Summer transfer windows under Mike Ashley for Newcastle fans are always a torturous process. Will he invest even the bare minimum? Will Charnley dither again in securing targets? And now we have Rafa, will he stay if it looks like we still aren’t ‘doing things right’?
It may be a bit early and it could also be tension from the past, as the window is not really in full swing yet, but I worry already the warning signs are there that Newcastle will make the same mistakes this summer as they did last.
What new and familiar factors is Rafa working against to get what he needs this summer?
World Cup year – holds up deals?
We have he added pressure of it being the World Cup, which is great as a football fan but transfer wise, it unquestionably holds deals up. The top players will of course be playing at the tournament and often banned from National coaches from discussing deals with clubs until their national stint is over. Although Newcastle won’t be in for the likes of Griezmann – it sometimes takes the big deals like this to start and then filter down the rest of the market.
We also may be trying to sign players who play for some of the smaller World Cup participants and like us with Mitrovic, clubs rightly won’t sell until after the tournament in case they do well and suddenly see their value rocket.
Window set to shut earlier – more need for early business
Complicating this further, Premier League clubs voted in favour of shortening the summer transfer window – meaning the window will now shut early August, a few days before the new season kicks off. It means two weeks less of player trading and is good in many respects as it means starting with a settled squad. However, add the World Cup in the mix and Newcastle need to do business and quickly. Ashley won’t spend big money as we know, but that’s more reason to act fast on the targets we’ve been identifying for goodness knows how long. We can’t afford to keep standing still yet you get the feeling he constantly ignores Rafa’s wishes.
Feels like we’re having to sell before we buy…
Already the Ashley machine seems to pushing out our high wage bill and it seems shifting the likes of Mbemba, Sels and Mitrovic is needed before we can bring fresh faces in. This is frustrating.
With us having the full effects of TV money now after a full year back in the top flight, cash flow should not be holding Rafa back. We need to get rid of deadwood, that is clear – but it should not be driving our ability to recruit as much as it appears to be.
Slow to secure targets? (again)
Rafa always states he wants business done early, a clear warning after the slow antics of Charnley and co. that cost us some top targets last summer (Abraham and Cabellero by all accounts). Have we learnt from those mistakes? I’m not sure sure – especially after claims that Ashley won’t back Rafa until he agrees to a new deal, coupled with the fact Benitez won’t entertain any new contract until Ashley proves he’ll show ambition this summer. So, another impasse where we’re wasting time and frustrating Rafa?
In amongst all this, it is reported Benitez wants a minimum of four signings tied up quickly to get some real momentum this summer – and knowing the Ashley/Charnley combination, this seems so unlikely.
With Spain sacking their manager today, another clear threat has resented itself to us and the very real chance Rafa will leave and say enough is enough.
Let’s hope our owner finally learns from his mistakes and secures the long term of the biggest asset we have.
As suggested by Eric, it would be great to do a little set of World Cup predictions..
Let us know your hunches for the following:
– Winner
– How far will England go
– Best Player
– Golden Boot
– Biggest Surprise
– Breakout Player
– Biggest Loser (team or player)
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
USA have had WC twice in 30 years, we’ve not had it since 66 and we are the football nation, very strange.
Need to bid for 2030, hopefully I’m still around to see it if we bid and win, I would be 69.
kimtoon(Quote)
Did anyone actually believe the ***** that Rafa has £Millions to spend…He has to sell to get the money for new players.
The next big hype the club will say they didn’t give Rafa £Millions because he wouldn’t commit to the club long term…….FFS
BillytheFish(Quote)
Ok, so here are my thoughts
– Winner Belgium
– How far will England go Out in the group stages
– Best Player. Mohammad Salah
– Golden Boot Ronaldo
– Biggest Surprise Spain out at group stages
– Breakout Player. Rashford
– Biggest Loser (team or player). Spain
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Winner – Ze Germans
How far does Eng go – Quarters (knocked out by Ze Germans)
Best player – Eden Hazard
Golden Boot – Neymar
Biggest Surpise – would be if England get passed the Quarters for me.
