Richard Keys mocks NUFC star, launches new attack at Benitez & gives Bruce 'gold'
Richard Keys. The gift that keeps on giving.
Like most anti Rafa people/pro Bruce people in the media, he thinks we should move on from Rafa, yet talks about him any chance he gets.
This time he’s making the really original point that Bruce has had a better start than Rafa, while once again completely missing the point, and he even managed to get in a pop at one of our more popular players, Miguel Almiron, this time.
Here’s what the irrelevant BEIN Sports presenter said, giving Bruce 'gold' for his start to the season after handing 'silver' to Brendan Rodgers and 'bronze' to Frank Lampard:
'It’s gold for Steve Bruce - the man even Geordies wanted to fail. What a job he’s doing - proving that not only Benitez can manage that club.
'Is it true? Does Bruce really have Newcastle seven points better off than at this time last season? Yes it is. And that despite a really tough start - a far more difficult start than Benitez had. The former coach says it’s not fair to compare different seasons - but he would wouldn’t he?
'In the Sunday Mirror at the weekend Andy Dunn was suggesting it won’t be long before Benitez is back in the PL - at Arsenal, West Ham or Southampton. Surely not Andy? Benitez left for a ‘long term project’ in China and because Mike Ashley didn’t ‘share his ambition’. What a joke. He left for a fat salary and having done his best to create havoc for his successor. Why didn’t he leave at the end of last season? He knew he was going in May. Why wait until pre-season training had started, therefore restricting the time Bruce had to get to know his team - to plan and work the transfer market?
'If I were a West Ham fan I’d be shuddering at the prospect of Benitez turning up in east London. If you thought it was bad under Big Sam you ain’t seen nothing yet guys. And how do you think Benitez would get on with Karren Brady? Yep. Me too.
'Anyway, against a near impossible back ground, Bruce has been quietly working miracles. I’m disappointed that he didn’t take the League Cup more seriously, but otherwise it’s been terrific. Do you know, he might even get an assist or perhaps even a goal out of £21m Miguel Almiron before the season ends. What exactly was Benitez thinking when he paid that money to Atlanta United? I can’t think of one - can you? This verdict from ‘Whoscored.com’ on Almiron. Crossing - weak. Passing - weak. Finishing - weak.
'Almiron failed to score in 54 of his 68 MLS games. Five of his 22 goals were pens. It’s 1 in 21 for his national team. He’s quick, but, other than that, what exactly does he do? Bruce will be a genius if he gets something out of him, but I really do wish both well. No-one likes to see a player struggling.'
It’s actually embarrassing. He certainly isn’t as clueless as this when he talks about other clubs and topics within football. I’m actually convinced that Rafa Benitez cost him some serious fantasy league points in the past.
Dissecting what he says point by point isn’t worth anyone’s time, we get it, but actually accusing Rafa of deliberately trying to “create havoc” for the club and his predecessor? Now that’s a joke Richard. Another favorite part was about West Ham fans should be “shuddering” at the thought of Benitez becoming their new coach. A lot of West Ham fans I’ve spoken to on social media would be delighted with his appointment.
His criticism of Almiron, amusingly comes only days after Bruce was rightly singing his praises. Let’s hope both Keys and Danny Mills are watching when Miggy tears Villa apart on Monday and Bruce and the boys bring home another 3 points.
