Saturday, March 12, 2016

Rafa Benitez wastes no time getting to work at Newcastle as new boss takes first training session just 90 minutes after arrival

Rafa Benitez had been manager of Newcastle for just 90 minutes when he ordered his players – previously on a day off – to report to the training ground, get changed into their kit and head out for an impromptu session.
There are 10 more important 90-minute periods to come, but as far as starts go it was ruthless and decisive – the exact opposite to the team he inherits.
Compare that to Joe Kinnear's arrival in 2008 when he immediately gave his squad two days' holiday. In fact, they never returned and were duly relegated.
Highly-rated manager Rafa Benitez has joined Newcastle United on an initial three-year contract
Highly-rated manager Rafa Benitez has joined Newcastle United on an initial three-year contract
Magpies defender Steven Taylor controls the ball in an impromptu training session held on Friday 
Magpies defender Steven Taylor controls the ball in an impromptu training session held on Friday 
The players were summoned to the club's training ground just 90 minutes after Benitez's appointment
The players were summoned to the club's training ground just 90 minutes after Benitez's appointment
Former Real Madrid and Liverpool boss Benitez puts the players through their paces on Friday
Former Real Madrid and Liverpool boss Benitez puts the players through their paces on Friday



Benitez knows the scale of the challenge that awaits in escaping the bottom three, but measured against that is the potential of the club he has chosen, for the Spaniard wanted Newcastle as much as they wanted him.
Why? Think of Liverpool – where he won the Champions League in 2005 – and the working-class values of a fan-base for whom football is a way of life, not just a pastime.  
On Tyneside, that passion, obsession and fear is every bit as intense. It is no surprise the likes of Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley and Terry McDermott are legends at both clubs.
The rhythm of the week beats in anticipation of Saturday at St James' Park. Tap into that and give the followers a team they can be proud of and, as one of those close to Benitez said, 'you can be a God up there'. And boy do they need someone to worship.
Benitez is arguably the most ambitious appointment in the club's history. There was Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson, yes, but they were coming home. 
Benitez started the season at Real Madrid, no less, and among the world's elite-level managers. Newcastle, in fairness, have pulled off an almighty coup.
Relegation battlers Newcastle have pulled off a massive coup by appointing such an acclaimed boss 
Relegation battlers Newcastle have pulled off a massive coup by appointing such an acclaimed boss 
Newcastle winger Andros Townsend leads his team-mates in a drill during Friday's training session 
Newcastle winger Andros Townsend leads his team-mates in a drill during Friday's training session 
Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has been one of his side's few bright sparks this term 
Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has been one of his side's few bright sparks this term 

NEWCASTLE UNITED FIXTURES 

March 14 Leicester City (A)
March 20 Sunderland (H)
April 2 Norwich City (A)
April 9 Southampton (A)
April 16 Swansea City (H)
April 23 Liverpool (A)
April 30 Crystal Palace (H)
May 7 Aston Villa (A)
May 15 Tottenham (H)
TBC Manchester City (H)
And this, Benitez stresses, is no 10-game mercy mission. 

He's here to rebuild a football club, not fight a fire. But first he must tackle those flames which threaten to send their top-flight status up in smoke.

The 55-year-old Spaniard was confirmed as manager on a three-year-deal at 2.30pm and by 4pm the squad were training at their North Tyneside base, having earlier been enjoying a day off.

The fight to stay in the Premier League starts with a daunting trip to league leaders 
Leicester on Monday, where anything will be a bonus.

Beyond that, a Tyne-Wear derby awaits at St James'. 
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SOCCER PREDICTIONS FOR SATURDAY 12-03-2016

GERMANY BUNDESLIGA1:

Bayern Munich - Werder Bremen    1WIN  

HUNGARY OTB BANK LIGA:

Ferencvaros - Puskas Academy        1WIN

Debrecen – Honved                1WIN

HOLLAND EREDIVISIE:

PSV – Heerenveen                 1WIN

NORTHERN IRELAND PREMIERSHIP:

Crusaders – Ballymena          1WIN

SCOTLAND PREMIERSHIP:

Partick - Celtic                       1WIN

Aberdeen – Kilmarnock        1WIN

SLOVAKIA FORTUNA LIGA:

Podbrezova – Zilina               1WIN

Ruzomberok – Skalica          1WIN

SPAIN PRIMERA DIVISION:

Barcelona - Getafe                 1WIN

Celta Vigo - Real Sociedad    1X      

Atl. Madrid - Dep. La Coruna 1WIN


The last four Sunderland managers have all enjoyed victory over Newcastle in their second game in charge. 

Cunningly, the Magpies have sought to reverse that strange quirk of footballing fate. 

That could well prove a masterstroke in ending a six-game losing run against their regional, as well as relegation, rivals.

For when Benitez is unveiled before that game a week on Sunday, the negativity which has descended like a toxic smog in recent months will be blown away in one almighty black-and-white roar.
Taylor prepares to play a long pass upfield during Benitez's first training session as Newcastle boss 
Taylor prepares to play a long pass upfield during Benitez's first training session as Newcastle boss 
Toon midfielder Henri Saivet joined the club during the January transfer window from Bordeaux 
Toon midfielder Henri Saivet joined the club during the January transfer window from Bordeaux 
Benitez is tasked with keeping Newcastle in the Premier League this season, with 10 games left to play  
Benitez is tasked with keeping Newcastle in the Premier League this season, with 10 games left to play  
Magpies midfielder Jack Colback is put through his paces during training at the club's Benton base 
Magpies midfielder Jack Colback is put through his paces during training at the club's Benton base 
Newcastle goalkeepers Karl Darlow (left) and Rob Elliott train ahead of Monday's game against Leicester City
Newcastle goalkeepers Karl Darlow (left) and Rob Elliott train ahead of Monday's game against Leicester City
Newcastle are second from bottom in the league
Newcastle are second from bottom in the league

With Benitez in charge at least they stand a chance of survival, for had Steve McClaren stayed they would have been relegated, make no doubt about that.

Crucially, Benitez arrives as a 'manager', insisting that the club scrapped their ill-fated 'head coach' model.

Benitez insisted his own staff join him. Coaches Paul Simpson and Alessandro Schoenmaker, as well as psychology guru Steve Black, were shown the door. Fabio Pecchia, Francisco de Miguel Moreno and Antonio Gomez Perez now join Newcastle.

The Magpies have spent £80million this season, and, via a transfer committee, have spent it badly.

Already Benitez has discussed summer budgets and will insist that he alone chooses where to invest the club's riches, should they escape the drop, of course.

He signed off from the statement which confirmed his arrival with a somewhat bizarre rallying cry – it probably was not written by him personally – but the sentiment was correct.

'C'mon Toon Army! The club and I need your total involvement!' it read.
Benitez and Newcastle, it seems, need and want each other right now. They can only hope their relationship extends beyond May. 





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