trooper

Rafa saying he needs to know as soon as possible what his transfer funds will be, The Mail claim he has given Mike Ashley and his minions until Friday to be told what is happening.

These wont be playing for Everton tonight Leighton Baines Ross Barkley Yannick Bolasie Seamus Coleman James McCarthy Ramiro Funes Mori Maarten Stekelenburg

Just been reading apparently the news that "hopefully everyone will be happy about" that Rafa mentioned in the presser has nothing to do with the takeover. Rafa's supposed to be meeting Charnley after the Everton game to find out how much he has to spend in the January window.

Palace's 2 late goals (89 & 92 minutes) certainly makes things tight at the bottom of the table.

The fact he mentioned Charnley set my alarm bells ringing.

Not sure what Shelvey's done but Mitro's nailed on to be away in a couple of weeks. Were he goes is anyones guess but im sure he'll want to be playing regular seeing as it's a World Cup year coming up.

If he knew he was getting £300 m to spend i doubt he'd be able to maintain his "poker face" He'd probably be skipping into the presser

This from over on N.O. We f***ing deserve (if any set of fans) some happiness and success. i agree under Ashley we've had a "Decade of Dogshit"

Rafa Benitez Everton press conference: “I have experience of teams at the bottom. We keep the same message but change little things. You cannot lose your principles. That was the key when we were winning. “(The festive period) is always crucial. But it will be crucial in January, in April. Every game is important. We have to go and try to get three points in the next game. Hopefully we will win and things will be easier. We don’t need to think about a run of games, losing or winning. We concentrate on the next one and see after that. “Some games we are the youngest team in the Premier League. We have to learn quickly. This team is working very hard. Little things we have to improve and we will be stronger. “We know our job. Everyone has an opinion. It’s not rocket science – we need players in some positions. If we can, fine, if not, we will have to work harder. “We’re monitoring players and talking to people. We still don’t know how much money is available. We know what we need, can we get that, I don’t know." “A lot of teams around of us have spent a lot of money and are still around us. We need to stay calm, work harder and we will start winning games. “Everton are a good team with good players. They know they need to win more games away. Maybe they will be more open, but you never know. We have to control things that are in our hands. “I don’t play against other managers. It’s about the team you have. Sam Allardyce is a good manager with experience but hopefully we can beat Everton. “Jamaal Lascelles was nearly there (on Saturday). Having players with character and personality when things aren’t going wrong is good. I haven’t picked the team yet. “Paul Dummett is getting better but still we have to wait. If everybody is available, hopefully we can be as solid as we were earlier in the season."

Rafa: "We changed formation, we changed players, we changed the shape of the team, the approach but still we made some mistakes. Obviously, it's not the best time but we have to stick together & continue working because it's a long season."

Long but good read from Mark Douglas http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rafa-benitez-still-offers-best-14025261#ICID=ios_ChronicleNewsApp_AppShare_Click_Other

Sorry mate i can't see a positive in there. I mean hopefully i'm a million miles wrong & everything is fine with Rafa having a massive budget to spend this window. Again i suppose the wait goes on but the clocks ticking regarding the January window.

You think Charnley will be still here if Amanda & her people purchase the club ?

Rafa presser today Speaking ahead of the Everton game, Benitez said : “Hopefully after the Everton game we will have a win and some news and people will be happy.” And with some clubs already getting deals in place for new players, Benitez said: “Still we’re monitoring and talking to players but still we do not know how much money is available. “I don’t know if it’ll be loans or permanent yet, I don’t know budget but I hope to know soon. “I met Lee Charnley the other day and I hope to have answer soon.” Doesnt look like we're getting sorted for the January window if he's having to talk about transfer budgets with Charnley

I guess we'll find out in a couple of weeks.

He seems to do ok for his country

Madness to sell to them, the thing is you know if he goes there he'll be knocking them in left, right & centre. Rafa said the other day he doesn't have to sell to buy. I think he may be relying on last summers shortfall of transfer spending.

According to todays Chronicle Mitro's been offered to West Ham

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5165611/Newcastle-going-Benitez-doesnt-transfer-funds.html

i Can't win "dont be a bedwetter" "dont be optomistic" there's notbmuch scope for anything elses

Yes i do

If this takeover's happening it'll have to be sorted by this Friday 15th to give Rafa the final week of the January window to buy reinforcements. I was reading the other day that there would be another 40 days from when the club was bought for the buyers to seek approval from the FA & do further due diligence. If it happens on the 15th the 40 days will take us up to January 24th leaving exactly a week of the window open. Hopefully with a few quid & a week left hopefully Rafa could sign some players. The alternative is Ashley's still here & Rafa spends January in the bargain basement scouring for 4th or 5th choice players & look how that turned out in the summer Lets hope something's finalised by this Friday.

You starting to get worried yet mate ? 1 point from 21 has relegation written all over it

"Sell our club before it's to late" is the message to Ashley from Big Al.I wonder if we'll see a few bedsheets with this at SJP on Wednesday Night.