The third game of our current interim period between Steve Bruce and a new manager was seemingly being proved to be our last one with Eddie Howe spotted attending the match with Amanda Staveley.
The most urgent and worrying thing about this match is that we started the evening, sitting dead bottom of the league with Norwich beating Brentford in their 3pm kick-off.
We were now the only club in the league to not win a game and we were faced with an up-hill battle to get one against a fantastic Brighton side.
There were a few changes from our Chelsea defeat with Almiron, Murphy and Shelvey coming in but concerns were raised amongst Newcastle fans with the likes of Dubravka, Fernandez, Willock and Schar continuing to miss out.
20 minutes in Clark gave away a penalty with a silly challenge on Trossard. The Brighton man definitely made a meal of it but Clark simply didn’t touch the ball in his tackle. Trossard made it look easy as we knocked the penalty down the middle and granted Brighton a 1-0 lead.
The commentator nails exactly the problem with our team, ten minutes after their goal, saying “I don’t know what Newcastle are doing.” The whole half hour was listless and pointless. There was also absolutely nothing to suggest that this would change at any point.
Half-time couldn’t come quickly enough as we looked exactly like our position in the table suggested. An absolutely dreadful half of football where we showed how bad and how shot of confidence we are. Everything was dreadful and this was an insult to the idea of this being “entertainment”.
An Isaac Hayden equaliser on 65th minute brought back some hope that all was not lost. It was a brilliantly worked free-kick and highly impressive. The ball was given to Saint-Maximin on the wing who bought some time for Ritchie to cross it in, have the ball knocked down by Ciaran Clark and blasted in by Hayden. A rare example of how good this team should be.
In the 90th minute, Wilson was sent through on goal from an excellent ball from Joelinton. Sanchez took Wilson out and was then sent off. The preference in all honesty would have been Wilson to not be fouled because he was definitely going to score.
That decision earned Brighton a point too as we were unable to get a shot on target afterwards. Why didn’t Shelvey shoot?!
All in all, a point was probably fair on the balance of the game but Sanchez’s blatant foul made this a case of three points lost instead of one point gained.
Eddie Howe has a hell of a job on his hands to put us on a more successful path but there is hope that things can be positively changed. If we can simply stop being so passive in matches then there is hope that we can hone the talent within the team.
The club haven’t done the usual pictures and interviews ect… regards the appointment of a new manager. I know he has a lot to do but it would be quite nice to hear from him.
Stuart79(Quote)
Olly’s short video of training is interesting. There must be more but it shows Howe being every hands on. Not sure where the rest of his coaches are, maybe they havent signed yet. Also, no sign of Jones in this admitedly short video. I am going to start a conspiracy theory that Jones IS NOW Fernanez’s valet parker. Best job for him and revenge for Fede.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
If I was to take training the one thing I would do is ban passing back to the ‘keeper. I have never trained anybody at football because I was much better at cricket, but that would be my suggestion.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
“Some of you are standing still. That’s no good.”
He didn’t take long to suss it out did he?
This will be Cham and cheese for these players. They won’t even know they’re playing football.
Stuart79(Quote)
From Wikipedia about Howe’s early career at Bournemouth where he became their Manager at age 31:
“Howe returned to AFC Bournemouth as a youth coach under Jimmy Quinn and took over as caretaker manager when Quinn was sacked on 31 December 2008.[12] Even though his two games in charge as caretaker manager were away defeats, he was hired as the permanent manager of the club on 19 January 2009 and brought the club out of the relegation zone despite a 17-point deficit.
In the start of the 2009–10 season, Howe won eight out of the nine games, a club record. In November 2009, Championship club Peterborough United approached Howe to replace Darren Ferguson as their manager but Howe rejected their approach.[13]
Despite the club’s transfer embargo remaining in place for the rest of the season, AFC Bournemouth secured promotion to League One after two years in the fourth tier of English football thanks to a 2–0 away win at Burton Albion on 24 April 2010”.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
“in the start of 2009, Howe won 8 out of 9 games, a club record! Remind you of someone? 10 out of 10. I still have the Keegan Video even though I dont have a video player any more 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
First time I have had a bit of hope in a while. Howe seems like he talks a good game but from the briefest of introductions to his coaching style, he also seems like he plays a good game in training.
