After this sorry show, reeling Rafa needs to stand up and earn his pay packet now
NEWCASTLE United continued to labour towards the automatic promotion line as they suffered a worrying 3-1 defeat against Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Rafa Benitez’s men have now won just two of their last eight matches after goals from Freddie Sears, David McGoldrick and Emyr Huws condemned the Magpies to a second straight away defeat.
Daryl Murphy did score on his return to his former stamping ground but it was not enough for United, who are allowing anxiety levels to continue to increase after this concerning display.
Here is what NUFC writer Chris Waugh learned from this latest defeat.
1 AN NUFC SOS CALL: CIARAN CLARK, YOU ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED
In the three away games since the former Aston Villa man suffered an injury, Newcastle have struggled desperately at times in defence. Chancel Mbemba and Grant Hanley simply do not offer the control Clark does, while Jamaal Lascelles appears half the centreback without the Ireland international alongside him at the heart of defence. The first-half performance in particular in Suffolk was alarming. Hanley was given a torrid time by David McGoldrick and the Scotland international also backed off at a rate of knots for the Ipswich opener. Clark has missed half a dozen games now and Newcastle have won just two of them – against two relegation-threatened sides at St James’ Park who had no interest in attacking – and have really struggled on the road without him. We knew Clark had been an excellent addition last summer but maybe we did not realise quite how influential he had been until these past few weeks.
2 MURPHY JUST CANNOT STOP SCORING AT PORTMAN ROAD
Mick McCarthy predicted in his pre-match programme notes Murphy would receive an “excellent reception” due to his “great service” to Ipswich – and he most certainly did, with a round of applause when his name was read out.
The 34-year-old scored 67 goals in 226 appearances for the Tractor Boys and he was prolific at Portman Road in particular.
Interestingly, however, this was only Murphy’s sixth league start for Newcastle since that £3.5m switch last summer.
In fact, the Ireland international has played just 13 times in the league in all but, after Aleksandar Mitrovic played reasonably well on Friday without scoring, Murphy unsurprisingly started up front against his former side.
Yet during the open 45 minutes his team-mates only conjured up one chance for him, a header which deflected over, as instead the Magpies appeared determined to ping directionless long balls forward.
Yet the Irishman just loves scoring at Portman Road – and he tapped in unmarked from a low Christian Atsu cross just after the hour mark to net his fifth league goal of the campaign.
He did not celebrate on his former stamping ground, instead picking the ball up and heading straight back to the centre circle – but, unfortunately, the goal did not bring the desired result in the end.
3 REMEMBERING A LEGEND – AND A TRUE GENTLEMAN
Away from the football on the day and Sir Bobby Robson has a special places in the hearts of Ipswich Town and Newcastle United fans alike – and always will.
The former England manager not only won the UEFA Cup and FA Cup with the Tractor Boys, he also led the Magpies to Champions League football with an exciting brand of play in the early 2000s. Sir Bobby, whose was born in Durham but grew up supporting his father’s team Newcastle, died in July 2009 and he has a statue in his honour at both Portman Road and St James’ Park. He also has a stand named after him at Portman Road due to his success at the club and this gameday was dubbed ‘Sir Bobby Robson Day.’ Not only was there a 100-page match-day programme dedicated to Sir Bobby – with tributes from former players, Ipswich boss McCarthy and exNewcastle defender Steven Taylor – but both sides warmed up with “Let’s tackle cancer!” T-shirts on. There were also fundraising events in the fanzone to bring in cash to The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, while Lady Elsie and other members of the ex-Newcastle manager’s family were also at Portman Road. There were poignant moments during the game where both sets of fans sang Sir Bobby’s name – and, as McCarthy explained, the former manager was not just a great coach but also an exemplary human being. That is why he is remembered so fondly across the footballing world and beyond.
4 NEWCASTLE JUST DON’T LIKE MONDAYS
It is now 11 away league defeats in a row for Newcastle on a Monday – including two this season, at lowly Blackburn Rovers and now at Portman Road where Ipswich have underwhelmed all season.
In fact, this was McCarthy’s first league win against the Magpies since April 1992 – at the ninth attempt too – and back then he was at Millwall.
A win for United would have given them a record number of away wins in a league season – they are currently tied on 13 with Kevin Keegan’s promotion-winning side from 1992/93 – but that has also been the case for several weeks now.
For whatever reason, without Clark United simply cannot perform on their travels.
5 RAFA REALLY NEEDS TO EARN HIS PAY PACKET NOW
It is still not quite time to slam down the panic button just yet - but squeaky-bum time has certainly arrived for Magpies’ supporters.
This defeat means it is now just two wins in eight for Newcastle and they can firmly kiss goodbye to the title.
In fact, Newcastle just need to make sure of promotion – because they have Huddersfield Town and Reading coming up in their rearview mirror.
Benitez is paid more than any other manager in the division, and than most in the top flight, and it is now time he earned that – because his decision-making in team selection over the past few weeks has been questionable.
It is not time to slam down the panic button just yet but squeaky-bum time has certainly arrived