Or so I thought anyway…
The big talking point has been the appointment of Joe Kinnear as our new Director of Football. Now I don’t know if this is “old ground” or whether I’ve missed the boat regarding having a say on this appointment but all the same I’m going to carry on writing anyway, mainly so I can get some things off my chest and think aloud if you like.
I want to look at if things can work out with Kinnear at the helm. It’s a big leap of faith and I find myself not believing that it can before I’ve even got my teeth into the article but I’ll give it a try and see what I come up with.
The big problem is that we have very fresh first-hand knowledge of how catastrophically wrong appointing someone in such a role can be. You only have to go back to the whole Keegan/Wise affair to see how quickly and perilously things can turn sour.
This is not to say that a Director of Football can never be a success. They can. They are successful in varying degrees throughout Europe but for whatever reason they don’t seem to be the done thing here in England.
Kinnear’s task is to get the best team we can get, which sounds simple, but it’s not. Have a look around at successful Director’s of Football at some of the biggest clubs and you’ll see that a lot of them have a pedigree from within the game built up in their playing career that has given them a status, some clout if you like, that they have then carried into retirement and into their new roles. Look at German clubs such as Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund as indicators of that. If I was going to search for a similar United friendly figure the names would probably be something like Alan Shearer (even though that would never happen), Peter Beardsley, David Ginola etc etc. Players who have had a status within the game and an affiliation with United. Surely they would be better choices to promote our club to players?
The way this whole structure has been implemented is also a disaster. Success with a DoF depends on all parties buying into it with defined roles that all parties are clear about. All Mike Ashley has done is dropped the bomb and given people a choice to accept it or not like like it but accept it anyway and you have to think about the possibilities of why Joe Kinnear is actually here. To put pressure on Pardew? To undermine him? To make him up his game? To replace him? A DoF should have no designs on the job of manager or interfering in the team, but with Kinnear at the training ground and travelling with the team to matches could this be too close for comfort for Pardew.
I’ve tried and tried to come up with a reason for this but I simply can’t. I’m still as baffled now as I was when I first heard about the appointment and even a meeting between the club and fans and Joe’s now famous radio and interview ramblings have failed to clarify things. It can only end in disaster really can’t it?
The one positive thing I can think of is that Kinnear seems to have the ear of Mike Ashley. For whatever reason, Kinnear is the one who has been trusted with this role and ultimately the success of both the job and Kinnear hinges on how we recruit players going the forward. I tend to believe (or hope perhaps) that Ashley would be more willing to back Kinnear with him being his own man and all that, but then I though the same about Hughton, Llambias, Carr and Pardew at first…
So basically, after all this, I still don’t know is the answer to my original question…
Why are people lamenting the loss of simpson and perch? Didnt they go to the ahem CHAMPIONSHIP? 😯
If its to replace with better Im all for it. 😉
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
LST – not sure if many are lamenting it mate. I’m not. I never rated Simpson and although Perch is a good fighting character he’s a really limited footballer. We need vast improvements on these type of players. Matt Taylor and Bent are certainly not that.
georgio(Quote)
The madness of NUFC….we are all on here because we share an enjoyment of talking about NUFC….yet why is it so bloody depressing all the time!
I just want us to be proactive in trying to get better – which looks unlikely – look at Villa and Swansea for example, buying players they’ve scouted and getting in early to try and beat rivals, whilst not spending a great deal. We look like we like to wait till the very last minute and concede at the first sign of competition.
BIGPAPA(Quote)
We already have better Liam.. Anita and Bigi !
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie – Sorry but bigi is vastly overrated. But he is young.
I personally feel it means next season we will see sissoko play in his ‘natural’ position as a DM ahead of tiote.
Then we go all out to buy a proper no 10 and another decent striker and winger. Heres hoping.
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Not too fussed with Perch and Simmo going.
I think they were both solid enough back up, but no great loss either.
Bigi will step up nicely into Perch’s role. Hopefully Anita gets more game time too.
I’m far more concerned that Bent may be our only forward signed this season. Fair enough if he is to compete with Cisse. But we NEED more out wide.
Ben Arfa and Gouffran have done well. But Marv seems better in the centre and Jonas is **** as an attacking player.
Really desperate for a quality pacey creative option up front so that all the pressure isn’t on Ben Arfa.
JJ(Quote)
Aussie – don’t get me wrong, I think PEA would be a good signing, but I also listed Carroll, Bony, RVW and Ince – all players the papers had us linked with but have signed or are likely to sign for rival clubs (bar PEA).
I see some are trying to turn this into some sort of battle between us and that’s not my point mate. You’re completely entitled to your opinion and I’m not trying to convince you or anything like that.