Unlike Brucie who neither talked a good game nor coached a good game, nor played a good game.
Or Graeme (the Charlatan) Jones who started out pulling on Geordie heartsrings but was soon found out to be the Bruce apologist that he is, and started not even to to talk a good game and sound like Bruce. In combination, those 3 games he managed were probably worse than Bruce. 20 mins of 270 were OK, the rest was a calamity. A Benteke away from a slaughter. I will repeat that he said there was a process and we did OK against Chelsea even though he knew that that was probably his last game if we had hired Emery. A process FFS when he knew he was out! The man is a clown. Goodbye Graeme and fck off.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
What’s that phrase? A new broom sweeps clean? That’s why we need rid of all the Steves including Nickson and Harper and rid of a Graeme. We need to start fresh.
I dont mind Charnley as the temp accountant as long as he stays in his office and has nothing to do with football matters.
Harper was content to sit behind Given on the bench for what was it? 8 years? That is not exactly a go-getter mentality so he can leave as well no matter what a nice bloke he seems to be.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I know I repeat myself, but there is not much discourse on here and I think most people dont read what I have said before. That’s why I repeat myself 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
aye mate i saw a bit where he shouted at Shelvey you dont make space by standing still lol,so true
icedog(Quote)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OOaul0faEUw&feature=youtu.be
This will be very different for them.
“It’s not a criticism, it’s just a different way of training.” ? I imagine the players whatsapp group will be active tonight.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – love that mate!!. I wonder how many contract COVID by tomorrow morning – sorry boss I need 10 days off ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
I just watched a documentary called MINUS 17. It is about the year that Howe kept Bournemouth in the league. He wasnt even appointed until New Years Eve. They had a 17 point deduction for going into administration. It is on youtube and lasts 1.30 hrs. Worth it though because you can see who we have just hired as Manager.
What is interesting for us is some of his players and assistants back then he is bringing to NUFC. This man is loyal. You can sort of feel why he was so adamant to bring in his own people, They have been with him for 12 or 13 years.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
After watching this documentary and the first training session clips I am pretty sure we will stay up. I wouldnt be surprised to see Darlow keep his place until Howe evaluates Dubs himself. Not sure if he will take to Shelvey, but you never know.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Eddie is getting the band back together from his time at Bournemouth. I dont care what anybody says about Jones but he will have to be really good to break into that close-knit group. From watching Howe in that documentary I think he will give Jones a chance. I am not really bothered either way, I was just sick of the narrative that Jones had strengthened the defense. No he bl00dy well didnt. We should have lost by 3 clear goals at Palace, we did lose by 3 goals against Chelsea and Brighton should have been 3 up by half time.
These narratives begin and then get accepted as fact when they are clearly false. It is like the one that Bruce is a nice guy. He isnt!!! He is nice to his pals and throws anybody else under the bus when it suits him.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
It really gets on my t!ts when a narrative develops that is patently false. The new one propagated by the Bruce/Jones apologists is that we have been better defensively since the new owners came in. No we havent. We shipped 3 goals against Spurs and Chelsea and should have shipped 3 or more against Palace and Brighton if their forwards were any good.
But now it seems accepted that we were stronger defensively just because Jones says so!!!!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
And… we have 2 points from 12!!!!!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
3pm presser for Howe. Be interesting to hear what he says.
Impressed by him so far. Expect it might take a while for the players to adapt to different training sessions, different mindsets and different approaches to games.
