Now those three players are pretty universally regarded as key personnel when it comes to squad harmony. Granted they may not be the best players that we’ve ever seen at St James’ Park, but they are passionate and played a huge part in our revival from the Championship culminating in our fairly comfortable Premier League survival last season.
Performance wise we had Joey Barton showing us what he can truly offer us, arguably for the first time in his four years at the club. Then we had Kevin Nolan, who ended up as top scorer for us. Then there was Alan Smith, who never really did a lot on the pitch for us but was key behind the scenes apparently.
Those three senior players were said to be part of the Newcastle side who had a shake up from within on our relegation from the Premier League. They were the hub of a supposed players committee that used to regularly hold meetings and meet away from the club under Chris Hughton. He was happy for it to continue so what harm could it have done? Everybody seemed fine with it.
However it did start off rumours of player power at St James’ Park. It used to be a standing joke that Nolan would tell Hughton what team to pick and which formation to play and so on. Now it may have been said mainly in jest, but there have been rumblings of player power at St James’ Park for quite some time now.
Which makes you wonder doesn’t it? Is this stance by the club some form of attempt to try and stamp out this alleged player power? Maybe not directly, but it’s a canny coincidence is it not? I mean three members of this alleged player committee, all being messed about with at the same time? Funny eh?
Maybe it’s a good thing? Maybe it’s a bad thing? Perhaps it’s not even something that the club is looking at? However I happen to believe that these latest moves by the club are indirectly aimed at wrestling back at least some of the power within the dressing room.
Chris Hughton may have been happy with it, but there is nothing to say that Alan Pardew has to be. For all we know he runs his ship entirely different to Chris Hughton. He may not want the players running about in cliques behind his back and may prefer to have that bit more control over things.
So is this the end of player power at St James’ Park? Maybe not directly, but it certainly looks as though it’s something that is on the agenda.
I’d be happy for Nolan to stay. The other 2 can jog on as far as im concerned. And yes Barton is replaceable.
DJG(Quote)
I have no problem with Smith leaving as he has countributed very little to the team on the pitch. However I think Barton and nolan are both extremely important and influential. @DJG To be honest I think Barton is the better all-round player.
TheDimpleboy(Quote)
ide be happy for smith too go but not the other 2 ,and i dont believe the ***** aboot nolan picking the team even though it was clueless chris in charge
batty(Quote)
spot on dimple
batty(Quote)
I’d like to see both Barton and Nolan stay for another season but Smith should go. He is on too high wages for a player who has contributed very little this past season.
Ahmed4nufc(Quote)
Aye but then you look at the amount of appearences he made in 4 years, and then this season (the one coming up to contract renewal time) and the hassel he has given the club and his outburst on twitter.
Plus he he that good? Not going into huge detail about his game (everybody knows) I would say Tiote and Cabaye (and Nolan, Gosling, Guthrie) would easily replace him in midfield. Jonas, Benny, N’Zog or we sign a proper right winger, would easily replace him on the right. Hell, if you want a winger with little pace, R Taylor can play there and has a better delivery than Barton.
DJG(Quote)
Big Dave
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Posted June 9, 2011 at 5:50 PM
Batty give yer heed a good fuking shake ffs Nolan picked the team and told Clueless that he was Captian even though it should have rightfully went to Smith, get yer heed out of the sand Lad and smell the coffee
its alright Toonsy I moderated it 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Anyone who has played sport will confirm that player power is very dangerous that always ends in tears.
Seems a good idea at the start and gives an impression of teamwork, but upset them at your perill. All of a sudden they stop playing, and demanding all sorts of sh**.
Get rid!
Billy the Fish(Quote)
what ever divvy dave ile be giving you a slap with with a soggy jam rag kidda 👿
batty(Quote)
too think i got banned for a 1st class c@nt like you
batty(Quote)
😆 I take it you have been a busy boy the last 2 days 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
you racist thug
batty(Quote)
DJG brings up a good point but I still feel that Barton should stay for another year. He has a lot of qualities which the team can benefit from, as seen last season and every team needs a few elder statesmen so to speak. I’d be thrilled with a midfield squad of Cabaye, Tiote, Barton, Nolan, Guthrie, Gosling, Jonas, R.Taylor,Vuckic and Ben Arfa.
