Martin Keown pinpointed that Newcastle United needed three things to happen in order to improve their fortunes.
The BBC pundit raved about Rafa Benitez as he stated the club must hang onto him, while also claiming they needed more money to be spent and to get to January as quick as possible.
Keown shared that he thought Benitez was the man who can make the difference at the Magpies while describing the club as a sleeping giant.
“It’s a hotbed of football,if that football club could reach the heights, you think about Keegan-mania as it was when they got back into the big time,” said Keown on BBC One’s Football Focus (Saturday October 27, 12:31pm).
“They are a sleeping giant but Mike Ashley has put in, what is it, nearly £200million of his own money, okay they need more money and need to get to January as quickly as possible.
“Any other manager, Benitez is an exception, he might well be facing the sack now but it’s about hanging on to Benitez as he’s the man who can make the difference.”
OPINION
You’ll find very few Magpies supporters who would disagree with Keown’s claim about Benitez. The Spanish manager would have been sacked by the majority of trigger-happy Premier League clubs for his side’s poor start to the season, but the club are right to keep him. Benitez clearly has the skills and knowledge to lead the Magpies back to their glory days and even pick up a few trophies on the way. The only issue is the Magpies boss needs to be given the tools to do this and with Ashley owning the club, it’s hard to see that happening. While Keown may highlight the fact the businessman has poured some money in the club, it’s nowhere near enough. The Magpies have been restricted in the transfer market for way too long, especially when you consider the club’s stature and size. While Keown believes Benitez can make a difference at St James Park, he is going to need the Magpies to get a new owner in order to help him.
