The problem is that when you get a successful businessman, who has made everything himself and done it all his own way, expanding into a different area yet trying to enforce the same ethos it doesn’t always work. Take running a football club as a fine example, or running NUFC of you want to be precise. There are two sides – business and football – and both need to be managed. Balls one up and the other won’t flourish and vice-versa. My problem is not Ashley’s business acumen as that can’t be argued with. It’s his football side that lets him down.
In actual fact I may actually be being a tad harsh on Mike Ashley as it’s Derek Llambias who runs things on a day to day basis so it will be him who makes most of the calls. Ultimately though he is the chap that Ashley trusts to run the operation so in essence I guess you can blame him. Blame starts at the top remember.
The Joey Barton saga has got a fair amount of people riled up. It’s another football decision gone wrong in the eyes of many, to add to the long list of shocking football decisions. Let’s just remember how cut throat the top level management have been since they arrived on Tyneside.
I’d guess that the biggest one is Kevin Keegan. That one ended up in a court which ruled in favour of Keegan and revealed that Mike Ashley and Co had deliberately lied to the fans. Not a great start really.
Alan Shearer is another one who as led up the garden path and then completely ignored by this ownership. They didn’t even have the decency to tell him that he hadn’t got the job which, ultimately, Chris Hughton benefited from.
It wasn’t long before he too was dumped on after helping secure promotion and leading us to a decent start to life back in the Premier League. I always had a sense though that he was on the way out, especially when he was left to fend for himself without an assistant for months on end.
The singing section has been shat upon also after being declared a “wonderful idea” by the club. That idea has now been disbanded as they were singing songs about the board. They were then subsequently ignored when they requested to be reunited in another part of the ground. Boo Hoo.
Now we have numerous players claiming they have been lied to and have been misled leading to unrest that ultimately has been the cause of several recent outbursts by the likes of Kevin Nolan, Wayne Routledge, Joey Barton and Jose Enrique. Say what you like about the players having their own agenda, but it’s hardly good news is it?
Alan Pardew is another one that I have no doubt is being hung out to dry. Why not? They’ve done it before so why wouldn’t they do it again?
I’m sure there are reasons for all the decisions, but to me – a fan – those reasons seem to be very much hidden. Even the Joey Barton thing smacks of double standards. I mean if they are going to be so hardline with Joey Barton then why not be the same with Jose Enrique? Where was the hardline approach to Derek Llambias streaking across the pitch naked in front of children and allsorts?
The bottom line is that if you treat enough people with contempt it will eventually get the better of you. Not that I expect that Ashley or Llambias care about who they ride roughshod over, but eventually it will go full circle and people will either bite back or they will run out of people who will get close enough to them to be able to have the **** taken out of them.
Their reputation is **** and the poor press the club receives for every decision is never going to be a good thing in the long run. Still, we are stuck with them unfortunately and whilst I’m very concerned about things at the moment I think the best thing to do is to stick with the team as they are, quite clearly in fact, getting the same treatment as us fans are.
Back the team, not the regime!
Morning Toonsy. In the past I had been prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt despite the monumental co*ck ups along the way as the club seemed to be slowly but surely moving in the right direction. The train wreck that is now unfolding has convinced me that i need a seat on Bobby’s train.
Geordie Deb(Quote)
i really hate llambias with every fiber in my body. God he is so slap-inviteting to look at and his act doesnt help him either.
AlanPardewProject(Quote)
I honestly think Ashley is a good businessman because he puts knowledgeable managers in place to run his sport direct empire . I think he is a **** owner because he puts his shiffty matein to run the club. I dont think Lambrusco could manage to find the toilet seat with his ****. sorry for the language.
Think this some up the dynamic duo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifpb55bXkrg&feature=related
Tommy Gibb(Quote)
Good write up Toonsy….. but lets not forget that all this new anger has eventuated from a couple of Joey Barton tweets…. Hardly end of the world stuff… One thing is for sure…As a player, If you think you can ride rough shot over this board, you are sadly mistaken..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Cant stand Derek or Mike, they lurch from one disaster of a decision to another. I fully agree with Steve wraith when he says the fans need to come together and do something about it.
Josh-NUFC(Quote)
Do we really think that team morale will disappear when Barton goes? I recall a journo saying that the team spirit in America was the best its been for years. Funny that Barton wasn’t there !!!
This has been coming for a long time, with the only suprise being that it took so long to get rid of him.
Bye Joey … never thought you were the type of character that should be given the opportunity to grace the shirt from day 1.
shrews mag(Quote)
I agree with Geordie Deb @ 1, except for the last sentence. I wouldn’t get on Bobby’s train for quids – that’s a one way ticket to the madhouse.
