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…
Mr grey ,it’s difficult as Cabaye on form is a great player and seems to gel well with Cisse . But last season he was poor only showing occasional flashes of previous form. I would like to think he’s just had a blip due to injury and if that’s the case keep him ,BUT you could get a couple or maybe 3 very good players with £20-25m ,the question is will it be reinvested in players this window.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Stem ,This shows how little they are contributing to the revamp of the stadium ,as you will see initially they didn’t want to pay anything at all 🙄
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21889864
KIMTOON(Quote)
Not sure what will happen with Cabaye Mr. Grey. He must be wondering what is happening with Newcastle. The input of Kinnear hasn’t exactly helped us look like a properly run club (Kebab is staying with us etc). The short term looks shaky for us. I could see Cabaye wanting to go to PSG for Champs League football and a more stable club to play for. If we get 20M for him I think Ashley would sanction spending some of it. Ashley is sneaky though. I’m still not sure what happened to all of the Carroll money.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 i can see ashley holding onto the cabaye money. whats happened to the word loyalty in football.
stem(Quote)
night all
stem(Quote)
Bizarre mess we’re in. We can’t compete with the biggest clubs for the very best signings but we also seem unwilling to compete with clubs in the 6th – 10th positions in the league standings. Ashley seems to have high expectations from incoming but anticipates a low output of money to bring them in. How can this work long term? I’m not sure I even see us competing with the likes of Liverpool, Spurs, and West Ham, or even Fulham, West Brom and Everton for players. So who do we consider our main spending rivals? The likes of Norwich, Swansea, Stoke and Aston Villa? So how does that get us into the top 10?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I hope not STEM that would be a disaster. Have a good night.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Interesting to note the QFists in the U20s WC.
1 from Africa
2 each from Europe and S America
3 from Asia
Howay Asia!
brisvegas(Quote)
Ohh well, no apology from Big Dave, not surprised really 😕 Soooo, I thought I would try and expedite the process a little by finding the truth over the past threads 😎
Big Dave Says -June 28, 2013 at 10:14
Aussie I knew you were going to try to ignore my question that required just a yes or no, do you think we’ll pay the money required to get PEA ❓
Aussie Replies; June 28, 2013 at 10:31
Big Dave – if we are really in for him then -Yes
Then a couple of days later….
Big Dave Says – July 3, 2013 at 14:29
Aussie I stated what your answer was that you gave me 😉 so dont be trying that old one with me old bean 😆
Do YOU THINK that Jabba would pay £15 – 18mil for PEA or another player.
Look, Big Dave, I will cut you a little slack because you are a pensioner and no doubt your advanced years are playing havoc with your memory functions. However, I am really thinking about reviewing your tenure as my wingman
😆 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Just scanning through comments and found that I’m directly referenced in a couple. So:
Kimtoon @79: I agree that Kinnear isn’t the best media liaison person in the world (and, for the record, I would have preferred somebody else) but I also think he has been demonised by the media. And as I don’t hold the press in high regard I don’t feel the same embarrassment, nor am I swayed by their pronouncements of madness. I know Geordies are very sensitive people 😆 especially when they are being laughed at by southerners, 😉 however, from my perspective, and this is probably because I’m so far away from it all (time-wise and distance-wise), it looks to me like the press are just doing what they do best: creating outrage. And they love a good wind up at Geordie expense. So, the only ‘fact’ of the Kinnear appointment is that he got a job. The rest is opinion. And much of that opinion is driven by the media.
Sharpy17 @ 83: I’m sure if we signed Carroll and Ince many would think it a sign of lack of ambition. From what I read on here I get the impression that the only good signings are the ones other teams make. That’s not aimed at you, btw, just a general comment.