I’m simply saying that me personally, I’m not just whinging coz JFK has been appointed, or coz we haven’t signed anyone yet. It’s frustration that Jan proved we can do good business when we put our minds to it and show some urgency – I don’t see that at the moment. I see a similar approach to last summers window and that’s dangerous IMO mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Good call Aussie. That’s something to keep an eye on. Whoever we sign it must bring improvement not just bulk up the numbers. I like Gouffran but that’s the one position I want new strength. That might be Benny No 10 in which case we need a new Benny on the right hand side. I can live with everything else.
georgio(Quote)
4 players would be enough.
1) One defender who is versatile enough to play across the back four (who said perch…doh)
2) A left winger / right winger
3) A pacey striker to help out ole cisse
4) A proper no 10 to sit in front of cabaye and sissoko – a bit like eriksen of Ajax
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Toonsy very good article. IMO JFK appointment will not work. it is a ticking time bomb
nothing against the man but hes a f*cking clueless idiot
as you said Toonsy most DOF’s that work well are recent players retired from the game (ie Zidane, Vieira) , have maybe played for the club, are brought in with the managers say so and also have contacts in the game (real ones 🙄 )
from when a man tells lies such as ‘he signed tim krul’ etc i have no respect for him; and more importantly, no one else in the game will.
the way the media are reporting it its as if the guy is suffering from dementia and they arnt saying that to be funny, alan brazil the morning after the rant was seriously concerned for his mental health
this is our DOF
f*cking embarassing 🙁
on the players we sign or not; lads do not fret – we will get a decent striker and a few decent back ups – considering our aim is top 10 we dont need more than that.
just being realistic 😛
DOITFORSIRBOBBY(Quote)
Sharpy, no stress mate, I’ve known you a few years on this here blog, i know where your coming from and i don’t see it as a battle. 😉
At least one good thing has come from it, Big Dave will have to apologize 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Liam @155
Where would Cabaye be playing? If he is still here that is… Because he too likes to sit deep.
So we’d end up with three deep midfielders and a lack of support up front again.
Personally I would like to see any two of Sissoko, Tiote, Cabaye and Anita (depending on form) playing in front of the back four.
And the third midfielder playing in a much more advanced role behind the front three of Ben Arfa, Cisse and Gouffran.
Debuchy Mbiwa Colo Santon
Sissoko Cabaye
Marvaeux
Gouffran Ben Arfa
Cisse
From what I see, we lack cover at CB/RB, AM/L/R, and ST.
That’s three first team players.
JJ(Quote)
Ah Liam, ya *******, you just summed up what I was writing before I could comment anyway. 😆 So we pretty much agree then.
JJ(Quote)
Aussie – it only seems that I talk in circles, coz like Dave said I had you spinning like a taz mate. The reason I’m not trying to convince you I’m right is coz you already know it 😛
Sharpy17(Quote)
Liam,
I think Eriksen has gone to Dortmund. And PEA is just about wrapped up there too.
All they need now is to buy Cisse and Ben Arfa and they’d have the front four we wanted this season 😉
JJ(Quote)
Sharpy keep dreaming sunshine, at least i have cheered you up a bit 😉
You can thank me later…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
On PEA, the two clubs may have agreed a fee but that doesn’t mean the player has agreed to go ! PEA might refuse to play in Germany, who knows… there you go neggars, there is a small glimmer of hope for you
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I haven’t said owt about him yet. He is obviously a lunatic but I wasn’t happy with last season so something had to be done and I was willing to give him a chance. Selling Perch for that though? Arguably in our top 3 performers last season. Ridiculous.
Moreno(Quote)
Aussie@167 .Glimmer being the operative word mate 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
Morneo, the club boot cleaner would be in our top 3 performers last season! 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Kim 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie – 😉 😛 enjoy the banter mate.
I read that PEA had gone for a medical at BD not that the clubs hadn’t agreed a fee yet.
I’d be surprised if PEA turned them down like. As much as I love NUFC, it’s impossible to dispute that BD would be his best footballing option – particularly if they sell Levondoski (or however it’s spelt).
I think Brown Ideye would be an interesting addition. I like the idea of signing players who openly admit their desire to play for NUFC. Like when Sissoko waved his fee to force the deal through for Jan.
Sharpy17(Quote)
JJ – I agree! 😆
Id take belhanda if he hasnt gone to Kiev already.
