• The Magazine
  • Interviews
  • Current
  • Nostalgia
  • Legends
  • European
  • World
  • Log in
  • Subscribe
Menu
  • The Magazine
  • Interviews
  • Current
  • Nostalgia
  • Legends
  • European
  • World
  • Log in
  • Subscribe

How Rafael Benitez has woken a sleeping giant in Newcastle United

Pink by Pink
September 17, 2016
in British, Latest
How Rafael Benitez has woken a sleeping giant in Newcastle United

BY JACQUE TALBOT

As the referee blew the whistle on Newcastle United’s Premier League time following the 5-1 demolishing of a hapless Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the 2015-16 season, the atmosphere at St. James’ Park erupted. This doomed and demoted side, somehow and someway, found a saving grace in the form of a single messiah, Rafael Benitez.

A new wave of optimism suddenly envelopes Newcastle United and though they got off to a shaky start in the Championship, losing to both Fulham and Huddersfield, the positivity grew as fresh faces started to surface, and the alleged mercenaries left the club.

Last week saw Newcastle United equal their largest away win an almost effortless 6-0 thrashing of QPR. The last time the Magpies won by six goals away from home, it was in 1962 against Walsall.

Newcastle United fans are slowly remembering why they love football again. Initiatives such as the Gallowgate Flags have spawned, proving that both the supporters, the club and the manager are finally pulling in the same direction.

Each team in the Championship still has around about 40 games left, yet with Newcastle United there seems to be a certain inevitability among the supporters about their promotion.

Some supporters are even already confessing to having inner-thoughts of Champions League qualification next year; surely an insurmountable task given Newcastle’s current predicament, but it just shows how much belief and hope is resonating around Tyneside recently.

The bookies gave Newcastle the shortest odds ever set for a newly relegated side to bounce right back up. Ask any Newcastle United fan “why?” and their fingers would surely point to one man. It’s something the people up there are calling “The Rafa Effect”.

Not only has Rafa Benitez enabled the fan base to rediscover their love for football, it’s the players too. The promising England stars turned-castaways, now look like they are back to enjoying their time on the pitch.

Figures like Jonjo Shelvey and Dwight Gayle, both stuck on the bench for the most part by their previous managers, are now looking like they are coming into their own. With the new number nine Dwight Gayle scoring in each of his four games for the club, and the enigmatic Jonjo Shelvey showing his true potential whilst also getting on the scoresheet in the last two games with some fine efforts.

Newcastle United has been littered by want-away players such as Euro 16 star Moussa Sissoko. He had angered the fans by publically stating his desire to leave for Champions League football, and he finally got his wish with a move to Tottenham. Other players, such as Gini Wijnaldum, channelled their disinterest in the club by issuing weekly lacklustre and lazy performances.

In defiance of the big names leaving the Black and Whites, Rafa Benitez has actually strengthened his squad. His transfer dealings have been laudable, with eight players leaving the club and thirteen players arriving, the Spaniard now has two sets of first team elevens at his disposal to cope with the gruelling Championship schedule.

Today, just inside the Gallowgate End concourse, a small group of volunteers will spend four hours sellotaping about 500 man-sized flags to bamboo sticks. At 3pm these man-sized flags will be proudly flailed by fervent fans, coating the Gallowgate End. Three points today could see the club hit the top spot in the league table, with no foreseeable way of them ever moving.

FOLLOW JACQUE ON TWITTER @Jac_Talbot

Related Posts

Latest

Bengals vs Chiefs Betting Odds, Spread, Predictions & Key Match Info: NFL Championship Game Summary (2023)

It’s time for the 2023 AFC Championship – and we have Bengals vs Chiefs for the third year in...

by Jamie Ingram
January 27, 2023
0
Latest

WWE Royal Rumble Betting Odds, News, Predictions & Picks (Fans Believe In The Rock)

WrestleMania season is upon us, with the WWE Royal Rumble 2023 just days away. In addition to the men’s...

by Jamie Ingram
January 27, 2023
0
Open Sud de France 2023 Betting Odds: Latest Open Sud de France Betting Lines, Tips, Bonuses, and More
Latest

Open Sud de France 2023 Betting Odds: Latest Open Sud de France Betting Lines, Tips, Bonuses, and More

The 36th edition of the ATP 250 Open Sud de France starts on January 30. The Open Sud de...

by Jamie Ingram
January 23, 2023
0
Latest

Liverpool vs Brighton Betting Odds, Predictions, Team News, and Line-Ups (Premier League 2022/2023)

Brighton welcomes Liverpool to the AMEX Stadium this weekend in what promises to be an exciting game of football,...

by Jamie Ingram
January 13, 2023
0
Load More
Next Post
Book review – When England Ruled the World, 1966-1970: Four Years Which Shaped the Modern Game by Steve Mingle

Book review - When England Ruled the World, 1966-1970: Four Years Which Shaped the Modern Game by Steve Mingle

Please login to join discussion
Events

Grammy Predictions and Odds (2023): Who Will Win Best Pop Solo Performance & Other Prestigious Awards?

by Jamie Ingram
February 3, 2023
0
0

The Grammy Awards are set to take place on February 5 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Based...

Read more
UNC vs Duke Betting Odds: Bet on Duke Blue Devils vs North Carolina Tar Heels (NCAA Men’s Basketball, Feb 4, 2023)

UNC vs Duke Betting Odds: Bet on Duke Blue Devils vs North Carolina Tar Heels (NCAA Men’s Basketball, Feb 4, 2023)

February 2, 2023
0
golf betting

Best Golf Betting Odds: Top 5 Golf Betting Sites for PGA Tours, US Open, Masters Tournament, and Other Major Golf Events

January 31, 2023
0

Bengals vs Chiefs Betting Odds, Spread, Predictions & Key Match Info: NFL Championship Game Summary (2023)

January 27, 2023
0

WWE Royal Rumble Betting Odds, News, Predictions & Picks (Fans Believe In The Rock)

January 27, 2023
0
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Profile

© Copyright 2023 – Football Pink

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Profile

© Copyright 2022 - Ronnie Dog Media All Rights Reserved. Live Score

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Gmail
  • Print Friendly
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Tumblr