Papers??? A meeting?
Well apparently Ashley aint happy with KK’s comments? Well its either paper talk that a meeting has been arranged but quite frankly KK is spot on. If Ashley is happy to just sit there and not come forward from time to time and show backing towards a manager then of course KK has no idea if it is possible to break that top 4. To be honest if Ash aint happy then perhaps it will be great news to hear that he is going to splash the cash to get us there which KK and the fans did not know about.
It might end up being good news in the end if it is the case… but at the end of the day I and like every other Geordie knows which cereal they’ll be mixing with milk… Special K.
KK has done his first part of the deal now its up to the rest to hold up to theirs or there may be trouble ahead…
May 8th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Nothing against Ashley, taking into account that this is his own hard-earned cash I’m sure he’s not willing to throw it around like it’s going out of fashion, hence why we’ve not heard much about funds and the board are being careful giving the likes of Owen and Taylor new deals. I wouldn’t be amazed if funds will be somewhat limited this summer as Ashley tries to begin to get a (perfectly fair) return on the £200-someodd million pounds he’s poured into the club. Having said that, as Toon has pointed out, we did bid £18m for Modric…
Either way I see this as a storm in a teacup. Ashley isn’t going to lose KK when he’s started to do so well with a a rather limited squad. Besides, as Mort agreed, KK’s comments were perfectly sensible. Maybe pointing out how little contact he has had with Ashley might have been a mistake, but this will all blow over I’m sure.
May 8th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Dos Santos the 18 year old at Barca is apparently available for £7 million and City are favourites…. lets get in there. Thats worth a risk for sure!
May 8th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Might be an option - never seen him play so couldn’t comment.
One thing for sure though, we definately need another striker - Viduka out for 3-6 months now… Viduka injured. What a surprise.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Team for Everton? Harper, Beye, Taylor, Faye, Enrique, Geremi, Butt, Duff, Owen, Martins, Carroll. Would like to get a look at Carroll as I feel Smith would be a wasted spot anyway. I’m guessing we will see Smith though..
May 9th, 2008 at 10:07 am
You might see Smith as we need to peddle him off. I agree though young Andy would be good to see or a 442 or Owen and Martins but coming up a against an Everton backline would be hard with 2 small guys. Our passing to feet would need to be spot on and we don’t have that maestro in midfield im afraid. Got to be honest with you for this one I fancy Everton.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Unfortunately I think it’ll be Everton’s day too. They’re at home, on a high, much more settled and confident, plus we’ve lost Viduka and Barton. I don’t think it’ll be easy for them though. I agree with Wes’s team, insofar as it’s the team we’ll see (except Smith’ll start. I’d love to see Carroll get a half though. It’s a real shame N’Zogbia’s being such a baby too, as he’d be much better than Duff. Taking into account that we might well sell Emre this summer and lose Barton to HM’s pleasure, it really shows that we need at least two new midfielders.
To be honest, even with our first choice midfield three (assuming we stick with 433, which I actually doubt long-term) I’d only keep Barton - and that’s assuming he cleans his act up. Butt, as I’ve said before, will need to be phased out next season for younger legs. Geremi isn’t good enough. So potentially we need three new first-team midfielders? Plus we need to bring someone in for Viduka, and that’s assuming Carroll can step up to the second-choice role. Then we need to look at the defence…
I hope Ashley’s going to flash his chequebook today…
May 9th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Geremi is only in my team as the best of what little is available. He’d probably do a job at RB in a 442 but he needs to stop taking set pieces. I’m sure Beye has a classier foot. All those strikers we’ve had in and around the box and he keeps wasting it.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
About this topic aswell
KK is bang on. How can you suddenly (after the way we have been of recent years) truly compete over the course of a season with the top clubs? A club like chelsea is allowing one of the finest forwards of his generation to rot on the bench. It’s just madness when you see Shevchenko come off the bench and think “oh yeah, I forgot about him.” I know he hasn’t settled into the premiership (probably came a little late in his career to adjust) but the fact that Sheva isn’t playing first team football somewhere in the world is ridiculous.
