On Sunday morning I woke up and it was one of those days that I was dreading. I felt awful, nervous, numb. It got worse towards kick-off time and didn’t ease until that final whistle blew.
I was even just about to set off in the car and head up to Newcastle, grab a ticket and go. A compulsion. In their hour of need my club needed me. After all this time away, disassociating myself from it all. I still had that urge.
Even after everything that has gone on I still had the urge. Even after the rotten performances, the dire results, the lack of direction, my own willingness to stay away from it all until it got better, or at least until there was light at the end of the tunnel, I still had the urge.
In the end I didn’t. I couldn’t have faced the drive home if the worst had happened so I went to my parents house to watch it – a house full of Newcastle supporters, United. Nervous, and after messing about with my old mans telly, I flicked Sky back on and about fell over when I saw Mike Ashley giving a TV interview, ahead of the biggest game in years, live.
Alright it might have felt a bit scripted at times, but you know what? Fair play. For years we’ve had nothing, not a bean, then all of a sudden there is something. Which now begs the question of why it’s taken so long? Will that be the last we hear? And, perhaps most importantly, will what was said signal a change in our approach?
Now I’m not going to get personal with it like other sites have and make playground remarks about speech because that’s childish and threatens to undermine the very good work that has been done with protests to date, but instead I wish to focus on the content. You can watch again on the video below.
So having digested that do I think we’re about to see a wholesale change in our approach? No, not one bit. It was nice to hear that we’re going to try and win something – ambition at last – but the reality is that eight years later should not be the time we set about trying to win something. That should always be our goal because it’s hard enough to win a cup let alone to do so without actively trying.
Unfortunately for me this is far too little far too late and three minutes on the telly won’t alter my opinion of Mike Ashley’s tenure on Tyneside. Words. That’s all they are. Talk is cheap, actions speak louder than words and so on.
It is actions that Ashley is being judged on because we’ve never had any words from him, and it’s actions that he’ll continue to be judged on. We’re not for sale (we are, as are all businesses at the right price) officially, so again we will see if things change. They won’t, but one can hope.
There are so many things that need sorting out though from the position of manager head coach right through to the threadbare playing staff and blatant lack of squad depth which has hurt us for seasons now. It’s actually a time where Ashley has talked the talk and can show that he can walk he walk.
However, I fear we’re just being paid some lip-service with all of this!
Nice one Toonsy – good to see you back on! Don’t know what to make of Ashley and never have. As you say actions not words will tell everything.
Very relieved though.
georgio(Quote)
Toonsy good read I agree that some of the stuff being wrote could harm their cause, yeah it’s maybe just lip service but we have been calling for years for him to come out and talk, and then when he does he gets hammered again, from the look of the interview, yeah it was 99% scripted but he was still not very comfortable doing the interview so that tells me he has done something that he didn’t really want to do, and yeah season tickets are due etc but he could have just released a statement through the club like was normally done.
For me I will give him the benefit of doubt as it won’t be long till we find out if he has real intentions of showing ambition, and that would start by the appointment of a new head coach.
Big Dave(Quote)
Spot on. My feeling exactly mate. Lets see some action. I’m willing to give him a chance, but after 8 years of hurt I won’t be sucked in by a 3 minute interview. Lets see results, starting with a top manager given the freedom to employ his own staff at the very least, with a bigger say in transfers. A workman is only as good as his tools and all that.
Shamrock(Quote)
TOONSY ime with you,he has proved imo that he can not be trusted,he has conned players with promises,he conned past managers (which was proved) so will he con me “no chance”show me a product and I will buy it,I don’t buy promises they are cheap
icedog(Quote)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< will give him the chance to back up his state with actions til the season starts, but will want his head on a stick if its just talk
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
So its said SM would not touch the toon job because of the way the club is run, I think he’s saying that so Derby/rags would say we told you so,now Hassle-*** is being linked imo I don’t class him as a good manager to take us forward,now then will a top manager want the job ime doubting that
icedog(Quote)
Jimmy’s only been a manager for a few bloody months FFS. Reminds me how the scum got Di Canio in. Nonesense!
georgio(Quote)
A top manager would snap Charnleys hand off if he said he could pick his own staff and have final say on transfers along with a tidy budget for the summer. Depends how much Ashley wants CL footy. He is not Gona get it with a shoe string budget, dinosaurs for coaches and an average manager with no clout.