Stuart79(Quote)
The transfer window does not open for 7 weeks but we are going to be linked with everybody. Olly has a piece on Barkley today. I am not totally sold on him as he blows hot and cold. If we could get Lingard I would prefer him, and we dont need both. But, if we are going to get 4 in in Jan how do we create the space in the squad? Who is expendable and who can we sell?
Goalie – we have 4 in the squad so loaning Woodman out seems a no brainer. We could also sell Darlow if the rumours are true that we are looking at another goalie like Ter Stegaen (doubtful).
Clark – we have enough 30+ centre backs who are not good with their feet. We could sell to a Championship contender. I would also like to see Lascelles go, but think that wont happen til the summer.
Ritchie – neither nowt nor summat now. Not a wing back and too slow to be a winger. Another that a Championship contender would want if they can afford his wages.
Longstaff – it seems like a long time ago that Man U were interested. Championship standard and probably can get 3 million.
That’s probably enough. If we got Lingard, I would be worried in the summer if I was Miggy or Donkey. They both seem to have the work ethic for a Howe team though so they will stay in Jan.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I am interested to see what Howe can do with Shelvey. I wouldnt sell him until we see if Eddie can make him the player that seems to be in him but he rarely shows.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I think Eddie might be the man to reinvent Shelvey. Jonjo has a fast footballing brain but the hollywood passes are not for Howe as they give away possession. If this can be fixed we might have a player. It will be good to watch a team that is not hollywood and hoofball.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
so PL clubs have ganged up \and will not sell any players to the toon 🙄
icedog(Quote)
Eric – I’d keep Longstaff and move either Shelvey or Hendrick.
Sharpy17(Quote)
think its Europe for players then,pity we need players that know this lge
icedog(Quote)
Sharpy: I forgot about Hendrick (easy to do 🙂 ). Would any team take him though on his wages? Maybe a loan with us paying half?
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I have come around to Sharpy’s way of thinking on Lingard. That spell at West Ham sold me, plus I think he has grown up a bit after he sunk a lot of money into his JLingz brand. I think he now knows he is not the superstar he thought he was.
My worry was price tag and wages. Man U wanted 20 mil and he is on 100k a week. That was a lot under Ashley and would pretty much spend our whole budget. Now it sounds more reasonable. Between him and Barkley I would take Jesse every time.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Was Rooney really 16 when he debuted for Everton? He looks mid-40s now and was finished as a top class footballer at 26. I think he forged his birth certificate and was really 22 when he first played for Everton.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
And I think it is total bollix that top 6 clubs will not sell us their players. They know now they have lost the battle with the Saudis and that they will lose the war if they try to put some sort of sponsorship ban in place. They are not worried about us for now so why wouldnt they sell us Jesse Lingard and other surplus-to-requirement players?
The bottom half clubs might not want to sell to us because we are relegation rivals. But it has always been that way and usually money talks. If we are in touch with 17th in Jan they will probably think we will stay up whatever they do and can use the money to help out.
This is pretty much a non-story, made up by journos looking for clicks.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
The media prattling on about human rights stuff to Eddie Howe man?!?!?!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Totally naive people or people repeating the Chronic rubbish like The Harrisons might belive it though and print stories saying we will have to look to Europe. I am not even sure THEY believe what they write and it is as much clickbait as The Chronic itself.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
You should all watch that Bournemouth documentary MINUS 17 to see just what sort of manager we have hired. He seems like a really nice man and I know they will have shown him in the best possible light but nobody in the game seems to have a bad word to say about him. And it is not just the pundit pals like Bruce who would know him from the pundit couch, golf and after dinner circuits.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I think we are on the cusp of something BIG. My first impressions are that we have hired a true successor to Kevin Keegan and Bobby Robson. Someone who is a genuinely nice person but also has a drive and intensity. I am sick of us hiring tw@ts like in the Ashley days. He hired Dennis Wise who punched one of his teammates in the face when they were asleep FFS. We have had other decent people, I think Ugly John Carver is a genuine bloke, just not up for the job.
