This inevitably leads to discussion on transfer policy and opinions of the Ashley regime. I would like to explore whether there is a light at the end of the tunnel? Where are we heading? And question if we can ever be truly happy with our owner and club?
First of all, I would like to say, where Mike Ashley is concerned, I am well and truly sitting on the fence. I am more than happy to give my full support if we continue to move in the right direction, however I am obviously pretty cautious about declaring full support. It is very clear that there is a divide amongst the fans. Those who despise Mike Ashley and those appreciate what he has done and are desperately hoping he comes through in the end.
From here I will try to explain where we could be headed and how one day we will be united in all aspects of support. Since bouncing back from relegation I can honestly say that it has been one of the easiest periods to support Newcastle since Sir Bobby. The plan, in my mind, is sustained success like Man United/Arsenal as opposed to throwing money at players (which clearly hasn’t worked in the past).
Before we can reach the heights of the aforementioned clubs there is a massive infrastructure that needs to be put in place, which is money spent that the fans cannot see such as training facilities, youth development and scouting networks. Some fans should appreciate that this aspect has increased enormously since relegation. Also, although not out of debt thanks to Ashley it is worth pointing out that it is now manageable in the sense that there are no repayments or interest charges hinging on it.
So by putting our experienced and higher earning players on shorter, incentivised contracts (Giggs and Scholes), promoting from within (Tavernier and Ferguson), and by signing Europe’s top talent on the cheap such as Tiote and Ben Arfa surely we can achieve some minor success?
As the world gets smaller the footballing world gets bigger and bigger and there are many more good players out there. It’s up to us to find them.
Now success breeds success, and a journey into the Europa League will net more TV income and sponsorship deals which makes it easier to keep your top players and adds to wage and transfer budgets, which in time will produce bigger name signings. With sustained and continued improvement, could we not win the league in 7-10 years? Who knows, we could be a force to be reckoned with in the 2030s 😉
To close, no-one can deny Mike Ashley has committed sin in his time at Newcastle however I like to look at it as pre and post-relegation. Would you be willing to forgive a man if he delivers long-term success and occasional cup runs in the meantime?
It seems that Ashley is asking for a lot of faith, too much for some, but for now he has mine. And I would love it, LOVE IT if we could all support NUFC in the same way once again.
Note from Toonsy: Thanks to Welshpie for submitting this effort. Well done. I’m sure it will get a few responses 😉
I hope you have broad shoulders welshpie 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Looks like getting Arsenal first game could be a blessing…Nasri, Clicy, Fabregas all going 😆 😆
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
I’m in the eternal optimist camp. Or is that camp optimist 😯
Personally i tink the mistakest were hire dennis. Hiring KK at all.
Do not see the selling of AC, sacking of ch. Or appointment of JFK as mistakes. Not sold by lambsarse yet. No probs with MA
Premandup(Quote)
I’m a little torn in my loyalties towards Ashley. I often wonder if the decisions that are much berrated by the local press are as bad as everyone says. Take this season for instance:
Hughton’s sacking: I loved CH for bringing us back for the fizzy pop champo. He was so dignified and polite that he boosted the clubs image throughout the national media. However we did look limited in our style of play, and were it not for the 6-0 vs Villa and the old 5-1underland game I don’t think his sacking would have been bewailed as much as it has. Pardew has actually been quite good so far. Unlike most of the managers we’ve had in recent years he seems smarter than the journos who interview him. He seems to give a positive impression without saying anything we didn’t already think/know. We don’t know how CH would have faired in the second half, but he could only have hoped to have done what Pardew accomplished at best, surely.
Agent Carroll’s defection: Let’s be fair. AC is a talent. That talent relates mostly to being a footballing version of a battering ram. He was my hero while he was here but mostly because he was a local lad rather than he was the next Lionel Messi. He is NOT on anyday of the year apart from Janurary 31st worth 35 million pounds which is more than Tevez went for. The fee is astounding and has already allowed us to shell out 4million on fees and about 12million in wages over the next year on what should be three first choice attacking players.
Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton: These guys were awesome last year (and the year before in Nolan’s case). However at 28 and 30 respectively they shouldn’t be allowed to hold the club to ransom for extortionate wages. That way madness lies as very soon Coloccini wants more 3yrs at his (reputed) 80k/wk and Jonas wants something similar. These players are fan favourites and it irks to think that they could play for other clubs, but look at Kieron Dyer and Jermaine Jenas (who have accomplished NOTHING since leaving the toon.)#
So there you go. Ashley is making logical decisions which hurt when considered emotionally. *******
Michael82(Quote)
Cool thread!
