Ashley: Eu must deliver, Kev

[Guest alex]

Aye, we're a big club but there's probably about 6 clubs more attractive to top players at present.

 

 

Being? ... Top 4 plus?

Spurs for a kick-off and Man City too. Arguably there are others.

[LeazesMag 0]

Love the way he keeps saying 'he's invested' £250m....

 

makes me smile too .........

 

 

Has anyone done the sums on his estimated balance sheet since arriving?

 

EDIT: Using a mixture of ball park estimates and the averages from NUFC-Finances.org.uk I reckon....

 

 

Outgoings

Buy price 130M

Debt 30M

Wages 60M

Players in 30M

Other expenses (match related) 15M

Total 265M

 

Incomings

TV 20M

Players Out 16M

Commercial 20M

Gates 30M

Total 86M

 

 

Which has him 179M down. Sitting pretty on a lovely little investment though.

 

Happy to bow to wiser heads and add/remove/change amounts though

 

 

The club is valued at £240m that's all you need to know. Unless our performance on the park changes drastically he won't find anyone to pay substantially over that price.

 

Why are you perpetuating the notion that Ashley should run the club as a charity?

 

Almost a fifth of his total wealth is wrapped up in the club at the moment. If he does sell up, so fuck. Someone else will get all the grief. As it stands he's taking a LOT LOT less out of the club than the previous owners did while spending more.

 

If the Coloccini deal happens that's 2 years running that transfer spending (including income) has exceeded £10M. A phenomenon that only occurred 3 times out of the previous 9 years at the club.

 

http://www.nufc-finances.org.uk/transfers2.htm

 

 

Charidee? Why charidee?

 

You have a problem with him not spending more right?

 

It doesn't make sense on or off the pitch to start spending astronomical money until we're an attractive proposition to the best players.

 

whats the difference between spending money now and in 2 years time [by which time Keegan may be gone] do you think Newcastle are a shitty little club like Blackburn, or the smoggies, for instance, that can't do it, or do you like us being run like Blackburn, smoggies etc

 

You seriously think Newcastle aren't seen as a big club by footballers inside the game don't you ? Laughable. [well, they were up until a year ago anyway.........]

 

You said it yourself, is it really laughable?

 

The difference between spending now and what I'd envisage in 2 years is the difference between players that are only good enough to get us into Europe, and players that will help us challenge once we're there.

 

so you're admitting we need a few more quality players to get us into europe ?

 

I think that sort of hits the nail on the head, and is the point that is trying to be made here.

 

If he doesn't do it now, then Keegan will be gone in a few years time. Opportunity lost. And if he doesn't do it now, you have no reason to think that he will in a few years time either.

 

Whats the betting in a few years time, it dawns on people like you that Ashley is running the club in the manner that he intends to continue, if he really expects Keegan to deliver europe with this current squad of players then he really knows nothing about football. The only way he will this if we have unbelievable luck with injuries.

[Guest alex]

There's an argument (not sure I agree 100% with it) that you slowly improve the squad then spend big when you're in Europe / the CL. Problem is, if you don't spend enough if the first place you'll never get there. It's a tricky balance.

[Happy Face 29]

so you're admitting we need a few more quality players to get us into europe ?

 

I think that sort of hits the nail on the head, and is the point that is trying to be made here.

 

If he doesn't do it now, then Keegan will be gone in a few years time. Opportunity lost. And if he doesn't do it now, you have no reason to think that he will in a few years time either.

 

We're on the verge of adding our fourth summer signing though. And a £10M defensive record breaker to boot.

 

Further acquisitions are needed as everyone at the club agrees (and have promised they'll arrive).

 

Do you complain bitterly about your shit christmas presents throughout November?

 

Whats the betting in a few years time, it dawns on people like you that Ashley is running the club in the manner that he intends to continue, if he really expects Keegan to deliver europe with this current squad of players then he really knows nothing about football. The only way he will this if we have unbelievable luck with injuries.

 

I already think he's running the club as he intends to continue. The only thing that will change is the class of player we can attract if Keegan can get us moving up the table.

 

Do you think the squad played to their potential last year?

[Jusoda Kid 1]

Definitley not. If KK had been there from the start there would have been no flirting with relegation.

[Fop 1]

There's an argument (not sure I agree 100% with it) that you slowly improve the squad then spend big when you're in Europe / the CL. Problem is, if you don't spend enough if the first place you'll never get there. It's a tricky balance.

 

I'm banking on Keegan's magic pixie dust to swing it.

