Splash cash for miracle warns Rafa
RAFA BENITEZ has sent an urgent transfer warning to Newcastle, claiming it will be a miracle if they stay up even if they spend.
Frustrated manager Benitez was fuming after Newcastle failed to have a shot on target against the Premier League’s leakiest defence.
Newcastle are five points clear of the drop zone with a superior goal difference, but face trips to Liverpool and Watford before entertaining Manchester United over the holiday period.
Benitez wants three or four new players when the window opens but no deal has yet been struck for £25million-rated Atlanta United top target Miguel Almiron.
Benitez told the club a month ago he wanted the money men to “strike early” for new players in January. His warning may be a hint that deals set up earlier this month are dragging on, like in previous windows.
“Even if we strengthen in January it will be a miracle if we stay up. I think everyone knows what we have to do,” he said.
“Does Mike Ashley know? I hope so. We have the targets, the names, so we have to do what we have to do.
“I am trying to tell everyone, realise what we have to do and if we do well, we can finish 10th or whatever.”
In a reference to big-spending rivals Fulham and Wolves, Benitez said: “If we think we can beat these teams that have spent £100m, every game, there is no chance, 100 per cent.”
This is the first time since the summer Benitez has ramped up the pressure on the club to spend. The club has consistently failed to invest the cash that should, by all calculations, be available after a
NEWCASTLE
summer profit of £20m. Despite the frustrations, Benitez says he likes the challenges Newcastle present after a career in the higher echelons of management.
But enjoy it? He said: “I like the challenge and we will try to do our best. If you lose or cannot win, you cannot enjoy it, but I know it is my job and I have to be sure I make the right decisions all the time.
“We have to be realistic and understand we will be in the bottom half for the whole season. If we can be better than three teams it will be another miracle.”
Alfie Mawson took a punch in the face from his own keeper Sergio Rico in this draw and then admitted Fulham need a bit of defensive “nastiness”.
It was their first clean sheet for 21 top-flight games after conceding 42 goals this season. Mawson said: “Looking back at the punch it was quite funny. It’s sore but you just carry on.”
Of the shut-out, Mawson said: “It’s a big relief. We’ve been trying so hard for that.
“It can be something we use to bounce off and if we go into the next two games (against Wolves and Huddersfield) with that hunger and belief, we know that we can create chances and that more times than not we will score.”
NEWCASTLE (3-4-2-1):
Dubravka 7; Manquillo 6 (Yedlin 84, 5), Schar 6, Lascelles 7; Dummett 6, Ritchie 5, Ki 5, Diame 5; Perez 5, Atsu 5 (Kenedy 71, 5); Rondon 6.
Kenedy.
Boxing Day PL.
Booked: NEXT UP: FULHAM (3-4-2-1):
Rico 7; Odoi 7, Mawson 7, Ream 7; Christie 7, Chambers 6, Schurrle 6 (Kamara 76, 6), Seri 6; Bryan 7, Cairney 7 (Ayite 81); Mitrovic 5.
Seri, Kamara.
(h), Boxing Day PL.
M Atkinson (West Yorks).
Referee:
Liverpool (a),
Booked: NEXT UP:
Wolves