Keegan Wants Two Defenders In Within A Week

July 24th, 2008 by Ed Harrison · 124 Comments

Newcastle United need reinforcements in central midfield and defense.

Vasilis Torosidis - says Newcastle United are interested

But of these two the defense needs strengthening most so it’s not surprising that Kevin Keegan wants to bring in two defenders, a center-back and a left back within the next week.

News today that one of our targets last year, Chelsea defender Tal Ben Haim, has moved to Manchester City for Â£4M.

It’s reported in the Daily Mail that Ben Haim chose Eastlands over Newcastle United, but we really have no idea if Kevin Keagan even rates the Israeli, although we would have welcomed him into the squad, since he’s experienced and can play anywhere along the back four, and has proven Premier League experience.

But since Kevin came back last January we’ve never been linked with the former Bolton Wanderers player, who only moved to Chelsea last summer on a free transfer.

He joins Steve Sidwell in moving on from the London club, to try to get a game elsewhere. Both were poor moves for the players last summer, and both had the chance to move to Newcastle as an alternative destination - oh well.

But Keegan knows where his priorities lie, and he is hoping to have a left-back and a central defender before next weekâ€™s tournament in Mallorca.

Newcastle have been linked with many many defenders this summer, and we wonder what has happened to Sebastien Basson, who had a week’s trial at the club last week? There’s been no word from the club on the 22 year-old Metz defender.

We’ve had a Â£3M bid for Blackburn left back Stephen Warnock turned down, and have also been linked with Vasilis Torosidis of Olympiakos, who has said Newcastle are interested in him.

Newcastle were reported last March to be interested in the 23 year-old, who stand 6′1″, and has played over 30 times for Olympiacos since 2006, and over 15 times for Greece since last year.

The Greek is trying to stir up interest in himself by also saying that he may also move to Blackburn Rovers or Atletico Madrid.

But we’ve been linked with lots and lots of defenders, and we cannot wait too much longer to bring in a couple of good young players, but who they may be is anybody’s guess at this point.

Comments welcome.

Tags: Newcastle News · Transfer News and Rumours

124 responses so far ↓

1 malaysian youngster // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:05

im first?
2 malaysian youngster // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:06

yah i am.i like lescott alot.haha keegan can u hear me?hello
3 Sparky G. // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:06

Torosidis would be a quality signing. Yes. He would be very very good for us.
4 paul p // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:16

we need players in and we need them in fast. 3 weeks saturday before the 1st game and we have the smallest squad in the league. Did anybody hear what John Beresford said this morning. He is right. Time to back the manager Ashley!!!
5 Masa // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:17

I think this has to be the most frustrating period i have ever experienced supporting the mags, i want to believe that the board have our best intrests at heart and have the same drive and passion as all of us share for our club but i just have this nagging doubt that we may be dissapointed….
But at least we are not panick buying like a certain lot down the road who are trying to spend 24 million on four players who couldnt even get in the starting 11 of a team that finished eleventh in the league .. muppets
6 Eric // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:19

Torosidis is versatile and international quality. Would be a worthwhile signing too. Right age. Sturdy size. And seems to want to come here?
7 Hatty // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:22

I wouldn’t worry about it. We go through the same thing every year regarding transfers. Remember the Roeder summer where we didn’t sign anyone til mid-July. That was under Shepherd and he was very well known for backing his managers with cash.

I think it’s fair to say that the market has stalled at the minute (not just for us, but for most clubs), but it’s important that everyone remains patient and I’m sure we’ll be fine.

And please stop questioning Mike Ashley. You all believe too much of what you read in the papers.
8 OLIVER // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:22

Masa - i was having a quick look at a sunderland blog yesterday and the supporters were getting excited about the spurs players because they were proven winners having won the carling cup. words fail me.
9 HeronMag // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:26

I’m gutted that we’ve shown no interest in Van Buyten of Bayern Munich. He played under KK at Man City and is just the right type of player we need.
10 Masa // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:27

Its nothing to do with what i read in the papers its more to do with the fact that we have never spent more the 6 million on a player since ashley came here and we are still waiting on a contract to be signed by owen…
11 Neil // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:33

Within a week? Eh?
12 Matt // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:33

I would not have welcomed Ben Haim. He’s spent an entire season not playing. I’d say keep plugging away for Warnock and continue the search for a CB.

On a side note I’d love to know how West Ham managed to get Valon Behrami to sign for them.
13 Masa // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:33

By the way im not having a go at ashley here i think bloke has been a breath of fresh air to the club and with paying of our debts has secured the long term future of the club which i will be for ever greatful for.
14 Davies // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:34

Van Buyten is somebody KK was allegedly interested in back in January. I notice he hasn’t been linked with us this close season. Maybe Keegan is going after him after all.
15 Masa // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:36

Oliver - There is one who has posted on 606 asking how gutted we are that they have got one over on us with the signing of chimbonda….. hahahaha yeah gutted we didnt sign the tit
16 Angryman the Angry Fan // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:38

Well, sorry but is time for yet another infamous rant.

i have been reading alot of toon blogs over the last few days, and my general feeling is that the Mike Cashley fans are now very much in the minority and the KKeegan fans are multiplying by the minute, not that this was ever in doubt though.

The widening gap between Cashley backers and Cashley critics looks alarmingley like it is spreading to members of the professional football fraternity, with Bobby Lee, Bez, Given, Harper, Sir Les and many many more now genuinely concerned that KK is not getting the backing from his board that he deserves.

ALL of my previous posts have predicted this, but all have my previous posts have also stated that ‘I hope to god that I am WRONG’ and still this post is no different, I hope I am wrong.

We hear this Morning that Tal Ben Haim is joining Mancs titties, over us!! More ambition maybe?? Whether press invented Bull or not, our board is giving the press lots n lots of reasons to have a go, by lack of activity in the transfer market and lack of info coming from anywhere!!

IMO KK has looked a broken man since being interviewed after Hartlepool, Match. I was there, and i know that this team will struggle next season with the EPL schedule. You will never hear me say that the team is crap.

But Honest opinion, the team is not good enough to improve on last seasons finishing!!

KK knows that, most of the fans know that, but Mike Cashley is giving out the impression that he doesnt give a Flying flip about that!!

