The meeting between Mike Ashley, Dennis Wise and manager Kevin Keegan will take place today at 11:00 am in London.
Kevin Keegan – seemed much happier yesterday
It is being reported in the Times today that owner Mike Ashley was not pleased with the publicity that Kevin Keegan’s statements created, following the Chelsea game on Monday.
Apparently, Ashley indeed had met with Keegan after the 2-0 defeat on Monday, even though Kevin had said the relationship was good because they never talked.
Yesterday, Kevin Keegan welcomed the meeting with Ashley. He stated at the press conference for the Everton game, that he was looking forward to the meeting, and that it could only be a good thing.
The press conference was brought forward to Thursday because of Kevin’s meeting today,
We can only think that most of the meeting will be spent on ironing out transfer policy, and straightening out any misunderstandings of each executive’s role at the club.
With a new organization in place, it is not at all surprising that some misunderstandings will initially occur, but these can be quickly worked out, as they are in any new business organization.
With a new business structure in place at the club, initial teething problems are inevitable, and can even be expected.
Keegan talked last night:
“I’ve never ever thought to myself, ‘What have I done by coming here?’â€
“I remember saying to Jean, my wife, after four or five weeks, when we’d not won a game, there must have been a reason why I came back here and of course there is.â€
â€It’s a great club with a great support and a great future. But the future needs to be mapped out and planned.”
“We all have to be working hard for that.â€
Keegan also hinted that he may well stay at the club beyond the terms of his present deal, which is for the next 3 seasons – that would be good.
Kevin continued:
“I’ve got three years, I am looking forward to the next three years – at least – and you know I’ll only be 60 then,â€
The gap between Newcastle and the top four is obvious, but Keegan now seems up for the challenge, and seems no longer too despondent about when we can make the top four.
Kevin continued:
“The challenge is there for all of us. If you are a light-welterweight, you don’t say you are going to win the heavyweight championship of the world.”
“We have to build our muscles up first.â€
“I have really enjoyed coming back to the club I love. It’s like a big ship; when it’s listing, everything is exaggerated and it is a major problem.”
“But when you turn it round, the momentum starts to go with you and it can go quicker than most clubs.â€
We look forward sometime on Friday afternoon to receive some news on the meeting – and we are hoping the three participants will issue some communication on the results of the meeting and even what was achieved.
It’s that important to Newcastle fans, and we hope we can hear fairly soon, that everything has been sorted out successfully.
Then what’s next?
We have to go out and beat Everton on Sunday, because we didn’t like that strange thing that happened to us against Chelsea last Monday afternoon – a little thing called losing. 😀
Comments very welcome.
24 comments so far
GraemeR
May 9, 2008 at 12:26 AM
Comment #1Quite a balanced report in hte Times – after you get past the headlines. (gets more like the Sun every day)
Surely KK has nothing to fear – he was merely putting some sense onto the growing expectation. We arnt going to get Messi (pls let me be wrong) – but with some shrewd movement in the transfer market we must be challenging for Europe. With KK you may not win hte league but at least you will have ‘fun’ along the way and after all its supposed to be entertainment!!!!
iain
May 9, 2008 at 12:31 AM
Comment #2imo there will be a compromise which neither keegan or wise will be entirely happy about but at the same time neither will want to loose there job which imo is basically what ashley will threaten them with if they dont pull there fingers out and start working together.
with viduka now injured hopefully we can get this mess sorted and move for crouch as it seems like hes available and imo the perfect replacement for viduka with ashton being too injury prone imo to be an option.
Jim
May 9, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Comment #3I’ve just read an objective article if you can read past the misinformed rhetoric about Herny:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/martin_samuel/article3882824.ece
It’s probably the same article GraemeR mentioned. Worth a read!
Leo
May 9, 2008 at 12:59 AM
Comment #4yeah this supposed ‘mess’ needs to be sorted out fast, even if there isnt any problems keegan mort ashley et al need to come out and state everything is rosey and they are looking forward to growing as a team
crouch would be an ideal replacement for viduka, im still trying to get over the news that he will be out for 6 months, although at least it hadnt happened in january otherwise we would be in deep do doo
Ausgeordie
May 9, 2008 at 2:10 AM
Comment #5Sweet
Ginola
May 9, 2008 at 6:19 AM
Comment #6full of shit
geordieglen
May 9, 2008 at 7:08 AM
Comment #7will b pleased when all this is dead n buried, as usual southern press blow it all out of proportion so they can sell a few more papers,
here’s hopin that next monday we go bezerk in the transfer market before anyone else thinks about it and before any1 who scores at the euros is worth 10mill more because of it
would be nice to have a full pre season with new blood together and not some muppets signed at 23.59 on deadline day………
keep the faith……….
emantoon
May 9, 2008 at 7:20 AM
Comment #8better be gud news
but we must be realistic…
i think dis summer budget about 30m..
4 or 5 players in.. several players out.
5th place a rather high ladder to climb.
realistic target..top 10.