May 10th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
TBH especially if Charlie goes I would make a play instantly for Shaun Wright Phillips who I think is surplus to requirements at Chelsea. I see a huge turnover in players at Chelsea this summer both going out the door and coming in. Geremi is a useful squad player (not necessarily the geordie style) but he should certainly never go near a corner kick. You get those opportunities like you say you cannot be wasting them like we have done all season. I think we are absolutely uselss with setpieces and throwins and have been for a very long time. I think its about time that changed. Our ball persons (boys) need educated as well.
May 10th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Yup, I agree on replacing N’Zogbia with Wright-Phillips. Then again, can he play left wing? Because that’s where we’ll be lightest (Duff just doesn’t seem to be producing the goods).
As for Geremi, he’s a good back-up for midfield and rightback, but I really don’t want to see him near the first team too often next season. Like Wes says, Beye is miles better at rightback.
So, Everton tomorrow… I can see a draw or a narrow loss on the cards. No matter if that happens, we can just sit back and see who we end up signing. I’ve no idea what kind of budget we’ve got - nor has anyone else in reality - so I guess we’ll see how things pan out once these baseless rumours doing the rounds in the papers finally give way to signatures on contracts… I keep second guessing what positions well (need to) buy for, but I’m sure KK knows what he’s doing.
May 10th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
I’m thinking the biggest obstacle won’t be funds actually. It will be getting those classier players to come apply their trade at a club which finished outside the top half. Money talks but I’m hoping we can find hidden gems. We could really use crouchie but 15m is too much.
May 10th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
It’s a case of conflicting evidence for me. On one hand we offer £18m for Modric. At the same time, Keegan has said a few times he’s been kept in the dark about funds, which hardly suggests he’s lining up for a summer of spend, spend, spend.
Either way, it might be a positive thing that no one can guess how much we’ve got. I guess it doesn’t really matter anyway, we’ll either be able to afford players or we won’t. I just hope we swoop in early and don’t let ourselves get caught up in bidding wars. Not only does it get messy, but your second and third choice signings for those positions are being bought up whilst you’re waiting to see what happens with the first.
Crouch could definitely do a job for us I reckon. I’m not sure he’d join us if someone like Portsmouth comes in though.
May 11th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Not a great game, but then when you look at Birmingham and Reading, it puts it all into perspective… I’m just happy to the game today really didn’t mean a great deal.
Speaking of Birmingham and Reading, do you reckon there are any players there worth poaching?
May 11th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Yeah I think it was a case of our players having nothing to play for - some more than others… Be interesting who goes but there was players out there today with no future at the club.
May 11th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Any idea why Martins was absent?
As for players with no future at the club, are you talking about Duff, N’Zogbia and Smith? I assume we looked rather blunt up front with Smith up there… It did seem a much weaker team so no surprise in the result.
Onto the summer now and the possible signings…
May 12th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
No idea about Martins and some evertonians I know were looking forward to seeing him. Re-sign Owen first and foremost, will sent a positive message out that. We’ve spoken about him here before but Arshavin looks a real player. He’s got a bit of limelight in europe now though so probably hard to get. I don’t think we have produced enough players at NUFC in our time in the EPL, I really hope that is in good hands as it really is the extra spark needed for success in my opinion. We are surely due for some real home grown talent. It doesn’t take a genius to look at Man U and some of their key players in the last decade. When you think about what we have squandered on crap players it makes you wonder what that could have achieved in the right hands at academy level.
May 12th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Wes I think you hit the nail on the head - NUFC has not produced enough talent of their own over the past years. It really is a frustrating fact as it always mean we have to spend a lot of money to bring the talent in. We need to be producing really good players as this will also allow us to make money should they move on.
I think this will require a BIG investment and I hope that Ashley will do it. Passion is grown at home and we will find there are players staying and playing for the love of the club more than for the love of the pound. So good point Wes. I think the academy side needs to look into a good education alongside as this will also help our players not to just be yobos and at least know that they have a life outside footie should it be required. (sorry I am a teacher:)). This also encourages more families to allow their chn to pursue the dream as it will not mean a total lack of education.