PROVE ME WRONG CASHLEY!!!
17 autibo // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:38

torosidis - yes definitely!! big lad, quick, strong, good going forward and solid at the back, but most importantly he can cover either full-back position and i’m told he also plays as a defensive midfielder sometimes. i’d imagine Â£3-5m would land him easily, so what we waiting for??

i’m a bit disappointed we didn’t go for boulahrouz as i though he was excellent in the euro’s, although he struggled at times for chelsea. van buyten would also be a great buy, we should’ve had him 3 years ago!! would also love cuellar, kompany or samba to partner taylor or faye and provide real competition at the back!!

then lets use the money we’re saving for emre’s wages and stick a Â£12m bid in for moutinho!! sure there would be other clubs interested but we can guarantee first-team football every game, and give the lad a buy-out clause so if he wants to leave to go to one of the big boys in 2-3 years then let him move on. but hopefully with him in the team we are capable of matching his ambition!! as usual, blind optimism
18 The Entertainers // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:40

Keegan wants 2 defenders before the weeks out?

I think Keegan wanted 2 defenders a month ago and didnt get them, so dont hold your breath!

I like the sound of the Greek and although a week or two is a long time in football, i believe if we get to that stage and still are no further forward.
The saying quality rather the quantity can be reversed as far as we are concerned. We need numbers and yes we all would all like to see Bridge or some other international arrive if it doesnt happen then a average Championship LB will just have to do.

We have a terrible injury record at Newcastle for some reason and at the moment i can not see anything that will change that, so we do need QUANTITY!
19 PapaToon // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:40

spending a lot of money doesnt equal a good player e.g. luque we all remember him right. Newcastle is going to be run like a coporated company so it means shrewed investmentsm and lowering your underlying costs.
As pointed out by Hatty the whole market has been pretty quite. When Graeme Souness came in we spent 50 mill and we had a mediocre season. You can forget 20 mill transfer for newcastle as we are not even in the top ten for the past few seasons.
Lot of people talk about european players who have no premier league experience and that wont suit us as it takes time to settle. Apart from Habib Beye no one had a great season. We need players who know what the PL is about
20 dick // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:42

I’m more worried than ever before about getting suitable players in, every team in the premiership is out bidding us for players including sunderland ,that is the ultimate humuliation
21 Taiwantoon // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:43

I don’t feel the market has stalled at all personally…

Most teams in the EPL have made a few signings (even high profile ones) and we are so far one of the few clubs that have kept the spendings at minimal.

I want no big signings. It is just crystal clear that our squad is thin and it’s difficult to compete in the EPL with so few players. A few injuries on the road and we will be in trouble.

Having said that, I do expect a few signings in a week time tho.
22 Teddy // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:43

can everyone give MA a chance?

from what i see hes thinking about the future, buying young talent, investing in the youth squad to find new talent around the area…

have the big money buys weve had recently actually been worth the moeny or has it just been throwing money down the drain? Luque, boumsong?

the fact is the standard of player we can attract without european football isnt high enough to let us compete with the top four, so y not improve the foundations spend less so when we get to being more of an attrictive club them we can spend even more?
23 Angryman the Angry Fan // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:46

HATTY, you are wrong.

The Market hasnt’stalled’!!!

Ask arsenal, who have signed Nasri,
Tottenham, dos santos, modric n more
Portsmouth Crouch n more
Blunderland Chimbonda Tianio n more to come
Bolton Elmander n more
Chelsea Boswinga, deco
Manciteh Jo, Ben haim

Need I go on. Other teams are very active in the transfer market, sigining players they so desperatley need!!

And note, I have only named the ‘Quality Players’ we have heard of, they are also signing ’squad players’

Our board just dont want to pay the going rate, they want cheap bargain buys, and will gamble on next seasons results!!
24 Angryman the Angry Fan // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:47

TAIWAN TOON, you bloody beat me to it.

Sick of this transfer market stalled clap trap!!!
25 Micky Toon // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:49

The new Dabizas?
26 Cyprus-Toon // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:49

Having spent the last 16 years supporting the TOON, I thought when Ashley took over, we’d see a completely different way of management but it seems we won’t, its gonna be the same ole same ole again, last minute panic buys, as we have the smallest squad & have shipped out around 7 first teams players to replace them with 2 new ones’, 1 of which doens’t have a work permit yet!!!
I hope & prey that Ashley does stump up some cash this week or we’re going to be in massive trouble come the start of the season, as we only have 22 players, thats the 1st & reserve teams only, most other teams, including the Mackems have that many in their 1st team only, so we’re are gonna be royally screwed if we don’t start buying soon!!!
27 COBBO // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:52

Having over the past few years filled supporters with false hope with big signings , they have now decided to demoralise fans before the season starts and i must say are doing a fantastic job. God only knows what the atmosphere at the Bolton match will be like if the current trend contiues!!!!
28 Taiwantoon // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:52

@Angryman the Angry Fan

I found it hard to take Ben Haim’s decision too…I am just trying to convince myself that he is doing this for big Sam.
29 Angryman the Angry Fan // Jul 24, 2008 at 9:56

CASHLEY, here are a few suggestions:

Van Buyten / Kompany / Mtzelder

Shorey / Bridge / Lahme

VDV / Diego / Arshevin / inler / Turan

Derdyok / Gomis / Gomez / Pavlyuchenko

One from each section would probably cost a total outlay in the region of 35-40m!!!

They would pay for themselves in merchandising, and if you had bought any of these before the strip launch today, you would have at least doubled your sales figures with strips and name printing alone!!!!

Also, a suggestion re cost cutting. Take a leaf out of Real Madrids book, and take a cut of players sponsorship deals!! That way they can be paid top dollar and this would be offset by their sponsorships!!

Before i get shouted down, I have my dreams tooooooo
30 Rob West Australia // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:06

Iam sick of all the crap that we are linked with for f### sake either sign some one or shut the f### up. Even the mackems put their money where mouths are. Dont talk put the money on the table.
31 autibo // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:07

pogrebnyak!!!!! better and cheaper than pavlyuchenko, but i’d also take deriyok
32 ChrisL // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:08

@Ed
The headline reads:
“Keegan Wants Two Defenders In Within A Week”
But I can’t see any quote from Keegan suggesting this in the article. Did you leave it out Ed?
33 valle // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:10

As i have said before, i think we should take a leaf out of Mark Hughes book and buy our defenders from the German league… A player such as Heiko Westermann and Arne Friedrich are good centrebacks and play in Hertha and Schalke, they are well within our reach and wont cost much. For the left back spot, we could try for Christian Pander who would be just as great on the left as Beye is on the right and again a player from Schalke.
34 Hatty // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:15

If you ask any football expert / journalist, they’ll tell you that over the last week or so, the market has been dead.

