Time For Ashley To Speak

[LeazesMag 0]

Money helps, but scouting and organisation is the key to everything.

Well if Tiote and Ben Arfa are the product of this then thats good enough for me. Would rather see this than spunking money(wages,fees etc) on some over the hill or over rated Billybigbollocks

 

no good if they see the club as limited and want to go to a club that spunks money on wages and fees to a billybigbollocks though.

[Dolly Potter MD 0]

Money helps, but scouting and organisation is the key to everything.

Well if Tiote and Ben Arfa are the product of this then thats good enough for me. Would rather see this than spunking money(wages,fees etc) on some over the hill or over rated Billybigbollocks

 

Yep, players who see this club as a step up (which it is for all but a few) as opposed to players who see it as a gravy train/retirement fund.

 

I'd rather these players [the Tiotes, Enriques, and Ben Arfas] envision us a viable option to achieve their personal career goals, the fulfllment of ambitions ie. European football etc. This is obviously achieved through actions from the board - by not selling your best players.

 

Under this man's ownership the club is nothing more than a strategic stepping stone [as a player agent's first port-of-call in England, for young clients with a bag of potential] for such players who have the raw ability to move on to the highest level of club competition, and consequently attract an appropriate wage package & signing bonus' later on.

 

Despite Ashley's damage inflicted to the on-field brand, and taking into account our league positioning, the club's stature [as fully maximised by Ashley's predecessors] still allows us to acquire talent that will inevitably slip under the top-4's radar from time to time, providing we don't play funny buggers over transfer fees with the player's parent club.

 

We're a great 'one contract term bus-stop' [at the most] at the moment, a meal ticket for bigger & better things for players............... and that's the ideal marriage under the club's current model of acquiring players with resale value, improving them & moving them on for a profit.

[Christmas Tree 3997]

Money helps, but scouting and organisation is the key to everything.

Well if Tiote and Ben Arfa are the product of this then thats good enough for me. Would rather see this than spunking money(wages,fees etc) on some over the hill or over rated Billybigbollocks

 

Yep, players who see this club as a step up (which it is for all but a few) as opposed to players who see it as a gravy train/retirement fund.

 

I'd rather these players [the Tiotes, Enriques, and Ben Arfas] envision us a viable option to achieve their personal career goals, the fulfllment of ambitions ie. European football etc. This is obviously achieved through actions from the board - by not selling your best players.

 

Under this man's ownership the club is nothing more than a strategic stepping stone [as a player agent's first port-of-call in England, for young clients with a bag of potential] for such players who have the raw ability to move on to the highest level of club competition, and consequently attract an appropriate wage package & signing bonus' later on.

 

Despite Ashley's damage inflicted to the on-field brand, and taking into account our league positioning, the club's stature [as fully maximised by Ashley's predecessors] still allows us to acquire talent that will inevitably slip under the top-4's radar from time to time, providing we don't play funny buggers over transfer fees with the player's parent club.

 

We're a great 'one contract term bus-stop' [at the most] at the moment, a meal ticket for bigger & better things for players............... and that's the ideal marriage under the club's current model of acquiring players with resale value, improving them & moving them on for a profit.

 

We are not at the top of world football and therefore just another run on the ladder to the top for the truly great players. This is just a simple fact of football life that effects EVERY club in this country without exception.

 

The wild card in all of this are Ashleys genuine intentions. We can debate it til we are blue in the face, but they will not be known until the summer window closes.

 

If one or two leave us for Champions league football, thats sad but tough. The main thing will be what comes in. Will the Carroll money be re-invested, will Graham Carr unearth more Tiotes and Ben Arfas.

 

With a bit of luck, we will assemble a squad that can really push on for Europe next year, thus pushing us further up the ladder run.

[Guest Your Name Here]

Money helps, but scouting and organisation is the key to everything.

Well if Tiote and Ben Arfa are the product of this then thats good enough for me. Would rather see this than spunking money(wages,fees etc) on some over the hill or over rated Billybigbollocks

 

Yep, players who see this club as a step up (which it is for all but a few) as opposed to players who see it as a gravy train/retirement fund.

 

I'd rather these players [the Tiotes, Enriques, and Ben Arfas] envision us a viable option to achieve their personal career goals, the fulfllment of ambitions ie. European football etc. This is obviously achieved through actions from the board - by not selling your best players.

 

Under this man's ownership the club is nothing more than a strategic stepping stone [as a player agent's first port-of-call in England, for young clients with a bag of potential] for such players who have the raw ability to move on to the highest level of club competition, and consequently attract an appropriate wage package & signing bonus' later on.

 

Despite Ashley's damage inflicted to the on-field brand, and taking into account our league positioning, the club's stature [as fully maximised by Ashley's predecessors] still allows us to acquire talent that will inevitably slip under the top-4's radar from time to time, providing we don't play funny buggers over transfer fees with the player's parent club.