As I mention above, I’m not interested in newspaper talk so links to players mean nothing to me. I’m only interested in what actually happens. I’m certainly not going to get worked up about a newspaper rumour. If it happens, and we do indeed get Bent, then ok, let’s have a debate, but I wouldn’t base my argument on the ambition of the club on newpaper talk or make personal opinion the basis for fact.
brisvegas(Quote)
Aye, Oz, it’s hard to be the voice of reason on here. It must be an Aussie trait. I’ll bet Premandup is a closet Aussie (or maybe a Kiwi). 😀 And Newkie? Well, there was a reason we deported him. 😆
brisvegas(Quote)
Vegas, yeah mate, you could be right about Prem, I will have to ask him 😉
On Newkie’s deportation 😆 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I see all these past stars are returning for Harper’s testimonial, Harps had better work hard or he’ll be on the bench behind Given/Hislop(?) 😆 🙄 . Gazza is supposed to be in it 😕 , is he alright to do something like that? Didn’t he almost die a few months back?
Andymag(Quote)
Just saw that WH stadium article Kim, disgusting! 15 f****** million pounds is all they’ll pay and they were having a hissy fit about paying that 😡 😡 😡 . Why should the tax payers fund any of the stadium changes? If WH wanted it then they should pay for ALL the changes and the rent should ensure the cost of building the stadium was made up in less than 25 years
Andymag(Quote)
A wise man speaks when he has something to say.
A fool, because he has to say something.
Jay Jay(Quote)
🙄 so that’s why we can never shut Richie up! 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Just to Clarify. I’m English living in Cheshire. I have a cousin who is a good friend born, raised and living in Christchurch. As to Oz as it has so aptly been expressed. 95% uninhabitable, and the rest full of bloody Australians. But then my Brothers Australian.
Premandup(Quote)
Vegas@235 😆 I’m not a sensitive Geordie ,I’m actually one of them Southerners you suspect like to laugh at them 😉 . In all seriousness I can totally understand your viewpoint it makes a certain amount of sense to just ignore it all and for the most part I tend to think I will believe it when I see with regards to players. Having said that when you see other teams being so proactive while we appear to sit on our hands it’s really frustrating. I also think a lot of the hysteria regarding the lack of signings is borne out of our totally epic fail last summer and we all know how close we came to seeing that nearly cost us. The January acquisitions were great but they should of arrived in the summer and the window before for that matter. Every club needs to change personal and improve each close season ,as Shearer said you got to spend around £20m each pre season just to stand still. I want to see a striker a wide player who can actually cross and another defender who can play across the back four if possible. I would prefer they come in early to blend in and get to know the club but I just don’t see it happening. If we aren’t proactive and go ahead with say just one addition I can see an epic struggle again. It irks me that we don’t show the urgency of say Norwich ,Villa and even the Scum up to a point.All these teams were bottom half and realise they MUST improve to ensure a non repeat of last season. It’s not even about keeping up with the Joneses it’s about getting ahead of them ,in the table at least .
KIMTOON(Quote)
kimtoon read your link but isn’t david cameron a west ham united fan ? they get a stadium on tax payers money
terry(Quote)
Terry ,ah right ,didn’t know that 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
http://www.sportsdirectnews.com/premier-league/27583-newcastle-transfer-news-club-join-race-for-kone.php
Premandup(Quote)
Cameron is a Villa fan
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/spotted-prime-minister-david-cameron-157120
3hourswasted(Quote)
Aussie 😆 I said that to you yesterday and stated what you said but I wasn’t asking ( if we were really in for him then yeah ) it was a simple question do you think we would pay £15 – 18mil for a player 😕 .
So as you never answered the question directly no apology needed 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Come on Big Dave, the answer was yes, you have certainly become the artful dodger 😕 you are in danger of becoming like Troy and B&B, they are masters at dodging the truth when they are caught out. 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
£6 million for Shelvey, please don’t say anyone is jealous 😉
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Aussie maybe you should just give a straight answer and stop dodging 😆
IMO we wouldn’t pay £12mil nevermind more for a player
Big Dave(Quote)
For the record, I think we have a better squad than this time a year ago. And that we sign a striker it’s beyond dispute.
Striker is a necessity.
Winger would be great as well but I’m not holding out much hope.
We have our two starting wingers anyway in HBA and Gouffran.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Assuming the board agree we need a striker at all costs anyway.
