Nothing speaks more about the situation Newcastle United are in than the decision to open talks with Andy Carroll over a new contract. This news comes just days after his name was published on the Premier League website as one of the released players.
This suggests that the club did submit his name as a player they wouldn’t be retaining, before a change of heart has led to discussions being open. On social media, fans continue to debate and get excited about the potential takeover led by the PIF, Amanda Staveley and Reuben brothers. There is no doubt that this deal would likely lead to a much more exciting period following the football club. However, the malaise and lack of progress is holding us back.
There was a new spate of reports about the confidence within Mike Ashley’s camp that the ongoing legal cases will bring a positive resolution. It may come to pass that it does. However, the world of law spins slowly. There are hearings, appeals and delays. The Premier League won’t go down lightly, even if it comes to light that they are in the wrong. This means, a positive conclusion is likely to take time.
If the Premier League were going to accept this deal quickly, they would have already.
In the mean-time, the football club continues to drift in a state of paralysis. The rumour of a new deal to Andy Carroll underlines that point. Not even Mike Ashley’s Newcastle United believe the former England international is still capable of performing consistently at Premier League level. If they did, his name would never have been published on the Premier League website as one of the released players.
Since that decision was made, there has clearly been discussions about the level of finance available this summer, or lack of it. Based on this, Steve Bruce may have decided that it will be better to keep Carroll around to ensure he isn’t left short next season.
A decision to keep Carroll wouldn’t even be a bad move due to his own regression. It would also take up one of the precious 25 places in the Premier League squad, which reduces our ability to bring reinforcements in.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have shown ambition in their attempts – albeit unsuccessful – to appoint Nuno Espirito Santo and Aston Villa are cherry picking star players from other bottom half Premier League teams, looking to sign James Ward-Prowse after agreeing a club record deal for Norwich’s Emi Buendia. These are sides looking to push forward, while we are left trying to offer a new contract to a striker who has scored just once in the last two seasons. In the campaign that has just finished, he played just 384 minutes in the Premier League.
It highlights the issue of keeping hold of this takeover. There is uncertainty about the short and long term future of the club. Ashley is even less willing to release funds, as he could be selling in the coming months. Steve Bruce is in charge, despite being a poor Premier League coach and there is no ambition to appoint anybody else who may be able to push the club on.
We have managed to avoid relegation in the last two seasons, but there is no doubt that we are merely staying still. In the Premier League, that is a dangerous thing to do, as eventually more ambitious clubs will pass us by. We have already seen Leeds United and Aston Villa push on beyond us. Brentford are a well run club, who will want to push on in the Premier League. They could be next.
This takeover process post agreement has now been ongoing for well over a year. At some point, Mike Ashley needs to move on. I am not believing that it is a choice between this consortium or Mike Ashley. There will be more interested parties out there.
This legal process and ongoing commitment to the takeover is becoming an issue. There are only so many seasons that we can expect Steve Bruce to keep this side in the Premier League without further investment. We will see what the summer will bring, but the transfer business at Arsenal is already a concern. They are set to sell Matteo Guendouzi, Granit Xhaka and Hector Bellerin. Their need to sell Joe Willock is decreasing day on day.
If we don’t bring Willock back, we will already be starting next season in a weaker position than we ended last season in. That doesn’t even bring into focus the need to strengthen the rest of the squad.
It is okay for Ashley to pursue legal proceedings, but he can’t let the team stagnate at the same time. This time next year, he may have lost his legal cases and we may have been relegated.
At this point in time, that seems more likely than PIF owning the club.
Follow us on Twitter (@NUFCBlogcouk) and on Facebook HERE
Bad day at the office for Dubs, Spain look good
kimtoon(Quote)
As I just said on the previous board, Dubs is having a ‘mare and it serves me right for all I have said about the Trex Mackem.
But… TRex still has a mistake in him. I dont care about Slovakia. I do care about England.
Eric(Quote)
Looks like Slovakia going out. Spain probably would have won anyway but Dubs will probably get slaughtered (rightly) in their press. They have been **** all over but Dubs has been the worst.