Ironically, Sunderland have a hand in setting it going again.

If they complete their Spurs signings, this gives Spurs the money to buy Bentley / Arshavin etc, which frees up Berbatov and Keane to their respective moves.

I didn’t say the market has stalled all summer, just over the last week or so.

Hell, we’ve signed two players. Everton and Villa have signed less (and Villa have the smallest squad in the league).

Patience is needed.

When has a summer been any different? I remember even last year when we got to this point having signed 4 or 5 players, people were still complaining.
35 Hatty // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:17

Ed, stop making stories out of nothing. Where is the suggestion that Keegan wants signings in the next week? If you’re taking your info from Alan Oliver at the Chronicle, you might as well ask the Bartenders at Shearers Bar. I’m sure they know more than him.
36 tapir // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:17

MA if you dont have the money go rob some bank then only come back!!!!!!
37 Hatty // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:19

Rob West Australia - who says we aren’t putting money on the table.

Here’s a link to suggest we’ve put a Â£6m bid in for Baptista, but he’s waiting on Roma. - http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/web/gen/20080723/noticia_53505415902.html
38 figsdad // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:20

They will have defenders lined up and nobody on ere or the press will get wind of it..

watch this space…
39 Sal // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:20

Enough of the Ashley bashing and freakin’ wake up man.

Did somebody really just say when Ash took over they expected a new way of management, but its just same old???? WTF??? Frederick Shepherd anyone?????

We are being run properly, and we are restricting the painful wages we have forked out for years and achieved absolutely fook aal other than making some very greedy men very rich indeed.

All on here have twisted in the past, I have no doubt, over the insane wages we are paying people like Alan Smith, the board are addressing this, leave them to it.

When it come down to it, we offered in excess of Â£16mil for Modric including a good wage packet - he turned us down, Â£7mil for Aimar and he reportedly tried to ask for too much wages - I am pleased we didnt dance to his tune given he would have been a gamble, gutted he didnt come, but pleased we have more forsight having been BURNED so many many times.

We cant attract the top names at present, we can but ask and thats that, KK Co. will find the right players from those that are willing to come, these things are taking longer, because we can’t cherry pick these days.

Start to Bash Ash when we know he aint supporting KK, not when the red tops say so.
40 Gooderz // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:24

Olympiakos are thought to be asking Â£6.5m for Torosidis and that’s a great price considering his ability and versatility.

Then if we got a quick CB like Suchy, David Luiz, or Onuoha if we wanted an English option, then we’d be sorted.
41 Punk Skunk // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:25

Most teams fans expected a hell of a lot more transfer activity than we’ve seen in this window…& to deny that is…Well, use your imagination!..
…Fank thuck we didn’t get/go for ben haim, chimbonda et al…Phew!..
…Torosidis would be excellent, as would Pog & Derdi…
…Ask neverton, villa, etc what they think about ALL this transfer actiity!..
42 AndyNUFC // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:26

It’s just been so disappointing seeing so many days go by with nothing. I don’t care about “give them time” thing, we NEED those 4 other players, and even still, they better be top quality first teamers if we’re only getting 4 in. Is it actually that Ashley isn’t backing Keegan… Or that Wise isn’t getting the players in? Nobody knows, that’s the thing. It could be Wise, or it could be Ashley, one thing’s for sure I think we all know if KK was given a set amount of money then he’d be out there now buying players.
43 Hatty // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:30

Why does it have to be anyone’s fault? There are too many people who are quick to judge and point blame, but is it just not a case of everyone’s finding it difficult to sign the players they need…. not just us.
44 Toonlad // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:31

Hatty: Any chance of a reasonable translation re that item on Baptista? My Italian is limited.

Rob West Australia: Where are you? I’m in Perth.
45 Nick Dryden // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:35

Why is KK going after Ferdinand and Warnock , a waster and a journeyman, when we have Kadar and Edgar - 2 really bright and upcoming players.
Also I think KK is laying it on a bit thick with Owen. the guy’s injured yet again!! Do we never learn?
46 AndyNUFC // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:36

Well I hate to say it but Spurs don’t look to be having any trouble bringing good players in.
47 The Entertainers // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:38

I understand that one of the reasons we have not bought more players is due to the transfer market being dead to an extent. There certainly is’nt alot of big transfers going around at the moment.

But that does not explain the ones we have been in for and lost out to other teams. This can be explained by our poor current status or our lack of financial clout regarding contracts and bids.

I’m not sure which, prehaps both.

All i do know is that while i’m am REALLY TRYING to remain positive and fully back Ashley 100%. The mood around Newcastle United is quite pessimistic, you only have to talk to other NUFC fans around town or your family or better still this site is a real barometer for fans around the globe.

We could all do with a NUFC pick me up!
48 Oba // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:39

It isn’t Italian, it’s Spanish.
49 Punk Skunk // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:42

KK is sayin’ Owen is captain to put others makin’ bids for him…Huh?..
…spuds are in euroland this season, Huh?..
50 shearer4pm // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:48

has anybody thought that money is actually on the table, and it’s jus that keegan is doin his research before he takes the plunge???, think about it, were so used to having instant signings and overhauling the squad every year, were acting like a normal club,
look at man united, scholes, giggs, neville, all been there 10 years+, whos our longest serving outfield player??, we need experience. and not jus some random guy from spain whos gonna be the next maradona, i totally agree with the youth system, but for now we need experienced players, thats total experience, not 3 years in the premiership experience(sidwell, shorey)
51 Angryman the Angry Fan // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:49

Punk Skunk, I do take your point….however!! Where did Everton finish in the league last season??
Where did Aston Villa Finish in the league last season??

Arguably, do they need to sign many players?? I would have been ecstatic to have finished in Evertons position and have signed the two players we have signed……

But we didnt!!!

And Everton absolutely pummeled us last game of the season!!
With the team we have now, Everton would pummel us frst game of this season…..do you see where i am coming from??

