To be fair, they might be.

If Benitez keeps them up theres no doubt in my mind that he'll be a success there, but the keeping them up is a the big if. As far as I'm aware Benitez has never managed a club in this position before, nor players as average as some at Newcastle. I don't think its a hugely controversial thing to say that someone like Pearson might have been the better appointment short term.

Pearson wouldn't come in just in the short term though, he'd want a long term deal, like most managers. Then Newcastle would end up stuck with him in the Premiership. This way (if the relegation clause is true) they have a chance to fight with a manager like Benitez, if they stay up they have the best manager they could have hoped for and if they get relegated and Rafa buggers off then they can get Pearson or someone who has a history of doing well in the Championship in.

Also Rafa hasn't always been at top clubs, not like he's done a Neville and gone straight to a top club.

#320040 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

20 years ago

6 months ago

3,111

11 Mar 2016 18:12:42

By Shola | On 11 March 2016 - 18:05 PM GMT

Proof sharing is caring. - Was Benitez as good once he got rid of those guys and replaced them with Morientes and Jared Leto?

Oh my bad, you'd be much better of with Pearson wouldn't you.

#320033 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

20 years ago

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3,111

11 Mar 2016 17:44:44

By Shola | On 11 March 2016 - 17:26 PM GMT

Reminder Benitez spent a summer trying to sell Alonso and get in Gareth Barry.

Anyway Newcastle have sacked 3 coaches and brought in 3 Spanish coaches. Contrasting with when they wouldn't let Hughton and Pardew get in an assistant.

He also won the Champions League with a squad containing Djimi Traore & Igor Biscan

#320021 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

20 years ago

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3,111

11 Mar 2016 16:48:57

Damnit now i'm going to be rooting for Newcastle, this is an alien concept

#319932 Europa League 2015/16

King Luis

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3,111

10 Mar 2016 21:35:23

Practically walked that in

#319913 Europa League 2015/16

King Luis

20 years ago

6 months ago

3,111

10 Mar 2016 20:47:08

United would be so fucked this season without De Gea, absolute class.

#319901 Europa League 2015/16

King Luis

20 years ago

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3,111

10 Mar 2016 20:07:59

This ref really is as soft as his record suggests

#319882 Europa League 2015/16

King Luis

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3,111

10 Mar 2016 18:55:04

Cant understand why Pochettino is resting players for this game, they're playing Villa Sunday ffs

#319485 Ultimate Fighting Championship Thread

King Luis

20 years ago

6 months ago

3,111

07 Mar 2016 12:29:11

If people are going to start bitching about UFC fighters trash talking then maybe they should go watch bowls.

#319382 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

20 years ago

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3,111

06 Mar 2016 17:51:29

Pretty good weekend for us in the end.

#319341 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

20 years ago

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3,111

06 Mar 2016 15:22:03

All is forgiven Benteke, all is forgiven.

#319339 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

20 years ago

6 months ago

3,111

06 Mar 2016 15:08:02

All set for a Gayle winner, almost no point watching the last 10 minutes

#319335 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

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3,111

06 Mar 2016 14:59:06

Berty

been a class act since the turn of the year

#319310 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

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6 months ago

3,111

06 Mar 2016 12:52:14

Palace haven't won in like 11 games, sure they'll manage it against us

#319252 The General Games Discussion Thread.

King Luis

20 years ago

6 months ago

3,111

06 Mar 2016 03:57:52

EA well and truly putting their foot in their mouth this week, announcing they're working to remove Johnson from FIFA the same week they announce Mike Tyson as a playable character in UFC 2

Couldn't make it up

#319133 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

20 years ago

6 months ago

3,111

05 Mar 2016 14:30:58

By VP. | On 05 March 2016 - 14:26 PM GMT

Flamini on, title chances over.

Hasn't he scored more goals against Spurs this season than any other Arsenal player?

#319126 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

20 years ago

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3,111

05 Mar 2016 14:18:06

If there was a way both Spurs & Arsenal could both lose this game then they will find a way today

#319122 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

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3,111

05 Mar 2016 14:16:28

By VP. | On 05 March 2016 - 14:10 PM GMT

Wasn't it Alli who got the ball to Kane, was hard to see as watching it on a very small picture atm.

Just seen where Gibbs was so onside.

Yeah forgot he ran into the corner as well

#319117 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

20 years ago

6 months ago

3,111

05 Mar 2016 14:08:00

By VP. | On 05 March 2016 - 14:05 PM GMT

Surely Dele Alli was offside?

Nah about half a yard onside

#319112 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

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3,111

05 Mar 2016 13:59:40

Ospina's got away with that (didn't cross the line but such a risk with his position), whats he doing that far behind the line

#319109 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

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3,111

05 Mar 2016 13:56:17

Coquelin, what a numpty

#319101 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

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3,111

05 Mar 2016 13:23:37

What a goal that is

#319100 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

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3,111

05 Mar 2016 13:06:37

Welbeck is the only Arsenal player actually bothering to press

#319084 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

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3,111

05 Mar 2016 09:43:32

By Sam | On 05 March 2016 - 09:40 AM GMT

Visual guide for which team has the toughest run-in. For people interested this was created by my brother.

Villa definitely look fucked.

They could have the easiest run in of the lot and they'd still be fucked.

#318943 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

King Luis

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3,111

04 Mar 2016 13:33:37

By VP. | On 04 March 2016 - 10:10 AM GMT

What are you talking about, you and King Luis are almost as bad as each other for just spouting random crap when it comes to Arsenal. After what Klopp got the players to do against WBA i'm amazed you've both got the front to comment on any other club due to sheer embarrassment