Looking forward to this transfer season as I think we have finally got management that is not scared to spend if the player meets what the club is specifically looking for but at the same time will not just be careless with its finances. I am starting to get worried about our Dunne link as he has started to look a little shakey - we don’t need another one of those in defence:/ Any thoughts on the man?
May 13th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Was Martins injured then? You’d expect the press to seize upon it and predict his exit if there wasn’t a very good reason…
I can’t see us taking Arshvin by the way, the UEFA Cup final will have made him too popular for us now unfortunately. You never know, but I have doubts.
Dunne I have to admit isn’t a player I’ve seen much of at all. The more I hear though the more I think he could be a very good, cheap signing. His professionalism, other than the occasional red, is very good and appears to have started under Keegan. That link could prove invaluable. If he would be solid, provide leadership and bring our younger defenders on, get him signed up - unless the likes of Kompany or Metzelder are going begging…
Great call on the youth set-up too guys. It’s a no-brainer nowadays and seeing the number of young players we’ve been bringing in from all over just shows that they’re going strongly down that route in the syle of Arsenal. Keep the ones who make the grade, profit from those that don’t.
Speaking of young players, I’d love to see us challenge Villa for Steadman and Mattock from Leicester. Two very bright young defenders who will be cracking players in a couple of years or so.
May 13th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Martins took a knock in training the day before - a whack on the knee which left him with discomfort so they didn’t bother risking him. On Arshavin I still think we could get but depends if a team with European football in the EPL goes for him. If he came to the EPL he’d be paid alot more than where he is currently at. Id take a punt. On Dunne every player at Man City looks shakey atm. Due to the Sven saga. I would try a cheeky bid for Elano or Micah Richards? Why not? See what happens. Shy Bairns get nowt. Petrov even though he is a bit moody hes fantastic down the left. Id still take a punt at Bullard tho I was speaking to someone in the know and Bullard left Wigan as he wanted to be in London so that mightbe a non starter. Depends if NUFC really appeals to him. Pedersen and Bentley should remain targets and even try for Arteta tho that would be a hard one as we don’t have European football but will our board really offer more wages these days or have those days gone? The youth won’t start delivering for a few years yet so we have to hold on for that. Plus we want an established team playing good football then which they can feed into. I would love it if we can uncover the next Gazza but the chances are slim. We are already being linked to some weird and wonderful names - probably most of it is shit…
May 13th, 2008 at 10:20 am
I guess we can discuss names ad nauseum (and hey, it passes the time), but until there are any concrete links, bids, or signed contracts I doubt we’ll be able to make any serious guesses… But sure, we should aim high, make some early bids for top players and see what sticks.
I don’t however believe we’re going to continue to offer huge contracts. The idea of Owen being offered £80k and no more sounds about right to me. Our wage bill, as a percentage of income, is one of the highest in the league and we’ve looked like a gravy train for years. That’s why I can see any growth for us being a slow but steady process - we’re not going to throw huge wages around to attract top (mercenary) names any more.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:44 am
BTW if we are after a half decent striker up top who can put the ball in the back of the net… Id take Santa Cruz. Tbh that signing shows that you can get high quality players without spending ‘big’. I think there is a huge fascination these days that you have to… Do you really? I think if you have a good mix of players but more importantly they play for each other we will have far more success than anyone who spends ‘big’. Actually Spurs spent a fortune last summer and dropped from 5th. Sometimes you can pee in the cake mix too much.
May 13th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I completely agree about this spending big thing. Yes it is essential to have the financial backing to cherry pick important ‘jigsaw pieces’ to drive the club further but I believe that if you have a stable ground of talented and highly skilled coaches who have the complete respect of the players it can really show on the pitch. Some of our ‘revival’ goals came straight from the training ground it was clear to see the difference in the same group of players. I don’t want any more trouble making pre-madonnas like Dyer and that’s what you seem to get in abundance when all you do is hurl money at it. Zero tolerance and make these lads want to earn their black and white stripes. On the youth thing toon, yeah it wasn’t really something I was thinking about effecting the first eleven straight away but surely finding those next Gazza’s if you like should be a matter of when not if. We shouldn’t be missing out on north east lads as there is no reason the region shouldn’t continue to bring them up from time to time, as as it always has. Lots of examples of lads slipping through the net. Man united even had Beardsley before we did! I actually think England as a whole is in real need of this for more reasons than football trophies.