[Guest alex]

There's an argument (not sure I agree 100% with it) that you slowly improve the squad then spend big when you're in Europe / the CL. Problem is, if you don't spend enough if the first place you'll never get there. It's a tricky balance.

 

I'm banking on Keegan's magic pixie dust to swing it.

Well I still think he can be a big draw but that's dependent on other things too.

[Happy Face 29]

Definitley not. If KK had been there from the start there would have been no flirting with relegation.

 

I think we'd have pushed for Europe.

 

Allardyce threw away 15 points that should have been in the bag...

 

Boro (a) 2

Derby (a) 3

Reading (a) 3

Mackems (a) 2

Derby (h) 2

Wigan (a) 3

 

He sent out a team to play for a draw in all of those. Those points would have had us 7th

Edited August 10, 2008 by Happy Face

[LeazesMag 0]

so you're admitting we need a few more quality players to get us into europe ?

 

I think that sort of hits the nail on the head, and is the point that is trying to be made here.

 

If he doesn't do it now, then Keegan will be gone in a few years time. Opportunity lost. And if he doesn't do it now, you have no reason to think that he will in a few years time either.

 

We're on the verge of adding our fourth summer signing though. And a £10M defensive record breaker to boot.

 

Further acquisitions are needed as everyone at the club agrees (and have promised they'll arrive).

 

Do you complain bitterly about your shit christmas presents throughout November?

 

Whats the betting in a few years time, it dawns on people like you that Ashley is running the club in the manner that he intends to continue, if he really expects Keegan to deliver europe with this current squad of players then he really knows nothing about football. The only way he will this if we have unbelievable luck with injuries.

 

I already think he's running the club as he intends to continue. The only thing that will change is the class of player we can attract if Keegan can get us moving up the table.

 

Do you think the squad played to their potential last year?

 

the point you miss - accidentally or deliberately - is that while Keegan will make a good job with what he gets, how much will they capitalise on his potential ? And when he's gone, then there is no guarantee that the next manager will spend the money well. They look like they are doing a good job if the manager makes good judgements, but in reality, they should be doing better.

[Park Life 70]

There's an argument (not sure I agree 100% with it) that you slowly improve the squad then spend big when you're in Europe / the CL. Problem is, if you don't spend enough if the first place you'll never get there. It's a tricky balance.

 

This is the essence of me and Nicos's last 5 proper debates.

[Park Life 70]

Definitley not. If KK had been there from the start there would have been no flirting with relegation.

 

Agreed. He gets at least 10% more out of most honest players.

[Happy Face 29]

so you're admitting we need a few more quality players to get us into europe ?

 

I think that sort of hits the nail on the head, and is the point that is trying to be made here.

 

If he doesn't do it now, then Keegan will be gone in a few years time. Opportunity lost. And if he doesn't do it now, you have no reason to think that he will in a few years time either.

 

We're on the verge of adding our fourth summer signing though. And a £10M defensive record breaker to boot.

 

Further acquisitions are needed as everyone at the club agrees (and have promised they'll arrive).

 

Do you complain bitterly about your shit christmas presents throughout November?

 

Whats the betting in a few years time, it dawns on people like you that Ashley is running the club in the manner that he intends to continue, if he really expects Keegan to deliver europe with this current squad of players then he really knows nothing about football. The only way he will this if we have unbelievable luck with injuries.

 

I already think he's running the club as he intends to continue. The only thing that will change is the class of player we can attract if Keegan can get us moving up the table.

 

Do you think the squad played to their potential last year?

 

the point you miss - accidentally or deliberately - is that while Keegan will make a good job with what he gets, how much will they capitalise on his potential ? And when he's gone, then there is no guarantee that the next manager will spend the money well. They look like they are doing a good job if the manager makes good judgements, but in reality, they should be doing better.

 

Better how?

[LeazesMag 0]

so you're admitting we need a few more quality players to get us into europe ?

 

I think that sort of hits the nail on the head, and is the point that is trying to be made here.

 

If he doesn't do it now, then Keegan will be gone in a few years time. Opportunity lost. And if he doesn't do it now, you have no reason to think that he will in a few years time either.

 

We're on the verge of adding our fourth summer signing though. And a £10M defensive record breaker to boot.

 

Further acquisitions are needed as everyone at the club agrees (and have promised they'll arrive).

 

Do you complain bitterly about your shit christmas presents throughout November?

 

Whats the betting in a few years time, it dawns on people like you that Ashley is running the club in the manner that he intends to continue, if he really expects Keegan to deliver europe with this current squad of players then he really knows nothing about football. The only way he will this if we have unbelievable luck with injuries.