Breakout player – Rashford for England, but Golovin in the tournament.
Biggest Loser – this change of manager could impact Spain, but player wise I reckon Pogba.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We aren’t getting sucked in by the Chronicle click baiters again are we??? – this is becoming a daily thing now. But look at what Ryder actually said – his words:
Obviously, how much he has is a closely guarded secret but I believe it to be close to last season’s summer spending.
A closely guarded secret & I believe.
The lad is telling us he knows sod all about what’s going on – but there’s another day of media, and more ads viewed ???
Sharpy17(Quote)
Winners… england
How far will england go.. win it
Best player.. coutinho
Golden boot.. kane
Biggest surprise.. spain out in group
Breakout player… rashford
Biggest loser.. suarez bites another player
Trashley(Quote)
Only sayin england and kane coz av got double on 80/1. Its comin home, its comin, footballs comin home
Trashley(Quote)
??? good luck to you then mate ??????
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, you carry on believing everything is fine. This is a mirror image to last summer and the previous windows before that.
I’m really surprised you slag off the press when time after time they’re right about the transfer wi does under Rafa. The fact you seem to have trust in Jabba is staggering.
I know for a fact that Rafa has said the club are “acting like a Micky Mouse club.”
If you’re happy though…
Stuart79(Quote)
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/uncomfortable-truth-newcastle-uniteds-transfer-14780261.amp?__twitter_impression=true
No doubt this is click bait ***** too eh, Sharpy? The Chronicle can expect a writ any day…
Stuart79(Quote)
winner Germany again
1/4 finals Eng
Best player Salah if fit
Golden boot – Mitro just for the hell of it 😉
biggest surprise – Russia 1/4 finalist if they manage to bribe enough refs 😉
break out player – Rashford
Biggest losers- Spain
kimtoon(Quote)
Season ticket prices up £100 in some cases too. How does Jabba justify that?
Stuart79(Quote)
Winner – Argies
England – QF
Best player – Messi
Golden boot – Kane
Biggest surprise – Columbia
Break out player – Sterling
Biggest losers – Spain
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – not at all. A decent piece of journalism actually – he’s used actual quotes from Rafa and facts or how things have gone so far. Can’t argue with that.
But the other one, he’s saying it’s a closely guarded secret and he ‘believes’ – you read the article mate and tell me I’m wrong. If it’s a secret and he only believes and doesn’t actually know, then it’s not a news article – it’s his opinion.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Winner
Brazil
How far will England go
Quarters
Best Player
Isco
Golden Boot
Neymar
Biggest Surprise
Peru or Poland
Breakout Player
Rashford
Someone from likes of Colombia or Senegal
Biggest Loser (team or player)
France
Pogba
Shamrock(Quote)
I reckon Serbia and Japan could cause a few problems in their groups as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – I prefer to believe what Ryder says (yes Ryder!) because experience tells us that it ain’t going to end well.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – it will end the way it ends mate, but Ryder knows nothing at this point and is even telling us that.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Bloody Spain. I fancied them to win it. They will get through the group because it is easy but history does not bode well for teams with internal strife. For what it is worth here are my predictions now:
Winner – Brazil
England – QFs
Best Player – Neymar
Golden Boot – Messi
Biggest Surprise – Uruguay (semis)
Breakout Player – Timo Werner / Germany
Biggest Loser – Belgium/Roberto Martinez
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yep, can see Mitro scoring loads and Japan not bad at all in previous tournaments .
kimtoon(Quote)
I am not going to say that Spain will crash and burn because they have too many good players and old heads. They had not been beat in 20 matches under the sacked manager. May have to have the devil’s alliance of Barca and Real Madrid players take over – Iniesta and Ramos. I don’t think they will win it now but may still reach the semi-finals.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think the Sels story is a storm in a teacup and has to get done if they are only 500k apart. The more important thing about it is that the lead singer of Whitesnake, David Coverdale, is now a sports reporter at The Sun. What qualifies him for that job? Enquiring minds need to know.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
With the expansion to 48 teams I think it will limit the options of where to play. Fifa want to make money so I don’t see small countries like Morocco having a prayer unless they are buying status like Qatar. But they bribed their way to it so maybe there wont be corruption.
