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Rafa Benitez says he can’t control how much money (if any) he has to spend but at least can say yes or no on signings offered to him

5 years ago
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After watching his team pick up their biggest win in eight months, Rafa Benitez only needed three words to sum up Saturday.

The Newcastle boss declaring ‘We did good.’

Back in May 2018, Newcastle beat reigning champions Chelsea to secure a top ten finish to the season, a great achievement after promotion and minimal backing from Mike Ashley.

Fast forwarding to the present day, the three goal victory saw United swap places with Cardiff and climb out of the bottom three, maybe just as sizeable an achievement considering it was a lot less than minimal backing from the NUFC owner ahead of this season.

Asked about the transfer situation with now only a week and a half to go until the transfer deadline, Rafa Benitez responded: ‘I cannot control the money but at least I can say yes or no (on transfers that are offered to him).’

The one thing we know for sure, no acceptable transfers have been offered to the Newcastle United manager this month, so far…

Rafa Benitez:

“We played extra-time in the FA Cup and scored four goals, it gave everyone confidence today.

“We could see from the first minute that our team wanted to get three points against a (relegation) rival.

“We did really well and everyone has to be pleased.

“My message to the fans was to stay calm, support the team.

“The players did well and the fans enjoyed every minute.

“We did good.

“We scored three goals so everyone has to be happy.

“The main thing is the commitment of the players, then it was about trying to manage the game against a tough team – a physical team.

“Fabian Schar has quality on the ball and it (the opener) was a great goal.

“The team were giving everything and in this kind of game you know you have to work hard.

“I said before, we would still have to win a lot of games to stay up.”

Rafa Benitez asked about claims Dennis Wise is involved once again with Mike Ashley and Newcastle United:

“Someone was telling me about this but I have no idea…

“Yesterday I was talking to Lee Charnley and Steve Nickson about the transfer window.

“I cannot control the money but at least I can say yes or no (on transfers that are offered to him).

“You know I am not talking about the transfer window.

“Today after this game, for me it’s just to enjoy and try to be sure that we have a little bit of a rest and we are ready for the next one.”

Stats from BBC Sport:

Newcastle 3 Cardiff 0

Goals: Schar 24, 63 Perez 90+3

Possession was Cardiff 47% Newcastle 53%

Total shots were  Cardiff 9 Newcastle 16

Shots on target were Cardiff 1 Newcastle 6

Corners were  Cardiff 10 Newcastle 7

Referee: Stuart Attwell

Newcastle United:

Dubravka, Yedlin, Schar, Lascelles, Lejeune, Ritchie (Manquillo 85), Hayden, Longstaff, Atsu, Perez, Rondon

Unused Subs:

Woodman, Roberts, Sterry, Joselu, Murphy, Clark

Crowd: 49,864 (Cardiff 1,400)

(Instant NUFC fan/writer reaction to the win HERE)

(Writer David McAvelia explains how his two sons discovered a new hero at today’s match – Read HERE)

(Neil Warnock had the excuses ready after losing 3-0 to Newcastle United – Read HERE)

(Match ratings of all NUFC players HERE)

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