Too much, too soon?

There will be more signings. Don't panic.
The date is August 31st, 2011 and the time is roughly 4:00pm. There is still time to go in the transfer window, but not much.

Oh wait, hang on. The date isn’t August 31st. It’s actually June 14th which leaves us with a full 78 days of transfer window activity remaining. It was just the impression I got from reading several articles from several sites regarding NUFC recently. I’ve read things about fan expectation and about how it’s not even Alan Pardew that is pulling the strings in the transfer market amongst other things, and I have to say that it’s a bit over the top isn’t it?

I think there is a lot of reactionary nonsense flying about at the minute. I mean for heavens sake it’s been only three weeks or so since the last Premier League season drew to a close yet you could be forgiven for thinking that we were approaching the end of August such has been the level of analysis and amounts of second guessing involved so far in this window.

Everyone should just chill out a little bit. I understand why people are looking at this transfer window with a fair amount of expectation, but I don’t understand why people are so quick to judge it or make assumptions on who brings in the players at St James’ Park. I mean if it is Graham Carr bringing players in above Pardew’s head he didn’t exactly do a stellar job of it in January did he when, incidentally, both were already employed by Newcastle…… Just a thought, but in my opinion it is damning the club without any real evidence to do so.

There are far too many assumptions and reactions flying about at the minute when the reality is that the transfer window is far from over. Yes it may turn out to be another poor window, which I’m sure will delight a certain section of fans who seem to be more obsessed with being right than NUFC progressing, but it hasn’t turned out that way yet.

Give it time.

Save the analysis and reaction for when it’s over, not for when it’s just begun!

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

150 thoughts on “Too much, too soon?

  1. Absolutely!
    The club could bring in the entire Barca squad for £10m and some of our fraternity’d still be whinging!
    ‘What about all the Carroll money?. Who’s picking whom? Ashley out’ they’d be squawking!
    Wake up ye prophets of doom – let’s think positive and get off the club’s back – get a life!

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  2. Couldn’t agree more Toonsy, i’ve read too many negitive articles over the last couple of days, “Pardew fears a mass walk out” & “Newcastle lose out on Target” heard all these headlines before and it’s geting boring, but we expect it from the press, but it’s even more annoying when it’s your own fellow fans that just can’ give the club a chance, personally i think Ashley will start to slowly release funds and if nessersary put his han in his pocket for the “Right” players i’m far from being an Ashley fan but we are on the straight and narrow, we are solvent so lets just see what Ashley and the board do, if in say 1 years time we are no better off then maybe time to rethink and get Ashley out.
    HWTL

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  3. What i afraid are only two things. 😐

    1)Current Key Players leaving at wrong timing(D-day transfer dealine),which in turn makes pardew insufficient time to find replacement.

    2)Having ambition is good,but hopefully don’t end up spending without any returns. If the rumors that the club is spending quite a certain amount on a striker,what i hope to play safe is that the striker bought in is easily adapt to epl style or that is already expreience enough.

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  4. Some people just don’t seem to get that although we have targets and put offers in , it can take weeks before the offer is accepted by either the selling club or the player . Just look at the 3 players we have offered contract extentions too . Players and their agents always look for the best offer and most will wait until the last week or 2 of the transfer window before saying yes or no . That is something that both Pardew or Ashley can do anything about.

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  5. yeah but that means no arguements for another 78 days man!!! you will have to throw in the odd mike ashley article to keep me happy then mate!

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  6. Well said Toonsy, I heard people moaning about us not getting Gameiro the other day cause we supposedly didn’t try hard enough. For Gods sake,we put in a bid that was higher than PSG.The only problems were that PSG were his boyhood club,they are virtually one of the richest clubs in the world after their takeover and he just didn’t want to come to England. What kinda chance did we have against all those odds?Still the club went beyond their means to try and get him here. That kind of effort should be lauded and not lamblasted in my opinion

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  7. I think it’s a case of once bitten, twice shy for many fans.

    That said, this post is absolutely spot on. No doubt the glass will always be half empty for some people (more for the “realists” 😉 ) but really we’ve done really well in the transfer market so far bringing in Cabaye.

    We need to keep in perspective that it does take time to approach clubs, negotiate deals, work things out with players etc. Clubs will hardly be in a hurry to sell anyway, they’ll be holding out for better offers. And players will be on the holidays as well. Everything will speed up once the players get back to the clubs and everyone starts pre season training. Considering clubs like Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea haven’t signed anyone yet, we’re well ahead of the pack.

    Keep the faith!

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  8. I see us spending at least 60million and you can tell already that MA is surfing youtube 24/7 while his right hand man Partridge is doing his chores making sure the plumbing and general ground maintainance is under control for pre season weddings and funerals.

