Although everything has been quiet over the last two weeks – Sam Allardyce was again working his socks off to bring in four new players before the start of the season.
We know a lot of Newcastle fans are becoming frustrated with the perceived slow-down in signings – especially because we are short of good defenders – but it’s certainly not because Big Sam has let up with his efforts.
Sam Allardyce
Sam said today:
“Unfortunately, everything this week progressed to a certain level and has fallen on stony ground and I haven’t been able to pursue something to the full conclusion of actually bringing him in for a medical to try to finish off a transfer.“
“It has been an incredibly frustrating two weeks. It takes up a vast amount of my time because it is the most important thing for me to strengthen the squad we have at the moment, and particularly the defensive area.
“I’m building a very good backroom staff now and it’s increasing by the week.
“I can delegate to them to carry on with the players the huge amount of training and conditioning they need to get ready for the start of the season, and be with them when I can.
We haven’t heard much about the back-room signings – only that Sam has been advertising for people – but from the comments above it looks like that part is going quite well. It is important for Sam to have a big staff to keep his players extra fit and to scout out players during the season – something Newcastle have hardly ever done in the past – if the truth be known. So it’s good that new staff people are arriving regularly. Sam then went on about his priorities right now – which is signing defenders:
Sam added:
“But really the main focus is to strengthen the squad as early as possible, and hopefully by August 11 we will have done that by three or four players.”
We have three weeks to go to the start of the season so if Sam is to bring in 4 new players – which was always his aim – then it means they have to start arriving fairly quickly. News yesterday that Sam had bid £7M for a defender was seen to be good news by the fans – we just don’t know who it is – but are assuming that news is true.
However, it does appear that Sam is aiming for the top drawer – as he has refused to go after Franck Queudrue and Luke Young – who signed for Middlesbrough yesterday. Both have been available for quite a while so we have to assume they don’t fit the bill at Newcastle. Sam has his eyes on other defenders – but we don’t know exactly know who these are.
Allardyce knows he needs a big break through shortly – and so do the fans.
Comments welcome.
8 comments so far
Rich
Jul 21, 2007 at 9:27 AM
Comment #1im hoping Mr.Ashley proves himself with his money, hes all about being shrewd with his money but if we need top drawer defedners he needs to foot the bill.
im hoping Mke Ashley proves hes going to support us as much or if not more than freddy did with his cash….
come on!!!!!!!
Ed Harrison
Jul 21, 2007 at 9:57 AM
Comment #2Rich – don’t think the problem on the transfer front is with money – it’s all the nonsense that goes on behind the scenes with the other clubs etc. Would love to know who Sam’s list of targets is.
Ed Harrison
Jul 21, 2007 at 9:58 AM
Comment #3Also seems like Sam is well aware of the fans’ frustrations with no new players over the last 2 weeks.
Kash
Jul 21, 2007 at 10:39 AM
Comment #4£7m for Riise as they’re signing Chiellini and Benitez already has Aurelio on his books. Plus Finnan can play on both flanks. Finnan would be class too!
Ed Harrison
Jul 21, 2007 at 10:58 AM
Comment #5Kash – hey we’d take Finnan or Riise. Bobby Robson was interested in Finnan when he was still at Fulham.
Ed Harrison
Jul 21, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Comment #6And they both have lots of experience at the top level.
TOON1
Jul 21, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Comment #7I am sure finnan signed a new deal last season,but anything possible with big sams persuasive power.Iwould be well pleased if Riise came ,but got to be tough persuade them to come with exciting times at liverpool.The good thing is B.S still seems confident of bringing 3/4 players in the next 3weeks ,going to be busy few weeks hopefully.
Ed Harrison
Jul 21, 2007 at 5:16 PM
Comment #8Toon1 – if Sam really wants to bring in 4 players asap it will be hectic – and hopefully very exciting for us – at least he isn’t signing just anybody that he can get. His standards seem high – and of course he already has some big stars in the squad he inherited – if only they would play to their potential..