I’d say that I’m probably in the ‘wait and hope’ camp as well. We’ve already been shown that the man can’t be forced out.
I think it’s also interesting that so many people were worried that change was being made to the squad too quickly, but now that transfers have slowed down a bit, Ashley is being attacked for not bringing in more possible starters to the club
AndrewT(Quote)
Michael82, very good points. Ashley has made some very strong and tough decisions, but so far those decisions have turned out for the better.
I mean honestly, would hughton be able to get any team to play beautiful attacking football? Maybe if he were in charge of barca! But under pardew, I can actually see our new signings being used correctly with a possibly surprising effect
AndrewT(Quote)
Thanks for putting it up mate.
I am prepared for a bit of a bashing 😎
welshpie(Quote)
if anyone still has faith in ashley ,needs to seek help ASAP 😆
hitman(Quote)
Just what is Ashley trying to do, i cant for the life of me work him out.
Why sell our best players and keep the mediocre? He has ventured from retail into the entertainment business with the same values, luckily for him he has a die hard fan base as he has hardly made an effort to put bums on seats.
He promises so much but delivers very little and i think this transfer window is his last chance for a lot of fans, if he sticks it up us again then i think this season could be an absolute disaster on and off the field.
Robert(Quote)
The problem is NUFC cannot win anything with this fat man in charge. He only wants to keep a low cost PL team, until he can find a buyer, and in the meatime get some of his money back (from relegation and not doing due dillegence before buying us) by making profitt every transfer window.
Economist(Quote)
The FAT man will NEVER be accepted by true Toon Army fans he is the biggest lier to run the club in it’s history and as a Spurs supporter he just wan’t to bleed the club until it no longer exists!!
Superack(Quote)
I agree wholeheartedly. I think we’ll see a gradual increase in the amount of money we pay out in transfers but a reduced number coming in. Our perceived small squad wasn’t down to lack of numbers it was down to quality of players. for example tiote ban = smith this year =gosling/cabaye. If people look at the carroll money as paying for improvements to our training ground, Bringing in more help for carr and bringing in players it is getting spent. We are only just starting to break even financially, no need to just throw money around. In short definitely light at the end of the tunnel.
Rorycn(Quote)
The main problem with throwing money at players like we did before was that you need to have the right manager to spend the money.
Re forgive and forget, it take a big person to forgive and forget and its normal to make a couple of blunders in life but if they keep making them, and you keep forgiving them you then become a big mug.
Big Dave(Quote)
Plus i don’t get this bleeding the club of it’s money people bring up? He hasn’t taken any money out YET. His loan will need repayed at some point but if he wasn’t ‘loaning’ the money we’d need it from somewhere, a bank with big interest rates? Plus well he’s just trying to sell the club argument. Well the more loan he puts in the higher the price of the club making it increasingly less attractive to potential suitors.
Rorycn(Quote)
Is anyone worried that 5under1and is bringing in players left right and center?
crappypunk(Quote)
Does he really want to sell?
No one knows what he wants, we can only hope he has a game plan
welshpie(Quote)
😆 i love how much we all cant stand ashley!! the man hasnt a CLUE how to run a football team!!! bet he hasnt even had a game of footy in his life the fat fecka!!! im growing to passionatly hate him!!!!!!!!
Army69(Quote)
🙄 Robert says: 🙄
“He promises so much but delivers very little”
Exactly WHAT has he promised then?
Superack – thats your opinion which you are entitled to, but is infact factual untrue.
Some fans other than geordies can change who they support on a whim. I put it to you, that he is infact a SUPPORTER of NUFC, both in footballing terms and financially, and it is of no benefit to him whatsoever to “bleed the club until it no longer exists”.
But of course some people wont see the bigger picture as it might interfere with their bitter hatred. So carry on fella.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
It amazes me how many people KNOW what Ashley’s plans for NUFC are and how much money the fat bastad has filtched from us. My God its pathetic.
I agree with you Big Dave, forgive and forget, NO, but move on cautiously optimistic is the way forward, in my opinion.
Keep the Faith, in NUFC and hope for better days. You just never know.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
So he’s a good egg when he is buying players like HBA Gosling, Cabeye etc, but as soon as that stops, he becomes a **** again.
