“What a man” – A lot of Newcastle United fans are thrilled with Rafael Benitez’s latest comments in his Athletic column.
Benitez reserved special praise for Matty Longstaff but also took a slight dig at Mike Ashley and his lack of investment in the academy.
The former Newcastle manager said it was great to see Matty score and that he was pleased there are a few Geordies around, but he also said surely it is not difficult to see the benefits of investing in the academy.
The lack of investment in the academy was one of the reasons Benitez left in June, and here he has taken another dig at the Newcastle board.
This move has gone down well with many Newcastle fans who still love Benitez.
See the best of the reaction below.
"Surely it shouldn’t be difficult to see the benefits of investing in the Academy?"
Rafa Benitez revisits #nufc criticism after Matty Longstaff goal:https://t.co/n8jenT4mxr
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) October 9, 2019
What a man! ????
— Ian (@ian_riches) October 9, 2019
He ain’t wrong
— Matt_st13 (@Matt_st13) October 9, 2019
Bang on, the academy is the future it had to be
Barcelona bring so many quality players through theirs and so should we— Stand up be counted (@MarkCleghorn2) October 9, 2019
These Toon fans are behind their former manager.
Rafa is correct, but it’s also fair to say that Matty Longstaff wouldn’t have been given a start under him. Sean was lined-up for a loan last January until an injury crisis. Not a chance Rafa starts Matty over Shelvey or Ki.
— Andrew Lawes (@LawesDisorder) October 9, 2019
So what we’re saying is, Matty wouldn’t be in the first team without the summer investment in the academy? ????♂️????
— Lee Farrer (@WRCLee) October 9, 2019
4 players in the squad from the academy on Sunday, is not that bad to be fair. Matty would be out on loan if Rafa was still in charge and a 30 year old South Korean would have been playing.
— Peter Monaghan (@petermonaghan39) October 10, 2019
Other Newcastle supporters, however, believed that Matty would not have got a chance under Rafa.