Shamrock(Quote)
Toonsy – back with a vengeance mate!!. Pleased to see you back mate, hope you & the family are well.
I’m with Dave on this one. The fact he’s taken himself out of his comfort zone & spoke in person (scripted or not) suggests there is a change in mentality. I’m not getting sucked in, but I’m ready to give him time to prove himself. If he doesn’t, then he’s proven to the world that he’s a liar & a fake.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just words to me unless Ashley proves otherwise. I won’t be getting sucked in.
Terry(Quote)
Hasslebank thing is bollocks in my opinion
Sharpy17(Quote)
The other thing that gives me hope is that KK basically said that Jabba wasnt that bad of owner it was just the people that he had working for him that caused all the bother. So I would put a lot of trust in KK especially the way he was treated.
Big Dave(Quote)
Oh didn’t know a new thread was up…
Agree on Hasselbaink. Poor journalism imo. But I would like to know who everyone genuinely feels we will end up with?
Stuart79(Quote)
But as to whether it is too late. Well football fans are fickle and if we appoint a good coach, buy some really good players and show ambition then most will forget. That’ just the way it is…
Stuart79(Quote)
I also see the guy who got Watford promoted has left too. Plenty happening…
Stuart79(Quote)
Well I along with Stuart have just about been the biggest anti Ashley fan forever. Like you say though, fair play in fessing up to being a wanka and that you will sort it out. I am just waiting to see if he does or not hold true on his words. Che is a strange ****** and a hard nosed *******, normally he does what he says in business at least-and he hates losing. He was 90 minutes away from losing big time and maybe just maybe, he will stun us all with a serious amont of investment and passion. One thing worries me though – why is carver still feeling that he should and will be given the job. What’s the point in giving that idiot 100 million quid to spend. The most important signature we need is a top manager.
Craig Chisholm(Quote)
Get Klopp in now before somebody else snap’s him up! What is taking Lee so long FFS. He really is a **** MD
Terry(Quote)
Craig, I think it’s highly unlikley that we will spend £100m but I agree the next coach is a biggy as it will set the tone for the club.
Stuart79(Quote)
Well the way I look at it KK tends to know how jabba thinks (a bit) he said the way he came across he was quite bullish so he says he already has his manager/coach agreed,now we can just guess,my guess is the ex Swansea manager
icedog(Quote)
Maybe they cannot say anything yet is he has one game left in saudi
icedog(Quote)
Just hope its not carver… if he gets the job we are doomed and Ashley has learned nothing from this entire disaster.
craig chisholm(Quote)
i was expecting McClaren but that now looks dead in the water; Fatih Terim would be amazing but I think with his record of developing young players, Not demanding mega bucks & the fact they have been in dialogue in the past I’d say Remi Garde
CC(Quote)
I really don’t want Carver as head coach that would be a very bad move.
Terry(Quote)
This time last week we were staring down the barrel of a gun with very little hope at all. We remain in the EPL and Ashley has stated his intentions. If he goes back on that then he shows himself to be a liar and with all the bad press surrounding him & SD recently, I’m sure that’s the last thing he wants.
He may save some money by going back on his promise, but he would loose a lot of credibility by doing that – not wise as a business id imagine.
Sharpy17(Quote)
it seems that the club really are going to look at English based players more, relax transfer criteria and take cups more seriously. George Caulkin pretty much echoing what the Mirror said yesterday.