Hmmm Fickle or what.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I really hope we spend some money on a couple of quality proven players, spash some cash but I just can’t see it…Wouldn’t surpirse me if we signed two or three foreign players for less than five million.
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
I don’t get all this business about Ashley being liar, My memory isn’t the best but I can’t think what’s he’s lied about. He’s made mistakes yes but how can someone who says virtually nothing lie.
I saw this the other day & thought that he’s actually delivering what he said he wants to deliver:
http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/the_only_words_ashley_has_ever_said_to_toon_fans_683789/index.shtml
witters(Quote)
Cracking article mate!
Having just watched the DVD review for our season; I’ve decided that it is imperative we keep Jonas, Colo, Tiote, Ben Arfa.
The rest of the squad are replaceable, with relative ease.
Daverism(Quote)
I can understand what Ashley is trying to do and I can understand why some fans hate him. Who is right? …That’s easy me.
DJG(Quote)
Would love to meet PSG in Europa (eventually) and show Gameiro what he missed out on
welshpie(Quote)
The very last sentence of the Ashley statement reads:
“I am determined that Newcastle United is not only here today, but that it is also there tomorrow for your children who stand beside you at St James’ Park. ”
Perhaps some of yous should read the statement again, as alot of it makes good sense.
Here is a link for yous:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/2959508/Mike-Ashleys-statement-in-full-Football.html
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
witters – Snap 😛
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
The bare facts are thus, if he wins something better than our last 2 trophies (in case you forgot the championship and the interior cup!!) then he’ll ne forgiven and probably hailed as a hero. If not he’ll be “jabba”.
Michael82(Quote)
BB 😉
witters(Quote)
ime no lover of the fat git,but i will wait and see what happens.
on the lies,well a court of law found him guilty of lies and mis-leading statments which he admitted,so who ime i to say diff 😕
icedog(Quote)
Beardsleysboots,
I read that the other day, it all sings true. For someone classified as a “liar” by some, every single word in that statement is true, and appears to be exactly what’s going on at the toon now. Fair play to him, I’m with him on his view!
I trust the bloke, he’s made some bad decisions, not malicious ones.
#inashleywetrust
Daverism(Quote)
Daverism…your comment should started Witters & Beardsleys Boots…I posted that link first & would appreciate some credit… 😉
witters(Quote)
Dont know michael, is that a final goal or what?
I’d be over joyed just to progress little by little year on year.
Top 10 and a good cup run this season would be a start,
Top 6/7 the following year and a european spot would be even more special for the following year.
Agree tho a cup would be awesome at any stage. We live in hope.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Wow! I can’t believe how many people have been brain washed by Sir Mike Ashley and his propaganda bandwagon! He’s running “Our” club like he runs his sports shop, a cheap shop jumble sale!!! Surely we deserve at least a little better?
Fiddy(Quote)
Witters,
Apologies squire!
Daverism(Quote)
We are just under a third into the window, Why the panic ❓ ❓ 😕
CC(Quote)
Superack, you clearly don’t speak for all fans as I am a true Toon Army, and although I don’t necessarily give my backing to Mike Ashley I certainly am not saying I will never accept him.
For me, this transfer window will be the absolute make or break on his intentions with the club. So far, I’ve been more than happy with progress (some good signings already through the door, and selling Nolan who clearly wasn’t worth a 5 year deal at £55k a week!!). I do however, expect there to be a good few more signing yet.
I notice Pardew talking today of 1 or 2 more signings this window, which I don’t find acceptable. The club has already lost Nolan, Kuqi & Campbell, and I’d be very surprised if Enrique, Routledge or Ranger are still here when the window closes.
Yes, we have bought 3 good players and have had 2 effective new players in Ben Arfa and Gosling, but our currently net outlay on players has been a grand total of abour £500k. I personally don’t mind Ashley taking part of the Carroll fee to help pay off the debt that the club owes him, but I would have expected probably £15m of it to go on players, and would also have expected to have seen £10m – £15m spent aside from the Carroll cash.
I’m not saying that we should spend money on players for the sake of it, but it was woefully clear that last season we were very short on players, especially towards the end of the year. I feel that we must buy two more big players (One striker – probably two). I’d also like to think that Taylor will still arrive from Swansea. However, we also need some other squad players to arrive pretty sharpish, including a cover for RB, another LB cover, and potentially another CB.
