Another transfer window and it is increasingly looking like it will be another disappointing one for Newcastle under Mike Ashley. Yesterday saw brief and exciting reports of Daniel Sturridge travelling up to complete a move to Newcastle, only to be somehow beaten to the deal by West Brom hours later. With so little time left, what ramifications does the incompetence of Ashley and Charnley have in the short term?
Top Targets missed
It seems like a broken record every window but leaving it this late means first, second and even third choice targets have moved elsewhere or are no longer for sale. NUFC had clearly identified Jorgensen as a top target and after weeks of haggling seemed to have missed the boat. Quite why they won’t pay the going rate when we are in desperate need of reinforcements is staggering. Sturridge was also clearly on our radar and to be left with egg on your face, waiting for him to travel and then not show up, is embarrassing. The reality is, we should move for targets and ‘get them over the line’. Anyone can identify targets, but it means nothing unless you sign them.
Benitez forced to hunt for bargain basement additions…again
With Rafa being told the takeover was off at Christmas, which was before we all knew, it made sense when the Spaniard insisted we wanted to have all business done before the 20th of January. This made sense, giving us three weeks and more games for new recruits to have an impact on the team. Just like the summer, it looks like he will be forced to scrape the barrel and pick up players other clubs didn’t want or that were not even on his list. The likes of Joselu and Manquillo must have fallen in this bracket in the summer too.
This all makes the Burnley game and survival even tougher
The whole idea of getting a striker in early was to help us with some crucial games coming up, especially the next two against Burnley and Palace. Instead, the atmosphere is looking like being tense and anti-Ashley (rightly so) with focus again taken away from the pitch. We don’t have a good enough squad to get away with distractions and still perform. If nobody arrives, it could be a tough evening on Wednesday at St.James’.
History to repeat itself tomorrow night?
Over the last decade we have some farcical deadline days. Selling Andy Carroll, waiting for Bryan Ruiz to fly in on a helicopter or constantly being told we just couldn’t ‘get it over the line.’ It is very difficult to think other than we will have disappointment again tomorrow. That would have bigger ramifications on us staying up, the takeover ever happening and Rafa staying. Either way, the club has a clear issue with getting deals done. Ashley will not invest, Charnley seems incapable of doing anything. While that structure is in place it is hard to envisage us signing anyone of genuine quality.
How do you expect the next to unfold?
WBA in for Shirley now too 😮 😮 😀
Stuart79(Quote)
Same old **** every transfer window is the same, championship here we come, goodbye rafa, he won’t stay and who would blame him, ashley and Charnley need chasing out of toon once and for all there a cancer in our club
Geordie rob(Quote)
It makes me sick to the pit of my stomach the prospect of yet another failed window.
I don’t understand a man who won’t sell a club he clearly doesn’t want. Because if he did – if he had the slightest interest in this club at all, he’d want to at least see it survive in the PL.
To lack ambition is one thing. That would be to not bring success to the club – or at least compete. That in itself is disappointing.
But what Ashley is doing is leaving things to chance. The odds were already stacked against us to survive this season. But to not strengthen a clearly sub standard group of attacker – when other clubs around us are strengthening their squads. That’s unacceptable on every level.
We have around 30hrs of the window left – which isn’t technically correct coz nowt will get done on the nightshift. So we maybe have 20hrs left.
Sharpy17(Quote)
What worries me more than strengthening is the fact that this clown still has time to actually weaken this squad.
I have this very real fear that at least Mitrovic could be moved out this window – and not replaced.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well, I did say it would be the same as every other window and I also always felt he never really wanted to sell either. Why would he when his SD brand gets so much free coverage, even the negative publicity just highlights him and his company. Any publicity is good in his eyes.
There is simply no point at this late stage bringing anyone in, they won’t be Rafa’s first choice and it’s just wasting money for the sake of it. Unless we can loan/buy ihniacho from foxes it’s best left alone now.
I can see Mitro or Gayle going too tbh, make will do what mike wants-stand by your beds.
The lads hopefully back at day centre tomorrow, still not 100% but I’m gonna chance it. Then I am going to catch up on stuff I couldn’t do when he’s home. Will I be watching deadline day, not on your nelly. I will catch the game and that’s it, better stuff to do than wait on a non event, I suggest you all do the same.
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
Why are we lookin to offload merino now. Merino mitro gayle even heard that richie could leave. Bad times ahead
Davetoon(Quote)
money mate, money.
kimtoon(Quote)
Rafa in no mood to talk about the window. All he said was “we still have time.” Same Thing he said last January. Also said 2/3 players were talking to other clubs about leaving but it depends on incomings. That’s basically “NUFC are closed for business.”