Ahmed4nufc(Quote)
did you see what he sed 😆
batty(Quote)
Batty wind yer fuking neck in lad you got banned because you dont like Ladyboy Lovers 😆 and because you helped out your wingman I thank you bonnie Lad 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
djg what makes you think HBA and gosling will come back as good as ever ,pair of crocks and they will stay that way
batty(Quote)
Batts yeah mate I seen it 😆 😆 trying to see there is something wrong with the bestest Blogger 😀 I seen Rodders was on here too 😆 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
trying to see = trying to say
Big Dave(Quote)
With the midfield logjam someone’s gotta go. With Smith, Barton & Nolan you know what you have. Everyone else is a mystery-could be better, could be worse. It seems AP’s only remit is to serve as the man who decides the team, strategy and subs- it does not seem like he would want to delegate that to the players. He may want Nolan and Barton, but he only gets them on their ability to come into agreement with the front office. So again, he is just managing what he is given and not likely to want to turn that duty to the locker room boys.
BeeGuy(Quote)
ye dave rod was on earlyer
batty(Quote)
Reet Lads back to do a bit more should be on about 9.30-10 Batty you keep them under control Lad with the Ban hammer 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
I’d be interested to see what bsn.9 says aboot player power. (Or does he secretly harbour festering feelings of player power and secret handshakes). 🙂
DJG(Quote)
DJG @1 I 100% agree that he is replacable interms of player quality, but im not too sure about his stature in the sqaud
SpencerTheToon(Quote)
‘West Ham United have had a £5million bid for Newcastle United duo Kevin Nolan and Alan Smith.’
If that was true I would sell. lol considering Smith is worth about 50p.
DJG(Quote)
Smith is fine to go, don’t see what pressure he could put on a manager anyway and I doubt he’s the type of guy to be a bad influence behind the scenes but he just can’t cut it anymore and we need to free up some wages. Barton and Nolan though? I thought the rumours about them picking the team under hoots was bollocks anyway if I’m honest-the team picked themselves in those days didn’t it? And it still did this season….
Fannying around with Nolan and Barton at the same time this season though? Not the best move by the club imo. Is this Pardew trying to break their hold? Well he’s said how good they are and he wants to keep them, and now it seems the club are trying to boot them out, so I don’t see how this favours Pards either, is this just the breaking of both manager and player power to put it all in the hands of Lambias? Now theres a worrying thought. Pissing off two of our best players and undoubtedly the most effective at restoring and generating fighting spirit in our team is asking for trouble, in my opinion.
Newkie(Quote)
DJG… humm… 5 million for basiclaly nolan….i bet they are tempted. i can see all three going tbh at some point in this window. if they offered five million i would say no, but you can have smith for 1 million. he has to be worth a punt from someone ast that price. its that 70k a week thing though isnt it. he will sit tight and run it down.
craig chisholm(Quote)
I dont think the club wants Nolan to go, they simply wont be held to ransom anymore and that wont suit his agent who wants a last big paycheck out of Nolan… If they cant talk sense in to the agent then i reckon he will go next season…
Barton have aperently talked sh*t about MA at some charity event (No facts, only rumours) So he is gone i think, and anyway you look at it, he is and will always be a loose canon however good he is.
Smith is to expensive to have around when all he ever does is have an appearence in the dressing room
Valle(Quote)
Just found this about Cabaye, good read.
http://www.gibfootballshow.co.uk/2011/05/cabaye-bye-yohan-newcastle-bound-midfielder/
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
@Big Dave
Youre punching my lines! Heads in the sand! Smell the coffee! You’ll be slagging the nighty night club next! 😉
@DJG
I strongly believe their is a place for player power as long as the manager is respected and ultimately has the final say.
It’s gone at many big clubs and none more so than Man Utd.
Roy Keane stated in his book that Bryan Robson had his own band of merry men that dealt with internal dressing politics. They would never cross Fergie but certainly they held power particularly as captain.
You’ve got to have strong characters to pull the team together and that’s exactly what Nolan, Barton and Smith did last and this season.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Dressing room politics
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
tell them for 6m they can have smith,nolan and xisco. done deal 😆 😆
Jobey07(Quote)
Dont think there is some kind of conspiracy here from the board.
I just think it’s more to do with the fact that these three are high earners in their latter footy years at a club that perfers to use there wage resources on younger players.
If Enrique was part of the clique he’d still be getting the good contract offer because he’s still young. He wouldn’t have the same issues these three are having.
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
I think that the club might want to get rid of their high earners. Smith is one of them so if he leaves that frees up some money for us.