May 13th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
We don’t stand a chance of buying Santa Cruz - if he leaves Blackburn he’ll go to one of the top clubs, for a lot more than the £3m they paid… Having said that, it shows that you can buy real class with very little, which I think is exactly what the club will look to do this summer. I’m chuffed that Ashley and Mort have brought in this new structure. For the first time ever Newcastle United expect value for money… What a bizarre concept!
May 13th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Fábio Rochemback is available any thoughts?
May 13th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Rochemback? Fierce shot on him, but he hadn’t scored all season until last weekend and he doesn’t seem to have a great deal more in the locker to offer a team. We can surely do better than him?
May 13th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
well he signed with Lisbon - he just seemed handy to have around and has quality but there we have it - I hope we can do better
May 13th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Rochemback aint all that good mate. I think in evidence that hes gone back to Lisbon. I don’t think he particularly had great legs getting up and down the pitch. Bit lazy I think. His freekick at the weekend mind was top drawer - hat off to that one. There is certainly talent out there we just have to tap into it. I think we have to look at players first and foremost already plying their trade in the EPL with a proven background and mix and match it from there. You can introduce others from abroad if you already have a good mix and dont have to chuck them in the deep end. I think we are looking at Veloso but hes unproven and would cost a fortune… Im not necessarily sure hes built right for the Premier League niether.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Today’s pointless rumours suggest that we’ll get Nicky Shorey for £2.5m (sounds good to me) and sell Alan Smith to Boro (even better). As I say, I’m sure there’s no truth in these rumours, but I wouldn’t be upset if there was.
Oh, and N’Zogbia and Faye nearly came to blows just before the Everton game. Seeing as they won’t be at the same club for long that’s no huge problem.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Certainly did the trick for Zog as he was our best player!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
It is a shame he looks like he’ll be leaving… The lad’s got a lot of talent… Still, now we’re lined with PSG striker Amara Diane. Again, I’ve never heard of the lad and I doubt it’ll come to anything…
May 14th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Looks like we may be looking at a bunch of frenchies now…haha. Well that market has produced some real class and for some cheaper prices so maybe that is a good idea for us as we want to keep our costs down. I am sad by Zogs wanting to leave as I think he is going to get better and better. He would develop well at NUFC under Keegan but we know what he wants. Faye should have slapped him around the ear a couple of times to wake the kid up and let him realize he needs to change his attitude to the club and stay:)
May 14th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Aye, ahh well though, personally I find it more of a shame that Ramage didn’t have the ability to make the grade than N’Zogbia doesn’t have the attitude. He’s got talent but irreplaceable he isn’t .
May 14th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
I know as KK said Ramage is all heart. Stick that with Zog’s skills what a player you would have. Just watched first half of Zenit and Rangers… Some technically brilliant players for Zenit… Id love to see Arshavin in a toon top. Ive said it for 2 years now. I think he has the attitude and arrogance to be a winner - he just wants to win and has the skills. I think he would do wonders in the EPL. Cuellar dont look a bad player but he doesnt look greatly mobile. But perhaps we should just be looking for 2 steady center halves and build around that. Midfield id be making plays for Elano, Arshavin, Bullard, Arteta, Bentley, Carrick, Larsson, Zarate, Crouch, Gomis ( 14-15 in a season and hes 22, I wouldnt go for Diane hes scored 7-8 in a relegation fodder PSG team and is 26 I think), why not Eto, Santa Cruz, Ashton, Dunne, Petrov, Shorey, Wright Phillips, Belleti, (do you think Arsenal would sell Walcott?), Gamst Pedersen - to name a few.