So your logic aint that good matey!!
52 Micky Toon // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:50

The reason we are probably looking at the likes of Warnock are because some mugs are moaning that we aren’t signing anyone, so the club are going to sign anyone just to shut them up.
Like I said in another post, why do people think we aren’t offering the right money for players? Perhaps the club didn’t think the players were worth the money. If the club are doing business like that, then I am happy for it. The club thinks a player is work x amount the sellers think he is work double that we tell them to shove it. How it should be IMHO.
53 HeronMag // Jul 24, 2008 at 10:58

I’m actually not surprised we’ve been quiet in the transfer market. Year on year we’d over invested in the some of the biggest prospective talents in Europe and never had anything to show for it. KK and Ashley want proven talent for their money - no more Luque’s or Viana’s.

Mike Ashley bailed us out. Without him Newcastle United would be in serious financial difficulty. I’ve no doubt if the right player came along that KK thought could change the team Ashley WOULD back him. We already know we bid Â£9m for Woodgate and Â£16m for Modric so the money is there.

KK just wants to find the right men for the job.

KEEP THE FAITH!
54 Punk Skunk // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:01

Angry,
just 2 eg’s of teams who’ve spent nowt, & 1 of ‘em , villa, selling players…& the fans of their teams that i meet, several per week, are more pissed than us lot bro’…They’re hatin’ it…
…neverton will not finish there this season & i doubt villa will either!..
…& now the bluenoses are trying to sell johnson for Â£10+m, Lol…apparently!..No doubt to buy players…I think we also beat them last season didn’t we?..

…Hey man, i understand what y’saying, but i ain’t gonna judge anything/one ’til it all unfolds!..
…After all, no-one can say neverton or villa got up the league with ‘world class’ players, so it also defeats a lot of the arguements for trophy signings, doesn’t it?..
55 Hatty // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:02

The Baptista article basically says that we put a bid of Â£6.5m pound in for him on Tuesday night, no mention of whether it was accepted, but that he’s waiting to see if Roma make a move.

With regards to Warnock, he’s a very good left back. Edgar and Kadar are nowhere near ready in my opinion, especially after watching Edgar struggle against Hartlepool last week.
56 Toonlad // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:03

Oba: Thanks, mate. Haven’t got my reading glasses on, (bit of a blur) and in a great hurry with other things, otherwise I would have recognized it as such. Mind my Spanish is as lacking as my Italian.
57 Angryman the Angry Fan // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:03

Micky Toon, get real, Mike Cashley will not part with the steam, he’s hardly gonna rush out and sign someone just to appease us peasants that plough our thousands into Nufc annually is he??

After all “He has done wonders for the club” hasnt he, in his “expensive seat”!!

I mean, look at all the players he has signed, in order to take this team forward as he promised us all.

Look at the massive backing he is giving to his Manager, as he promised us.

Oh and DONT forget the debt he has paid!! You know, the masses of debt he is now trying to claw back by selling slices of the club, cutting costs and refusing to pay the going rates for players!!

And you think this bloke will go and fork out 3m of his hard earned on a player just because we voice our opinions on a blog!!

You should do stand up mate!!
58 ANON // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:06

Why would we want a player (baptiste) that couldnt cut it at one of the best teams in the premier league who play attractive attacking football and make life easy for their front players!!

Know what I am sayin???
59 Hatty // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:09

By all accounts Baptista COULD cut it at Arsenal and scored a good few goals, but it was just a loan wasn’t it.
60 Punk Skunk // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:14

Some players take more than one season in a new land to ‘cut it’, unfortunately!..
61 Leo // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:16

onouha would be a good move mancity surely will need the money and his chances for a first team spot reduced

torosidis would also be a good signing because he is versatile
62 Sal // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:25

Onouha is just another good prospect, we need a seasoned international centre half to bring a bit of focus and composure to our, at times, chaotic set up at the back.
63 Geordie Nick // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:35

why will man city need the money???? they have a very wealthy man in charge and he isnt a tight arse
64 Punk Skunk // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:37

But he is a crim, allegedley!..
…So he’s prob spendin’ other peoples money, now that has got to be a tough job?..
65 ANON // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:47

Wenger had the option to sign Baptista at the end of the loan on a pre agreed fee/contract!!

he didnt take up the option!!
I think wenger is a manager who might know a good player when he see’s one, but i am only guessing this!!!!

He might actually be a Cr*p manager, who wouldnt know a decent player if he was pittling on him!!

Lords alive
66 normski1930z // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:52

look lads as i have sed before fat boy spent nothing last summer he spent nowt in jan and upto now this summer he has spent nowt and if im honest i dont expect that to change…sold the roz and bought spiderman sold emre and bought guthrie… still nothing spent.
67 ANON // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:52

Hatty, you make me laugh!!
“COULD cut it at Arsenal and scored a good few goals,”

How many did he actually score in the premiership?? Ratio goals per game in the premiership please??

After all he would be playing ……..in the premiership!!!
68 Angryman the Angry Fan // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:57

Normski193oz

You sound like an angry young man!! ha ha ha

However, you do state nothing but facts about the past.

People need to wake up and smell the coffee!!

Look at the Reyes situ, reports are that he will sign for monaco after failing to agree ‘personal terms’ with NUFC!!!

Whether rumour, speculation or whatever, as I stated earlier, the club are feeding the rumour mill themselves inadvertantly by not denying any of these rumours, instead they just let us think they are actively trying to sign players….keep selling the tickets mikey boy, you will break even again soonish no doubt!!
69 SydneyToon // Jul 24, 2008 at 11:59

Do you reckon one of these new defenders will be Anton Ferdinand?…or that kid from Man U, what’s his name?
70 Chris // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:04

I agree with Anon about Baptista, Wenger must have seen something he didn’t like otherwise he’d have signed him. He’s probably doing what Aimar done, using us to get a better deal at Roma.
As for Ben Haim, I couldn’t care less if he turned us down yet again, don’t believe Keegan was all that interested though TBH. I don’t rate him that highly so I’m not bothered he’s not coming.
Torosidis sounds a good prospect though so I hope we go for him.
As for Keegan wanting 2 defenders in by next week, well there’s no quotes from the man himself, so it’s basically paper talk to raise fans expectation once again. I can see it now this time next week, angry fans coming on here asking where these 2 signings are WE’VE BEEN PROMISED!
I’d like to see a few players coming in sooner rather than later so they have the chance to get up to match fitness for one, and to gel with the rest of the squad for another.
By the time the transfer window closes we are already a couple of weeks into the season and I don’t think it’s very good policy to just throw new signings straight into the first team squad unless they already play in the Premiership.
71 Punk Skunk // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:05

Rather not have ferdinand, so maybe the rapist(allegedley!), er sorry, evans!..
72 Ausgeordie // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:13

You know what he didn’t get rich by giving money away. Ashley and Keegan will take their time with signings and look for the best buys. By not bidding yet and seeing what happens some prices will go down because players are looking to switch. Arshavin is 21mill now but in another week you’d probably get him for 18mill.

