I was reading the latest article from Olivier Bernard in the Chronicle today, (http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/players-thinking-twice-joining-newcastle-9485041 ) and you have to say he makes some thought provoking points.
He argues we need around 10 new players and the need to build a spine of a new Centreback, central midfielder and center forward with Premier league experience and that’s hoping we avoid costly injuries along the way.
Still the thing that stood out for me, was the who would want to sign for us bit of the article. Given the chaos of last season and the not so good previous one and the apparent lack of ambition, then who indeed would want to sign? Factor in the whole attitude the regime has towards players, (Jonas treatment whilst poorly and the manner in which he and Ryan Taylor were let go ) and we look a cheap and nasty outfit to the outside observer.
When Mike Ashley stood before that sky interviewer on our last game of the season and said things would improve and he took the blame, I allowed myself a mediocum of hope but remained wary given his level of ambition over the past few seasons. All the same I had hoped the close shave with relegation and the poor previous season had made him really stop and think about his long term plans for the club.
Now it’s early doors, the transfer window is yet to open, but I’m getting that same old feeling that we just aren’t at the races again. The new momentum we all expected seems to be vanishing with the slow appointment of Steve McClaren and now the long wait for his assistants to arrive as well, and that’s before we even see a bid for a player materialise. Liverpool, Swansea ,Southampton and Chelsea have all been busy sorting Transfers already and their need is no where near as urgent as ours is.
Without a key quality signing it will be extremely difficult to attract players of the relevant skill to our club, likewise they will want to see quality coaches here as well. Given the way some of our players have been treated by the club, and the
lack of player replacements when our top players are sold, what player in their right mind will want to join us?
Bernards point that Palace look a less risky bet to players seeking a move is a valid one. They look more settled than us and all the fans are united behind the team and manager and the board are giving Pardew funds to improve the team with quality signings.
Meanwhile Newcastle have so far been linked to a lot of championship players, not surprising given that’s where our new coach has been previous to joining us; and a couple of mid table quality players at extortionate prices. Well if we ever end up paying £20million for Troy Deeney, we need sectioning as a club. How can a championship player who hasn’t even proved himself capable at Premier League level be worth that kind of sum?
And this is the problem we face, the whole of football knows we are desperate for reinforcements and will attempt to hold us to ransom. Ofcourse we will bulk at the fees being asked and walk away and bring in our 2nd, 3rd or 4th choices and a few foreign up and comings and hope for the best. We might even go with what we have and try for better deals come january 2016, it’s not like we havn’t before.
But the real key is what do the players want. If you were a decent player looking at us from the outside, would you see a fresh start with a healthy dose of ambition? Or do you see the basket case other clubs fans and the media have portrayed us as?
I do not see a fresh start, sorry but I don’t. I know a lot of you don’t care about what happened with McClarens first press conference and in truth a few hacked off journo’s doesn’t overly trouble me either. But the reality is, that one little act tells you nothing has changed, the regime are still insular,secretive and aloof unless cash is involved. It sets the press and media against us before a ball is even kicked for the new season . They had the perfect chance to start afresh and foster a new understanding with fans and media alike, isn’t that what THAT interview was all about.
If real investment isn’t made and that’s more than the reported £25million, then the fan unrest of last season will become even more toxic . With lots of empty seats it will be interesting to see how the regimes preferred partner Sky feels about their cosy relationship. More to the point, players will be looking at our level of ambition in who we sign over the coming weeks and I suspect that Bernard may of hit the nail on the head with his article.
We may have fifty odd thousand cheering players on and a beautiful stadium but it means nothing without real ambition and desire to improve. At this point we should be pulling out all the stops to attract players, I remember freddie Shepherd saying the fact we aren’t London is a stumbling block so we have to really sell the club and area. Let’s hope Lee and company are doing just that, otherwise it could be another long season.
kimtoon
MDS – where you been mate?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands). Top notch place. I highly recommend it.
