So why is this news so significant? Well, for a long time now we have have had serious problems all over the pitch. From basic defensive positioning mistakes, set pieces being woeful at the back and when attacking, the team’s inability to string several passes together and keep the ball moving on the floor, lack of creativity moving forward and development players not making the step up. We fans have speculated for just as long when it comes to the source of these problems. Were Carr’s signings not up to scratch? Was Pardew a useless manager? Has the club’s hierarchy interfered too much with the playing side of things? Was it the coaches themselves?
Look in more detail and it can be strongly argued that the latter suggestion is the biggest indicator for our multiple and basic failures. We all know players on the Continent usually come with far greater technical skill than those brought up within the British schools of excellence. Holland, Spain and France are all known for producing players with sound passing movement and far less reliance on long ball than here in the UK. Bearing in mind that most of our purchases in recent years have been imported from these Countries, why is it that we still revert to ‘punt-and-hope’ so often and do not seem to understand the concept of ‘play it out from the back’? Is Carr really picking up duff after duff or is there more to it?
Maybe it was all Pardew. He had good technical players at his disposal, many of which were earning very positive reviews abroad before their arrival on the banks of the Tyne. He was the man running the show after all. It has to be said that he has to take some responsibility. He has the final say on how our side should be set out to play. However, his Palace side are a different animal since he joined them – employing far superior wing play and attacking zest than we have seen at this club for a long time. Maybe a workman really is only as good as his tools? Although many felt we were not meeting our full potential under his stewardship, he still had us comfortably in mid table when he left. That said, it is noted that Stone and Carver were hired after Pardew’s arrival at the club. If they were his men, then there is responsibility to be taken there.
So has the board interfered too much? Mike Ashley more or less admitted as much before our survival Sunday cash against West Ham. A policy of not competing in the Cups and not pushing for the Europa League is not going to motivate your players to push themselves to be the best that they can be. When you consider another policy has been to buy them young and talented before flogging them for profit, it is hardly a surprise that they will see the club as a shop window and not much else when they have nothing to aim for in terms of glory or silverware during their stay with us. Indeed, the board must take a big share of the blame – more than Pardew, who was operating with his hands tied behind his back. Add to the fact that the board chose to tie so many staff members to 8-year contracts and you can see how Pardew will have been powerless to remove any of the coaches if he recognised that they were not up to it after all. We do not know that Pardew ever recognised this or not, but if he had – what could he have really done about it?
Finally that leaves the coaches. Is it any coincidence that following Pardew’s departure the team’s form markedly nosedived? Carver may have been performing a different role as head coach, but the same coaches remained at the club with the same staff, yet results and performances were even worse than before. The same basic mistakes being made, but more often. John Carver has resided over the defensive and attacking set up at different points in the last few years and neither has looked particular impressive during those times. How can it be that such technical players turn into headless, indecisive chickens? The answer is simple. They are having the wrong messages drilled into them on the training pitch and that has led to incohesiveness on match days. Carver taking a step up has confirmed that he and other coaches have played a huge part in the dour football that we have subjected to for such a long time.
Their sacking is far more important that our next managerial appointment. The new manager will still have strict parameters to work to at this club. He will still have to use Carr’s men, but it looks like he will have the opportunity to bring in his own ‘tools’. Our set pieces in particular have been consistently amongst the worst in the league for a long time and it is hard to see how any new coaches could possibly have our side playing that badly. If McLaren does come in, we can expect coaches with more technical know how and a different playing style from the team. We should not expect miracles, but new coaches and new policies in terms of going for Cups should in theory breathe a new lease of life into the club and invigorate our players.
Funnily enough Shamrock has to the best of my knowledge ever insulted anyone on this site. Unlike me. I only did once. And that was in response to you Stuart. At the time I apologised. You didn’t. I can read. I’m not stupid, and you are covering up on lino.
Premandup(Quote)
Yeah I don’t get bothered about the media thing. What were they supposed to do? Make him available to each of the hundreds of media outlets in Britain? What about those on the continent or overseas? personally Id prefer if the man got to work on the job at hand rather than answer the same 5 questions 10 times each.