I think we should get in there and snap up Shorey and Seb Larsson. Two good/great squad players, stand outs in their team and proven at supplying assists and free kicks. Neither would cost more than 5 mill, given their clubs they would not need to be guaranteed 90 mins every week to keep them happy and they would both complement our team in areas we know we are weak.

If we let these two go I’d be massively disappointed.

ED - How about a list of ten players we might be able to get for under 10 mill each and let us vote on three of them to let keegs know what we want
73 SwedeEric // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:18

If we just would have bought Modric, we didnÂ´t had have to listen to all kids on here who is whining about MA never gonna show the big cash. And as I hope you guys now, we offered more than Spurs bought him for, and more in wage, so the money is there!

But it has to be on the right player, witch is the way to go! Then all the players that cost all that money, not many of them wants to come here atm. And I certenly donÂ´t want a trophy signing that cost alot, has a big name, take a huge wage, and then play like Smith and Duff did last season…
74 Taiwantoon // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:20

Ausgeordie

no offence, but shouldn’t it be 6million instead of 10m?
75 chuck // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:20

Believe Torosidis could do the job as a CD, Would like to see either Evans or Onouha as backup and future RB.
Enrique is the future hopefully, in which case an experienced LB would fit the bill, thought Koncheski had a good season.
Trouble is a combined bill of Â£15m or more, for all three would Ashley go for it ?
76 JimToon // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:21

Why Didn’t we go for Carlos Cuellar, he was an absolute rock for Rangers last year which he was the catalyst of getting them get into the final. Also SPL player of the year fairly young. Get Him Get Him
77 gorskino10 // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:23

baptista is kinda like kanoute was not good in I’m but will be in Spain for a team like villareal or something. Onouha is American so not an English player but still good. That Greek guy and Suchy would be great but let’s wait and see what cheap player we will buy, please don’t forget kk about Paquet.
78 Rob West Australia // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:32

Toonlad iam in Bunbury originaly from the toon. Where are you? Sell SMITH and buy better.Could some one tell me why we are keeping him?
79 chuck // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:33

It appears except for a few die hard optomists,
that the majority of fans have realised that KK is between a rock and a hard place, in attempting to
improve the club.
I wont go into it , as it`s allready been stated above , just dont expect too much.
80 Toony // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:38

So much panic in the comments about signings!!

I have to say Im really looking forward to seeing the team play a full season under KK. I think the attitude and style of football we are likely to see will be a breathe of fresh air.
I do hope we manage a few more signings to bolster the squad but even if we dont, I will be eternally grateful to Ashley for saving this club from certain death!!! which I think some people forget!!!

1/ Players playing for the right reasons and enjoying football

2/ The club buying players at sensible rates and researching before purchase

3/ A youth policy for the long term future with exceptional kids from around the world and local lads.

I feel all the first team players will be out to prove a point after last seasons crap. Watch out for Duff this year, injury free I reckon he may be the difference…….
81 Tom_Toon // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:40

Just sign Torosidis!
82 normski1930z // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:48

has anybody else noticed how all of our dealings seem to be undisclosed fees…. maybe its just me or is that because fat boy doesnt want us to know much he is pocketing…. coz he certainly aint spending it on the team…..
83 Angryman the Angry Fan // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:52

SWEDE ERIC & TOONY, Please!!
You are being taken in by business talk.

look, when a person buys a business as big as NUFC, he has to justify it to the staff and customers that are already there. How do you do this?? You say “God, i got in just in time, just before the business was about to fold like a deck of cards” He immediatley tries to gain the trust of the people he needs!!

They then release statements to show that they are trying to turn the company around, “we have just bid 16m for Modric” and now that this is a privately owned company they dont have to report this to anybody, so only they will know if it is true or not!!

Mort said that they held talks with Modric at the training ground and offered more than Spurs??? So why on earth did Modric say he had never been to Newcastle and never spoken to anyone at newcastle. A quick retraction from Mort to say that they had spoken to his agent….mmmm dubious!!

I dont believe it for one moment, any of it.
The debt was paid off to save Cashley Money (interest Payments), no one else, it also makes the club alot more attractive to investors/buyers.

How many times, other people have tried to explain this on here, this is how the club is being run!! Not saying it is wrong, not sayong it is right, but what i am asking for is for NUFC to provide us with a team to make us proud again!!

He isnt doing that at the Moment, we are simply still a laughing stock!!!
84 normski1930z // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:55

well sed angry dude this guy is as hard as mountain goats hoafs….and as for the modric i for one dont believe it ever happened so it just goes to show what a lying bunch we have in charge…
85 Angryman the Angry Fan // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:57

fees are undisclosed because…..”they dont have to declare it to anyone but thenselves” as seen in my previous post.
So yes, in a sense, we, the fans, the paying lifeblood, dont know how much we are spending!!

YET, they were quite happy to say “We bid 16M for Luka Modric”….wakey wakey all you Cashley fans!!

It didnt happen!! Its all about Marketting!!
Selling tickets to put money in the coffers!! Not bothered about bums on seats, just get the Cash in!!

PROVE ME WRONG CASHLEY!!!!!! PLEASE
86 Sal // Jul 24, 2008 at 13:16

Angry Man, Please!!
You are being taken in by complete cynicism.

We are a business and are being run properly this time around.

Ash cleared the debts so he would pay out less in interest repayments - ummm, yes, although it is the club which will be paying less in interest repayments and of course not repaying the capital element - We had reportedly borrowed tens of millions secured against future ST revenue’s, we reportedly borrowed money specifically to buy Michael Owen, can you not see that this approach could have only lead to financial ruin - Leeds anyone??????

Ash is trying to turn the clubs finances around for the club and for himself - Guess what, I also go to work to make money, as do you and all the club owners in the league barr Roman Abramovic.

