OPINION
Adrian Durham seemed to aim a subtle dig about Rafa Benitez in the direction of Newcastle United supporters and this will surely see fans roll their eyes.
In the ‘Heads Gone’ part of his drivetime show, where he highlights stories where people are barking up the wrong tree, Durham directly addressed Magpies fans before sharing a fact he has just discovered.
Durham stated that Sam Allardyce, Glenn Roeder and Alan Pardew all had better win percentages then Benitez as Magpies boss.
“Newcastle fans, Rafa Benitez is below Sam Allardyce, Glenn Roeder and Alan Pardew in terms of win percentage as Newcastle boss,” said Durham on talkSPORT (Tuesday April 9th, 18:38).
This prompted Darren Gough to urge Durham not to say Benitez was worse than the trio and the broadcaster smugly played down he was about to do that.
“We’re not saying he is better or worse, or whatever, that’s a fact, it’s a fact, you can’t argue with the fact,” added Durham.
“Rafa below Sam, Pardew and Roeder in terms of win percentage as Newcastle boss.”
The broadcaster claimed he wasn’t trying to say the managerial trio were worse or better than Benitez, he just wanted to point out you can’t argue with facts.
Yet given the tone he delivered the message and the fact that he clearly was trying to make a point by highlighting the fact during his ‘Heads Gone’ segment, it was like he was trying to mock Magpies fans for being generally hugely supportive of Benitez.
It’s unclear why he was doing this as while the Magpies boss is popular at St James Park, he’s not untouchable, and Magpies supporters have often questioned certain decisions.
However whatever Durham’s motives on this occasion are, surely trying to put down Benitez’s reign at St James Park is only going to make eyes roll.