I recieved more than enough information from MCClaren and the club yesterday to satisfy my curiosity. Long may it continue
MDS(Quote)
To be honest, Prem you probably deserved it.
Stuart79(Quote)
Point made
Premandup(Quote)
Any chance of taking your self a little less seriously, Prem?
Stuart79(Quote)
Just out of interest, what has happened to the new training complex? That was to be started in May this year.
Stuart79(Quote)
Anyone who pays attention or gets offended by a Stu insult is defo stupid 😛 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Don’t know if they started construction yet but I hope they do soon if for no other reason than you stop asking about if every few days
MDS(Quote)
Thx Sharpy.
Premandup(Quote)
To be fair, you’re all effin stupid! 😈
richietoon(Quote)
Richie right as rain you are:)
MDS(Quote)
MDS 😉 …Roll on the new season, that’ll send us all stupid.
richietoon(Quote)
So many journalists love to twist news about NUFC to suit their own ends. Whether it’s just getting hits on their website, slagging off Mike Ashley, slagging off the fans or something else, they bloody love it.
I don’t care what media outlets were invited to McLaren’s unveiling either. What I do know is:
1 – We have appointed a proper manager with a good track record
2 – We have got rid of some dead wood in Carver and Stone
3 – Ashley is talking about some serious investment
4 – The club has gone public in targeting top 8 and a trophy
5 – Several of our key players have stated that they want first team football in order to play in the Euros next year
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
I believe McLaren is a safe pair of hands. He’s a decent coach but will need backing in the transfer market. Like Stuart says, other clubs will have money and won’t be afraid to spend it. We’ll have money but will probably ly spend less than most. Of course, if we spend £20m the club will claim this because they are ambitious despite other clubs around us spending double.
I’m still very sceptical of Ashley and his motives despite his words on TV.
I really hope I’m wrong and this is the start of good things to come.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Looks pretty straightforward this time to me, Troy – Austin and Richards tied up by the time the window officially opens = pretty clear indication of changed policy. Both at other clubs and a couple of Austrian teenagers turning up = more of the same.
GTE(Quote)
Cheers Prem 🙂
On Austin/Berahino: We obviously won’t get both so if we were to get one I’d personally prefer Austin. He seems more grounded and solid. Reckon he’s the better long term prospect and a more well rounded player. I’d be pretty impressed if we landed him and a couple of proper defenders.
Must say, I like McLaren talking about getting ‘characters’ into the squad. It’s exactly what we were discussing when I wrote the Joey Barton article – getting leaders in. Fingers crossed. I don’t mean get Joey in by the way, having listened to other’s opinion. I am inclined to agree that he is past it and the wrong kind of character, albeit we do need straight talking vocal leaders in the squad.
Shamrock(Quote)
Shamrock – I get the impression that he’s wanting Austin & Das Boot to form our front line & he ain’t messing around in getting those deals done by the looks of it. To be fair, all the forwards we’ve been linked with id be happy enough with. It’s the CBs I’m interested in now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yep other than Richards have we been linked to any defenders ❓
kimtoon(Quote)
I would be happy with Austin and Das Bos
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim…James Chester 😉
richietoon(Quote)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bas_Dost
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Richietoon, didn’t spot that one.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – there was Matip too, but that was pre McClaren & don’t know if him & Chester were paper talk or genuine links.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Das Bos? Any reason to believe he would be any good? His track record isn’t amazing. And Richards? There’s got to be something wrong with him in the PL or another club would have snapped him up a long time ago. He was very promising but he’s let it slide like other young English players who stayed at Man City for too long…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Sharpy, why have missed them two, was it widely reported ❓ All I have seen is forwards and the odd winger or mid
kimtoon(Quote)
Yeah Matip and Chester have been linked with us the most after Richards.
Matip won’t be cheap but he is exactly the type we should sign.
MDS(Quote)
TAE – you don’t think his record is very good? – based on the link you posted, his scoring record looks good enough to me like mate. McClaren has worked with him before as well, so must rate him it the reports are true.
Kim – The club probably only leaked it to a select few media outlets 😉 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Papers reckon Richards is on his way to Villa, but as they are on the verge of being sold, I reckon we could steam in there if we genuinely want him.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Das Bost’s scoring record is ok but not great. Only 2 caps for the Netherlands too. Didn’t LDJ have more caps and more success before he came here? He did pretty well afterwards too I believe.
