Was Newcastle Benítez’s biggest achievement?

The announcement that Rafael Benítez will be parting company with Newcastle United as of June 30 has shaken the footballing world.

After a period of negotiation between the club and their Spanish manager, it was agreed that Benítez would not be renewing his contract at St. James Park.

Having managed the Magpies through relegation to the Championship and subsequent promotion back to the Premier League, Benítez has seen it all over the last three years.

With proposed takeovers failing time and time again, it appears that Benítez’s patience has worn thin. He’s simply taken this current side as far as he can. And without additional investment, Benítez’s managerial credentials are simply wasted.

The Spaniard’s time at St. James Park will be viewed as a relative success. All things considered, from forever-changing ownership issues to a sub-standard squad, Benítez’s reign at Newcastle was impressive – finishing 13th in the Premier League last season.

As a manager who has won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and LaLiga, his job at Newcastle provided a different challenge. Benítez was no longer managing the likes of Gerrard or Torres, but players who had long been on the periphery of Premier League football.

Benítez’s job was to get the best out of what he had. And that he did right from the word go. A 6-game unbeaten run at the end of his first season in charge would have seen the Magpies safe – had it not been for a miraculous end of season run from local rivals Sunderland.

A 5-1 win against Spurs on the final day of that relegation season showed what was to come for Benítez. Yes, star players Gini Wijnaldum and Moussa Sissoko would shortly leave, but Benítez had united a fanbase, a community.

His successful reign at Newcastle makes him a unique manager. One that has managed both at the top and the bottom of the Premier League, with very different teams. It takes an incredibly intelligent manager to work at such varying levels of the game.

Instant promotion back to the Premier League was not a guarantee for Benítez. As one of the most challenging leagues in football, the Championship can be a cruel and unforgiving mistress. However, as much as Benítez has succeeded at the top level of European football, he had full belief in his own ability to galvanize a squad of players.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Benítez’s time in charge of the Magpies was one of his greatest achievements as a manager. Benítez had the charm to build a special bond with one of English football’s most loyal fanbases. As a one club city, Newcastle is very much centered around football, and the manager of Newcastle United has a responsibility to deliver.

With such affection between Benítez and the fans, there was an understanding. An understanding that it might not be pretty, but it’s the best we’ve got.

There’s no doubt that, had one of the proposed takeovers happened, we may well not be discussing Benítez’s departure. With sufficient investment, Benítez and Newcastle could be a match made in heaven. If Benítez can get a 13th placed finish out of this side, imagine where he could have taken Newcastle with a bit of money.

Benítez’s time at St. James Park will be remembered fondly by Newcastle fans. He was a high profile manager that rolled up his sleeves and saved the club from sinking yet again.

Life beyond Benítez begins quickly for Newcastle who will now be looking for his successor. As much as Benítez deserves praise for what he has done, we will only see the level of his skill when his replacement gets to work.

In the view of many Newcastle fans, this is yet another opportunity missed. Managers like Benítez don’t come around very often, and it would be surprising to see a positive summer ahead for the Magpies.

Player Ratings: Bristol Rovers vs Southend United

A player-by-player assessment after Bristol Rovers’s 2-0 victory over Southend United. The play off push continues.

GK Lumley – 8 out of 10

Another impressive performance from the young loanee. Superb save from Simon Cox’s free-kick on 57 minutes. Certainly a step closer to Gasheads crying out for a permanent move in the summer.

RB Leadbitter – 7 out of 10

Consistent performance. Did well when faced with attacking threat and just as reassuring going forward with his pace. The second half somewhat prevented his opportunities of going forward. 

CB Lockyer – 8 out of 10

Defiant and resolute from Lockyer against Nile Ranger who posed a serious ariel threat when he came on. A real captain’s performance from the defender.

CB Sweeney – 8 out of 10

Superbly solid along side Lockyer at the back. No doubt performances like this will result in more clean sheets for the Gas. 

LB Brown – 7 out of 10

Gave his all just as the Rovers fans have come accustomed to. Did well in the first half when called upon to make an important tackle on Simon Cox.