Cabaye, Sissoko,
HBA, Belhanda, Remy (if he isnt rapist)
Cisse
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Re new signings – Carr’s role in all this should not be underestimated. I seriously doubt Bent would be on his list. If you think about it this is mostly how he does business – HBA (wanted out of French football) Cabaye (unknown buy out clause) Cisse (massively reduced fee) Ba (weirdo contract clauses) Sissoko (leaving on a free) Marv (about to sign for Liverpool). The others were straight forward purchases MYM, Debuchy, Gouffran and the wild card Haidara. Worth his weight in gold to Ashley and us.
georgio(Quote)
All those panicking about transfer progress should remember that we brought 3 french internationals in january which most were creaming themselves for.
If we can lob in 4 decent players and a couple of young uns we would have the best squad NUFC has had for long time
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
I won’t be signing any player’s till I get back from my holiday’s. Me, Alan and Carr think the squad is more than good enough for next season. I know you all wanted a striker but they’re out of our price range and I apologise for getting your hopes up. Joe
Joe Kinnear(Quote)
Joe – thanks for that. I believe everything you say.
georgio(Quote)
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/shearer-maldini-and-shevchenko-set-to-play-in-harper-s-newcastle-testimonial-1-5820278
Should be a good game 😉 good tribute to Harps .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Toonsy – never ever put another pic of the idiot up on this site. It makes my blood boil. Welcome back by the way!
georgio(Quote)
Im disapointed to see Perch leave and personally think its a year early considering the depth at right back, But as people have pointed out Yanga Mbiwa can play all across the back and Anita and Sissoko are acomplished defensive midfield players.
We all moan about the clubs business at times but if youd said a couple of years back we’d replace Guthrie, Simpson, Perch, Smith etc. with Anita, Debuchy, Sissoko and Yanga Mbiwa i doubt theres any that wouldnt have killed for it…
CC(Quote)
CC – nice take on the big picture. However, we saw what happened last season and we want a lot bloody more!
georgio(Quote)
Reps from Toon and Spurs understood to be in contact with Remy who has a release clause SSN. Obvious who he’s gonna pick out of us and Spuds 🙄 Anyway hasn’t he got to be cleared of rape yet 😕 .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim – he may seem himself getting more regular footy with us …. You’re right, he’s going to Spuds 🙄 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Swans 6 mil for Shelvey…well hopefully they’ve pissed that into the wind…
Newkie(Quote)
Kim
Surprised that Spurs want him as they now play with one up, They are being linked with Damiao and Benteke who would fill that role perfectly but Remy looks more like the type to play off a target man. Think he would be more useful to us with his ability to play wide in a three but we all know where he would end up if it came to it…
CC(Quote)
Sharpy ,apart from the fact they can offer European footie and probably better wages ,they are London based which I would imagine appeals more ,so all in all it’s a no goer for me like. Oh and there’s the little matter of whether he’s a rapist or not 😉 .
KIMTOON(Quote)
CC, Agreed.
KIMTOON(Quote)
I have never known Pards be so quiet for so long ,the silence is deafening .
KIMTOON(Quote)
To be fair to Pardew plenty were demanding that he shut up after last season, Maybe some of the more recent comments from our clubs newest spokesman has made them reconsider… 😉
CC(Quote)
CC , No ,I’m happy just shocked that’s all ,you would think he’d have something to say about JFK coming in though.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Probably tomorrow. Isn’t that 1st day back for players?
Premandup(Quote)
Im sure hes got plenty to say deep down but like KK it probably wont come out until after the parting of ways
CC(Quote)
So Perch gone then. I think we should be concerned about the out before in policy that seems to be repeating itself here. We’ve been through this before. I was never a huge fan of Perch but he had improved and played a decent DM for us. The players start coming back today I think Premand so Pardew will be around. I think the big challenge will be to light a fire under the players after last season. Good luck Pardew. To me Pardew seems very isolated now. He’s not allowed contact with Ashley directly (not that it seemed to help much last season). The players will have seen the unrest amongst the supporters and know we’re not satisfied with a 16th place finish. I feel uneasy about the lack of positive activity but maybe Carr and Kinnear are working together to bring someone in.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I see Stoke have signed Muniesa from Barca now. A very promising young player. That’s at least 2 signings for them along with Pieters. Sunderland have picked up Mannone to replace Mignolet, and Swansea have signed Shelvey. I’m not a huge Shelvey fan but it’s a decent move by them. Is there nobody out there of interest to us that we can actually afford? Carr will know the players available better than anybody else so is there a battle developing between Carr and Kinnear already? I can see Kinnear trying to impose himself over Carr to show him who’s boss. I don’t care who the boss is or who has the bigger ego (it’s bound to be Kinnear) I just want to see some decent incoming.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I have got some good news, Titus Bramble will be joining Newcastle as back up in defence. He has premiership experience and is a former Newcastle hero. I have more good news, Charlton Cole will be coming for a medical with Titus on friday morning. I am so happy to get the players we need for next season. Now I have earn’d my holiday I bet your all happy now. Joe
Joe Kinnear(Quote)
Dear Joe@195