Eric(Quote)
Germany game is mental
2.2
kimtoon(Quote)
Did you watch France/Portugal. McManaman said that assualt by Lloris wasnt as pen. I have always thought he was a fool. The non-foul on MBappe was certainly not a pen.
Some of these pundits (“Macca”) seem to think that if you get a piece of the ball it cannot be a foul. That is not what the rules say.
Eric(Quote)
Oh God we have 6 days of hype and tabloid nonsense before the Germany game. I fear for what headlines they come up with. Is Stan Boardman still alive? They would probably wheel him out. And please no… NO BAND playing The Great Escape.
Eric(Quote)
Eric, only saw the Germany game and that was in fits and starts as busy.
kimtoon(Quote)
It has already started as to who should play. Some of it I dont care about as a few of our players are of similar ability and sort of interchangeable, so I dont care if it is Rice or Philips, Stones or Mings. I dont even care if it is Saka or Foden who starts as if either is off-key they will be subbed and I think they are close in ability. What I do care about is:
Shape – Gareth has to get the formation right.
Goals – we have 2 players with 20+ goals in PL seasons, Kane and Sterling. They have to play.
Set Pieces – they have to sort out the set pieces. 75% of our goals at the WC were from set pieces if you include pens, 2 of which were won through corners.
Eric(Quote)
I think Foden is brilliant BTW but is too early to put the hopes of a nation on such young shoulders. Spread it around between Kane, Sterling, Saka and Grealish. I think Foden should start as a sub.
Eric(Quote)
Hi Olly and all regulars on this site. I have this story I wrote a few years ago. It was way too long to go on this site so I sent it to True Faith and there it is on their site. I would like as many as possible to have a read and let me know what they think. It’s called Better Days and has a pic of Laurent Robert on the feature.
Now I’m not trying to drum up business for TF or poach any one from this site over to TF as this has been my spiritual home since Toonsy started and so will it continue. Enjoy the read though!
georgio(Quote)
There seems to be an impasse with Kane where Spurs want 150 mil and City will not go over 100. If he wasnt distracted already, he will be now. He has a week of rest so we will see if it was tiredness that caused his poor form. The papers had said he was more like his usual self against the Czechs but I still think he was way off the pace. He needs to play further forward as well.
I would still play him. All he needs is one chance. Him and Lewandowski are probably the best centre forwards in the world so you have to start him. See how it goes and get Calvert-Lewin warmed up.
If he doesnt leave it will be interesting to see if Mr Spurs goes into a strop. I wouldnt blame him. I think 100 million is fair for a 28 year old who will have little sell on value after his 1st contract. If he is in a huff, how will those luverly Spurs fans react? Or the press? He is their darling, even though there are some murmerings to drop him.
Eric(Quote)
Georgio: Good article. All those years ago and Shearer was talking about Keane taking a swing at him just this week.
Keane said about the stupidest thing I have ever heard about football this week. He said it was war and admonished Mount and Chilwell for talking to their Chelsea colleague Gilmore after the game. He acted like it was their fault they were in isolation, like they should have known Gilmore had Covid.
Sometimes Keane makes a bit of sense but his inner d!ckishness always comes out in the end.
Eric(Quote)
Thanks for sharing mate – cracking piece!
If you like mate, email it to me at [email protected] and I’ll look to see if I can publish it on here?
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
A week between games should help with McGuire, Henderson and Grealish’s fitness. I am assuming they will all be available for the full game and I have a suspicion that Southgate will go wingbacks to counter Germany’s one-trick-pony set up of attacking down the flanks. I am OK with that as long as he plays Saka as one of the wing backs.
The big problem is if he plays 2 holding central midfielders. It is just too defensive and can easily slip into a 7 at the back. We have seen it so often at NUFC when Bruce has done it and we just invite pressure. He has to play the other Mackem who I dont think is a bad player as long as he is match fit. Cant be that bad if he is captain of Liverpool.