This time though I think we may have someone confident, competent and also genuine.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
And if Eddie can really fit Jones into his staff, I will go along with that for now. Jones will still be gone in the summer though 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
It’s a bit odd the PL talking about not selling any players to us. Especially given what the top six clubs tried to do to make more money. I’m not sure it will work too well. Especially when the players kick up a fuss and agents start with their craic too.
Stuart79(Quote)
The OGS and Pogba saga, Liverpool loss and Moyes’s renaissance at the Press’s beloved West Ham are perfect to keep us off the back pages and a bit under the radar as we try to forget the Bruce/Jones debacle.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
https://mobile.twitter.com/NUFC/status/1458473028975800325
Is this football he’s talking about? ?
Stuart79(Quote)
Good stuff with Howe backing up to take a pic with a fan.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
West Ham just sold 27% for 150 mil which values them at 700 mil. From what I remember the council that gave the p0rno boys such a sweet deal for The London Stadium put a claw back on the price if they sold within 5 years. I think that time is up which is why you see this deal. It was always corrupt. Glad they got their London Weighting on the sale!!!
Nobody will mention any of this of course because the Southern press just love WHAM.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
It looks like we have finally got one of the good guys who knows what he is doing and can rival Keegan and Sir Bobby. Not the losers Ashley hired.
Jones – promoted over his station. A true BSer even though most Toon fans didnt see it.
Bruce – a wolf in sheeps clothing, but only for his own self serving agenda. Never for the NUFC agenda.
Rafa – past his best, but would not bow down to Ashley so you have to commend him for that.
McClaren – he won the treble with Man U. What happened after? A deer in the headlights when things went wrong which showed his true character.
Ugly John Carver – was not up to the job. But I dont mind him at all. He was Toon through and through. The Mike Williamson free kick routine that he did every week to lump it up to him on the corner of the box should have told anyone that he had limited ability.
Pards – Gobshyte
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I don’t see the other PL clubs freezing us out when I think about it. Each time has a 25 man squad & if a player isn’t in their plans, they will sell them.
When you look at the top 4, their players are on wages the likes of Brighton, S’ton and Leeds for example simply couldn’t afford.
Football is a business – their super league move proved they favour the pound over morales – and the Saudi money spends as well as anyone else’s.
If Chelsea want to move Barkley on for example, and we are the only club ready to offer £20m & match his wages – they WILL sell.
The other aspect they miss is the players & agents hold weight in this scenario too. Especially if the player only have a few years left on a contract. The club would sooner sell than risk losing the player for nowt.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I also don’t see us becoming this super power that has been suggested either – not any time soon anyway.
I think we will get up there & amongst it, but gone are the days where the PL is a 2 horse race, or dominated by a team like Man Utd did. Liverpool, Chelsea and City are all too strong for that – Man Utd could still be in there too, but not with Ole. Then there will be others who have strong one off seasons as well.
From our starting point now, we are miles away, and whilst we will strengthen – so will they.
Sharpy17(Quote)
2nd question to Eddie was the human rights issue, he said he’s only interested in the football, then second journo did the same thing.
What did they expect him to say ?
Idiots the lot of em.
kimtoon(Quote)
I dont think it will be hard to catch up with the following:
Brighton
Wolves
Palace
Everton
Southampton
Brentford
Burnley
Leeds
Villa
Watford
That is more than half the teams and if some are replaced by promoted teams then usually 1 or 2 of them go straight back down.
Then there is Spurs. You can see a train wreck coming from mile off as soon as Levy doesnt give Conte exactly what he wants.
And Man U. I thought they would challenge this year, but when you dig deeper you see they are overloaded with wingers and forwards. Then they have the Pogba problem where he will either leave for free or they will make him the highest paid player in the world when he only plays 1 decent game in 3 and cant tackle or track back to save his life. I am not sure I know what they are thinking when they have a central midfield of McTom, Fred and an aging Matic. They have to buy Declan Rice and he will probably cost over 100 mil. Then there is their defence. It looked like they were buying for the future but you can say for certain now that the English contingent – Wan Bassaka, McGuire and Shaw – are all busts. Verane seems injury prone as well.
