As soon as I heard that I was eager to see what was going to be said by the man who is tasked with finding NUFC the players to help us stabilise and improve next season. Put simply, it’s not that often that us fans get an insight into the scouting process so I was looking forward to seeing if anything interesting was going to be said.
The key is nailing down a spot in the Premier League for next season at the earliest opportunity. Once that is done we can really press on with our recruitment and Graham Carr can show us the fruits of his labour, with two of those particular fruits apparently being Kevin Gameiro and Gervinho.
As I wrote a few days ago, a lot of faith is being invested in Graham Carr as fans look forward to see just who our Chief Scout has earmarked for the attention of Alan Pardew. In an interesting, and rare, insight, Carr tells us exactly what kind of player that he is looking for.
“We are looking at a lot of players. We have teams of players that we’re looking at lined up in 4-4-2 formations because we want to have someone in every position,” explained Carr. “I think we need half a dozen players in summer, to be honest. That is a personal opinion, mind, but that is what I’m working towards – having options to put before the manager when the season is over.”
“The players that come in will have good pedigree. We will expect them to improve the squad. But there are a few other considerations – we want players with a bit of pace who can get about the park. And they have to be the right age and they have to come within the wage structure as well. That is quite a few things to look at admittedly, but I really think we have a good chance of getting the players that are on our list.”
So there is a wage structure in place at the club then? It had been rumoured for some time but without any confirmation of it you never quite know what to believe. Will it impact on our ability to sign quality players though? That is the real question, and Graham Carr believes that it won’t
“The wages we can offer are better than they would be in many other European leagues,” he says. “In places like Belgium, Holland and France the money isn’t probably quite as good. Germany is tougher because they do pay well – and the crowds are big over there as well.”
“Of course, agents get involved and that complicates the situation, but if you hand-pick the players and do your research, you generally know the players in our bracket. We can’t compete with the resources of a Manchester City, but those clubs aren’t going to necessarily be looking at the same players that we are. In the next bracket of clubs, we’re at the top I believe.”
“Supporters would certainly be surprised at the pulling power of Newcastle United in France and Holland in particular. I would say that outside of the traditional big four we’re probably the biggest draw in those countries.”
“That was something that I was always struck by, even when I was working for Spurs and at other clubs. Don’t under-estimate the name value of Newcastle United. Playing in front of 52,000 in the Premier League is a real incentive to many. I mean I have been to certain French clubs this season – clubs at the top of the league over there – and they are probably going to be playing in the Champions League next year, yet I could name three or four players who would join Newcastle tomorrow.”
“They’ll all know about the way we’ve treated Hatem Ben Arfa. L’Equipe has been covering his recovery in detail and we’ve come across very positively.”
The vast majority of fans will be keeping an eye on transfer activity at St James’ Park this summer. There is money to invest in the playing squad, but how much remains unclear. The £35 million that we received for Andy Carroll is there to be used, although most of us doubt that all of that will go on transfer fees.
It’s a test of ambition for Ashley and he has a chance to earn some redemption amongst fans if he sanctions some wise investment. Carr believes he will and also says that Mike Ashley is taking a keen interest in the work that Carr is undertaking.
“The owner and the senior staff are very much interested,” said Carr. “I work very closely with Derek Llambias, Lee Charnley as well as the manager and Mike Ashley. I have regular meetings with the owner – I have met him on loads of occasions. It is good for me that there is interest in bringing players in.”
“I know what the perception is outside of the club but he strikes me as a passionate man who is very committed to Newcastle United. They are knowledgeable. It’s amazing how interested they are really.”
Graham Carr may see that on a regular basis, but unfortunately we don’t. If we did though perhaps it would be a bit easier for fans to buy into some of the decisions that have been made, especially with regard to some of the footballing matters. Business wise, you can’t really question Ashley to be honest as it’s his strongest suit in my opinion. Communication however is a completely different matter.
This is why it’s nice to hear the occasional interview like this. Maybe Alan Pardew isn’t just blowing hot air when he talks about transfers? Maybe he has belief that the club will pull something out the bag? Time will tell on that front of course.
Anyway, as I’m getting on for 1,000 words in this article I’d better shut up yapping. Apologies for the length (Ooo err Mrs. 😉 ) but I’d prefer to cover it all in one handy article rather than using it to drive three or four articles like others may do. I think it’s classier this way.
I hope you enjoyed it. I know I did.
What a man.
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
“but I’d prefer to cover it all in one handy article rather than using it to drive three or four articles like others may do. I think it’s classier this way.”
Absolutely magic mate 😉
Moreno(Quote)
Moreno – You like that? 😉
toonsy(Quote)
You must have been reading my mind when you wrote it
Moreno(Quote)
Carr or toonsy?
jay jay(Quote)
Me probably.
toonsy(Quote)
Blowing smoke up your **** toonsy, not the first thing to get up there 😆
jay jay(Quote)
I trusted the man before this interview but now I have full belief that he will get the right type of players during the summer and beyond that.
dan4toon(Quote)
Dan – About 2pm 😉
toonsy(Quote)
Jay Jay – I know. The last thing that tried was you 😮
toonsy(Quote)
Only one story on my mind: Brisbane Roar = champions. 2 goals in the last 5 mins of extra time to push the game to penalties. What it lacked in quality it made up for in drama.
Finally, I support a team that wins something – everything, in fact.