That only leaves 3 places up front. 5 into 3 dont go. Who does he play between Kane, Sterling, Foden, Grealish and Sancho (and possibly Sako if he is not a wing back)? I think Kane and Sterling are certs so it is 4 into 1?
Eric(Quote)
Georgio: you will know this better than me coz your article brought back memories of Bellamy. Wasnt Souness brought in to sort out “disciplinary issues”, which really meant Craig Bellamy. I have some vague recollection that he strangled him on the training pitch. I liked Bellamy, but what a worky ticket. I read something ages ago that he so annoyed the Cov players that they locked him in the toilet on the team bus coming back from a game.
Eric(Quote)
Eric – the king of worky tickets! Preferred him to Souness though
georgio(Quote)
Olly – thanks for the offer but it doesn’t seem right having it on two different sites. Glad you enjoyed it!
georgio(Quote)
I reckon front 3 of Foden, Kane Sterling with Grealish as 1st sub. I really hope it is Saka as a wingback as he has played there for Arsenal. He is a 19 year old kid and was their player of the season. Not sure if it was official or a fan vote but I did see somewhere he was PotS.
I have also watched quite a few Arsenal games for some reason and he was usually their best player by a mile. Aubamayang was out of sorts a lot of the time after his big contract.
Eric(Quote)
That’s fine – I would’ve contacted TF and thought you’d have liked it on here as a regular reader, but that’s understandable!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
I never wanted Southgate – relegated Boro FFS – but I am not sure what he was supposed to do with our midfield. Henderson was injured, Rice is overhyped in my opinion but still a good player, and I have seen very little of Philips. How did it get to this. I will tell you 🙂
He was relying on the Spurs players and they have totally lost form or were not that good in the first place – Winks, Alli, Dier.
Add in Barkley and Southgate is in a bit of a pickle, maybe of his own making. Now he has to rely on a player coming back from 4 months out and 2 inexperienced central mids. This is definately our weak point. More so than central defense.
Eric(Quote)
wonder why the takeover didnt go through watch the film true story of The Dissident,god what a scary guy he is, no ones safe rich or poor hes a nut case,Marsters and company should be very worried
icedog(Quote)
Ice – I want to see the back of Ashley, but I have a great uneasiness on the thought of a Saudi takeover.
I certainly think there would be positives to come of it for sure – but I also think it would put our club in places I don’t really want to see it go.
I despise Man Utd for the way they drove transfer fees up – the fees they paid for players like Jones & Smalling for example, had knock on effects in driving fees up for bang average and English players. After the ‘class of 96’ they had the opportunity to change the direction of football and develop youth – they instead went with the inflated fees & made the game ugly imo.
I hate Chelsea for similar reasons. They were ‘punished’ with a transfer ban and under Lampard there was a freshness about their club with the emergence of players like James, Tomori, Mount & Abrahams.
As soon as the ban was lifted they spend around quarter of a billion – Tomori out, Abrahams out and they are negotiating on a RWB which will inevitably slow James progress.
Some punishment!! ?.
But of them all, City sicken me the most. Now I know they have invested in the area around Manchester, they’ve grown the club, brought in some of the best players & managers in the World & given the fans titles and trophies they could only dream of.
But the money they have spent to achieve that is simply staggering
– sickening imo. To the point I’m not sure it can be classed as an achievement really. When that kind of money is spent it most be an expectation.
The talk is they are going after Kane & Grealish for £100m plus this summer too – killing competition in the league.
Ashley could do a lot more at NUFC, no doubt. But I have to reluctantly accept his claim that clubs like ours can’t compete with these teams.
He could spent £100m every transfer window – those clubs will go spend £300m.
The mega rich have killed competition in English football, and whilst I want a better NUFC, I don’t really want to be a part of that.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric you make some very good points but it’s only what Real and Barca have been doing for decades.
Personally I’ll put up with anything that sees the odious Ashley gone although his stain will take a long time to fade.
georgio(Quote)
So Hancock has been caught dipping his wick on the job the dirty little rascal.