 

I already think he's running the club as he intends to continue. The only thing that will change is the class of player we can attract if Keegan can get us moving up the table.

 

Do you think the squad played to their potential last year?

 

the point you miss - accidentally or deliberately - is that while Keegan will make a good job with what he gets, how much will they capitalise on his potential ? And when he's gone, then there is no guarantee that the next manager will spend the money well. They look like they are doing a good job if the manager makes good judgements, but in reality, they should be doing better.

 

Better how?

 

Look , if we go out and buy the striker or midfield player that we need, and worry about the fee later, instead of scouting around the bloody bargain basement, then I'll admit he is showing something approaching the sort of ambition I think he should be showing.

 

In short, its called putting the football first.

 

If he seriously thinks they have done enough to demand that KK gets us into europe, then he's lost his marbles.

Edited August 11, 2008 by LeazesMag

[Happy Face 29]

so you're admitting we need a few more quality players to get us into europe ?

 

I think that sort of hits the nail on the head, and is the point that is trying to be made here.

 

If he doesn't do it now, then Keegan will be gone in a few years time. Opportunity lost. And if he doesn't do it now, you have no reason to think that he will in a few years time either.

 

We're on the verge of adding our fourth summer signing though. And a £10M defensive record breaker to boot.

 

Further acquisitions are needed as everyone at the club agrees (and have promised they'll arrive).

 

Do you complain bitterly about your shit christmas presents throughout November?

 

Whats the betting in a few years time, it dawns on people like you that Ashley is running the club in the manner that he intends to continue, if he really expects Keegan to deliver europe with this current squad of players then he really knows nothing about football. The only way he will this if we have unbelievable luck with injuries.

 

I already think he's running the club as he intends to continue. The only thing that will change is the class of player we can attract if Keegan can get us moving up the table.

 

Do you think the squad played to their potential last year?

 

the point you miss - accidentally or deliberately - is that while Keegan will make a good job with what he gets, how much will they capitalise on his potential ? And when he's gone, then there is no guarantee that the next manager will spend the money well. They look like they are doing a good job if the manager makes good judgements, but in reality, they should be doing better.

 

Better how?

 

Look , if we go out and buy the striker or midfield player that we need, and worry about the fee later, instead of scouting around the bloody bargain basement, then I'll admit he is showing something approaching the sort of ambition I think he should be showing.

 

In short, its called putting the football first.

 

If he seriously thinks they have done enough to demand that KK gets us into europe, then he's lost his marbles.

 

 

He's breaking our transfer record for a defender. Bargain basement?

 

Keegan has said all along he's happy with his forward line. There's 11 strikers in the squad, 4 of them full internationals.

[Happy Face 29]

If he seriously thinks they have done enough to demand that KK gets us into europe, then he's lost his marbles.

 

He's never said he has.

 

He said Europe's the dream, but we're still middleweights. To continue his analogy, we can't just gorge on steak to become heavyweights, we need a long term training plan and a structured diet to build up muscle.

[Happy Face 29]

Keegan has said all along he's happy with his forward line. There's 11 strikers in the squad, 4 of them full internationals.

 

bit genorous that... 2 are injury prone and one hasn't scored in over a year out of that 4..

 

Keegan's a generous man.

[David Kelly 1117]

Not wishing to defend LM here but I agree if Ashley thinks we should be getting into Europe with this squad then he is deluded (and so is Keegan if he thinks it's possible too, which I don't think he does).

 

And of those four full international strikers, one is less likely to score than Given and two of the other three are regularly on the treatment table. If they were fit all season they would look like a top notch strike force which would require no additions. They will not be fit all season though as we all know (hell two of them aren't already and the third isn't fully prepared for the start of the season).

[Happy Face 29]

Not wishing to defend LM here but I agree if Ashley thinks we should be getting into Europe with this squad then he is deluded (and so is Keegan if he thinks it's possible too, which I don't think he does).

 

And of those four full international strikers, one is less likely to score than Given and two of the other three are regularly on the treatment table. If they were fit all season they would look like a top notch strike force which would require no additions. They will not be fit all season though as we all know (hell two of them aren't already and the third isn't fully prepared for the start of the season).

 

Ashley's never said Keegan has to get into Europe with this squad.

 

Take up the striker question with Keegan, he's the one who said he had enough cover there.

[David Kelly 1117]

Not wishing to defend LM here but I agree if Ashley thinks we should be getting into Europe with this squad then he is deluded (and so is Keegan if he thinks it's possible too, which I don't think he does).

