Rafa is hoping for a good sign
RAFA BENITEZ is desperate to show off his best Winston Churchill impression at Old Trafford today with a ‘V for Victory’ salute after masterminding a Newcastle win.
The picture of owner Mike Ashley appearing to show two fingers to protesters on Wednesday night, below, outraged fans, many of whom have not been placated by his strenuous denial of making a deliberate gesture.
But any Benitez celebrations following a first win of the season will spark universal delight among the Toon Army. He said: “Because I’m coming from another country, if you win, it’s a victory sign so hopefully we can do that at the end of the game. Victory!”
Looking at the bigger picture, the Newcastle manager is cautiously optimistic that the restraurant get-together with Ashley, managing director Lee Charnley, coaching staff and first-team squad all in attendance could yet prove a watershed moment.
It was only the fifth time he has met Ashley face to face and Benitez says no promises about transfer budgets in the new year or the club’s future direction were made.
But while it was mainly small talk at the dinner table, he believes the owner’s renewed interest in his club – he will be at Old Trafford, his third game in a row – is encouraging.
“It’s very common at many clubs to have lunch or dinner with the president or owner,” he said. “Normally, it is a positive so I don’t see any negatives. It was his idea to try to support the team and the manager.”
Benitez believes Newcastle will survive this season but has made it clear to Ashley that, unless there is substantial investment in the new year, it could go to the wire.
He has been let down by the retail magnate many times in the past, not least this summer, when the club’s net expenditure – a £20million profit – was less than any other top-flight club. Benitez hopes the fact Ashley is now seeing the frailities of the squad for himself will press home to him the need for a fresh injection of quality.
“He knows my ideas and I know his and if you talk about everything and you see the games, it would be easier for everyone to understand,” said Benitez.
“I’m positive about this team but still, if we can do something, it will be better. But I’m realistic and I know January is a difficult window. A lot of players are involved in Europe and it will not be easy to bring them here.”
Shedding further light on Wednesday’s meal at an Italian restaurant, Benitez said: “It was informal. It won’t change anything for tomorrow. It’s time to concentrate on Manchester United, which is a massive game for us.” Asked if he would take any delight in piling the pressure on Jose Mourinho, he said: “It is not my job to talk about the other manager. We have things we have to sort out here and he will have his problems too.” Benitez has been fined £60,000 after accepting an FA charge for comments he made about match referee Andre Marriner before the Crystal Palace game a fortnight ago.