MDS(Quote)
MDS – we were in the Dominican earlier this year and are looking to head back next year but are torn at the moment – Barbados & Bahramas are front runners at the mo. We’ve saw a nice place in Jamaica too, but I’m not sure about there like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Reports in France reckon we’ve bid €15m for Thauvin. About as likely as Thatcher being the next PM and reopening all the coal mines…
Stuart79(Quote)
MDS – just looked on trip advisor, looks stunning mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, as you know every Caribbean island is pretty different so it really depends on what you are looking for. I personally try to avoid resorts and gated communities and prefer places where I can go where I want, see the whole island and meet locals without much worry. Obviously you can get away with that some places but not others. St. Croix isn’t real touristy and is pretty safe for that.
MDS(Quote)
Sandy Lane’s the best place in the Windies. Beautiful!
Stuart79(Quote)
MDS – yeah, having a 6yr old lad means some places just aren’t an option, despite catching my eye. I’ve completely fallen in love with the Carribean though and I want to see all of it now – money permitting. I favour Barbados next, but the missus fancies Baharamas. Though with the 6yr old, I’m sure Disney will be an option soon as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SIDEKICK@146 could not get into bird of pray centre mate,it was peeing down only open in dry weather,was stuffed all ends up,left three days early
icedog(Quote)
Stu – Sandy Lane looks stunning too mate, though I’m not sure my little noise maker would be overly welcomed 😆
The place were looking at is further North, Heywoods Beach or Bay I think it was called but can’t remember the name of the resort.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy understood mate. I have friends who have been to Barbados and loved it. The favorite amongst people I know is Turks and Caicos though.
St. Croix is all about the high number of quality beaches and some of the best snorkeling and scuba in the Caribbean.
Yeah there’s something about the Caribbean. It takes a couple of days to wash away your worries and then you are completely in island mode for the rest of your stay
MDS(Quote)
Get French Football @GFN_France · 48 mins48 minutes ago
Sylvain Distin closing in on Bournemouth move, according to Sky Sports http://goo.gl/Ku48JF
kimtoon(Quote)
Ice
It isn’t a great place to be when it is raining.
I go up there quite a lot ,mainly to fish, and if it isn’t raining it is snowing. Ideal place to build a reservoir 😀
I drink at the Anglers Arms in Kielder village. Good food , real ales ,open till 11pm and until midnight at the weekend.
sidekick(Quote)
SIDEKICK now you tell me 👿 lol
icedog(Quote)
KIM funny I read that y/day he’s about 37 I think
icedog(Quote)
I’m starting to think only John Irving was allowed to sign any cheques and now he’s gone we can’t buy anything. I hope they’re well stocked up with big roll!
Stuart79(Quote)
This shocked me press in Italy say Pardew wants to sign Santon and bring him to CP
icedog(Quote)
Ice, Percy wants all our players, hoping he comes in for Willo 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/janmaat-wants-st-james-park-fortress
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM we should be so lucky.
Been away a while how is the knee coming along,any luck?? good luck I mean lol
icedog(Quote)
So now we’re offering Austin the No. 9 shirt to persuade him to join. Do players really care about these things if they’re not supporters of the club?
Stuart79(Quote)
So according to De Telegraf, Express and Mirror Sunderland and us are after Georginio Wijnaldum. Never heard of him but they reckon Sunderland are prepared to pay £15m for him. Does that count us out then on two counts? 1) We don’t do bidding wars 2) We don’t pay that sort of money.
Stuart79(Quote)
Also Northern Echo say Sunderland are ahead of us in the race to sign Andros Townsend.
If Sunderland have a better window than us and sign players were after I think the club would implode!
What would be the point of being in great financial shape if Sunderland (who lose money every year) could beat us to players?
Stuart79(Quote)
I wonder what Cisse would have to say about that?
Anyway it’s the Daily Star and Daily Fail probably a load of ****.
Belfast(Quote)
Very interesting you lot don’t get the trolls on here and Ed’s blog is bloody littered with them. Haha
What’s your secret? 😉
Belfast(Quote)
Kim@134.
I think the value thing is a difficult one this close season. Everything has gone a bit crazy, In many ways it’s good clubs are holding back and not coughing up silly money early doors, as it will only lead to things spiralling even further out of control than they already are.
Personally, I’d rather see the club pay a few extra and get the lad. But that’s just me. I genuinely think he’d be worth it.