Another questionable appointment – if they aren’t lining their own pockets or those of their mates, they’re jumping into bed with them.
Seriously, who regulates our government????. Who holds their conduct to account???.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Georgio – I think that’s was for me mate. Yeah Real & Barca have been doing it, but there’s a big difference – they were winners dating back to 1930’s, winning the CL back in 1950s. The club hasn’t been built on Russia or Arab money. How successful were Chelsea or City before that?.
Ashley bought NUFC as a hobby, somewhere to go to get lashed up on a weekend with his mates. He hasn’t treat us like a football club or a business. NUFC to him was that Bannatynes membership you get bored of after 3 months – the expense then becomes and expensive inconvenience.
I would take the Saudis over him, but I don’t think they would run the club how I personally would like to see it ran. I would favour an owner like Leicesters for example – I know they are few and far between, but that would be my dream takeover. I’m not against the Saudi takeover – just not fully behind it (if that makes sense).
I think part of the reason is I fell in love with the club just before KKs first stint. When we were signing players like Lee, Cole, Killer for very little money & adding them to home grown talent like Clark, Howey and Watson.
Sharpy17(Quote)
georgio, that was Sharpy 🙂 I have been talking about Southgate and the Spurs midfielders.
Eric(Quote)
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/tv/adil-ray-matt-hancock-affair-20898982
Eric(Quote)
Yeah, it took me a while to figure out, but that’s why we dont have a settled midfield now. SGate was playing all the Spurs players – Winks, Dier, Alli. He has now gone to plan B but a lot later then he should have.
Eric(Quote)
Sharpy – sure Real were winning it in the 50s but it wasn’t with Russian money it was the bloody Spanish state. Real = Royal. They bought Puskas, Di Stefano et al.
georgio(Quote)
Eric – maybe I’m looking for excuses for him a bit here, but do you think that is what has maybe affected Kane’s performances for England?.
He’s obviously used to playing a certain way at Spurs and with those Spurs midfielders in the squad/team they can try and play to his strengths a bit more?.
I think Southgate was foolish to take a semi fit (at best) Henderson & when TTA got injured he should have put Ward Prowse or Lingard in ahead of Ben White imo.
Players he hadn’t put in the squad – well I think Smith-Rowe was unlucky to miss out. I think Willock could have been considered but probably needed a full season for real consideration to be given.
But of the players you mention – Winks and Ali really need to seriously consider where their futures are heading at Spurs imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – don’t know if you saw this yesterday. Check it out.
Hi Olly and all regulars on this site. I have this story I wrote a few years ago. It was way too long to go on this site so I sent it to True Faith and there it is on their site. I would like as many as possible to have a read and let me know what they think. It’s called Better Days and has a pic of Laurent Robert on the feature.
Now I’m not trying to drum up business for TF or poach any one from this site over to TF as this has been my spiritual home since Toonsy started and so will it continue. Enjoy the read though!
georgio(Quote)
Should have taken Ward-Prowse though.
Eric(Quote)
Sharpy mate, you should definately read Georgio’s piece on True Faith. Incredibly well written and heartfelt. He puts Ryder and Co to shame. Makes you think that if fans can write like that then why cant professional jounalists at The Chronic. Not every day like, I know they have quotas to fill. But now and again. Stretch yourself beyond the 200 words Wor Lee.
Eric(Quote)
I hate to say it but you have to play a semi-fit Mackem Henderson. He has more to his game than Rice. If you let Rice sit back HE WILL SIT BACK. I am still not sure about Philips because I didnt watch Villa much. But from what I have seen at the Euros we have played a 2 holding midfield routine so we should break it up.
Eric(Quote)
That shows you how LITTLE I know about Kalvin Phillips. He plays for Leeds!!!
I will say that I never watched Leeds much either 🙂
Eric(Quote)
Georgio – just read it mate, excellent piece mate ??.