All the other clubs giving it a go and what do we do? We sign a left back on loan. 😳 😀
Stuart79(Quote)
He said ‘the club are still working on names’ … NUFC boardroom …
So wait a minute your Mike and I’m Lee?!?!
No your Lee & I’m Mike!!!
That’s what I said I’m Mike & your Lee!!!
No your Mike & I’m Lee?!?!!
Set of fuckwits!!! ??♂️??♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
Another month of total shambles. A whole month to sign a striker and they’ve got nowhere near. It really is hard to believe and is probably the last straw for Rafa. Even with new money in the summer does he trust anybody to spend it?
georgio(Quote)
Chill lads , put yourselves into a zen like state, let it wash over you and start chanting
Ashley is a **** for 10 mins
I can guarantee it’ll make you feel better. It won’t change anything but you will feel better.
Alternatively pay a visit to the local bar and get rat arsed.
kimtoon(Quote)
£280m spent this Jan so far – and that doesn’t include the Moura or PEA money. It’s broke the record for January spends already – and we have and will have contributed absolutely sweet FA.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Unbelievable… just staggering how incompetent our club owner is… I don’t see anyone coming in now.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
? well I was right, SSN say we’ve made a move on Mangala.
Doesn’t matter though, it’ll just be another one ‘we tried’ but couldn’t get it done.
Hardly the signing to get us the goals though is it?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Mangala, isn’t he some sort of Nazi Eugenics guy?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This Mangala supposed deal is just so wrong… our defence is ok, we just cannot score. Cannot believe that we would get a central defender in… and a **** one at that. ????
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Mangala won’t be arriving.
Stuart79(Quote)
At least Liverpool are winning. I hold absolutely no hope of Arsenal beating Swansea but Palace beating West Ham. Need a draw there.
Stuart79(Quote)
twatting Arsenal, useless
kimtoon(Quote)
Vardy to Everton for big money,cannot see that being right
Icedog(Quote)
Well if Swansea can take points from Liverpool & Arsenal – I don’t see why we can’t!!.
It’s not been a £30m forward who’s win them those points.
Don’t get me wrong, I want a new forward. But if Swansea haven’t strengthened to take those points. We need to dig in as they have.
Sharpy17(Quote)
They’ve got PL players, Sharpy in comparison to us. Swansea’s manager even commented after we played them that he faced the same players last season when he was Sheff Wed manager. Essentially we really do have a Championship sidebin thw PL. Pribably only Huddersfield and Brighton can say the same. Although even they’re adding players.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – who?, I don’t look at their players and see any better than what we have – their forwards may be slightly better, but I don’t see that much more quality at all.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well all the social media are clinging onto us loaning Sandro from Everton – even the bookies have installed us as favourites.
Can’t really see Everton loaning him to a rival PL club – they look safe, but you never know. Add to that it’s Fat Sam who was shat on by Ashley and it’s even less likely.
Leicester don’t seem to want to let Slimani go to a PL club, so that one doesn’t look likely either.
Not entirely sure who else is left after that like?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rafa-benitez-reveals-details-last-14223569
God, I feel so sorry for Rafa having to try and get blood from a stone, he must be tearing what’s left of his hair out.
I wouldn’t bother, let it go and just do his best and walk at seasons end, what’s the fucking point .
kimtoon(Quote)
Just put SSN on they say Sandro has joined Sevilla until the end of the season ??♂️??♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
Right , enjoy deadline day lads, I’m doing other stuff, will be on for the match and that’s my lot.
kimtoon(Quote)
Is Lee Ryder working for Ashley these day’s ? Where is this 20 million record signing ? I just hope the fan’s weren’t gullible enough to renew their season tickets.
Stem(Quote)
I was certain Swansea would go down and then they go and beat Liverpool and Arsenal. They aren’t showing the NUFC/Burnley game here, was usurped by 2 little teams. Man U and Spurs I think their names are although I don’t know any of their players. Somebody Kane comes to mind but I am not sure.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I wondered out loud a couple of weeks ago who we could get as a striker and Ings was about it. Then Klopp decides to play him so he was out. Slimani has done nothing and I had never heard of any of the others except that Everton reclamation project. Really, who would we have wanted? Hand on hearts, had anybody even heard of Jorgensen?
I am not making excuses for Ashley and think Rafa would know who would be better than what we have.
Shocked Sturridge chose West Brom. Maybe not, as Pards will guarantee him games and I doubt Rafa would.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Chronicle meeting of Ernest Hemmingway and Oscar Wilde. No, I mean Chris Waugh and Lee Ryder: Chris, Lee, we need a 5 things we learned (learnt) type piece on the transfer window. Who have we been vaguely linked with by The Mail and The Express? Remember we need 5. Not 4 or 6, 5.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Was Sandro one of the 5 The Chronic named? If it is down to 4 now they will never print/click-bait it. Things we learned (learnt) only come in fives, you know.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sorry, meant to reply to Sharpy about Sandro.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yeah I know, Jorgensen was top scorer in the Dutch league last year, but recently that has been tallest midget.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So Mitro off to Andelecht. We want Slimani who’s injured but so do West Ham.
