The end of player power at St James’ Park?

toonsy
Kevin Nolan

Kevin Nolan
Power battle at St James'?
First we had Joey Barton and his contract saga. Then we had Kevin Nolan and his refusal to sign a new deal. Now we have Alan Smith being told that he can leave for free according to some reports.

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.

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

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200 thoughts on “The end of player power at St James’ Park?”

  1. still nee news aboot a meeting at sjp,unless ive missed something,anybody know oot.
    wheres toonsy when you need him,kipping on the back seat of the coach likely 😀

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  3. @notts Geordie
    We also have the privilege of the nighty club. It’s basically, come the end of the night, each one of the club say nice things about each other and pat each other on the back for doing a good days blogging. It then results in a mass goodbye, whereby every wishes each other goodnight, sweet dreams and tuck each other into bed. Very similar to the Waltons.

    I love the blog but I feel very uncomfortable when the nighty night club begins and generally try to avoid it.

    You may wish to join them or you may join my wide awake club beginning from 7am onwards where I wake the nighty night club from their sweet dreams with realism and straight talking comments where you hear the truth and try and pull the dreamers back to reality as alot of thembelieve the club will buy every superstar
    going. 😛

    Seriously, before I get barred, it is the best blog going. 😛

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  6. I think it is Ashley and Llambias who did not like the player power which was a major reason they got rid of Chris Hughton because he, in their eyes, lacked the balls to take charge and be their man, not the players. Alan Pardew is dummy in the middle, glad and no doubt surprised to have been offered such a high profile job. Mike Ashley looks at the bottom financial line. It’s his club, in his eyes, and everyone else can shove it if they are not helping him move out of the red into the black (and white).

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  9. Yeah, I have it on just now. Marvin Martin looks a really, really good player.

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  11. Funky, I’m watching an espn stream, they’ve mentioned Cabaye’s transfer a few times.. as well as Zog.. Anyone know why Gamiero isn’t playing?

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  14. rinton, oh well, I never saw it from the start so maybe I missed those mentions. Gameiro has just came on as a substitute.

    By the way, I watched a youth international yesterday and Davide Santon, Yannis Tafer and Steeven Monrose really stood out.

    Santon is out of our range probably but Tafer and Monrose are young, French and not established in their teams as far as I am aware.

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  15. Is benzema playing? I think ive just seen him outside SJP, had a ball under his arm, and holding his boots in his other hands 😉 😆

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  16. NottsGeordie
    Posted June 9, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    ‘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 .’

    I thought like that for all of about 5 minutes until I realised Ed’s blog was for total retards. 😆

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  20. notts @92 you wont say that when ya get too know the c@nt , hes a tottal crack pot 😆

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  22. I am joining you notts.The line has been crossed with the upside down comments 😈

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  26. Nottsgeordie- Sherwood forest or near the prison? I live in Nuthall, but my dad lives in Sherwood.

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  29. Welcome new boys – Bring your friends, everyone is welcome. you’ll never wanna return to upside down blog after meeting us lot 😉

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  30. STT, It’s true, I just earned 1 euro polishing his boots.He wanted his ball doing too but I couldn’t change a fifty….

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  31. Batty- It is bloody BATTY over there. The comments are now LATEST at the TOP and OLDEST at the BOTTOM! It’s insane. Craic already seems good on here as well lads. Roll on with the blog!

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  33. funkyjesus

    ‘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.’

    I was watching it on ESPN, they mentioned Cabaye was signing for NUFC in the first half. Total dumb commentators lyk, one from South A and the other from US. 🙄

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  34. It’s a huge day tomorrow! Big announcement about Gervinho.!

    I’ve been promised that I’m going to be proven wrong according to the head in the sand crew!

    It is tomorrow boys isn’t it? The big announcement? You know, the Gervinho one? Yous have all been saying it all week?

    Uh oh! Yous aren’t realising just now that I’ve been right all along are you? You’s are aren’t you?
    😛

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  36. Bobby who said it was tomorrow? 😛

    if i was you ide be getting my @rsed cleaned, im sure fenwicks dont like em dirty 😆

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  37. Welcome aboard Hainesy!! You’ll find the best craic, the battiest lot, and meanest lasses this side of the Atlantic, mate 😉

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  40. Aye, you need to watch out for OH like, he acts normal, but hes actually a gay perv 😆

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  41. I don’t mind them having a foreign commentator but at least have one that knows about football and the EPL. 👿

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  42. @Spencer

    You all have been waiting for the big announcement today.
    That didnt come so it is now tomorrow. 😛

    The folks of Northumberland Street are well safe from seeing my *** anytime in the future. 😉

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  46. I just think we’ll get him before the end of the window, dont no when it will be annouced 😉

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  51. @spencer
    Have you not been reading the arsenal blogs?
    They are saying the same about Gervinho and he has said in the past Arsenal are his dream club.

    I do not know where you get this blind optimism from ? It’s incredible. 😆

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  53. BSH9- When I think about it, I dont belive we will get him, but on the outside, I like to say we will, to keep myself happy 😀

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  54. spence howay man weve learnt you better than that ,give it bobby back and divent let him pick on ya 😉

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  55. sorry batty, I only argue with them cu’nts from the other side.

    Mind you, bobby you are a bit of a negitive one aint you?

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  62. How you doing Hainsey? I’ll keep you informed on Eds blog on whether its changed back 🙂

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  63. Realistic Spencer that’s what I am. There’s alot of dreamers on here.
    Anyway, Gervinho has stated he will announce where he’s going by the end of this week.

    And Batty knows I wouldn’t pick on anyone. I use my grandad Kellet to do the heavy handed antics!

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  65. Witters- ahh, good for you mate 😀
    Nottsg- Ahh, wont be far from my dad. he lives on Girton Road, near he high school playing fields

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  66. Aye, you better agree 😈 😈 😆

    Ye, he had to wait till this week could he couldnt find a coat at this time of the year, and he needed to buy one cos he says its abit cold in the toon 😉

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  68. DAVE batty only gives me a half hour off ffs,what chance have i got,and got to make his bate in that time while he watches the raceing

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  69. @big dave

    It’s a different ball game when your oiled up and wrestling with only trunks on! 😛

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  72. @jobey

    Is your dad not contravening his order by living and frequenting the school premises?

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  74. Bobby 😆 😆 😆 😆 Has young Spence to bring the baby oil with him 😆

    Batty who was the other contributer you were abusing ?

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