Further, with the inevitability of Enriques departure (£15m?) I would expect that around £7m – £10m of that will be spent on a direct replacement for him.
The bottom line is that I will not accept Ashley if we end up starting next season with very small net outlay on players and potentially a think squad again. The warning signs are everywhere, and I would hope that Ashley is not stupid enough to risk another relegation battle by penny-pinching when there is clearly so much money in the pot.
Only after the transfer window closes this summer will I cast official judgement on the man.
toonarmyuk(Quote)
A bit of common sense lads- he wants improvement yet he hasn’t spent a penny of the £35m from carroll yet and the way pardew was bleating on about gosling and HBA being like new signings wouldn’t be surprised if we get none in…
Liam southern toon(Quote)
A strange example of an owner. Made some terrible blunders right off the bat. Then decided silence was the best route. Still employs Llambias which is a strike against him as far as I can tell. Hired a manager who the supporters didn’t want simply because he will do what he is told. Sooner or later people will realize the emperor has no clothes.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Fiddy,
Sounds like you’ve been brainwashed by the Daily Mail mate.
Fiddy(Quote)
I agree with Premanup, more or less to the letter… We could have been in liquidation if we carried on with Sheppard Paying stupid money Medioca Players.
Moleps1892(Quote)
Haha!
I wrote Fiddy in the name bit too! Sorry man.
Is that a first?
Daverism(Quote)
well said Toonarmyuk 😆
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
To be successful in life at anything you have got to strike a balance. Signing the likes of Tiote has proved to be a great success, however, you are not going to be able to strike gold on every occasion. You must balance these signings with one or two big signings who will make the difference and put bums on seats. These are the type of signings who will take us to the next level and we deserve it. The size of the crowd and the money spent shows our commitment. Where is yours Fat Man?
Freddie Shepherd(Quote)
To be fair if we got n zog long and Taylor i wouldn’t be too upset ( according to chronicle) and a squad of this looks strong;
Krul / harper
Simmo colo saylor Enrique
Cabaye tiote
Hba n zog
Ba and long
With a bench of harper, willo, Taylor marveux Barton jonas gosling best guthrie ameobi that’s not a bad squad!
Without the young uns as fergie vuckic tavernier kadar airey lua lua
Liam southern toon(Quote)
Fiddy – Why dont you enlighten us all as to what it is exactly, that we DO deserve. ❓
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Sturrige and n zogbia would be a good start???
Fiddy(Quote)
Yeah right , Sturridge 😈
£15-20M, £80k, bling attitude, just what we need right now.
NOT.
And thats what we deserve is it. ❓
I think I deserve better than that pal.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
If anyone pays near 20m for Sturridge I’d laugh my haris off, just like I did Carroll and Henderson.
Take away their nationality and you wouldn’t see any single one of them going for more than 5m!
Daverism(Quote)
@Daverism (Post 49) – never a truer word said!
Carroll, despite having great potential, was never worth more than £10m, and you’re bang on – if he wasn’t English he wouldnt have cost any more than £5m.
The whole Henderson saga is the most flabberghasting transfer in recent years. I thought Carroll’s was bad enough, but to pay that much for Henderson was just plain stupidity. Quinn must have been laughing all the way to the bank.
I hear this Jack Colback is being touted as the next big thing, lol. Sunderland fans make me laugh with their inflated expectations of their players.
toonarmyuk(Quote)
I meant to say Messi and Rooney oops! 🙄 They were just a example of the standard we need to get us into the top half of the league an we have that sort of cash to spend at the moment, don’t we!! 😆 And hey let’s be honest players without bling attitude are few and far between these days unfortunately?
Fiddy(Quote)
i dont know what the big deal is getting sturridge?? aye hes a canny player but he hasnt provved yet that hes a 20 goal a season striker what we need!! hes went on loan to bolton scored a few goals and every1 rekns he shud be newcastle number 9 😆
Army69(Quote)
sunderland have bought 5 players in a week , looks like they are gana have a new shape team like us
Army69(Quote)
Clichy on his way to citeh apparently….maybe the first move in Enrique going? 🙁
witters(Quote)
Would Jose’s passing be good enough for Arsenal, much as I rate him and would love him to stay, at times his passing is woeful imo.
richietoon(Quote)
I reckon his passing would be better in a better team…
witters(Quote)
maybe, but it will also have to be quicker……I think he should forget about them and stick with us where his poor passing fits in much better with our style of play 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Richie, I think he will improve his game under Whenger, with other class players around him, he will do ok.
