Football365

[Zippity]

From their 'premier league winners and losers' section.

Losers

Newcastle, giving up their goodwill
If Rafael Benitez looked deflated after the defeat to Tottenham, his demeanour in the post-match press conference at Huddersfield was one of resignation. It’s at times like these that Newcastle United supporters can take comfort in the fact that leaving the club would cost Benitez significant financial expense. It may be the only thing keeping him in place.

The change in mood at Newcastle is stark. From the joyous celebrations when the Championship title was confirmed in May, with Benitez heralded as their hero on the pitch, pessimistic supporters are worried about a relegation battle in August.

On the evidence of the first two weekends, Newcastle have the weakest squad in the division. It is tempting to say that the gulf in quality between the top two divisions was hammered home when watching Dwight Gayle on Sunday, but only one of Huddersfield’s defenders didn’t play in last season’s Championship. In midfield, Isaac Hayden looked lost and Christian Atsu abject. Again, this is against a team they defeated in the same fixture last season.

That suggests that this is not a question of ability – or at least not solely that – but mood. Mike Ashley’s insistence that the club cannot afford any new players until Benitez sells has once again driven a wedge between the club, its manager and its supporters; the latter two are on the same side.

One thing that was emphasised on Sunday is that Newcastle need more, not just to improve the squad depth but to lift the clouds that are gathering and allow the sun to shine through. If the inaction of the owner continues past the end of the current transfer window, it is easy to see this great club once again thrust into an unpleasant civil war. Welcome back to the Premier League, where dreams are made.

Pretty fair summary, imo.

[Zippity]

Another very good article. Much more positive.

http://www.football365.com/news/shoo...-needs-backing

[NorthernRock]

From their 'premier league winners and losers' section.

Losers

Newcastle, giving up their goodwill
If Rafael Benitez looked deflated after the defeat to Tottenham, his demeanour in the post-match press conference at Huddersfield was one of resignation. It’s at times like these that Newcastle United supporters can take comfort in the fact that leaving the club would cost Benitez significant financial expense. It may be the only thing keeping him in place.

The change in mood at Newcastle is stark. From the joyous celebrations when the Championship title was confirmed in May, with Benitez heralded as their hero on the pitch, pessimistic supporters are worried about a relegation battle in August.

On the evidence of the first two weekends, Newcastle have the weakest squad in the division. It is tempting to say that the gulf in quality between the top two divisions was hammered home when watching Dwight Gayle on Sunday, but only one of Huddersfield’s defenders didn’t play in last season’s Championship. In midfield, Isaac Hayden looked lost and Christian Atsu abject. Again, this is against a team they defeated in the same fixture last season.

That suggests that this is not a question of ability – or at least not solely that – but mood. Mike Ashley’s insistence that the club cannot afford any new players until Benitez sells has once again driven a wedge between the club, its manager and its supporters; the latter two are on the same side.

One thing that was emphasised on Sunday is that Newcastle need more, not just to improve the squad depth but to lift the clouds that are gathering and allow the sun to shine through. If the inaction of the owner continues past the end of the current transfer window, it is easy to see this great club once again thrust into an unpleasant civil war. Welcome back to the Premier League, where dreams are made.

Pretty fair summary, imo.

In reality he's looking at a very short window of reflection tbh Zip.

I won't go on and pick it apart because some of it is true and everyone is entitled to an opinion but we were classed as the strongest team in the division last year and also lost our first 2 league games...

It's easy to look at a few poor performances without any background knowledge and say he's ****, that's **** and they're ****...

We've got a fair few capable players who work hard for the team and that will shine through ultimately because they've got the quality to go with it.

Hopefully we can shift the few we want out and get in some much needed squad additions.

Hes had to do a lot of juggling round with assembling a championship squad originally and now having to evolve it into a prem team, something that was severely hampered with failed bids and slow movement (for whatever reasons).

That definitely didn't help our 1st 2 performances and neither did 2 injuries and a sending off.

We're in 1st gear Rafa's gonna redline it in to 2nd by the time 12am comes on Thursday

[Zippity]

Aye, fair points, man. Did you read the second article?

[Jammy89]

Aye, fair points, man. Did you read the second article?

Fair article again.

IF we could just get a striker we know is capable of getting goals in prem.