The Toon Army in the Transfer Tavern were disappointed by their side’s performance in the FA Cup yesterday afternoon as Newcastle exited the competition following a 3-0 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The priority for Newcastle United this season is to ensure that their Premier League status is reserved, so departing the FA Cup at the 4th round stage will not be the clubs greatest concern. Even the most optimistic of Newcastle supporters will have admitted that their chances of success in England’s most prestigious cup competition were virtually non-existent, and that focusing their efforts on Premier League fixtures may be the best thing for the club at this stage in the season.
Newcastle’s defeat at Chelsea was a disappointing result, but it was not the supporters greatest concern of the weekend.
Over the course of the weekend, the clubs highly-respected and infectiously popular manager Rafa Benitez implied that he wanted to extend his contract with the north-east giants, but only on the condition that he is financially backed in the transfer market before the window slams shut this week, according to The Chronicle.
The majority of Newcastle’s fan base have been alarmed by Benitez’s admission considering Mike Ashley’s reluctance to splash the cash during his tenure as owner of the club, and plenty of the supporters believe their manager could be on his way out of St James’ Park by the end of the season.
Whether Newcastle will be able to secure the signing of at least one quality player by the end of the month remains to be seen, but Benitez’s comments do suggest that he will be forced to seriously contemplate his future at the end of the season if Ashley is unable to provide the financial backing he desires.
Here’s what the fans had to say about Benitez’s future at the club…
I’ve read first paragraph of that and the bit where it says secure players in closing part of transfer window- Rafa may as well leave now as Ashley won’t guarantee that & I’ll be surprised if we stop up
— A.K.Blk (@BlackAliblack1) January 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/doddsy1991/status/957527463768285185
We all know that’s not going to happen
— Jayne Laverick (@JayneLaverick) January 27, 2018
Bye Rafa
— neilB ⚫️⚪️⚫️⚪️ (@neilTheMagpie) January 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/Steviedodds/status/957388794143092738
That's Rafa off, then. If we sign anyone other than Kenedy this window I'll eat my hat.
— Sam (@Funguslover) January 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/Steviedodds/status/957392650545614849
That last line worries me:
“The main thing is that we have to be on the same page, that’s pretty simple.”— (((Koby))) (@kobysnews) January 28, 2018
So he’s off then #ashleyout
— NEwcastle Un1teD-mAd (@shareefAminpour) January 28, 2018
Take note Ashley
— Dean Bell (@Deano_B1985) January 27, 2018