Just the coach now then… All the hard work and positivity will be wiped out in one swoop when Carver is appointed.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – finally Darren Bent will lead our line!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Don’t forget Kazim – Richards…
Stuart79(Quote)
the more I think about carver the more I think he must have been dropped as a baby or fell out the pram..how in all seriousness can he think he has shown he is right for the job? the bloke stuns me with every word and statement he makes. god I hope that he does not get the job and indeed just like.. er leaves.
craig chisholm(Quote)
So Lee Ryder reckons a new shortlist is being drawn up and Carver is still on it???!!! Looks like nothing has changed in reality apart from them actually treating the cups with respect.
Really, how on earth is carver still on a shortlist? He has also been told he will be there next season. Sorry, but this isn’t a clean slate, it’s the same **** just a different day.
Stuart79(Quote)
What ever his motivation at least he has said something.
Clearly found it very difficult and way out of his comfort zone.
Make no bones he has put himself out there to be shot at.
Why would he do that before that match and not after ?
I’ll give him a chance and see what develops.
Maybe just maybe the penny has dropped and he wants to put things right.
We’ll see.
We live in hope.
Boots(Quote)
Stuart – don’t jump the gun fella
Wait and see.
Then judge.
Ryder is full of **** anyway
Boots(Quote)
STUART@28 to be fair did we really really think jabba would stray much from the blueprint “he”thinks will keep the money rolling in imo a couple of new players will come in with a min of four going out and a second rate manager
icedog(Quote)
Boots, I don’t think he has just decided to make this up. He has been told it by someone in the club. George Caulkin also said yesterday that the club have started again with a different shortlist. Shambolic really.
Stuart79(Quote)
So my thoughts @19/20 are just a dream,as the club will not be rushed into a new manager,they have had months to sort this,looks like jabba is going to invest,in himself
icedog(Quote)
Stu – 😆 you’re going to do your own head in here mate. Stop second guessing it and just see how things pan out in the fullness of time
Sharpy17(Quote)
Carver 100% isn’t getting the job. Maybe (wishful thinking time) but surely they have to draw up a new shortlist? The old list will be full of average managers/coaches to keep us mid table and not put much effort in the cups, the new list after Ashley’s statement however…!!! 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Sharpy – When at least 2 journo’s say the same thing it generally turns out to be true. I am just completely staggered that Carver is still under consideration. Just staggered.
A new shortlist was always going to be needed because the people on the original list weren’t going to wait around while we made a decision so that doesn’t bother as it’s just a cause of them fannying about in January. But Carver…..?
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – at least 2 journos said McClaren was getting the job too mate. It’s an industry of lazy gets nowadays. Until there’s a press conference I will take most things with a pinch of salt
Sharpy17(Quote)
No, Sharpy, most journo’s said he would be offered the job and it turns out he was offered it twice.
Stuart79(Quote)
Just out of interest if you had a yes or no only choice of answer, would you say you believe the club will be run noticeably more ambitiously than it has been? My straight answer is no. He has to spend this summer, or we probably go down next season. I see him getting an average manager, spending a few quid because he has no choice (not a staggering amount mind), then we return to type for the next few Windows. Meanwhile, the fans will see his spending this summer as a sign of ambition and be sucked in all over again.
Shamrock(Quote)
They were always going to put Carver on the shortlist out of respect for the guy. It seems to me they are taking a step back in the search as loads of candidates are suddenly available.
MDS(Quote)
Shamrock – I believe an half ambitious club would look at Moyes, Laudrup and Bilic as new coaches. They wouldn’t have a coach who won 3 out of 20 games on a shortlist. An ambitious club would look at Klopp. West Ham did. OK, he turned them down but they showed ambition to even attempt it.
We might all be surprised with the next coach but the fact Carver hasn’t been told he’s not getting it is worrying.
Stuart79(Quote)
Where’s Geordie Two these day’s ? I think he might be in a state of shock after Mike’s interview.
Terry(Quote)
MDS – If you were asked to fill in after your boss left and did an horrendous job, costing the company millions, would you be expected to be told thanks, but go back to your own job as it was the bosses mistake for over promoting you, be sacked immedaitely for gross mismanagment or be told we are still considering you for the role but only out of respect?