Would people swap Cabaye for a decent winger?
So we’d play two of Tiote/Anita/Sissoko centre mid. HBA attacking mid. Gouffran plus new signing on the wings.
I still think the reason we didn’t spend last summer was because we were waiting for someone to buy one of our purples to fund it. Hope it’s not the same this year.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Big Dave, i disagree, i have a feeling that Joe will look to make a big signing to show that he is the man.. i wouldn’t be surprised if we sign a pricey player… watch this space 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Agree Aussie. The man’s got too big an ego not to sign someone significant this month
MDS(Quote)
Bris/Aus-It’s true, they got me.
I’m far too honest a man to earn a wedge in Australia 😀
Saying that I think my brother is moving out there soon…
Newkie(Quote)
Brisvegas – it depends on what people’s level of expectations are when it comes to ambition. Personally I think ambition equals improvement. In my opinion Carroll and Ince would be improvements on our current options. But I agree that some may not share that view mate. 😉
Prem – I saw that Kone link too but I reckon that’s just papertalk again mate. We need a CF, he looks on the move so we MUST be after him too.
It’s coz the journos (or anyone for that matter) has a clue who were actually after.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So if Cabaye goes to PSG, what about trying to push a player plus cash deal for either Sakho or Gameiro plus £12-15m.
With that money we could then get Belhanda, McCarthy or a very good attacking midfielder.
I’m a big fan of Cabaye but if his sale can fund 2 or 3 quality players coming in then so be it. It’s how spurs did it, with sales of Berbatov, Keane and Modric – but they have a board who reinvested the money on players – would ours?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy-Cabaye is overrated by some sections and for whatever reason seemed to sulk for most of last season but I still think he’s a quality player. But IF the money is reinvested PROPERLY then I’d be ok with that. We will somehow have to hope Tiote springs back to life, but if we have a midfield trio of Sissoko/Tiote/ and Marv/Ben arfa (AM) or Anita and Bigi with Jonas as cover, we still have plenty of options.
We don’t need a midfield anyway, we play hoofball 😈
Newkie(Quote)
So we have had a bid accepted by Wigan for Kone. He is set to meet our representatives – ah well, is he all that anyway? Think he’s set on Everton with his former manager so think we’re up against it and that’s before JFK has put his size ten in it…
Stuart79(Quote)
Newkie – with the players we have in our squad, I honest believe 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2 best suits us and it definately best suits Tiote and Anita.
If we had Sissoko/Tiote/Anita with Debuchy and Santon on the overlap down the wings. Cisse and Gouffran up front gives Cisse the support he needs and that set up would allow Benny the freedom to roam and find the most dangerous areas to work in. As it stands now:
—————— Krul ————-
Debz — Colo — MYM — santo
—– Siss — Tiote — Anita —–
————– Benny ————–
—— Cisse —– Gouffran ——
Other players we have in the squad like Marv, Bigi, Guti could all fit into that formation should there be injuries or players needing resting.
For me JFK, AP and GC should use that formation to bring players in to improve that.
Gouffran, Anita, and Tiote would be the areas to improve for the first team for me, then strengthen in depth.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Not keen on Kone – probably Martinez bound anyway.
georgio(Quote)
Sharpy I’d leave Tiote out and play Cabaye there. And someone better than Gouffran.
georgio(Quote)
Ah , So letting Perch go for peanuts was a sweetener then with our interest in Kone.
KIMTOON(Quote)
the Kone development is a little concerning in the respect that it suggests that we do indeed, as suspected, have no coherent plan for this summer’s transfer window. Half-arsed late bid. Decent player though
M(Quote)
Sharpy-Yup would be happy with that formation/selection but I’d also like a strong forward, which I guess could be Kone although I didn’t realise quite how old he was until recently. Would prefer Remy. Add in another striker and we can vary our line up quite a bit by tinkering with Goof/Remy out wide or Marv and Benny behind one striker but ahead of a combative and savvy trio of Tiote/Anita/Sissoko.
