Essentially dastardly Dekka has given a bit of an insight into how the club works when it comes to strengthening and has sounded a note of caution to those who might expect some form of strengthening in January.
He has revealed that the club can only afford to have eleven players of starting quality, or ‘purples’ as those inside the club call them. I don’t know why they are called ‘purples’ and not just ‘players who will be starting’ but hey ho. Personally I think it’s a bit weird, sort of like a secret club, but each to their own…
However the devil is in the detail and whilst poking fun at something like that has an upside, there is most definitely a downside that has come along with it. Here goes…
“We’ve made it quite clear to everyone. We have 11 positions that are grade A players or Purples, as we call them,” he explained in the Northern Echo.
“Then, under them, we have the players who come in under them to take the positions so the squad gets bigger.”
“Eventually we’ll have 33 players who will be pushing everyone. Where we are we have, in effect, 11 Purples if you count (Vurnon) Anita. He can play midfield, right-back, left-back. They are there. Centre-backs you have Colo and Steven Taylor, who are fantastic centre-backs.”
“To bring in another centre-back then you have James Perch, who is doing a fantastic job, (Mike) Williamson, who is doing a fantastic job. You can’t have two purples per position because the club can’t afford it. You have to be realistic.”
Ok so we have to be realistic then? So what is being realistic? Is it now realistic to assume that we won’t be buying any players for the starting eleven until one is sold? Is it realistic to assume those that are here will only be pressured for positions from within? Is it realistic to assume that we are going to continue with a squad that is thin on experienced cover?
Another thing, Derek. Most fans are realistic enough to know that we aren’t going to be able to acquire two full teams of stars and leave eleven of them on the bench each week. We haven’t got Champions League football and aren’t a big enough draw for a ‘purple’ player to be willing to come and sit on our bench.
However, to say we can only afford one first-team player per position is just, well, bollocks. You constantly tell us how well you and your mate Mike have done with the finances but now it’s all under control we suddenly can’t afford anything. Why try to improve at all then?
This regime have done some good things, but things like this really annoy me. In fairness we are without BOTH ‘purple’ central defenders and I dare say that most teams would struggle a bit more if that was the case, but with a player with an injury record like Steven Taylor’s you have to wonder why there isn’t an inkling of wanting to strengthen that area of the pitch.
What do you think?
When asked if the name “St James’ Park” would always remain, Llambias then reassured fans by responding:
“Absolutely. In our reign, absolutely.”
Derek Llambias Nov 2009
Big Dave(Quote)
ST…ah, so you were just making it up then when you said we feel we have a “right” then? to get a poit across,yes?
Arsenal spent about £40m in the summer, so as we spent more did we spend 50m then or are you just pulling statements out of the air again?
richietoon(Quote)
ST I don’t look at anyother clubs and think we should be acting like them, I don’t care about other club’s and what they do, i’m only interested in my Club.
So do you agree with me @ 66 that you are in favour of the “ridiculous” plan that the Regime has in store for us
Big Dave(Quote)
@Richie
I said “I don’t know we feel we have a right etc” because people are claiming we should be doing this and doing that even though others aren’t. So why do we have a right to?
Now I know you’re not even bothering reading my posts, just trying to pick an argument. We spent more than Arsenal!! RVP and Song were sold meaning they made a profit last window. 😳
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
@BD
If we’d signed a 3rd choice CB. Yes.
The sooner all our fans accept that we are following a template that our competitors use the happier they’ll be.
Not contributing to this discussion anymore as I’ve got people like Richie trying to pick a fight on nothing.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
@BD
Also please don’t bring up anymore Lambarse quotes, painful! The man is a tabloids wet dream. Spouts such rubbish.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Firstly I did read your post correctly, so if you are going to quote your own post maybe you should do so correctly 😉 if you think that I’m the sort of person that picks fights on here then don’t bother replying to my comments, it’s that simple.
Also Arsenal did spend more than us as did Spurs and possiby Everton, now if you are talking net spend then that is what you shoud say(as I mentioned to you yesterday) as that is different and is completely different to what you have said, therefore I’m assuming the embarrased face is yours, I feel for you 😳 😳
richietoon(Quote)
Richie. ffs. All throughout this thread and last I have been talking about player sales funding players we buy. That’s what all my debate with Dave has been about. In what world would I possibly be talking about anything other than net spend.