So, I dont think it is out of the question to get into Europe in a year or 2 if we avoid relegation this season.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I know Eddie is far too diplomatic to do this but I would ask the journalists asking these questions if they personally are donating a portion of their salary to Amnesty International. Or are they sponsoring a child in Mayanmar? How about boycotting Chinese toys this Christmas or not using the i-phone they have in their hand that has Chinese parts?
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
A lot of people would have wanted Mourinho if the takeover had happened earlier. He has lost his mojo like in that Austin Powers movie. Roma are 6th after 12 games on 19 points. Napoli and Meelan have 32 points so he is already 13 points behind. I think he will be more grumpy than ever.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I loved that Eddie had the lads doing a beep test. He is well n truly onto the issues we are seeing at the moment on the park. There will be nowhere to hide with some of the more casual minded footballers in our team. We finally have someone that will hold them to account. Rafa had them organised but it was a dire defensive type of game plan. I am actually pleased we didn’t get him back.
Aussie(Quote)
Aussie – I agree mate. What was most refreshing was to see just how hands on he was with the coaching. Some ‘head coaches’ stand on the sidelines and watch while the other coaches run the drills.
He’s not reading this out of a book and he has obviously worked on his own development, spending time with Brendan Rogers and Sarri to gain what he can from them.
I hope fans stay realistic in their expectations of him. The squad needs strengthening & we have some tough games ahead.
I think the best we hope for in the early stages is improved fitness, seeing the players press the ball more, rather than sit back & invite pressure.
Hopefully that rewards the players with wins, but we still lack quality in certain positions, so I’m not going to get carried away.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Villa haven’t wasted any time with Gerrard!
Stuart79(Quote)
Sharpy totally agree.
We will struggle to stay up this season I reckon. There is a malaise that hangs over the current squad… Saying that maybe 2 or 3 of our draws may have been wins if the team was well motivated and structured. Interesting times ahead mate..
Aussie(Quote)
It is interesting that Howe did a live, in person press conference with the journalists. Bruce was still doing zoom calls. I think this was cowardice as he could take very few questions from only the people he wanted and could shut anybody down with a click.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I am so glad we didnt get Gerrard, and am not sure if we were ever after him. This is really not based upon his Managerial ability as I have not seen a single Rangers game under him but he appears to have done quite well. It is not even about the Scottish League.
Rather it is about his friends in the media. If we thought they gushed about Bruce, I can just imagine how they will react to Stevie G. You know that if he was at NUFC and we had a bad run the media would first turn on the Saudis/Consortium and then on the fans. It would be Bruce times 10. Even if he was playing Fraser in goal it would not be Gerrard’s fault.
I actually dont mind Gerrard and wish him well. He was a great player. But that accent…
It’s like Carra. I think he says some very sensible things but I find him hard to listen to.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
one big thing that has happened at the toon! they are talking to the fans,seems strange after 14 yrs of nowt from jabba and co,brill
icedog(Quote)
The season is getting more interesting. Conte at Spurs is a car crash waiting to happen. Gerrard at Villa and maybe Lampard at Norwich. We already have Rafa at Everton. But the big one would be another ex-Liverpool manager at Man U. Imagine the media frenzy there if Brendan got the job? They already have Ronaldo and Pogba and take up the 1st 6 stories of tabloid back pages. I think you would have to make up new words to describe it. Circus would not surfice.
Then of course, there is the richest club in the world and Eddie Howe.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Good news is that nufc have an assured, confident and credible manager so the tabloids can focus on their circus frenzy elsewhere while Howe steers us to safety this season and progress up the league from there
Quick question .. are SD still a sponsor as it’s shown at Newcastle press conferences.