Will it happen though? God knows, we’re yet to find out just what “help” Pards will be getting from kinnear as far as tactics go…
Newkie(Quote)
if its true we have bid for Kone well we wil be a laughing stock again as he will knock us back for sure,i dont blame any player knocking us back,who would want to join this circus
icedog(Quote)
Underwhelmed by this link but the press have been wrong in the past 😉
like Big Dave 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Georgio – sorry mate, that was if we sold Cabaye to PSG. Like I say, I’d use that money and whatever else Ashley could part with to improve on that formation and strengthen the squad so that we had decent back up players to the likes of Debuchy, Cisse and Krul for me coz if he gets an injury that keeps him out most of the season I’m not convinced Elliott is that good.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree about Elliot mate. I’m not convinced. When it comes to keepers – size matters. Debs is covered by Santon, MYM, Anita. Whatever else you say there’s a lot of flexibility in our squad. An injury to Cisse would be the biggest concern.
georgio(Quote)
We have finally signed someone – a 17 year old mid from Metz – Olivier kemen is his name
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
He is on the official site….
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I wonder if he fancies himself as a pacey striker 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Bony? Gignic?.. PEA? Bent? smokescreens.
Kone! it will have to do, I’d actually rather have him than bent but if this as good as it gets, what is the piont in Kinnear, Carr etc
mark(Quote)
Unlikely this will happen re Kone IMO.
Typical last min bid from NUFC, especially when it’s his ex-manager and they’ve been in for him all along. Next.
Looks like we had 5 million for Bent but we went for Kone after we found out they wanted 8 million! 😆 😆 😆 😆
BIGPAPA(Quote)
Aussie – Kemen is a cracking signing for us mate. But he’s a midfielder, described by the French media as similar in style to Alex Song which isn’t bad like. We are building a very solid youth team if developed correctly so the future looks promising in that sense anyway.
Georgio – using that formation we really aren’t a million miles away for me. Marv can cover Benny (if they both stay fit) so really we are looking at CFs – 2 for me coz I don’t rate Shola at all I’m afraid. A couple of wide men, keeper and possibly a CB (depending on Goods progress) but that could wait til Jan I think.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’d say 5mil is about right for Kone, but still don’t think he’s the type of striker we need.
Again. If he’s here to replace Shola, then great. But if he’s the only striker we are going to sign. It just shows how low this club has fallen.
He’s on about Bent’s level.
Sharpy @261
Just not enough goals in that team. Massive pressure on Cisse to score.
We desperately need another attacking midfielder/forward who is capable of scoring.
JJ(Quote)
Agree JJ. A playmaker a bit like Benny who can score is just what we need. Not a Kone or Bent type. De Jong’s been mentioned, Erikkson? Zarate (by me). They’re hard to find, maybe from Spain? Argentina?
If it’s just a striker how about Chicarito.
georgio(Quote)
Georgio – sorry mate but your list wouldn’t even work on FM nevermind real life. There is no chance we would ever get Chicarito or Eriksson.
As they say the truth hurts, anyone know a better striker for £5mill ?
Why are crying over his age? He is the same age as Van Persie and Iniesta? Do people think they are also told old?
I think at 29 he’s in his prime. I just never liked the idea of Bent but Kone is a much better footballer than Bent.
I like the look of this Altidore fella now he seems to have matured a bit, and seen a bit of him for the US national team.
Ideally I’d want a Lewandowski type CF who can do it all but we would never find one with our budget – who no one wants.
BIGPAPA(Quote)
Maybe we have got it right and everyone else who are signing players in the summer have got it wrong?
Think of the profit we will make though!!! What with the extra £20/£30m we get from TV rights – WOW! We will certainly be the wealthiest of all bottom 6 clubs. Which of course is the main aim of any football club.
Stuart79(Quote)
Kone would be decent backup/competition for Cisse.
But I would put the bulk of our budget on a playmaker. We desperately need another attacking midfielder/no.10 with pace skill and creativity.