I think this deal will happen soon if Arsenal meet Ashleys asking price.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
dont understand that logic,he would be better passer in better team ❗ your either good at the passing part of your game or your not,thats a bute
icedog(Quote)
ice – but he can improve his passing ability with training surely?
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Xisco due back on Monday, will be like a summer signing, 😉 😆
hitman(Quote)
Ashley is on a roll now. Three new players, no net outlay. Sell Jose for a tidy profit or just to pay for Zog. Still no net outlay. Bring in NTaylor for 1-2 M. Pocket the Carroll money (42 M total net gain to him since he took over ownership from player sales so far).
GeordieTwo(Quote)
wasnt pardew promised all the judas money
hitman(Quote)
That’s right I forgot hitman. And just think Ranger will possibly show up too, although quite possibly late. Ranger can show the incoming players what kind of attitude is required to get a new 5 year contract. Then Smithy will show up and go for a few sliding tackles. Xisco can welcome the newcomers with some warm hugs (or quite possibly more).
GeordieTwo(Quote)
lol @ hitman, was thinking that myself 😉
floydy(Quote)
lol @ hitman, was thinking that myself
@ 63
floydy(Quote)
you can improve your skill on where or when you play the ball in the game plan the coach sets out,but on abilty to be a good passer you either good at it or it is not the best part of your game, if a good coach thinks it would improve you to make short or simple passes,thats the way you improve your over-all game
icedog(Quote)
I`m not a Ashley fan not at all, but I recon he has been very very bad advised and for that we are paying the price. For a starter not doing dual diligence on the club , then putting faith in the little rat Dennis Wise. Saying that I do not think he is afraid to spent money when he is ablsoute certain that it is value for money. I think he just burned his fingers with signings like Xisco. 55k a week and if I am right £5.7 transfer fee. The way how he runs this is club is probably only comparalbe to Arsenal which drives towards selfsustainability. Will this be possible? Yes and I do belive that this is vital for the future of club or does anyone fancy doing a Pompey? Further on that AC CASH I would not mind if he was not to spent all off the 35Mil of AC on new signings. I actualy think that would be suicide. Take this cash invest in youth and sign some players with the calibre and talent of Vukic. And on does he care about us I think in some way he does just take the season tickets how many other EPL clubs kept the price of the season ticket at the same level or actual decreased it? At how many clubs can you pay via direct debit? How many do have a 10 year price freeze? He could have easiely turned round and say lets have a 15% increase because they faithfull will pay anyprice. Sorry to sound very pro Ashley but not all is bad and I actualy belive apart from the Lies its not even his fault and he is learning.
flash(Quote)
army69 @ 53 woud any of them get into our 1st team
Premandup(Quote)
It must be fun in the showers after practice with Xisco the love bandit helping everyone find the soap.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
well pardew come out saying he was getting the judas money,then a few days later when tiote signed a new 5 year contract it was a diffrent story..
hitman(Quote)
Thanks for that Ice, I see what you mean.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Geordie 2 @ 52
from Michael82 @ 4
Agent Carroll’s defection: Let’s be fair. AC is a talent. That talent relates mostly to being a footballing version of a battering ram. He was my hero while he was here but mostly because he was a local lad rather than he was the next Lionel Messi. He is NOT on anyday of the year apart from Janurary 31st worth 35 million pounds which is more than Tevez went for. The fee is astounding and has already allowed us to shell out 4million on fees and about 12million in wages over the next year on what should be three first choice attacking players.
Premandup(Quote)
I like the Ashley transfer policy.
I don’t like the lack of communication.
Are we customers? If we are then treat us with the respect other industries treat their clients.
I believe Ashley & Llambias think we are thick Geordie mugs who’ll turn up week after week no matter what **** takes to the field.
All he has to do is avoid relegation to make a decent long-term return.
So far he’s gambled on injured players and credit to him on decent players with release-clauses.
I’ll need to see him spend big and not take a penny out of the club for a lot of years. Before I trust him.
Zog & Sturridge please.
geoff777(Quote)
If we bought Sturridge and he turned out to be another xisco, yous would all be on Ashley’s back yet again. The bloke cant win.
He wont take on that kind of gamble, I wish yous would give your heads a shake ffs. It aint gonna happen, so why keep calling for it?
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)