Thanks for that update. Yes we’re all thrilled about Bramble and Cole. We’re a bit surprised you’ve only cleared out players like Perch, Amalfitano, and Simpson from the squad though. Is the sale of Cabaye taking longer than you thought? Ashley must be getting anxious for all that dosh. How are the new Sports Direct hoardings coming along for next season? Have you gagged Pardew and hidden him in a closet somewhere? As for your holiday are the rumours true that you will be attempting an ascent of Everest without oxygen? If so best of luck with that. With your incredible ability it should be no problem. Keep up the good work with the updates.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Just took a look at Hull’s squad. If we can’t beat that lot we deserve to be relegated. No real strength in attack. Fryatt is their best striker. They’ve just bought McGregor from Besiktas as their goalie and some of the midfield and defense look average. Well that’s one team we should be able to compete with next season.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Kinnears appointment will inevitably turn out to be one of the lows of NUFC in future days, I can’t see a ‘so crazy it could actually work’ scenario in this one. I see friction at management and coaching level, with an aloof and virtually clueless Mr Ashley muddling through the next awful season with the departure of either or even both Pardew and Kinnear. Where is Alan anyway? Has the Prince of Blether been locked in a cupboard somewhere?
Tsunki(Quote)
CC says:
July 3, 2013 at 17:32
Im sure hes got plenty to say deep down but like KK it probably wont come out until after the parting of ways
————————–
when the time comes, Pards will have every opportunity to tell his story before the appropriate tribunal.
MDS(Quote)
And the same goes for Crystal Palace. Glenn Murray is their best striker. Very average squad. These teams just don’t seem strong enough to compete. Not in the same way as Swansea have. It would take a huge effort for either Palace or Hull to stay up for even one season unless they make a large number of good transfer deals this summer.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Now Cardiff are a different matter. With Frazier Campbell and Andreas Cornelius up front and a few decent midfielders and backs they have a chance to stay up. Three or four more signings by them and they might be competitive in the Prem. Should we be worried? Yes. Not because we don’t have a very decent starting 11 but because of how little we managed to accomplish in the second half of last season. Dragging ourselves over the finish line to finish 16th after bringing in 5 very good signings. 🙁
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Any idea whether ST sales are down this year? My only barometer is I couldn’t renew this year, sadly (but not for protest reasons) but they sent me loads of reminders about the deadline, which has come and gone. Hasn’t stopped them continuing to extend the deadline, sending me letters saying I could still get my seat if I just please renew…..
I have a feeling that unless there is an exciting shake-up of the squad this summer, and a good pre-season (which when I see what games we have arranged seems almost impossible) supporters will be relying on their SKY subs even more this year.
Tsunki(Quote)
Cardiff have Nicky Maynard and Craig Bellamy as well of course. And this lad Velikonja. It seems the Welsh teams know how to build up.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
It’s interesting to look at our players’ market values. We have 10 players that have gone down in market value and 3 who have gone up. I guess that’s what playing for a 16th place team gets you. If we look at fairly young players who have come to us or come from our own development squads I would say Santon has lost form, as have Ferguson, Sammy and Obertan. Harder to say about Anita, Campbell and Bigi yet. Who has actually dramatically improved? Surely someone should have? Perhaps Elliot in goal and Haidara looks quite promising. Impossible to say about Vuckic but to me Gosling hasn’t improved at all from what we’ve seen of him.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
we should beat team’s like hull and palace but we have lost to underdog team’s in the past so i dont want to be over confident at the moment. pardew tactics last season losing to liverpool, sunderland and arsenal at home rings panic bells and what concerns me the most is our owner doesn’t seem intrested in getting the player’s we need! it maybe to late by january if we dont get the results. i understand appointing a director of football but a senile dementia is the best he can do? it makes no sense buying a club and having no ambition, why bother. i preferred freddy shepherd and thats saying something
terry(Quote)
bring back shepherd **** off ashley
terry(Quote)
also im sick of hearing him go on about this intrest free loan as an excuse not to buy player’s
terry(Quote)
Haris Vuckic is valued at 875K. How could you place a value on him? He plays about 5 games a season. I suppose if he was playing more his value should be much higher. He’s 20 now so it has to start happening for him. Gosling is valued at 1.3 M pounds and Sammy at 2.6 M pounds. Hard to believe we would get that for either of them.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
The entire squad is valued at 73M pounds. Seems a lot for a 16th place team. Next season had better be much better or that total valuation will go down again. We should have gone on a much longer decent run after the January incoming. That should be of huge concern to management. Why didn’t we? We did several players including Cabaye seem to lose interest?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I’m posting too often again aren’t I? 😳 I’ll sit back and enjoy others comments now.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Should say why did several players lose interest? 😳
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Sorry 1 more post. 😀 Here’s how I would rehabilitate our club.