My first post to you @27 states “Centre back aside, if we have to sell a big player every now and then to fund strengthening the team then i have no problem with that as everton/arsenal, even spurs with carrick/berba did it.”
If you aren’t prepared to have a grown up debate and are instead intent on focusing on the one post where I don’t say NET SPEND then fine.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Was I involved with your debate with Dave? nope, I mentioned on a previous thread if you meant net spend but as you didn’t reply I don’t know whether you did or not. So for starters it wasn’t just one post when you said it, from your posts I have taken what you said as you have written it, i.e no mention of net spend, you have written it incorrectly but it’s my fault for understanding it wrong?…..If it were me I’d have just said sorry, I meant net spend, but hey maybe I’m not as “grown up” as you 🙄
richietoon(Quote)
@Richie
Come on man. I was talking about us spending more than Arsenal this transfer window. Does it need to be spelt out for you? You’re just ignoring my post @27, “if we have to sell a big player to fund strengthening like Everton etc” doesn’t that suggest talking about net spend. If you’re going to nit pick, at least do it well. So you weren’t involved in the debate with me and Dave and yet managed to skip every one of our posts?
I’m not too arsed either way. I know what I implied, and you know I was implying net spend.
With that out the way, are you prepared to answer the big question..?
We are following the Everton/Arsenal template. Clearly. Good or bad thing? What alternative transfer policies would you suggest?
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
The thing is though lads and we must not lose sight of in our arguments, is that, the difference between us and the other clubs mentioned is a simple matter of addressing a player deficit. To the best of my knowledge all the afore mentioned teams needed to find a player for certain positions to progress or strengthen .This is something we have failed to do up to now moreover we seem top heavy with MF players .
KIMTOON(Quote)
ST @ 80 you either support their plan as you said you did or you don’t, you can’t pick and choose, and say well if they had off brought in a CB because they didn’t so in fact you support the regimes plan’s that you yourself labeled as ridiculous 😉
how much did we spend on players this summer ? then check how much **** have spent this summer
Big Dave(Quote)
Yep I read your post @27 as it was in response to mine @19 yet you didn’t answer it 😉 and as I’d been out in the afternoon I just skipped thru the rest to see if anyone was replying to one of my previous comments(sharpy had), but the fact remains saying we spent more than arsenal in the window is incorrect, I now know what you mean but don’t throw your toys out the pram when you write something incorrectly and people understand it as read and then accuse them of trying to pick a fight or not prepared to have a grown up debate……and then have the cheek to try and start a debate with me 😉 😳
….would love to but actually off oot in a bit 😉
richietoon(Quote)
Kim @ 86 😉
Richie take care and don’t be starting any fights 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
lot of trouble makers on here today,good job me and kim keep there heed,think some had owr much meat,thought dave would be busy changing
nappys bet hes back-heeled that 😀
icedog(Quote)
@Richie I’ll be sure to write everything in big, clear letters for you in the future 😐
@BD They have my full backing. Not signing a centre back was ridiculous. Doesn’t deter that their plan has my full backing. Really, really happy with the direction we’re heading in, and nothing anyone says will sway that.
Going to assume that Arsenal quip is a joke, good one 😆 🙄
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Ice they got out today and because we had the 3 girls staying with us they came straight down here, and don’t mean to be rude but the new born stunk the place out 😳 me and Dede had to get out of the room 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
DAVE dont worry about that mate it just you showing your age and cannot hack it now,de was just keeping you company 😀
icedog(Quote)
ST the **** one wasn’t a joke because most football fans don’t really take into account about net spend etc, it’s normally down to the fact that we spent far less than Arsenal.
As i’ve said many times I talk to different footie fans everyday and I never come across ones that are into their clubs finances, it seem’s to be a Toon thing
Take for example that many on here laughed at Doglesh for spending £35mil for Carroll but only an odd one balances it out that they were allready +£15mil profit because they sold Torres because it doesn’t sound as bad, and it’s not how most fans think 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
What a load of bollox. Purples?! if that is the line of thinking then we can forget maintaining top 6 positions. Certain areas in the side need strong competition. Any football fan knows that. We are desparTe for a central defender of high quality. Pards knows it, so does Ashley according to Pards – so what is this bollox all about? It’s like being spoon fed bullshit sometimes. They have done a lot right, but then they come out with rubbish like this and hey presto- one step forwards, two steps back with the fans. The ‘purple’s’ talk is patronising quite frankly.