That leaves the big European countries that have the infrastructure for 2030. UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy. Possibly Argentina or a joint country South American bid.
But I think you will be 73 before England even have a chance because the Elephant in the room is CHINA.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Mitrovic is such an enigma at the moment.
I think the vast majority of us would like to see him stay and get a chance with us – he does well in the WC and that only strengthens. But if he picks up a red card (not beyond the realms, especially with VAR) chances are the vast majority would probably revert back to thinking he’s too temperamental and has to go.
But what about Rafa. Did Mitro go out on loan for Rafa to see how the lad would react, or was he sent coz he didn’t want him. If so, is that still the case after his time with Fulham – and if he has a good WC, does that throw the door back open.
Alternatively, if he does come back, is that coz Rafa didn’t have the money to get better.
I get the impression that Rafa has made his mind up and the lads done with us. I get the impression Mitro has resigned himself to the fact he’s gone. But is that all nailed on???
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: I will be watching the Serbia games mainly to see Mitro. But they also have a Lazio player, Milinkovic-Savic who suddenly is valued at 125 million. Not sure if I believe this coz that would make him the 3rd most expensive player in history. They have a decent team as well with most playing in the big European leagues – Kolorov, Matic, Tadic. Even Milicojevic who scored a bunch of penalties for Palace.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Mitro should therefore get the service that he didn’t really get at NUFC. Serbia don’t have a bad group either. They have Brazil but then Costa Rica and Switzerland. The Swiss are rated 6 in the world but that is largely because they played a bunch of easy friendlies. Serbia could easily finish 2nd.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Proposed average ticket price for USA WC games is $431. That is insane. I think I will have to start saving up now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Winner: Germany
How far will England go: Who cares?
Best Player: Messi
Golden Boot: Neymar
Biggest Surprise: Australia
Breakout Player: Daniel Arzani
Biggest Loser: Russia
Brisvegas(Quote)
Alternatively:
Winner: Football
How far will England go: Who cares?
Best Player: Putin
Golden Boot: Nike
Biggest Surprise: VAR works
Breakout Player: Daniel Arzani
Biggest Loser: VAR
Brisvegas(Quote)
Or, according to Australian media:
Winner: Daniel Arzani
How far will England go: Who cares, but they’ll wish they had Daniel Arzani
Best Player: Daniel Arzani
Golden Boot: Daniel Arzani
Biggest Surprise: Daniel Arzani
Breakout Player: Daniel Arzani
Biggest Loser: Daniel Arzani
Brisvegas(Quote)
BrisV: the first game should tell us a lot about France and the Aussies. France have talent but do they have the bottle. Who is Daniel Arzani? I thought Tim Cahill was your star player, but since the ban on wheelchairs on the pitch I don’t think he will be as effective.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Timmy rarely makes it into the team. He plays about 20 mins every 3 games. It has been a while since he was a star player – he couldn’t even make it into his A-league club’s starting 11 (or the bench often), which is why he went to play for Millwall for the 2nd half of last season – to get game time.
Arzani is the Socceroos’ secret weapon. He’s the youngest player at the World Cup. He’s very talented, but a bit raw. He’s only played about a dozen games in the A-league, and hardly ever plays a full game. He was born in Iran, so we had to cap him before the Iranians did.
I reckon Tim Cahill is only in the squad to mentor Arzani. Though Cahill still has a knack of scoring for Australia. If he does play and scores a goal, he’ll be one of only 3 players (I think) to score in 4 world cups.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Our star players are Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield) and Tom Rogic (Celtic). However, the latter is unpredictable at the best of times. There’s also Mat Ryan, the Brighton goalkeeper, who may be known to a few Brits, and Jedinak of Villa, maybe Luongo, who plays for QPR, and possibly Irvine (Hull).
The others play in Germany, Holland, Turkey, Belgium, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia and France. I don’t expect anybody has heard of any of them. MacLaren plays for Hibs, so there’s another Brit-based guy. 3 play in Australia (including Arzani).