1. Seek out a group of astute football men and bring them together for several days to discuss the club. There are quite a few available to choose from.
2. Based on their advice hire a good manager after a series of interviews with the best 4 or 5. The new manager should have a very convincing vision of what the club’s goals should be and how to achieve them.
3. Listen closely to what the new manager had to say and also begin a complete review of the clubs’ personnel which would include a description of each person’s job and what their performance levels have been.
4. If the new manager believed it would help, bring in a Director of Football but only after agreeing with the manager on who it should be.
5. Assess the entire squad with the new manager being completely honest and open about it. Insist the new manager be free to express all of his opinions.
6. Begin to build the team based on all of this analysis.
Watch us improve dramatically which increases revenue, which makes the owner small and clap his little pudgy hands together with delight.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Should say makes the owner smile.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I wouldn’t bet against PEA and such being smokescreens for Carr to pull some mint Serbian guy out of the bag.
Andymag(Quote)
Just got back in from decorating ,still nowt happening I see. I would of been better off watching the paint dry 🙄 .
If JFK is gonna have this signing in by Friday he’s got a lot to cram in ,in the next 48 hours before his hols 😉 . Don’t see it being a big name as he’d surely want to bask in the glory at any unveiling of said player and he can hardly do that while on holiday . 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
8 million for darren bent are villa having a laugh ? he is probably worth 3-4 million at the most ? would he lower his wage demands to 30 grand a week? i think there’s better player’s out there and maybe loaning a couple of player’s isn’t such a bad thing. see if there good enough first and if not no money on tranfers and agents has been lost. look how well ben arfa turned out but more british player’s would be good because i think we might be the next qpr. at the end of the day its up to ashley on how much he wants to spend ? if kinnears got a limited amount of money he has to use it wisely.
stem(Quote)
kimtoon all we can do is wait? better to take time and not panic buy. i know it’s frustrating supporting newcastle. i think the fans need that one striker to give the place a lift. ashley doesn’t do thing the easy way
stem(Quote)
Kim I wouldnt hold your breath 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave @218 Aye ,I know mate.
Stem@216 ,I will be well miffed if we pay that much for Bent ,we could get Defoe or Remy for that, both would be a better option imo.
KIMTOON(Quote)
big dave i think your spot on there lol. i have no idea who are next signing will be. i had years of heart ache over the years supporting newcastle but there’s still hope 🙂
stem(Quote)
kimtoon to ambitious there, can’t see remy or defoe joining newcastle. the trouble with strikers is there so greedy, look at rooney 250 grand a week and his not happy, van persie 250 grand a week thats are wage bill nearly. football isn’t a fair sport and unless there is a salary cap i dont think newcastle will get into the champions league again. kinnear has got the expectations of the geordie nation that can’t be easy. it’s ridiculous how much these player’s are being paid
stem(Quote)
i think if our youth academy was better we would have a more loyal sqaud. it’s okay getting foreign player’s but as soon as a club doubles there wages there off, ba included. shearer was very loyal and we need 11 of them on the pitch
stem(Quote)
Stem ,I couldn’t agree more mate ,football is awash with money grabbing players and agents now .The days when you had local heroes just chuffed to be playing for their hometown club and getting paid to do it are long gone. Football is eating itself alive and I can see a lot of clubs going to the wall ,just look at West Ham , absolutely lousy in debt and so say so poor they can’t put much cash toward that stadium. Yet they fork out £15m for Carroll and now want £10m Bony 😯 So where is that cash coming from.
KIMTOON(Quote)
It seems Blanc might try to make a move for Cabaye. I actually thought Cabaye would stay because we value him more than his performances last year suggest he is worth. I didn’t think any club would be willing to pay the money we would ask (£20m+) but some managers have favourite players.
It should be interesting to see if PSG give the go ahead as i understand Blanc wasn’t their first choice manager.
Personally i’d be happy with a swap deal for Sakho. What do you all think?
MR GREY(Quote)
kimtoon – i think they have a bigger stadium than us? most probably put ticket prices up more but i would love to see them get relegated. unless there spending the tv revenue now. the thing is carole not worth 100 grand a week or 15 million so i see the funny side of it
stem(Quote)