I’ve defended Cabella already today, but you can’t tell me he’s worth 12m (if that’s accurate) and an 18 goal striker 8m, surely?
As for Remy, we made it clear he was definitely wanted but he wanted money before anything else, and was happy to pick up trophies whilst sitting on the bench. Austin has worked from non league up and is clearly a proper player with a hunger to actually play and do well. And I don’t remember Remy scoring 18.
I’d piggy back him back to Chelsea myself with my feet tied together in exchange for Austin.
You Yew(Quote)
Stu@171
I reckon being an English Newcastle no.9 and doing well puts you well in the window for the England camp.
Didn’t do Carrol any harm, and not seen much of him in a white shirt since.
Mind you, not seen much of him in Claret and Blue either…..
You Yew(Quote)
belfast,bd moderates the blog and gets rid of the *****
hitman(Quote)
Not all of it Hitman 🙂
MDS(Quote)
I see Stuart is still working on his theory of good news stories are bullshit and negative news stories are true! YCMIU! 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Pretty much Aussie. I think he just posts the negative links from newsnow and skips over the others.
MDS(Quote)
TAE, is the same, now he is just a Mini-Me version of Stuart 😆 😆 😆 😛
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
A mini me version of Stuart? Man, that’s a low blow if I’ve ever seen one
MDS(Quote)
😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
He’s crediting Southampton with signing a loaner from Fulham. If that was us he’d call it’s a lack of ambition.
MDS(Quote)
@87
” Zenden, Round and Neville have all turned the coaches job down! These are facts….”
No, they’re not facts – they are just things that have been reported in the media, which isn’t the same thing.
I don’t know about the other 2, but some of the “facts” reported about Zenden are completely wrong.
Firstly, he isn’t currently working as assistant coach at Jong PSV (PSV U21s) as has been widely reported. After leaving his post at Chelsea he was one of four ex-players who joined PSV as an intern/trainee. He was simply assigned to work with the Jong PSV squad for one or two days a week while he studied for his UEFA A licence:
https://www.psv.nl/psv/nieuws/artikel/stages-van-nistelrooy-ooijer-kolkka-en-zenden.htm
He was only at PSV for one year (between July 2013 and June 2014) and currently appears to be unemployed:
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/boudewijn-zenden/profil/trainer/26837
Also, Zenden has recently been quoted as saying that he spoke to McClaren after his appointment, but we don’t know who instigated that conversation. Everybody has interpreted it as meaning that McClaren approached Zenden, who turned him down but I think it’s far more likely that it was the other way round – ie. that (the currently unemployed) Zenden contacted McClaren to ask if there was any chance of a job at the Toon, and McClaren turned HIM down. After all, if Zenden was any good as an assistant coach, why didn’t Benitez keep hold of him when he moved from Chelsea to Napoli? He seemed to have taken all his other backroom staff with him.
Chris G(Quote)
Sorry, Chris but Neville and Round have personally confirmed they were approached and turned the job down. You are very strange if you don’t believe it when it comes from the actual horse’s mouth. In fact just pig headed!
As for MDS and Aussie. Not surprised you think what I posted was negative as that’s your agenda. You seem to think you have a monopoly on positive comments and everyone is just negative. Although I still daily to see where the negativity is in them posts. Maybe it’s you two who are the neggers as that’s what you se to see in the comments when in actual fact they’re just basic comments asking questions for people to debate on. Not for you two though, oh no, you don’t fancy debate. Just bitchy comments which completely stifled the debate.
Oh and MDS, if you could find any other articles on News Now last night you should have posted them. They were the only two I could find, not showed us having an interest in players – yet just because it also showed Subderland having an interest you decide its negative. Says a lot more about you than me, Pal.
Stuart79(Quote)
http://mobile.newsnow.co.uk/A/779346335?-11058:809
Matip & Thauvin would be a cracking start I reckon, with either Austin & Drost looking likely too. Reports suggesting we could be after Ron Vlaar on a free transfer – 4 good signings like that early in the window would be a cracking start.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I don’t think Roy Hodgson knows where Newcastle is, You Yew. That could actually be one of Austins concerns at the end of the day. But then again it seems to be more about money these days so we shall see.