RM Bodin – 9 out of 10

Fantastic goal to set the ball rolling for the rest of the first half. Phenomenal footwork to get away from defenders and carried out his defensive duties in the second half.

CM Lines – 6 out of 10

Mediocre performance. Didn’t use his attacking intent to the best of his ability with some poor decision making.

CM Mansell – 8 out of 10

Extraordinary. For a player who hasn’t started a league game since January 2, Mansell certainly looked in control. Won his midfield battles and protected the back four well.

LM Montaño – 7 out of 10

Consistently inconsistent. He posed a threat going forward but often squandered promising opportunities. Provided partial defensive support but not much of a route out.

ST Gaffney – 9 out of 10

Finally, Gaffney gets what he deserves. 14 games without a goal and it comes in superb fashion with a great 20 yard finish. Work rate today was terrific, cannot fault his performance.

ST James – 8 out of 10

Astonishing work ethic from James. Came close to getting the goal he deserved on a couple of occasions. Nevertheless, a good performance from a hardworking and honest player.

FA Cup: Cupsets only highlight dwindling magic of the cup

The FA Cup has played host to some of the most iconic football matches in English football. From Gerrard’s wonder-goal versus West Ham United in the 2006 Final to the unlikeliest of cupsets, the competition has been renowned for its magical moments.

However, the new money of the Premier League and the Champions League has ushered in a new era of indispensable spending at the pinnacle of the beautiful game. Football superpowers such as Barcelona and Real Madrid have paved the way for English clubs to follow suit in spending hundreds of millions in transfer windows.

The FA and various news cooperations will sensationalise the romance of the trophy each year, whilst the top-flight clubs push the domestic competition to one side in a bid to reach the dizzy heights of lucrative television and sponsorship deals.

In the fourth round, both Premier League and Championship clubs squeezed FA Cup duties around their league fixtures – fixtures that will ultimately result in larger sponsorship deals and television audiences.

CHANGES GALORE

Defeats for Leeds, Liverpool and Watford may all be coined ‘cupsets’ but to what extent is the victory for lower-league clubs magical?

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool starting line up versus Wolves saw just two players remain from their EFL tie with Southampton on Wednesday night. Klopp’s squad rotation meant that 17-year-old Ben Woodburn and 19-year-old Ovie Ejaria both made rare appearances in the Liverpool first team.

That team sheet would have arrived at Wolves’ dressing room door at 2pm, and to certain extents, Paul Lambert’s side would have been encouraged with the team Liverpool put in front of them. However, there was undoubtedly an anti-climatic feeling amongst the team. Where is Coutinho, Henderson, etc? These are the players Wolves wanted to go toe-to-toe against at one of the most famous stadiums in world football.

I am not saying Wolves were not excellent in their 2-1 win over the Reds, not by any stretch of the imagination. But notice what dominated the headlines after the game. Pundits and broadcasters right across the country: ‘Why did Klopp pick youngsters?’ ‘The nightmare 2017 continues for the Reds.’

Non-league Sutton, likewise, re-wrote their club’s history books by defeating Championship side Leeds United. A 1-0 victory for the non-league club is, like Wolves’ victory, a tremendous achievement. But, yet again, certain levels of magic of the victory were tarnished by a flurry of changes from Garry Monk with 10 in total.

There are many upsets from the weekend that could be examined in the fullest detail, but quite honestly, the combination of changes and results speak for themselves.

Can the top clubs be blamed?

Championship high flyers Newcastle and Brighton both fell to defeat against lower league opposition in round four – making 18 changes between them. It is hard to point the finger and tell them to put their strongest sides out. Why would they? The money included in reaching the top-flight of English football far outweighs defeating lower league, or even non-league, opposition.

Liverpool, too, cannot be blamed for fielding a weak side. By Tuesday, when the Reds face Chelsea, they would have played 9 games in January, meaning Klopp simply can’t afford to lose any of his best players if they are to hold on to their flimsy title hopes.

The FA Cup proves to still be the most unpredictable and unique competition in English football, but it has lost its magic. The magic of the cup has been sacrificed in the face of business and money, driving the rich superpowers to more revenue at the top of English football.