Nolan and Barton want to stay but the impression that I have is that they are holding out for more money and we are not willing to give them that. The same thing happened with Judas he wanted more money when the transfer saga happened so went to liverpool as he could get more money there.
I’m pretty sure that both of these deals will get sorted in some way like Staylor’s contract
Goose(Quote)
i think this topic hits the nail on the head , i believe its why hughton was sacked and i humbly believe its more pardew than the board …cant have players picking the team (unless its sunday afternoon , then they can referee as well)
sandancer(Quote)
jobey07 @31
i would throw in perch and Ameobi as well 😉
Axel(Quote)
sandancer
Posted June 9, 2011 at 7:47 PM
i think this topic hits the nail on the head , i believe its why hughton was sacked and i humbly believe its more pardew than the board …cant have players picking the team (unless its sunday afternoon , then they can referee as well)
Amen to that. 🙂
DJG(Quote)
It’s also kind of strange as wasn’t it Joe f##king Kinnear who brought Nolan here? Can’t imagine him telling Joe what side was playing. 😕 😕
When HOOTS came in it must have been like the supply teacher that lets the kids talk all lesson and dee nee work. 😛
DJG(Quote)
I don’t think Nolan is going anywhere, it’s the press that turn a straightforward situation like “no, we have no need to discuss a new contract yet as you still have two years to run on your current one, let’s talk about it next year.” Into “Nolan set for exit, club not renewing contract”
It’s tosh, we don’t believe every rumour surrounding players we’re about to sign (I know some do) so why should we digest every one that screams discontent.
The money that we could realistically get from selling Nolan, (3-5Mil) would not be worth the goals he can probably still score for us.
rinton man(Quote)
again in my humble opinion , id be surprised if nolan gets in the first 11 next season , and id be more surprised if pards doesnt have a rethink with the armband , my choice would be him of the curly hair …
sandancer(Quote)
dont know what to think is it the board is it the manager where was player power when we went down,they only seemed to band together when they went down and it worked to get us back up,theres got to be some sort of feed-back from dressing room to manager.it was pardew who drove to nolans house to talk the day he was manager,something not right somewhere imo
icedog(Quote)
in pole again *****.
http://www.clicklancashire.com/sport/wigan-athletic-fc/129664-wigan-athletic-rival-newcastle-united-and-sunderland-for-getafe-midfielder.html
icedog(Quote)
@goose
There is nothing to suggest the players want more more at all. In fact Barton has stated he would accept a significant pay cut. It’s the length of contract that is the sticking point.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
More money
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
in my opinion pardew was coming in at an awkward moment and had to get players on side , but altho it seems to have worked i dont believe for a moment that pardew will listen to the players forum the way hoots did , does it make hoots a bad manager or a good one , does it make pards bad or good ….who am i to say im just a fan
sandancer(Quote)
N’Zogbia Just scored btw
rinton man(Quote)
SANDANCER aye its a bloody strange one,do we go left or right or straight on,what do we know?
icedog(Quote)
dave got your email m8 it will be sorted in the nexy few days 😉
batty(Quote)
@Bobby, fair point about the money. As you say it could be about the length they both want
Goose(Quote)
Sandancer,
How’s things in South Shields, mate?
I agree with Rinton Man @38. The media is probably just trying to wind up the fans. Notice how it hasn’t really seemed to be working lately… they’re clutching at straws and if ya just look at the facts, they’re just sensationalising things in an effort to get more hits/reads/papers sold etc. A 29yo player with 2 years left on his contract? The club won’t be held for ransom by what amounts to a 30yo player when they don’t have to be. Next year, Nolan will have one year left on his contract and the club can offer him a new deal, probably for a couple years, for much less than they’d have to offer now. Especially in light of having guys like Cabaye who will undoubtedly get a starting spot. Nolan may not play much, which will devalue him. Again, the club won’t spend money they don’t have to, and this is a spot on perfect example of shrewd business strategy.
OHurley(Quote)
…imho 🙄
OHurley(Quote)
OHURLEY,you yanks have it sussed mate 😆
icedog(Quote)
Very good point about being able to offer Nolan an even lower wage after next season. Probably why he’s makin a stink about not being able to do one
AndrewT(Quote)
Cabaye has went off injured apparentley.
Josh-NUFC(Quote)
Ice Doggy Dog,
Thanks mate;) We did pretty much invent capitalism after all hahaha!