 

And of those four full international strikers, one is less likely to score than Given and two of the other three are regularly on the treatment table. If they were fit all season they would look like a top notch strike force which would require no additions. They will not be fit all season though as we all know (hell two of them aren't already and the third isn't fully prepared for the start of the season).

 

Ashley's never said Keegan has to get into Europe with this squad.

 

Take up the striker question with Keegan, he's the one who said he had enough cover there.

What name does he go under on here?

 

Actually you probably have a point about Ashley. I admit I'm doing a bit of a Parky here in that I didn't actually read the article

[LeazesMag 0]

Not wishing to defend LM here but I agree if Ashley thinks we should be getting into Europe with this squad then he is deluded (and so is Keegan if he thinks it's possible too, which I don't think he does).

 

And of those four full international strikers, one is less likely to score than Given and two of the other three are regularly on the treatment table. If they were fit all season they would look like a top notch strike force which would require no additions. They will not be fit all season though as we all know (hell two of them aren't already and the third isn't fully prepared for the start of the season).

 

Ashley's never said Keegan has to get into Europe with this squad.

 

Take up the striker question with Keegan, he's the one who said he had enough cover there.

 

Well, KK isn't from the Souness school of man management. What else would he say ?

 

If the KK we knew of old sold Andy Cole for Les Ferdinand, you can bet as much as you like that he will still want better than what he's got this time too.

[LeazesMag 0]

so you're admitting we need a few more quality players to get us into europe ?

 

I think that sort of hits the nail on the head, and is the point that is trying to be made here.

 

If he doesn't do it now, then Keegan will be gone in a few years time. Opportunity lost. And if he doesn't do it now, you have no reason to think that he will in a few years time either.

 

We're on the verge of adding our fourth summer signing though. And a £10M defensive record breaker to boot.

 

Further acquisitions are needed as everyone at the club agrees (and have promised they'll arrive).

 

Do you complain bitterly about your shit christmas presents throughout November?

 

Whats the betting in a few years time, it dawns on people like you that Ashley is running the club in the manner that he intends to continue, if he really expects Keegan to deliver europe with this current squad of players then he really knows nothing about football. The only way he will this if we have unbelievable luck with injuries.

 

I already think he's running the club as he intends to continue. The only thing that will change is the class of player we can attract if Keegan can get us moving up the table.

 

Do you think the squad played to their potential last year?

 

the point you miss - accidentally or deliberately - is that while Keegan will make a good job with what he gets, how much will they capitalise on his potential ? And when he's gone, then there is no guarantee that the next manager will spend the money well. They look like they are doing a good job if the manager makes good judgements, but in reality, they should be doing better.

 

Better how?

 

Look , if we go out and buy the striker or midfield player that we need, and worry about the fee later, instead of scouting around the bloody bargain basement, then I'll admit he is showing something approaching the sort of ambition I think he should be showing.

 

In short, its called putting the football first.

 

If he seriously thinks they have done enough to demand that KK gets us into europe, then he's lost his marbles.

 

 

He's breaking our transfer record for a defender. Bargain basement?

 

Keegan has said all along he's happy with his forward line. There's 11 strikers in the squad, 4 of them full internationals.

 

Well, he broke it the last time too when he brought Peacock in, but it didn't stop him buying strikers too when he thought we needed them.

[Happy Face 29]

Not wishing to defend LM here but I agree if Ashley thinks we should be getting into Europe with this squad then he is deluded (and so is Keegan if he thinks it's possible too, which I don't think he does).

 

And of those four full international strikers, one is less likely to score than Given and two of the other three are regularly on the treatment table. If they were fit all season they would look like a top notch strike force which would require no additions. They will not be fit all season though as we all know (hell two of them aren't already and the third isn't fully prepared for the start of the season).

 

Ashley's never said Keegan has to get into Europe with this squad.

 

Take up the striker question with Keegan, he's the one who said he had enough cover there.

 

Well, KK isn't from the Souness school of man management. What else would he say ?

 

If the KK we knew of old sold Andy Cole for Les Ferdinand, you can bet as much as you like that he will still want better than what he's got this time too.

 

Absolutley.

 

Keegan realised Cole was perfect for a newly promoted club in terms of cost and ability, but that Ferdinand was the man to take us forward as a club in Europe and chasing the league.

 

To all intents and purposes, we are currently in the newly promoted position that needs a Cole, not a Ferdinand.

 

These Ashley quotes say it all for me...

 

"there is money for Kevin to spend. If the deal is right – and that means it's the right player who Kevin wants – then we will do that deal."

