Clever Benitez plays the Toon

RAFA BENITEZ – is he really a good manager? Yes, he is.

Is it a catch for Newcastle United to get him? Yes, it is.

Is he going to get more out of players who seriously under-performed this season just because they’re playing a level below next season? Not necessarily.

Is £15million over three years for a Championship manager obscene? Absolutely.

Is this another example of Newcastle United fans and the north-east media telling us there’s not a Messiah complex at the club when, actually, there is? You bet.

I’ve already heard one supporter say he’s besotted with Benitez, another says he’s a club legend and he’s been there how long?

We might as well hand Newcastle the Championship trophy now and let them parade it around Gallowgate given what some fans and journalists are saying. It’s embarrassing. The only thing we can say for sure is that Benitez has played a blinder.

There was obviously nothing cooking for him in the Premier League but he has still managed to trouser a great contract.