There have been lots of reasons put forward this season to explain why Newcastle United is in the mess it’s in, but where does the majority of the blame lie? You, the reader will establish that with a good old fashioned vote.
At the end of last season Mike Ashley stood in front of the Sky television cameras and promised to ‘bolt the horse to the cart’. He promised Cup runs, investment in the team and that he would not leave until we had won something or qualified for the Champion’s League. Well here we are 9 months later having spent £80 million in the transfer market and yet the club sits in the relegation zone having been dumped out of both Cups in the earliest rounds. He also chose to trust Lee Charnley with the running of his club – not to mention his long term neglect of the club and blatant use of the institution that is NUFC as a Sports Direct advertising tool (for free). He has to be included in the list of candidates for this vote, but maybe he does not deserve the blame this time – as he did invest and I’m sure he will be as shocked as the rest of us by our current situation?
From the board we have Lee Charnley, thrust into the controller’s chair despite no history in football other than being club secretary. He does not seem to be a bad transfer negotiator, but bypassed a lot of top managers to snare Steve McClaren in what must go down as one massive mistake.
Then there is Graham Carr. His position on the board is unusual for a scout and it can be argued that he has far too much influence on Charnley. He seems to decide who we sign and not the manager, at least up until the winter window just passed – and bizarrely for a football man he has constructed a lopsided squad lacking depth and quality in almost every area of the pitch. Why have we not signed enough quality defenders for so long?
Steve McClaren (now also known as the Grin Reaper) has managed to take £80 million pounds of investment and oversee a squad constantly languishing in the drop zone all season, getting smashed time and again away from home and having the 2nd worst goal difference in the league. He repeats the same old tired rubbish after every loss and continually extends his own time frames from which fans can judge him on. He displays very little tactical forethought and makes questionable team selections.
I don’t even know why Bob Moncur is on the board or what he brings to the club? Is he taking up a space that somebody could actually be useful in?
Then there is the playing staff itself. ‘Captain’ Fabricio Coloccini displays no leadership skills of any kind and is past it as a PL defender. Why the Grin Reaper awarded him with an extention and retained him as Captain is anybody’s guess, but by signing that contract when he knew he was a spent force, he has guaranteed that our club struggles on with an immobile and gutless figure at the heart of our defense and squad in general.
Florian Thauvin came with a big price tag and big wage increase. He had a responsibility to apply himself every day and instead turned into a shrinking violet at the first sign of hard work. Carr should have done a better job of scouting him, but that does not excuse his lack of heart and application. That money could have gone on another area of the pitch.
Several other players seem to be ‘fair weather’ players. Happy to turn it on at home with the crowd behind them but can’t be bothered to put their bodies on the line when on the road, rolling over and allowing opposition teams to tickle their belly while the goals fly in at the wrong end of the pitch. Sissoko has created the most chances for us and has the most assists. Wijnaldum has the most goals, but they go missing on away days. Why is that? Is it tactics, the players or both? I will call these players the ‘homers’.
Mitrovic came in with a heavy price tag and a lot of responsibility for one so young. But he also came in talking about being the next Alan Shearer. He has failed to deliver. Is he one the main reasons for our poor form this season or was it poor planning by our board to pin all our goalscoring hopes on a young man that had never played at this level before? Is he applying himself enough?
How about the back room staff? Ian Cathro came in with a growing reputation. Steve Black is supposed to be a genius motivator and Paul Simpson is the Grin Reapers right hand man. What have they actually brought to our game? The team seems to lack confidence and basic defending skills. What do our coaches do?
Then there is the medical staff. Why is it we seem to always be top of the injury list, from both recurring injuries to long term injuries? Is it training methods, treatment methods or no methods at all? What does our club not do that most other clubs do?
Pick your 3 main offenders below;
[poll id=”91″]
Newcastle sign:
Henri Saivet, January 11
Jonjo Shelvey, January 12
Andros Townsend, January 27
Transfer window closed – Feb 2.
