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Newcastle United’s a media lightning rod

By Carson A Merk

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Rafael Benitez, Manager of Newcastle United shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Stoke City and Newcastle United at Bet365 Stadium on January 1, 2018 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Rafael Benitez, Manager of Newcastle United shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Stoke City and Newcastle United at Bet365 Stadium on January 1, 2018 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United seems to be a frequent target for most soccer pundits.

While just about every sports team gets their fair share of criticism from the media, certain clubs seem to get more than others. Nowadays, Newcastle United is always on the tip of every soccer pundit’s tongue, from Sky Sports to every other media outlet.

For Rafa Benitez’s club, the topic of conversation can change on a daily basis or wear on for weeks. Last week was a perfect example of a brief media outrage. After Rafa lined up in a defensive minded formation and parked the bus against Manchester City, pundits across the media ridiculed the mindset and questioned his decisions. However, that storm blew over quickly. With so many matches in such little time, that subject was brushed away in a matter of a couple days. On the opposite end of the spectrum, topics like “Will Rafa leave?” or “This transfer window will make or break the season” don’t fade away.

Typically, the Premier League giants receive this type of attention. They are the ones spending top dollars and battling for top billing in England’s biggest division. Newcastle United is simply fighting to stay afloat. The club seems to be a fun one to discuss. A big reason for that is Rafa. He’s widely regarded as one of soccer’s top managers and he has stuck with a side that lacks equal talent to his on the pitch through relegation and promotion. They also have a relatively storied history for a club that’s battling to avoid dropping down to the second division again.

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Whether it’s good or bad press, Newcastle United stays relevant in part thanks to the media focus. The players have done a great job of ignoring the constant chirping from the talking heads of the media, including endless talk about a possible sale. While Jose Mourinho gets in a verbal sparring match with Paul Scholes over the latter’s criticism of Paul Pogba, Rafa acknowledges the media’s job is to stir things up. He focuses on coaching his squad and the task at hand.

For Newcastle United, it’s nice to be talked about, but it’s nicer to stay in the Premier League for another season. Unfortunately for Sunderland supporters, their club receives no media coverage and is deep in relegation danger in the EFL Championship.