Shamrock(Quote)
🙄 😉 spot on Sham
Big Dave(Quote)
with reguards to people saying Ashley asked Pardew when are we getting a centre back. Just after we signed Cisse i remember reading somewhere, Pardew saying he told a little white lie because he did not want anyone getting wind of them going for Cisse. I believe the Ashley thing was a red herring as i really could not see Ashley asking Pardew about signing a player, imo
paulmag(Quote)
paulmag It’s all cloaks and daggers with wor lot. I suppose it keeps things exciting until the very end of the transfer window. I cannot for the life of me believe that our owner is naive enough to think that the team is strong enough as it is. The mere fact of finishing 5 places higher up the league will guarantee the extra cash to pay for a new player. There is a big smoke screen being set up, and the fans i.e. the paying customer, are being led a merry dance..
Munich Mag(Quote)
Paulmag I have never heard that one ❓ at the time we were in bad need of a CB so I really can’t see it being a little red herring as what would it have accomplished, and if it was well then it makes Pards just as much of a liar as Jabba and Lambastad because he said it more than a few times
Big Dave(Quote)
Hey folks,
ANybody watching the ACON qualifier?
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Get light purple Simmo signed up before he leaves for nowt 🙁
Munich Mag(Quote)
phew 0-0 h/t
icedog(Quote)
FSOTC I forgot all about that game 😯
Well done Ice 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
DAVE the games on live on our fav blog 😆 😆 😆
icedog(Quote)
IC 1-0 😀 😀 😀
icedog(Quote)
Icedog, are you helping WT to tout for business on the dark side ? I think those three blokes who regularly post over there are doing a great job on there own … 😆 😆 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
Ice I suppose he has to do something to get bloggers on there, maybe someday he will catch on that he and his attitude is the problem, and while he is there the problem will remain and it will remain a little blog for a few people 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
I think we’d miss our Senegal lads more than Mr T. Bigi will be almost purple by January…
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM ill use him for my benifit as he used us 😉 didnt relise what it was on news now so just clicked on it,to late but what the hell
icedog(Quote)
Dave/Ice, it’s so funny over there. The usual suspects whingeing about the usual stuff…Pardwho etc etc. Then wondering where the bloggers have gone Clint…Utd etc . Then when the blokes make a guest appearance the blog master rips into them for not toeing the party line….so they disappear again, never to return. Laugh, I haven’t laughed so much I almost got the beers in… 😆 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
Icedog, just joking mate, we all know where your loyalties lie … 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
Big D@107, WT does a good service providing the bully boy and his cohorts an opportunity to vent there spleen…
Munich Mag(Quote)
mm and BD: its was just something i remember reading at the time, when window shut. to me it came across as Pardew being smug that he had led other teams into thinking they were going for a defender , when they were secretly going for Cisse. In the article i read at the time he admitted to telling a little white lie. As i said earlier i cannot imagine Ashley asking Pardew for a player, more the other way around imo. Like mm says its all cloak and daggers. Also totally agree we have needed a quality centre back for ages. Just dont buy the Ashley asking bit.
paulmag(Quote)
Paulmag…. I think (I hope 😯 ) behind close doors they know what is going on. Cloaks and daggers are all well and good, cos we’re talking about potentially multi million pound investments. At the end of the day though, if our final position in the league drops drastically compared to last season, then Cashley will earn less anyway. Better to speculate to accumlate if you ask me. We’re maybe only talking about one position…centre back…?
Munich Mag(Quote)
Yikes… It’s a bad scene in Senegal right now–looks like rioting & fires in the stands of the stadium…
http://www.youtube.com/user/MyAfricanFootball/featured?v=cbzRYgFbDbo
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
By the way, it’s streaming live on youtube, though I think the game will be or has been called off in the 2nd half.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Paulmag if I can remember right it started off with Pards saying he needed a CB in and with in a few days he was asked about the CB and he then said that they were doing as much as they can and that even Jabba had asked him 🙄 so I would presume even Jabba would have seen that we desperately needed one and still do
Big Dave(Quote)
FSOTC thanks for youtube link i can go on there,gives me the shivers being on that blog 🙂 dont know whats ganning on noo
icedog(Quote)
Ice, I think the game has been abandoned. There was a sketchy penalty call against Senegal and then the fans started heaving **** down on to the field and set several fires in the stands. I think the pigs & soldiers went up into the stands and rousted people out while the players stood around on the field and it’s been in this state for the last 15-20 minutes.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
FSOC the youtube link is blocked in Germany, but it sounds as if things are going ape-**** in Senegal. Only goes to show what a standing football has in some countries… the only outlet for the frustrated manfolk… 🙁
Munich Mag(Quote)
It’s impossible to tell if the mayhem has continued in the streets, but the stadium is pacified now and the image is of a couple of hundred people–probably match officials, teams, personnel and so on, milling around on the pitch.