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  9. Craig…a true realist will find the negative in any article, time to step up your game!! 😉

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  10. Its more a case of keeping our feet firmly on the ground and being realistic as, lets be fair, we have had our hopes shattered time and time again with this board.
    Surely its down to them to turn us sceptics around by giving us a decent playing squad to support, they might in time get some of their investment back, the fans wont but have the right to see quality footballers instead of journeymen, after all they have paid plenty into the pot.

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  11. @10….yep you are right… i will find some sort or realist angle today!
    The rumor mill says we are in for two from celtic. that makes us look like bunch of dicks after AP opened his fat gob and said all jock footy is ****! They will inflate the price on puropse just cos its us now!! dickheed AP! hows that witters?

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  12. AP stated at the end of the season that we needed the squad strengthened. It looks like we could lose three players, Barton, Nolan and Enrique. That would mean we are going to have to sign about six/seven players to achieve what AP wants. Somehow I can`t see that happening. I hope I`m wrong and we bring in class players that give us the football we deserve. However, past experience has made a lot of us cynical about the fat man`s objectives.

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  13. @13….we have three in already …. gosling , arfa and cabaye… that is three top draw players man… we are half way there already with 70 days left of window approx. i dont like ashley etc but its too soon even for me to slag the man down just yet.

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  14. if we can get Scott Brown and Emilio Izaguirre from celtic, 2 forwards,n zog..we ll have a team which can b in europe next year….say bye to barton nolan amoebi n may be guitterez..big wages n too old.. instead on youngsters

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  15. why the hell do we want scott brown ffs?? our mid field is chokka, even with barton or nolan going. we just need zogs in, a left back to replace jose and a top draw forward. thats it, nothing else is required.

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  16. AP knew we had Arfa and Gosling in when he made the statement. We are going to have injuries and suspensions like last season. Is Gosling going to stand up to the rigours of Premiership football on a regular basis. How long is it going to take Arfa to get his confidence back after his horendous injury?

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  17. yes i agree hba is slight risk etc but we have to blood our talent sooner or later or whats the point? we need to start to have vukic on bench all the time now nad one or two others. natural progresssion is needed.

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  18. The timescales are not important with the transfers, although it would be nice to be settled before August. The main issue is whether the individuals actually have a desire to play for the club. Why would a player of Champions League quality want to play for a mid table club (although large club). The answer is of course money!
    This led us to little twats like Owen.
    Let’s concentrate on realistic targets who are right for the standing we are currently at and not what we think we should be at.

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  19. I agree we have more promising youngsters now than what we have ever had. However, if we blood these kids we need experience to support them the likes of Nolan and barton

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  20. SJS…i agree a little.. but every player we sign should want to be in europe and have a desire in that direction. above all though, they should want to be with nufc. i cant work out how the three players that have said how much they love the toon the most – i.e.. jose syaing he wants to end his career with us, Nolan saying his kid is a geordie etc are the same three that are prob leaving! go figure that one out. i think Nolan is being a ******** tbh as if we offred a two year extension that means a four year contract for him as he has two years still. if he truly loves newcastle he would have signed. my guess is he loves his wallet far more.

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  21. Hmm, a profit made in every transfer window since Kinnear, by an owner and chairman who have been shown to be proven liars, a manager who says our number 9 is going nowhere only to lose him on the last day of the window, a manager who says that his first priority is to secure the Toon futures of Barton, Nolan and Enrique and is then undermined by the board as one is offered nothing, another is offered less than expected and finally one isn’t even bothering to speak to his manager about his contract and looking ever more likely to leave. Can you really blame fans for being a tad cynical and negative? I sincerely hope Ashley and Llambias prove the doubters wrong but based on past and recent actions I wouldn’t hold my breath.

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  22. Craig….”loves his wallet” is the answer, but is it the players wallet or Ashley’s causing the problem? That said I still think JB and Nolan will be here at least for next season….maybe.

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  23. @bobby

    You better behave yourself today! 😆

    I know I am labelled one of the negative crew, if not the most negative. It may surprise a few of you to hear that I am not one of the ones who want all of the transfer kitty spent within the first week.
    As long as work is going on behind the scenes we all have to be patient. Transfer negotiations take time.

    The only thing I will say, once the pre season starts and other clubs have most of their buys done and dusted, which happens every season, even the most patient of you will start and be more critical in your assessment of our dealings.

    Fans of NUFC have known nothing other than last minute dealings and disappointment under Ashley and hence can be justified in their voiced expectations.

    I am happy we have a good signing in already with Cabaye and with HBA and Gosling feeling like new faces, there is plenty of time until pre season or even the season start, so let’s all be a bit more patient for a few more weeks yet.

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  24. Neil….I’m not really arsed if he makes a profit……if the right players are still brought in to improve the team and squad, the big question is will they?

