2021/22 Rafael Benitez

[Kev50]

I’m hoping there’s some gems to follow in terms of recruitment. Gray is already an unbelievable signing. How much do you normally need to pay for a player of that pedigree, especially English. Imagine how much the likes of Barnes, Saka, Greenwood etc. would go for and we got him for 1.7 million. Outrageous business.

I’ve always thought his transfer dealings were decent. Yes he’s had his share of duds like all managers but he’s also bought players who have done really well for the clubs they’ve been at.

the thing I really credit him with is his wanting to team Barry with Gerrard. They would have been a perfect combination, they both bring opposing qualities to the table. Gerrard flying round the pitch, Barry dead eyed professionalism. Thank god it never happened like, but he does know a player.

 

[Kev The Rat]

I’m hoping there’s some gems to follow in terms of recruitment. Gray is already an unbelievable signing. How much do you normally need to pay for a player of that pedigree, especially English. Imagine how much the likes of Barnes, Saka, Greenwood etc. would go for and we got him for 1.7 million. Outrageous business.

I’ve always thought his transfer dealings were decent. Yes he’s had his share of duds like all managers but he’s also bought players who have done really well for the clubs they’ve been at.

No mate his transfers dealings have been appalling

5 years down the road we are still counting the cost of Walsh and Koemans terrible acquisitions - Benitez on prior form will be as bad.

 

[Kev50]

Fair enough.

"awful Houllier team"? Again - I've always felt Benitez inherited a decent side - I mean, in his first season there he ended up with less points than all Houllier's 5 seasons before that. He never surpassed any of Houllier's league seasons (2nd) but of course, won C.League.

Everton aren't going to be able to sign the obvious names like Torres and Mascherano. Looking at his most expensive 20 signings there, it's not a disaster but it's not great either;

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Rather not waffle on too much about *them* though.

Just having a scout at what he done elsewhere and he's not someone I think should be given good backing/autonomy over spend when/if we can.

I think his signings at Napoli are well worth a look.

 

[TheCount]

Longstaff can't get a regular game for Newcastle, he really isn't any better than Davies (which does'nt say much) We need a midfielder who can come in and start games.

Gray couldn't get a game in the farmers league

 

[FrenchDarrenBent]

Geordies love him though

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that's three geordies. congrats, that's their entire fanbase right there!

that Houllier side won the Champions League
that Benitez side didn't win the Champions League
he paid £7 million for Peter Crouch, who scored one goal every four games for them
he paid £6 million for Craig Bellamy, who scored nine times in 40-odd games for them

The classics. Done to death.
Crouch was sold at a profit by the way; Craig Bellamy... well who can forget the muppetry at camp nou.

For what it's worth: every manager makes mistakes and bad signings. Even Carlo. It's always a bit like betting on a horse...
But he left all his clubs in a better state than when he found them. That's what counts for me.
If the board wants him to manage the club, they should back him. If they don't trust him, sack immediatly & get somebody else in.

 

[Marius57]

Geordies love him though

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I've said all that in the summer. I live just north of Newcastle and work I'm newcastle. They love him because he stuck with them and was a hero against the villain of Ashley. They hated the football.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Rafael had a lot of empty promises from Ashley though didn't he.

He also said they were haggling over his 5th and 6th choice players, rather than going for ones he wanted.

Rafael had lined up deals for the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Praet, Plea, Ruben Dias, Tammy Abraham.

Benitez blames everyone else and whines about the boardroom at every club thought doesn't he?

If he was surprised/blagged by Mike Ashley's integrity then that's on Benitez' judgement.

If someone put a list of all his signings up on here I suspect most would make people grimace.

 

[Saint Domingo]

the thing I really credit him with is his wanting to team Barry with Gerrard. They would have been a perfect combination, they both bring opposing qualities to the table. Gerrard flying round the pitch, Barry dead eyed professionalism. Thank god it never happened like, but he does know a player.

He’s always valued pace power and consistency. It’s no surprise to me that Davies is nowhere near the team and Bernard was shipped out. He wants players that will give an 8/10 every game week in week out. Immediately he brought in two wide men to plug holes that have been there for about 5 years in the squad. I’m looking forward to other midfielders being paired with Docuoure and us starting to become once again a physically imposing side that can bully teams like we used to with Carsley Gravesen Cahill, or like we did under Royle for a period.

 

[Nymzee]

yes, it did, but I credit the manager for that. if you look at that team there is a reason it ws ripped up.
Crouch has never been a goalscorer, and Bellamy never prolific. they bring more to the party than goals alone

Why are you firmly inside of his pipes every day?

 

[Saint Domingo]

No mate his transfers dealings have been appalling

5 years down the road we are still counting the cost of Walsh and Koemans terrible acquisitions - Benitez on prior form will be as bad.

What about current form? How much has Demarai Gray increased in value? Is Townsend not one of the first names on the team sheet?

 

[Efcjake]

they would yes start as favourites, but it's no easy task getting out of that league first go

It is when your wage bill is over double what your competition is able to spend.

 

[FrenchDarrenBent]

I've said all that in the summer. I live just north of Newcastle and work I'm newcastle. They love him because he stuck with them and was a hero against the villain of Ashley. They hated the football.

That's another thing. You're in for quite a dissappointment if you think Potter or anybody else will have us playing like 1970 Brazil,

 

[Efcjake]

What about current form? How much has Demarai Gray increased in value? Is Townsend not one of the first names on the team sheet?

Hopefully enough to keep the books balanced after the massive amounts we have pissed away handing Rondon a 2 year contract

 

[tsubaki]

I’m hoping there’s some gems to follow in terms of recruitment. Gray is already an unbelievable signing. How much do you normally need to pay for a player of that pedigree, especially English. Imagine how much the likes of Barnes, Saka, Greenwood etc. would go for and we got him for 1.7 million. Outrageous business.

I’ve always thought his transfer dealings were decent. Yes he’s had his share of duds like all managers but he’s also bought players who have done really well for the clubs they’ve been at.

Gray had lost his way since his early promise, mainly by going to a team he was never going to consistently start for (which he needed to develop) and then not really settling abroad. Provided his head was right, whoever gave him a run of games in a side that fitted his talents was always going to reap the rewards.

Buying him and then using him off the bench (as we did with Lookman, Kean and in his second spell Geri) would have been a criminal waste.

 

[Marius57]

That's another thing. You're in for quite a dissappointment if you think Potter or anybody else will have us playing like 1970 Brazil,

A) How does a comment about newcastle fans thinking his football is dire have anything to do with me thinking Potter will have us playing like 1970s Brazil?

B) When have I ever even suggested anything of the sort?