How old are you? – I’m 42 so Mexico was a bit too soon for me. I remember that England v Maradonna game but little of the tournament itself. Italia 90 was my first real World Cup experience.
Where in Northumberland were you?, are you still up that way mate?
Sharpy17(Quote)
It is quite funny that the spell check will not let you say hanc@ck.
Eric(Quote)
Can I say fanny?
Eric(Quote)
How about labradoodle?
Eric(Quote)
Trump? That’s about the worst swear word I know.
Eric(Quote)
Mexico was too early for me. I remember being like 6 years old and listening to it on the radio. I think Germany beat us like 4 -3 or summink.
I was a kid so I dont really remember and I cant be bothered to look it up.
Eric(Quote)
georgio: they didnt have live games from Mexico did they?
’68?
I remember the radio.
Radio Rentals at my grandads house.
Eric(Quote)
Eric – Mexico was 86 mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Georgio: The World Cup was in Mexico in 1970 as well. That’s the one I remember listening to on the radio. Germany knocked us out. It was a high scoring game but I cannot remember the score. I was 8.
Eric(Quote)
The 2026 World Cup is in North America – US, Canada and Mexico. I will have to check to see where the games are played because I dont think Chicago even bid which is a bit stupid as it is the most logical place in the middle of the country as there is so much to do here between games. You would get bored after 1 day in Milwaukee!!! They have a bronze statue of “The Fonz” on one of their bridges they are so lacking in other ideas. It is a particularly bad likemess, a bit like the Shearer statue at SJP.
I also saw the average ticket price is $350 so you better start saving now.
Eric(Quote)
Georgio, Beautiful article mate, full of emotions only a true fan understands. Really enjoyed reading it and all your experiences from youth to present times .
Don’t think it was too long for here either mate, you should write more, we’ve had some wonderful stuff put up over the years by our bloggers and it’s the stuff with emotional connections that are often the most engaging.
Bravo.
kimtoon(Quote)
I am probably the only one that thinks we will beat Germany (despite Southfate and a lack of a midfield). Georgio’s nostalgia had me thinking of past tournaments. In particular Bobby Robson. The British Press absolutely slaughtered him whenever Englang lost a game and now treat him like a saint. I know there are different editors but they have the same modus operandi. Thinking back, they have been kernts to almost all mangers except for some inexplicable reason to Southgate who is the least qualified England Manager EVER.
Eric(Quote)
I read the wikipedia stuff on Robson’s tenure as England manager. He submitted his resignation twice but the suits would not accept it because they knew they would have to appoint Brian Clough. Oh, what might have been! That would have been hilarious, Clough on an even bigger stage. It would have been comedy gold.
Eric(Quote)
I remember Bobby Robson visably aging under the pressure from the press in the England job. And be sure that it was the press. They hounded him when he did well and more when he had the odd bad game.
In comparison, they go so easy on Southgate. I have no idea why. If we lose to Germany they will say it is because of the young players and we are preparing for Qatar. How does he get such an easy ride with his CV?
Eric(Quote)
They didnt even give Mr Roy a hard time after we lost to Iceland. Fkn Iceland!!! He took his deputy on a Seine cruise the day before and they let him get away with that. It was not a holiday Mr Roy, it was work.
Eric(Quote)
Kane is 28
Sterling is 26
Mackem TRex is 28
McGuire is 28
Stones 27
Walker 30
Luke Shaw 25
Ben Chilwell 24
Jordan Henderson 31
Calvert Lwein 24
Eric(Quote)
Even Mason Mount is 22 and Foden is 20.
The press act like Southgate has a bunch of teenagers to pick from. It is not true. The only teenager is Bellingham.
Sancho has played over 100 bundesliga games and has a combined goals and assist number of 108.
Eric(Quote)
Thanks for all the compliments folks.
Eric – Mexico in 86 was on the telly
Sharpy – I lived in Whitfield at the time and am still in SW Northumberland.
