trooper

Absolute shithouse

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rafa-benitez-unlikely-hold-more-14938338 Rafa unlikely to hold more contract talks until the window closes

"Since we beat Arsenal 2-1 at St James Park on 15 April and confirmed PL safety, 98 days have passed and our progress has been to sign a freebie midfielder from relegated Swansea"

But he must have made £ millions from the free worldwide tv advertising over the time he's been here

Free tv advertising has earned him £millions it doesn't cost him anything & as long as we finish 17th or better he rakes the money in. It's a horrible situation but that's why he won't invest or sell.

As he passes Lascelles going through the out door

I feel for you mate I really do its a crying shame it's come to this I know hate is a strong word but I hate the fucker for what he's done to our club as you say Fuck him

I'vs said for a while if Ashley could some how avoid having a football team at St James Park he would. He's only interested in the free worldwide tv advertising for SD. The football is something he has to put up with.

This from Caulkin With Aleksandar Mitrovic close to completing a £20 million move to Fulham, there is money to sign Salomón Rondón, of West Bromwich Albion, but Newcastle need more. ‘Benítez wants another five players — unlikely — but even though there will be additions, they will not be from the top of his list.

https://www.themag.co.uk/2018/07/rafa-benitez-escalates-battle-with-mike-ashley-great-news-newcastle-united/ Rafa Benitez: “Next year the target will be to stay up. “The reality is that the Premier League is difficult…and every year the others spend money and bring new players.

About time from the Chronicle https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/contradictions-heart-mike-ashleys-newcastle-14928479

As you say Alex excellent piece but depressing

There was an article the other day with Rafa explaining it doesn't matter who the manager is, the club still needs strengthening. I think he was meaning him not signing a new contract is no excuse for Ashley not allowing the team to be strengthened.

This before yesterday's game https://www.themag.co.uk/2018/07/a-despairing-rafa-benitez-cant-make-it-clearer-i-have-tried-to-do-my-best-but-we-will-see-later-newcastle-united/ "Mike Ashley said (on the last day of the season) every last penny was available. I don't do the numbers so I don't know exactly what that means. We are fine in terms of profit so maybe's you have to speak to Lee Charnley he has the numbers. I am doing my best in these conditions that's all I can say"

Your Blinded by the Light mate

Most club's (I know) usually have a transfer kitty

He might

A sneaky look at the new 4th shirt

Face it Ashley the games up the penny is finally dropping for a lot of people # back rafa

Rafa on transfers: “We have some enquiries about some of our players and Lee Charnley is working on that. We will see if we have any news in the next few days. Obviously, we need to move players if we want to have money to spend on players.” Looks like we have to sell to buy

We'll be lending cheaper or free alternatives unfortunately

This from Mark Douglas I shudder to think about what happens if Rafa goes. But Ashley seems to be happy to invite that possibility. In a summer where season tickets have been put up, it is quite unbelievable (but also depressingly predictable).

Oh stop being so dramatic you old Drama Queen

Smoke & Mirrors sir distraction & diversion

This from today's Chronicle The Magpies have banked £10million for Mikel Merino recently and could also net a further £25million for Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba. Benitez is desperately trying to bring in a striker in the last three weeks of the window. But the Toon boss admits his hands could be tied when it comes to bidding for top players : “It’s not necessary to say anything. As soon as the price goes a little high I know we can’t buy them. “We have to be realistic, maybe sell some players and buy some players. It’s normal for us to think we have to be like that. The point for us is we have to adapt. “That is the situation. Are we happy with that? “Obviously not 100% but we try to do our best to be strong enough and we can compete" Rafa on signings: “It depends on the movements; we’ll see how quick the others can go. Always in the window, you have to do things quickly; if not, you’re losing targets & then you go later on to players who maybe aren’t as good as you’re expecting in different positions.” #NUFC