There have been some good things that Mike Ashley and the new regime have done in the14 months they’ve been in charge at Newcastle United.
Mike Ashley - time to speak to Newcastle fans
But one of them is certainly not communicating with their fans, and this is not the first time we’ve brought this up on our site, as one of Mike Ashley’s biggest weaknesses as a club owner.
The fans don’t even know the guy, and most think he still bought club so he can sell at a profit quickly, although we don’t believe that is the case at all.
However, we have become a little disenchanted with all the news about James Milner yesterday, and the apparent lack of ability of Ashley and the executive team to help Kevin Keegan to bring in new players this summer, which we all know are sorely needed.
That may still change but there’s now only 4 days left in the transfer window, and the squad is woefully short in numbers, although the quality is excellent.
How many times since last April has Kevin said he needs a bigger squad - and the fact he wants to keep Michael Owen and all his other top players - like James Milner for instance.
Nothing much up till now has been done to help the maestro.
The last thing we want is to lose some of the top players we already have, and the news on Milner wasn’t just a shock to Newcastle fans’ systems, it also does not offer up particularly promising news on the Michael Owen contract saga either.
The Newcastle fans are some of the best in the world, and they pay their money every season, and have been served up trash - well at least for the last two seasons.
And as customers of the Newcastle United Football club they have every right to hear from Mike Ashley, the owner, as to exactly what is going on at Newcastle.
Especially when it’s looking like James Milner, one of our most promising young players, who we’ve had since he was 18 years old, may be leaving the club very shortly.
And has anyone thought that Kevin Keegan may lose his fight with Ashley to keep Michael Owen and James Milner - two of the best professionals at the club, with Michael our current captain, and yet he’s won his fight to keep Joey Barton.
That says it all, and it should be very embarrassing to both Mike Ashley and the club he owns.
A statement is needed from Mike Ashley or the club, telling Newcastle fans what’s going on – and that statement is needed today.
238 responses so far ↓
1 dick // Aug 28, 2008 at 9:53
waste of a blog ed, wont get no statement not today not anytime
2 dick // Aug 28, 2008 at 9:54
blog not working again ed
3 hitman // Aug 28, 2008 at 9:54
ashley needs to get his head out of his arse,get rid of wise and let keegan do what he does best
4 HeronMag // Aug 28, 2008 at 9:54
Think you’ve summed it up there Ed - how can we possibly justify paying Joey Barton £60k a week while sitting in jail and not stump up the cash for Milner.
I’m not a happy Mag.
5 Davey_C // Aug 28, 2008 at 9:56
No statement is needed - we do not do our business in public. Have some patience and see what happens!!
6 BigWilson // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:01
You`ll get no statement from Ashley today Ed, hes just not gonna do that.
Were gonna lose Milner and the way things are going we may lose Owen in January as hes free to discuss a pre-contract.
Im not confident of any further signings coming in between now and Monday and its just all a bit worrying- our squad is thread bare as we all know…
Feel sorry for Keegan, he doesnt really seem to have any kind of power…
7 hitman // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:02
wise is the problem at the toon can ashley not see that
8 AdamCF // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:02
What happened to players upholding contracts?
9 Kwick // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:02
Seriously, some of you need to look down and see if you have any plums.
It’s Ashley’s football club, not yous or anyone elses, and as such he can do whatever the hell he wants to do. You lot can whinge and moan and say that these are ‘worrying times’ but that means sweet f.a at the end of the day.
I’ve never heard such horlocks in my life- Ed you are baisically demanding that Ashley speaks. Who are you to tell the owner of this football club what to do?
10 wolfhound // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:04
ive got that hollow feeling again lets not have a repeat of last year the platers are going to get dis-heartend and weve had a good start it could all be undone with this stupid bickering milners value at the club should be recognised hes not being greedy we need to strengthen not weaken our already small squad
11 geordies // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:04
I have mentiond 2 months ago that this fatso knows nothing about football. His executive team have no brains, that to sell Milner when the team is already very thin and lack quality covers. If we lose both Owen and Milners, the whole team will be affected and may even lose Keegan.
12 Irish John // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:05
why is everyone getting so carrid away about milner leaving..I for one don’t really mind as he’s probably had a handfull off assist in the last 2 seasons…If we get 10mill for him, thats amazing business.
I actualy feel its an area we can afford to lose a player..We have plenty off wingers who can do a job..In a way i think it will improve us so Zog can get a regular start at left wing…
Me personaly, Im happy with Ashley and what the team is doing…I say sell him, I garuntee Zog will get more assists than him in what hes done in the last 2 SEASONS..
If we still got 2 r 3 players before the window shuts everyone’s opinion will change..
13 Irish John // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:05
weres my comments gone
14 Ericles // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:06
I think sometimes that the NUFC board do play into the hands of the gutter press. Certainly The Sun and The Mail and the NOTW crow over the crises these papers invent. Somehow or other, when it all comes out in the wash, I think KK and Ashley will establish a great again NUFC. We will have quality loyal players without any overpaid prima donnas who think the Tyne is a gravy train, There is a method here but it seems to be very slow into getting to the fans. I trust KK implicitly I just wish Ashley was as good communicating with the fans as he is making money. It is all engineered by the London based press to lose our confidence and lose at Arse and All. Howay the lads - we can get a point from Wenger Burger’s hair gel boys.
15 Mistral // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:07
Fred Shepperd was not liked but at least he backed his manager. asheley does not understand football, wise is a londoner. do you think they care about the suffering newcastle fans? bets way to anser ashley is not to turn to 2 or 3 games. and with empty seats he will have no choice but sell to someone who cares about the club. my feeling is they want to get rid of Keegan.
Mistral
16 tommy // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:07
ridiculous.
17 Matthew Tom // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:07
AdamCF - completely agree. I just posted on another thread that we can just keep Milner and ignore his transfer request.
He wants an improved contract but he hasn’t (yet) done the business to justify this. If I was Kevin, I’d be sitting down with him and telling him there’s every chance of an improved deal next year, but we need to see a full season of quality out of him first.
18 Kwick // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:08
And another thing- Why does Milner leaving mean that Owen is on that same boat? How exactly is Keegan losing his ‘fight’ to keep Owen?
Ed- I would very much like to know why you have such a vendetta is against Ashley
19 sirjasontoon // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:10
No statement will be issued until the stadium is down to 35,000 and the tills at Cashley towers are not going Kerching ! anymore.
I just think Keegan will walk soon and I have said this since the January window when again no players where bought.
I just feel really bad for keegan I am sure he would prefer to be back at his soccer school having a kick about and having some fun…Surely this job is not doing what it said on the tin when he took over.
20 Davies // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:10
Well put Davey C.
Nobody knows what is going on behind the scenes because the club aren’t doing their business in public anymore. This is a genuinely good thing.