Stuart79(Quote)
That’s a really dumb analogy.
MDS(Quote)
How so? Carver replaced his boss, made a right mess of it and is now still being considered for the role (whether he gets it or not) and maybe just out of respect…
Perfect anology actually.
Stuart79(Quote)
What is mighty dumb is keeping someone on a shortlist out of respect if he doesn’t have a cat in hells chance of getting the job. Totally disrespectful actually!
Stuart79(Quote)
No. All jobs are different and all circumstances are different. For all we know they really like John personally and may even think there is a role for him at the club moving forward. They may even feel guilty for having given him such a bad hand to play after January (not that he coverestimate himself in glory with that hand mind). So why not show him a bit respect even if he isn’t a real candidate? It hurts no one
MDS(Quote)
So he goes away on holiday thinking he has a chance of the top job, even though he doesn’t? You think that’s fair on him?
Stuart79(Quote)
There’s a poll taking place on “the Mag” website.
Do you believe Ashley etc ?
But surprisingly 69% do
WTF???
Well and truly sucked in by fatty.
He must be laughing his socks off.
Boots(Quote)
Who am I to say what’s fair? I’m not in his mind
MDS(Quote)
They must have been drawing up a new shortlist for a couple of months right, unless they thought they had McClaren in their back pocket. But plan A (McClaren) looks to be out of the window and Plan B (Carver) has proved himself inept. What qualifications does Charnley have to make this decision? This is a serious question. I know he has been at the club for a long time. Wasn’t he club secretary, but what exactly is club secretary? Again, this is a serious question because I am not really sure what they do.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, the only one with any football experience is Carr.
Stuart79(Quote)
With Open Letter gaining so popular within Newcastle this days, maybe i should consider writing one to Mike Ashely…
Mike Ashely mentioned about finance is strong now, but i seriously suggest he better find some connections and get more and better sponsorship and extra revenue in for the club.
Just look at recent Chelsea shirt sponsorship.
“Chelsea seal £200m shirt sponsorship deal with Yokohama Rubber “….
Neither Chelsea nor Yokohama Rubber would confirm the figures involved but the five-year agreement is believed to be worth around £40m per year. The deal will lead to Chelsea leapfrogging Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City in terms of shirt sponsorship revenues and will be seen as a coup for Christian Purslow, the former Liverpool managing director who was appointed last year to seek new commercial contracts abroad.
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
Stuart: I just looked up what a Club Secretary is and it is really just a paper pusher with minimal actual football involvement, although they do sit in on all of the board meetings. That’s a bit worrying.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Charnley has been at the club for ten years, so if he doesn’t know anything about running a football club by now he never will.
Stuart79(Quote)
Agreed Stuart, but admin and decision making are two different things. He seemed to be able to get things done in regard to shipping players out and getting a few in, but were these really the right decisions on the football side and not just on the financial side?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I see a club Secretary as basically the bag carrier , note taker and implementation officer for when decisions get made. If that’s the case,Charnley probably knows rather a lot about running a football club and has the qualification. not that that means I have any faith in the board and MA to actually make us competitive. He’ll get us to mid table and aim to stay there, telling any new lackey manager to try more in Cups, but no actual meaningful.change to our ambitions.
Shamrock(Quote)
The only reason Carver would be on the shortlist is incase they can’t get the manager they actually want – he’s absolutely worse case scenario. If not and he’s the man they want, they have him in place already so why wouldn’t they just announce his appointment?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Toonsy, good read. He clearly didn’t enjoy doing the interview and there is no doubt it was scripted but he didn’t have to do it, so fair play that he did.