If you really believe we didnt table a bid for Modric, or Aimar then fair enough, I however firmly believe we tried to sign those players and as such I firmly believe that should the opportunity to sign the RIGHT player arise, we will go for it.

Why go and spunk Â£10mil on some diva that just wants to get on the NUFC gravy train of previous years - Bollox to that, we are punching below our weight these days and its time to work our way up properly.

Stop complaining when as yet, there is no real reason to do so.
87 Ed Harrison // Jul 24, 2008 at 13:19

Jim Toon - Cuellar has today said he doesn’t want to leave Rangers - but we could still bid.
88 harrier // Jul 24, 2008 at 13:20

Angryman - I don’t know where to begin with alot of the dumb things you have said today.

You made a post of a list of players who would never join us unless we had champions league football already.

You think Ashley would be a smart enough business man to realise that alienating your public will not result in increased sales.

Ashley knows he is selling a product that is the whole football club.

Ashley probably could put a 40 million pound bid and offer 200000 pounds per week in wages - but it would be the dumbest thing i would have ever heard, and I would probably be as angry as you.

If we pay silly fees - everyone will expect us to pay silly fees and prices for players go up.

If we pay silly wages - all the players expect silly wages and we cannot (and likely will never) afford that

If Ashley leaves after we invested heavily in these uber expensive players and can’t pay the bills then we will do a leeds.

“Cashley” needs to prove nothing because their current transfer policy is better than it was.

Please stop trying to ruin our club.
89 Toon 85 // Jul 24, 2008 at 13:21

I can’t believe the stick Ashley is getting on here, Ashley is a hell of a lot more clever than any of us on here, he has seen what signing players like boumsong and luque has done to the club, and doesn’t want it to happen again. I would rather sign a guthrie then a luque any day of the week.
90 AndyT // Jul 24, 2008 at 13:22

normski,
Newcastle lost 30Million in 2007 and that was with UEFA cup revenues, so given he had to personally fork out 80million in bank debts when he took over, unless he’s managed to somehow reduce the wage bill by Â£30 million a year and those undisclosed transfer fees happen to net out to Â£80Million into the club, then no, he’s not spending it on the team, but its costing him millions just to keep the club going as it is.
91 Toony // Jul 24, 2008 at 13:23

Points well made ANGRY, and I think you just got Haywood the sack lol…..He’s just left the board after a year when Ashley brought him in to make a marketing difference.

Seriously though I still thank god that Shephards out and I feel a lot more confident about where the club are going. Mind you I also have to say that I preferred it years ago when when we all assumed that the club was in safe hands and we just turned up to enjoy the match!

I think we all have enough stress in REAL life and could probably do without worrying but then with the web and TV and newspapers on a daily basis it gets difficult not to get involved.

What happens on the pitch is really all I am concerned about.
92 AndyT // Jul 24, 2008 at 13:34

Angryman
There is no requirement in any transfer to reveal the fee, no matter what the company structure. The fact that the club is not listed on the stock exchange just means that there is less regulation around the timing of announcements because they can’t affect market prices. There are slightly more relaxed timings around publishing financial information, but it still has to be put into the public domain. Go and pay a quid at the companies house website for the last set of accounts and see how much money the club was losing before he bought it.
93 ObaFan2 // Jul 24, 2008 at 13:44

Personally I’m happy with the way the club has changed in the last 12 months under MA’s control.

I am a little disappointed at the lack of signings so far this summer but I’m happy to wait for the season to start in 3 weeks or so and see who we have then.

Running a club like NUFC and buying the right players at the right time isn’t like playing any FM game, timing(player availability and their expectations), getting the price right and players contracts right etc all take time if the club is to be run well and efficiently.

Give them time and all will be well, if not we can voice our opinions @ SJP the same way Villa fans did with Barry

Keep the faith……. yet again.
94 AndyT // Jul 24, 2008 at 13:45

Hey Angry the other thing you would learn from the accounts is that matchday revenues (season tickets and bums on seats) only account for 34% of the total revenue.

Also the debt wasn’t paid off to save interest payments (And by the way those were interest payments that Newcastle United were making, not Ashley) nor was it necesarily because he particularly wanted to. It was quite simply because the loans that Newcastle United had been entered into included clauses that gave the banks the option to recall the loan if the club was de-listed, which given the current situation in the financial markets, the banks alll promptly invoked. So he had no choice in the matter, he either had to declare his newly purchased football club bankrupt, or fork out the cash.

In terms of marketing the club. Do you really think shouting from the rooftops about money trouble is a good way to get players into the club? how many posts on here start with X is in trouble we could get their star player for as little as Y million - they need the cash!
95 Angryman the Angry Fan // Jul 24, 2008 at 13:47

Harrier, F*** OFF man!!
Me ruining this club!! Statement of the day….

If you read my posts, if you can!!
You will read and understand that I am not asking him to pay silly wages, I am not asking him to pay over the odds purchase fees, I am asking him to pay the going rate, as are all the other teams that have improved their teams.

You contradict yourself by saying that we could do a leeds.
The club that were millions in debt yet, spend further millions on sub standard players!!
We havent any debt supposedley and we arent spending, pull the other fekka it has bells on!!

Honestly, their transfer policy is rubbish. Or should I say what transfer policy, we aint signed anyone that has cost us anything yet man!!Bargain basement is not good enough for my team matey!!

READ MY POST, I did say that before anyone shouted me down, i too am allowed to dream!!

FFS…me ruining the club!! If only i had that kind of power…..T*T!!!

ED-Sorry for swearing, it has totally shanked me off that someone can accuse me of ruining NUFC, just by making my thoughts vocal!!
96 ObaFan2 // Jul 24, 2008 at 13:51

Do you not think that some of us bloggers on here are sick of all the negative tripe we have to endure day in day out when all we want is to enjoy the crack.

Ok opinions voiced but not hourly/daily plz.
97 Sal // Jul 24, 2008 at 13:51

Angry Chap:

We wont do a Leeds because we are now run by a real management team.

I have very little doubt that if the pie man were still at the healm, we would be spiralling toward obscurity within 5 years.

Keep the faith, and Twist on September 1st should we not have got some good players in.
98 AndyT // Jul 24, 2008 at 13:53

Angry,

The point is you are asking him to pay that. Personally. Out of his own pocket. When he is already putting millions, personally, out of his own pocket into keeping the club going.

The club can’t afford it - simple as.