Still…I’d be happy with a few decent signings anyway! And signing him would stop all of the Carroll rumours every window…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Lots positivity on here tonight! Would like to be on that train but I will wait to see where it stops first.
Seems to be lots of talk about us being pretty close to Austin and even Carroll rumours resurfacing. We haven’t been linked to too many centre halves though…
Looks like the silly season is in full swing but I am still intrigued as to how much influence McClaren will have in the signings.
Stuart79(Quote)
SHARPY17
looks a bit skinny from the photo but has plenty of height so will be good target in my view, plus his height will help when we defending so its a big plus for me,aint seen much of him so dont really know to much about him
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
hopefully some1 in heres had a good look at him and wise us up on who he is and if they think he would be a good signing
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
TAE – they don’t come much skinnier than Peter Crouch mate, and he’s had a canny career in the PL.
MDS – I would defo take Matip.
Sharpy17(Quote)
STUART
Carroll rumours resurfacing? When have they ever gone away?
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
SHARPY17
just when i googled the dude was hopeing to see some battering ram 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
carrols 1 of the best headers of a footie on the planet in my opion just keeping him fit and playing is more of a worry to me and cant see it happening meself
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
t-shirt for ya stu 😆
http://www.dictionarytshirts.com/view/4211017/mr–negative-adjective-funny-random-t-shirt
hitman(Quote)
One mans negativity is another mans reality, Hitman and I have been very, very rarely proved wrong in my reality.
Stuart79(Quote)
wernt you screaming from the roof tops that carver will be head coach next season..
nows not the time for it,wait and see what happens this window.
hitman(Quote)
Don’t think I screamed anything to be honest.
But from you, Hitman, a reformed reality train passenger I will ignore it.
Stuart79(Quote)
not reformed,just waiting to see what happens,the bloke has been here 24 hours,and for mcclaren to be here he must of got some guarantees from jabba,so just waiting to see how things pan out,no point in moaning now.
hitman(Quote)
Oh I agree, Hitman and we all live in hope. Although he was out of work and hasn’t had a job in PL for about ten years so maybe he’d take it whatever.
But to be honest, I do actually believe we will have one of the best transfer windows under Ashley in the condition that we will finally realise we have to pay the going rate for the right players.
Stuart79(Quote)
http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/chelsea-eye-move-for-newcastle-united-target/
Well I guess it depends on if he wants to be first or third choice I guess.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – If be staggered if he ended up there. I thought they were signing Falcao?
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu, Yep me too.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – Austin wants to play first team football as he genuinely believes he can secure a place in the England squad – and why not I say. That’s the kind of self belief we want in a player.
He also has a lot of faith in Steve Black, which could also swing things in our favour.
Sharpy17(Quote)
KIMTOON
chelsea would be mad to sign Falcao
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
I know all about Bas Dorst and Matip from there time in the Bundesliga…
Bas Dorst is no better than Luk De Jong, and until recently wasn’t getting a game for Wolfsburg…. I would have Matip for 8 million quid…
NUFC a Mickey mouse club trying to get things done on the cheap…we’ll end up with Tom Ince and some other nameless Championship players … Berahino and Austin ….don’t think so like…. Andy Carroll is about our fit…can keep his permanantly injured mate Steven Taylor company on the bench…they can share the Michael Owen blanket on match days…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Bit of light and shade there, Munich.
Stuart79(Quote)
Munich – that’s for that mate. I don’t think LDJ was a dreadful player, he just didn’t fit our style of play.
Where did that mini rant come from though mate? 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, what was our style? That’s something that’s always escaped me…
Stuart79(Quote)
So Simon Bird says the Austin deal is done… Would be interesting but find it hard to believe we can be so ruthless and efficient?
Stuart79(Quote)
I think that’s a question we have all asked over the last few seasons to be fair.