They are a hard-working lot, but none are world-beaters (except, of course, Arzani – who, given the hype in our media, rivals Cristiano Ronaldo).
You gotta love parochial journos.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Winner’s Germany
England round of 16
Golden boot Thomas Müller
Best player Kroos
Biggest upset Russia
Biggest surprise Mexico
Stem(Quote)
Here in the States they love to have All Star games which makes me worry about Belgium. The all stars all play for themselves and there is no structure. I can see that happening when they come up against a good team with them having Martinez as Manager. He is the Jermaine Jenas of Managers – he talks a good game but when it comes down to it he is pretty average.
The group game against England should be fun as it will be the Premier League All Stars (Belgium) against the PL All Star Reserves (England).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Oh God, I just listened to a Telegraph World Cup preview poscast. They had Jamie Carragher on. At first I thought it was a **** take and somebody was doing a voice impersonation of the most annoying scouser ever. But it was him. He is having a regular nightly spot on their WC podcast so I think that is one I will be skipping.
So, Carra’s exile for that disgusting spitting incident didn’t last long. I mean in England because he was on Danish TV the following week.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Done my world cup wall chart, and having seen Belgium win the group I can see some classic line ups in the round of 16 Croatia beating France; Portugal beating Uruguay; Russia beating a nobbled Spain; Argentina beating Peru. Brazil beating Sweden; Belgium beating Japan; Serbia beating Germany And England beating Poland. So Semis of Portugal v Brazil and England v Argentina. I think you know where I am going with this. Yes Italy v Holland in the Final. Golden Boot etc. Don’t care.
PremAndUp(Quote)
so jabba hasnt allowed one bid for any player to be made by the club,hes playing with fire
icedog(Quote)
Spurs at home again for our first game of the season then
Sharpy17(Quote)
Should be the Saturday late game so I am happy about that. Spurs players will be knackered after the World Cup.
Arsenal/Man City probably the Sunday big game of opening weekend which is why I think we will be the Saturday late TV game.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/942197151?-11058:809
Fixtures for next season.
The Xmas & new year period doesn’t look fun.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I am being selfish because the late game starts at 11 am here which gives me plenty of time to have coffee and the Pub will not be packed with other teams’ fans who tend to go home as soon as their game is done.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Looks fun to me. Short travel on boxing day and home New Years. Brighton or Bournemouth away wouldn’t be fun 🙂 We have to play them sometimes so this is convenient for the fans.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Cardiff have some horrible opening fixtures – I think they will be bottom next season.
Thereafter, who knows. I would say Fulham – but we sell them Mitrovic and I think that closes the gap a bit. Wolves have some good players and could be ok. But I think Brighton & Huddersfield will be down there again – as will we if we don’t get the players we need in.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So in our opening five games we have four of the top 6, plus an away to newly promoted cardiff. Nothing like getting off to a flyer.
PremAndUp(Quote)
I’d rather have Cardiff’s start than ours!
No signings, no bids, a world class manager in his last year of his contract who thinks the club are Micky Mouse, players leaving, opening fixtures that will in most probability result in about 3 points from the first 5 games and a owner who is shitting on supporters again.
What can possible go wrong?
Stuart79(Quote)
Bizarrely I dreamt last night I was at the opening game and it was Spurs. I woke up and immediately dismissed it thinking they wouldn’t do that again. No chance. 🙄
georgio(Quote)
That’s the toughest start I can remember.
georgio(Quote)
Stu – so are you predicting the 3rd relegation under Ashley then mate?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Only 9 clubs have made a signing so far. We’re one of the 11 who haven’t.
georgio(Quote)
Can’t predict that yet as I haven’t seen the transfer business but if we are 0/5 it will be bloody hard to come back from. Palace did it but they had a much better squad than most down there. All I can say is that I would be astonished if Fulham and Wolves don’t invest heavily and Huddersfield and Brighton spent more than us last season and probably will do again so it would be a bloody good effort to finish above them again. Depends on Rafa I suppose.