JJ(Quote)
Altidore makes too much sense. A superb athlete who is beginning to show signs of fulfilling his potential. Would also greatly assist a woefully commercially underdeveloped NUFC in getting a foothold in the burgeoning American market. The US, unlike most of east Asia, has prospective fans who will actually spend money on following their chosen team
M(Quote)
NNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!
Our first signing to discuss and I’ve lost the bloody article 😥
Sharpy17(Quote)
Lee Ryder @lee_ryder
Would appear that #nufc are out of the race to sign Kone from Wigan. More in tomorrow’s @EveningChron on striker search.
M(Quote)
Kone was going to be the big signing before Kinnear went on holiday? You’ve got to be kidding Joe. And he wants to go to Everton anyway. This is getting farcical again. Kone is 29 and doesn’t fit in with the type of squad we have.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
It’s totally bizarre! They have decided they will pull out of the signing of Kone because he doesn’t for their ‘blue print’… Didn’t they know his age before they agreed a fee with Wigan for him? Just incredible!
Stuart79(Quote)
Is Joe clear on the plan at Newcastle? Sign young up and coming players, ideally 25 or younger, then sell them on for huge profit. How would Kone have fit that description? Yet we had a bid accepted for him. Joe isn’t getting up to speed very quickly is he? What will Ashley think? The strange days at Newcastle United continue.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Have to say nowt surprises me with JFK running the show 😳
Big Dave(Quote)
Let’s face it, the entire football world is laughing at us for a reason and his name is Joe Kinnear. Behind the scenes the other big joke at the club Mike Ashley is hiding in his mansion. Please God prevent our players from reading a paper or listening to the sports news. 👿
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I love the Director of f*** all title for Joe. He has already earned it many times over. Ashley get rid of this clown before he does more damage to our club. Come to your senses before it’s too late to prepare for next season man.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Flippin heck, we hear more from Toonsy these days than we do from Pardew… what on earth is going on.
I think I’ll start a rumour…. the reason Pardew is so quite is because he has walked out on the club.
Munich Mag(Quote)
so why the f*** are we after Kone if he doesnt fit our blueprint?? So who approached Wigan and when did we decide to pull out. When Pardew spoke to Kinnear? or vice versa?
you couldnt make **** up like this. totally bizzare.
mark(Quote)
Maybe this was just Ashley messing with his best mate Whelan 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
I think we may have to face up to the fact that we spent the majority of our transfer budget this year in January. We are looking for add-ons to the squad for small money. I wouldn’t be surprised if we spend 10M pounds or less during this window. So 1 or 2 players at the most and certainly not a top class striker to replace Ba. Get ready for more unrest from the supporters Ashley.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
so if we arent going to buy someone couldn’t we rent out Carr to work for other clubs. must be worth a bob or two.
He’s no good being here if we aint going to sign anyone, same goes for Kinnear.
I reckon Pards knows we wont do jack-**** this year so hes saving his spiel..
mark(Quote)
Gosling will come good this season, he’ll be like a new signing.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Joe has now shown the club’s hand for this summer. Bring in a couple of low priced squad players. Release a few squad players and improve the wage bill. The talk of a PEA was all bollocks to appease the supporters. We never had a chance there. The one possible out for the club would be to bring Remy in if he’s found innocent. I still think he’s a very decent player but he has to clear his name first. We may be clearing out some wage space in case we can land him.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I think Ashley is bound and determined to show everyone that we are a mid table club with the players we have and if Pardew can’t take us to that kind of position he will be gone very quickly next season. There isn’t anything Pardew can say or do about this that will help so he is keeping his mouth shut and hoping the players will perform for him.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Kone is an okay player but is he really the signing to make sure we challenge for a Champions League place? I don’t think so.
In any case, the choice for him is Everton with Roberto Martinez’s exciting football and a chance to finally challenge for a European place or Newcastle playing for Alan Pardew and a chance to carry on doing what he’s be doing (avoiding relegation).
MR GREY(Quote)
G2 Pardew will keep schtum and not rock the boat. He knows he has the “arsch-karte” as we say here in Germany… 👿 👿 He aint gonna get anything better than the toon job….
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Arschkarte
Munich Mag(Quote)