Started poorly, but now they are coming on like a rocket.
Rafa Benitez | Sacked (Fachts)
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
In fairness they had a lot of changes
Everyone thought they would absolutely walk the league and after a slow start, it looks like they'll do just that. Their squad is unreal for a Championship team.
To be expected, really. Their squad is by far by the best in the division.
For the first time in a long time, Newcastle seem to have screwed their head on.
For the first time in a long time, Newcastle seem to have screwed their head on.
The first two games were definitely odd, seemed still not up to full speed even given the good pre-season we had.
I think everyone's moving in the same direction now though.
And to be honest, spending what we spent, with the squad we have and with Rafa in charge - whether or not one thinks he was or still is a great top tier manager, he's certainly well above Championship calibre - we absolutely should be coming straight back up.
I think everyone's moving in the same direction now though.
And to be honest, spending what we spent, with the squad we have and with Rafa in charge - whether or not one thinks he was or still is a great top tier manager, he's certainly well above Championship calibre - we absolutely should be coming straight back up.
Possibly / probably the strongest squad ever in the Championship?
Fair play to the club for hanging on to him, and to him for hanging on to the club. I still think Shelvey is a lazy disaster waiting to happen when the going gets tough. They should aim to strengthen in defence and some wingers in the next transfer window with an eye to making a good start in next season's PL. Prob still need another striker too because Murphy won't be up to it.
It's what a top manager gives you. Rafa is by far Newcastle's best manager since Bobby Robson, and like Robson I think Rafa can take Newcastle far, maybe not in the CL like Robson did, but I won't rule out EL.
Come back with ease. I actually wanted them to stay up last season over Sunderland who are just a waste of time and being relegated would have done them a world of good like it will with Newcastle. They'll come back up with some momentum next season.
Scenes at St James'. 6 point swing within a minute, deep into added time.
4:3 
Classic Norwich City.
4:3
You still won?!That was ridiculous. I'd just literally told someone that Norwich had beaten them and they go and score two in a minute
Anyone who can get Gouffran scoring is a genius.
Kaboom :-)
I've lumped on them for the title so pretty happy with that. Goals in 90+5 and 90+6 to win the match is incredible.
Rafa for England
I've wondered a bit about why you can't be both England manager and manager of a club in England at the same time? Valery Lobanovsky did it with the Soviet Union and Ukraine while he was the manager of Dynamo Kiev, and just like with the Soviet Union and Ukraine, all the England players are playing in the domestic league (apart from Hart), so in theory you should be able to do both jobs.
It's possible to do both and some managers have done it, but the stresses of a club job are enough for a lot of managers without the added responsibility of a national team job.
I assume big clubs would have it in the contract that the manager can't take another job on. It's in their interest that they're fully focused on the club side of things...
Leonid Slutsky (sp?) took charge of Russia at the Euros (got appointed late into the qualifiers, I think) and is still in charge at CSKA Moscow.
Him too yes, but okay, being in charge of a Ukrainian/Russian club and a PL club is two different things.
Needs the John Cena music.
Some Newcastle player lost a few inches in height tonight. Rafa in Fergie time eh?
Good on him. I hope he brings them back up.
I always wondered if this would be possible with regards to a conflict of interests. Let's say the hypothetical Liverpool manager was also the England manager, technically he could negatively affect other teams with his use of team selections. Of course the manager wouldn't do that but just the possibility of a conflict of interests makes it a potentially messy situation.
Massive respect for Rafa for being brave and trying to build his reputation up from scratch again. The guy has earned my respect which I thought I'd never say. Not many Mid-Top tier managers would do this.
Definitely. I thought he'd be the first to jump ship once they were relegated, but he's earnt a lot of respect from me by sticking with Newcastle. A manager of that pedigree could've easily joined another mid-table to top club in another league.
What was the situation with him/them after they got relegated?
The cynic/realist in me thinks he's just merely being professional on a massive wage and there weren't exactly any mid-top level jobs around that would be on the same kind of project wage or transfer budget wise.
Newcastle are a massive club, let's not forget that.
Ive grown to respect this guy.
After chelsea mk2 he seems to be a different man altogether
After chelsea mk2 he seems to be a different man altogether
Indeed, Newcastle are a massive club, but it doesn't mask the fact that they're still in the Championship. Even if he did stay because of wages, it's still admirable to see a manager of his pedigree to stick with a Championship club, no matter the size.
Highlights from last night's match: http://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...norwich#ooid=ZvMHI1NjE6bXiKp8jTLWepfQngOXLzQ-
I'd happily swap them for Sunderland.
Haven't they spend a ridiculous amount considering they're a championship club? Rafa is a good manager but there's a reason why he is a Newcastle manager in the first place.
Nah, huge respect for the guy. How many other managers who are used to managing in the top leagues would put their egos aside to take up a challenge and move to a lower league.
He is a great manager and also appears to be a dignified and great guy also. I've always liked him and I'm pleased to see him doing well for Newcastle - hope he gets them up and back into the Premiership where he and they belong.