The angry and disappointed opinions sparked on here by what’s in the papers are completely baseless. Please stop getting pissed off with the club and it’s owner becasue The Sun says you should. You are better, more intelligent people than that.
For Christ’s sake, KEEP THE FAITH.
21 sirjasontoon // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:10
Not working again ed : (
22 lesh // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:12
Off thread, but Galatasary lost last night…… Turan?
23 lesh // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:13
Galatasary lost last night, could Turan be tempted?
24 dontoon // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:13
I think Mike Ashley is a liar. Every time he says something it turns out to be a lie.
He said he wasn’t going to sack big sam but he did.
He said he was going to back kk he hasn’t as no contract offered to owen or milner.
He said there was money to spend but havent seen it.
He said there is going to be a wow signing- who is he trying to kid.
He is disrespecting the fans taking us for fools and has the nerve to increase prices.
yes he has cleared most of the debts or so we think, luckily that worked out for the club but dont be mistaken his pocket comes first club comes last.
25 brooksey // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:14
No statement will be issued! Ashley has had plenty of chances to talk to the fans….. Why now?
What will happen between now and Monday evening? A club our size should not be waiting till deadline day in order to sign players!! Joke!
26 Jammy // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:14
Why on earth would the owner of the club put out a statement to the fans and as for not knowing the guy, what is that about? Do you want him to go to everyones house and explain his plans for the future over a cup of tea?
He is the owner of the club, he talked Keegan in to coming back to Newcastle, and Keegan has not once said he hasn’t been given the money when we wants a player. We are finally being ran like a business and not a comedy show a la Shepherd and Douggie Hall.
If Keegan wasn’t happy Keegan would walk, we all know that from his first spell as NUFC manager, England and Man City.
The simple fact is that maybe there are not players available who will improve us enough for realistic prices. 8m for Anton Ferdinand or 12m for Bassong and Collocini, I know who I’d prefer.
Milner signed a new 3 year deal 12 months ago and got a pay rise, why should he have another one when he has played less than 10 league games under Keegan?
27 WesToon // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:14
@ Irish John // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:05
Thats on IF…. we get 3 or4 in mate…IF!!!
Not a happy man
FFS MAN,PLS God help us
28 C // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:14
It’s geeting harder and harder to stay positive.
29 beyethegreat // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:15
totally agree ed communication is needed we are in the middle of some confuzing times basing our opinions on what the media say and what is common sense the fact is who realy knows what is going on at the club
30 ed speed // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:17
good article, ed.
ashley needs to make a statement. i don’t care what about. he could say something like the new training ground is complete, or something but he needs to comunicate.
having said that he did do a massive interview in the club magazine last month, but he needs to do this more often.
regards,
ed
31 Mark-O // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:19
Let milner go, spend the 10 million on 2 new players.
I think Ashley needs to say something, not just to make it look like he’s in control of the club but also to avoid any future embarassment.
The comment about barton is right, if we can afford to keep him then we can afford to stump up the cash for our better players.
This is getting beyond a joke now, but theres nothing we can do as fans apart from stay away from the games, but the perfomances are good so far and im not spending £900 on a season ticket just to miss games out of spite.
32 Mark // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:20
Im not sure Ashley understands that football clubs (especially ours) is day to day life for the supporters. The most disappointing thing about the milner saga is I dont think KK would have wanted this leaked, so its came from someone above KK and the question I want to ask is why??
33 Dominic // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:20
KEEEEEEP HIM? Ashley is an idiot if he lets him go, he is one of our best players and would be very good for the club if he stayed.
I don’t understand why they are thinking about letting him go?
34 Aaron // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:20
I agree totaly with this article i mean com on for god’s sake we have been promised a ‘wow’ player just get the job done and get in the players that kev needs and why not offer milner a new contract he is worth keeping and if we let owen leave on top of this its almost a jike yet again the usless board and directors and so on and so on have made my be loved newcastle the bur of all jokes form the mackems !!!! Ashley need to listen to kevand get the 3 or 4 players we need and not let any of our current squad leave apart from the donkey (ameobi)
35 sas // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:22
I don’t agree. I’ll give the club the benefit of doubt, and would rather Ashley keep quiet, than go back to the old days of FFS embarrassing the club.
36 rabster // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:22
I think the wages issue has hit home for Ashley after last summers buys.
Smith £60K and done nothing
Barton £60K and only turning out for HMP Slade.
plus Owen £107K and nearly always injured.
Because of their wages alone, who is going to take Barton or Smith.
We’re stuck with them until their contracts expire or some other mug takes them.
Their wages are so high that it would mean a low transfer fee too.
I don’t blame Ashley at all for his current stance on wages.
Lower wages all round and pay for performance would be ideal.
37 Bosck // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:22
Ed - again its disappointing your getting drawn in to the speculation. mike ashley has answered all these questions in his recent interview.
Transfers - He said he will pay out big if keegan thinks the player is worth that value, as in the modric bid, woodgate, and collocini. obviously this summer some of keegans target have been overpriced so they have decided against it.
Wages - again ashley said he is willing to pay high wages for the right players. Modric is on half at tottenham of what he would have got here. Keegan more than likely has an input on this figure and I think he probably agrees with MA on how much Milner deserves. However much potential Keegan thinks milner has, he will also know how much he thinks Milner deserves and will not expect Mike Ashley to pay more than this.
ED please stop joining the boring trashy tabloid press attempts to drive a wedge between Keegan and Ashley.
It is noticable that Keegan has only really started to big milner up in the last week, which we now realise is since he requested a transfer therefore attempting to do 2 things: 1) try to convince milner to stay and earna a new deal, 2) to artificially inflate milners transfer price.
if keegan is angry over this saga i very much doubt it is with Mike Ashley, more likely he will be disappointed with Milner and angry at his agents/representatives - the PFA
38 daydeburt // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:23
ive been sick in my mouth a little bit, please please please we need 3 more players. four if milner goes. time is running out. Shit…shit….shit….shit….shit…
39 ELFER // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:23
Absolutely disagree! We are not seeing what is going on behind the scenes for good reasons. Look at all of you who paint the wall black everyday.
Do you want to have a James Milner in the squad who really does want to move on to another challeng? Na…
Wait and have patience! The new structure did excellent deals and they will continue to do until the transfer window shuts down.
They know now for a week that milner wants to leave and they surely discussed this with him, but it seems that Milner doesn’t want to stay, so let him go! We have more than good wingers!
40 Graham // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:25
Ashley has no need whatsoever to make a statement about the daily ongoings of NUFC. As it’s his company and not a plc (and please, no bollocks about it being our club) he can do what ever he sees fit.
How often has Abramovich made statements, or the Glazers?
In my view, NUFC is still in a better position, long term than Chelsea & Man Utd. Roman could pull the plug at any time and leave Chelsea £400m in debt. While Man Utd owe over £100m in interest alone!!