 

Ashley says he has learnt from Keegan and agrees that the club should only be looking to invest in players who want to play for the Magpies with pride rather than attracting them with the bait of big wages.

 

The entrepreneur said: "The right player at the right time is who we are after now, players with the heart and passion to play for Newcastle and its supporters. Kevin doesn't stop emphasising that."

 

It's not Ashley's policy. It's Keegans.

[Happy Face 29]

so you're admitting we need a few more quality players to get us into europe ?

 

I think that sort of hits the nail on the head, and is the point that is trying to be made here.

 

If he doesn't do it now, then Keegan will be gone in a few years time. Opportunity lost. And if he doesn't do it now, you have no reason to think that he will in a few years time either.

 

We're on the verge of adding our fourth summer signing though. And a £10M defensive record breaker to boot.

 

Further acquisitions are needed as everyone at the club agrees (and have promised they'll arrive).

 

Do you complain bitterly about your shit christmas presents throughout November?

 

Whats the betting in a few years time, it dawns on people like you that Ashley is running the club in the manner that he intends to continue, if he really expects Keegan to deliver europe with this current squad of players then he really knows nothing about football. The only way he will this if we have unbelievable luck with injuries.

 

I already think he's running the club as he intends to continue. The only thing that will change is the class of player we can attract if Keegan can get us moving up the table.

 

Do you think the squad played to their potential last year?

 

the point you miss - accidentally or deliberately - is that while Keegan will make a good job with what he gets, how much will they capitalise on his potential ? And when he's gone, then there is no guarantee that the next manager will spend the money well. They look like they are doing a good job if the manager makes good judgements, but in reality, they should be doing better.

 

Better how?

 

Look , if we go out and buy the striker or midfield player that we need, and worry about the fee later, instead of scouting around the bloody bargain basement, then I'll admit he is showing something approaching the sort of ambition I think he should be showing.

 

In short, its called putting the football first.

 

If he seriously thinks they have done enough to demand that KK gets us into europe, then he's lost his marbles.

 

 

He's breaking our transfer record for a defender. Bargain basement?

 

Keegan has said all along he's happy with his forward line. There's 11 strikers in the squad, 4 of them full internationals.

 

Well, he broke it the last time too when he brought Peacock in, but it didn't stop him buying strikers too when he thought we needed them.

 

And I'm sure if he thought we needed strikers, he'd be chasing them.

[LeazesMag 0]

so you're admitting we need a few more quality players to get us into europe ?

 

I think that sort of hits the nail on the head, and is the point that is trying to be made here.

 

If he doesn't do it now, then Keegan will be gone in a few years time. Opportunity lost. And if he doesn't do it now, you have no reason to think that he will in a few years time either.

 

We're on the verge of adding our fourth summer signing though. And a £10M defensive record breaker to boot.

 

Further acquisitions are needed as everyone at the club agrees (and have promised they'll arrive).

 

Do you complain bitterly about your shit christmas presents throughout November?

 

Whats the betting in a few years time, it dawns on people like you that Ashley is running the club in the manner that he intends to continue, if he really expects Keegan to deliver europe with this current squad of players then he really knows nothing about football. The only way he will this if we have unbelievable luck with injuries.

 

I already think he's running the club as he intends to continue. The only thing that will change is the class of player we can attract if Keegan can get us moving up the table.

 

Do you think the squad played to their potential last year?

 

the point you miss - accidentally or deliberately - is that while Keegan will make a good job with what he gets, how much will they capitalise on his potential ? And when he's gone, then there is no guarantee that the next manager will spend the money well. They look like they are doing a good job if the manager makes good judgements, but in reality, they should be doing better.

 

Better how?

 

Look , if we go out and buy the striker or midfield player that we need, and worry about the fee later, instead of scouting around the bloody bargain basement, then I'll admit he is showing something approaching the sort of ambition I think he should be showing.

 

In short, its called putting the football first.

 

If he seriously thinks they have done enough to demand that KK gets us into europe, then he's lost his marbles.

 

 

He's breaking our transfer record for a defender. Bargain basement?

 

Keegan has said all along he's happy with his forward line. There's 11 strikers in the squad, 4 of them full internationals.

 

Well, he broke it the last time too when he brought Peacock in, but it didn't stop him buying strikers too when he thought we needed them.

 

And I'm sure if he thought we needed strikers, he'd be chasing them.

 

19 days left, and 6 to the new season

[Happy Face 29]

19 days left, and 6 to the new season

 

 

Aye.