BILIC ON BRINK
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RAFA BENITEZ claims this emphatic win changes nothing. Slaven Bilic will be praying he’s right.
Because while this felt like a fresh start for Newcastle, for Bilic, it had a terminal feeling about it. Circumstances have conspired against the West Ham boss – three successive away games, injuries, red cards, players clearly not match-fit.
But non-performances like this one get managers the sack, no matter what their mitigation.
And wins like this can act like a springboard, though just as Benitez didn’t panic after losing the opening three games of the season, his song remains the same.
Newcastle still require significant investment this week and they will struggle without it.
Probably not what the celebrating Toon Army want to hear after goals by Joselu, Ciaran Clark and sub Aleksandar Mitrovic overwhelmed the Hammers.
Absent
And definitely not the message Mike Ashley wants coming from the manager’s office.
He was absent on Saturday but given his own history, probably wonders what Benitez has to complain about.
Fortunately for Newcastle and unfortunately for the owner, Rafa is not a man to let one positive result drive his mindset.
“No, I don’t think it makes a difference,” he said on being asked of his spending plans in the days ahead.
Neither has he changed his opinion that Newcastle are in for a tough campaign without further strengthening.
“This result doesn’t change that,” he added. “For me, it was a confirmation of the way we have to do things.”
No Toon player performed badly. No Hammer will be happy with his own display, least of all on-loan keeper Joe Hart who reports for England duty having conceded 10 goals in three games for his new club.
Striker Mitrovic was smiling having come off the bench to score his second goal in four days.
The Serb is a fans’ favourite but it’s his manager he needs to convince. And while he won’t be turfed out this week, that’s more down to a lack of numbers at St James’ Park than Benitez suddenly becoming his biggest backer.
“There are a lot of people who don’t trust in me so I just try to make them 6; NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Elliot 8, Manquillo 6, Lascelles 6, CLARK (Diame Mbemba 6; Merino 7, Hayden 7 6, Atsu 82); Ritchie 7 (Murphy 88), Perez Aarons, 7; Joselu 7 (Mitrovic 72). Subs: Saivet, Gamez, Woodman. League, UP NEXT: Swansea (a), Premier Sunday, September 10. WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Hart 6; 5, Zabaleta 6, Collins 6, Ogbonna 6), Noble Cresswell 6; Rice 5 (Lanzini 46, 5 (Sakho 5 (Kouyate 71); Antonio 5, Ayew 70, 5), Fernandes 5; HERNANDEZ 6. Subs: Fonte, Adrian, Obiang, Masuaku. UP NEXT: Huddersfield (h), Premier League, Monday September 11. Referee: Neil Swarbrick 7 did YOUR TURN: How many goals score in 91 Hammers striker Andy Carroll 2005-11 appearances for Newcastle from – 22, 33 or 44? wrong,” he said in a veiled reference to Benitez’ reluctance to start him despite axing Dwight Gayle from the squad.
So should he be trusted? “I’m not the gaffer. That’s not my job,” added Mitrovic, who claims there is strong interest across the continent for his services.
“My job is to score goals. I played 20 minutes and my job is to give everything and try to deserve more minutes on the pitch.
“Newcastle decide that I need to stay here. I agree with them. I am here, my head is here.
“I have unfinished business in the Premier League and have a mission to MIT’S THERE: Aleksandar Mitrovic nets third show people in England – and I will show them.”
Bilic admitted he was worried after such a turgid display from the visitors and captain Mark Noble couldn’t offer any excuses for their tame surrender once Clark had cleared a Javier Hernandez shot off the line and then headed the second.
“It wasn’t good enough,” said Noble. “We just didn’t seem there and I don’t know why.
“The atmosphere in the dressing room isn’t great, it’s not the start we wanted to have and we haven’t looked good.
“We’re professionals and should be doing better.”