OPINION
Rafa Benitez is right to speak publicly in a bid to ease concerns about Newcastle United ahead of the new season but the dark cloud over the club cannot be ignored.
The Magpies manager shared ahead of his side playing Tottenham on Saturday that while supporters may wish for him to be upset and fight with owner Mike Ashley, he does not want to give the players an excuse not to perform.
“I could see against Braga (a 4-0 defeat in a friendly this month) that my players were not really focused,” said Benitez, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
“I can tell you that some of them, watching the training sessions, they were suffering because they wanted a solution (to the bonuses), but now it is sorted.
“The fans were also expecting me to be upset and fight (with Ashley), but my message is very clear – my responsibility is to be sure we have no excuse not to perform on the pitch.
“We are finished with the transfer window, now we have to bring the best from our players, I have to concentrate on that.”
While Benitez’s attitude is admirable and he is right to try to squash any negativity surrounding the club ahead of the new season as it will distract the players, it’s like pressing pause in the middle of a big fight.
Everyone is still aware that the situation isn’t completely satisfying for the Spanish manager as there is no way he can be truly happy with how his club performed in the summer transfer window.
Benitez’s current squad still looks several players short of being anywhere near complete and that is before you assess whether their players in the first-team need upgrading.
For example when looking at the Magpies boss current options at fullback, the left or right side, if either of his first-choice options become injured then it will spell trouble.
The other reason why Magpies’ issues can’t be ignored as fans know that they could eventually see Benitez depart St James Park.
The managerial genius is in the final year of his Magpies contract and he has now boldly stated that “now is not the time” to talk about his contract situation and that discussions about a new deal are on hold.
This means that at least for now Benitez’s long-term future isn’t guaranteed and it’s hard to ignore that fans could be watching his last season in charge unfold.
The Spanish manager has done a fabulous job at the Magpies, achieving way more than he should have given his resources and his exit could send the club on a downward spiral.
Therefore this means that while Benitez is right to ease concerns the dark cloud that hangs over Newcastle due to the manager’s contract situation and disappointing summer transfer window cannot be ignored.