Yes, communication could be better, but we have to take what Ashley said in his interview last week as gospel. He has a long term vision for the club, just as he did with Dunlop & Slazenger etc. which have made him a very rich man.
We are all guessing at the minute as to what is going on - including the press. When it is sorted and the transfer window is closed then that will be the time to make statements - not before.
41 ToonKing // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:28
your overreacting Ed.
Milner won’t leave and Owen will sign a new contract. and 2 more players will come in.
don’t give in, 4 more days.!!
42 Graham // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:30
Good point Bosck.
Hitman - what is your problem with Wise??? He and Jiminez scouted Jonas, probably the most exciting player to come to NUFC since Ginola / Asprilla.
Yes, things have been slow, but not many teams in our position are spending shedloads of cash. Yes, we have a small squad but is mainly packed with quality.
43 nightfall // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:31
it’s hard to understand some of you..but ok…everyone is entitled to his own opinion…
i support ashley..fully…he saved us..and we’re moving forward…he brought in 4 great talents for 15m..not to mention all the youngsters..
we won’t solve anything by complaining, so..just chill…
the only thing ashley could do better is to sacked sam when he bought the club and spent that money on better players..that’s it..and we can’t even resent him that..he just gave sam a shoot..unfortenitly not in the head
ok..just kidding…
the main thing is that we’re improving..as for those who are saying that ashley’s not spending enough money…that’s the only thing to get players who really want to play for NUFC..people like us..not some f****** mercenaries…and guti, colo, guthre and bassong are showing us that that’s possible…
nightfall OUT
44 Hatty // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:33
You don’t go around giving new contracts to someone like Milner, just because he wants one.
He has done NOTHING to show he deserves it.
The club are in the right in my opinion.
45 Spyro // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:34
Ed your blog is quickly changing from a site to discuss NUFC news into a site to discuss your opinions and i am a bit worried to tell the truth. Your negative articles do have a little bit of a knock on effect on the many of the readers, and like many have said already MA doesn’t have to speak out at all.
Its only Milner handing in a transfer request because he is greedy and the rest is all media speculation. The press are simply using the milner situation to cause an uproar and it certainly seems to be working on here. Why does that mean the chairman should come out with a bunch of comments on the matter? exactly, its ludicrous to expect the chairman to speak out about speculation and player contracts. Especially at this club
46 Born Again Geordie // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:35
Ashley does not need to say owt! He pays people to do that and the new signings will do the talking IMO.
47 StuartM001 // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:36
Why does he need to talk to the fans every time there is some new news at NUFC, and every time you go off the deep end?
He just published a detailed interview with a wealth of information.
If Milner and Owen are asking for more money than the club are prepared to pay - what are they supposed to do? Do we just pay Owen whatever he asks for?
Purhaps Keegan needs to pick his fights better, If he had let Smith and Barton go, he’d have a more leeway with big wages for these wages.
It’s important we keep control of wages, and it’s less important that we get told about everything going on at the club at every turn.
Get some perspective.
48 Archie Brand // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:36
Good on yer Kwick, and others.
I’ve supported this club for thirty odd years but I’m now a fan and not a shareholder.
We dont have any right to insist or demand anything of Ashley.
Its his privately owned football club - let him get on with it.
So how did Ashley end up with those Billions if he’s such a crap businessman, as everyone implies?
What a business opportunity - the bloke owns a Premier league football club and a bunch of sporting goods shops.
Watch out for shirts sponsored by Lillywhites
as you watch from the new Slazenger stand.
If he has any sense at all, and with that many zeros on the end of his bank statement I would think that he has, I would expect him to use NUFC to grow his other businesses over the long term.
And to do that he needs success, not our approval, or to be held to ransom by some snotty kid who thinks he should have more pocket money.
Come on Ashley - show us what yer made of.-
49 Sav // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:38
There’s a very good assessment of Milner on nufc.com. It sums up pretty much how I feel about the lad - not Ginola or Hibbitt but at the same time representing everything good you want to see in your club’s players. No street fracas, no moaning, full of commitment and effort on the pitch and away from football, leads the life of a Trappist monk.
But Zog, Milner and Taylor are all very experienced young lads all on the verges of perhaps getting international call-ups (Taylor has been included once). Their salaries should be on a par? But if Milner feels his has fallen slightly behind (the other 2 having just been renegotiated) surely its a bit drastic to hand in a transfer request to regain parity after a matter of weeks since Taylor’s? These salaries come up for review fairly regularly but Milner’s was only signed a year ago. A bit of calm and common sense needs to be restored.
50 fikri // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:39
what happen to our club!!! ashley! u better do something or st james park become empty with no fans every single match in this season! u better spend money to buy player! communicate with us so that we know our current issue!! solve it!!! how many times we must say to u!! solve all these prob!!! im begging u, like im a slave!! solve it! we got 4 days remaining! bring new players to st james park! play good football and win every game! do what u suppose to do to bring our club as a champ. and u can become our hero besides keegan.! please!
51 t-g-w // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:43
To be fair to Ashley, everytime the club does speak to the fans e.g. crushing the rumours of him selling up, harldy anyone seems to believe him anyway!
52 craig chisholm // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:43
kwick…………..are you mike ashley in disguise or what?? damn right we should know whats going on at the club when it concerns players. afterall, without us, there is no club. the club is only great because of the fans, nothing else. MA is going to get some heat over this, right or wrong. i have not seen your name on here much but i for one am not in favour of MA and never have been. i think we are going to struggle far too much as he just will not invest in players and is always happy to sell. once milner goes MA will be millions of pounds up compared to what his has brought in. our numbers are far too thin on the ground. we have kk - who speaks for us and the players saying it as it is - we just do not have enough, then we have the money men just selling anyway and not buying. its crap. all you ma loyalists will change your tune cum mid october when we are in a jam. whats the betting we do not bring in any more players this window but still sell at least one? He knows he is treading a thin line, buying us a free pint last weekend! christ, does he think that will deflect us from the real issues. i care not a jot that he has (so he says) paid off the debt, i want to see investment on the pitch, all ma is doing is draining us of assets, we have become a selling club with no ambition on the pitch………plently of ambition when it comes to the finances though.
53 t-g-w // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:48
All this fuss isn’t just about losing Milner in my opinion. It’s also about the timing of it. If this had some up before pre-season then fine, but now we don’t have to time to find a replacement of equal or greater ability and we already need at least 3 players as it is. That’s why I’m angry.
54 Will // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:49
@Kwick
We have every right to complain. No fans = no club and don’t try and kid yourself.
55 Will // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:54
@craig chisholm
i agree with you 100%. MA has only looked to make a profit this window and has depleted a squad which EVERY football professional will tell you is too small for the premier league.
I’m sick of it.
And any muppet who says the fans have no power are F’ing stupid, and nothing more. Does that work the same for Ashley’s clothes shops? No customers = profit? that’s your logic!
I DON’T THINK SO!!!!