Brisvegas(Quote)
This is from the Daily Star -Tottenham have finally admitted Luka Modric will leave White Hart Lane – if the price is right.
It seems that we are not alone when it comes to players not being sold…………… unless we get the right money
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
What i absolutely hate about the board is the way Llambias makes big contentious decisions and then hides behind Pardew, he needs to get out of his cupboard, face the fans via the media and put the clubs side over.
The mistrust grows massively each time he bunkers down, i thought we employed a media relations officer last year maybe they could come out of hiding and speak instead of feeding Pardew to the wolves every time.
Today will be interesting to see what the ” club” have to say, there is 4 small lines on the official website ( sports direct catalogue) which itself is a pile of tat and must be being run by a YTS .
Robert(Quote)
First of all let it be known I can’t stand the people who run our club and pray to God they sell up soon,but Joey Barton is also at fault on this one.The cynical side of me thinks he as acheived what he wanted.He is no fool and he must have known that if he continued to goad the board they would re act.It is slightly differant with Jose he has not been anywhere near the problem Joey as ,and also they know they will get a decent fee for him.
Mick G(Quote)
@Geordiedeb
No seats left I’m afraid but there’s room on my knee for you. 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Aussie – every club in the prem would have sold AC for £35 million (except liverpool 😉 ) … and if the price is right every club in the prem would sell LM
shrews mag(Quote)
Bobby – Don’t panic. I’ll swing tge bus around and catch up. Call it a duplicate service 😆
Im just angry about it to be honest although I may calm down yet
toonsy(Quote)
@brisvegas
The reality train has always been on track. Shame you couldn’t see it like I could and you’ve been left at the station with fat Mick and DelBoy.
😛 😛
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Shrews Mag – Yeah mate, that’s why I posted it…. The sh*t we are dealing with is going on all round us with other teams but those on the reality train must have the cabin blinds down…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
😯 😯 😯 😯
Stuart79(Quote)
bobby 😆
Whey I’ve been gutted for a while because I won’t have my season ticket for next year, at the moment I’m really not bothered……..that’ll obviously change as ko approaches but for now I just feel sick.
Joey has to go now and has to take his share of the blame but the sooner knackas and crackas **** off the better 👿 👿
richietoon(Quote)
Nothing will change with these Bozo’s running the show.
Everything they do is with contempt and as I said many years ago this club will go nowhere under the guidance of Mike Ashley.
The decision making is laughable.
The asset stripping is blatant.
The strong nucleus assembled by CH has been destroyed.
The Carroll money has vanished.
The manager has no authority.
The squad is weak.
The fans are constantly fed drivel about agent fees,undersoil heating and electric bills….can we have at least some entertainment please?
Mike is clearly a very wealthy man,unfortunately he is not prepared to take Newcastle forwards,the players seem clearly unhappy,more fans are getting disgruntled and in my opinion this season will see more turmoil on and off the pitch as this sick sideshow continues along a very rocky path.
sirjasontoon(Quote)
Shrews Mag @ 12 Even that great man Kevin Keagan said he’d have sold Carroll for 35m quid.
Toonsy @ 13. Anger is good. Only 3 more stages to go. And you are far too rational a person to follow Bobby’s cuckoo train.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Aussie – blinds down, sunglasses on and ear plugs in … all aboard … 🙄
shrews mag(Quote)
spot on jason..
hitman(Quote)
The one thing that could resolve many of the issues with fans and players is better communication.
The players seem as frustrated with the regime as we do.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Jason @ 18, 100% bang on mate.
Josh-NUFC(Quote)
@toonsy
It’s quite ironic that you used to slate me for being so negative but you are now posting threads that make me look like I’m pro Ashley. 😆
You better hurry up with your bus as I’ve just caught sight of Stardust in his trying to catch you up and run you off the road. There’s only him and Toonpipes on his bus, oh and sir cliff. 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Its alright having good morale, but when there’s no steel on the pitch to rally around then you’ll just be playing happy, loosing football. When you keep loosing it won’t be happy at all. That’s what we’ll miss from Nolan and what could disappear with Barton. We’ll just have to see how Colo does.
Newkie(Quote)
As time goes by, this so-called board of ours seems to extend its reputation for inept man-management even further.
We know there’s been a problem with Joey but they’ve had weeks to resolve it. Whether or not Joey’s engineered his ‘sacking’ is a matter we’ll never get to the bottom of but any manager worth his/her salt can spot and attempt to deal with staff malcontents early. As it is, Llambias and Pardew have let this fester for weeks – that is just total incompetence!