 

We're a great 'one contract term bus-stop' [at the most] at the moment, a meal ticket for bigger & better things for players............... and that's the ideal marriage under the club's current model of acquiring players with resale value, improving them & moving them on for a profit.

 

We are not at the top of world football and therefore just another run on the ladder to the top for the truly great players. This is just a simple fact of football life that effects EVERY club in this country without exception.

 

The wild card in all of this are Ashleys genuine intentions. We can debate it til we are blue in the face, but they will not be known until the summer window closes.

 

If one or two leave us for Champions league football, thats sad but tough. The main thing will be what comes in. Will the Carroll money be re-invested, will Graham Carr unearth more Tiotes and Ben Arfas.

 

With a bit of luck, we will assemble a squad that can really push on for Europe next year, thus pushing us further up the ladder run.

Make that an odds defying behemoth of good fortune, or a radical change in our recruitment policy.

 

By all accounts Ben Arfa was being touted around by his agent, rather than targeted by our scouts. It’s not like he was an unknown either. Footballers who have played for the French national team tend not to go unnoticed. I think we got HAB because we were the biggest club prepared to take a risk on the kind of player that has now gone on strike twice to get a move. The lad has talent but there’s still a big question mark about his temperament.

 

Tiote looks like a genuine find but there aren’t many out there and the longer we shop in the bargain basement the less likely we are to find a hidden gem. We’re not the only club with a scouting network and I think there’s a tendency to get a bit happy clappy about how great our recruitment is now.

 

Since relegation we’ve signed nine(?)* outfield players, almost a full team - Ben Arfa, Tiote, Williamson, Best, Routledge, Perch, Campbell, Simpson and Lovenkrands (sort of). It’s about a 50/50 success rate and more importantly it’s not the basis of successful PL side.

 

* and that crock from Everton.

 

To put it another way - our most recent acquisitions starting eleven would look like this

 

Goalkeeper

Simpson Williamson Campbell Perch

Routledge Gosling Tiote Ben Arfa

Lovenkrands Best

Edited February 19, 2011 by Your Name Here

[Flair 0]

there's something to be said for the ashley approach of not over paying, but it's too extreme. cutting the wage bill, which was out of control under the last regime, and unearthing gems like tiote and ben arfa for minimal fees is one thing, but they need to complemented by better quality. and fromt iem to time that means putting your finger in yoru pocket. if you only shop in the bargain basement, you're going to end up with far more leon bests and peter lovenkrands than you are tiotes

 

and maybe end up with an Owen, Luque or Boumsong for which you could have a dozen cheapo's and maybe get 2 Tiote's, maybe..............

 

nah. A Shearer, Ferdinand, Ginola, Lee, Robert, Bellamy, Solano, Speed, Venison, Beresford, Cole, Sellars, Woodgate, Dyer, Peacock, Ferguson, Jenas etc....

 

Proof of the pudding is the league positions. Would you rather qualify for the Champions League and europe more than any club bar 4 in a 15 year period, or lose your best players and consider survival to be success ?

 

Don't really know why I'm asking this anymore. You're not skidmarks' dad are you ?

 

No he's his bumboy.

Edited February 19, 2011 by Flair

[Toonpack 6892]

there's something to be said for the ashley approach of not over paying, but it's too extreme. cutting the wage bill, which was out of control under the last regime, and unearthing gems like tiote and ben arfa for minimal fees is one thing, but they need to complemented by better quality. and fromt iem to time that means putting your finger in yoru pocket. if you only shop in the bargain basement, you're going to end up with far more leon bests and peter lovenkrands than you are tiotes

 

and maybe end up with an Owen, Luque or Boumsong for which you could have a dozen cheapo's and maybe get 2 Tiote's, maybe..............

 

nah. A Shearer, Ferdinand, Ginola, Lee, Robert, Bellamy, Solano, Speed, Venison, Beresford, Cole, Sellars, Woodgate, Dyer, Peacock, Ferguson, Jenas etc....

 

Proof of the pudding is the league positions. Would you rather qualify for the Champions League and europe more than any club bar 4 in a 15 year period, or lose your best players and consider survival to be success ?

 

Don't really know why I'm asking this anymore. You're not skidmarks' dad are you ?

 

No he's his bumboy.

 

Good morning Flid, how are you today?

[Christmas Tree 3997]

Wonder if Sports direct will move into the club stores he's closed down in Eldon Square and the metrocentre.

I assumed he was just saving on rent but you might be right there.

I doubt it, neither of the units are really big enough for a Sports Direct and in both cases there is already one within 200 yards. Don't think the Metro Centre club shop is actually closing.

 

 

Grand Re-Opening tomorrow with players in attendance.

 

 

Members of Newcastle's first team squad will be at the Official Club Store in the Metro Centre on Thursday afternoon to mark its re-opening.

The players, including new signing Stephen Ireland and defender Steven Taylor, will be on hand to sign shirts and autographs from 2-4pm.