Stuart79(Quote)
Mikel Merino has asked for a transfer pity i thought he would make a canny player,strange like hes just joined the club,wonder what has gone wrong?
icedog(Quote)
8 of our opening 10 look really tough, could be bottom three by October 🙁
Oh well, lets hope Jabba gives Rafa the tools to prevent that happening .
kimtoon(Quote)
Don’t think he ever really settled mate, truth be told.
kimtoon(Quote)
imo mate all games in the PL are tough never any easy ones,but your right jabba has to do something to help Rafa a few loans is all he will get
icedog(Quote)
but he said himself he loved it here and was happy,just dont understand him
icedog(Quote)
https://www.premierleague.com/news/419044
kimtoon(Quote)
They all say that though mate, lip service, keep the fans happy.
kimtoon(Quote)
Could of had friends at other clubs in his ear, could be anything really.
kimtoon(Quote)
Doesn’t he have a close friend at Real Betis who’s been trying to get him to leave toon, sure I read something the other day.
kimtoon(Quote)
My opinion of Merino turned ine game when I watched him half jogging around, intentionally turning his back on the ball so that he sis not get passed to, looking completely disinterested and out of his depth. He is no loss. Another one with no heart.
Shamrock(Quote)
Here’s a few of my predictions…
Winner – Brazil (Germany RU & Argentina to beat France in play off)
How far will England go – QF defeat to Germany after beating Colombia in last 16
Best Player – Isco if Spain go far / If not, Neymar
Golden Boot – Neymar
Biggest Surprise – Senegal/Serbia/Peru
Breakout Player – RLC/Rashford for England & Sisto / Golovin / Savic elsewhere
Biggest Loser (team or player) – Spain and Ronaldo
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
what do a lot of people do when they dont want to work oh i have a bad back
icedog(Quote)
Merino is just miffed at losing his place and becoming third choice midfielder. Might all be bollocks anyway. He is the best we’re likely to get if Shelvey gets a knock.
georgio(Quote)
i never do forcasts for games,ive played in to many to know better,they come back and bite your ***
icedog(Quote)
Well I did a footy sweepstake at work for 2 quid and drew Denmark and Germany. That’ll do!
Shamrock(Quote)
Germany are by far the most consistent performers at major tournaments. So happy days ?
Shamrock(Quote)
So Merino asks to leave – I can live with that, and the fee is supposed to be around £13m
According to Sky we’ve set the price of Mitrovic at £20m – seems strange when he could have a good WC, but then if Rafa wants rid, he will want him out rather than look to potential buyers off with a big price.
£13m for Merino and only £20m for Mitro seems strange but it is what it is and there’s £33m for Rafa to spend once they’ve gone.
I still won’t be happy about selling Mitro to a PL relegation rival though if that’s where he ends up.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Want £20m for Mitro but we won’t be prepared to pay over £15m for his replacement. Don’t forget also that we are likely to only get about £8m up front combined. Going off last sales anyway… So it won’t be as it seems
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – I could see that £33m going on Kenedy and Rondon – we’d need to add a couple of million to that coz I think Kenedy will be £20m and Rondon £16.5m if reports are correct, but I can see that happening personally.
I also think the midfield lad from Turkey will come in to replace Merino leaving.
They would be good recruits, but in reality, we would still be in the same place as the end of last season. Kenedy replaces Kenedy, Rondon replaces Mitro/Slimani and the Turkish lad replaces Merino.
I can’t say we would have made improvements really.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Exactly Sharpy and don’t forget we probably won’t gwt that £33m for 4 years and as we pay our transfers up front to save a couple of mil we won’t be able to buy Kenedy and Rondon. Penny wise, pound foolish. NUFC under Jabba.
Stuart79(Quote)
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sad truth is that sites with poor Domain Authority won’t rank high in Google and in result get very little of traffic
I had the same problem in the past and my website didn’t rank high in Google
I searched for a professional who would help me with it; found one guy who really helped me rank higher in Google and increase my Domain Authority to 58! I’m super happy with this score
Contact him: http://janzac.com/contact-janzac/ (his prices are very reasonable for the service he provides)
Greg(Quote)
So here we go… Russia to win 2-0.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
bang on so far mate
kimtoon(Quote)