GoWestMag(Quote)
I’m watching ROI v Portugal and in 75 mins so far Jeff Hendrick has yet to make a tackle. He’s made 1 interception and of his 30 passes so far I am not exaggerating when I say only ONE has been forward.
He’s just been subbed.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – I’m so pleased we didn’t get Gerrard or Lampard. It’s a total media love in for those 2 – but Lampard failed to get Derby promoted & look at the state of the club now desperately trying.
Gerrard was at Rangers for 3 years and competed for 9 trophies in that time – he won 1 in a season where there was no fans & Celtic were in disarray really. He leaves Rangers 4 points clear at the top – but if they fail to win the league again, does he take the blame?!.
I’m convinced we got the right man. I think he could well go on to be on the same level as Brendan Rogers – who I rate highly.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Strange that Gerrard didn’t want to come to us, but very quickly went to villa. Maybe we just didn’t want him. I’d much rather have Howe than Gerrard. Time will tell how each progress.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – I think it was a case of Lpool saying to him – you manage them & make them a league competitor & you’ll never manage Lpool.
Can you imagine? – he spent the next 3 years building us up, then goes to Lpool – his first season in charge there he finishes 2nd behind NUFC ?.
His mate is DoF of Villa too, so I reckon that had a lot to be with how quick he made his mind up to be fair.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I am pretty glad we got Howe as well. I think he has conducted himself brilliantly. And, as I have said twice already I watched that documatary about him keeping B’nth in the league and it was a miracle. Called MINUS 17, after the points deduction they got in League 2 (4th Division) for going into admin.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I think we have to be a bit pragmatic in January. So what if we overspend on a couple of older players if it keeps us up. Lingard will be 29 and Trippier is 31. But then again, Silva at Chelsea is 35 and Messi will probably be CL top scorer at 35. He will probably win the Ballon D’Or as well.
I think Shearer and Beardsley both played in the PL until they were 35.
I can hear the moans already from some saying we are spending too much for older players. But we have to stay up otherwise we are set back a year. If we spend more than we should, do we really care? It is not our money.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I agree mate. My strategy for players to target for January would be quality fringe players for who the WC in the summer might be their last one – so regular first team football would give them the best chance of selection. Players like Lingard, Lacazette, Trakowski is 28 I think – I know he’s getting regular football at Burnley but I think his contract is up in the summer so will be a distraction id imagine. Sign him in Jan and he can focus of getting into that England squad.
There are plenty of younger players too, but they may not be as easily lured.
Sharpy17(Quote)
With that I obviously meant around the style of play and team he’s wanting to build. I don’t want mercenaries or panic buys.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I take it you wont want sicknotes either – if I see one more link to Phil Jones I will scream. But we have to get used to it. We will be linked to everybody.
I dont care if we have the oldest team in the PL in Jan because we know it will be all change again in the summer with the likes of Ritchie and probably Shelvey and Gayle moving on.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Just read in The Chronic that Tindall is a set piece specialist. We desperately need that, and if anything showed that Shelvey should never take a free kick again it was that floater on Sat when they had an outfielder in goal. His corners have been terrible for the most part. He is OK with the inswingers sometimes, even though he will hit it too close to the keeper. But that floater… Best keep him off set pieces all together.
Chronic also said that Jones had a good relationship with Tindall. Perhaps I should give him another chance but there is no denying he has been atrocious this season as both coach and Manager. He was also a bit TOO MUCH of an apologist for Bruce to my eyes. Hopefully we will not hear any more rubbish from him as well as he went from passionate and articulate to Bruce-like when the pressure got to him.
But everybody deserves one second chance. I still think he will be out in the summer though.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Eric – that’s a grey area mate – Jones certainly not. But if Aaron Ramsey falls into that category, then absolutely – I think he’d be a great addition.
I’ve seen suggestions for most positions – but not any for LB that I’ve seen so far.