56 SuperShearer // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:54
Two things:
1. This is all a big fuss about nothing. Milner handed in a transfer request….NUFC leaked it! We are calling his bluff it’s that simple. If he actually wanted to leave his agent would have told the press he had asked for a request so as to get clubs in for him and hence making them both money. I see why Milner wants an improved contract based on bench warmers like Smith and Barton but at the same time he must understand that that was done under a different regime. He should be on parity with Taylor and if not then get him there.
2. People saying that Ashley doesn’t have to say anything to the fans are horribly naive. Yes it is his club, yes he can do what he wants with it. However if the fans don’t show up they the club is essentially dead, we keep the club going not him. We’re not asking for anything other than a bit of clarity on certain matters. If he simply came out and said: “To all Newcastle fans, trust us, please we are moving in the right direction and under Kevin Keagan we have a very bright future. Thank you”. I would be happy. It shows unity and asks for our patients which I will happily give. Those saying we don’t conduct our business affairs in public are right, but as fans that’s not what we’re asking, we would simply like some assurances. For example if Milner goes, which is likely, will he be replaced?
Keep up the great work Ed.
57 k-man // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:54
I must say I agree a great deal with “Bosck”, post number 35. Do not take everything the papers write, for real. They write 99,5% bullshit. For all we know, its complete harmony between MA and KK, but if you read the papers,- just abouth everything that can be wrong - is.
I would have wanted a tv-interview of MA once a week, where he tells how commited he is, but this can’t be done.
Look at it this way: The papers write alot of negative abouth NUFC. I can understand it, because FFS has done alot of wrong things during the years, and its all been a soap-opera really. Writing abouth this, sells papers. Now we have a new owner and all, but the papers are so used to write abouth NUFC that this will continue for some time. If MA would come on TV every week, just to tell this and that abouth every story there is, then the papers would just continue to write all kind of bull.
I recon in a year time (if everything is fine), then all this crappy stories in the press, will probably have changed from NUFC till another club. My bet is that Manchester City or West Ham will be the next target.
When you Ed, on your very populare blog (which I like), writes this it will only help putting fuel on the fire. Supporters will just be more upset than they are. Pls wait untill the 2. september, and see how things have turned out. We may or may not have gotten 3-4 players. If we dont get anyone, im preatty sure KK will tell us why (probably the good players wern’t availible). Only a few more days, than we will know who or why.
Just my thoughts anyway.
58 walker // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:55
weve had a decent start to the season transfer windows not shut yet stop being so negative. 9 or 10 mil for milner would be great for a winger who cant cross .
59 The Entertainers // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:56
I agree whole heartedly Ed.
I back the board, but they need to improve their customer communications.
Why becasue, i a paying bloody customer!
Would you pay for a ticket at the movies without knowing whats on?
Then how would you feel if you paid for that ticket and it didnt arrive on time for the movie starting?
There is room for improvement, even for a billionaire!
60 t-g-w // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:57
Jammy
I think Milner is unhappy because the contract Milner signed was actually agreed 2 years ago from now, after he nearly moved to Villa. He only signed the contract 12 months ago. So really the current deal he is on is 2 years old not 12 years old. That’s why he’s unhappy.
61 dick // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:58
does anybody know how many season tickets were sold this year, apparently thousands of tickets given away to make crowd look bigger than it was
62 The Entertainers // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:59
Ed’s entitled to his opinion.
Hes a fan first and foremost remember.
If he doesnt like whats going on he should say so, i have to admit most of Ed’s comments are very balanced. I’m sure he types them whilst sitting on a fence.
Great article Ed, then again i may be bias as i agree 100% with what you wrote
63 Turkish mag // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:01
i dont no if mike ashley will issue a statement but i do no about sum transfer news
milner is likely to go for 10 mil
owen is likely to stay but his contract no wage cut (if owen goes keegan walks)
2 mystery transfers and i must say alot of players stayed 2 play champo league football teams are out like rangers and galatasary and i still think arda can be perfectly replaced come on toon .
64 k-man // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:02
oh btw, dont get me started on Wise. He’s job is to get young players in the door! He is not running the club! When someone can manage to write “wise is the problem at the toon can ashley not see that”, I give up.
65 Jimbo_W // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:06
I agree we need to know whats going on, I mean why is it taking us so long to complete a transfer? Where are the three signings keegan has been talking about getting in for the last 3-4 weeks? Why has one of our most committed players (who also just happens to fit ahsleys idea of the type of players we want at the club, a player I believe only a week ago keegan said will not be leaving the club coz both himself and Ashley want him to stay) handing in a transfer request, which his agent just claims is to try and get a new contract. Why does keegan appear to have no say in anything except how to train the team and who to pick etc?
66 MMNUFC // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:06
This was posted on 606 by PFC0012 and he is spot on please read:
I read that the PFA are critical of Newcastle United for releasing details of James Milner’s Transfer Request, despite being asked not to do so. Why? Why were the asked not to release this information?
Surely a transfer request is, as it implies, a transfer request and, therefore surely the club are entitled to put out the message the player wishes to leave and, as a result, attract bids for said player. No!!!! The PFA admit this request was purely a negotiating tool aimed at bring Milner more pennies from a club with whom the PFA themselves negotiated and accepted a new deal last year. So circumstances have changed and Milner has played around 80 games since then….so what? Had he been injured for six months (another dramatic change of circumstances) would they be happy for NUFC to approach them for a reduction in Milner’s salary? I somehow doubt that very much.
Although I greatly admire Milner as a footballer (and hope he sees sense, ditches the PFA as his agent and stays with the club) like all players he appears to want his bread buttered on both sides and the PFA appears to want someone else (ie: NUFC) to pick up the knife and apply the butter. Threatening a club with leaving shows the depths to which the PFA will stoop….the type of manoeuvre condemned by the same PFA when other agents use this tactic! Hypocrites!!!!
Returning to NUFC’s release of the details of the transfer request. As a fan I DEMAND to know what is happening at my club. It is right and proper this type of information is made public. Fans should be given the information. I support the facts that negotiations can be a delicate and private matter, however a transfer request is a sign that negotiations are at an end. The PFA’s comments admit that this is not the case.
So, come on PFA, if James Milner does not wish to leave Newcastle United, withdraw the transfer request and do what you are supposed to do….swallow your self-centred pride and represent this kid with honesty and integrity and prove you are not the same as other agents. I, for one, doubt you can.
67 35yrsofhurt // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:08
Ed, Cashley will not talk to the fans as it’s not his style.
Why is there so much hatred towards Wise and his team, from where I am sitting he appears to be doing an good job. (is this coz we used to give him so much stick at SJP).
68 Irish John // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:09
name a owner that gives an interview evert time something negative happens…
Cant remember Randy Lerner coming out giving statements when barry was leaving..why should our owner do the same..
We will hear things, just be patient..He has’nt left yet, but like i said, I could’nt be arsed if he stays or goes, he’s been average at best..
