A number of Newcastle United supporters have taken to social media to tear into pundit Richard Keys after he launched an attack on manager Rafael Benitez about his comments on the club.
The Spanish boss, speaking after a 4-0 pre-season defeat to Braga, insisted he, and the fans, should be worried about the upcoming campaign after what has been another disappointing transfer window for the Toon Army.
In response, former Sky Sports reporter Keys, who works as a broadcast reporter and pundit for BeIN Sports, told Benitez to “shut up” or “walk away”, and that owner Mike Ashley is right in running the club on a shoestring budget.
Shut up Rafa – or walk – which is your right. https://t.co/yVo28nq7O8 The club will survive you. Mike Ashley isn’t going to change for you. He was right last season – you had more than enough.
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) August 3, 2018
His comments riled the St James’ Park faithful on social media, tearing into his comments and insisting he was just being controversial for the sake of it.
This is Futbol has rounded up a selection of the supporters’ tweets:
https://twitter.com/MarcSDuffy/status/1025343088305348608
Don’t really understand your agenda against Rafa, as a so called neutral. Rafa is well within his rights to push for more, you know, after banking 35-40 million in player sales this summer and after last winter and summers no spending policy. But whatever suits your agenda.
— Ibraheem (@Ibraheem_Rfida) August 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/mumba88/status/1025340146445680640
You’ve had mike and Kieth on the phone again haven’t tou
— NO R in Newcastle (@NUFC_GRB) August 3, 2018
Is this your true feelings Richard? If so to quote #KevinKeegan
"When you say that about a man like him" "you went down in my estimations" #NUFC— Gaz (@TheNUFCMags) August 3, 2018
Trying to stay relevant pic.twitter.com/wJsoiKsmNu
— Gwen Kennedy (@GwenKennedy1892) August 3, 2018
More lazy journalism. Do you lot ever conduct any sort of basic research? You really don’t have a clue what is going on at Newcastle United do you? But that’s ok. You just sling the same old tired generalisations about as usual.
— Colin Bestford ? (@Colin_B_1970) August 3, 2018
What s plum you are ?????
— aaron reynolds (@azzNUFC) August 3, 2018
Opinion
Benitez is absolutely adored by those on Tyneside and while owner Ashley might not, the Toon Army will back him to the hilt. To be quite honest, Keys has made a career out of getting a response out of supporters and this situation is no different. No one in their right mind can think that Ashley is right in this situation – Newcastle pulled a rabbit out of a hat to get Benitez installed as manager two years ago and keeping him on board is quite clearly their best chance of success. Unfortunately, his demands are too expensive for businessman Ashley, who wants to make the most money with the least expenditure, including in the transfer market. Benitez is right to speak his mind, so to criticise him is just a strange decision from Keys.