SM
Barcelona vs. Brann: 10 hrs 10 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Ayoze Perez admits 'something is wrong' at Newcastle

:Headline: Ayoze Perez admits 'something is wrong' at Newcastle: ID:346375: from db_amp
The Magpies have won only four games all season.

Ayoze Perez has admitted there is something "wrong" at Newcastle as they attempt to avoid a second successive Premier League relegation fight.

The Magpies will head into Saturday's difficult trip to Chelsea sitting just two points clear of the bottom three and with uncertainty reigning off the pitch.

Manager Rafael Benitez's contract is up at the end of the season and he is unwilling to sign an extension until he receives assurances regarding the club's ambition for the future, something which is unlikely to be forthcoming as owner Mike Ashley awaits developments in his attempts to find a buyer.

In the meantime, Benitez and his players need to come up with a solution to the difficulties which have seen them win just four times in all competitions in 23 games to date this season, a run which culminated in Saturday's 1-1 FA Cup third round draw with Sky Bet Championship Blackburn at St James' Park.

Asked about that game, Perez said: "Something is wrong. It wasn't good enough, but we have to keep going now.

"It's going to be a long January but we must stick together and face up to it."

Asked to elaborate, the 25-year-old Spaniard added: "I don't know exactly, but it is a strange thing. You can't struggle as much as we are in home games. That means something is wrong.

"It is strange because there is no consistency. Sometimes it is individual performances, sometimes it's not like that and it's team performance.

"It can't be individual every time as we have changed players and rotated. I think there is a piece of the jigsaw that is missing.

"It is holding us back and it's why we are struggling. We've won twice at home and that's just not acceptable. It's not good enough so something should change."

Benitez is hoping that change could come in the shape of new arrivals this month, but with nine days of the transfer window having already elapsed, progress has been slow to say the least.

Atlanta United playmaker Miguel Almiron is a key target, but the finances of that deal – Newcastle appear likely to have to smash their transfer record and wage structure as well as pay sizeable agents' fees if they are to land him – could prove prohibitive.

Sources on Tyneside were insisting on Wednesday that nothing had been agreed amid claims that only the fee remained to be settled.

amp_article__346375 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-01-09 16:21:07:
html db last update - 2021-03-09 23:46:04 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Ayoze Perez

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .