more then? His most expensive signing was £10m and the someone else to Joselu's is injured.

More than 2 points in 8 games, yes I do ffs

[Guest firetotheworks]

It's like talking to a cult.

Yeah, you've said. You're the one defending Ashley by proxy.

[ToonArmy1892]

Booing one of his subs man, utter mongs.

[Wilson]

Also not like our most expensive players would change much anyway

[Tiotes Witch Doctor]

Apparently its impossible to be critical of one man without being accused of defending the other, Ashley is a cancer on this club and in the big picture he is the biggest problem and always will be, but I wont pretend Rafa isn't to blame for anything that goes on in training or on the pitch, he is the manager after all.

[Shearergol]

Personally think we should have attacked Cardiff but expected every other result.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

This is the only really bad result so far TBH, the fixtures have been brutal. Obviously we do look shite mind.

[CaliMag]

I am considering that Rafa’s terrible subs were inspired by Ashley being there. Tin foil hat firmly on.

[Wilson]

 

 

Give your heads a shake. We're shite cos of Ashley, not cos of Rafa

Its a combination of both, Ashley isn't forcing him to leave his most expensive signings on the bench is he?

 

Or to keep playing Joselu when we could be trying something else, or to set the team up in a which totally stifles any creativity.

 

A mixture of both. You honestly think this squad should be achieving more then? His most expensive signing was £10m and the someone else to Joselu's is injured.

More than 2 points in 8 games, yes I do ffs

 

Look who we've played, and look at the squad Rafa is forced to use.  The squad is where it should be.

[Pilko]

Giving Atsu 90 minutes - he's either on smack or he's given up. Let down by Ashley yes, but some absolutely baffling selection decisions.

[Wilson]

I am considering that Rafa’s terrible subs were inspired by Ashley being there. Tin foil hat firmly on.

 

Wouldn't be surprised, he plays the game well.

[number9shirt]

Give your heads a shake. We're shite cos of Ashley, not cos of Rafa

Its a combination of both, Ashley isn't forcing him to leave his most expensive signings on the bench is he?

 

Or to keep playing Joselu when we could be trying something else, or to set the team up in a which totally stifles any creativity.

The cost of a player means very little now days. For 10m you get average at best.

[Guest firetotheworks]

 

 

 

 

Give your heads a shake. We're shite cos of Ashley, not cos of Rafa

Its a combination of both, Ashley isn't forcing him to leave his most expensive signings on the bench is he?

 

Or to keep playing Joselu when we could be trying something else, or to set the team up in a which totally stifles any creativity.

 

A mixture of both. You honestly think this squad should be achieving more then? His most expensive signing was £10m and the someone else to Joselu's is injured.

More than 2 points in 8 games, yes I do ffs

 

You say that knowing full well who those 8 games were against. As far as I can see 4, possibly 5 points from those matches would have been a great start. I don't think there's a great deal more Rafa could do with these players.

[Dontooner]

Not got good memories of Rafa's Newcastle team going on the attack while on a losing run.

 

None of our players apart from Kenedy can make a difference on their own. I got zero confidence in our front line, probably a worst combination of strikers then last season.

 

I could see us going down, if none of the strikers start showing form. Looks like we will be on a real struggle to score this season if no one takes responsibility fro it. 

[Guest firetotheworks]

 

 

Apparently its impossible to be critical of one man without being accused of defending the other, Ashley is a cancer on this club and in the big picture he is the biggest problem and always will be, but I wont pretend Rafa isn't to blame for anything that goes on in training or on the pitch, he is the manager after all.

 

No, you're doing the whole "Ashley's terrible but Rafa should still be doing better with what he has", as if what he has is anything other than a Championship team. You can call that opinion impossible and I'd agree, Ashley's lack of investment and Rafa's ability to  perform to the best of his ability are two inextricably linked things, you can't just separate the two things and say they're both equally to blame.

[Guest firetotheworks]

Giving Atsu 90 minutes - he's either on smack or he's given up. Let down by Ashley yes, but some absolutely baffling selection decisions.

Did you post this without watching the match?

[Shelveys Hair]

Our fortunes changed last season when he went 4-4-2

 

Perez and Diame offered nothing today, some of the players were just poncing about.

[Kaizero]

I have full faith in Rafa Benitez as a manager. I've less faith Rafa is as motivated as he used to be though, which concerns me. But we all knew he'd be off if Ashley didn't sell, so can't say we didn't see this coming either. The fact he's actually still here says a lot about Rafa as a man of his word, but even then the stuff that's been out of his control and going against him would have absolutely broken many others. It's a no win situation for Rafa as is, sadly.

[Pilko]

Giving Atsu 90 minutes - he's either on smack or he's given up. Let down by Ashley yes, but some absolutely baffling selection decisions.

Did you post this without watching the match?

 

I was at the game actually. Why do you ask?

[Robster]

Rafa isn't a robot. He's working under unbelievably poor working conditions and I have no doubt the stress of it all is taking it's toll on him.

For that reason, I won't blame him if he's making poor decisions.