Townsend was probably our lowest priority and Levy was just pissing about anyway. Nobody can tell me that between January 12 and February 2 we could not have found a decent centre back. Yes, we were also pissing about with Berehino.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/17/newcastle-united-offered-shock-ronaldinho-transfer-deal-5697056/
Do it 😆
Newkie(Quote)
Eric – it depends how you look at it mate. We’ve needed a Cabaye replacement for how long now? – Shelvey is that player. We’ve been crying out for some creativity – Townsend is that player. With more creative players, the forwards we already have may (have) improved.
I don’t think Saivet was a priority as wasn’t needed at all until Tiote had defo gone (IMO) – so instead of going after him, maybe they should have been working on a defender – defo they should have.
But yes, they should be able to manage numerous deals at the time. Sell the deadwood & bring the players in that are needed.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Newkie – could we get him and just bring him on to take corners and freekicks 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
& use him as a bottle opener.
roy cropper(Quote)
Rogers goes from 3/1 to even money for toon job,imo means nowt
always some mugs like to throw their dough away
Icedog(Quote)
ERIC@151 we could have had Matip for 10 mil in the summer but we wouldn’t pay it as he only 8months left on his contract,snooze and you lose
Icedog(Quote)
Shelvey was essential. I’d say a defender should have been prioritised before Townsend, but we still needed a wide option on the left so I don’t have any issues with him and Shelvey be I g signed. What I take issue with is the fact the board knew we also needed a striker and defended and regardless of circumstances, had since the summer to negotiate with clubs and a while month to ‘get them over the line’ – but failed abysmally and even made themselves look desperate going in for Enrique – which just compounds their incompetence.
Shamrock(Quote)
Ice I can’t remember who was linked to us in the summer – Austin or Viera something like that – but Sky Bet actually stopped taking bets for that person to join us – and nothing materialised. So no, certainly take betting odds with a pinch of salt.
Shamrock(Quote)
Ice, Got to say not too keen on Rogers, much of the success he had with Pool was down to suarez. He has a very big ego too apparently, can see clashes there if true. Would prefer Moyes of the out of job guys and even he don’t really excite me much. Pearson could maybe get something out of this squad too.
kimtoon(Quote)
Sham, going back for Enrique was the equivalent of dashing in the garage for flowers when you realise you forgot your mums birthday 🙄 Embarrassing, more so when told how much wedge he wanted.
kimtoon(Quote)
Enrique got totally slated on Twatter for not leaving by the Dippers. 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM&160 your right on the money with that mate
To be honest none of the current unemployed managers light my fire,but where do we turn to shift SM
Icedog(Quote)
Kim
TBH that’s the whole deadline day ***** in a nutshell, Orban might have made sense. although the fact he ended up on loan at rock bottom Levante suggests he wouldn’t have been much better than what we have
CC(Quote)
I was told on the day of the Liverpool game before Christmas that the club had earmarked Rogers as a replacement for McClaren if things didn’t improve. Interesting to see if today’s odds have anything to do with that and also wonder if Ashley’s mates have had a little nibble at the 3/1 like Kemsley had done with Redknapp a few years ago.
Steve will have until Stoke – if it’s a terrible performance I reckon he will be gone – if not he might get Bournemouth at home.
Stuart79(Quote)
Oh and something else. I reckon the reason Moyes and Rogers are both still out of work is because they see Newcastle as a potential next club and both would be interested and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re both waiting for see what’s happening.
Stuart79(Quote)
Would much prefers Moyes myself, but will take either. Both a step up from McClaren and then some. I reckon both of them would take this job super seriously and would do alright though. They are proven at this level with recent experience and also know if they co$k it up they will find it hard going getting another big job.
Shamrock(Quote)
Let’s be honest. The Grim Reaper has lost the players. They are not playing for him and are even arguing with him openly on the pitch. He is a dead man walking. It’s a matter of when, not if. I just hope the when is not too late.