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  25. bobby….I thought at first you were the bobby that always causes bother but having read your comment you plainly aren’t him 😉

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  26. Neil…i hear you man and we are on the same page as toonsy and anyone on here will vouch for the way i think when it comes to ashley etc. I just think that its not as bad as we make out at the minute. We have been here before having well known players with us who didnt care about our club – owen, martins, duff etc.. at that time barton, nolan and jose were classed as the B team in our eyes. The superstars left and they stepped up to the plate and got us up again. But now they are showing that they are putting themselves first and the game they play is every bit as bad as the one that ashley is playing. all three are using their huge popularity with fans to try to sway a deal. they have all made ‘i love nufc comments’ very reccently… but are in fact the three that we are having issues with behind the scenes. If i were the owner i would not like to have my hand forced by some thug footy player either.
    Barton: out of all three he is the one i feel sorry for as he is in his prime, is playing great footy at last and has his life sorted out. i would have given his a new deal.
    Nolan is being a **** as we have offered a two year extension thus making him back up to four – sign it you greedy git.
    Jose.. stop dicking us around and put in a transfer request now so we can sell you and have enough time to buy another.
    Carroll….35 million…. you godda be kidding… he is worth half that tops.. anyone would have sold him for that.. even KK or CH and fat fred.

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  27. @Richie

    No it’s that other b’stard Bobby!!!
    I hate him! He’s so bloody negative and condescending!! 😈

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  28. What has happened to the real Craig? 😯 It almost sounds like you are backing Ashley in his transfer dealings. I never thought I’d see the day 🙂

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  29. Bobby well said mate, i just think that some people dont understand you lol.
    As for being negative I dont think fans are born that way, but the way the club has been going sinse the Fatman came along has helped fans become negative. But at the end of the day we all want the Toon to do well and be successful, which can lead to people dreaming !

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  30. I agree with you Bobby 27 to a certain extent, but our track record is trying to do deals at the death and coming out of it looking like dicks. One thing we can`t afford is to let the Enrique situation carry on. As much as I like him and enjoyed his performances for much of last season, if you don`t want to wear the shirt have the balls to tell us!

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  31. @big Dave

    Did you find out what Batty was referring to yesterday when he said I was burning the candle at both ends?

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  32. @Freddie

    As I said yesterday, the club just need to give him a week deadline and everything is resolved.

    It’s not difficult.

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  33. @ BS – how do you normally react when someone forces your hand mate! 😕

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  34. Bobby yeah mate just as wor Richie said 😆 he has turned against the darkside from him and I were banned.
    Craig you make a lot of good points there 😉

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  35. All good Richietoon cheers 😉
    Cheers Craig (blushes) 😳

    I think we will make another pigs ear of this window.
    Pardew didn’t have to mention Jose was blanking him that is just a ploy to get the word out he is for sale.

    Kerching Kerching !

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  36. @ Craig

    Too right! Barton and Nolan supposedly “bleed black and white” but they’re expecting the club to act as their retirement fund. Fat chance!

    If they’re willing to work hard on the pitch and produce the kinds of performances they owe us for the 50k+ we’re paying them, good. Otherwise off to West Ham you go.

    Bring on the young, hungry players any day!

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  37. Bobby the problem is if they give Jose a deadline and he accepts and moves on it could comeback as the Club forced him out which will create more ****.

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  38. Anyone bought the new shirt yet and is it the same exceptional quality as the last?

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  39. @Aussie
    You say;
    How do I react when someone forces your hand?

    Probably the way Andy Carroll did when it happened to him.

    @big dave & Richie
    I went on workys for the first time in months to discuss the issue of Carr being DoF. It’s something I brought up days before on here and they latched onto it.

    I prefer to stay on here as there is good banter.

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  40. True Dave but they have to let him know they can’t wait too long as a replacement would need to be found and bought.

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  41. Thad Barton hasn’t been given the chance to prove what he thinks of our club because they wont offer him a contract. But the fact that he offered to take a 33% wage cut to stay would indicate to me how he feels about the club ?

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  42. @big dave

    I don’t think the club care one bit about how it will be perceived. In fact the opposite.
    They look like they want to create an image that they are a no nonsense club and won’t tolerate being slagged off or messed about, which is a good thing.

    My only issue is, how did they let the situation develop in the first place? Jose fits perfectly in the transfer blueprint and hes actually at the club!!! ❗
    Communication between the Ashley and the players seems abysmal. 😥

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  43. Realists are realists and doom-mongers are doom-mongers.

    They’re not one and the same!

    🙄

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  44. Richie I agree its a catch 21 👿
    Bobby they are a bit slower to catch on over there 😆 although I didn’t notice anyone converse with you, you seemed to be blanked. Maybe they think your a spy 😀

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  45. “Communication between the Ashley and the players seems abysmal”……….that’s cos the link up man(Delboy) is a complete ****.