Stuart79(Quote)
I don’t think everyone is negative Stuart…… just you! 😆 😆 😛
Lighten up mate 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I agree, Sharpy it would be a cracking start. I’m just worried about the price tags that seem to be associated with them. I’m still not convinced we are going to spend that kind of money on one player. We never have under Ashley so will he change?
Stuart79(Quote)
As usual, Aussie just with the bitchy comments but that’s genuinely only because he realises he has no argument and is made to look stupid. AGAIN.
To be fair I’m done with even wasting my fingers on you as you have nothing constructive or sensible to debate so until you do I will just continue to laugh at your lack of self confidence and ability.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – he said he would, but to be honest I think there will still be haggling to get the prices as low as possible – which is fine, providing they do get the player.
http://mobile.newsnow.co.uk/A/779396255?-11058:809
Diego Rolan would be a good addition to IMO & if £4m is right I’d snap their hand off. See if they want Gouffran or Riviere in return – even a loan deal for Riviere would do.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ha, nice one!
I think Roy Hodgeson knows where Newcastle is .. Colback got a call up didn’t he??
But hey, no one want to sign for us any way so whats the point! 😥
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I’ve never heard of Rolan but when I saw his name I was reminded of Riviere. How many good strikers are around for £4m these days? One bitten twice shy maybe as they’re talking about him if we don’t get our first choice targets. Do we need another Riviere? Young, inexperienced who will need time…
Stuart79(Quote)
Belfast @ 175 We have a resident idiot to keep the riffraff away.
Hitman @ 178 Pity he didn’t do his job on the first 175 comments (or even the last 175 threads) 😆
brisvegas(Quote)
Stu – how can you say you’ve never heard of him, then liken him to Riviere & write the kid off?! 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
YOU Yew@176, my thoughts on his valuation are mainly due to him being in the last year of his contract, I think it could put a few clubs off. To be honest I’m cool whether he comes or not. If the lad wants to stay in the south that’s fine and if he wants to be our number 9 that’s fine too. But for me £15m is a tad steep given he is in his last year like.
kimtoon(Quote)
Maybe just maybe the deal for Austin is all done and dusted.
Just waiting for the window to open officially to announce it.
That would put an end to the hysteria
Boots(Quote)
I also see interest in Cisse seems to be on the up. We want £10m for him… Bizarre really. We expect everyone else to pay £10m for a 30 year old but wouldn’t take one on a free! Think I’d be selling at that price though but only if we have a replacement signed first.
Stuart79(Quote)
Kim @ 198 but in the modern EPL era with the amount of money coming into it IMO £15 mil for an English player isnt that much ott .
Like take his goal scoring record and then compare it to Rivis ? You get what you pay for, and goals win you games and if it can get you a place or 2 higher place finish then it isnt that bad.
I just think we need to get someone that we know can score the goals, and we need to get them soon
Big Dave(Quote)
Ice@170 Sorry mate missed your post, was watching England ladies last night. Great result and what a rocket from Lucy Bronze to win it, great stuff.
Re the knee, have seen the MRI report and it says there’s a full thickness radial tear to the posterior horn of the meniscus and a bakers cyst and a chondria lesion and the start of osteoarthritis 😯 🙁 Basically the knee is buggered, still it explains the pain 🙄 Seeing the consultant on Thursday.
kimtoon(Quote)
Well firstly, Sharpy id never heard of Riviere so it’s pretty easy to liken him to him, but also Riviere costs similar and there aren’t many good strikers for that kind of money. Riviere is a striker who wasn’t ready for the PL, was young and needs time. I also think looking at this lad there’s a chance that could be the same for him. Now, that’s not writing him off is it? It’s saying he would need time and that’s not something we could allow him if, as the article says he would be bought if our first choice targets were missed.
Stuart79(Quote)
Dave, fair point that.
kimtoon(Quote)
To be honest not arsed how long players have left on their contract (though I understand the club maybe) but it’s the same player whether he has 1 year left or 3 years left. Do players play better for the buying club the longer they had on their contract at their previous club? thought not! 😉
richietoon(Quote)
Boots, I’ve wondered the same thing, reminds me of Janmat last year during the World Cup, lots of rumours but about it, then all of a sudden he signed. Got a feeling could be same with Austin. Just hope I’m not being too blind with this one
Simon(Quote)
Simon, They’d do well to keep that one under their hat! Can’t see it somehow. Not many big signings happen in UK without someone hearing about it. Too many involved nowadays.
