TOON ’N’ GLOOM Magpies legend Supermac fears drop... AND Rafa exit
NEWCASTLE legend Malcolm Macdonald believes his old club face a sickening double whammy – relegation AND the departure of revered manager Rafa Benitez.
Supermac warns it’s the only possible ending to the open warfare on Tyneside between Benitez and current Toon owner Mike Ashley.
Benitez once again failed to receive financial backing to bring in his top targets during the summer transfer window.
Macdonald has had enough. Supermac said: “I feel really sorry for Rafa because this is a great manager who is just being used and abused.
“It’s almost as if he is being punished for the success he has brought to the club.
“In my eyes, Mike Ashley is not bothered about the club, the team, the supporters or anybody.
“What he really wants is for Newcastle United to keep supplying him with the money.”
Newcastle face Arsenal, one of Macdonald’s former clubs, at St James’ Park on Saturday – with just a single point from their opening four games.
Macdonald added: “It’s not good. You get to Christmas and you really need to be on 18, 19, 20 points. I am struggling to see where they might come from.
“I’m looking at the fixture list until the end of December and I’m not sure they will even get into double figures.
“They need some talent to come in. But that’s just not going to happen. I have never known a situation quite like this.
“Does the owner want to sell? He says he does, but I don’t think he does really, because Newcastle is too valuable for him.
“The club has been relegated twice while Ashley has been the owner. Each time they have come straight back.
“But if they get relegated again and things stay the same – it hurts me dreadfully to say this – I can’t see them coming straight back.
“I think the spirit in the club has been broken over these last few weeks.”
Macdonald (right) feels it is increasingly unlikely that Benitez will still be around to pick up the pieces again.
“I think he’s being shoved towards the door. He doesn’t deserve it. He’s done an absolutely terrific job.
“But he’s getting no support from above.
“It is heartbreaking. You look and it’s a full stadium every match day, 52,500 fans. And supporters raFa on tyneSiDe games: 109 Won: 49 Drawn: 22 lost: 38 goals for: 164 goals against: 121 Win %: 44.95
will think, ‘Where the hell are we going?’. “The team got away with murder last season – but it can’t happen twCohvyseealsrsvdinsvasnrovwic.” Macdovnsadvlds, be at Saturddasyv’sdsgvadmsev.d“sI been invited by my old skipper Bob Moncur to do talks in different lounges, which I am happy to do,” he explained. “But whenever I am in there,
I’m having to bite my tongue. I don’t think things would improve even if Rafa won a trophy.
“I fear that he will be gone at tChhevesnedlsvodfstvhsenosevaicson. but I don’t
tdhsinvdksivtdwsvilldhsvapspdven.
“Mike Ashley would have to listen carefully to the buyers who are interested... and let it go.
“I know that Rafa would dearly love to remain at Newcastle United with a decent, free hand to go and bring success.”