Danny Mills has sent a takeover warning to Newcastle fans ahead of the Saudis potential £300m arrival at St James’ Park.
To say Mills is usually bitter and misguided when talking about us Mags would be an understatement, but he actually speaks some sense in his latest piece for Football Insider.
Here’s what he’s had to say, insisting that it will take FIVE years before we’d see serious results in the event of a Saudi-backed buyout – no matter how much money they spent:
“You are looking at a four or five-year plan, realistically,”
“Even if you go out and buy all of the best players it does not mean you are the best team.
“PSG have tried it but they have never managed to win the Champions League despite spending fortunes.
“It took Manchester City a while and it will take time to blend all of these people together to get the right balance.
“You can always be undone by a Leicester who were almost the perfect team.
“Yes, they have money but it will take five years before you start seeing serious results.”
This comes in his response to Demba Ba, who stated on Sky Sports last week that we’d be back in the Champions League before long should rich and ambitious new owners arrive.
While anything is possible if money is spent wisely, the right manager comes in and there’s far more hit than miss in our pursuit of quality players, I’d say that a ‘four to five-year plan’ is realistic.
Yes we may be suddenly in the market for top class talents and be in a position to attract big names for the first time in years, but it could be a tough balancing act and big transitional period which fans must have patience with should a deal finally go through.
What would your short to medium-term expectations be if a £300m takeover went through this week?
Danny Mills is right. Any new signings would have to blend together as a team to achieve winning results – especially as there is no “I” in team!
Pauline1(Quote)
I don’t believe any fan expects us to hit the ground running if takeover goes ahead.
We’ll just be happy to see goals and attractive football. We’ve been waiting since 1927 for success so what’s another 5 years.
Ashley just didn’t have a clue about football, he could have been successful here but did everything wrong. He was right not bringing in players nearing the end of their careers asking for top money and I hope any new owner does the same.
Ed(Quote)
Haha! It’ll take 5 years to get a decent team together but the manager will get 5 minutes!
Misha K(Quote)
Might not be an I in team but there is a me.
Shirt term, a team supported by the management and fans, a team that realises how lucky they are to play in the strip, in the stadium and for the fans. A team that gives it’s all on the pitch every week..
That’s not much to ask.. is it?
Jim(Quote)
There still has to be an official announcement either from Stavely/Fatman either way to say that it is sold-he still has the keys to SJP as it stands
graham(Quote)
Newcastle are governed by FFP rules and will have a budget cap to adhere to. It will take 4 to 5 years no matter who they buy. For me the most important thing is Utd are going to be taken over by a group who are going to take the club forward. If the club are playing attractive football and making steady progress that will make the majority of fans happy. Anybody that think we are going to buy every great player available and win every competition can forget it.
ADRIAN IRVINE(Quote)
Quite happy for them to take 15 years quite frankly after Ashley it will just be nice to have some ambition above existing. We might get nose bleeds… I have no expectations just to improve and run the club as a football club.
Toonrobbybobson(Quote)
All we ask and expect is the team to give 100% and the gradual improvement in quality players will bring about the improvement if we achieve a top 8 finish next season will be a solid start.
Stay Safe
Jeff
Jeff Milne(Quote)
He just doesn’t understand this club… Not many of us want the cash to be splashed and for us to buy the league… We want an owner with ambition, who will invest in the club, the training ground, long term success and to invest in the city… I certainly don’t want us to buy the league
John Ward(Quote)