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Embarrassing coverage as national newspaper does 180 degree u-turn on Newcastle United

6 years ago
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As Newcastle United fans we are rapidly getting used to the line being drawn.

On the one side of that line, you have those in the media who give fans and the club a fair hearing, based on facts.

Whilst on the other side of that line, we have the dregs of the media, happy to write and say anything they like based on lies, or simply by not bothering to do any kind of proper research on he subject they are writing about.

Earlier this month there was a disgraceful piece written by Andy Dunn, who is Chief Sports Writer at The Mirror.

His quotes from that 2 August 2018 piece are reproduced below but if you want to read our explanation of just how embarrassing his piece was, go HERE.

As you can see below though, the top man at The Mirror made claims in that pre-season article based on false statistics.

Andy Dunn then used them to ridicule Rafa Benitez for pointing out the shocking lack of investment in Newcastle’s squad (NUFC one of only two clubs to make a profit in the summer window and they had the lowest net ‘spend’ of all 20 PL clubs, £50m or more lower than most of their likely relegation rivals).

Andy Dunn saying:

‘The Benitez strop is becoming a traditional curtain-raiser to rival the Community Shield…the repetitive strain of Rafa’s unsubtle railing against the lack of investment is becoming a little tiresome.

‘You see the teams that have been promoted, the money they are spending. Put it all together and you understand why the fans need to be concerned,” he (Rafa) went on.

‘No.

‘Maybe Benitez wants Newcastle fans to be concerned. Because they don’t need to be concerned.’

Just compare that to what has gone out in The Mirror today (read below), nobody putting their name as the author, instead it going out simply under ‘Mirror Football’.

In this feature about what are the major issues for each PL club, The Mirror article says ‘Lack of quality in the squad’, you simply couldn’t make it up.

This time ridiculing the lack of depth in Newcastle’s squad and feeling it necessary to have another cheap laugh at somebody, declaring ‘When you’re sweating on the fitness of DeAndre Yedlin, you’re in trouble.’

There is some fierce competition out there but I think The Mirror is the one that really scrapes the very bottom of the barrel when it comes to Newcastle United.

Mirror Football – 22 August 2018:

Early season issues that need fixing at YOUR Premier League club

Newcastle

Main issue: Lack of quality in the squad

Every Newcastle fan knew when the transfer window closed the squad was thin and lacking quality but the opening two games have underlined that.

Failing to score away to relegation-favourites Cardiff was compounded by an unwelcome reminder of how much full back Javier Manquillo struggles at this level.

Hooked at half-time by Benitez to be replaced by wantaway midfielder Isaac Hayden, the former Arsenal youth player subsequently got sent off for a lunging tackle on dangerous Bluebirds winger Josh Murphy. When you’re sweating on the fitness of DeAndre Yedlin, you’re in trouble.

The Mag – 2 August 2018:

Andy Dunn from The Mirror:

‘Rafa’s unhappy/on the brink/at end of tether/demanding action/at loggerheads with owner or anyone else in power…

Yippee! That’s the sound of football kicking off again.

The Benitez strop is becoming a traditional curtain-raiser to rival the Community Shield.

This year’s vintage came after he fielded a decent-looking team against Braga in a friendly, only to see them cuffed four-nothing.’

‘This from a squad that is already among the best-paid in the Premier League.

The last complete set of accounts for football clubs was for the 2016-17 season, when Newcastle United were getting promoted from the Championship but their £112million salary bill was one topped by only seven Premier League clubs.

Since then, it is hardly likely to have dropped significantly.’

‘The average player wage at St James’ Park during that Championship-winning season was £54,000 a week. In terms of wages paid, even the Newcastle faithful would be hard-pressed to suggest Mike Ashley is not competitive.’

‘Yet to the outside world, and even to the many of us who consider him a world-class coach, the repetitive strain of Rafa’s unsubtle railing against the lack of investment is becoming a little tiresome.

‘You see the teams that have been promoted, the money they are spending. Put it all together and you understand why the fans need to be concerned,” he (Rafa) went on.

‘No.

‘Maybe Benitez wants Newcastle fans to be concerned. Because they don’t need to be concerned.’

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