Newcastle united

After near radio silence from Mike Ashley, the noise from Newcastle United’s owner is suddenly crackly and unclear. Ashley is unwilling to talk about his intentions at United, but has he sent close pal Dennis Wise into bat for him instead? Certainly that is the conclusion of the majority of Toon fans at the moment, with former Sky Sports anchorman Richard Keys also happy to give him a leg up. Wise’s weekend outburst was supported by Keys saying: “You speak with authority because you worked with Ashley and ran the club.” Let’s face facts, it wasn’t a good idea to bring in Wise back in 2008 as transfer chief and if Newcastle want to get out their message he certainly isn’t the man to be directing delicate political messages now. The reality is that Wise’s comments, if anything, are goading a frustrated fan base. Why is this happening at all? What is the message that is trying to be transmitted here? Is the PR package being rolled out … [Read more...] about How Dennis Wise and chums are trying to transmit an unfair picture of life at Newcastle United

Rafa Benitez insists that Kenedy must take responsibility for his penalty miss at Cardiff - but now wants the whole Newcastle United team to move on from their missed opportunity in Wales. The Magpies will start work for a home game with Chelsea this week and Benitez sees no reason why his side can’t approach the clash in a positive manner. Reflecting on Kenedy’s late blunder, Benitez said: “It was a poor penalty - believe me. “We know it was poor. “He’s not happy he missed a good chance. “We win as a team and lose as a team. I am not concerned about the fact he missed a penalty - he has to take responsibility and that’s it. “It’s a pity when you have worked in a difficult game and you have a chance in the last minute. “Everybody would have gone back to Newcastle happy. “But it’s one point and we have to move on quickly.” A tough run of fixtures is now on the agenda for Newcastle with a home clash … [Read more...] about Rafa Benitez urges Newcastle United and Kenedy to move on from Cardiff

Paul Dummett is set to hold fresh talks with Wales boss Ryan Giggs about a return to the international football scene. Giggs could give Dummett his chance in games with the Republic of Ireland and Denmark next month. The Newcastle United left-back was called up for Giggs’ first squad but wanted to focus on regular club action first. But after returning to Wales at the weekend for United’s 0-0 draw with Cardiff City, Dummett was asked about the prospects of pulling on a red shirt in the UEFA Nations League this season. Dummett said: “I wanted to make sure I was playing every week for Newcastle and he (Giggs) respected the decision that I made. “But he was really positive when I spoke to him on the phone. “At any club, any international team, when you have a change of manager, things change. “New managers have different ideas and different players play, so it is obviously a new era at Wales now. “We’ll see what happens if I can speak to the … [Read more...] about Paul Dummett explains how he put Newcastle United before international football with Wales

Rafa Benitez has handed Newcastle United’s Under-23 players a pre-match pep talk ahead of their Tyne-Wear derby at St James’ Park tonight. With no first team derby on the cards for some time - due to the big gap in divisional status between the North East rivals - this is one of the few tastes of local rivalry the clubs will be involved in. The Wearsiders travel to take on the Magpies in the Premier League 2 clash this evening at 7pm, with Benitez eager to offer his youngsters some advice ahead of one their biggest games of the campaign. With a decent crowd expected at St James’, Benitez hopes his second string will play the game and not the occasion. He told the Chronicle: “What I always say to players involved in an important game like is to stay calm. “I know that the passion is there but you have to compete. “You have to remember it is football and it means a lot to a lot of people. “But you still have to do things in the right way. … [Read more...] about Rafa Benitez gives important message to Newcastle United youngsters ahead of derby

Rafa Benitez has warned his Newcastle United players that they must raise their levels if they are to be successful this season. The Magpies have claimed just a point from their opening two matches after drawing 0-0 at Cardiff City on Saturday - to follow the 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in their opening game - while they face three of last season’s top six in their next three league fixtures. Last season United confounded expectations to finish in 10th place, but Benitez will tell his squad that they have to improve if they are to compete this term - given that just about every other Premier League club have invested heavily in order to improve. “I told the players that we have to fight in every game, and fight until the end of the season,” Benitez said. “It is a simple message, but it is also a very clear one. For us, these kind of games that are physical, when from the first minute we were making mistakes - and then we improved - it is only going to … [Read more...] about Rafa Benitez sends clear warning to Newcastle United squad