Benitez at his lowest ebb after this defeat
A SORRY SHOW PROVES YET AGAIN BOSS NEEDS HELP TO BOLSTER STRUGGLING TEAM
IF ever there was a need for a Santa bearing gifts for the under privileged of Tyneside then it is right now.
Be that Rafa Benitez, Amanda Staveley or Uncle Tom Cobleigh.
Until now Benitez has been the inspiration and the hope.
Yet even he is wilting under the pressure of trying to organise a squad simply nowhere near good enough.
Why do we need a gift bearer? Here’s why.
A defence which once was capable of keeping clean sheets has alarmingly leaked seven goals in United’s last two appearances.
Also, a depressing thought for a team in dire need of winning matches to halt an alarming slump, only 11 goals have been credited in 13 Premier League encounters.
That has left the Mags with joint top scorers embarrassingly claiming only two apiece as November draws to an end – a central defender, Jamaal Lascelles, and a centre-forward of one-paced attack Joselu.
How Alan Shearer and Malcolm Macdonald must squirm in embarrassment!
There is more. United have now lost four games on the bounce and have not taken a point from Huddersfield, Brighton, Burnley, Bournemouth, and Watford.
If it all sounds suicidal then it is not opinion, it is fact – and facts have to be recognised before it is too late.
Now tell us United are not in a crisis. Benitez knows it only too well.
However, while he has publicly been backing his beleaguered troops, that open support must be in grave danger of wearing paper thin as his options diminish by the game.
Watford were so much better in all departments – more inventive movement, more time on the ball, better first touch, superior finishing..
United were distinctly second best in a two-horse race.
Their defence was pulled all over the place with DeAndre Yedlin having a nightmare, Matt Ritchie confirming his form has dipped alarmingly and Joselu displaying a shocking lack of pace and finishing.
He missed a great opportunity early doors at 0-0 which proved extremely costly.
Masked raider Marvin Zeegelaar ripped United to shreds down Yedlin’s side, setting up Watford’s opening two goals first half, while the third also came along the same channel. How worrying is that?
This was without question the lowest ebb of Rafa Benitez’s time on Tyneside and he must have endured a restless night’s sleep.
Because of the love and trust that abounds for Benitez it would be easy to kid all about what the eye witnessed and write it off lightly.
That would be to do a disservice to what he faces in the immediate future. Reality is often unpalatable.
An applauded 4-4-2 system simply has not worked.
It has not increased United’s goal threat and has weakened their defensive capabilities. Time for the experiment to end.
Where to turn to next? It is difficult to see a solution within the current ranks, which means January becomes our main hope regardless of a takeover.
That opportunity cannot be missed again - yet at the same time a lack of investment is not the only reason for Newcastle’s plight.
The players must individually and collectively stand up to their responsibilities and get back to the basics of football regardless of a lack of flair.
Even those of limited ability can be organised, disciplined and possess determination which has of late been conspicuous by its absence.
Next we face two away matches this week – West Brom tomorrow night after their good draw at Spurs and champions Chelsea on Saturday.
Santa, we need you straight away please. Pressies at the ready.