Now for the content. He has stated in front of millions of viewers that we will be actively looking to win something and that he made mistakes, H e has pledged to invest and move us forward. I have no doubt that he will invest, he knows he has to after our near disaster. My concern is that he’ll invest this summer and then revert back to a couple of windows with nothing. Let’s see what happens, it’s on him to back up words with actions now and that means on going actions in on going windows. If we get injuries that threaten our PL status I expect to see re-enforcements bought in as needed and no selling of best players either. I would also want to see less cheap and more quality players and a few british guys too. Finally a good quality coach would signal his change of mindset, I wait with baited breath. He has a chance here to build some bridges, he best not waste it.
kimtoon(Quote)
I have worked with many accountants and as a rule they tend to weigh up the options and then weigh them up again and then procrastinate and have another think about it. If Charnley is really a glorified accountant then we may be in for a few more weeks of wondering who the next manager will be. In this respect, I think it would be better if Fatty gets personally involved.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Nice to se you back Toonsy. Well the short lived euphoria of surviving in the premire league, the emotion of Jonas scoring and having an amazing send off, the ground jumping at times on Sundays like days long past has truely disappeared with the news that Charver is still on the short list. I can’t imagine what sort of parallel universe Charnely inhabits where he in any way thinks it could be a good idea to keep Charver’s name in the mix. I’m with Stuart on this one. You can just see what will happen, we are taking our time, won’t be rushed (had since December), have a nice holiday John and see you back in July, oops we couldn’t get anyone over the line and John has offered to take up the reigns. I don’t believe Jabba. It was all for the gallery. He was clearly feeling the strain and a full out revolt with season ticket renewals in freefall. Funny the journo (who apparently is also on Ashley’s PR gurus books) didn’t ask any awkward questions, all nice an deasy for Ashley to try to convince us he is such a nice guy, mia culpa I’ve changed my ways, so please buy a season ticket and a wonga top and I will really really be good. Bull **** the first chance they had today to send out a really positive signal and they keep John ‘it’s all about me’ in the picture and refuse to say thanks but no thinks. Absolutely pathetic
Geordie Deb(Quote)
I don’t particularly have a problem with Charnley running the actual club. Not many clubs are actually ran by ex footballers. They’re normally ran by business people who surround themselves with football people in key areas. We have Carr I suppose as the DOF in all but name.
Stuart79(Quote)
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-set-opt-against-9331750
See this is pissing me off already, just how long do they need? really this procrastinating has to stop now. Just bloody sort it out ffs, How can we sign anyone when no manager is in place.
kimtoon(Quote)
All Ashley has said is that he will *continue* to invest, will be more ambitious and won’t sell until we have won something or qualified for the CL. To me the *continue* wording was crucial. It suggests more of the same. Aim for mid table, make a bit of effort for Cups, maybe trip over CL football like Pardeu nearly did. Maybe spread the transfers a bit so that we make.a.token signing in January to keep fans quiet.
I certainly do not believe he meant he would go full out for CL football and compete with Liverpool in the market for 4th spot year on year. No chance.
Shamrock(Quote)
Didn’t our actual accountant leave just last week?. Maybe they are looking to replace them before looking at manager & players
Sharpy17(Quote)
Continue to invest? When was the last time he invested in the club?
Stuart79(Quote)
He also said he wanted CL football within 5 years of taking over.
Shamrock(Quote)
Kim – maybe Charnley is waiting for that 95% against 5% for Carver to balance out a bit 😀
Sharpy17(Quote)
Irving hasn’t left yet. I’m sure the tea lady will get his job.
Kim – As I said above, it looks like nothing is changing in the very conservative way the club is going to be ran.
Stuart79(Quote)
Sharpy: and who are these 5%? Carver cannot have that many family surely? I have promised myself to lay off Carvs though as I really do think he will be shunted to a new role – my choice is parking attendant as I have said before, but I wouldn’t object to a diminished coaching role when a new manager brings in their own people (wishful thinking?)
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I put this on the last thread but you might have missed it. YOU SHOULDN’T MISS IT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wokol1cuJnw
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stu,I really do not understand the delay mate, I urge ALL season ticket holders to not renew until a new head coach is appointed, let them wait like they are making us wait.
kimtoon(Quote)
Its all bed knobs and broomsticks,a fairy storey at the toon
icedog(Quote)
Eric, he could teach Percy a thing or two 😆
kimtoon(Quote)