Shamrock(Quote)
Hate Brendan Rogers
Hated the way he took credit for Swanseas style which was established way before he arrived.
Hated the way he took credit for building their team despite inheriting a promotion ready side.
Hated how he bullshitted Liverpool into giving him the job with his philosophy bollocks like he’s Guardiola or Johan Cruyf
Hated how him trying to convince people he wasn’t involved in Liverpools signings but paid £15m for Joe Allen & spent an entire summer trying to sign Doris de Vries…
****
CC(Quote)
I know he had Suarez, but did you hate the way he took the Dippers to 2nd in the league and had a 50% win ratio in his time there?
I think he’s a decent manager, not the elite – but certainly PL class and even top half class.
Shamrock(Quote)
Moyes on the other hand is a excellent manager & would be a good fit
CC(Quote)
He was managing Liverpool, he had Suarez, Sturridge, Coutinho, Gerrard & Sterling as a front five
All he had to do way sit back and turn the Chelsea match into a dour stalemate & shut up shop away at palace when they were 3-0 up and they would have won the league. He didn’t his philosophy bollocks got in the way and cost him his one crack at
There
CC(Quote)
*the league
His record at Watford, reading & Swansea is not that of a top Half premier league manager.
CC(Quote)
He got Swansea promoted and they finished about halfway and for. Newly promoted team that’s been rarely bettered. Not sure how you can say his performers are not that of a top half premier league manager.
Dalgleish had Suarez and Sterling but it was Rogers who brought in Sturridge and Couthino and got them all to gel and perform brilliantly. What more did you want him to do? LVG and Pelligrini aren’t doing anywhere near as well and they have fantastic attacking players.
Stuart79(Quote)
if ash decided to make a change i doubt either rogers or moyes would come in with 10ish games to go.
pearson would tho.
roy cropper(Quote)
The biggest fall from grace that I cannot get my head round is Monk he had Swansea flying then they crashed in flames with basicly the same players,just shows how fickle these pundits are,they talked about him as the greatest thing since sliced bread,in a matter of weeks he’s a doe heed,go rekon
Icedog(Quote)
I personally think the last new manager we need in is Rodgers. His defence at Liverpool was shocking – and they invested quite a bit in it for him. They basically lost the title race coz they couldn’t stop conceding goals. His success came from having Gerrard, Sterling, Sturridge and Suarez – I’d stick my neck on the line and say even McClaren could get his team scoring with those lads in it.
I’d like Moyes, but I read somewhere that Nuno was at Chelsea at the weekend … But having watched that first hand I reckon he’s ran for the hills now like 🙄
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ice..Monk lost Bony and replaced him with a benched Gomis.
Gashley(Quote)
I wouldnt read to much into rodgers. Bets were suspended on R Garde not so long ago.
If anyone, I prefer Moyes. I think we need someone who can manager and isn’t scared of big personalities
Gashley(Quote)
One thing for certain. Many of the same people who wanted rid of Pards, Carver and McLaren will want rid of the next manager within 12 mths or so. If we aren’t in the top 4 they will be throwing the same criticisms as they have before.
YKWYA 🙄
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Just watching a bit of Roma v Real Madrid. That’s one ugly away kit Real have……
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Not Pards again Troysta FFS. Also, you cheered for Ugly John and you don’t want Schteve. So you are one of the ones that want rid of this manager FFS.
You name Lee Clark and Stuart Pearce as your choices so what the fck do you know? WTFDYK.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Monk’s fall was very rapid as ice says. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out long term (more than 2 season now in other words). Our weaknesses are so numerous I don’t think simply changing managers/head coaches will really make much difference. We can’t attract a top manager and most of the mediocre ones are probably wary of us as well. It’s probably fairly obvious to most managers out there that we are a disaster at all levels of the executive and only a very brave or very foolish one would take us on for the rest of the season. I would take Moyes or Rodgers over McCarver, but we would have to stick with him (if either would actually come), possibly through a relegation season.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Troy, sorry but that’s poppycock, most the fans would settle for not being in a relegation battle all season, so far as I can tell. And if a manager is failing why shouldn’t fans call for his head? From my own point of view, I would be happy just to be entertained with good quality football and a decent cup run. I’m not expecting a top 4 finish EVER under the current regime.
kimtoon(Quote)
Stuart Pearce until the end of the season is a far more realistic choice than you’ve ever suggested. 😉
It just so happens though, you are one of those I was referring to. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
So, Troy’s choices:
Pards – said was average and wanted to keep him because we couldn’t get anybody better. But changed his mind if we had lost to Leicester.