Here we are, a couple of weeks off kick-off and the sqaud’s being pruned and pruned by the day. Incomers of sufficient quality and quantity are not appearing and the atmosphere in the dressing room must leave a lot to be desired.
Who carries the can back for this? Well, in may view, Llambias is Ashely’s man on the ground and he’s been involved in most if not all of the debacle we’ve witnessed. How this man’s survived this long at Newcastle United lat alone in the murky world of the gambling industry beats me.
Ok Llambias may be a friend and confidante of Ashley’s but there comes a time surely when even he must see that he’s making a complete dogs breakfast of presiding over Newcastle United.
When will we employ someone at a senior level who can at least go through life without being totally destructive and help this club restore some credibility!
🙄 👿 👿 🙁
lesh(Quote)
Whey, man, Bobby. I agree with ya @ 22.
Brisvegas(Quote)
bobby..agree but they havn’t communicated since day one, a leopard doesn’t change it’s spots I’m afraid 😥
Didn’t someone say that “cwarr” *** had said Joey had signed a new 4 yr contract yesterday?….seriously if any of you are following him…why?
richietoon(Quote)
@brisvegas
You’re looking lonely now on your wooden raft floating towards niagra falls! Woo hoo hoo hoo cuckoo cuckoo 😛 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
The Andy Carroll transfer was ok because he wanted to leave and we were getting about 3x his worth.
The Kevin Nolan transfer was ok because he was getting old and he demanded a long term contract which wouldnt of helped the club.
The Joey Barton one is just a joke. He wants to stay. He loves NUFC. He was our best player last season. He is willing to take a paycut in order to stay. But the board still dont want him. Yes he did have rants on twitter which didnt help but the abuse would of stopped if they only just gave him a new contract.
I just hope Barton runs out his contract here because it would be too much to lead 2 leaders in one season.
NottsGeordie(Quote)
“What is a club? Not the buildings, directors or people who are paid to represent it, the television contracts, get-out clauses, marketing departments or executive boxes. It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, It’s a small boy gripping his father’s hand, gawping at that hallowed stretch of turf beneath him and, without being able to do a thing about it, falling in love.” Sir Robert William “Bobby” Robson, CBE (18 February 1933 – 31 July 2009)
hitman(Quote)
What aggrivates me is that every year we seem to conquer crisis after crisis. Then I think oh well it cant be as bad next year, but every season there is something odd or dissapointing going on at our club. This is just another typical Newcastle start to the season. Expect MA to remove his face at some point and be a cylon. I bet we would all go ‘oh’ as nothing surpises us anymore from players being sold who are key, to players attitudes, the manager being sacked or St james being sold for re-development!
I just wish MA would sell the club, it cant be enjoyable for him now. We seem to be just fooled more often i.e. having plenty of money to spend 35mill from AC. Our squad is once again weaker than it should be, yes new guys are here but unproven. Our squad was stronger when we came up from the CChampionship. Our club is going backwards in more ways than one !
tooneye(Quote)
According to the Journo, we’re after Barnetta as Joey’s replacement.
In the same article it refers to ….. ‘United’s drastic action came after a short meeting yesterday morning to discuss Barton’s latest attack on the board via his Twitter account. Also taken into account was a furious address from Barton to his team-mates in the Elland Road dressing room following the disappointing 3-2 defeat to Leeds on Sunday…..’
Any ideas what that’s about – the dressing room bit I mean?
Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2011/08/02/tranquillo-barnetta-lined-up-to-replace-joey-barton-61634-29159519/#ixzz1Tr8WTh3P
lesh(Quote)
Lesh@26, couldnt agree more and i live for the day when Ashley has him whacked, no one is safe
Robert(Quote)
They are so frigging thick they think making Ameobi captain will please the fans when the reality is its a red rag to a bull!
Robert(Quote)
Lesh – Apparently Barton gobbed off at Carver and Stone, was unhappy he wasn’t captain, was unhappy that he wasn’t taking set pieces, had a go at Pardew, and the ripped into the rest of the players, even the ones who were much better than him on the day…
toonsy(Quote)
I’m actually shocked by my Dad 😯
Just spoke to him about it for the first time and he says good riddance to bad rubbish and thinks Barton thinks he has too much power in his own head 😕
toonsy(Quote)
NottsGeordie says:
August 2, 2011 at 08:53
Why was it ok to sell Carroll for that amount of money if we weren’t going to spend it? At this point in time selling Carroll was fcking pointless. We have a worse squad but most importantly we do have under soil heating on the training ground and I also hear that the money they save from Joey’s wages is going towards new tiles in the changing room. 🙄
Lesh – What makes them think they’ll get him? Lets be honest, he will cost money and we don’t like spending that. Gamiero and Gervinho we also wanted and look what happened there.