AndyT- yeah mate, he sees the writing on the wall, but if he’s not rich enough by now to live the rest of his life comfortably, then he’s fecked up somewhere along the line! ****, I’d love to make his wages for just one feckin’ week!
OHurley(Quote)
I now think we should buy N’Zogbia. It’s just comes to a point when you think something would be the correct decision. To start with he’s an excellent player and very versitile, and is starting to fullfill his potential. It would get him away from Wigan and Sunderland. Most probably finally relegating Whelan and keeping him away from the losers (he’s too good for them anyway). And I just think it would be right and actually lift moral of the fans and show him he is wanted here by the fans and we do want him to succeed with his new french team mates. Thats just what I think.
DJG(Quote)
Josh-NUFC
Someones pullin ya leg bonny lad.
DJG(Quote)
Bobby…it does depend in what you class as significant.
If you take a 50k contract over 2 years that’s £5.2m for the duration of the contract. Then take a 20% pay cut but over 4 years that’s approx £8.3m over the duration of the contract. That’s guaranteed if the player wants it to be.
I’d say 20% could be classed as significant & I know which one I’d sign…
witters(Quote)
Josh, that would just be typical wouldn’t it?
AndrewT(Quote)
I usually spend my time on http://www.nufcblog.com but the author of that has messed up the comment system so im going on strike untill he changes it Looking forward to seeing this blog and if its any good, but im sorry it wont be permanent as i will be changin back to Eds blog as soon as he sorts his head out look forward to reading this blog . Just copy and pasted this on http://www.nufcblog.org but im also lookin forward to reading this blog 😀
NottsGeordie(Quote)
Cabaye has been subbed at half time but it hasn’t said why…hopefully tactical, it is a friendly
witters(Quote)
Notts, this is the place for real banter and discussion. Enjoy
AndrewT(Quote)
OHurley
Posted June 9, 2011 at 8:43 PM
shields is fine thanks mate , still cant get a decent curry 😛
i agree with your post as well , i couldnt believe nolan kept barton out of the middle , if nolans head could go on lovenkrands shoulders hed be quite a player , unfortunately this modern EPL demands athletes and i dont think nolans gonna play if HBA is fit , so cash in now or let him go to a league one outfit like scumderland on a free in 2013 (fingers crossed)
sandancer(Quote)
NottsGeordie-
Welcome, bonny lad! This blog has the best craic in the wide world of footy blogs! Just watch oot for Batty. He’ll make ya go radge like 😉
OHurley(Quote)
witters
Cabaye got subbed for an injury apparently 🙂
andrew t
you should see the banter on nufcblog.com anyway enough about that messed up blog (although i do love it) times change 😉
NottsGeordie(Quote)
notts most of us used too read that blog time ago 😉
batty(Quote)
NOTTS GEORDIE,aye this is the best by far,ive been on em all,well read most of them,never go on eds,and only put a odd comment on org when clint writes a thread,plus we have bloggers on from round the world,plus who could forget wor yank OHURLEY 😀 😀 😀
icedog(Quote)
Sandancer,
Funny how curry is more British than bangers and mash like 😉
Yeah, I’d die of laughter of capt kev went to 5under1and on a free haha!!!
OHurley(Quote)
never belive anybody unless its BATTY hes a honest man 😉 😉
icedog(Quote)
Dog, you’re the man
I’ve been bloggin’ with these blokes so long I might as well BE a Geordie 😆 😆
OHurley(Quote)
Notts think you will find this blog has the best of .Com n the best of .Org to make it the best blog. You say your only here for a while but you will be here forever. Place is a bit like Hotel California , yeah you can logg anything you like but you can never leave 😆
Johno Toon(Quote)
OHURLEY you got the tickets for the toon tour?
icedog(Quote)
nottsgeordie- alreet, where in notts do you live? btw im curious, not a stalker….
Jobey07(Quote)
The commentators are talking like N’Zogbia is publicly saying he wants to return to Newcastle and the foreign commentator is saying he is surprised he wants to return back here.
I guess there is something to it – yet to mention Cabaye going to Newcastle though. Two France games with no mention of that deal at all.
funkyjesus(Quote)
One 14 hour shift nearly done. Same again tomorrow ££££ 😉
toonsy(Quote)
If Nolan or Smith were to leave, I would fancy them being used in part exchange for a West Ham player or two….though Nolan probably doesn’t fancy slumming it again in the Championship at the peak of his career..
Munich Mag(Quote)