The Metro Centre shop has recently undergone a refurbishment and is now open for business again, and is the best place for Magpies fans to get hold of their black and white goods.

[DEADMAN 0]

what ya kidding ashley wont speak he doesnt have a fucking mouth for christ sake all he does is shake that fat fucking belly of his to give answers

[Christmas Tree 3997]

Tweeted Caulkin, Bird, Ryder and Douglas......The fight goes on!

 

 

Caulkin@TheTimes

 

@ToonBart there'll be some stuff related to all this - sort of - in tmw's paper.

 

 

 

Message from Mr Bird

 

Hoping to help on that front next week. Stay tuned

;)

 

 

 

Good to his word....

 

Why Newcastle fans aren't buying into Pards and Ashley's rosy future

 

Simon Bird --- The Mirror

 

Cynicism is a healthy emotion when it comes from Newcastle United fans.

 

Cynicism greeted the announcement that Cheik Tiote has been handed a bumper new six and a half year deal.

 

Contracts are meaningless, replied many of the United faithful. Just means they'll get a better price when they cash in on Tiote in the summer, argued some.

 

Cynicism greeted Alan Pardew's comments that Mike Ashley no longer wanted to sell the club... and instead wanted to "build something."

 

Build something! That's why you've just sold your best young player Andy Carroll, said a few suspicious Geordies.

 

Refreshingly, two Newcastle players seem to be tapping into the mood.

 

Joey Barton is sending out a powerful message by not signing a new two-year contract extension.

 

As is Jose Enrique by stalling on contract talks "until we are safe".

 

The inaction of both men could be interpreted as cynicism too. Do they want more proof Newcastle will be building, not asset striping, in the summer before committing the next chapter in their careers to St James's Park?

 

Either that, or Enrique has been tapped up Liverpool or a Champions' League club abroad, which is quite possible, or Barton thinks he is worth more than two years.

 

Then ex-boss Kevin Keegan waded in. "I saw an interview where Alan Pardew said he hoped to get some of that £35million," said Keggy, before the barb: "I thought: Alan, you ain't going to get any of that."

 

To borrow his phrase: Love it. Just love it.

 

Why? Because cynical fans keep the club on their toes. They say: "Yes we hear your words Mr Pardew and co, and we want to believe them, we really do. But we won't believe them until words are backed up by actions."

 

In Tiote's case, that action will be turning down a big bid in the summer for a player who has become a pivotal star in what happens next on Tyneside.

 

It will be investing the £35million raised by the sale of Carroll, and more. Remember that £35 million total is for "fees and wages". And also remember Newcastle have saved £5 million on Carroll's contract too. Surely that sum will be thrown in to the pot?

 

In Barton's case it will be showing the midfielder he won't get a better club to continue his rehabilitation. Like Tiote said himself on Friday: "We have to keep our good players and buy more players. Next year we want to go for the top five."

 

It is a sign of progress that the debate at Newcastle is about tying down good players who have earned new deals, with good performances, rather than a relegation scrap that this season could easily have become.

 

Pardew's take is this: "There was a time when Mike Ashley wanted to get out. He understands the club now. He has had a rough ride with the situation here but this is the start.

 

"Mike Ashley wanted to make a statement and signing Cheik is a step forward. Hopefully we can build on his signing with others. It is important we secure a player of this magnitude for a long time. He is young and dynamic. He covers a lot of ground. He gives us flexibility.

 

"It is fantastic news for the fans. They got hit by Andy's departure. I think everybody involved with Newcastle, in the dressing room and on the terraces, was a little bit concerned after Andy went. Mike Ashley wanted to answer that and I think he's done that in the best possible way.

 

"The point about Mike is there was a period when perhaps he wants to sell the club, but he's out of the other side of that. He wants to build it in a financial structure where it's not costing him £10m, £15m, £20million a year of his own money.

 

"He wants it to try and run itself and with the fanbase we've got there's not reason that can't happen if the finances are correctly managed. Between myself, Mike and Derek we're trying to do that and in doing that trying to build the team."

 

Sounds reasonable. Handing Tiote a new deal was certainly better than letting him fester as one of the lowest paid in the squad with a lame vow to sort him out in the summer.

 

Now let's see more "statements" from Ashley and the club. I assume (perhaps naively) that the Tiote contract cash isn't being deducted from Pardew's summer war-chest!

 

The best statement will be on the pitch, where United are bright, proficient, and tactically well organised (witness Pardew's very positive reshuffle despite being down to ten men which almost won the game against Bolton).

 

The squad has a chance to push on. They are three points behind Liverpool in sixth, with a home game against Everton next Saturday. Top ten would be a great finish. Top eight a minor triumph.

 

Or course, no one in the pubs of Newcastle is going to believe that, or anything else positive, will happen until it does.

 

Cynics, those Geordies. But they love to be proved wrong.....

Edited March 1, 2011 by Christmas Tree

[Deano 0]

Quality piece.