Slam Dunc
May 9, 2008 at 8:06 AM
Comment #9I think we’ve got a £100 million transfer budget and todays about getting the act together on how to spend it.
This article alleges the Modric deal has sparked off the trouble:
http://www.trophy4toon.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=181.0
James
May 9, 2008 at 8:36 AM
Comment #10Well our board are sitting around having meetings, Spurs officials are set to be speaking to McGeady and Bentley over the weekend.
This of course is according to the media stories filling todays newspapers.
Rob Kirton
May 9, 2008 at 8:56 AM
Comment #11Although the press are running with what may prove to be a none story, Keegan’s honesty is the cause of this getting more prominence that it may deserve. Appearing to be great with with people but lacking in PR skills; unless of course he wanted to stoke the flames behind the story that has subsequently developed – in which case he is being more than a little dis-ingenious. Keegan on Tuesday stated he never speaks to the chairman where as he had met up with on Monday after the match
“The reason we’ve fetched the press conference a day early is that I am going to London tomorrow to talk with Mike Ashley.”
He could have simply said that he was tied up on other club affairs on Friday. The press may have speculated what he would be doing on Friday, but would have been none the wiser.
The press aren’t a good bunch. However before blaming them about all bad news stories about the club, I think we need to realise that Keegan may have been building this one up as a result of his own agenda.
Could prove to be interesting
Eric
May 9, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Comment #12I have no doubt the Mirror and Daily Mail will print opinions on the outcome of the meeting – even though they will not have anybody in the meeting. What’s new? The Mirror Mirror on the shitehouse wall also says McGeady will be going to Spurs not us. Does NUFC and Celtic know anything about that one? What is it about the Spurs dressing room? Anybody know?
Leo
May 9, 2008 at 9:11 AM
Comment #13heard a rumour from a friend today that newcastle will chase santa cruz from blackburn seen as viduka is likely to be crocked next season.
i am quite sceptical of this though, but would be an awesome signing
Brian
May 9, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Comment #14Crouch to Newcastle and Owen going the other way, you never know
Geordie Gerrard7
May 9, 2008 at 9:25 AM
Comment #15brian, shut up u bellend, no way that will happen
Hammy
May 9, 2008 at 9:27 AM
Comment #16Anybody seen what shite “toon fan” Shaun Custis has been writing in The Sun today, the guy must be on drugs or something claiming West Brom and Wigan were interested in signing
Habib Beye, (along with most other Premiership teams) This guy really takes the piss and I find it offensive that he speaks with a northern accent.
He doesn’t have the nuts to tag on his email address to his “articles.” TIT
James
May 9, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Comment #17Brian – no way will it happen, and no way should it happen. Owen is 1000 times the player Crouch is. We’d have been relegated if it wasn’t for his leadership and goals.
big pea ov the weab
May 9, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Comment #18no body realy no,s wots going to be said behinde those closed boardroom doors apart from the top men at our club who no,s mike ashley could say how much will it cost to get on par with the likes ov man untd and chealsea heres a open cheque book go n spend wot u need and on the other hand he could say nice nowing u mr keegan now therese the door only time will tell
Geordie Gerrard7
May 9, 2008 at 9:41 AM
Comment #19big pea- youve hit the nail on the head there fella, i think honestly it will be the first one, but i am abit sceptical of giving out an open cheque book as i see it as a win or bust situtaion with us toon fans, it will either be really good tropthys, europe and so on, or on the other hand we could end up down the swanny with a certain club in yorkshire. All i know is i want us to snap up veloso quickly
Graeme
May 9, 2008 at 9:47 AM
Comment #20MA is a maverick as he has clearly demonstrated with the sacking of BSA, the ‘Arry Redcrap debacle etc. I really cant see him handing KK his P45 though.
No doubt lots will be said, the air cleared, people back focused on the job in hand. Thats all that really matters at the end of the day, surely!!!
GEORDIE MARK
May 9, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Comment #21horrible feeling that will be in for some bad news today regarding the amount we will have to spend on transfers. Also just seen on news now that spurs directer of football is in portugal talking to veloso.While we are messing around having meetings the top players are getting snapped up by our rivals
Marguerite
May 9, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Comment #22Read this article too and apart from the headline, it is a more balanced approach. I love the analogy of the listing big ship by KK, no wonder we love him and he inspires us so.
Well I believe that after the meeting we will be setting sail up the premier league with all of us in tow. Hang on to your hats and Howay the lads.
Vitorbarbosa
May 9, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Comment #23Just wait and see what’s up next. It’s useless to speculate or put blame on anybody right now.
Jim Baker
May 9, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Comment #24God i am absoloutly sick of the press stiring up sh!te about our club.
I’m so fed up about the whole thing!
Why when things are looking up and going good does something always have to happen to spoil things?
Keegan’s here..and thats totally great, to be honest i still can’t really beleive he’s back.
If Mr Ashley and Wise spoil this it will be a disaster!
Long live King Kev… and Ashley Wise up!
Keegan is the heart and soul of Newcastle, we beleive in him, and he beleives in us!