69 hitman // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:09
graham my problem with wise is he has to much say at the toon and i dont think thats right,a man like keegan having to answer to wise is not right,it wasnt wise that spotted jonas it was jimenez,newcastle can not be run from london,plus ive heard a story that keegan didnt know milner handed in a transfer it went through wise in london.dont know if its true tho
70 hitman // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:10
anyone else having probs with getting comments posted
71 Fergie // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:12
The next episode of North-Eastenders will air on Setanta Sports 1 at 5.30 on Saturday 30th August.
In this weeks episode, Is Kevin having regrets about moving to the Square? And James finds himself looking for work after leaving the stall in search of better things.
72 Faustino // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:12
Can some kids stop using the phrase “Shepherd backed the club”. He never invested a penny of his own money, you utter fools. He spent ours, badly.
73 BenjiToon // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:13
As others have said Ashley owns the club outright. Whether we like it or not, when we take our seats on a Saturday afternoon, we’re sitting in his house. He can say, or not say, as much as he likes. If the club was a PLC, floated on the exchange, then we’d be getting statements all the time as they try to maintain or boost the share price. But there’s nothing like that in the current set up.
So, we should be careful about viewing the present through the lens of the past. Shepherd was a stock market gambler - he played the publicity game to increase or decrease shares depending on whether he wanted to buy up some cheap or raise his own share value to help with a loan, or similar. That meant he taked ALL the time…and some of what he said, or leaked, was not good for the club in the slightest.
Once again, no news is not bad news. Just let the club get on with it.
If we owned the club things would be different but we don’t, and in this world of modern big money footy we sadly never will.
74 robertsa // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:15
IMO i like mike ashley no other owner of a footbal club stands with the crowd with a toon top on. yes there have been rumours that he is just doing quick business with us and nearly everyone inclouding myself thinks he doesnt cough up enough money for transfers but iid rather have mike ashley than freddy shepeard.
75 ed speed // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:16
guys who does ahley actually suppport? i know it’s irrelivent but he rumours where when he came that he was a spurs fan, but in a recent interview after taking over, he said, i want to challenge man u, and batter spurs in there own backyard, and has since made other negative comments in the direction of spurs.
regards,
ed speed
76 t-g-w // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:16
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/safc/Fans-forum-latest-Owen-to.4432594.jp
AAAAAAAAAAhahahahahahahahahaha
77 sirjasontoon // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:16
Haha Fergie that made me laugh : )
Proper funny.
78 sirjasontoon // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:17
Not working zzzzzzzz
Sort it out Ed as we will have a meltdown as the window draws shut : )
79 k-man // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:18
I would also like to give you these links Ed, that you yourself have posted on this site:
http://www.nufcblog.com/2008/08/16/newcastle-news/keegan-everybody-at-club-pulling-in-right-direction/
http://www.nufcblog.com/2008/08/13/newcastle-news/ashley-cleaning-up-financial-mess-at-newcastle/
http://www.nufcblog.com/2008/08/12/newcastle-news/at-last-mike-ashleys-views-on-lots-of-things/
Has everything just changed the last 12 days????
80 esmag // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:20
Guys please think this in a long run, if we let milner have his way, every other players in the team will do the same in the future. Ashley wants them to know they are not bigger than the club. I say sell him to villa for 10 million. we cant get better players than milner with that sort of money.
81 James // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:21
Ed Speed - He said the Spurs rumour came about because he has friends on the board at Spurs, but he’s never been to watch them play and has never liked them. He said he only ever followed the England national team and not a club team (i have a lot of friends who do the same).
He said the best day of last season was when we thumped Spurs 4-1.
He hates Spurs as much as the rest of us.
82 Leo // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:21
Milner
The news that James Milner has handed in a transfer request at Newcastle has grabbed O’Neill’s attention, and the Ulsterman revealed that a move for the Magpies winger remains a possibility.
“I will tell you that we are very keen to try to strengthen our side between now and transfer deadline day (1st September),” he said.
“I am sure I could get one or two in anyway but it is just adding the sort of quality that I would want - and that is exactly what I will be trying to do.
“Am I a fan of Milner? He was nearly here two years ago. He nearly signed two years ago but it didn’t materialise. But I never think anything is done and dusted until anything happens.
“So many things have happened to me as a player and as a manager that I would never take anything for granted. It was disappointing at the time but it was two years ago.”
martin onneill has no class what a prik
83 xfer // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:25
I would suggest MA avoid sitting with the fans this weekend, cos if things don’t improve, we’ll see him dumped onto the pitch!
84 Fergie // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:25
No matter what the outcome of the Milner saga, even if it leads to Keegan walking, the Ashley regime will still be far better than that of Shepherd and his goons.
85 James // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:25
And people saying Ashley should talk to the fans are being stupid. Abramovich doesn’t speak to the fans, the Glazers don’t speak to the fans.
It’s Derek Lambais job to be the spokesman for the board, the same way Chris Mort did. The lack of communication is completely Lambais being a muppet. Kenyon speaks for Abramoich and Lambais should be speaking for Ashley.
Bring back Chris Mort I say, he was excellent.
86 Leo // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:26
Milner
The news that James Milner has handed in a transfer request at Newcastle has grabbed O’Neill’s attention, and the Ulsterman revealed that a move for the Magpies winger remains a possibility.
“I will tell you that we are very keen to try to strengthen our side between now and transfer deadline day (1st September),” he said.
“I am sure I could get one or two in anyway but it is just adding the sort of quality that I would want - and that is exactly what I will be trying to do.
“Am I a fan of Milner? He was nearly here two years ago. He nearly signed two years ago but it didn’t materialise. But I never think anything is done and dusted until anything happens.
“So many things have happened to me as a player and as a manager that I would never take anything for granted. It was disappointing at the time but it was two years ago.”
MON has absolutly no class what a prik
87 dontoon // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:27
the problem is not that milner is going to leave. The problem is that we all know fine well that there is no one coming in. We got three days to sign players. None of the transfers we done so far took less than three days.
There is no chance we are going to get anyone and now we are going to deal with the fact we have to sell. This is so wrong and bad no one can defend board for this. If they were fully committed they would of had there deals done by now, not waiting for THREE more players.
88 James // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:27
It’s not Ashley’s job to speak to the fans. It’s Derek Lambais’s job.
The same way Kenyon speaks for Abramoich, and Gill speaks for the Glazers.
When Chris Mort was in the same job he spoke to us regularly. But Lambais has been terrible at this.
Bring back Mort.
89 The Entertainers // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:28
I do agree sometimes ….
no news is good news
But silence breeds confusion and frustration
90 kenny g // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:30
Milner will stay unless we get over 10mil, and from where I’m sitting he’s worth nothing like that amount so take it and run.
It’ll mean Zog gets to play in his BEST position and Enrique also gets a chance to turn into the player I believe his is capable of becoming.