I think LDJ who have got on better in a side that gets the ball forward quickly. That gets the ball out wide for crosses to come into the box early. Instead we played him as a target man with his back to goal most of the time.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stu – we done a lot of business early last summer mate. Wasn’t De Jong sorted within the first few days of the window?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well Bird does work for the clubs ‘preferred media’ partner so maybe he knows. But this is exactly the reason I’m uneasy about this preferred media partner thing. Just means the others don’t get the stories or briefs. That will just encourage false stories.
Stuart79(Quote)
Malaga’s Juanmi also apparently on the list. Whoever he is.
Stuart79(Quote)
back page of tomorrows mirror.
https://mobile.twitter.com/NUFCgallowgate/status/609108000855498754
hitman(Quote)
Stu – Robin Williams best film that I reckon mate
Sharpy17(Quote)
Austin is a proper player in my book. If we sign him I’ll be very hopeful. Problem is we need serious improvements in defenseman, up front and on the wing so don’t see where the money comes from for all that. Selling Sissoko would be a good start the mouthy prat.
Shamrock(Quote)
Stuart79
June 11, 2015 at 19:47
One mans negativity is another mans reality, Hitman and I have been very, very rarely proved wrong in my reality.
😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
Comedy gold!!! Love it! 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie dont get my hopes up mate.
Terry(Quote)
Aussie that’s only two players mate but still very excited none the less 🙂
Terry(Quote)
Terry, I actually feel quite upbeat about things atm… I think most of it comes from all our old coaches been shown the door..
If we can get a few quality players in I would be excited as well..
However…
Sissoko is pissing me off to no end… Forget a regular starting spot in a top team, you ****… you can’t even play a consistent 90 minutes of football for us.. If Sissoko thinks for a moment that he is ready for a top team than he is Carver style delusional. 😕
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Oz @ 360 😆 😆 His reality is so far removed from this world that it’s possible he is always right. Who knows what laws of physics exist there.
I’m cautiously optimistic about what’s being said in interviews at the moment. I need proof, though, so waiting to see who’s signed. Not much interested in transfer silliness or misplaced fawning over those poor neglected newspaper reporters.
brisvegas(Quote)
Shamrock @ 359 – Bang on there fella.
Sissoko has been a moody inconsistent let down for me.
I would be happy to see him go.
Not many leave for better things. They all think they do, but the reality is most are found wanting at the top clubs and end up bench warming.
Maca is right that we need players with character. Sissoko doesn’t have any. He can kiss the badge all he likes, but who’s he fooling ?
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Oh great Simon Bird says it’s a done deal….FFS he also goes on to say “although there will be haggling over the fee with the Geordies only wanting to spend £10m”…not so “done” then is it? 🙄
richietoon(Quote)
Aussie – I’m upbeat too mate. It defo started with Carver & Stones departure, but I’m also excited to see what McClaren is going to do. I was always comfortable with his appointment & could see the fit, but I didn’t see him getting his own man & being part of a new board.
I think the last time I was this enthusiastic about a managerial appointment was going back to Sir Bobby.
I’m not saying McClaren is as good as SBR, but what I mean is SBR came in and guided us out of a dark time and I think McClaren can do the same – especially with forwards like Austin & Berahino.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So what’s going to happen to Cisse then if we get Austin and Berahino ?
Oh and Carroll of course
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
We still need a clear-out of players before we can really get excited about new signings.
Obertan, Goufran, Colo, Willo, Anita, Vukic, Tiote, Marveaux, Cisse.
can’t see them all going, but not bothered if they did.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Richie its only a done deal when you see him holding up the shirt with the SD signs in the background 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Well that headline will likely jinx it now 👿
kimtoon(Quote)
If we do get Charlie then I assume Cisse on his way ❓
kimtoon(Quote)
Dave…I know that mate, but it appears some only read the headline rather than the whole article where it clearly shows it’s not a done deal 😉 😛
Me I read the whole article then dismiss all of it 😉
richietoon(Quote)
So McClaren is spending the weekend sorting his backroom staff and hopes to have things in place by Monday.
The main man for me is Steve Black. Get him in and I reckon we will see big changes to the players we already have.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim the only problem for me and the done deal from the preferred media partner is that they have an asking price of £15 mil and we are offering £10 mil, and I am pretty sure other teams would pay what they want. But will we ? I dont think we would, but I hope im wrong.
Big Dave(Quote)