Stuart79(Quote)
Get Matip in and start with stabilising our defensive unit. Let’s not forget how many goals we shipped last season. Defense also means our midfield too. McClaren has a good group of internationals to play with, foreign players who hopefully will improve in their second season in the epl. Throw in his supposed excellent training methods and a couple of new signings and we’ll see what the new season brings. Goals win games and that is the big difference that’s why strikers cost more. However if they don’t want to sign for the toon then things get really difficult. I bet McClaren is surprised at how uninteresting a proposition nufc has become after our bad karma trip last season what with the treatment of jonas, carvers rantings and the general disillusion amongst the toon army faithful. Charney et al really do have a tendency to make life difficult.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Richie, I just think with a year left QPR are the ones under pressure not the buying club. Quite a few ruling themselves out for him now too, so if we are in pole position that’s good isn’t it? Any cash we save can go towards another player too 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Sounds easy, Munich!
Stuart79(Quote)
I think we are going to pull a few unknowns out of the hat to be honest, probably a couple of foreigners and a couple of championship players. Matip and Austin would boost the squad no end but would cost us between 25 and 30 mill, peanuts in today’s market for 2 young internationals. Come on “football board” let’s see what you are made of.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Stuart football is easy mate, 22 men kicking a football and in the end Germany win.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Know what you mean Stuart, just hoping too much and for some reason had a bit of blind faith, just daft
Simon(Quote)
Kim…Unfortunately that only really applies if you’re the only club who are after the player 😉
Also are you sure that at NUFC any money saved would go towards another player? 😉
richietoon(Quote)
Kim:
Just re-read my post, hope tone didn’t sound like a dig at your comment, was certainly not meant as such.
You’re dead right about the last year of contract, and on those grounds I agree 15m might be steep.
It comes down again to being worth what someone is willing to pay, and I guess my definitive opinion is if someone else IS willing to pay 15m then we shall jolly well have to match it. If they don’t then maybe we’ll get him for 10.
What’s the truth though? One minute Southampton have bid 10m, the next they are not even interested? I hope the people involved have a better idea.
My guess is possibly an agent leaking news of a 10m bid in the hope we’ll bid 12. Which is probably what we’d have to do, along with a slightly better wage packet, in order to entice him up here.
You Yew(Quote)
Richie, 😆 no, not really but in the idea world it would. Aren’t all the other clubs backing off now though and don’t forget he failed a medical to go to Hull, dodgy knee.
kimtoon(Quote)
MM…I thought you didn’t rate Matip and he was slow and the weak link in their defence or words to that effect? Have you changed your mind on him after watching him sober?… or the other way around 😉 😆
richietoon(Quote)
You Yew, no worries it didn’t read that way mate. I do agree if there are lots in for him then you’d have to stump up. I’m not out to save the fat man money by the way, it’s just that the less we have to pay frees up cash for others, cause we do need others.
kimtoon(Quote)
Perhaps he’s demanding a ridiculous wage, and it’s not the fee that’s putting people off.
Seems weird everyone was interested when they knew the fee, but slowly dropping out as conversations develop
You Yew(Quote)
Yes we do.
You Yew(Quote)
Perhaps the board are playing a smarter long game than we are giving them credit for.
You Yew(Quote)
Then again, it’s that long game that has seen us miss out time and again so…..
You Yew(Quote)
Kim…As reported in the same newspapers who said he was a cert to go to West Ham then said they were never interested in him? I guess it depends if you believe anything that’s in the papers, I certainly don’t….maybe we aren’t interested in him either! 😛 The only thing I’ be certain of (ish) is that there’ll be more than one club after Austin.
richietoon(Quote)
Richie, aye, it’s as clear as mud.
You Yew, maybe his knee is an issue, or yeah wages? who knows
kimtoon(Quote)
Richietoon, that wasn’t me mate I’ve always rated Matip 😉 Sober, what’s that?
Munich Mag(Quote)