Stuart79(Quote)
ya dads right toonsy , hes a class player but a bluddy idiot with a big gob
Army69(Quote)
The most predictable thing about the Barton affair is the doom laden abusive prophecies of the bloggers. After his earlier behaviour Barton should never have worn the black and white shirt again. He was a lucky devil. He has always been a disaster waiting to happen (again). I ask what was the purpose of his twitter tirades? Vanity. Vanity.
As for the current management I think they are doing pretty well. Three good signings, two who hardly featured before and the rise of Haris Vukic gives me a sense of optimism. They cannot be blamed for the problem of signing a second striker (Ba is one). Players have to want to come besides which we do not know what efforts are being made beyond the glare of the media. Very sensible though frustrating for we watchers.
The way so many bloggers talk of MA you would imagine he wanted the club to fail. What possible interest could he have in that? Even if he regretted ever coming to Tyneside, and I would not blame him for that, a financially well managed and successful club would be a better asset to sell. So far as I can see he is pushing out the prima donnas on gold plated salaries and replacing them by talented young players. The proof of the pudding is of course to be in the eating but please do not condemn before the meal has started!
Killingworth38(Quote)
Your Dad talks a lot of sense Toonsy.
Toon Chicken(Quote)
KILLINGWORTH – I don’t think it’s the fact that it’s Barton that has pissed everyone off, I think it’s the fact that the club have told our best player he is free to leave for nothing that’s annoyed a few.
By the time 31st August is here we will probably have lost Nolan, Carroll, Barton and Enrique – our four best players without a doubt over the last 18 months. Where does that leave the club?
Look at the bigger picture before jumping in with a reply please.
Stuart79(Quote)
Sooner we get rid of Barton the better.
I think the only real bad decision the club has made is letting him go on a free. Why not just terminate his contract and be done with it?
Toon Chicken(Quote)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14366574.stm
Well shock horror – look who’s the only PL team not to reveal their prices in this survey… 😯
Stuart79(Quote)
@ the thread.
We’ll be behind the lads come the Arsenal kick off, we all know it. That’s the beauty about football. For that 90 minutes nothing else matters apart from the lads on the pitch trying to get a result. They have to act like they are though….
Shrews Mag @ 6
Team morale was probably great as it was largely a bunch of kids and Championship standard players on holiday in America getting first team action. Will it still be as good after a 3-0 defeat at the Brittania? Are the characters there to bring the team back up? Will the people causing the great morale in America even be in the first team?
Why does Pardew continue to snub joey for captain? Even in a friendly? When he is clearly the best candidate for the job? Is Joey not respected by his new team mates?
Anyway, people keep going on about Joey being the reason there is fan unrest….it isn’t for me. Joey shot himself in the foot a long time ago and is getting his come-uppance. This was expected by a lot of fans and to be honest, I don’t want a player bringing morale down in the dressing room so I am upset it’s happened but also understand the boards stance.
I still see the bigger picture though which a lot of people seem to glaze over.
Alan ‘Punch & Judy’ Pardew needs to grow a set of balls for a start. Can’t wait until he comes out in an interview with Mike Ashley’s words tumbling out of his snide little gob as if they were his very own.
Moreno(Quote)
Bobby@11 LOL you smooth talker
Geordie Deb(Quote)
Killingworth
Brilliantly put fella. The hissyfitters and kneejerkers are back in full force.
Just hope Joey goes quickly – for the good of the club.
Stardust(Quote)
TC – nice to see a normal bloke with normal reactions kicking around!
We can’t terminate his contract without Barton committing gross misconduct as we would have to pay it up.
By making him available for transfer without cost – Barton simply has to agree a move – so its cheaper. However Barton could ask for say half his wages for the next year before he agrees to go.
So the club will be hoping an acceptable club come in for him.
Stardust(Quote)
Wonder what all the hissyfitters and kneejerkers do for underwear after an episode – all of their knickers must be very twisted.
Maybe we should start a Premier Knicker Twisting League – we’d win that. 😆
Stardust(Quote)
Stardust,
Wonder what all the blinkered fans do to soothe their aching ringpieces once Ashley has shafted them right up it?
Maybe we should start a ‘bend over and take it like a set of bitches’ League – you can be captain.
