Rafa Benitez “It is January 26 so I don’t need to say anything…we don’t have any new player here”
Rafa Benitez left to reflect after a dismal afternoon at St James Park.
It may have taken until the 90th minute for Watford to make absolutely sure with their second goal.
However, Newcastle offered absolutely zero threat all afternoon, the only effort on target was a Manquillo charge up the pitch that ended with his effort comfortably cleared off the line.
The game was terrible and Rafa Benitez was forced to concede: ‘Give credit to Watford as they made 11 changes but still have a good team.’
Newcastle made seven changes but to be honest, Rondon is the only outfield player that we really missed and he is on loan!
When it comes to how to move forward on the pitch, particularly with the transfer market, Rafa Benitez declared: ‘It is January 26 so I don’t need to say anything…we don’t have any new player here.’
Very difficult not to be annoyed with this wasted exercise today but Rafa Benitez stated: ‘We just have to realise that we cannot go through with this team, it means we have to now concentrate on the league.’
Yes, that old one, concentrate on the league.
Sadly, in reality it is concentrate on not getting relegated.
Rafa Benitez says Newcastle United ‘need to do the right things’ and when asked what the right things are?:
“It is January 26 so I don’t need to say anything…we don’t have any new player here.
“I think it was an even game.
“I don’t think they were much better than us.
“We didn’t play well but they didn’t do anything too special, apart from a couple of mistakes that we made and they scored two goals.
“That was the difference.
“You have to create chances to score goals but in this game you cannot say we were much worse than them.
“We couldn’t create enough chances, they are a good team.
“Give credit to Watford as they made 11 changes but still have a good team.
“I think if you want to create a better atmosphere you have to play better and create more chances.
“We just have to realise that we cannot go through with this team, it means we have to now concentrate on the league.
“I think the fans they know, I don’t have to explain the situation.
“We put a team on the pitch that could win.
“We have 15 games now to play and we have to be sure everyone is focused and no distractions.
“It’s important to have new faces, but we will see what happens…”
Asked what happened with failed Jordan Lukaku signing:
“I don’t want to talk about transfer windows, I won’t talk about (new) players. I’m disappointed because of the loss (to Watford).”
Stats from BBC Sport:
Newcastle 0 Watford 2
Goals: Gray 61, Success 90
Possession was Watford 53% Newcastle 47%
Total shots were Watford 7 Newcastle 5
Shots on target were Watford 3 Newcastle 1
Corners were Watford 2 Newcastle 5
Referee: David Coote
Newcastle United:
Woodman, Manquillo, Fernandez (Schar 81), Lascelles, Clark, Ritchie (Atsu 73), Hayden, Longstaff, Kenedy, Murphy (Perez 72), Joselu
Unused Subs:
Dubravka,Yedlin, Lejeune, Rondon
Crowd: 34,604 (Watford 1,350)
(Instant NUFC fan/writer reaction to the FA Cup exit go HERE)
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