Duffer has regained form, fitness and desire to play, so give him a chance to do so also.
For such a ’small’ squad we are hilariously lopsided with regards to wingers so it would make logical sense to sell one and then reinvest elsewhere, in this case either a DM or a utility defender or both!!
Alternatively use the cash to boost Owens contract negotiations, because lets face it, he’s one of the few remaining draws we have to our recruitment drive.
I refuse to let this Milner/ashley/feud piffle dampen my spirits from what has been a great start to the season under KK, and it’ll will continue so long as we remain positive, read between the lines, and cheer on our players.
HTL
91 willowtoon // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:31
You all keep banging on if we can afford to pay barton 60K then we can afford to pay milner.
We have no option to pay Barton. That is his contract. No one wants to buy him because of his attitude and thuggary.
I said before if we were buying milner for 10 mio would you be delighted
No you would be saying FFS we can get SWP etc etc for that money.
We are being well run and I believe the reason NUFC asked or the request to be kept quiet was to see if they could get a better replacement.
The fact they released the statement means that they have found that replacement and now need him to go for 10 mio so they can then purchase the replacement.
This is good business practise and is as believable as all the doom mongers comments on here.
Ed does a great job but remember the purpose of a blog is to get debate. This is why Ed puts up 1 story as 10 different threds. Lots of hits and more revenue to the advertisers.
92 toonfanjonny // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:36
test
93 simon // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:47
Yeah Kwick, it is Ashleys club, but if he’s not careful, he’ll be sitting in the stands by himself.
Don’t forget that the fans buy tickets, which pay the players wages, so we reserve the right to carp from the sidelines, and have an opinion about the club. A club that will be here long after Ashley is pushing up daisys
94 Bosck // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:49
Hitman - Again as i have said many times WISE HAS NO POWER OVER KEEGAN!!!!.
Mike Ashley has stated directly that Wise has no responsibility for first team transfers. Wise has a specific remit of recruiting youth players who are the future of the club. The players that we are looking to sign that will go straight into the 1st team are dealt with by Keegan, jiminez and vitere.
95 Miffleton // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:52
Boys have no fear, the new regime will pull through. I am from the club and have heard strong rumours that a bid for xabi alonso is being lined up, 18m. Also heard that milner won’t go and negotiations on his contract will start today.
Keep the faith
96 wigaz // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:54
I’m sorry but this bloke has no idea of how to run a football club! millionaire business man yes but he has dropped a serious bollock here imo. He promised so much but has delivered so little, whilst there’s no doubting that the signings of guthrie (KK’s choice) Jonas & Colo (All jimenez) are good buys (what has wise done again?) we are light years away form breaking that top 6. I think Ashley had all the best intentions in the world when he bought us i really do, but i think the well has run dry & he’s realised he does not have the £ to get the toon to where they need to be, back amongst the leagues elite. So my advice to you Ashley if you ever read these sites (Ed feedback if they do please) is if someone is willing to invest heavily in player recruitment & has the £100m+ to back KK then just sell up & move on m8. You’ll make a profit on it, but seriously your in over your head & the fans will turn against you if you keep on like this. This is just a humble Toon fans opinion but i belive in it as i’m sure other mags do too. Sell up to rich arab or singapoure billionaires & leave! end of subject.
97 YellowBelly // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:55
Kwick et all.
In Defence of Ed
Yes its Ashley’s club and he can do what he likes with it, but its a business that has a product and has customers.
Compare ourselves to M&S a few years back they had pig headed owners that just assumed everything would be ok just because M&S is M&S and they would make big profits. They ignored their customers and they nearly went bust.
But then they re-launched themselves with Sexy adverts and mouth watering food. They are top again.
NUFC - We are the customer ignor us at your peril. Take a leason from M&S and make our club glamourous
(p.s. would be even better if they employed her that was on I am celebrity in the M&S adverts shes hot it would make buying the match program worthwhile)
98 keltik // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:56
ILL SAY IT AGAIN, ITS TIME WE ORGANISED A PROTEST OUTSIDE SJP TO TRY AND WAKE UP THESE BLUE CHEESE EATING EXECUITVES WHO DONT SEEM TO CARE ABOUT OUR CLUB.
COME ON PEOPLE, THE ONLY WAY WE WILL MAKE THEM LISTEN IS IF WE ALL SWARM AROUND THE SJP AND START A PROTEST AND THE ABSOLUTE SHOCKING WAY OUR CLUB IS BEING RAN.
99 reagen smash // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:57
hi alrite it’s reagen smash here.
does asley have the cash(ley)?
that is the queation we need to answer, sooner rather than later.
reagen smash
100 James // Aug 28, 2008 at 11:59
It’s not Ashley’s job to speak to the fans. It’s Derek Lambais’s job.
The same way Kenyon speaks for Abramoich, and Gill speaks for the Glazers.
When Chris Mort was in the same job he spoke to us regularly. But Lambais has been terrible at this.
101 wigaz // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:00
This man has no idea of how to run a football club IMO. Millionaire business man yes, but good football club owner? NO! Going to be brutally honest here lads, when MA took over i honestly belive he had all the best intentions in the world, but suddenly the well has run dry & he realises he simpply doesn’t have the £ needed to get the toon to where they need to be. Now if Ma reads these blogs (Ed feedback if they do please m8) listen up, swallow your pride & admit defeat, if somebody be it Asian billionaire or singapoure company want to invest in the club & are willing to back KK with substantial funds £100m+, then please Mike sell up & move on! you’ll make a profit & save face, but if you stay & continue the way you are with a muppet for a MD then the mags will turn on you, belive it. This just a humble toon fans opinion but i’m sure it’s shared by many of you.
102 reagen smash // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:00
ashley has said many times he is not a blue cheese man, he is a stilton fan.
reagen smash
103 blerred // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:04
RE dontoon…
“none of our transfers have been done in less than 3 days”
guthrie bid was confirmed about 3pm and he was signed by teatime. as for jonas - nobody knew we were interested in him so nobody knows how long that deal took. how do you know we havent got another 3 jonas-like transfers already lined up?? coloccini was the only deal that was drawn-out and that was coz of international work permit problems mainly
KEEP THE FAITH, and ffs stop reading the bollix in the papers and rising to it!! its getting embarassing. all these ’stories’ about wise/kk power struggle are rubbish and completely baseless and there are never any quotes in the article. wise has absolutely no say in who we sell, and he his recruitment job is to identify players, not to sign players!!
104 BenjiToon // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:06
Willowtoon - the other thing about Barton is that the club did try to change (possibly scrap) his contract when he was insside and just after he came out. They found that they might get sued really heavily if they did. So they backed off. Have to remember that Barton was the last deal of the Shepher regime…
105 reagen smash // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:06
hi alrite reagen smash here.
when will ashley learn?
reagen smash
106 Marguerite // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:08
I do not think that Milner really wants to leave the club and he has allowed his representatives to get him in this position. Whether he stays or leaves is up to him. He can either withdraw the transfer and ‘earn’ an increase in salary or move on.