Personaly I would love it if he did throw a few more million (alright several tens more) at it. But at the end of the day it his money.
99 ObaFan2 // Jul 24, 2008 at 13:58

KK has 3 years to build the team, I believe we will have some good players added this season who will help the rest of (imo) a good but small squad (some exceptions like Smith but hey he might come good ? lol)

I am hopeful we will have a good base to build from and that NUFC will be one of the more stable teams/clubs in the EPL for many years to come whoever owns it and that will be down to MA and CM’s hard work over the last 12 months.
100 Angryman the Angry Fan // Jul 24, 2008 at 13:58

AndyT

Season Tickets and bums on seats are 34% of the revenue yes??

So waht does he make from selling the beer, form merchandise and from sales of players?

Wasnt it you recently who told me that figures can be dressed up?? Things can be declared and other things maybe not? so is there any possibility the revenues generated can be ‘dressed up’ in order to tell us that the club arent making much money? I believe account s on comany house are accounts filed from April to April? so that the most recent figures will be Apr 2007-2008? and the figures will take into account the purchase battle, that cost, and took place? therefore maybe giving a slightly distorted view of P&L. I dont know, not an accountant, of which you obviously are??

Just curious, you seem to know a helluva alot about NUFC financial state than most of us, and by all accounts it doesnt sound like we are gonna be able to afford to invest in the team :-).

My point precisley!!
101 AndyT // Jul 24, 2008 at 14:02

A final comment on how much Newcastle currently costs to run - If we have such a depleted squad and desperately need quality players - how come we have the fifth highest wage bill in the premiership and how come spending even more is the solution?
102 Angryman the Angry Fan // Jul 24, 2008 at 14:06

Okay Fellas and any ladies!!

I shall take my ‘Negative’ views elsewhere, but it is a sad day, when you cannot get your opinion across on an internet blog. At least all of my posts are about The greatest team on earth, I very rarely abuse anyone, only when they accuse me of things I havent done.

But for all the Cashley Lovers, please check out a few more blogs, broaden your horizons, and you will see that you guys thinking Cashley is doing good for the team are firmly in the minority!!

Just my opinion………

(Bugle) Der, derr ..derrrrrrrrrrrr……..der..derrrrrrrrrrr
(Thats the last post.)

Ha ha!!
Enjoy many hours of talking Blog
103 Sal // Jul 24, 2008 at 14:11

Cant speak for Andy but I am an accountant, and regardless of the club being privately owned or a plc, the accounts will be audited and if they were materially misstated, the auditors would provide a report saying so.

Just stop trying to disect every move Ash makes and let him and the club get on with it.
104 Toonybroon // Jul 24, 2008 at 14:11

Big virgin!!

@ANDYT,

5th Highest Wage bill??

Biggest board of useless directors contributes somewhat to a ludicrous wage bill!!!

They arent effing well doing their jobs!!!

PS reading your Accounts accumen, did you get your Cert from a Christmas Cracker??
105 Micky Toon // Jul 24, 2008 at 14:18

Angry, your internet persona is a bit tiresome. Cue remark from angry about me being tiresome.
Obviously you’ve set your internet persona up to just slag off what is happening at the club and nothing that anyone says can change your mind. Fair enough, if that’s how you want to play, but be aware that the reasonable people on here can actually see the good work that is happening at SJP and that the long term furture of the club is now secure. Something that is far more important than signing “big name player here for one last windfall before he retires, but we’ll sign him just to shut the braying masses up. Obviously NUFC don’t make decisions based on a bunch of internet bloggers, if they did I’d be seriously worried. However it’s not just on here that people are shouting about MA’s seemingly lack of funding. The club will be more aware of fans discontent than you think they are. IF by signing someone would shut up at least 50% of the detractors then they may do it.
At least we aren’t going for token signings like Michael Owen. Does anyone really think that wasn’t an exercise in Fat Freddy trying to shut the sack the board mob? Fat Fred was finished, we were chanting for his head, I know I was one of them, then suddenly he pulls Owen from out of his big fat arse and suddenly no one was joining me in the sack the boad club. Wool pulled over the eyes. I’m glad our current owner does not resort to these tactics.

If you still need convincing that MA does what the fans want then look no further than who he appointed as a manager. He bottled appointing a proper manager and went for the “peoples choice” in Keegan. Big mistake IMHO. I’m not trolling, I’ve said this many times on here. Keegan is not the man he was and cannot push the club to where we want it to be.
106 AndyT // Jul 24, 2008 at 14:18

Angry - the figures in that set of accounts can’t be too dressed up - they are the last set that are as a PLC. Its also consistent with the three previous years, so not likely. Merchandising is another 32% and TV revenue and sponsorship account for the rest. But matchday revenues include the matchday catering like the corporate hospitality the bar sales etc.

The player transfers are a whole murky bit. Basically they are only required to list either profit or loss on player registrations and that includes fringe players that are released and the notional value of their registration etc. Also the total wage bill is listed, but not itemised in any way, not even to differentiate between playing/non playing staff or those directly linked to the team versus ancilliary staff like stewards or admin staff.

The accounts for a company can run from any date and usually (although not always) for 1 year. Newcastle (and most european football clubs) run from 1st July, which corresponds with both the season and players contracts.

The reason I knowall of this is I bought the accounts from companies house. you can do it on line - it costs Â£1. I have a degree in European Business Administration From Hendon Business School a postgraduate degree in Enterprise Management from Durham University Business School and am director of a company that supplies consultancy to most of the big financial institutions in the city (Not bad for a lad from Ashington eh?). But mostly because I’m a nosey bast’d and I wouldn’t trust a journalist as far as I could throw one.
107 AndyT // Jul 24, 2008 at 14:23

Hey Angry - stick around.
You’ve got passion about the club and want to see stuff happen and get frustrated when nothing does. Thats not tiresome.

If everyone made identical posts and had the same oppinion on everything there would never be any point in getting to comment 2.
108 ObaFan2 // Jul 24, 2008 at 14:23

AndyT, hope you didn’t need all that fine education to realise you can’t trust journos

Nowt wrong with Ashington btw, except for the obvious
109 Angryman the Angry Fan // Jul 24, 2008 at 14:25

AndyT

I am impressed!!
You dont trust journo’s like I dont trust Cashley!
110 Angryman the Angry Fan // Jul 24, 2008 at 14:28

Micky Toon??

