Monday, June 24th 2019 is a day that will live long in the memory of Newcastle United supporters, for all the wrong reasons. It marked the announcement of Rafa Benitez’s departure from NUFC, after three classy years on Tyneside. Mike Ashley decided to pull the plug on negotiations after the Spaniard all but confirmed his intentions to turn down the contract …
Keep Reading →
As each day passes, the contract of Rafa Benitez ticks down little by little. Three years after taking the reins at St. James’ Park, Newcastle United as a club has felt a renewed sense of energy, a feeling of pride in their team, and a unusual sense of hope that has been vacant for quite some time. Yet, despite all that, as NUFC fans, we are brought back to …
Keep Reading →
There was nothing unusual to the start of week at Newcastle United. It followed the same pattern as most others this season, constant rumours that Rafa Benitez was close to the exit door, and the trickle of transfer talk as January came to a conclusion. Murmurs of Benitez’s departure intensified as he gave the strongest indicator to date that he could walk away …
Keep Reading →
Almost exactly a year ago today, I wrote about a possible takeover of Newcastle United. It was all over the news. Amanda Staveley was apparently closing in on the purchase of NUFC. As we know, it all fell through. Staveley didn’t have the financial backing, and Ashley lost patience. The Spaniard at the centre of it all, Rafa Benitez, managed to overachieve with …
Keep Reading →
When Ki Sung-yueng arrived on Tyneside in the summer, not too many folks were screaming with enthusiasm. The Korean had severed ties with recently relegated Swansea following an abysmal season in Wales. It ended and perhaps maybe even soured what was a very decent stint with the Swans overall. He followed in the footsteps of quite a few players under Benitez who …
Keep Reading →
It has been a strange start to the new Premier League campaign at Newcastle United, and by strange, I mean completely predictable. A new season usually brings about a sense of optimism - whether blind or not - and the hope for a year of excitement. One wishes that those cold winter fixtures will have meaning other than merely existing around the lower half of the …
Keep Reading →
There are three guarantees in life; taxes, death, and the annual criticism of Newcastle United striker Ayoze Perez. The slick-haired Spaniard arrived from the beautiful Tenerifé in 2014, with the plan of being introduced to the NUFC development squad. He was a highly sought after talent, with FC Porto and even Barcelona admitting to interest in signing him. Perez …
Keep Reading →
Another predictably underwhelming transfer window for Rafa Benitez & Newcastle United - who would have thought? Despite the handful of defensive arrivals, and of Salomon Rondon, the squad is nowhere near the standards required by Rafa and his staff. In fact, if you were to hand this squad to any of our former managers, I think they’d likely struggle to keep …
Keep Reading →
Every summer over the past 10 years has produced nothing but frustration as a Newcastle United supporter. Mike Ashley’s ownership has numbed any real expectation of big-name signings, or the dare to dream. His tenure has been nothing short of a disaster, yet somehow, he finds himself with the most decorated manager the club will likely ever appoint - …
Keep Reading →
Rafa Benitez and Lee Charnley have spent the summer so far trying to flog a number of Newcastle United fringe players, to no avail. Chancel Mbemba, Matz Sels and Henri Saivet are three names that make up the brunt of the headlines across local media & abroad. Mbemba seemed set for a move to FC Porto only for it to stall, while Sels is subject to tight Belgian …
Keep Reading →