Sorry for hijacking the blog to bring you that news. A great day out at the football. 50,000 crowd for an Oz club game is astounding. Amazing!
Brisvegas(Quote)
You should go to a therapist if you’re having them sort of dreams again toonsy 🙂
jay jay(Quote)
😀 😀
dan4toon(Quote)
Good article Toonsy. I am genuinely optimistic about what might happen in the summer and this guy Carr seems to know his stuff and is doing the leg work. Time will tell whether we can get in the players we need – I really think we will though.
This is the FIRST summer since Ashley took over that the club is breaking even and has money in the bank for transfers – no need for Ashley to bail the club out again. He has no excuses for not investing.
Another view on the Indian takeover story – if that is true (sceptical myself) it needs to get done quickly – don’t want the club paralysed in the transfer market while the owner is changed.
3hourswasted(Quote)
Imagine we signed Gameiro and Gervinho 😯
I would be beside myself with joy
Moreno(Quote)
Good article, Carr sounds positive that we’ll get a bunch of decent players in during the summer – tho i’ll be happier when we reach prem safety – 3 points at Stoke
4411(Quote)
I have faith there is money to spend and I have faith that we’re out there scouting the right type of players/people to come into the club.
However I can’t help but be a little cautious with my expectations over our summer activities purely because clubs know we have money to spend, they will take the ****.
I can sense a lot of ‘we bid for the player but the money the club were wanting was ridiculous, so we’ve moved on to other targets’ happening this summer.
I think we’ll get players in, but I think it will be a frustrating summer at the same time.
I Love Mike(Quote)
Moreno: I’m beside myself now and almost didn’t recognise me. Who’s that guy with the huge grin? I said.
Brisvegas(Quote)
well it sounds like Carr and Pards are singing from the same sheet, and it sounds good.
But i guess that we will still hear Pards being called a liar that only says what the fat man tells him to say.
As i have said before i believed Pards when he said Judas was not for sale, and i thnk he believed it too, but then he didn’t know that the bindippers were going to offer £35+ mill
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave….it’s only a lie if you know it’s untrue when you say it, I don’t believe he did.
richietoon(Quote)
That’s my view as well BD – we’ll see in the summer whether it’s all a PR exercise to sell season tickets which some have already claimed.
I believe we will get decent players in and we may not be successful with every one we go after as ILM says. I really don’t think it will be due to lack of effort and a decent transfer budget available though.
3hourswasted(Quote)
Which is fair enough, he needs to learn from it though…and he probably hasn’t.
Don’t make commitments you can’t keep would be my advice
Moreno(Quote)
If anyone buys season tickets on the strength of a “rumoured” takeover then they deserve to be taken for a ride imo………..on the subject of which, the lad who was s’posed to be buying my pair of tickets for the last 3 home games might not be taking them now so £120 the pair, bearing in mind it’ll probably cost £80 for a pair just for the Man Utd game 😉
richietoon(Quote)
Moreno if he believes it i think its part of his job to tell us the fans.
Richie your right mate 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Moreno….exactly, comment on things you can control or that have happened, not what you can’t or that may happen 😉
richietoon(Quote)
I smell a rat!!
NUFC grant Carr permission to talk openly to the press about his role and how he hopes we bring in 6 players etc…..Hang on a minute.
Did Ashley not state that the club would not discuss transfer targets etc until the deal(s) was completed.
This is a publicity stunt to generate season ticket sales and alleviate the player unrest regarding the ambition of the club.
Call me sceptical, but I have no faith in the current regime.
We will **** about as usual in the summer and lose out on most targets. 👿
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
You only selling them as a pair richietoon?
jay jay(Quote)
jay…I’d prefer to but times getting on so £60 for one(obviously).
richietoon(Quote)
I’ll get back to you mate
jay jay(Quote)
nae botha.
richietoon(Quote)
“If anyone buys season tickets on the strength of a “rumoured” takeover then they deserve to be taken for a ride imo”
And the same as the people who are currently waiting to see signs of transfer activity before buying their season ticket. Why? Does their support hinge on how much we spend? Boils my **** like, especially when there are thousands who would go watch Newcastle regardless who may be can’t afford/have work etc.
toonsy(Quote)
TonyGreenSupreme
Posted March 13, 2011 at 12:25 PM
“Did Ashley not state that the club would not discuss transfer targets etc until the deal(s) was completed.”
To be fair though it’s not as if Carr has gone into any specifics on players.
toonsy(Quote)
Like me, I’m a fecking pauper 🙁
jay jay(Quote)
ive got nee money worrys,got nee money to worry aboot 😥
icedog(Quote)
And me. I’m skint 😉
Mind you, won £70 on Irish lottery last night so a bit of a bonus there 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
Good (or probably “great”) words from Mr. Carr. Raiding the Dutch, French, Belgian leagues for young hungry players with pace sounds good to me. Six players in with Smith and Xisco to leave would do us well
MDS(Quote)
And Raylor, Don’t forget Raylor 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
said before raylor is alreet at dead balls,rest of the time hes just dead
icedog(Quote)
“We are looking at a lot of players. We have teams of players that we’re looking at lined up in 4-4-2 formations because we want to have someone in every position,” explained Carr. “I think we need half a dozen players in summer, to be honest. That is a personal opinion, mind, but that is what I’m working towards’
Sweet. 😀
DJG(Quote)
signing Gameiro would be sweet 😈
arcarius(Quote)
Sounds just like a DoF. 😉
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)