I am happy for him to stay but not unhappy if he leaves. He is NOT essential to NUFC.
I know this blog is our chance to air our views and normally Ed is so optimistic but to my fellow bloggers I ask please be more supportive of Ashley. He should not be expected to come out and talk to the fans. No other chairman does. This should be Lambias’s job and if he is incapable of doing this, then he should be replaced. I do admit that this is an area where our club can improve in its communication with us the fans.
However, we are a million times better off than we were 12 months ago, our club is stable and safe thanks to Mike Ashley and we as fans have to practice patience, it will take time to undo the damage caused by Shepherd / Souness /Allardyce. As the old saying goes, Rome was not built in a day.
Keep The Faith - I still believe new players will come in.
Howay the Toon.
107 Shola Ameobi // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:09
At the end of the day, the squad is to small. At this point, i dont care about big signings and what not, Mike Ashley is a liar, period, so don’t believe what he says. All i want is 3 players who can at least cut in the PL to make up numbers. This good start to the seasons going to go straight down the shitter once the squad starts tiring and we get more injuries.
108 Taiwantoon // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:10
Be patient? I thought there’s only several days before the transfer deadline. I want to stay opmistic but there is no way this small squad can compete over a season. This is just asking too much of them.
109 Fandi // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:10
If Mr Ashley does not get his priorities right before the transfer window shuts (i.e. new contracts for Owen, Milner, Harper; at least 2 quality signings), he should prepare to see another record low attendance at home to Hull. This is not a display of disloyalty to the club, but a display of extreme disappointment and a clear signal to the owner to wake up.
110 charlie // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:11
doom and gloom doom and gloom, it was so different 2 weeks ago ! Why cant people have abit more faith.
Everybody was praising the management team and their shrewd investments what has suddenly changed ??
milner has handed in a transfer request, although he works hard and is tricky he is not overly quick and like several other bloggers i agree that we do have more options in those positions zog, duff, jonas etc…
We dont know anything yet about Owen its all speculation so lets just wait and see.
there are only 4 days left and we do need a couple but the team have not lost yet and we still have players to come back. i remeber the after the nam u game and eveybody was saying how things have changed for the better and that it was a positive step forward that we were not merely rushing in buying over paid mercenries who are not bothered how they perform for the sake of it (Kluvert, Luque anyone ??).
Lets just stop reading into all these crisis stories and see what happens. On a postive note we looked good on tuesday night and although we conceded two i always thought we would go through. it was the most enjoyable toon game i have watched for ages, exciting and open.
anyway just my 2 cents.
charlie
ps our good run of form towards the back end of last year occured when milner was injured and did not play at all, just something to consider when evaluating his contribution to the team.
pps enrique looked good on tuesday night and made a couple of timely challenges, do people think thats enough to make him a starter at the emirates ???
111 Marguerite // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:12
Oh dear, spent ages doing my post and the b***** thing has got lost in the ether. So here is a shorter version:-
- I supporty Ashley
- I support Keegan
- I support Newcastle
- I believe we will get new players before the transfer window closes.
Howay the lads, Keep te Faith, Toon4Ever
112 sweendog // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:13
F**K SAKE .. EVERYONE GET A GRIP.
This is one player who has handed in a transfer request .. not the entire team .. wait till after the weekend and decide before going mad .. and don’t be getting on Ashley’s back until after the weekend as he’s done nothing wrong in my view .. he’s in fact bought really well and things are going to improve after the weekend .. we all know Keegan is going to get 3 but hopefully 4 players .. wait n see who they are and then make your judgements on if ashley isn’t good for the club …. remember this is all paper speculation…
113 Spyro // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:17
im with you on this one Sweendog
SHUT UP YOU BUNCH OF MOANERS!
YOU SOUND LIKE WOMEN!
114 welsh toon // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:18
Sell milner and get swp off chelsea he’s ready 2 go, keegan knows all about him good worker and scores goals. wha do u guys think??
115 stjames // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:18
A statement from Mike would be good. A press meeting better.
116 Irish John // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:18
93 keltik ….That is such a major over reaction its not even funny..It’s only milner , not a bloody legend like Shearer….
Have some patience …We’re in good hands..If we were still under fat fred we would be buried by now…
Ashley is a legend in my eyes for saving our club…Milner is average at best
117 Ga // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:20
What a load of rubbish. If I am a celebraity, do I have to communicate with my fans regarding how every single part of my body is doing?? course not!
We have to realise that Mike is the owner, he paid cash for the club, its his! NUFC have been suffering financially under Shepherd and we are still suffering from his legacy. Mike came in, clear the debt, but we are still financially weak. We brough in players with huge wages bill and until we sort the club out financially, the club wont be sustainable and will go bust!
We brought bumsong for 8 mil, luque for 10, owen for 17, do you not wonder where these money comes from? We simply cannot afford players, face it, thats life. Sheperd made the wrong investment, NUFC lose money! We don’t have a huge income to make things worst, our tickets are cheaper than top team’s, we are not in europe and our reputation (hence merchandise sales) have gone downhill.
Face it newscastle fans, we have been shocking for the last 5 years and it have stained the club financially big time. Face it that Mike stepped in and own the club is owned by him, solely by him! Face it that if Mike doesnt want to invest after buying the club for 100mil than clearing the debt of 100mil, that is his decision. We brought load of youngsters, 10mil for colocinni We cant ask for more commitment! I know we deserve more, but face it, its call reality in capitalism world.
As far as I see it newcastle is not a sustainable business. Investing in load of players wont not turn it into a profitable business, it takes decades to build an empire like manu. If we mike walks now, we will be deep water………
118 reagen smash // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:22
reagen smash.
119 Rasko a.k.a Hadji // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:22
If we let Milner without a fight then i have every right to be against MA regime.
We need to look after our players like Aston Villa with Barry.
Now i know Milner aint Barry but on the other hand Barry aint Milner when he was 22.
120 ToonEskimo // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:22
To true sweendog, everyone is looking for a scapegoat at our apparent “lack” of transfer activity….I’m sure if Mike DOESN’T do the business some fans will be voting with their feet/wallets….
121 reagen smash // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:25
if it was me, i would start a clean page, and wipe the slate.
write a new chapter in “newcastle united ” history.
reagen smash
122 hitman // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:27
wor kev would of walked by now if he didnt need the money,should it not be keegans choice if milner goes, do people on here think kk never went to the owner to get milner an improved deal.wise refused to talk to milners agent about a new deal…thats why he handed in a transfer
123 reagen smash // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:27
mike ashley
says it all really.
reagen smash
124 Rasko a.k.a Hadji // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:32
Pazzini is available,now thats a Striker i’d looove to see in our team.