Is that your opinion by any chance???
Okay then, i respect it, BUT. Please explain….Why am i not allowed to voice mine??
111 AndyT // Jul 24, 2008 at 14:29

He He - never said I trusted Ashley either - thats another reason I went to look for myself.
112 ObaFan2 // Jul 24, 2008 at 14:37

Each thread seems to turn into either a FM game style talk rubbish about impossible signings or Bash Ashley/stick up for him chat.

I however realise your passion for our team Angryman and really hope by Christmas your view has changed for the better in that we have made major steps forward as a club and are producing good performances on the pitch.

Only time will tell tbh how our club’s future will turn out .
113 harrier // Jul 24, 2008 at 15:10

Angryman nothing against you - I have seen your thoughts - but I don’t need to see them everyday. I don’t spout my views until someone starts with the anti-ashley stuff. In fact I am sick of arguing about it. The club will be fine. Nobody is spending money this transfer market. Fees in football are way to high as it is - glad someone has made a stand to say we are not going to pay rediculous wages. Perhaps a bit harsh but I see you here almost everyday trying to recriut more people into the Ashley out brigade. I just worry that you will succeed in getting support and Ashley will leave.

Many argue the club is falling behind - relegation fight blah blah blah. The 5 teams ahead of have made 5 total transfers - two of them not doing anything. Our team became good at the end of the season - and with the right players than perhaps we can push onwards and upwards. It will not kill us to be stuck in midtable for another year as our players get more experience and we get to use more of our younger players.
114 Angryman the Angry Fan // Jul 24, 2008 at 15:18

Obafan2

I honestly hope my opinion has changed also!!
More than anyone would believe!!
115 ObaFan2 // Jul 24, 2008 at 16:06

I know I can read that m8.
I’m the opposite in that come the end of the transfer window and if we haven’t improved our squad significantly I’ll be yelling at those in power but atm I believe they are doing the best they can at this moment in our clubs history.
116 WIGAZ // Jul 24, 2008 at 16:14

Dont know much about this greek lad but if all say he’s good i’ll be happy with that! i’d like to see Shorey in at left back & possibly evans on loan! i really hope these are 2 players we have tied up already! would love to see some experience come in like sol just to help taylor & evans develop!
117 harrier // Jul 24, 2008 at 16:21

that was a way of apologizing by the angryman
118 G // Jul 24, 2008 at 16:39

Angryman

I agree with you
Every club in PL can keep buying and keep running well, why not us?
Last season we just made around 6M net spending by Big Sam
Why we have no money to buy player this season?
Mike Ashley bought the club for around 200M and paid around 80M to cover the debts so it is totally 280-300M, but the investment company from US and UAE willing to pay 400M to buy Newcastle from Mike Ashley
If Newcastle have serious financial problem, why investors are willing to buy it? They are idiots?
F***ing Ashley treats Newcastle as an earning business and only wants to get as much profit as he could from the club!
119 ObaFan2 // Jul 24, 2008 at 16:54

G, your facts are wrong…. but it’s only millions ur talking about so don’t suppose it matters
120 Toon raghav // Jul 24, 2008 at 17:20

MA is in touch with LADEN’S but MA hasnt agreed on amount .MA wants opium farm opened in his name in afghanistan.MA should be send to Afghanistan ,he doesn’t deserves to stay in our club.everyday he is just breaking our hearts .
121 Toon raghav // Jul 24, 2008 at 17:23

I have even come to know frm my close sources dat MA goes to watch games just to select his targets who are as healthy as he is.I have come to know dat he is a vampire who suckles upon newcastle fans blood n money.
122 AndyT // Jul 24, 2008 at 20:15

G - in that csae please name 10 premiership teams that have a net spend higher than Newcastle this summer, should be easy - thats only just over half of the teams you claim are outspending us.

As for us netting 6 Million at the start of last season where do you get that from?
IN
Barton Â£6M
Rozenhal Â£3M
Smith undisclosed (rumoured at Â£5M)
Enrique Â£6m
Faye Â£2m
Beye Â£2m

Total = Â£24M
(rest were frees)

OUT
Parker Â£7M
Dyer undisclosed (rumoured at 7M)
Solano undisclosed (rumoured at 1M)

With Huntingdon and O’Brian going for less than a million between them
That would mean we got a combined Â£14 Million for Pattison and Luque
If Ashley got that much for them - then fair play, he earned his 6 Million quid.
I think if you look again you might see that he spent a net of 6 Million on players! but hey him forking out 6 Million for the club, fleecing the club for 6 Million, dont let something as trivial as justifying your claims get in the way of a good bit of criticism.
123 Evan // Jul 24, 2008 at 20:46

Mike Ashley deserves our trust, considering he has bought a club that was essentially in shambles, and has revamped the business, development, and managerial aspects tenfold. If that doesn’t receive respect, the I don’t know what does.

I am quite satisfied with Ashley’s administration’s temperament and lack of shortsightedness. Buying another Luque, Emre, Smith, or Boumsong (all without or past their prime) was horrific business, and Shepherd, Souness, Roeder, and Big Sam were equally as dismal. I think the last intelligent and significantly expensive purchase we’ve made was Shearer. Look back and think about the types of players Robson took 4th with…

Ashley and his minions are clearly trying to expel these irresponsible financial tactics, but it willing to back Keegan. Did it ever occur to you that Keegan is the picky one? I almost guarantee Aimar would have signed for Newcastle before Benfica, but Keegan saw him as another poor piece of business, digression, or waste of money. The same goes for Bassong, and whomever else he has considered this summer.

It’s time for everyone to stop considering these millions of pounds directly from Ashley’s pocket as useless and for everyone’s sake, stop referring to him as a “vampire” and the like. This is probably the first time in a long while that Newcastle are progressing in all tiers of the club, and that hopefully includes the premiership table.

Think what you may, but I am excited about this youthful, stable, and committed squad and the future that will accompany it. Being negative only perpetuates our lack of content.

Expecting top 6 this term is a lofty goal, and not satisfying it will only disappoint. I prefer to expect less, and when we do finally succeed, times will be ever so sweet. Patience is a virtue, but foresight and respect are principles of any business.
124 Evan // Jul 24, 2008 at 20:48

well put AndyT… glad to see rationality

The Newcastle United Blog

News, Views and Comment On Newcastle United Football Club By Ed Harrison, A Proud Geordie And Lifelong Fan