Moreno(Quote)
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Stuart79(Quote)
…And manager, owner and groundsman…
Stuart79(Quote)
gutted about barton but would be plzd if we got barnetta mind , cant see it tho
Army69(Quote)
Got to admit Moreno
You’ve hit me with a couple of classic lines the last few days 😆
Time will show that I and a few others are rock solid in our rationale in times of mass hysteria.
Guess you’re wringing a pair of knickers right now? 😆
Stardust(Quote)
Moreno 😯 😯 😯
toonsy(Quote)
I see Bartons agent was saying that Joey was upset at not having the captains arm band and not taking the set pieces and corners on the weekend. 😯 That is why he had a hissy fit in the change room afterwards… What a ******… and all you realists are sticking up for him 😎
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
…Builder, Policeman, Native American….
Moreno(Quote)
Brutal post Moreno! 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Toonsy,
Was just joking on with Stardy, he takes it in the spirit it’s intended 😀
Nowt malicious!
Moreno(Quote)
Moreno says:
August 2, 2011 at 09:55
Toonsy,
Was just joking on with Stardy, he takes it in the spirit it’s intended
Nowt malicious!
He’ll take it anyway from Ashley!
Stuart79(Quote)
There’s a certain section on here that somehow alway bring the conversation round to ******* and bumming. 🙄
I’m not here to judge anyone but it seems some of you are a bit fixated with it.
A Toon blog probs isn’t the best forum for you guys if that’s how you get your kicks. Just saying.
Toon Chicken(Quote)
Well, hopefully now Ashley will take it upon himself to ensure that he gets a couple of players in, if only to avoid the backlash.
I can’t believe Barton did all this though. Upset at not taking the set-pieces? It’s preseason! Pardew knows how good Barton is, he has never seen Cabaye play for newcastle, be a man for the teams sake, ffs. Barton has a big big head and a bigger mouth and I will miss him a little on the field, but I think we’ll be better off without him, especially since we have a good enough midfield and the young ones to come.
hydeous(Quote)
Moreno
I thought last nights “dollop of *****” line was brilliant – I had no propper comeback – it was game set and match to you 😆
Stardust(Quote)
It’s not Joey Barton or Mike Ashley that is tearing this club apart it’s us the fans. We overreact to every situation taking extreme positions on either side. What matters to me is what happens on the pitch. If I am not enjoying my football then I will criticize whoever I think is to blame be it the board, management or players. That is my right as a paying customer. However it doesn’t give me the right to express personal hatred against anyone, board, management or players.
So how as a paying customer am I doing? I can only speak for myself. I have enjoyed the football for the last two years at SJP more than I have enjoyed it for a long time. Will I enjoy it next season? Who knows? But if I do, I couldn’t care less if our owner was Genghis Khan.
Groucho(Quote)
Haha Stardust,
I know the people on here who can take the banter as it’s intended after many months of arguing back and forth 😀
Moreno(Quote)
Spot on hydeous. A none hysterical view on things.
bkemp247(Quote)
If Barton went on like its suggested at Leeds – it shows he doesn’t have the real ability to be a leader – he is a bully
Stardust(Quote)
Toonsy completely agree with ye good thread. I think its inevitable that well will get a lot of stories and romours being spread about Joey, I know he is no angel but I honestly believe that he isn’t guilty of all the **** that is being said about him.
But in my mind its not just about Joey it’s just that Joey is the latest in a long line of cockups.
I also cant believe that there is still so many fans that are prepared to let MA and CO rip our club apart without even a bad word said about them
Big Dave(Quote)
Makes me laugh i agree with your dad toonsy we dont have a clue whats gone on. If you gob off to your boss and fellow employees you may aswell leave.
And then he tries to look like a hero by saying how he has been forced out. I said yesterday i think they are glad to see the back of him.
No player can hold the club ransom
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
We forget he has made us as a club a laughing stock for staying by him at all. He has given us a good season yes but why do we bend over backwards to salute the bloke. IMO he owes us not the other way round
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Yeah Hydeous,
One thing I had considered is that this might prompt him to sign a player or two to quell the unrest. Time will tell I suppose….
Moreno(Quote)
Stardy it amazes me that you can run Joey down over stories that we dont even know are true. But there is proof of most of the **** that MA and CO are doing to ruin our once great club and you just take it without a word said about them
Big Dave(Quote)
Freddie Shepherd on Talksport at 12.30pm
I abhor that man’s desire to put himself in the limelight whenever there is a tragedy.
What a world class bell-end
Moreno(Quote)
Helicopter hovering over the training ground ❗
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
hydeous says:
August 2, 2011 at 10:07
Don’t count on it!
Stuart79(Quote)