I think 10 mill would do the trick.
125 chris toon6 // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:32
there is a lot of unrest at the moment and ashley dsnt seem too realise it, he needs to be more open with whats going on. people arent happy with him anymore we need signings quick!
126 reagen smash // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:33
ed harrison he -ashley- doesn’t have to speek if he doesn’t want to.
freedom of speech, not torture..
reagen smash
127 ToonEskimo // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:34
Ed, whilst I love this site more than my wife ands kids I am getting very frustrated with the “improved” performance of this blog….I think I preferred “cpu quota” error message.
128 ToonEskimo // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:35
Still doesn’t work…I’m off to check sky sports news….
129 Marguerite // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:39
Thanks Spyro - now excuse me I need to do my nails!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
130 cr_23 // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:40
Ashley does not need to come out every time there is a story in the papers, and prove himself.
He told us everything in the official magazine a couple of weeks ago, but people seem to have forgotten that.
131 Punk Skunk // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:45
Mike Ashley doesn’t have to do anything of the sort!..END OF!..
…Get a grip Ed…Love the site, ta for that man, but, what the hell are you doin’ writing for NOWT (NOTW)…They’re using you to get some kinda inside track on what Geordies think, then writing what they want anyway, soz, just an opinion!..
132 35yrsofhurt // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:47
Guys, lets not forget one thing.
FAT FRED WAS A T**T
The club was built on sand when he was at the helm.
We have no right to assume automatic European football etc, It will take another 2 years or so to catch up with Spurs and Villa.
Be patient and keep the faith, at the end of the day we have made a solid start to the season.
Our best asset is KK, leave Ashley alone until after the window closes and then see where we are.
133 xfer // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:48
Miffleton, if we are indeed after Xabi Alonso, i would be delighted. He is a world class midfielder with a excellent range of passing.
134 Ed Harrison // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:49
Punk Skunk - I saw the funny side of writing for NOTW - and expected a lot more comments like yous - whoops I forgot to put an article up there - they mustn’t have read the blog much on my opinions on some of the popular press.
135 iain // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:50
all the club need to say is we understand the fans worrys but we have a plan.
they dont have to tell us what that plan is, but they could at least let us know that there actually doing something.
they could say milner signed a new deal etc etc we think he shoukd stay no new deal, upset he handed in transfer request etc etc and if he doesn want to go the price is x amount given how villa have acted over barry oneil would look a right tit not coming up with the money and would probably prove to milner we value him more here than he thinks.
136 Guinea Mag // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:55
Jammy (Post No 26) agree with your comments. We are now being run as a business and on Tuesday morning (02-Sep-08) can assess our squad for season 2008/9 then.
Milner will leave if we get the right offer and £10M is good business provided we have time to buy a replacement (Arda Turan pleazzzz). However, he stays if we don’t have time as he’s under contract and a deal is a deal…. This is Newcastle United’s (or MA’s) call not James Milner’s!
As for Owen, I hope we can agree a contract extension but if not, he needs to be sold at the right price and a replacement brought in ASAP. Not a lot of time, so need to do something quickly!
Ed - Your blog is terrific and this article done what it’s suppose to do; i.e. obtain reactions from readers, some positive, others negative. Well done buddy, keep up the good work.
My glass is half full and anticipate 3~4 new signings regardless of the Milner/Owen issues…..
137 The Entertainers // Aug 28, 2008 at 12:57
I think some fans are missing the point with the whole Milner problem.
Look the lads good and will get better and i personally would like to keep him. But if he goes for 10 million then that good money.
My problem and i’m sure others is the way the club are handling this.
Now hes not the only player at the club to have experienced contract problems and there are still other contracts on going.
This is not ideal and they are going on far too long, which allows the press to make up rubbish.
There treatment of the fans has also been poor. The whole ticket fiasco and little communication is shocking.
Keegan is meant to be the mouth peice as all managers are. Yet when questioned we get the same bloody answer, he doesnt know!!!
Dont get me wrong the problem for me is NOT MILNER……its a much wider problem than one player i’m afriad.
138 Tom // Aug 28, 2008 at 13:03
Sweendog was right on the money, I’ve been saying it fore days, the time to judge on the state of the club, of Keegan, of Ashley etc etc is after the weekend, after Monday night when the window closes!
139 REM // Aug 28, 2008 at 13:04
Mistral. so Freddy backed his managers by sacking them within a year!!!!
when people start prasising shepard i start to wonder!
140 Hadrian // Aug 28, 2008 at 13:09
cant belive some of you are questioning why the owner of the club would need to put out a statement to the people who pay the bills …………………
no customers no club, no matter who owns it !
141 Ed Harrison // Aug 28, 2008 at 13:14
cr.23 - but this is a little different - the news isn’t from the Sun - it broke on the Newcastle United official web site - there wasn’t an inkling of this before that report was put out buy the club - I nearly fell off my seat.
142 toonfanjonny // Aug 28, 2008 at 13:17
test1
143 Spyro // Aug 28, 2008 at 13:18
I didnt hear one peep from Abramovic when the Lampard contract fiasco was going on, and do you know what else i didnt hear or read, Chelski fans complaining about the chairman not speaking out. Why do fans on here feel they are so special that they should hear what the chairman has to say on the matter!? KK is supposed to speak on behalf of the club and i must say he is not doing the greatest job of it, and it doesn’t surprise me as he has never been the best at handling the media, he speaks from his heart too much and like it or not it results in him giving media quotes to feed on and turn against our club. Hence the “chairman and manager pulling in opposite directions” bull**** they keep churning out.
144 amble_ball // Aug 28, 2008 at 13:22
Protest at st james keltic? Are you simple? It’s moroninc ideas like that that have had us labelled deluded by other teams fans. EVERYBODY CALM DOWN
145 Jorgen Huntelaar // Aug 28, 2008 at 13:27
Hello everybody!! I am cousin of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. I am just letting evrybody know that Newcastle United FC have agreed a fee with AFC Ajax for Klaas. Klaas will talk Newcastle on Friday morning . I have no clue what the fee is but Klaas has told me he is looking forward to talking to Mik Ashley and Kevin Keegan. It has always been his dream to play football in England!!
Thank you Jorgen
146 broon ale // Aug 28, 2008 at 13:29
Jorgen Huntelaar - you are lying
147 tyneside tommo // Aug 28, 2008 at 13:33
Okay guys. Yer 22-years-old and playing your butt off every week for the Toon while Joey’s in jail and some of the main men are in the treatment room.
You discover the club value your services at £10million but that’s around four times Smith’s value but guess what - he’s getting paid £60,000 a week which is twice what your earning.
If you worked in a factory you’d have something to say to the gaffers about such a pay discrepancy.
Milner’s got a valid point. He doesn’t want to leave the Toon. He just wants pay parity with some of the others. Sounds reasonable to me.
And the critics can carp all they like. The lad’s co