I hope Howe develops Lewis because I think he could be a very good player long term.
One LB I’d go for is Rico Henry at Brentford as well. He’s only 24 and is already a good player, but one that has potential to get better as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: I thought Lewis did pretty well when ASM was on the wing. He did some good overlaps. The question is his defending but that might not matter as much if we change our style. And Ritchie hasnt exactly shone with his defending, his positioning is awful.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
On that picture with a fat NUFC fan with Eddie that was on a piece a couple back. It was after the press conference. I watched a youtube clip and this bloke was staggering all over the place drunk. He had a carrier bag full of beer as well. Not a good advertisement for NUFC, and I was hoping one of the bodyguards would usher him away. Seemed pretty harmless, but drunk and stupid. You dont want him as a representation of NUFC fans. There were a bunch of schoolkids there as well and they were much better behaved.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I said earlier that getting some older players to keep us up might not be a bad idea, citing Shearer and Beardsley playing to age 35. However, there was a counterweight to this where Dalglish got in his old cronies of Barnes and Rush and we definately went backwards. So, who knows 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I think Jones is probably ok as a coach, he did after all get called to the England set up. However as a manger choosing a team, strategy and formation, he’s totally out of his depth. Clueless. Keep him as a coach and trainer. He can make the tea too perhaps?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
England 5-0 up at half time? ??. Albania have given up.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – when you think Mount, Rice and Saka weren’t in there – and Sterling was anonymous tonight. I think we’ve got an excellent squad.
I’d drop Sterling for Harvey Barnes.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I reckon that Stavely and Co want the sponsorship deals straight away because they will be much harder to take away rather than fight to set up deals after the PL try to change the rules. I think they would successfully challenge a rule change but why bother if you can get it done now and make the PL make their move later rather than the other way around.
It is also sort of cutting off their nose to spite their face. I think Levy wants 60 mil a year for naming rights.
What the clubs are saying is that sponsors need to pay the “market rate”. But who is to say what that is? I think Etihad paid City 50 mil a year on a 10 year deal. That may have seemed a lot but given City’s success it may even seem cheap now.
Man U have an official noodle and official tractor. Who could really put a price on that except to let the buyer decide what they will pay?
Then there is implementation. UEFA lost their case against City and Chelsea had a very short term transfer embargo which didnt really hurt them at all. They bought Pulisic a few days before it and then loaded up on players as soon as it ended. AND THEY ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE NOW and current CL winners.
The clubs wanting to change the rules can huff and puff but even in the sort term of say more than a year it will be meaningless. They would lose a court challenge I am sure of it and NUFC would probably get damages.
Then there is what Gary Neville says. He thinks owners should be able to put in whatever they want if it is their own cash. He argues that FFP was to prevent clubs spending more than they earn and going into debt and getting into trouble like Leeds if their plans do not work out. His solution is to set up a separate account where owners can put in whatever they want and use that to buy players and/or pay wages. The club would not be beholden to pay this back so it would not be debt and therefore would not put the club at risk. Sounds like a plan to me. Gary may look stupid with that silly teenager tash he sometimes grows but he is pretty smart really.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I also like what Stavely has said. This is a temporary embargo and was only for a month. She said that that did and does not stop NUFC negotiating with sponsors. If they have their ducks in line they can pretty much flip a switch and have the deals done even if the embargo is lifted for only a few days. They would be basically daring the PL to take the money away and the PL would have to go to court AND WOULD LOSE. Meanwhile the money would be in NUFC’s coffers.
I hope she has time to set this up.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Isn’t it restriction of trade anyway, plus it doesn’t get applied retrospectively to other clubs who have done the very things they seek to stop !
Wouldn’t stand up in court i’m pretty sure.
kimtoon(Quote)
I see from the training pictures Jones standing on the touch line with hands in pockets, a la Bruce. Look how active Howe is. I think we have got us a real manager.
Groucho(Quote)