Carver – said give him a chance when I said he was **** from the beginning. Stayed with Ugly John until the end.
Schteve – said sack him, but only 4% wanted him to begin with.
Lee Clark – 🙂 🙂 🙂
Stuart Pearce – 🙂 🙂 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim
Guaranteed, unless we are pushing for a top slot, the same old gripes will be rolled out by the same people.
😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Carver kept us up. I suspect McLaren will take us down.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy: you are an absolute joke. You got something half right in your life – that with Pardew gone we might get even worse – and have been saying that for 14 months. I say half right because you almost deserted Pards and then supported Ugly John and don’t admit that Pards quit.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Carver kept us up with a 16% winning record 🙂 🙂 🙂 Troy, you are a clown.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim toon
I have similar expectations as you. Some say they have as well but the reality is, some say but don’t mean. They just whinge for whinging sake.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Lee Clark, Stuart Pearce 🙂 🙂 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well, that’s a better percentage rate than you Psychs. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Klinsmann 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy – I don’t believe there is a single soul who believe any manager can have us competing for a top 8 spot never mind a top 4 spot.
I’d settle for a manager who can come in and achieve mid table mediocrity for a few season just now like. Foundations to build upon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy
You had a manager doing that. You and others wanted rid. You got your way. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy: what is wrong with Klinsmann? Do I have to repeat myself again. The US team do not have any players to compete and Jurgen might just fancy a new challenge. He would certainly be a better choice than Clark and Pearce if he would come. The others I suggested would also be better than Clark and Pearce.
It is unlikely Klinnsmann would come to NUFC now but I never said he would. I suggested him 18 months ago. Meanwhile, you bring up Clark and Pearce.
But you supported Ugly John so what do you know?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Just got a copy of Mike Ashley’s Football Club Operating Manual (updated to 2016). Here is an interesting excerpt:
Section 5 page 3.
Hiring of mates for key executive positions: It is strongly recommended that all executive positions be filled with mates. Knowledge of football is not essential, but the prospective executive must love fawning over the owner and in particular laughing at his jokes.
Section 6 page 1. Hiring and Minimizing the Importance of Head Coaches.
Having a head coach should be considered a bonus or luxury item. It is our considered opinion that this position is not actually necessary. However if we decide to go ahead with said hiring it is crucial to get someone who really understands the city, wouldn’t mind dropping in for training sessions now and then, and can be wildly optimistic about the club and it’s owner and players. A willingness to spout nonsense about our chances in domestic cups is also favoured in any candidate.
By following these and other procedures we feel we can stay in the Prem indefinitely, assuming of course we remain satisfied with a position between 15th and 17th.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
night fishing 😆
Gashley(Quote)
Gashley: if you are referring to Troy’s latest wind up, I don’t give a **** if he is fishing or not. He is wrong, and I believe he really thought/thinks Clark and Pearce are good choices.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
WTKDYK
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Clark & Pearce are good choices until the end of the season.
Klinsmann. 😆
You really considered him as a possible. Dear me. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Reet. Off to bed. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
The fact you keep replying is why I refer to him fishing
Gashley(Quote)
CC – Have to agree on rodgers being a **** and totally overrated. I said as much in work today. That being said, I would still take him in a heartbeat over Schteve. I’d prefer Moyes, but i’d pretty much take anyone at this stage.
Newkie(Quote)
SM: Mitro has a medial ligament injury, so it could be a couple of weeks – we’re hoping not too long.”