Olly – I’ll wait til it disappears into the TF archive then send to you. OK?
georgio(Quote)
What’s going on with this site. I posted yesterday and today, saw both comments appear and yet they’re now gone. Olly?
georgio(Quote)
1 back mysteriously. Very odd.
georgio(Quote)
georgio: your article was really well written. You should give Ryder some tips although I think that he is restricted by his 200 word limit at The Chronic. But, I agree with Kimtoon that it was a really good and emotive read. Took me back a few years to when times were good at NUFC.
Eric(Quote)
georgio:
I have a picture of Hayden Bridge on my wall.
Also one from Seahouses looking over the sands towards Bamburough castle with an amazing sunset. Went there last time I was back with me Mam and Aunt.
It may sound funny that I would stay in Seahouses with them when me Mam lives 30 miles away but I was doing a “tour of the North” including Northumberlamd, the borders. Rothbury, the Lake District, North Yorkshire, Malham, Whitbey.
It was fcn fantastic man. Me mam, who has been to New Orleans, Thailand and Chicago needed to see what she was missing from her homeland.
Not sure if she appreciated it as much as I did. The sands at Seahouses were stunning. And Dunstonburgh Castle!
Eric(Quote)
Her doorstep!!!!
Eric(Quote)
My avatar is Seahouses.
Eric(Quote)
It is amazing how beautiful some of the places in the North are and nobody really knows it. There are so many places I have been like Yellowstone and The Grand Canyon but there are also undiscoverd places like Sea Houses and Malham.
Not as spectacular but amazing all the same.
Eric(Quote)
The Grand Canyon is difficult to take in. It is different to anywhere I have ever been. There is like 30 miles of viewing and yet it all looks the same because it is so expansive. In the summer you cannot even drive, they make you take buses. 3 million people in 3 months!
Eric(Quote)
Yellowstone is the most amazing place I have been to. It was like – fck me with a broomstick. Grand Prismatic Spring was something In think anybody should see in their lifetime. Dubia/Gilly Toon should see it and take a photo.
Eric(Quote)
I have been to Egypt and the pyramids and stuff but Yellowstone blew my mind.
Eric(Quote)
I also live in Chicago which has the most amazing architecture of anywhere in the world. Mies Van der Rohe who was president of Bauhaus. Skidmore, Owens and Merrill. Frank Lloyd Wright. Loius Sullivan who designed the lakefront.
Eric(Quote)
There are 5 iconic buildings in Chicago. 2 were designed by Skidmore, Owens and Merrill – The Sears Tower and the John Hancock Building.
Then there is the Wrigley Building, and the interior of The Rookery by Frank Lloyd Wright and his prarie/Japenese style.
Much, much more. But there is also so much more that I will not bore you. Merina City. 2 concrete corn cobs. But totally iconic.
You should ask Stewart. When I first drove here from the airport I was utterly amazed at the architechure as it unfolded in front of me from the highway.
I dont know what they have done to the City if London. They have made it into an ugky mess.
Eric(Quote)
Oh dear Wales
2.0
kimtoon(Quote)
Wales are having Bale take long throws.
He can do it but it is like Mr Roy having Kane take corners.
They are much better doing their regular job of trying to score from a corner or free kick FFS.
Eric(Quote)
nervy last few minutes for Italy
kimtoon(Quote)
Amazing goal that for Belgium
kimtoon(Quote)
It’s coming home.
3 Lions on a shirt. Still cant stop me dreaming.
Football’s coming home.
Eric(Quote)
56 years of hurt.
You might not believe this but I was in a bar in New Orleans a week ago. A man and his wife withe England tops on. Yanks. Toon fans. I am serious.
It wasnt the House of the Rising Sun either.
I was like, what?
Why?.
Yanks….
Eric(Quote)
We have grealish. The new Gazza.
Eric(Quote)
I am totally serious. Toon fans. With red England shirts on.
Eric(Quote)
It’s coming home. 3 lions on a shirt. Its coming home.
Eric(Quote)
ya knaa what?
I am going to the bar and watching Ingeraland / Germany.
Eric(Quote)