So that’s a standard deadline day for us.
Stuart79(Quote)
said it was all about money with the player going to WBA bit of a statment here,The terms of the deal changed when West Brom came in for Sturridge, and Benitez accepted that the transfer became a very expensive option.
icedog(Quote)
I would hopebwe have another striker in the pipelineband not just Slimani, who is injured and not done a lot since his big move to Leicester. Its a start though, if he actually arrives.
I see Colback looks likely to go to Forest and Saivet to Turkey – so another signing is not out of the question, especially with Mitro leaving.
shamrock(Quote)
SHAM aye great news wear side jack going to Forrest??? the striker has a thigh strain,that can be very funny Injury could take weeks
Icedog(Quote)
Salami it is then
Sharpy17(Quote)
Didn’t I tell you to relax we were getting a striker in
Icedog(Quote)
Everyone said kennedy would be only signing. Even myself. Keeper and a striker comin in. Slimani will do us good a think.
Davetoon(Quote)
now saying he has hamstring injury and could take four weeks wtf
icedog(Quote)
You did indeed mate, that’s why I told Rafa to always go with your updates over these daft journos
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hopefully it is not a Dummett 4 weeks. I am probably Dummett’s biggest fan on here, me and Sharpy anyway, but Dummett’s 4 week hamstrings take 4 months.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Mate even with only 1 leg he’s still gonna be more effective than Joselu
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy man, Joselu has the same goals as Burnley’s top scorer. Nil-nil I think tonight. Was going with 1-1, but Joselu?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
apart from keeper and striker ime hearing there could be another loan player in???maybe m/f player
icedog(Quote)
lets hope this keeper is a long way better than Rafa last keeper buy,Sels was a nightmare
icedog(Quote)
maybe it could be defender Ibrahim Amadou from Lille???
icedog(Quote)
trust the gunner to buy a top striker,they have been playing **** now we have to play them with two new players 😈 😈
icedog(Quote)
Aarons rejects Hull and is off to Verona!
shamrock(Quote)
aye can see why Rafa coach just left toon to manage them so he knows the manager
icedog(Quote)
Aah gotcha.
shamrock(Quote)
I am pissed off with Olly now. He didn’t put “Respected Journalist” before George Caulkin’s name. Everybody knows he is “Respected Journalist”. Like Quinny is “Legend”. Ryder is “Who, Me, I am a Journalist, you’re kidding me right, that’s my job?” John Gibbo Gibson is “pass me that ashtray, man” Gibbo.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Is Slimani any good? If he is kept out of the team by Mahrez and Vardy then maybe he is?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
**** it, I got it wrong. It is not RJ (respected journalist) it is RNEJ (respected north east journalist) George Caulkin.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Slimani injury projected as between 5 days and two weeks. Dubavka is supposed to be really good. We’ll see. 2-1 tonight. We really really need it.
georgio(Quote)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ULj1PKVZddA
Some saves from the keeper
Icedog(Quote)
Can’t really understand Rafas’ obsession with bringing in ‘keepers , hope Dubravka is a lot better than Sels.
Slimani , even injured for a few weeks , will get more game time than Rafa would have given Mitrovic. Let’s hope he wants to prove how good he is and gets a few goals for us.
All in all another uninspiring window for me.
sidekick(Quote)
I am thinking (that would be a first!) 35k x 52 = 1 point 8 million a year.
Geographically challenged Jack Colback doesn’t want to move to Hull. He is not financially challenged! That is good dole money.
If you could just sit on your **** all day and make 1.8 mil a year and not have to move to Hull would there be a problem there. Not for me.
Chicago was just named best city in the world to live in by Time Out. I would argue Munich, but second is OK.
Hull finished 1 million, 2 hundred billion and 12th. They don’t really have any fish anymore. Good bridge though …
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think the new saver must be good at ball distribution. That is what our current savers not having. If that is the case, it will speed up our counter-attack.
funrafa(Quote)
I have lived in Chicago for 28 years and I wouldn’t put it 2nd in the world. Too cold. But, I have lived in quite a few places and travelled a lot, so here is my list. UK cities first 1st:
Newcastle
Edinburgh
Cardiff
London (for the museums and music, too busy otherwise).
THE WORLD / northern hemisphere
Munich
Madrid
Barcelona
Berlin
Seville
Chicago, about 39th.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
NEW THREAD
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2018/01/31/burnley-h-pre-match-thoughts-team-news-predicted-line-ups/
A big day on the transfer front but an even bigger game to play in a few hours!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)