Gashley(Quote)
Another interesting bit from the Operating Manual:
Section 8 page 17:
What to do if the supporters stop believing the bollocks?:
Now, first of all, this is very unlikely to happen. These supporters have been fed enough bollocks to choke a horse. Yet they’re still fine! So this is just an extreme scenario to make the manual complete. So, if we need a desperate measure the first step is obviously to blame somebody else! There are plenty of journo’s around to take it on the chin. There’s that horrible little man G2 for example. Calls himself The Senior Official Club Journo. We’ll go after him. Then we could blame Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer. They didn’t buy into our bollocks so they deserve going after as well. As a last resort we recommend pulling out that old favourite “Mistakes were Made”. That always works…..
GeordieTwo(Quote)
So Mitro has done his medial ligaments and will be out for 2-3 weeks.
Stuart79(Quote)
I’d say McClaren would struggle with Suarez, Sterling and Sturridge, Sharpy. He’d find a way of cocking it up playing one of them at left back or something…
We’d get better football from Rogers and I think the fact they conceded so many goals was down to their defenders – they were dog ****!
Stuart79(Quote)
I think you’re being a bit ungenerous there Stuart mate. If Liverpool’s defense were dog **** what were we? I mean you’ve lowered the bar to the point where we would have to go underground mate. What was their goal difference with him? I’m too lazy to look it up but surely it wasn’t on a par with ours. Soooo I would say their defenders we possibly dog mucous or something like that. But definitely not dog ****…..
GeordieTwo(Quote)
were possibly dog mucous. Now our defenders. There you’re definitely talking dog ****………
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Mark: do you really think I care what Troy says?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
But having said all that I would have Togo for who I think would get a better reaction straight away. Reckon Rogers philosophy and playing style would take longer to grasp for the players and Moyes would work then hard and get them organised so I would be edging towards Moyes.
Stuart79(Quote)
I’ll have a further read of this Operating Manual and get back to you lot with the important bits. I can see why we are where we are today at the club though…… 😯
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Put me down for Aitor Karanka as manager next season. Unfair to try to grab him now and throw him straight in the stew pot……
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Troy: Ranieri to Leicester, Flores to Watford. Of course Klinsmann to NUFC was possible.
But you would rather have Clark or Pearce. 🙂 🙂 🙂 YCMIU
Eric Sykes(Quote)
As I said, Troy’s next interim manager will be Little Jimmy Kranky.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
LJK wears shorts so he is qualified in Troy’s book.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Troy – People got sick of Pardews bullshit, they knew Carvers was just short term and McClarens has become too much to stomach already.
I could well imagine Rodgers being full of **** too – but if he is the manager the board are after then that would make me wonder if that’s the type of manager they ultimately want. Do they fear that someone like Moyes, Sherwood or Pearson may be too honest and expose them?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
eric @ 212
you care about as much as he cares about what you say.
a couple of wum enjoying yourselves.
nighty nite x
roy cropper(Quote)
Eric and Troy are like rabid dogs when they get together. Frothing at the mouth to get the most decisive blow in, repeating the same old arguments time and again 😆 😆
I do think Troy wins for baiting ability mind.
Shamrock(Quote)
Haha. 😆 The trouble is, Psychs knows I’m on the nail and it chews him up. 😆
Klinsmann 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I have to be careful though cos I had the same banter with Aussie and he went in a raging huff and stormed off the stage. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Mark came close as well. He stormed off but trippes on his bottom lip, gathered a few seconds of composure changed his name to Gashleyand came back on, fizzin, but trying not to let it show. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
The club haven’t said much about Mitrovic’s injury but whenever I see ligament damage the result is usually months rather than weeks. NUFC also have a tendency of underestimating the time out. Recent examples I can think of are Taylor, Tiote, de Jong and Aarons.
A month should be long enough to get Doumbia fit as that will be how long he has been at NUFC by the time we next play.
Eric Sykes(Quote)