Rafa’s stand-off resounds to the sound of silence

RAFA BENITEZ maintained his cold war with Mike Ashley after voicing his frustrations over transfers.

Newcastle owner Ashley gave a lengthy TV interview before yesterday’s clash at St James’ Park – but he had not met with Benitez since May.

The manager has barely been able to contain his anger over the lack of new signings, and his patched-up side will need further reinforcements after injuries to defenders Paul Dummett and Florian Lejeune.

Benitez admitted he knew Ashley was being interviewed by Sky Sports, but said he did not see him before their disastrous defeat to Spurs.

“Yes, I knew, but I have to concentrate on my team,” he said coldly when asked about Ashley and the need for transfers. “It’s the same situation before, it doesn’t change too much.

“We know what we need and we know what we have to do – but I don’t know if anything is close.”

The problem for Newcastle is that Benitez always wants more.

He wants Arsenal misfit Lucas Perez and has an interest in team-mate Jack Wilshere. But it will be a very difficult stand-off to resolve, especially as Ashley seemed happier to reflect upon his time at St James’ Park than actually talk to his current manager (above).

There is an awkward silence and distance between the pair, with both seemingly reluctant to pick up the phone or arrange meetings. It does not bode well.

But Ashley did admit to

Sky that he has made mistakes with coaches at Newcastle in the past – and is anxious to avoid them again.

Ashley said: “I was very naive in the beginning. In the middle I thought I was just about beginning to get my arms around it a little bit, we had a manager on an eightyear contract (Alan Pardew).

“We had the finance right, talked about investing in the training ground and the academy, we had a strategy, buying young talent and developing.

“That was around 2013, 2014, going along quite well, and then within 18 months the wheels had come off, going back to really having to start all over again.

“I probably rushed in too early. The first thing, letting Sam Allardyce go, I was probably too keen to get going and make a difference, and I was a bit naive about how football worked.”

Despite those regrets over Allardyce and Pardew, it seems Ashley’s relationship with his current manager is equally difficult.