Newcastle United: Fans are daring to dream following Rafa Benitez update

All Newcastle fans have craved news about Rafa Benitez staying at St James’ Park since talk was rife that he was considering his future, amid claims that Mike Ashley’s vision for the club did not match his.

His aspirations for The Magpies is not an unrealistic one. He is not asking for funds to make the club the next Manchester City or Champion’s League winners. He just wants a side that can challenge the top eight and avoid the perennial relegation scrap that has become synonymous with Ashley’s reign.

So when a respected journalist who has covered Newcastle United for years, from the regional newspapers to the nationals, comments on the situation with a positive update, fans take notice.

Luke Edwards wrote in the Daily Telegraph today that, from what he understands, it would now be “a far bigger shock if Benitez left Newcastle than if he stayed”.

That is music to fans’ ears, and should be encouraging news to them, that the stand-off between Ashley and Benitez may be won by their hero after all.

But for some fans, this optimistic view being written on April 1, has not been lost — although Luke does say that it is just coincidence.

Here are some of the reactions to his expectations:

And no this isn’t an April Fool’s joke. It’s genuine #NUFC

— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) April 1, 2019

Is it an April fools joke ??

— Chris Cheetham (@cheetz88) April 1, 2019

“eye contact has been made and the flames of mutual attraction have sparked” you’ve made me smile this morning Luke 🙂

— Chris Nove (@chrisnove) April 1, 2019