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  46. hey i am popular this morning….. i bet i still fuk it up by tonight lol lol

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  47. craig…..like the transfer window, it’s still early days 😆

    Dave…or even catch 22 😉

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  48. @ritchie – I’m not arsed if he makes a profit either, as long as it’s to the benefit of the team and not solely to pay back what he’s invested in the club. As for the Nolan situation what’s wrong with giving him the extra year? Even if by the end of the 5 years he’s reduced to cameo appearances on the pitch, his experience could be worth much more to the young players coming through and the extra year would reward his loyalty for staying with the club and helping us get back into the top tier at first time of asking, not to mention how much revenue being a Premiership team has brought the club.

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  49. Craig Chisholm @12 – Not bad for starters Craig but reckon you’re just getting warmed up. 😀 … then I read your “15”. For goodness sake man – are you getting soft or is this the new cuddly side of Craig Chisholm?

    You’re absolutely right about Scott Brown. He would never get a game. However Izaguirre would be a brilliant addition.

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  50. Neil…I actually think 4 years for Nolan is enough and I’d be surprised if he’d get offered better elsewhere. I don’t thnik Joeys demands are unreasonable but fear he’s blown any chance he had of a new contract with his twitter outbursts. I agree about his(and Joey’s) experience and if they go I think they’ll be a bigger miss than people realise.

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  51. Sorry Toonsy. Dont agree. U can’t blame any NUFC supporter for expecting the worst after the shambolic nature of NUFC s recent transfer windows. Yes its early days at the minute and Cabaye is a cracking buy. But Ashley and Co. traditionally try their utmost to make fools out of us before time actually does run out and I’ m getting no hopes up at all this time round until I’m (hopefully) proven wrong.

    We’ll all want action early this time instead of scrambling about making stupid, embarrassing bids at the last second (Richardson, Johnson etc etc)

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  52. Neil that would be like keeping Smith on the money he is on just because he is a good cheerleader, the only difference is Smith is more mobile

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  53. Morning lads; interesting news happening in the world of football hilarious that mcleish is villas number one fav for manager thats like us looking to bring bruce in!

    ANy early doors transfer rubbish linked with the toon???

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  54. In L’Equipe this morning we have found a 12m euro release clause in Matudi’s contract and we are favourites to sign him.

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  55. Big Dave, I do believe at the point of joining Tiote and Arfa’s intentions were good. They will continue to enhance their standing and if we do not move on, they will.
    I do not have a scooby why Cabaye has joined us if he is that good, any ideas?

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  56. @Dave – Howay, Nolan has played a far more pivotal and influential role in helping us get back into the top tier than Smith. But maybe we could keep Smith too and use him as a practice dummy for a new trainee physio?

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  57. a few people on here must have alzheimers 😆
    ashley has done nowt bit **** on the fans and club..
    if fans doubt the man its not the fans fault,hes not really did owt to give us much hope has he.

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  58. CaulkinTheTimes George Caulkin
    #NUFC agree Ba personal terms but deal stalls over agents fees, says Times man in London. Plus Erdinc targeted.

    I wish the mob would point their pitchforks in the direction of some of these agents – they make Ashley look like Florence Nightingale.

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  59. Many clubs do not want to sign too early as they have to pay wages. 1st July or start of preseason training often the start of the merry go round

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  60. Caulkin also reckons the Mackems need to get shot of at least 8 players (not including Henderson) if they’re to bring in the next raft of Maure rejects!

    Hahaha – you couldn’t make that **** up! 😆

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  61. Who are all these players then? Are they any good? A few on Twitter slating Erdinc.

    Also Lesh, do you ever think that your constant positivity gets on peoples nerves like some peoples negativity gets on yours? Especially when there’s not been much in the way of evidence for your positivity, well last season apart.

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  62. Im dont know about you but all these french targets worry me…look at chamckh or however you spell it … he was shocking at arsenal last season ….

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  63. Sorry if a positive vibe pi$$es you and some folk off!

    Believ me, I’m not the eternal optimist you’re suggesting but I just can’t see the point of moaning when there’s more to look forward to.

    The past’s the past and believ me, I’ve doen my share of criticizing but on the flip side (and yes, the past’s a reference for the future), it is the past and there’s no real point in dragging it up again and again.

    We know that mistakes have and will continue to be made and Ashley’s got a lot to learn about running a football club such as ours. There’s one thing for sure though, he’s no financial fool and the club’s on a far better footing than it was a couple of years ago.

    By all means, criticize but do it, constructively and when there’s something real to criticize.

    😉

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  64. If im honest the journal just seem to have plucked that article from one in january…

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