Scottish Mag 3 Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 Newcastle's directors will be forced to wait to discover Mike Ashley's intentions at St James's Park - with a date still to be set for the billionaire's proposed first meeting with the United board. Freddie Shepherd and his colleagues are keen to hold talks with 42-year-old as soon as possible in an attempt to ensure Sam Allardyce's summer recruitment plans are not impeded. But the health problems which caused Shepherd to seek hospital treatment last week have complicated the situation and the discussions are not expected to start until the end of the week at the earliest. Six days have passed since Sir John Hall agreed to sell his 41.6% stake in the Premiership club. But Ashley and Shepherd - Newcastle's two biggest shareholders following last week's dramatic developments - have yet to open a dialogue. Club officials invited the ambitious businessman to a meeting to discuss his proposed £133m takeover bid four days ago, although it was last night unclear whether he had responded. Whether he has or not, it is believed no date has been agreed. Ashley's £30m offer for Shepherd's shareholding remains on the table. But, until the two main protagonists meet to thrash out an uncertain situation, it is feared the club could find itself in limbo. It is a situation Newcastle's present directors are determined to avoid. Shepherd's doctors have told him to take it easy as he recovers from a punctured lung, pneumonia and pleurisy, although he is understood to be keen to meet Ashley as soon as possible. The current board were last night said to be `open-minded' about the situation, with the club's directors keen to learn more about the Hertfordshire-based businessman's plans before coming to a decision on their respective positions at St James's Park. Almost a week on, the uncertainty endures. No one is monitoring the situation with greater interest than Allardyce. Glenn Roeder's successor has insisted he is close to making a breakthrough as he pursues his first signing as Magpies boss, although the situation in the boardroom cannot be helping matters. Ashley's plan to provide Allardyce with £40m for players is understood to hinge on whether he can wrest control from Shepherd and, although he is determined to minimise disruption, it is inevitable that his manager's efforts will be hampered to a certain degree. Still, having been told it is business as usual, Allardyce has begun to put plans in place. The 52-year-old is interested in Liverpool's Peter Crouch, although Mark Viduka appears a more realistic short-term striking target after his contract at Middlesbrough expired. Although a free agent, the Australian's acquisition would require a significant investment. Viduka is understood to have been offered around £80,000-a-week to join West Ham, although a player also in Portsmouth's sights is reluctant to leave his Harrogate base. Viduka's keenness to remain in the North means Allardyce can consider his capture with confidence. But West Ham's proposed contract will mean the player will seek inflated terms. Should Newcastle be reluctant to meet his demands, he is expected to agree to remain on Teesside. Like Roeder, Allardyce is keen on Crouch, although the striker last night insisted that he will remain at Anfield. "He (Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez) has told me I'm in his plans and that's good enough for me," the England international said. A swap deal involving Michael Owen has been rumoured, although Allardyce last week spoke with the 27-year-old in an attempt to persuade him to remain in the North-East. Allardyce, who is also interested in Tal Ben Haim, Sami Hyypia and Leighton Baines as he strives to rebuild Newcastle's defence, has yet to start work in earnest at Newcastle. Although he has kept in constant contact with the club and is actively pursuing players, he officially remains on holiday with a view to being behind his desk next week. By that time, Allardyce will hope the situation in the boardroom is somewhat clearer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2bias 3 Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 interesting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 6068 Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 How longs he been on his nollys now like!!! He left bolton about 3 month ago, get your arse back and start working Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottish Mag 3 Posted May 29, 2007 Author Share Posted May 29, 2007 How longs he been on his nollys now like!!! He left bolton about 3 month ago, get your arse back and start working 4 weeks ago.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zico martin 87 Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 How longs he been on his nollys now like!!! He left bolton about 3 month ago, get your arse back and start working 4 weeks ago.. longer holidays than the bloody teachers tbh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 6068 Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 How longs he been on his nollys now like!!! He left bolton about 3 month ago, get your arse back and start working 4 weeks ago.. still, hes on our payroll now, time to get his arse in gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman02uk 0 Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 How longs he been on his nollys now like!!! He left bolton about 3 month ago, get your arse back and start working 4 weeks ago.. still, hes on our payroll now, time to get his arse in gear. although I doubt theres fuck all he could do like, I assume most of the players have gone, he cant really start any serious negotiations whilst the takeover is still in the sky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakehips 0 Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 (edited) 'Newcastle board in the dark' Aye, because Portly Freddie was standing at the fuckin' window! Freddie is in one hell of a position. The same position McKeag was in before SJH started making noises. Before SJH appeared over the horizon, the fans did not have a figurehead to champion their cause. Now history, to a certain degree, is repeating itself and Shepherd has to make the decision to sell up or become the biggest hate figure in the north east and all that goes with it. Just sell Freddie; take the money and leave. You had the club's best interest at heart - I honestly believe that - but you are just not up to the job (you never were). Edited May 29, 2007 by snakehips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyluke 1 Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 Viduka's been offered £80,000 a week by the Hammers?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 133 Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 Viduka's been offered £80,000 a week by the Hammers?! FFS, they can have him at that price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 26762 Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 Viduka's been offered £80,000 a week by the Hammers?! Source? That's fucking silly money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted May 29, 2007 Share Posted May 29, 2007 Viduka's been offered £80,000 a week by the Hammers?! Source? That's fucking silly money. Must have the same agent as Lucas Neill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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