NUFC ‘exclusive’ responds to Graham Carr rumours – & Bruce set to tackle Academy issues

According to the Chronicle, Newcastle United have ‘no plans’ to bring Graham Carr back to the club, indicating that recent talk of his potential return was nothing more than more than careless whispers and lazy journalism.

This one time trusted chief scout’s return to our recruitment team always seemed to coincide with reports that usually included headlines like “Rafa on the brink” or stories about Ashley’s unhappiness about wasted money on the likes of Jesus Gamez, Mat Selz et al, but it gained extra traction in the following days of Steve Bruce’s appointment.

Indeed, reports Ashley wanted to return to his policy of buying young talents under the age of 26 with big potential and resale value have certainly turned out to be true, with summer buys Joelinton and Saint-Maximin fitting into that profile perfectly.

On the subject of our recruitment at youth level, the Chronicle now claim that Bruce will take a look at our Academy, feeling there is ‘room for improvement’ regarding the number of players emerging from our U-18 and U-23 ranks.

Here’s a snippet from Lee Ryder’s ‘exclusive’ on the recruitment front and Carr’s rumoured return:

“Newcastle United head coach Steve Bruce is set to take a closer look at the club’s Academy scene.

“It is understood that the club’s new back-room team believe there is room for improvement when it comes to the overall talent emerging from the Under-18 and Under-23 set-up.

“Bruce will look to refine the club’s recruitment process for younger talent from afar and overall scouting on the grassroots scene.

“Head of recruitment Steve Nickson will continue to work closely with Bruce alongside senior scouts Mick Tait and Paul Baker”

“But rumours of a return to United for ex-chief scout Graham Carr are believed to be wide of the mark.”

“Carr left the club during the Rafa Benitez era but there are no plans for any type of comeback at the moment.”

Now, forgive my cynicism. This is absolutely the bare minimum every manager/head coach at any professional football club should be doing.

This sensationalism of Bruce trying to do what was a big factor in Rafa Benitez leaving is frankly baffling, considering it was the Spaniard himself who indeed scrapped the former policy, and chief scout himself.

Also, it was always my understanding that Carr recruited mainly for the first team squad. Not just the youth team. Indeed the recruitment for that department seemed to take on more importance under Rafa than it had done under any of Ashley and Charnley’s previous appointments.

Nickson has scouted some good players, but forgive my cynicism, but this all seems like an attempt to dress up returning to a failed policy.

I genuinely hope I’m wrong.

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

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