Maybe it’s not safe to leave the stadium? That’s pure speculation, mind you, because there has been no announcement of any kind since the game stopped.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
hope the game doesnt have to be re-played 👿
icedog(Quote)
Hadn’t thought of that, Ice, but I’m with you. It should be called in favor of Ivory Coast, given the 6-2 aggregate at the time the madness began.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
I would imagine the result will stand now, and the Demba’s can enjoy a chilly January on the Tyne.
Munich Mag(Quote)
BBC is reporting the match is abandoned and the Ivory Coast fans were forced on to the field for their own safety, evidently. Zoinks.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19936674
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Just heard about the antics at the match. Those senegalese are fucking mental like 😯 😆
Newkie(Quote)
The beeb report says they did the same thing a few years back when a qualification match went badly.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Bloody hell it all kicked off in the acon match then 😯
KIMTOON(Quote)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbzRYgFbDbo&feature=plcp
Video there if people want to see, 1.47 onwards with the fires and such….
Newkie(Quote)
That game sounded rough, toto could’ve been sent off for a lash out at Cissé (reckon Demba said that he wouldn’t make him curry if he didn’t take Papiss out?) and before the 2nd goal a Senegalese fan charged at Drogba.
Haven’t been able to get signal since midday (weird as I’m nearer to a big city now than I am at home 😕 ) so didn’t know what was going on. Off to bed now, will be running along Tynemouth beach like Santiago Muñez tomorrow. 😎
Andymag(Quote)
Jumping on this a bit late, but do we think that the “unpurple” player in our starting XI is Simpson or Jonas? I know Jonas is co captain and is a great team player…
Okay, I just figured out that it’s Simpson. 🙄
AndrewT(Quote)
Andy-To be fair, the game seemed fairly clean. I was expecting far worse after the antics of the Senegalese U21s in the Olympics, now they were a dirty side 😯
Andrew-It’s Simmo. He’s only on about 15k, whereas Jonas is on about 50 and tied up for another four years or so…. 😕
Newkie(Quote)
I see Richie and Big Dave were being bullies on here again 🙂 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Also Senegal seemed to have Ba taking their corners…and they seemed better than ours! Get Ba on the case 😆
Newkie(Quote)
I assumed that the purple referred to the wages rather than skill of the player in question too…
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie, of course the purple thing refers to ££££, look who came out with it 🙄
Any news on whether the acon match has to be replayed??
Susan(Quote)
Susan…I’d have thought/hoped they’ll just award it to Ivory Coast as they were so far ahead on aggregate and it was senegal’s fans that rioted.
Aussie..moi?, not my fault if people make incorrect statements then chuck a wobbler 😉
richietoon(Quote)
Toonsy did you be my email?
Richietoon= the smiling assassin 🙂 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
😀
richietoon(Quote)
I see Del Piero and Heskey 😯 both scored doon under, what sort of wages will they be getting?
richietoon(Quote)
Not totally sure, about 1.2m for Heskey and it is reported that Delpiero is on 2m per season. Sounds a bit steep to me??
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Is that real money or AUD? 😉
richietoon(Quote)
peso’s 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Ah, that’s about right for Heskey then £2.50 😆 ….they still put prices in Pesos in alot of places here, 10 year after getting rid 🙄
richietoon(Quote)
That’s nothing… we still have a fecking Queen 😯
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Priscilla? 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Heskey and Del Piero have been good for the game here in Oz. The crowd numbers have been well up on last year and the game is getting good publicity.. Really pleased to see it doing well in a tough AFL (Aussie Rules Football) & NRL( National Rugby League) environment.
It is still a young league and it keeps improving year on year…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
“It is still a young league and it keeps improving year on year”……..and then Heskey came!! 😆
Good to hear though, who knows, you may get to see a Toon tour in the near future 😉
richietoon(Quote)
Camilla 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I would love that mate, to see the Toon in Perth would be awesome…. can’t see it happening tho 🙁
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)