Outspoken pundit Richard Keys has delivered another jibe towards Newcastle United and manager Rafa Benitez, and many fans have taken to Twitter to slam the former Sky Sports presenter.
Keys and beIN SPORTS partner Andy Gray have been outspoken against Benitez amid his ongoing battle with Magpies owner Mike Ashley, and his latest criticism comes as he compares the Spaniard’s spending to that of former boss Alan Pardew.
The former Sky presenter posted a comparison of the two managers’ spending at St. James’ Park, seemingly suggesting that Pardew had done a better job despite spending less.
A Geordie warrior had me run this comparison. Interesting isn’t it? In full seasons Pardew finished 5th 16th 10th + he had 1 Europa Lge 1/4f. 46 of Benitez’s games were in C’ship. A manager can only be judged on what he spends – not net. pic.twitter.com/AA7i5cf2cs
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) September 6, 2018
Many Newcastle fans took to Twitter to slaughter Keys for his latest post, with many incredulous that he has not taken into consideration the huge inflation in the market that has taken place between the two managers’ tenures.
This is Futbol have rounded up some of the best tweets:
Wow the clue man speaks again . Honestly @beINSPORTS why are you employing his absolute utter useless squared jawed caveman?
— AJS (@AlanStewart_NE) September 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/read_avidly/status/1037687967853232128
The transfer market is massively inflated now compared to then, a young Bale was sold for £5m in 2007 at today’s prices the fee would be at least 10x that amount, it is actually frightening how thick you really are!!!
— iain davison (@iaindavodavison) September 6, 2018
Give it a rest Keys ya boring
— Mikey Hall (@Mikeyhall4) September 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/MikeNE3/status/1037709727667552256
Argh here man daft lad, have a day off will you. Your patter stinks, your stats show absolutely nothing but I higher win % for Rafa and less money spent by a manager in 2007 compared to 2017. All common sense.
— Craig Connolly (@craigconnolly87) September 6, 2018
What’s your point
— joey (@joeynic) September 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/TOON_ULTRA_85/status/1037684503853060096
OPINION
These Newcastle fans have been quick to jump on Keys’ latest attack on the club and Benitez, and so they should be. The former Sky Sports presenter is quickly becoming public enemy number one on Tyneside with his constant comments about the Magpies, most of which make little sense at all. This one, for example, takes no account of market inflation and TV money increases between Pardew and Benitez’s reigns. That is a point well made by many of these fans, most of whom have mounted a well considered argument against Keys here. It does feel as though both Keys and Gray are attempting to remain relevant in the English sphere following their expulsion from Sky and move to the Middle East several years ago. The lack of research and thought put into their points also raises the question whether they have been put up to it by Ashley himself as he tries to save face in his civil war with Benitez.